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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 354, 7 September 1878, Page 2

On Wednesday last, the following gentlemen met at Mr Greenway’s office, -Carlyle, to consider the best means to be adopted to cause modification in Government proposals, .as to appropriation of land fund, &c., and to exchange- ideas upon the matters referred to in letters signed “ YigUans ” and “Nemo.” Present: Messrs Adams, H. F. Christie, W. Cowern, Greenway, Hirst, Mcßae, McCarthy, Taplin, Tregear, and Thomson. Mr J. Hirst was voted to the chair. The letters referred to, were read and discussed. A statement prepared by Mr J. Thomson was read, showingthe estimated area of Crown lands, and the manner in which, according to present and proposed arrangements, the proceeds of sale would be disposed of, and the infinitesimally small remainder which would fall to Patea County. To make the matter thoroughly clear, £IOO was taken as a basis, and the percentages deductable for New Plymouth Harbor, Consolidated Fund, Railway,&c, shown. It was suggested, amongst other things, that a petition should be drawn up, setting forth the true state of affairs, and urging the Government to place Patea on the same footing as other Counties, with respect to funds and the appropriation thereof. As to the proposed reduction from County funds of 15 per cent, for local railway construction, on the ground that the laud had already cost much in blood and treasure, it was stated that the Waikato country had cost far more in blood and treasure than the Waimate Plains, and yet there was no attempt to take cost of railways out of their County funds. It was resolved, on the,motion of Mr Mcßae, seconded by Mr McCarthy, That the meeting should form itself into a deputation, and interview the County Council [then sitting], and ask that body to take action. The following programme has been decided upon for the Patea District Jockey Club Meeting, to be bold on the 20th and 21st February. First day—Hurdles, £35; hack hurdles, £10; Flying Handicap, £10; Carlyle Cup, £SO; Farmers Plate, £25. Second day—Handicap Hurdles, £4O; Maiden Plate, £4O; Club Handicap, £150; Ladies’ Purse, £25; Forced Handicap, £25. General entries will be made on the Bth February. Entries for Derby of £IOO, and Woodside Sires Stakes, of £25, on same date.

British mails, via San Francisco, will close at the Patea Post-office on Thursday, the 12th instant, at 9.10 a.m.

Mr Green way, land ageiit, of Cttrlyle, sold 25 sections in Nomlanby loWnship during the week, to Mr Dale* at £l9 per section. We mrdorstand that the latter gentleman has rea’old at a payable advance. ■

At the Debating Society oh Thursday evening, the attendance of members and A’iaitors was small. The ReV'P. W. Fairciough read ail interesting essa}’ on “-Lunar influences', and the popular fallacies connected therewith,” rather astonishing those who had a belief in the moon’s influence on the weather, &c. Mr Thomson followed with an essay on “Governments,” which was wed written. Mr W. Cowern then gave a reading from “ Nicholas Nickleby,” in an appreciative maimer; and Mr Fairdough concluded the evening by a short bhf'instructivo lecture on the “ Growth of Plants.”

Four acres of bind, the back phrl of a ten-acre section, in Lnthanks Road, which fetched £56 at auction about twelve in on tl» 9 ajjo, lias just dumped, liands at £240.

Tenders for earthworks and bush falling for Patoa West Road Board, will be received by the Secretary to-day. The ketch Wild Duck, from Mamikan, with material for the breakwater, and the ketch Falcon, with timberfrom thePolorous Sound, have both bad to take shelter at Wanganui.

A suggestion was thrown out by Mr Kells at the last meeting of the Patoa Council, which would, if carried out, be generally acceptable to Patoa residents, lie considered that it would only be fair noAV that County S3’stcm has altered interests as between Taranaki and Patoa, that the 25 per cent, land fund, from that portion of the Waimatc Plains which is within the Patoa County, and which now goes to SAvell the Now Plymouth Harbor fund, should bo handed over to the Patoa Harbor Board, in which case there would be no necessity for endowments in land such as now proposed. We are given to understand that representations made to Government as to proposed reduction of 15 out of the 20 per cent, from laud revenue payable to the Patea County lias led to a reconsideration of the matter. It is expected the proposition will be bold in abeyance until inquiries have been made as to the circumstances of the case.

A block of 2,000 acres of Waimate Plains land is said to have been surveyed into sections of about 50 acres each, and that the same will shortly bo ready for the market. We also hear that the ti-tree swamp, originally intended as the site of a township lias been condemned, and that a more suitable site Avill be selected.

We liaA-o recciA-ed two sides of foolscap slating-—closely written—intended for our Hawera correspondent for that he Avas unjust in his remarks about the Waverley football team which had agreed to show up at Mauutahi on Saturday last, to play against the iiaweras. We know our Hawera correspondent has a good constitution, and regret that, on account of County Council report and other matter, wo are unable to give him the benefit of the dose, NV C 7 focvi* li> woiilrl bo oonouici Utl tiu infliction by the majority of readers. “ Waverley” concludes, “ I would suggest that the next time ‘ your own’ goes in for the indgnant, he should take the trouble to ascertain the correct state of affairs, instead of assuming a portion, and basing his charges on false premises.” The match is to be played at Manutahi.

The Taranaki Herald says—Mr Peacock, of Patea, lias purchased from Mr Hulko his pure-bred shorthorn bull, Master Carlo, which is accordingly lost to this district. Mr Peacock informs us that lie has been round the Wairarapa district, and only seen one animal that could at ail come up to Mastei Carlo ; and that he would not lake £IOO on his bargain for him. The settlers here have been A r ery short-sighted in letting such a hue animal leave the place. The bull passed .through the town this morning, en route for Patea, after having been successfully photographed by Mr Collis.

The contributor of Scientific Gossip in the Canterbury Times , says—There is a grand time coming for Drainage Boards or other bodies who have to deal with the allimportant, although most noxious subject, the disposal of sewage. The Christchurch Drainage Board is in communication with Mr Burt, of Dunedin, who claims to have discovered a process by which sewage matter is rendered odourless and harmless.

In the debate on the Land Tax Bill, on Tuesday night, Major Atkinson made a speech of two hours, in the course of which he endeavoured to show the House that imputations made last Session by the Premier, as to the waj' the accounts of the late Go vernment were kept, were unfounded —that the present Government accepted all the figures of their predecessors, and that instead of the Premier saving £IOO,OOO on their own estimates,- as he promised, he had actirally spent £7,000 more than they asked for, and this year their estimates were £17,000 more than last year. The hon. gentleman then criticised in detail, all the financial proposals of the Government, alleging that the proposed taxes were unequal, unfair, and not what the country wanted ; that the Government had not kept a single promise made last year. He referred to the stories about the intention of the Government regarding separation, and said he would believe it until such time as he got a distinct denial from the AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Works. He said he could not vole for the amendment, and was uncertain -whether to votofortlie Bill. —Mr Stout replied to the arguments of the last speaker, at considerable length. As to the separation rumour, he said the only ground there was for bringing 1 such a charge, was tiiat some of the members of the Government were avowed separationists. The real reason for raising the cry was, that the member for Egmont was afraid to meet the Government with a vote of no confidence, and he tried to weaken the influence of Ministers, by leading the House to believe that there was some Minister desirous to bring about a separation. If the member for Egmont thought the Government policy a sham, as he had said, let him defeat them on it, and let them go to the country on it. After defending all the proposals of the Government, he said no other Government ever proposed so many radical reforms in one Session, and they had made up their minds, and on these measures they would stand or fall.

Mr Gudgeon, of the Thaih.es, has sold the (copyright of a book written by him on “ The Maori War*” to Mr Wayte, of Auckland* Who will shortly publish it.

The Canterbury Times, in A landatory article on the Public Works Statement, says---“ Mr Maeandrew has proved himself to the occasion; Vigorous* far- " reaching* and Comprehensive, his policy recommends itself to tjfe country, which will not be slow to shares the enthusiasm which animates every" line of his Public Works Statement. And it will not be forgotten that Mr Maeandrew is an organiser and administrator of a high order.” Te Wdnanga, the Maori newspaper, is severe on the “ Ryotwarry” proposal of Jn igc Thomas* and says, “We have read the pamphlet, but we do not ill the least agree with the writer, nor can we publish ally part of it. We are inclined to condemn any interference of a stranger in a matter about which he shows himself so nttir'y ignorant, and we wonder at his assumption in giving advice in matters which relate to the Native Race of New Zealand. If our Colony has been spoken of as the most suitable residence in which invalids may recruit their health, it does not follow that we are to be annoyed by the insane meddling of such invalids, whose unstrung •intellects prompt them >to assume the position of law-givers. New Zealand is not wanting in able men, yet our oldest and best educated politicians in Maori matters, feel a doubt when they attempt to solve the Maori Laud Question.” In conclusion, Te Wancmga sa}’s, “ We would call the attention of those of our Maori readers who have read the pamphlet, to the proposal made therein, to take all the light from the Maori to deal with his land, and to give it to commissioners—a scheme so revolting to the Maori mind, that we have no hesitation in saying that ‘ Ryotwarry ’ will not for one instant be listened to by the tribes.” The editor of the Maori newspaper may at any rate bo deemed to be an authority on the Maori side. He takes a similar view to that expressed in these columns on the 2Stli August, but uses very much stronger language. The Napier Telegraph, in adversely criticising the Public Works Statement, says—- “ No mention is made of the works that are to be at once commenced, and though the omission may bo convonint for the purpose of allowingcxpenditure to go byfavor, the country will scarcely bo satislied with such an unbusincss-like statement. One noticeable feature of the Public Works Statement is that it announces tbs intention of the Government to limit public works for the future to the construction of railways. Arterial lines of roads, expensive bridges across wide rivers, the opening up of country in such districts as Wairoa, Poverty Bay, and the Bay of Plenty, are no longer to bo regarded as of State importanco. This is a. very great flepartaro from the bioad and liberal scheme of public works as initiated by Sir Julius Vogel, and carried out by the late Ministry. While in the Statement we read that a large revenue from the sale of land on the East Coast is expected Tor the construction of railways, the districts which will contribute that revenue are not to participate in the advantages raising from its expenditure.” In another issue the same journal says—“ The Public .Works Statement of the lion Mr Maeandrew 'is the heaviest blow that has yet been aimed at the County system as it exists in the North [slam!. The blow' that has thus been delivered is almost tiro death-warrant to the usefulness of the poorer Counties, as it robs them at once of all hope of assistance from the Colonial Treasury.”