The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 317, 1 May 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1878.

We understand that the Hon J. Sheehan, Native Minister, is likely to pass through this District on his way to Wellington some time next week. After the Hikurangi meeting in Auckland province, it is expected he will proceed to Taranaki, thence overland by the coast road to Wellington. The presence of the Native Minister would be a fitting time for a formal opening of the Waimate Plains. We trust the opportunity will not be lost, and that surveyoperations may be then and there commenced by his sanction and in his presence. A Special Press Agency- cable message, dated London, April 26th, has the following items: —The health of both Bismarck and GortschakofE is better.—Diplomatic negotiations are proceeding.—The antiEnglish feeling of the Russian Press is more moderate.—Russia has raised a difficulty- that Bismarck’s proposal for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Sanstcfano, and the British fleet from the Sea of Marmora, favors England.—Russia foregoes the intended entrance of officers and men into Staraboul on Sunday to attend the Greek Churches. —Twenty British ironclads for the Baltic squadron are now ready for service. Mr C. W. Hursthouse, the engineer engaged to survey- the Patea end of the Mountain Road, having finished the outdoor work, has gone back to Taranaki, and will no doubt speedily- furnish complete drawings and particulars of work to be done. The lion William Fox, M.H.E., will aldress his Waverlcy constituents this evening. '

We lately called attention to the good work done by the working committee of the Carlyle Town Board, in repair of footpaths, &c. Some horsemen appear determined to destroy agmuch as possible work which has to be paid for by the general body of ratepayers, by galloping their horses along the footpaths, instead of keeping to the horse road. An introduction to die R.M. by Sergeant Whelan might do some of the offenders good. Mr Cowcrn will hold sale at Normanby to-day. Mr F. 11. Jackson will bold his usual monthly stock sale at Hawera on Friday. The takings at the late KakarameaTown Hall entertainment amounted to£l9 11s Gd. The net proceeds, after paying all expenses arc expected to come up to £ls, which will bo a substantial addition to the Hall Fund.

Wanganui letter in type, but unavoidably piesscd out. Mr Peterson, of the Spring Hill Farm, near Hawera, lias lately lost over twenty sheep, through dogs worrying them at nights.

Mr and Mrs Reid gave another of their delightful entertainments in the Town Hall, Carlyle, on Monday night, to a moderate audience. Mr Reid’s performance on the several instruments was really splendid, and his comicalities were appreciated and met with loud applause. Mrs Reid appeared to be in good voice, and rendered several songs in splendid style, amongst which wc might mention 4i Jessie’s Dream,” “ Please give me a Penny,” “ Good-bye, Sweet-heart,” and the “ Death of Little Nell.” The entertainment throughout was good, and well deserving of patronage. On Sunday night, or rather early on Monday morning, the Maxwell Hotel was burned to the ground. Mr and Mrs Anthony and other inmates were aroused by a Mr Waite, a carpenter who Avas stopping there. Mr Matthews, the cook, turned his attention to rescuing an immlid named Carter, who was in one of the upper rooms. Nothing worth mention was saved. Building was insured for £4OO, and the furniture and stock-in-trade for a like amount.

We have good authority for stating that the average yield of wheat last season throughout the County of Patea will bo 40 bushels to the acre. The average is struck partly from wheat already thrashed, and partly from what remains to bo thrashed, of which latter the furnisher of the information has had good opportunities of judging. The yield in oats is considerably higher. Mr J. E. Keys, obtained 71 sacks from a 5 acre paddock, near Carlyle, which, allowing the usual 44 bushels to the sack, gives a yield of about G-l bushels to the acre; In 1876, Mr Keys obtained from a 54 acre paddock 87 sacks, being a little over 71 bushels to the acre. Off the same paddock in 1877, he secured 85 sacks. Messrs Newland, of Whenuakura, are reported to have averaged 50 bushels of thrashed oats to the acre last harvest.

A meeting held in the Block-house on Saturday evening, 27th instant, was fairly attended. Mr J. Ginger voted to the chair. It was resolved to establish a “ Debating and Amusement Society” at Manutahi. Meetings to be weekly. Alternate evenings to be devoted to the debates and amusements. Members subscription ss. Messrs J. Ginger, D. Ginger, Peacock, Lee and Dawson were appointed Working Committee to obtain list of subjects for debate and arrange a programme. First meeting to take place on 9th May. Vote of: thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. Committee met afterwards, when Mr Leo was appointed Secretary and Mr Dawson Treasurer.

The Football match—Town v Country—announced to have been played at Carlyle on Salurda}’ last, did not eventuate through Country team not rolling up. Sides were picked and a scratch match played, during which Mr B. Dasent foil, with a heavy weight atop, and injured the lower ribs. The ribs are not broken but strained, which will necessitate a short lay up. We understand that Mr S. Taplin intends giving a football to the winning team in a forthcoming match. The Grey River Argus , of the 24th instant, says—Sir John Ccodc will probably leave by the Hinernoa to-day, first for Milford Sound, and thence going north to Wanganui and Pa tea. On Monday he proceeded, accompanied by Mr Blackett, C.E., Messrs O’Connell and Johnston, and his Worship the Mayor, to Brunnerton, where he personally inspected the workings in the Coal Pit Heath, and Brunner mines, and, -we understand, expressed himself deeply interested in what he had seen.” A Reuter’s cable message from Constantinople on the 26th April, says —The Roumanian Insurgents, well officered, occupy an impregnable position. The Insurgents are driving back Bulgarians, and approaching Phillipopolis. Alarm prevails at Adrianople, whence troops have been despatched against the Insurgents.— A message from Rome states that the new Pope reiterates the protest of Pius IX relative to the temporal power of the Papacy. From Press Agency telegram we learn that Sir William Fitzhcrbert addressed electors at Wellington on Monday evening-. Ho denied that there was an}' truth in the rumours which had been spread as to his intention of leading a new party. From summary of speech it would appear that Sir William was, as it were, balancing himself. He held that greater progress would have been made under provincialism than under present form of Government. While the former was a really democratic form of Government, the present was only so in name, and was a sham. If he had the power he would not desire to bring that back which had been lost. Something better was wanted to replace what had been destroyed. In contrasting progress in South and North Island, he considered . the latter had been unduly kept back. While they could travel by rail from nearly one end of the South Island to the other, the people of Wellington couldonljq go as far as Kaitoke. He predicted that the present line to the Wairarapa would yet be abandoned in favour of O’Neil’s line, as the grade of 1 in 15 was too steep for much traffic. While not speaking directly against Sir George Grey, sufficient was said to show that Sir William looked upon the former as a talker and nothing more.