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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 344, 3 August 1878, Page 2

Great excitement lias been felt in Wellington and Auckland, at long absence of the steamer Hawea, which left Gisborne on Sunday last, and had not been heard of up to yestcrcay morning. She, however, turned up at Auckland yesterday, having lost the ""dder-head ou tbo I’Utli July. Had to steer by the sails, and took shelter till wind changed. Then ran for Auckland with heavy sea, and blowing a gale.

A fair start appears (o have been made by the Assembly, and by Wednesday several measures had been introduced and progress made. The following Bills had their second reading on Wednesday:—Mercantile Law Further Amendment Bill, and Trade Union Bill, which is based entirely upon English Acts and contains nothing now. A Lotteries Bill Ims been printed) and a temporary measure amending the bankruptcy laws promised. On Thursday the Government promised to make known, when the Financial Statement was delivered, what they intended to do regarding charitable -institutions. The Mercantile Law Bill was read a third time and passed, and the Trades Union Bill passed through committee.

The steamer Patea, the contract for building which was let to Mr E. W. Mills, of Wellington, was commenced about Thursday last week. A large staff of men will he kept at work on the steamer until completion, which may be expected within specified Lime—the 15th November next.

Breeders of horses will be pleased to learn that the favorite draught entire Victor}’, which served in this district some three years ago, has been secured for the coming season by R. B. Hamilton, Esq., that gentleman having lately purchased the animal in Wellington.

On Saturday last, eighty men of the A.C. Force, mustcr/d froth various parts of the district, were ready to attend the party of surveyors who had been engaged to commence survey operations at the Waingongoro River. Each surveyor had twenty men at hand if required. There was, however, no opposition on the part of the natives, beyond a formal protest by one of the chiefs. A gentleman who passed that way on Saturday, and who had been some weeks in the neighborhood states that natives were particularly scarce thereabouts and at Hawera. The Parihaka meeting will soon be over, and if opposition is intended, it may be expected immediately after the natives return from Parihaka. The precaution taken should, however, show the natives that opposition will prove their loss. All was quilt up to Thursday. In connection with this, we may mention that Government waggons, guarded by armed A.C.’s, have been met between Carlyle and Waihi, Of course what was under the tarpaulin could not be seen, but from the firm attitude taken by the Native Minister, we should scarcely imagine the waggons were loaded witli sugar and blankets. No news may be taken as good news in this case, and.that is about all there was from Waingongoro up to Thursday evening.

We understand thatG. if. Shmvood, Rsq., who is now in Wellington in connection w.Uli proposed Amended Patea Harbor Bi d, with a view of obtaining borrowing powers and getting other miner matters adjusted, is hopeful of favorable consideration of it by the Lpw‘er House. Major Atkinson, we understand, will be asked to take charge of the measure. It would be a pity with the already favorable indications from ■ the small portion of groin ns yet constructed, for the Board to be pulled up for want of funds. Borrowing 'powers will enable progress to be made. We must hope for Ihe best, and feel confident that whatever it is possible* to do to benefit the River and District will be dona 1 by Mr Sherwood, who, on the Harbor Question, has always been enthusiastic.

It is rumoured that the centralisation of land office records at New Plymouth, will shortly result in the removal from Carlyle, of all original maps and authentic information of lands within the district. Should this be so, it will prove very awkward for those who have business with the District Land Office, and will probably necessitate visits to New Plymouth for information, which hitherto has been obtainable at Carlyle. Rather than lessen the facilities, and increase the expense of obtaining information about laud, Oovcruniont, as it was understood would be the case on the appointment of a local land officer, should facilitate the sale, by having reliable plans and other information readily accessible. It is time more active steps were taken to secure the advantages of a local land board, or an administrative officer directly responsible to Government. In replying to a deputation asking that the library of the old Wellington Provincial Government might bo made use of by distribution to present Binaries or otherwise, Sir George Grey stated that “ his own idea was, the time had come when Wellington ought to have a very large library, of which (he Provincial Library might be the nucleus, and, if the citizens of Wellington chose to bestir themselves, such a large public library could be formed. Tire Provincial Council Hall would make an admirable reading room. He had set his face as far as possible against any proposal to dispose of the library at present, and now was the time to have a free library. There was a nucleus at hand, and a largo number of gentlemen had told him if a free library was started they would contribute works. He thought ho would work for the advantage of the working men by endeavoring to get a great free library established in this city.” The rcmarksmade by Sir Georgy have been favorably commented on by the Press, and endorsee! by the general public. It is likely that strong efforts will now bo made to establish a free library in Wellington worthy of the colony.

At Wellington, on the 22nd July, prizes were presented by His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby to the successful scholars at the Wellington Government schools. Nearly 3,000 persons in all assembled in the Opera House, Mannersstreet. The children occupied the lower floor of the Opera House, and were present to the number of about 2,000, the whole number on the Wellington rolls being about 2,220. Mr F. G. Rawson, of New Plymouth, announces having taken over the business lately carried on by Mr Ilarrc, at liawera, and his intention of personally superintending the business. Mr Rawson, having had more than ordinary opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of human ailments, though only carrying on under the style of chemist and druggest, will be almost ns good as a medical gentleman in the district.

It is currently circulated in Wellington that Sir John Goode has reported against the feasibility of constructing a harbor at New Plymouth. As it was Intel 3* stated in Wellington that the Patea Harbor contract had been thrown up, which all here know to he untrue, we do not attach much importance to the statement about New Plymouth Harbor.

The Wanganui Chronicle , of Thursday, gives particulars of the seizure by the Collector of Customs of an illicit still on the premises of the City Brewery, of which Messrs Thomas McDonough and F. Whitlock arc proprietors. It appears that Mr Lundon, Collector of Customs, paid an official visit of inspection to the brewery on Wednesday afternoon, when he found Messrs Lough, Whitlock, and Underwood on the premises. Lough, on (lie party being informed of the object of the visit, retired saying he would return in a few minutes and show Mr Lundon over the premises. Being kept a very long time, and inquires for Lough not being satisfactorily replied to, the Customs Officer's suspicions were aroused and he “ went in search of Lough himself, and found him in the third storey of the building endeavoring to upset some grog. Mr Lundon at once instituted a search, which resulted in the discovery of a new still, in full working order, also a cask containing about twenty gallons of grog, which had been put through its first running. Mr Lundon prevented Lough from disposing of the grog, and requested that he would accompany him to interview Mr Sub-Inspector Goodall, which he did without hesitation, along with Whitlock and Underwood. On arriving at the police station Whitlock and Lough were placed under arrest, but Under-

wool! was sat at liberty. The proprietor of die brewery Thomas McDonough, war subsequently arrested by Constable Mclvor. Subsequently Sub-Inspector Goudall soizeo all the property in the brewery, and then placed a constable in possession,” The prisoners wore taken before the R.M. on Thursday, and charged according to their respective positions with the offence. On representation of Counsel the cases were adjourned until Friday. Bail was allowed, the principals in £I,OOO, and two sureties of ,£SOO each.