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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 374, 16 November 1878, Page 2

If evidence of the wonderfully good grazing qualities of Patea land was required, it might be furnished by what may be seen any day on the farm of Mr Donald Coutts, Wlienuakura. The farm comprises about 270 acres, 30 acres being kept under crop, and the remainder used for grazing. This area has kept—and is keeping—in excellent condition, as inspection of the animals any da}' will show, 500 head of cattle and 50 horses. Take tii« Jand all round it ■vviJJ carry more cattle than equally good land in the South Island, which may be accounted for by the mildness and shortness of the winter here over those experienced in the Soiuh Island. Mr Coutts being owner of a farm down South, knows this from experience. Another feature of Patea land has been practically tested by Mr Coutts during the four and a half years ho has occupied the farm referred to. The objection is frequently urged that Patea laud is too light, and will notstand cropping. Mr Coutts has taken three crops of grain off the thirty acres referred to as being kept under crop, in three succesive seasons. The fourth crop is now in, and looks promising. Each year the yield has been good. Last year the crop was, if anything, too heavy; the yield of wheat averaged 50 bushels to the acre. The quality of the land for grazing purposes may be seen in the beef it has produced in cattle now on the ground, and its suitability for cropping may be judged from the results of Mr Coutts’ experiments. This is one of the farms lately purchased at a high figure by R. E. Mcßae, Esq., and which has been surveyed into town and suburban allotments, to meet growing requirements, and will early next year be offered for sale. - Wo are pleased to be able to announce that the Minister of Public Works has kept bis promise, and that be has issued instructions for the surveyors to explore, for a line to lap Carlyle. If a practicable route can be found, and the cost is not greatly in excess of the line as originally marked out, there is every reason to believe Government will authorise the carrying of the line through, or by branch line, down to Carlyle. Mr Foy, the Engineer-in-charge is a gentleman of large experience, having laid off railway lines in various parts of the world, including India, Canada, and the United States. In about a fortnight the party of surveyors may be expected in the vicinity of the town. On Thursday last a three-roomed dwelling on Mr Richard’s section, Wlienuakura Block, was burned to the ground, whilst the occupier, Mr William Henry, was away. Mr l-h-nry left the house at ten o’clock in the morning, all right, and when he returned at four o’clock, nothing remained but charred wood and ashes. Bedding, clothing, household requisites, books, and documents and plans of special value to the owner, had all been consumed. Mow the fire originated is not known, care having been taken, befote the premises were left, to put out what little fire remained, after cooking breakfast. At the U.M. Court, before 0. A. Wray, Esq., R.M., yesterday, Sergeant Whelan summoned George White and D. Nettle, for fighting. White was fined 20s, and costs, and witnesses expenses, and bound over to keep the peace. v The charge against Nettle was dismissed. John Johnston brought up under the Vagrancy Act was remanded until Tuesday. Johnston, who is blind, has been temporarily admitted to the Hospital. At Hawera, on Thursday, before C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M., Te Rawa, a native residing at Kaupokonui, summoned John Hauningham for stealing a black filly, valued £5 ;J. T. Blake interpreted. John Bradley, John Sergeant, and Sergeant Cahill having been examined, the prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next Criminal Court sittings at New Plymouth. Weights for the following races to take place at New Plymouth, wore declared on Thursday evening : —Handicap Hurdle Racer—Bully-for-Yon, list ; Bih}, 9st 4!b; Grey Momus, 10s 111b ; Matangi, 9st; Sloper, 10st ; Little-thought-of, 9st ; Perfume, list 121b ; Awa Hou, lOst 101b , War Eagle, 9st 31b. Taranaki Jockey Club Handicap—Otawa Bst s!b ; Isaak Walton, 7st 101b ; Hippocampus, 9st ; Parawhenua, 7st 31b ; Grey Momus, 6st 71b ; The Don, 7st4lb ; Confident, 6stslb; Tuna, 6st 121b ; Elsa, Bst 31b ; Folly, 7st ; Jocaste, 6st 101b ; Queen of the Vale, 7st 51b. Handicap Steeplechase—Bully-for-Yon, 10st61b; Billy, 9st 31b; Grey Momus, lOst 71b ; Matangi, 9st ; Old Bess, 9st ; Little-thought-of, 9st 41b ; Perfume, list 91b ; Awa Hou, lOst 71b ; War Eagle, 9st 31b ; Sloper, 9st 71b. Acceptances close on Saturday, November 23rd.

The Census of Maoris presented to Parliament mentions that in the Taranaki Native District, between Mokau and Waitotara, Major Brown reports the population to be:—Males over 15 years, 1335; females, 1147; males under 15 years, 602; females, 456. Total, 3440 souls. This is an increase upon the numbers in 1874, but Major Brown explains that it is only apoarent, and due chiefly to an error in the last return. His personal experience convinces him that his district forms no exception to the general rule, and that there also the decrease in numbers is steady. Mr W. Dale will offer for saio to-day, in the Carlyle Town Hall, the remaining stock of clothing, drapery, and fancy goods, belonging to Mr Taplin, who is giving up that branch of his business.

To-day, Messrs McLean and Co., of Hawera,will sell the effects of Mr Sbalders. On Monday they will hold important sale of cattle and sheep, being the surpulons stock of J. W. .Partridge, Esq. On Wednesday next, Mr F.. R. Jackson will offer for sale at Wanganui, about twenty pure-bred bulls, selected from the best herds in Napier and the Wairarapa.

Tenders for earthworks for Patea West Road Board, will be received until noon of Monday next.

Forty-two vessels, aggregating nearly 50,000 tons, were lying in San Francisco Harbour on the 27th July, under charter to cany wheat to the United Kingdom. Mr Monckton, photographic artist, intends staying one week only in Waverley, from Saturday next.

Hiroki not yet dead—he turned up at the Agricultural Show on Thursday, in the shape of a horse. Mr James Slater, well known as a reliable business man, having for the last three or four years, been engaged in the store of Mr John Gibson, Carlyle, has purchased the business lately carried on by Mr Norman, at Kakaramea, where he intends to carry on in future on his own account.

The November issue of the New Zealand Country Journal opens with a most useful article on “ Reapers and Binders—their influence on Farm Economy,” and is replete with information especially valuable to all engaged in agricultural pursuits.

From the Auckland Star we learn that a similar over-reaching policy has been adopted in respect of establishing a telegraph station at Wairoa (Auckland), as was tried on with Normanby. Government require a bond guaranteeing £250 per jear, before commencing the work. As the shipping and other interests of the Kaipara District arc now very large, this action has led to a strong protest by the settlers, and it has also been taken up by the County Council.

The Hawera Light Horse Volunteers parade regularly on Tuesdays, and the corps is now getting somewhat shapely, as the members are imbued with a spirit of emulation, and do not desire or intend to be looked upon as mere holiday show, but are determined to make themselves efficient an 1 ready for service in case of emergency This being so, all imbued with the martial spirit may step forward, and so swell the crowd. Wairoa and Hawera may yet join in friendly rivalry. It is by comparisons, and by contests in firing, that the true worth of such bodies are discovered.

Gazette of the 7th instant, contains list of land in the Taranaki District open for free selection, embracing the Moa, Mangamii and Huiroa Districts, the upset prices ranging from £1 to £2 15s. The report by Dr Hector on Geological Survey, mentions that during the year Mr McKay explored part of the Wairarapa and found a spring with great quantities of gas bubbling through it, which gas burns readily if a match he applied to it. He could not find any oil-springs. The Thames Advertiser , while agreeing that the Financial Arrangements Act of last session, recognising as it does only two accounts, —the Public Works, and Consolidated Fund—is a right step in the direction of reform, objects to certain exceptions made. It is provided by the Act that all monies accruing from the sale, letting, or other disposal of the waste lands which are set opart for loan repayment, are to be paid to the Commissioners of Public Debts Sinking Fund ; and all revenue so derived, charged with the payment of any portion of such revenues, is to continue to be so appropriated or charged, notwithstanding any Act. Deferred payment land revenue only is excepted, besides a certain 20 per cent, from land set apart in the Provincial district of Taranaki, as an endowment for harbour works, and scrip received in payment for land. Our contemporary objects to the exception in the following words :—“ So far as our recollection of the Taranaki land revenue is concerned, and the 20 per cent, refund for harbour endowment, we think it would have been quite as well out of the exceptions. It is too great a concession to make any district, and may interfere with the successful working and equality of the Government’s harbour measure. Besides, the district is scarcely entitled to such an exceptional piece of legislation, if it refers to the deduction provided for under the auspices of the late Government, as a special sop to Cerberus, the latter represented by the ex-Premier’s constituency.”

Mr W. E. Colston writing from Barnawartha to the Australasiim, says —“ In answer to correspondent about the heaviest bullock, living or dead, in the colonv, in your issue of the 21st ultimo, I will give you the size of the largest I have living. It was purchased by Mr Murdoch McLean for £l2O, in Wellington, New Zealand. It turned the scale at 3948 ibs, or 35cwt 1 qr ; height, 6ft lin; length, lift 9in; girth, 9ft 10in; at belly, 10ft 1 lin ; hocks, 2ft l£in ; arm, 3ft; yoke, 7ft Sin ; age, 8 years.