The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 360, 28 September 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1878.

Wo received a special telegram from G. F. Sherwood, Esq,, on Thursday last, stating- that the Patea liarbou.- Bill passed its final reading fa the Lower House on Wednesday night, but that the endowment clauses hat 1 been withdrawn. Without endowments the Bill will ho of little value. Patea has some internal as well as external enemies. The internal enemies may credit (hcmselvos with having largely contributed to the above unfortunate result.

A Press Agency telegram from Wellington says ; —“ The Government have received the most reliable information from Canterbury that the prisoner O’Connor, who is now mulorgoing ten years’ penal servitude for attempting lo poison, bad been for some time past in the habit of carrying strycnine in his wtiistoal pocket,

Mr W. Williams’ appointment by Government as Lund Purchase Commissioner, will necessitate his retirement as member of (he Wanganui Education Board, Carlyle Town Board, and Carlyle School Committee.

At a committee meeting of the Patea Cricket dull, held on Tuesday evening last, Messrs Taplin, Horner, and Ur Croft were elected as a match committee. A Married and Single match has been arranged for Saturday, the sth October. Wc understand that a heavy weight townsman is about to indulge in the luxury of a libel action, on account, of either supposed insulting or defamatory statements. The object of attack belongs to the light weights. Court eases have been slack lately.

The Inspector of the Wanganui Education Board (11. Foulis, Esq.) arrived at Carlyle, on Thursday, and started for Hawcra early on Friday morning. This gentleman turns up in most unexpected quarters, and evidently is wise enough to prefer to see teachers and scholars in their ordinary work-a-day aspect, instead of meeting them specially primed and triimncd-up for an ollieial visit. Some members of the Board object to the unexpected inspections. We think it the best way of securing thorough ami uniformly good work. Ihe W anganui Herald referring to the Inspection tour says—Mr Foulis is anxious to have it understood that he intends to conduct the examinations in all the schools, not orally, but on paper, of which there appears to be a scarcity among the dominies, as, wherever Mr Foulis lias hitherto examined, he has had to make use of all sorts of scraps. We trust that every teacher will, without delay, lay in a stock of foolscap, for it certainly would bo rather hard that wherever the School Inspector has to travel he should be forced to carry a bale of paper about with him.

Mr W. Williams, Native Interpreter, Carlyle, has been appointed Land Purchase Commissioner for the Government. Mr Williams, so well and favorably known to natives on this coast, should prove useful in that line.

What settlers at and around Normandy, lust year, could scarcely sue the way to do for themselves, is about to bo done for them. Messrs Websler and Hu Ike have determined to erect a Hour-mill on property purchased, we believe, from Mr Mason. An agreement to supply the necessary timber, was signed this week, so the mill will most likely he in operation this season. Mr Hulke is well known in connection with the splendid steam flour-mill erected in Now Plymouth some years ago, and is an acknowledged authority in agricultural, floricultural, and kindred matters. Tire determination of this gentleman to take part in the erection of a flour-mill, shows that he has immense faith in the immediate future of the district for grain-growing purposes —otherwise he would not vent me. We understand that the same gentlemen either have purchased, or are in treaty for a schooner, which may occasionally be expected to visit Patea. From the Chronicle we learn that only six horses were entered for the parade held on Wednesday. This was certainly a great mistake on the part of owners, as most brood mare owners settle their choice of entires on the ground. We trust Patea settlers will be more wide awake than aspiring, but littlo-wcll-do Wanganui.

A rhymstcr thus expresses himself as to the Maori Murderer: — With mischief gloaming in his eye, Watches the Pakeha going by,— Without a warning takes good aim, And shoots our brother through the brain. Can (that hellish devil-Maovi) he Escape the law—--unpunished bo ? House the district, act like one, And rid the country of such scum. Take a dozen of his tribe— With no excuse or paltry bribe— Give them time to give him up, Failing which ** * , . We give it up, being quite unable to endorse tiie proposed remedy, and skip to the last verse:— Bouse then, brethren, all turn out, And put these vile deeds to the rout— Crush them down our feet beneath— Before they have a chance to breath. T.M.

Carijde town sections, between Uuthanks Road and Dr Warren’s residence (the property of Mi - W. Dale), sold in "Wellington yesterday, at from .1120 to £33 per section. Woodville town sections realised from £7 10s to £l2 10s each. Suburban section, Wood ville, No. 14-1, comprising six acres, fetched £47. Qnartor-acro- sections at Waverley, realised from £2O to £3O each.

Yesterday, as Mr IT. I. Davis was ploughing some land at the back of the Wesleyan Church, Carlyle, ho sprung just beneath the surface, what is believed to have been an old Maori ammunition plant. There were several percussion cap pouches, powder boxes, sword belts, straps, and a quantity of bullets, together with the remains of what appeared to be cartridges. The bolts were marked 43rd Regiment, so the plant must have been laid during the first Taranaki war. There appeared to be a tolerably deep pit, but Mr Davis did not trouble to bottom it. or he might have found other relies of the past.

At a meeting of the Carlyle School Committee, held on Tuesday last, Mi Jackson’s tender for school improvements was accepted, the price being £52.

A complimentary dinner was given to Richard Wakolin, Esq., J.P., editor of the Wairarapa>S7«rt<7m - (7, Greytown, at the Occidental Hotel, Wellington, on Saturday evening. About 35 brother journalists and other JVio-Ji.ls, intdndirig a number oi r inembersof the Assembly were present.- The Hon Mr Sheehan, after remarking that he bad come (here that evening (odo honor to their guest, at great personal inconvenience, inasmuch as ho was troubled in mind on a matter upon which the Press people would be engaged the next day, and which those present would know all about on Monday, added that, as a Minister of the Crown, he hail called upon Mr Wakelin to accept a commission of the peace, and remarked that that gentleman should, instead of editing a country paper, he in this city conducting one of its loading journals.

At the end of the present month, Mr W. Colson, who has been managing tin: Carlyle Meat Bazaar Tor R. E. Mcßae, Esq., will enter on the business as proprietor, having arranged for the purchase with the present owner. Mr Colson is worthy of, and will no doubt secure, extensive patronage.

A correspondent of the Wanganui Herald gives an interesting - account -of doings on and in connection with the Waimatc Plains. The Parihaka meeting - is said to be altracting many Maoris and that Bewi is likely to°attend. The survey of tiie Plains is still proceeding satisfactorily, and Natives are showing a disposition to trade and even to act generously towards men of the survey party by making - presents of food. The ■•proposed railway from Norman by through the Plains to Oco, it is considered would prove profitable especially if continued to Opunakc, where, for an expenditure of about £2,000, a safc-at-all-times harbor could be made, which would accommodate steamers like the Wellington and Taranaki, and others drawing over ten feet of water. Mention is made that the stump of the rata tree in which the native was hidden who shot Von Tempskcy, Hunter, Buck, and Hastings, is still standing-, and is 15 feet high.” The writer suggests that the first township on the Plains should bo called “ Von Tempskey” as a fitting tribute to the memory of that brave soldier, and the companions in arms who fell with him. We cordially endorse the suggestion.

A correspondent writes to the Wellington Chronicle— Sin, —Throw up the sponge ; for the Post can beat }'ou hollow when it gravely informs its readers in Monday’s issue of a ‘ Murder at the Waimatc Plains,’ thereby pitchforking at one foil swoop the £ Momahaki block,’ containing thousands of acres right across the country, over mountains and hills, rivers and lakes, a distance of 50 miles. Well, never mind, the Post knows no better ; only it is but right that the general public should receive information, and understand that the Momahaki is situate about three miles from Waitotara (and did belong to the Waitotara tribe), whilst the Waimatc Plains arc at a distance away at least 50 miles (and did belong to Tito Kowaru.)”

'flic Lake in the Patca Recreation Reserve was graced yesterday by a visit from four black swans. .Messrs McLean and Broadhent have arranged with Mr F. R. Jackson for the use of his commodious Yards for their largo stock and property sale on the 9th October. Applications for the office of Foreman of Works, will be received by the County Council until 4 p.m. on Monday. Tenders for work at Wbonuaknra School will be received until Ist October, by Mr Robert Horner. Mr F. R. Jackson will hold important sale at Turakina on Wednesday next, 2nd October. Mr W. Coweru will hold large sale of. produce, &c., to-day, at his mart. Tenders are required by Government for the Inland Postal service, Taranaki. Between Haw era and New Plymouth, tenders are invited for a twice and thrice a week service.-

Mr E. Greenway has been appointed agent for the Colonial Insurance Company, established on the mutual benefit principle. The Directory comprises the most substantial of Wellington merchants, the Bank of New Zealand being the Company’s Bank. The Company being a purely colonial institution, its funds are retained in and invested where practicable, with insurers throughout the colony, thus offering - to men of small means the advantage of becoming their own insurers, in addition to that offered by the right to take up at par, one share for every £1 of premium paid previous to the expiration of the first financial period, by which they reduce in effect the rates of premium on their own property in proportion to the amount they pay, and the influence they exert to induce others to insure with the Company. Ten shillings per share has been paid up, and shares are now valued at 16s. For every pound paid as premiums for insurance, the insurer has the privilege of taking up at the end of the year, one share at ilm same price as original shareholders, which on ten shares would be a clear profit of £3.

THE MOMAHAKI MURDER

The Neiv Zealander of Hominy last, referring' to the receipt of telegrams on Saturday by. the Native Minister, as to the supposed murder ot Joiiu McLean, says “ Steps wore at once taken for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not the alleged minder was a tact, and whether it had any reference to the survey of the confiscated lauds on the West (.'-oast. Honi Piimma and Ivalene, who were Major Brown s coadjutors in the conduct of me survey, were sent off at once by steamer from Wellington on Saturday night at 10 o’clock to the scene of the murder, while instructions were given to keep open all the telegraph ol'iices throughout the West Coast Irani Wanganui to Opuuake during the whole of Sunday. Satisfactory arrangements in regard to supplementing the native force of the district if that shon’d bo found necessary were also made. On Sunday morning, at 10 o’clock, telegrams were dispatched to all the Government officers in the district, and to the principle native chiefs, inquiring into the facts and cause of the murder.

, It happened strangely enough that all the principal chiefs of the tribe to whom the land under survey formerly belonged were in Wellington, for the purpose of interviewing the Native Minister in reference to reserves to be set apart for them out of the block in which the murder was committed; Nothing could exceed their horror and astonishment when they met tiie X - 1 \ .Minister on Sunday i : 1- ■ r' I: o-; at hi* house, and were informed of what had taken place.” They then adjourned to their own residence at the To Aro pah, ami held a meeting, the result of which was that a letter was sent to Mr Sheehan expressing their opinion that the murderer was a madman, and that they would send telegrams to the Maori pcop'o requesting them to apprehend the murderer. Telegrams from Captain Wray, Tregcar, and others were published, giving a summarised account of all that was known of the matter. On the House meeting on Monday afternoon, the non J. Sheehan said “ the recent murder on the A'est Coast was of an entirely private character, with no political hoaiing in connection with the survey of the Waimatc Plans. He believed that the capture of the murderer would be effected in three days, and if he escaped to the King country the first act of the natives would bo to surrender him to justice. The murderer had got a start owing to the mistake of the Europeans, who crronoousß attributed the cause of death to accident. Tim native was the son of a slave woman of Waikato, who was sold for a gun some years back, ami he possessed no influence or right over the soil.” Correspondence which had been printed was thou laid on the table of the /.louse.

Jndgingby the files of Wellington papers to hand the excitement there must have been intense, until the correspondence which had been received was printed and circulated, and the true nature of the murder made known.

Mr W. Williams, who was in Wellington in conned ion with Wannate Plains affairs, was despatched by the Government to Waitotara on Wednesday, arriving there on Thursday. Between two and four o’clock, a meeting was hold, all the natives from the surrounding districts, who had been ordered to Waitotara by Honi Bihanm, being present. Mr Williams addressed the natives at some length, pointing out the henionsness of tiro crime, and the great blame which attached to all the natives in tiro district in not having promptly secured the murderer. They had failed in their duty, and until the murderer was handed over to be dealt with according to law, could not be looked upon as clean handed. It rested with themselves to remove the stain of blood, by capturing the murderer. Till that was done, they could only be looked upon as participators in the crime. Honi Pihama followed in a similar strain, after which it was decided that the natives should return to their respective settlements, follow their ordinary occupations as usual, and if Hiroki presented himself, he was to be captured and handed over to the police.

There is every reason to believe that the natives arc earnestly desirous that the murderer should be given up, and that they will use their best endeavors to that end. The search parties under Messrs Fraser and Birch, which went out on Wednesday, failed to meet with Hiroki. Honi Pihama is still at Waitotara, directing the native search parties. Government lias offered to reward handsomely any person instrumental in the capture of the rnn-away, or who should render material aid. From the Waimate Plains we learn that news of the Momahaki murder has rather disorganised the.working parties, and some of the men have taken consolation in drink. Tins may be characterised as down-right madness, and steps have been taken by Government to prevent the sale of liquor to men of the survey party. Besides which, any given to drink will be discharged. The above may seem arbitrary action on the part of Government, but, when it is taken into consideration that possibly the lives of the party, and of adjacent settlers may be endangere :1 by the madness of a few in giving way to drink, wc consider the action justifiable. ,