The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 305, 20 March 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1878.

Apart from the prominence given at Major Atkinson’s meeting on Friday evening, to the subject of sheep inspection in Patea County, we had been previously informed that a number of settlers within the County, painfully aware of the inconvenience of the divided authority

which at present exists in regard to sheep inspection, had resolved to agitate the question, and, if possible, induce the County Council to take action, with a view to seeming better arrangements. All interested will recollect the discredit which was brought on the County last year, through the discovery of scab in several flocks, after inspection and denial of the existence of scab by Sheep- Inspector Hately. Correspondence which had taken place between settlors, the Government, and Departmental officers, was published in these columns in September last. There is no need to refer further to what proved a thoroughly unsatisfactory proceeding. The subject was argued out at Friday night’s meeting, and Major- Atkinson’s explanation does not seem to have given general satisfaction, in spite of the fact that he endeavoured to get an Act passed which, had it received the assent of the Assembly, would have enabled satisfactory arrangements for inspection of sheep within the County to have been made. We are just now in as awkward a fix as at the time of the agitation. From Major Atkinson’s remarks, it would appear that Mr Hately is still Chief Inspector of the Taranaki Provincial District, as before the appointment of Mr Hickson, and that the latter gentleman is really subordinate to Mr Hately within the said boundaries. The fact of two official notifications being made in regard to returns of sheep required to be made in January last, rather fogged sheep-owners and led to confusion. The only inference to be drawn from the facts is, that Mr Hately, acting in the capacity of Chief Inspector, asked that the returns should be furnished through the Sub - Inspector (Mr A. Wood), and that Mr Hickson, deeming himself to be solely responsible for the Patea County, resented any interference on the part of Mr Hately. At any rate returns were furnished in response to both notifications, and the probabilities are that no accurate return has yet been made up, embracing as it should do the whole of the flock-owners. As to the relative qualifications of both Inspectors, opinions will be varied. There is little question but what both are "capable men, and there can be no doubt but what in the particular cases referred to Mr Hately was hurtfully negligent, and wholly responsible for the discredit and expense which followed the discovery of scab. From correspondence published last year it would seem that Mr Hately was in no way anxious to remain in charge of Patea—in fact, he was amongst the first to recommend Government to make a separate appointment for the Patea and Hawera Districts. The recommendation was made to Government but not acted upon. Mr ,Hickson, it was believed was temporavilly placed in charge, and at very considerable inconvenience to himself, has continued to act. -Considering the important and extensive area previously and still under Mr Hickson’s care, it does not seem fair to that gentleman that he should be saddled with the responsibility of looking after sheep in Patea County. Wanganui sheep owners are not satisfied with the arrangement. They would prefer to have the Inspector always within reach. Considering that extensive shipments of cattle and sheep arc every week made from Wanganui, inconvenience must occasionally arise through the absence of Mr Hickson in Patea County. The attention of the Wanganui Press has been directed to the matter. It cannot be a pleasant position for Mr Hickson to occupy, and Jyiless the appointment can be placed Tn a more satisfactory footing, with substantial recognition for extra work involved, we can well understand that that gentleman would gladly be rid of the extra responsibility. Neither is the arrangement satisfactory to flockowners in Patea. It'is necessary that the Inspector should be frequently about, and that in case of suspected infection, he should be at hand to set doubts at rest. Gases frequently arise when the Inspector would be called in if only he were readily available. Few care to take the responsibility of calling for a special visit from Wanganui. As this district is every month growing in importance, and with the completion of the first section of the Breakwater, will be likely to export sheep and cattle to a considerable extent, it is only proper that the question of Sheep Inspector should be now settled in a way that will give satisfaction for the present and meet future requirements. A separate Inspector will shortly be necessary, and some qualified person, residing within the County, should be put in charge, so that on the Assembly granting the necessary power, the appointment could be made permanent. Judged by the relative number of sheep owned in the two Counties Patea is more entitled to a separate Inspector than Taranaki. We are giveil to understand that there are fully 60,000 sheep in Patea, which is very considerably ahead of the number owned in-Taranaki. We hope the settlors who have taken the initiative in this matter will not rest until more satisfactory arrangements have been made. ‘

The Patea portion of the English Mail via San Francisco, arrived by coach on Mondav.

Mr F. R. Jackson’s Waveriev stock sale will be Held on Friday nest.

At the R.M. Court, Carlyle, yesterday, S. Tapfin applied for a judgment summons for £3 19s against J. Barnes. Judgment given that unless amount and costs were paid forthwith, defendant should be sent to Wanganui Gaol for one month.

The Hawera School Committee have elected Miss Goad, of Taranaki, to fill the position of assistant mistiess in the Hawera School. Besides being certificated, Miss Goad had the advantage of being trained by a first-class (English) certificated mistress, and, moreover, has been strongly recommended by Mr Robert Lee (Inspector of Patea schools). Miss Goad was to enter on her duties to-day. We wish her every success.

A correspondent has forwarded letter for publication referring to Friday night’s public meeting, and blaming Major Atkinson for the appointment of certain public officers, whom the writer asserts, in specified cases, to have used their position to further private interests to the disadvantage of the public. We cannot endorse the statements or opinions of the writer, whom otherwise we esteem, and whom we think would not knowingly make wrong statements. It is a very grave matter to even hint at abuse of power by public officers, and should not be done without incontrovertible evidence. We believe that enquiry would show that there is small foundation for the suspicions entertained by our correspondent. As to Sheep Inspector it will be well to await communication which Major Atkinson promised to make. Major Atkinson, in Taranaki, on aspersions being made in regard to certaip public officers, spoke highly as to the character and ability of the Civil Service, and having had the best possible opportunities of judging, his opinion should be entitled to weight. We cannot publish the letter. Wc learn from Hawom that active steps are being taken by Taranaki Lands Commissioner and Major Brown to prosecute persons running cattle on Crown lands. Out of a mob of over 170 impounded by Captain Wilson, from oil the Waimatc Plains, only about ten were found to belong to natives. The rest were owned by Mr Winks. As regards Mr Wilson, of Whenuaknra, we understand that that gentleman agreed to withdraw the cattle he had running at Momahaki, if the natives would allow him to do so. The natives were not at first willing to do so. After an interview with the Civil Commissioner the opposition softened down, and it is likely the natives will now assist Mr Wilson to muster his cattle, and so the matter will be settled.

We hear that opposition to the Moraahaki survey has been entirely withdrawn, and that an amicable understanding has been arrived at. The various natives interested have agreed to meet and talk the matter over with Major Brown at Carlyle on Friday nest. The place of meeting proved a small bone of contention for some time, as objections were taken by natives to meeting at Waitotara and other places named. There' was, however, unanimity as to Carlyle, and the meeting will accordingly be held there, when we hope the difference will be finally settled.

Nominations for Members of the Patea Harbour Board, Hawera Riding, will be received by the Returning Officer (Mr F. McGuire) up to noon to-morrow (Thursday). An emergency meeting of the Patea Kilwinning Lodge of Masons will be held to-morrow evening. Patea East Road Board Electoral Roll is now open for inspection at the Court House, Carlyle. Tenders for fencing will be received for Mr Nicholson to-day, at Mr Gibson’s. The little steam tender, s.s. Clyde, sailed from Patea last Friday evening with.a full cargo of grass seed for Mr S. Taplin. She discharged in Wanganui next day,*reloaded with a full general cargo, and arrived' in Patea River again on Sunday morning) thus making the trip in 36 hours, besides which about 80 tons cargo was handled* Captain Gibbons is deserving of commendation for the energy thus shown in endeavouring to meet the wishes of settlers who had outgoing cargo they were anxious to despatch.

The Sergeant of Police, Carlyle, has been serving summonses in most unusual quarters lately—J .P.’s and settlers of position have all been served alike, for the part taken in Chadwick’s late sweep. The case will be heard on the 4th April.

We call attention to alteration of Mr W. Williams’ advertisement. The business will in future be carried on under the name of Williams and Sons. Price list has been revised, and new branches of business entered upon. Commodious premises will shortly be erected for the display of imported and home made agricultural and other implements. The Taranaki Herald says—A successful experiment was made, with the iron sand, on the 13th instant,, when about a hundredweight and a half of metal was run. The compound used was manufactured by Mr E. M. Smith,

The Wellington Argus of Friday last says :—The .European telegrams published on the 12th instant are specially important. Very strong rumours are current in London that Russia is pursuing her old policy of double-dealing, and whilst professing to wait patiently for the result of the European is all the. time steadily advancing on Constantinople. In fact, her submission to a conference was a mere blind;to keep England and other Powers quiet whilst she stealthily, but steadily, gained her end. Under these circumstances , the intense public feeling against her that prevails in England can be readily understood. The British Chancellor of the Exchequer lias said that his Government had not received any intelligence of a movement on Constantinople by the Russians, but this does not argue that such may not be taking place. Should it be happening, and be discovered, England ■ would have no alternative. War Would be declared.

At meeting of the Taianaki Waste Lands Board on the 11th instant, the report of the Chief Surveyor was read, forwarding tracings of 1,716 acres of Block No. 6, Huiroa District, sub-divided into allotments varying from 60 to 150 acres each* The report stated that the land was said to be of very fair quality, and on the whole more level than the other portions of the block. Nearly the whole of the Hniroa swamp was included in allotments Nos. 32 and 33 ; these were perfectly open; and could be easily drained ; at the present time it was almost dry, nnd could be crossed by cattle. He also forwarded tracings of 500 acres of laud surveyed inland of Urenui, and stated that a further amount would be probably ready by next meeting. He bad received a telegram from Mr CHmie, stating that the survey at Whakamara was complete, and the plans would be forwarded by next mail. The survey of land on the north side of the Patea River, on the Mountain Road, had been commenced, and that of the town of Stratford would be started next week. Referring to sale of land atTaumaha tire Herald reports that a letter was read from Captain Wray, stating in reply to Board’s letter of the 22nd ultimo, “ that section No 528, applied for by Peter Campbell, contains land of the best quality, and is worth from £8 to £lO per acre. Section No 359 is a bush section near the Taumaha native reserve. I should fix the upset price at £2, if the hand were offered for sale by auction.”—lt was resolved that tire District Land Officer ofikar the sections for sale for cash at the Court House, Carlyle, on Saturday, the 13th April, at noon. No 528, at £9 per acre and No 359, at £2 per acre. A letter from Government road at the Taranaki Education Board meeting stated that £lO4 15s would be available for that district under “ The Public Libraries Subsidies Act, 1877.”

A correspondent of the Hawke’s Bay Ileraldgives an account of some limestone caves having been discovered near To Ante, They are described as being of magnificent beauty, with stalactites hanging from the roof and sides. One cave that was entered was very extensive, and had many lateral chambers. There were columns strewed about, some whole and some broken, progress difficult. In one place there was a miniature lake, surrounded with green shrubs. In another place the exploring party came upon a number of petrified bones, some very large, and also three human figures of a man, woman, and child. On the opposite side of the cave there were rude sketches of warfare, the countenances of those represented being apparently not of the present race of Maoris. The discovery has been placed in the hands of the Government. ,

Mr Macandrow is reported to have said, at a banquet recently given in Dunedin in honor of the Ministry, that he was not without hope that the public might compel Parliament to restore to the people provincial institutions, but in a form more adapted to the circumstances of the colony.

The N.Z. Times of the 16th instant* says; —It is said on apparently good authority that the railway line will be open as far as Featherston in the course of four months, and when once the fertile valley of the Wairarapa is thus brought into direct communication with Wellington a great stimulus will be given to the settlement and trade of the district. In our last issue we referred to the expected opening of the railway throughout from Foxton to Wanganui in April.

The el ectoral roll Patea West Boad Board is now open for inspection at the secretary’s office, Carlyle.

Great delay having occurred in getting the Governor’s assent to plans of the New Plymouth Harbor, although intimation had been given that the plans were approved by the engineers and by Government, Mr T. Kelly \yas sent specially to Auckland, on Sunday, the 10th instant, where the Governor then was, and having obtained the necessary signature, telegraphed as follows to the Treasurer of the Harbour Board Auckland, March 13. To H. Weston, Esq., New Plymouth, Harbour plans approved and signed by Governor* Tkos. Kelly.” The Herald says :—“This being accomplished, there need be no further delay in the commencement of the work.”

A late issue of the Zealand Gazette contains a notification of importance to immigrants entitled to land under the Act of 1875. -Those so entitled in all other respects but who have omitted to obtain their certificates, or to do any other thing required by the Act, can now get their land, an Order in Council having -been issued, empowering the Governor, on receiving .proof that the person referred to had a bona fide intention to -comply with the Act, to grant them all the privileges and benefits which they would have had, but for the omissions stated. At an interview with the Tara.ahere natives, Auckland, on the 13th March, Mr Sheehan, in referring to the stoppage of recent surveys, said it must be understood once for all that whoever took up arms or resorted to violence put himself outside th e pale of the law, and must stand the consequences*

The Auckland Star says ;—The prediction which was hazarded with reference to the Maori Chief Tarapipipi when he declined medical advice, and trusted to Maori charms* has been fulfilled. The doctor desired to administer remedies, but the obstinate chief made up his mind that he was about to die* When a Maori gives way to superstitious apprehensions of this character no amount of persuasion will disabuse his mind; but he resigns himself to death with the indifference of a Stoic. This- was the case With Tarapipipi, who died at 8 o’clock on Saturday night, in spite of Maori incantations and a special form of Tariao prayer obtained from the King.

The Wangantii Herald stiongly advocates the formation of a Company for the purpose of erecting a creditable theatre in Wanganui.

The-Auckland Herald , referring to the Broomhall Special Settlement scheme, says : —“Private letters were received recently from Mr'Broouihall, explaining the reasons for the collapse of his scheme, but it. does not seem clear whether ho will now abandon bis proposed Temperance Settlement at the Upper Thames.”

An Italian man-of-war, the Cristoforo Colombo, recently in Auckland, was fitted up with apparatus for the exhibition of the electric light. The Star reports of it as follows ; The Queen-street Svharf on oaturday night was densely crowded to witness the exhibition of the electric light, which, at the request of the Mayor, Captain Canevro had kindly consented to shew. Punctually at eight o’clock, Government House and the shore at Official Bay* was lit up by the bright white light, and then the lamp was turned round, sweeping in its course the whole foreshore and shipping. Within the illuminated area, as newspaper might easily be read a mile distant from the ship ; and every object on tho foreshore, the white cliffs, buildings, shipping, to the smallest rope in tho rigging of a vessel, became plainly distinguishable. 'The light, as it streams from the lantern, is funnel-shaped—similar in fact to that thrown from a magic lantern looking brighter perhaps on account of the surrounding darkness. The cliffs at Shelly Beach were distinctly lighted up, and when the lantern was turned on the North Shore) the illumination could be observed at the Lake, a distance of four or five miles. No boat could approach a ship using this light without being discovered, and whether fo 1 ' the detection of the movements of an enemy at sea or on shore, or for the purpose of tracing a dangerous coast line at night, the value of the light for naval purposes was strikingly demonstrated.

The Grey River Argus says Judging from the reckless manner in which the Grey County Council is getting into debt, it will, unless a tight rein is applied, become before long in some such discreditable financial position as that of the late Paroa Eoad Board, whose legacy of liabilities the County has inherited.

The West Coast Times states that the news from the Rangitoto Silver Mine continues to be most favourable, according to the latest reports to hand from Mr Schoenfelter, the mining manager. From indications in the drive, intelligence of the main lode being struck is expected daily.

The small fish-breeding establishment which Mr Frank Buckland presides over at South Kensington (the Home Neios writes) is,- in its way, one of the most useful institutions possible. Here, in various tanks, are shoals of small trout and infant salmon gradually developing into health and strength sufficient to stand a journey to other lauds. From this head-quarters many of the rivers and lakes of Canada have already been supplied, and a quantity have been sent also to New Zealand, where they thrive wonderfully. A new experiment is now to be tried l —'that of sending outsalmou’seggstoNewZealand. These will be despatched in a fastssteamerr r the'Chimborazo, in connection with others specially chartered, the object, being to maker the journey out with as little delay as possible, and to insure the arrival of the eggs at the spring season. An ice-house has been built on purpose on the deck of the steamer, so that the eggs may have every chance of life.- • The climate and general physical condition of New Zealand is said to approximate closely to those of the British Isles, and it is not strange, therefore, that our fish should do well in New Zealand rivers."

It was reported"bn the 11th March that a rich specimen of gold in quartz had been found in Nakio creek, near Mr Halcombe’s residence, Fielding', Manawatu.

The N..Z. Tirfies says :—The Rev Dr Gervase Smith, the representative of the British. Wesleyan IVletliodist Conference, is now in Wellington. He is a very eloquent preacher, and the services conducted by him have been very largely attended. A tda arid public meeting was given to him on Wednesday evening, at which a large number of persons of all denominations attended. The distinguished visitor was introduced by the Rev Mr Reid, who delivered a very able address on the occasion. From the statements made, the large and energetic body which comprises the Wesleyans here appears to be in a flourishing condition) and the result of Dr Smith’s visit, when laid before the authorities at Home, cannot fail than begratifyiug to therm