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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 347, 14 August 1878, Page 2

A short time ago we pointed out the very great inconvenience occasioned to Patea through inward mails via ’Frisco being frequently taken backwards and forwards between Nelson and Manakau when the weather was too rough for a landing to be effected at New Plymouth. Our remarks and the suggestion then made have lead to an alteration which will tend to lessen the vexatious delays often experienced in the past, as we learn on good authority that the following instruction has been issued from the Postal Department—“ When the Taranaki portion of the inward ’Frisco mail, may, through stress of weather or other contingency, be carried on to Wellington, the mail will bo opened at Wellington, and correspondence for Patea, &c., taken out and sent to Wanganui, for onward transit.”

The following extract from report of the Engineer (Mr J. Thomson) read at tiie last meeting of the Patea Harbor board, •will be read with satisfaction —“ I beg to report that the Harbor Works are progressing favorably, and the sand backing up behind the Breakwater as it goes seaward. We have bad very high tides, heavy freshes running six miles per hour, and strong gales of wind, without any damage to the ■works.” The report also mentioned that the whole cf the information required by Sir John Goode would shortly be read}' to be forwarded. Amongst land transactions which have lately taken place is the sale of the farms of Mr Donald Coutts, and Mr Alfred Woods, comprising about 400 acres of land on the western bank of the Patea River, the price paid being £2O per acre all round, in addition to £2OO paid for goodwill of lease and a considerable advance upon Wood’s portion which it appears had been forestalled by another purchaser. Mr Mcßae has now got everything settled, and having immense faith in the immediate future of the town and district, and with a view of meeting a growing demand for sections suitable for business and residence sites, intends to cut the whole up and place it in the market for sale, confident that progress will bo so vapid, by reason of shipping trade which will spring up on completion of harbor works, construction of railway, and the opening up of new country, as to lead to the growth of a most important part of the town on the Whenuakura side of the river, with possibly lines of wharfage and warehouses on the river banks. Should the very sanguine views of the purchaser be realised there is little doubt but that the site pf the properties just purchased will prove admirable for a new township, commanding as it does the main road and a bend in the river which will give frontages to the water of over a mile in extent. The development of the new township scheme will be watched with interest on all sides.

The sale of Patea Harbor Reserve leases by Mr William Cowern, on Saturday last, was well attended. The term of lease in each case was 35 years. The following is list of purchasers, with area, and annual rental: W. Odgers, block 3, 3r IGp, £l2 10s; F. M. Chapman, block 6, 2r 3p, £l6 10s; Thomson, Fraser, and Tregear, block 11, 3r7p, £l2; block 16, 3r2p, £l6; block 20, 3a lr 28p, £80: and F, Cowern, block 21, 2r 27p, £2l. Sections 55, 84, and 125, Kakaramea, were also offered and found a purchaser in Mr Alfred Wood, the two former for £35, and the latter £l3. Captain Marshall, officer in command of the A.C. Force stationed at Waihi, returned to this district on Saturday last. It will be recollected that the above named gentleman was in the coach on his way to Wellington at the time of an upset some time ago, and had his shoulder seriouslyhurt. Captain Marshall, though still suffering from the effects of the severe accident, and being still unable to use the injured limb, has, we believe, returned to duty.

Tenders are being called by the DeputyInspector of Surveys, Wellington, for the survey of 200,000 acres of land situated between the Waitotara and Whenuakura Rivers. We presume this is the block lately taken over from Mr W. Cowern by the Government.

A Manutahi correspondent writes : Quadrille Assembly on the 7th, passed off very successfully. Smart shock of earthquake felt at 750 a.m. on the Bth. In the evening, seven or eight .members of our Debating Society rode to Patea, in order to hear “ Woman’s Rights,” debated by the Carlyle Societ}’. Business for next Thursday, to be a debate “ Smokers verms nonsmokers,” or words to that effect. Mr W. Cowern will hold important stock sale at Kakaramea to-day. Mr F. R. Jackson will hold usual stock sale at Wanganui to-morrow.

The Rev P. W. Fairclough will deliver a lecture to-night in the Wesleyan Church. Subject—“ England in the time of Wesley with sketches from his life.” Price of admission—one shilling. The proceeds of tins as of Mr Fairclotigh’s other lectures go to (he funds of the Wesleyan Church. Letter from Mr Fleming, which was pressed out last issue by Financial Statement, will be found on fourth page. Mr Edward Greenway, a gentleman who has had considerable experience lower down the coast in cattle, horses, and general agricultural business, and who is a reliable man, announces himself as land, stock, and general commission agent, at Carlyle. Offices have been taken in the premises lately erected by Mr D. M. Warren, Taranaki Ro?d.

By way of Hawcra, we learned yesterday that the Waimate Plains survey was still going on satisfactorily, and that, too, in spite of attempts by certain Europeans to engender strife, by the spreading (through the instrumentality of some of the inclined to be disaffected natives) of false reports as to the intentions of the Government. The Civil Commissioner, and others connected with the survey, we have been informed, are in no way apprehensive of interference. The mischiefmaking' proclivities of some amongst the Europeans appears to be the only matter of concern.

From the Wellington Chronicle's report of proceeding of the Waste Lands Board held cn Wednesday, the 7th instant, we learn that Mr G. F. Shorwoo<|, the chairman of the Patea Harbor Board, applied that some of their endowments might be sold so that they might he enabled to meet their engagements with the money. The chainnan of the Waste Lands Board expressed the Board’s willingness to meet as far as possible any demand, but according to tint Act they could only receive scrip. The chairman of the Harbor Board asked the Board to sanction the sale and hand them the scrip, for which they would demand cash from the Government.

P.oplying in the Assembly to Mr Bowen, n's to the Education grant, the Hon Mr Ballanco said the Government intended to require that the payment at the rate of 10s per annum for every child in average daily attendance at public schools, to he made in excess of the statutory grant of £3 15s a head, should be distributed by the Boards to the school committees according to a predetermined scale. The following is from Tara.ttftbi Herald report of Waste Lands Board proceedings on the sth instant A letter was read from Captain Wray relative to- the Patea Ferry lleserve. He said it w.as divided into three parts, and was leased under the Confiscated Lands Act. He believed the Harbour Board had applied for the reserve. —ldle Chairman said he was of opinion that it should be sold.—Mr Crompton said the Harbor Board might want it on accoun; of the l iver frontages.:—The Chairman said it was most likely required for Use as a reserve for leasing purposes.—After some further remarks, Mr Syme moved, “ That the Government be recommended to withdraw the reserve, No 19G, Wfieimaknm, known as the Ferry Reserve, with the view of offering the same for sale under clause 148 of the Waste Lands Act.” Mr Crompton seconded the resolution, which was carried.