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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 323, 22 May 1878, Page 4

The Hawke’s B'ay Herald of the 10th instant says —We referred yesterday to the suspension of Mr James Booth, 11, M., for being a party to transactions in native lands. -‘ We are glad to see the Government taking - that course, as it is the only way of saving the public estate from falling into the hands of speculators, but it seems surprising that the same thing is still allowed to go on in Poverty Bay ; One instance which has been freely spoken of lately is that of a reserve which had been given back to the natives out of a Government purchase, and which no sooner was it given back than steps were taken to get a title for it. The traffickers in native lands set themselves to work, cither on there own behalf or for their friends,, and it is tolerably certain that- they will succeed in obtaining a titlefor the reserve. This should be looked to. The Auckland Her add says —Orders have been issued by the Government for tbo construction of the road from Waikato to Raglan, and the work will bo undertaken forthwith under the management of the Council of the County of Raglan. The Eangitikci Advocate .says—We are glad to leant that there 4; every probability of the branch line to Bulls soon being an accomplished fact. We learn that Mr. J. T. Stewart, district engineer, has received instructions from the Government to report on the proposed route. Mr. Stewart, accompanied by Mr, James Bull,' will go over the ground in a few days. Mr. 11. Miller, in bis stock and station report of Hawke’s Bay provincial district, says;-—Our Lambing for the past season is again good, 423,530 from 650,550 ewes gives an average of 70 per cent., and ihe nut increase of the Provincial District, after deducting- the large number exported, boiled down, borne consumption ami mortality (latter 4 per cent, altogether) 321,01)0, leaves a net addition to our Hocks of 102.500 for the year. Our total export of wool for the year amount to 8,288,5201 bs, about one-fifth'of which was scoured wool.. The average weight per sheep is somewhat under that of last year, but this is accounted for by the large quantity scoured, ami the lightness in grease of our flock this past, season.' -About "2500 bales changed hands here. The wool shipped gives an average on the number of sheep shorn 1,275,157 of Gib. Boz. A Weilington paper understands that Sir. Rees has, been instructed to proceed bribe Supreme Court, by way ot scire' facias, to test the validity of the Crown grants issued to Mr Whitaker and others, for the Waikato (Piakoj Swamp and the Pcpepe Coalfield.” The Rangitikei Advocate states that the Hon Mr Campbell, of the Douglas Block, has already- constructed 33 miles of railway in the. Middle Island, under the District Railways Act <Jf last session,-and has expressed his determination to cany out the proposed Foxton and Sandon line. The Thames Id dvertis'er says. The Hon Mr Sheehan has given the Thames County Council permission to enter on all native lands within the Ohinemuri riding, for the purpose of making surveys and carrying on road works' where required. The prompt action of the lion, the Native Minister in placing the local authorities in a legal nark km p .leal with native obstructions is highly commendable, and evinces an interest in the welfare of the district not hitherto shown by predecessors .in office. The following appears in the London Daily Telegraph of 28th February night the lifeboat stationed at - Port; Errol, under the management of - the 'National Lifeboat Institution, was instrumental in rescuing the crew of three men from a stranded vessel. It was only placed on the coast about four months since, its cost being defrayed from a gift to the institution by “ A Scott Abroad,” residing' at Wan-ganui,-New Zealand, for a lifeboat, to bo named the Peep-o’-Day, and to bo stationed on the. Scotch shores. The Hawke’s Bay Herald, referring, to the native titles litigation going on there, and to the ill effects as regards the prosperity* of the place, says —Mad the mode of alienation of the Grown lands been better ’..arid Indore-; honest -in the ■ beginning, it-.is hardly top'much to say that Napier might by this time have run level with W eilington in tbo race of progress. For this mischief the remedy* wanted is a discriminating land tax. - ■ 4