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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 350, 24 August 1878, Page 2

The following is copy of telegram received yesterday from G. F. Sherwood, Esq.:—“ Wellington, August 23. Harbor Bill now before House. Endowments five thousand acres on Mountain Eoad and Ferry Reserve. Bon owing powers on all sources of revenue. It is rumoured that the Public Works Statement will be exceptionally favorable to Patea.—Gr. F. Sherwood.” A Press Agency telegram from New Plymouth, of the 21st instant,- says—“ A person, styling himself Judge Thomas, has been distributing printed pamphlets in Maori among the natives. Eewi has refused to see him.”

The following special telegram, kindly forwarded by Mr W. Williams, who is now in Wellington, was received on Wed l nesday last: “ The Patea Harbor Bill was introduced yesterday, without rating power. The principal endoAvment is 5,000 acres of land. Strong exertions arc being made to get it through the House.. A Land District Bill: for Patea is being attended to.” The following is copy of telegram sent by Mr G. F. Sherwood (Chairn.au of the Harbor Board) to W. A. G. Winchcomb, Esq. (a member of the Harbour Board), and which was read at the public meeting held at Waverley, on Saturday evening last: “Major Atkinson considers it advisable to insert rating clause. Before doing so I communicated with Patea, to ascertain feeling on the matter—nothing more. Finding it adverse the clause has not been inserted. It is now simply a Bill of endowments and borrowing powers upon them. Any expression of opinion adverse to the measure as it now stands would do incalculable injury. I trust the good sense of the settlers will enable them to recognise this* The Bill requires support not opposition. The matter has been totally misunderstood. I will send copies as soon as Bill printed. Meantime I ask that action be stayed.”

We hear that two 50-acre sections at Whakamara, bought by Mr Milham from Mr William Cowern about twelve months ago, one at £4 the other at £4 10s per acre, changed hands a few days ago at £l2 per acre. The name of the purchaser has not transpired.

The first annual report of the County of Patca Land, Building, and Investment Society, prepared by the Directors for presentation to shareholders, recommends that a dividend of 4s 4d should be paid to each share, which will leave a small balance to be carried fonvard. Though opposition at the outset led to fewer shares being taken up than had been applied for, still a considerable profit has been made on the year’s business. Good security is held for all money advanced, and it is anticipated that borrowers will be plentiful during the coming ycai, and so the Society still further improve the good position already attained. The report will bo printed and circulated in a few days. Tenders are requhed for additions to school at Waverley, to-day, and for building for Patea Agricultural Society, on Monday.

Mr J. D. Powdrell has decided to allow Hailstorm to stand during the early part of the season, particulars of which may bo seen in advertisement. It will be recollected that (bis horse showed up well as a racer during last season, and though carrying overweight, and with anything but a first-class jockey on his back, ran second for the big stakes at Wanganui. In last issue, a correspondent inquired what were the Government regulations as to lock-spits. The rule for this district is that lock-spits should bo put in on open ground only. In the case of localities where wild pigs abound, it is usual not to put in lock spits, for the reason that pigs seeing a ready-made hole, naturally commence rooting there, ami not only spoil the lock-spits and turn over the ground for yards around, but carry away the boundary pegs, and so necessitate resurveys.

In spite of the uninviting weather on Thursday night, about forty members and visitors (including throe or four ladies) assembled in the Council Buildings for the debate on Republican v Monarchial form of Government. Mr Tregcar opened on the Republican side, being supported by Messrs Fairclough and R. A. Adams. Mr W. Cowern was the leading advocate of Monarchy, being supported by Messrs Tennent, Hirst, and Horner, sen-. The Monarchy advocates, by a small majority, carried the votes.

“ The weather” and “ the roads” are still fashionable as words of greeting between friends on meeting each other any where within the County. Either one or other of the expressions is a safe ice-beaker even for strangers. The bare mention of the weather begets a broad or narrow grin, according to shape of face—then “It’s cold —we’ll liquor.” And so the weather, the roads, and the cold, come to bo discussed Over Scotch or Irish brandies hot, in the snuggeries of hotels, before blazing fires, toes and the very cockles of hearts are warmed, confidences exchanged, friendships formed and cemented, all through “ the weather,” and yet there are complainers. Verily,' it is the Britishers privilege to growl.

A sight, which many old colonials have not witnessed for years and which was quite new to many of the colonial born youths,- was' witnessed at Hawera mi Wednesday last, in the shape of about half-an-hour’s snow storm. Wind, rain, a'nd the bad state of the roads compelled Messrs McLean and Broadbent to postpone their stock sale.Messrs Thomson and McGuire will hold their usual fortnightly produce sale to-day, at which there will be a fine opportunity of procuring first-class saddlery, the stock of Mr G. D. Thomas who is leaving the district. Stock and merchandise sale will also be held at Manutahi on Monday. Mr W. Dale will hold general sale at his Mart, to-day.

Mr F. K. Jackson, as will be seen on reference to advertisement, will hold a most important sale of thorough-bred stock at Woodstock, on Tuesday next, being the property of John Shield, Esq., who is leaving the colony. Farming implements, household furniture, &c., will also be offered. Luncheon orovided.

Through carelessness on the part of the Waverley postal authorities, the letter of our Waverley correspondent, Which should have appeared in last issue, was sent to Wanganui, where, according to the Post mark, it arrived on Monday. It did not, however, reach Carlyle until Wednesday afternoon. A letter, containing copy of a telegram, also sent from Waverley, and evidently intended for last Wednesday’s issue, did not arrive until the same time. This is unfortunate as the meeting of Saturday last was rather an important one.

Few places can boast that Town Hall shares arc at a premium. Carlyle is, however, an exception. Paid-up shares of £l, realised at auction on Saturday last 355, or at the rate of 75 per cent, premium. The Plains survey is still proceeding, and with no apprehension of disturbance. It is now looked upon as a matter of course. There is reported to be a great congregation of Maoris at Wellington just now, and Maori advocates from all parts of tire Colony. Patea has furnished its share. On Thursday last, Honi Pihama, of Oeo, was a passenger by coach, cn route for Wellington, and Katenc, a Maori celebrity. The Civil Commissioner (Major Brown) was also a passenger for Wellington, so that it may be inferred survey operations are going on all right.

A number of debt cases set down for hearing at the Carlyle Court since last issue were all withdrawn. The usual fine of 2s Cd with costs was inflicted in a wandering horse case.

A chimney on lire at one of the doublestorey buildings in Carlyle yesterday caused excitement in the immediate neighbourhood. The usual remedies were applied. Some remarkable exhibitions of agility wore displayed in the way of bouse climbing. A sweeping machine was lately entered on the 1 Clyde’s ’ manifest for an enterprising hotel keeper at Normaiiby. Who amongst Carlyle residents is enterprising enough to speculate in a machine and ambitious to serve as chimney-sweep.

There will be a scratch match of the Carlyle Football Club to-day, in Mr 11. !• Davis’ paddock. All members arc requested to attend.

The Hawke’s Bay Herald of the IGth instant says : —lf a rumor that has readied us from Wellington is well-founded, the Public Works Statement, which is to be delivered next week, will take a good many people by surprise. It is stated that the Government intend proposing to Parliament a now departure in the prosperous voyage which was so auspiciously commenced under Sir Julius Yogd. In other words, the Government have in view, an extension of the public works policy, vigorously pushing on the trunk lines of railway already commenced, and undertaking the construction of other lines where they are likely to assist materially in developing the resources of the colony. Convinced that in order to realise the expectations which the policy of Sir Julius Vogel hold out, it is necessary to cany it out full}', the Ministry, we hoar, will ask Parliament to sanction a scheme of public works which will not only tend to give new life to the industries of the colony during the progress of these works, hut will largely promote the prosperity of the country in the future. The money for the works is to be taken partly from loan, but for the most part from the land fund, the whole, or nearly the whole, of which is to be applied for the purpose of public works.

The Wanganui Herald , of Thursday, says —Once more we find cause for congratulation that a tender has been accepted for the Harbor improvements, and that the contractor, Mr Thomas Denby, is one in whom the Board may have implicit confidence. The amount of the contract will not bo made known until the necessary documents have been signed, sealed, and delivered in the usual form, but we understand the amount is satisfactory. Mr Denby intends making an early commencement, and we wish him every success in the undertaking.

A telegram, dated Auckland, 22nd instant, says—‘ ! The schooner Atalanta, 22 days from Patea to the Manukau, with a cargo of sheep, is missing ; as also is the schooner Kaimua, from Waitara, with sheep. Wreckage and dead sheep have been picked up on the coast near Raglan.” The Atalanta left Patea on 28th July, in ballast.

The following return of lands sold at Patea during July has been laid before the Taranaki Waste Land Board : W. Hill and E. Clarke, allotment 268, Otoia-Opaku, containing 41 acres, cash received £lB Is 6d ; J. Gr. H. Wiiford, allotment 625, Harbor Reserve, containing 397 acres, cash received £l6l 6s ; J. G. F. Wiiford, allotment 627, Har-bor Reserve, containing 300 a It. 10p., cash received £43 4s 6d.

Mutton pies, all hot, at all hours, is a local industry just started by Mr Howitt, baker, of Carlyle.

The Taranaki Herald describes a novel wind instrument known as the “ Okarina” as looking riot unlike a miniature torpedo. “ A gentleman tried to give us a specimen of its capabilities, but doubtless from lack of skill on bis part, we got the impression that the ‘ Okarina’ was admirably adapted for bird-scaring.” “Viator,” in the. Wanganui Herald , gives an account of a holiday trip by coach to Waitotara and back to Wanganui. The roads were simply dreadful. The tale of woe, had but one cheerful break, as follows—“ Onc- across the Waitotara the hospitable roof of Mr Southcombe’s hotel soon shelters us, and our troubles are over for a time. This little township appears brisk enough, building is still going on, and I notice that a billiard-room has been opened since my last visit, Mr Southcombe evidently understands the sort of oppetite one gets coach travelling, and a really capital spread was provided. The topic of beer was started and the relative merits of Wanganui, Dunedin, and English was discussed, but our host produced a foaming beaker of Patea ale and judgment was given in its favor forthwith. Better colonial ale I have not tasted, and my experience is not a Good Templar one. So long as Mr Haywood, of Carlyle, can supply an article of that quality he may hold the trade of his district without fear.’

Tenders for a number of bush felling and earthwork contracts for the Patea West Road Board are called, the funds for which are partly, we believe, the first fruits of toe late sales of Government land within the County.

The Napier Telegraph of the 15th instant says—lt is with very great regret that wo notice a recent number of lire New Zealander, advocating the pardon of the areh-rcbols and blood-stained murderers Te Kooti, Purukutu, Tito Kowaru, and other “ political offenders” of the late native war. The article has the almost unmistakable stamp of the Hon Mr Sheehan’s hand. The expressions from 11 Dan to Bcershcba,” the “ Eden of Office,” are familiar to us, and remind us of the time when Mr Sheehan slashed right and left in the columns of the Wananga, when carving his road to the garden of joy and peace in which he now luxuriates. The article in the New Zealander is evidently written with a purpose ; it is intended to foreshadow coming events, and to appeal to the hearts of guiUy criminals as a dream did to certain prisoners of old in an Egpytian dungeon. Mr Sheehan wishes to double the parts of Joseph and Pharoah, to interpret the dream to-day, and to extend pardon to-morrow.