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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 376, 23 November 1878, Page 2

The Rangitikei Advocate is very severe on its Parliamentary Representative, the Mon. John Ballance, and says; —“The lion, the member for Rangitikei, doubtless having heard a whisper of the rumour that a requisition was about being got up calling upon him to resign, took time by the forelock, and decided to pay Bulls a visit. In that locality ha knew there existed the greatest amount of dissatisfaction with his action in the matter of the railway. He first of all tried his old tactics, interviewed the members of the committee individually, made a futile effort to bring them round to Ids way of thinking, in which he lamentably failed, finding after a lengthy colloquial discussion, in which many a subtle inference, implied promise, and ad captandavi appeal were '■judiciously interspersed, an apt illustration of the adage that—

A man convinced against his will Is of the same opinion still. He then took counsel with his trusty henchman and legal deputy, who advised the convening of a meeting of the railway committee.” At the meeting, to which the Advocate Reporter was refused admission, “Mr Dalziell probed the hororable gentleman to the quick with a sore home thrust, causing him to wince perceptibly, when he asked in his characteristically blunt and out-spoken manner, bow it was that in the two matters of primary importance to Rangitikei, which had been loft in Mr Ballance’s hands—namely, the railway and the county boundary extension, he had betrayed a supreme indifference to the inteicsts and urgent requirements of his constituency ? The hon. gentleman's pallid countenance flushed crimson at this pertinent donb’e query from ins too practically inquisitive interrogator, whom, however, he promised, in his own good time, to fully satisfy on all points.” Our contemporary dissects the explanation given, and statee as the result that—“ The inhabitants art 1 more convinced than ever that the so-called explanation is a hollow, flimsy, transparent piece of political dodgery, without an atom of fact, truth, or reality for its foundation. A meeting is to tie called by circular at once, to ascertain.the amount vhieh can be raised towards the prosecution of the railway undertaking, which can he completed by a local contractor for £IO,OOO or £12,000. Of tin’s, £4,000 is already promised, and this without canvassing at all.”. The estimate furnished to Government was £.22,000, to which our contemporary says — “ Of course, it will be easily seen that the estimate is only one of the miserable paltry excuses which have been urged in extenuation of the must inexplicable retnisncss, or the most inexcnseaitle trilling with the welfare of a constituency. Our words will yet come true, that Rangitikei has been sacrificed for the aggrandisement of Wanganui. Every effort lias been made to leave Bulls out in the cold, to destroy its standing among the townships of the coast, and to ruin its prospects by diverting its trade and commerce. Anti why? Because, in apolitical sense, the interests of Bulls arc held subservient to Wanganui.” There has been much promising of late in respect of railway works in I’alea County. Wc sincerely hope we shall not be made a sacrifice, as the Advocate contends has been the case with Rangitikei. We must not be too easy on this matter.

The Harbor Act, passed hy the Assembly during last session, contains 234 Clauses, and comes into f iree on the Ist January next. It provides that a fresh election of all elective members of present existing Harbor Boards shall take place on the second Monday in February, previously elected members holding office until that time. The Patea Harbor Board consists of one member nominated By the Governor; two to be elected by the Town Board of Carlyle; one by llie Patea County Council; and one each by the Hawera, Otoia, and Wavcrlcy Ridings. Elective members hold office for two years. Nominated members also go out of office on the second Monday in February, when the same or some other person may bo nominated to fill the vacancy as the Governor deems fit.

Mr E. J. Blake, having been Licensed as Interpreter under the Native Lands Act, is strongly recommended by Mr W. Williams to all having business to transact with the natives, as being thoroughly efficient and reliable. Mr Williams being now under engagement to Government, as Land Purchase Commissioner, has relinquished the Interpreting. On Tuesday last, the Hawera Light Horse Volunteers proceeded to the A.C. Rifle Range, Waihi, when they were put through some skirmishing drill by Captain Marshall, consisting of firing at several single targets with ball cartridge, also firing at a number of billets of wood set up to represent the heads off an enemy : at 100 yards. Captain .Marshall has been appointed Inspecting Officer to the Corps, which lias given great .satisfaction, as ho is an officer who has a thorough knowledge of cavalry drill, and is always willing to give instruction. As shearing is now in full swing, there will be no parade ou Tuesday next.

G-. \V. Williams, Esq., Deputy Inspector of Surveys, is at present in Fatea. Wo understand that the object of his visit is to inspect the 200*000 acre block of land lying between the Waitotara and Whenuakura Rivers, winch Government took over from private purchasers about six or eight months ago.

A top sawyer amongst the surveyors inie'y bought a helmet Imf at Haw.-ra. mid when proceeding■ Taranaki wards by coac\v, alighted at OpnnMm .'for a ree l, and mA caring to sit on his now purchase, cnnriiMy set it on peg in tin; passage of thrhotel. Having fed, he sought his hat, ami found' it, m>t on tile p.'g where left, but on thhead of a native standing outside th • hotel. Wkiiont much ceremony, or examination inside or outside the hag the surreyor lifted the article Iron) the Maori’s head and inserted Ids own partly bald pate inside of it. The native looked half curiously, as if to note whether or not the surveyor had been imbibing too much'boor and so been stimulated to prmikislineus, but withal showed no disposition to quarrel with the surveyor for his unusual familiarity. The coach preparing to move off, passengers took their seats, and a'thniigh Mr Maori had mildly and repeatedly asked for a re-transfer of the hat, Mr Surveyor did not give up possession, and evidently began to think the native was carrying what was believed to ba a joke, rather too far. So, on the other hand, did Mr Maori, and failing to get re-delivery of the hat after repeated appeals, promptly took steps to stop the. coach, and haul the surveyor, hat and a!!, out on to the roadway. To settle the mat ter, Tito Kowaru, who happened to be near, was called upon to recover wlml tin*. Maori asserted to be stolen propei ry. With vehemence, and in high dudgeon, the surveyor snatched the comedy looking helmet hat from his beautiful head, and in proof’of ownership, after spreading the inside of the hat outwardly to be gazed upon by the now large assemblage of excited, natives, triumphantly pointed inside tbs article, : screeching out, “ See my own name written on tho inside—will that convince you ?” The natives gazed—but wevevmt convinced. The surveyor also gazed, and gazed again in utter astonishment at the hat and at the crowd. There was no sign of writing, and the hat was not his. The helmet shaped hat had evidently suited the fastidious taste of others besides Mr Surveyor. Fact is, Hie tradesman 'from whom the purchase was made had done a roaring trade both with Europeans and natives, and the novelty had become quite common. Tito Kowarn stood in judgment against the parties, and having heard both sides, adjudged the surveyor to pay for a gallon of beer, arguing that if some one hud stolen the sm veyor’s hat that was no reason why lie should bo allowed to,steal ] the Maori’s hat.

Mr \V. Dale will hold large general sale at his mart, Carlyle, to-day. Applications for the office of Manager of (he Patea Steam Shipping Co., will be received up to Tuesday next.

Tenders for fourteen miles of road work will he received by tire County Council until Tuesday next. Meeting of creditors in the estates of Mr Sum Dixon, and Messrs Gulf and Pavitl, will be held at Hie Court House, Carlyle, on Tuesday next. An adjourned meeting to arrange about establishing a Library under the Public Libraries Act, wil; be held at the Wavcrlcy Town it all, on Tuesday. The s.s. Clyde, which arrived at Wanganui, from Paica, on Wodir-sday, was put on the hard at Putiki, for the pm-pose of being ii. ted wi;i: new propellers, and was expectcd to sail again fur Patea hist night (Friday).

On Tuesday next-, Messrs McLean & Co. vvU! hold a groat land sale at Hnwv.ra, 'he property of Mr George Bamfurd, who, aider persistent appeals by the public, consoutod to cut up, mill Sci; the wiioie as town sections. Tin?. amnioncer’s note explains the admirable situation of the property, ami we hare iittlo douhe bur. the sections will be eagerly comp ted for.

Messrs .McLean and Go. will sell to-day, in the Hawera Town flail, the effects of .Mr J. 8. Greig, who is leaving for Melbourne.

Messrs Jacomh, Bon, and Co.’s Wool Circular, dated London, 2orli Sept.cmh.-T, mentions that the market, had got gradually flutter, prices being, on the average, about one penny and twopence heiow the best prices of J line. ‘‘Of th -qu:in; ity cat dogtml to dale, about 2d,UJO hales have iieeo bought in. Some dissatisfaction has been expressed at the growing cnsoVn of offering wools for sale, and ‘wil.hdrawing them at limits far ibove their times value, such a course unnecessarily wasting the time of buyers, while it cannot but be of disadvantage to sellers.” Mr McLean, contractor for flic Mountain Road, Pa tea end. has fully forty men at work, laborers having rolled up freely for (lie 9s a day. Tho Mountain Road- looks lively 7 just now, as there must be from GO to 70 working on contracts now in hand for the Pa tea County' Council. It is desirable that every effort should be made to secure from Government the whole of the momy which has been voted. Patea must look out for its share, and with three members of the General Assembly' to work for Taranaki, and a most persevering Chairman of the County Council, there is little doubt but Taranaki will get its full share early'—if it is to be got at all. Theaverage annual expend!!nre in Great Britain, as compiled by a contemporary, was, —“In 186G-67, under a Liberal Government £GG,SOd,OOO ; in 1868-69, (Conservative), £76.006,000 ; in 1870-71 (Liberal), £09,000,000 ; in 1872-73, (Liberal), £71,000,000 ; in 1876-77-78 (Conservative) £81,000,000. The population has grown from thirty to thirty-four mi!lions. Tho expenditure has grown from sixty-six and a half to c;ighty-ono millions. The one element fas advanced about thirteen per cent., the other twenty per cent. Increased population does not necessarily demand a corresponding increase in public outlay' per head ; and yet in twelve years there Ins been a rise per head from £2 4s to £2 7s Gd. Throe-and-sixpence per bead all round is something to fathers of families. Let this item sink into tho minds of tho electors, and no «]ory and mystery will keep them spell-bound.” The. New Zealander , commenting on these figm-es, says :—“ The condition of affairs in the foregoing citation is analogous to tint existing in New Zealand, so far as I lie lesser can hear a dose resemblance to the larger, hut the Colonial public bad scarcely time to realise the fact that tho .brilliant game, played by Sir Julius Vogel was hardly worth the costly candle, and .such being the ease, the practical recuperative measures of the present Governm-nt are particularly distasteful, because the public will not, or cannot recognise the fact that limy are absolutely necessary f„ r the preservation of the prosperity and reputation' of the Coouiy.” Something more than lucre words will be required to convince-the New Zealand public of the savings effected by tiie present Government. The Appropriation Act does not show it. Few of the promised reforms have been made.

Amongst votes in the Immigration and ihiolie Work's Act. for expenditure during the present iiuanciiil year, are the following: ail 1 Telegraph Office, Normanby, Tdod ; Light! muse at.. Cape Egmoiit, £4,00 d; Mountain 'toad, Taranaki, to block under survey, 34 mims, to open 25,000 acres, £2,<860 ; opening to Huiroa Block, miles, to op m 8,200 acres, £828; Huiroa Block—bridge over Manganui •Sivar, £300.; opening lands between tho Mangamii and Paten Rivers, 14 miles, to open 6.400 acres, £782 'Total, £5,270. Mortmain Road, Taranaki, £11,282 ; opening Mnumam Road to Fa lea for coach traffic, £2,194 6 s 2d ; Main Road, StoneyRiver to Waitotara, £3,000. Subsidy to Town of Inglewood, £67 9s 1 OH. £15,000 has been voted for opening reads and constructing .bridges through Native Lands recently purchased. £IO,OOO has been voted for expenditure on blocks of land sold in the Colony on deferred payments, prior to Ist January. 1878. A little of that ought to be secured for the Otcia-Opaku Block. £,12,000 has also been voted for Police Stations and Lock-ups. Seeing* 'what gingerly affairs the lock-ups at Hawera ami Carlyle arc, it would save esoehse to Government, and trouble to the officers in charge, if the lock-ups were made more secure. Carlyle does not yet possess a police station, tho officers having to. provide their own house and office accommodation.

Tho Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Show has grown to immense proportions and importance. The report alone occupies twenty-seven columns of small print in the Canterbury Times of the 16th November, which says—“ Year by year tho importance of the occasion has been steadily increasing, and producing a splendid outcome of tho -energetic and unceasing work of the Association’s Committee.” From 397 exhibits in 1869, they have risen to 1,023 in 1878. The improvement in the quality of stock shown has been marvellous. “There was a grand array of machinery, without • doubt the heat ever seen in this country, and including tine samples of the varieties of reapers and binders, ‘2,000 of which it is estimated will be in operation in New Zealand during the harvest of 1879, effecting to Ihe fanners a total saving of £120,000.” In addition to tho excellent report of the show, the issue of our contemporary referred to above contains very valuable bints tinder the heading of “ Lessons from Cattle Shows,” which ail farmers should read.

A Wellington telegram of the 21st instant says,—ThoGrovemmciit have given instructions that the immigrants: per Ferngicn (25J) tor Nelson, shall he transferred lo Wanganui, where labour is very scarce.

A cable message from Melbourne, dated 19ih instant, says —Mr George M’Lean haspurchased Messrs MbMeckan and Blackwood’s steamers lliugarooma, Arawata, Tararua, and Albion, for the Union Steam Shipping Company.

Press Ag nicy Telegram from Auckland on Tuesday, says—There was a grand recap, ion of the Australian team. A steamer was chartered on hoard of which '.be sending Auckland chi'xons met the mail steamer Cuy of New Turk, outside the North Mead, accompanied lire mail boat to the Q i vn- g wharf, land;;.! on Lie svuarf, w.dvh was crowded w't i spectators. A band played the team to toe Auckland Oral), where a champagne spread was p:\ p wed.

From our Wangmui exchanges ws learn tint the liC’i annual session of the Wesleyan B My—i’aran-iki and Wanganui Districts,' — was commenced in Trinity Church, Wanganui, on Tuesday, tin? J9 f h Novcmb".!. Ministers present Revs. \V. Leo (chairman}, G. Rtannard, F., C. Dr.vsbury, P. \V. Fairelough, and 8. Lawry. Two candidates for the Ministry' were down for examination —Leonard IsiU, and F. i’.irkcs —the, former was proven!eel by id ness from attending, and a motion expresstvc of sympathy was passed. Letter was read from Rev, J. i'. Bliaw, respecting his iion-ob- 'i'vanco of his appointm .'nt, and a resolution pass'd thereon. After C'.nisi icrahie discussion on the training of sin dents at the Theological Institute, a resolution passed last year was strongly rc-MiLmed, to the effect that no student he removed from the College to Circuit work, unioss ho have previously been at tho Institution for two years.

At the Anniversary Tea Meeting at the Trinity (Wesleyan) Church, Wanganui, also aval led. of as a meeting in aid of the Homo Mission, held on Tuesday' evening ia-t, tin chair was taken by George Beavcn, Lsq. Amongst the speakers was the Rev. B. \V. Fairelough, who is reported to have dwelt chiefly on the distinctive features of Home and Foreign Missions, tho latter of which he described as widening the stream of knowledge, while the fanner deepened it. Foreign missions, which were first instituted iu years long past, had accomplished much, if only in the laying - a foundation of reverence for gospel truth. The results of Home Missions were apparent in the awakening of tho nations from ' the sleep of ages, evidences of which were to be seen on all hands. He earnestly' trusted their liberal support would bo given the institution, so that provision might be made for the spiritual needs of the rapidly increasing population of this their adopted country’. The ■ meeting passed off satisfactorily’, speeches having been made by the Chairman, the Revs. Lee, Lawry, Isitt, Parkes, Fairelough, and Mr J. G. Sharpe.

The Taranaki Herald says—“ Acting, we presume, on the recommendation of; the (i.vol Committee, there is to be a change in the police force here ; for Sub-Inspector Kenny has received instructions from tiie Grovenmient to hold himself in readiness to relieve Sub-Inspector Bullen, of the Thames, who is to be stationed here.

The New Zealand Company’s ship, Rangitikei, arrived at Lyttelton on Sunday last, 105 days out from London. The following is extract from ship’s report—“On September 5, in 9° longitude, picked u > two Portugese s dlors, part of the crew o ’ the Portugese ship Amerique. They' had hern in tiie water in a swamped boat for liity hours. Two others of tiie boat’s erc-w bad bc<-n seized by sharks, and two more had died from exhaustion. The survivors had "O beat the sharks off with the. bottom boards of the boat. On November 4, a saloon.passenger, the Rev W. Warwick Craigie, died from' phthi -is, and on November 8, a seaman named R. S. Cornish was washed overboard during a tremen Inous gale.”

The New Zealander says ;—“ Dunedin promises not to be so far ahead of. Wellington in .utilising the electric light as an ill laminating agent after all, as one of , nnr enterprising townsmen lias asserted his intention, when his advices arrive by the next English mail, of making an offer to the Corporation to light the cityhy tins medium.” ' . -

A meeting of the Carlyle School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs Aitchison, (chairman), Paterson, North. and Harris. Letters were read from Mr Dyer relative to Pupil Teachers ; also from Mr Rhodes that he had withdrawn his children, pending inquiry relative to the conduct of certain scholars who had been abusing his children. Resolution was passed do inform Mr Rhodes that measures iiad been taken to prevent, as far as possible, any recurrence of matter complained of.—On motion of Mr Aitchison, seconded by Mr North, it was resolved, That on account of the increasing attendance .of children, and the Committee being strongly of opinion that additional teaching power is most urgently required, the Board be asked to supply a Pupil Teacher, at the same submitting the name of Miss Maude 8., Dyer as a candidate, with recommendation that she be appointed.—Letter from Mr Foulis stated that he would hold school examination on 9th December.

Mr W. Noble, boot and shoe maker and importer, Mawer.a, having erected new promises, announces the opening of new shop with large new stock. He also has a branch establishment at Normanby. Messrs McL’Dowie and Perry, of Hawera, also announce their purchase of the butchering business from Mr J. Winks.

We call attention to alteiation of Messrs Williams and Sons' advertisement. This firm having engaged a first-class coach builder, and being supplied with good plant and material, have opened a coach factory on the Taranaki Road, Carlyle. Three or four buggies and light vehicles may now be seen in various stages of progress, which are being made to the order of local men.

At the li. M. Court, Carlyle, yesterday, before 0. A. Wray, Esq., R.M., Constable Shiel summoned R. Erskiue for a breach of the Impounding Ordinance, in allowing five horses to wander. Fined 2s Gd per head and 6s 6d costs.

A lei ter from Waitara (Taranaki) (o the New Zealander, dated 6th November, says —“ The country is fast going to ruin. The farms around hero are selling for nearly double the price they would have realised three years ago, and Town sections that about the same time would scarce have fetched a song, are now passing off at enormous prices. Many new settlers from Canterbury and elsewhere are taking possession of neighboring 'farms.” At the Wesleyan District meeting, just hold in Wanganui, the Secretary (Rev. P. W. Fairclough), read returns sent in, which showed an encouraging advance in all departments of Church work : —Total number of Church members and Communicants, 55-1 ; Sunday Schools. 17; scholars, 1,075; teacheis, 121 ; Ministers on trial, 18 ; Cnnrches and preaching places, 34 ; total attendance at Church services, 3,594. Application was made from Patea, for aid from the Church Extension Fund. .

An insurance Agent in Wellington, received the following telegram on Tuesday last, —“ Tno New Zealand Shipping Company's ship Piako, from London to Lyttleroii, put into Pernambuco on fire. The passengers are all safe. Particulars are not yet received.” The A T e«? Zealander says —So far this brief message is all the information to hand. The Piako sailed from Plymouth on October 5, with 299 immigrants on board, and was commanded by Captain Boyd, formerly of the Murunui. The ship was quite a new one, having only made two voyages previous to the present one. Probably further information will shortlv reach ns.

The Advocate says —Some wool putchased from natives, and sent home through ths Marton agency of the Bank of Australia, has, we learn obtained the highest pries of any produced in liangitikei.

Trie Eangitikei Highway Board is in a similar position ns regards election of members as the Wairoa Highway Board, ami the following is copy of a letter addressed by the Chairman of the Board to the Hon John Bailance, member for llangitikei. The letter is dated 7th October, but no answer had been returned up to last week, for which our contemporary blames Mr Bailance : “Sir, —I have the honour, by direction of the High was' Board, to again call the attention of the Government to the unpleasant position in widen that body is placed in having to coi.tioue to hold office so long after the term of the same has expired, for want of any legal machinery whereby to have their successors elected. The Board’s attention has been called to an election that lias taken place in the. Manaawtu Highway District, and they are thereby led to suppose that there must be legal author! ty for conducting these elections, unknown to this Board, and respectfully request that the Government inform them what steps, if an.y, they have taken to remove the difficulty, and whether these elections may not take place here as well as at Manawatu. (Signed) A. Milne, Chairman.”