The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 315, 24 April 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1878.

A special meeting of the Patea Harbor Board was held at Carlyle yesterday afternoon, all the members being present, ■ to consider modifications in Plans of Breakwater, which the contractor (Mr Dickson) expressed a wish should be made. After a lengthy meeting, and consultations with the contractor the plans and specifications were signed by Mr Dickson, in the form originally pesented, discretionary power to modify (if required) to a small extent, being lelt to the Superintending Engineer. This is a matter for general congratulation, and we trust the initiation ofso important a work will be marked suitably and that credit will bo given to whom it is due. The contract was not signed until nearly seven o’clock last night. We hope in next issue to give date for laying of foundation stone, Prepai-ations for a start will be immediately commenced in the way of providing storage and accommodation for workmen.

The Otoia-Opaku deferred payment land, some sections of which were not taken up on being thrown open for selection on the 13th instant, is gradually being taken up. As showing the great advantage to the County, of having, a Local Land Office, we may mention that a couple of men who had ridden up from Wanganui on the Sundajq were to beseenbeforc nine o’clock on Monday morning, examining the.list and plans fixed up in the passage of the Court House. Both men were pressed for time, and though it was Easter Monday, a gazetted holiday, Captain Wray showed himself ready to oblige, and giving every information required, allowed the applicants to arrange for their selection, and so enabled them at once to return to Wanganui. Except for the facility afforded by a Local Land Office, the above, and other persons similarly situated, would be unable to make personal application, and would be very unlikely to take the trouble to write.

The Working Committee lately, appointed by the Carlyle Town Board to look after works in progress, with power to authorize expenditure to the modest extent of £5, appear to be doing gooi work, or, at any rate, by their supervision, are getting work well-done, and are effecting other infprovements about the footpaths, which but for their appointment, would remain unnoticed, until formally petitioned about, by one or other of the ratepayers. The length of footpath from past Catholic Church, joining that previously gravelled at Captain Wray’s boundary, is voted a convenience as well as a substantial indication of intention to make the town presentable in appearance. Bad places have alsi been made good from opposite the Post Office, down to Taplin’s corner, and the channel ways cleared out. A good start has been made in clearing out the drain crossing TJnthanks Road, and running towards the Lake (now dry). This work should have a tendency to lessen- the strength of the swamp scent, hitherto not admired, and so help to purify the atmosphere of the town. We are inclined to think the Town Board might venture to enlarge the spending power of the Working Committee. We believe it has been proved that small jobs can be done much cheaper and better through the Working Committee, than if tendered for. Of course, it will be desk-able that anything else than small jobs should be tendered for, as heretofore. Mr Finnerty, Government Surveyor, is announced to be in readiness on Friday, at Kakavamea, to show pegs to purchasers of Otoia-Opaku land at late sale.

The via San Francisco British Mail will be made up on Friday, instead of Wednesday. n« r>’ , o\rinnaly nnnnm'wl. nnd mill Uc sent by way of Taranaki. Mr R. C. Tennent, (Manager Bank NewSouth Wales, Carlyle) and Mr Weiss, (schoolmaster, Whenuakura), left Carlyle on Thursday last, for a trip to Mount Egmont. Bell’s Falls were visited on Saturday morning early, after which, at about eleven o’clock, the ascent of the mountain was commenced. The two gentlemen had no guide. We hope to obtain a detailed account of the trip, as it may prove useful to other mountain climbers.

Waverley turned out well, ditto Carlyle, and we have no doubt Hawera also will show up at their new Town Hall, Thursday and Friday evenings, to enjoy the treat which the performances of Mrs [late Miss Leaf] and Mrßeed will afford. Waverley people were so well pleased with the entertainment, that urgent solicitations were made to the talented vocal and instrumental performers “ to miss a night at Carlyle—the people there would he sure not to patronize,” for the sake of giving Waverley another chance. We understand that on the return from Hawera, Waverley will have another call. Monday night at Carlyle, there was a good audience. A varied programme was gone through, and every piece enthusiastically encored. It is seldom any performance has given such general satisfaction. Miss Leaf as well as Mr Reed, are both well known and appreciated at the Thames. They have many admirers all over the colony. Capable judges report Mrs Reed, whose singing is much akin to that of Miss Fanny Carandini, to have much improved in style and voice, since last heard on the Thames, about two years ago. The many parts in which Mr Reed can figure advantageously —comic, sentimental, vocal or instrumental (almost any instrument), in addition to his fund of original witticisms—makes him highly popular. A few local hits were indulged in, on Monday evening, but the best exhibition was promised, in the shape of an original local song, for Tuesday night. Some of the Hawera celebrities will-be sure to come in for notice. We hay§.little doubt but Hawera will give Mr and Mrs Reed a cordial reception.

Regulations under “ The Fish Protection Act, 1877,” have been gazetted, which prohibits persons • from .fishing in tidal waters, with nets, unless duly licensed by the Collector of Customs. The fee for one year is £l. The regulations do not apply to Maoris or half-castes, nor to any mode of catching or taking fish otherwise than by net. Flounders and soles measuring less than nine inches from snout to root of caught any time except in the month of July have to be returned to the sea.

During the past month, Mr W. Dale, of Carlyle, has had his business premises refronted, and in a style which is alike creditable to the proprietor and to the contractors who earned out the work. The finishing touch has this week been given by Mr Dixon, painter, ih the shape of lettering and decorations of "windows and shop front. The lettering is undoubtedly the most extensive and best specimen of work yet done within the County. The various agencies held by Mr Dale, have been fully set forth. The "work just done may be looked upon as the commencement of a number of improvements to business places in Carlyle, now in band, and contemplated, which, by the time they are completed, say this time nest year, will have completely altered the appearance of the township. Of works in hand, we may mention new premises for Mr G. T. Potto, large new general store for Mr Gibson, new Institute and Reading Room, new bakery for Mr Howitt, new blacksmith’s shop for Mr McCarty, new photographic establishment and business premises" for Mr Warren, additions to Masonic Hotel; together with a few private dwellings, from fair sized four-room cottages, to match-box like structures off the main road.

The Taranaki Herald says : “ The sittings of the Native Land Court were brought to a conclusion on Wednesday morning last. The claims were heard before His Honor Chief Judge F. D. Fenton, and Kaiwareira, Assessor. The Civil Commissioner (Major Brown) conducted the cases, Mr Stockman acting as interpreter. Mr W. Swanson was clerk to the Judge. There was a large number of natives present, who, duringthe proceedings, were most orderly.” Wc learn from Mr W. Williams, of Carlyle, who was also present during the sitting, that the cases brought on for hearing, showed great mortality amongst the Maoris. In many cases there was no appearance, the claimants being dead. The first meeting of the Carlyle Cemetery Trustees took place on Saturday last, there being present Messrs Williams, Coutts, Taplin, and Sherwood. The party having met, made it their first business to examine the Cemetery, and it was agreed that certain works should be done, comprising laying out a pathway through the centre of the ground, planting trees all around, and other needful works. The Trustees returned to town, and held meeting in the office of Mr D. M. Harris. Mr G. F. Sherwood was elected Chairman. Mr D. M. Harris was appointed Secretary, at £lO per annum. The meeting adopted a set of rules and regulations in regard to interments, and for the general management of the ground, as also a scale of charges in connection The present revenue is something like £6O per year. The planting season being just now at hand, a more appropriate time for taking over the management could scarcely have been chosen. The condition of the Cemetery has for a long time been a disgrace to the place. There is now every prospect of its being one of the best laid out and cared-for grounds on tins coast. The situation is one which commands most extensive views, and, instead of being shunned, as has hitherto been the case, will be likely to become the resort, not only of persons who will have a melancholy sort of pleasure in beautifying the graves of deceased relatives and friends, but of all appredators of beautiful scenery. Everything in connection with the Trust just handed over by Government appears to be on a first-class footing.

Friends of Major Turner will be pleased to learn that that gentleman is still progressing favorably. The broken limb has been freed from bandages, and on Saturday last the Major was enabled to take his first airing on the verandah in front of his own residence. He will shortly be enabled to venture a little further afield.

Messrs McLean and Broadbent, will hold large cattle sale at Hawera, on Friday, the 26th instant, at their yards, at one o’clock.

A meeting of all persons who subscribed to the erection of tire Waverley Town Hall, is convened for this evening, on business of importance.

A meeting of the Patea Steam Navigation Company, will be held at the Secretary’s office, on Thursday evening, at 7 p.m., for the purpose of electing directors. It looks as if shares are likely to be sought outside Patea, Mr John Duthie, of Wanganui, having invested to the extent of £l5O ; with others inquiring.

We understand that Mr C. W. Hursthouse, who has been engaged to survey and draw out working plans of the Patea end of the Mountain Road, along with Mr Wright, Foreman of Works, has been at work early and late since he made a start.. The work is therefore being, hurried on with all speed. As the first month, before Mr Hursthouse was engaged, was little else than time wasted, it is satisfactory to know that some attempt is being made to pull up for lost time. If contracts for the money at disposal of Patea County, are not taken up before end of financial year, it will have to be re-voted.

The s.s. Clyde, long and anxiously waited for, turned up on Sunday, from Wanganui. The ketches Palcon and Argus were reported as lying at Wanganui.

E. Dickson, Esq., contractor for Patea Breakwater, arrived py coach, from Auckland, via TaranaVb on Saturday morning last, and at onre inspected site of proposed work, in company with the Superintending Engineer (Mr Thomson).

Eighteen tenders were received by Government, for the Carterton contract of the Wellington-Masterton Railway. The lowest tender was that of Mr Richard Dickson, Auckland, £51,954, which Was accepted. The next lowest was £63,501 ; running up gradually to the highest, £81,072.

The Wanganui Cavalry Tournament was held on the Racecourse on Monday. The Wairoa Horse mustered to a man, under Captain Walkington. The Wairoas carried off all the prizes, but we leave it to our Wanganui Correspondent, to speak to their merits, which he no doubt will in next issue.

The Chronicle says ;—The Hon Mr Fox is expected to address his constituents, both in Wanganui and Waverley in the course of next week.

The Hawke’s Bay Herald, of the 17th, instant, says —It is reported , that the natives have seized n block of land at Wharerangi, with' the intention of treating it in the same manner as they have treated the Ornaranui block. Whatever the merits of the case may be, the Government will find it necessary to take a decided stand against illegal steps of this character.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Taranaki, in his last monthly report to the Board showed sales at Patea—l2 town allotments, containing- 3a Or 14p, at an average rate per acre of £43 15s, cash received £24 2s 6d, balance of sales incomplete £7O 7s 6d, scrip £4O, total value sold £134 10s, 3 rural allotments, containing 256 a 2r 18p, at an average rate per acre of £1 17s 3d, cash received £ll9 10s, balance of sale incomplete £357 8s Gel > total value sold £476 18s Bd, cash received for incomplete purchases £lO3 10s. The price of town lots sold during the month in Taranaki County average £ls par acre ; Patea, £43 15s. The price of rural land sold m Taranaki County average £1 8s 9d per acre; Patea Count y, &X 17s 3d.