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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 380, 7 December 1878, Page 2

At the opening cricket match of the season, Hawera v Carlyle, Mr F. liiddiford made the highest one innings score, itself a tall one, namely, 70. As a mark of appreciation, and memento of the event, the Hawera Club has presented Mr Eiddiford with a first-class bat, on which is a silver plate with the name and particulars neatly inscribed thereon. The bat was purchased in Wellington. Mr W. Dale will sell land, timber, and merchandise, to-day. Messrs McLean & Co., of Hawera, will let valuable building sites to-day. Mr W. Gowern will sell bran and pollard to-dav. Applications for the office of valuator Patea' West Road Board, and tenders for road work, will be received to-day. Applications for valuator will be received to-day by the Wairoa Highway Board. Tenders for mowing will be received by Messrs Napier and Mitchell, Kakaramea, to-day. On account of goods expected per Wallace, from Nelson, the bazaar, in aid of the Carlyle Harmonic Society’s piano, has been further postponed. Messrs Colson & Co., butchers, have arranged to open a branch establishment at Kakaramea, two day’s a week. The Education Board report, from which we copied last issue, stated that £4 would be paid the Carlyle School Committee towards gravelling. The vote was for some other school outside this district. The Carlyle Town Board had road gravelled leading to the school. At the Carlyle Court yesterday, before O. A.Wray, Esq., R.M., two cases of parties being drunk and quarrelling were heard, the fines with costs amounting in one case to £1 6s 6d, and in the other to £3 5s 4d. Constable Burrow summoned R. O. Hastie for a breach of the Sale of Liquors Ordinance. Fined £l, and costs and expenses 34s 4cl.

Attbelastmeetingof the County Council, Mr Dale objected to the way the Hawera Road Board proposed to expend the proceeds of sale of deferred payment lands in the Whakamara block, on the ground that one of the roads mentioned would not benefit the selectors, and that if the money was spent on that road it would be contrary to the intentions of “ The Land Act, 1877.” On account of the long delay (through neglect on the part of the Hawera Road Board to furnish proper statement) which had taken place in the matter of handing this money over, and to give no further excuse for the work being delayed, the proposed expenditure was approved of by the Council. When the Hon Mr Sheehan was in Patea on Thursda}’, Mr Dale took the opportunity of seeing that gentleman, and pointed out what he considered to be a wrong to the deferred payment selectors, the result being that the Hon Mr Sheehan sent the following telegram to the Chairman of tho Board : “Mr Goodson, Chairman, Hawera Road Board. — Re proposed expenditure of money for benefit of deferred payment selectors in Whakamara block. Complaints have been made to me by several people that proposed works do not meet approval of selectors. Would suggest postponement of acceptance of tenders for a few’day's, enable question to be settled amicably. Otherwise difficulties may arise with, the auditors of your Board’s accounts, if it be alleged that expenditure was not in accordance with the provisions of the Land Act, 1877. —J. Sheehan.”

The New Zealander referring to Sir Dillon Bell’s late purchase of Patea land, sa y S —“ Sir F. D. Bell is not the only southern gentleman by many, who will yet find how fertile are our North Island lands.”

The following extract from the New Zealander goes to show that correcter ideas of the splendid prospects opening up in Patea begin to prevail as well in tho Empire City as other places :—“ The growing importance of the Patea district can he estimated from the value of land in that locality, the eagerness with which it is competed for, and the number of people who would fain make that rich district their home. The impetus that will be lent to the whole of that portion of the West Coast by the improvement of the Patea harbor cannot as yet be estimated. It will form a midway shipping place between Wanganui and New Plymouth, and perhaps the only one for several generations to come. All the Wairnate produce requiring exportation will find an outlet in the Patea harbor. Those who know the district will remember that the deep water on the river is on its eastern bank, where the main settlement of the future will be placed and not on the Carlyle side of the stream .” Reference is then made to the land belonging to Colonel Gorton and others, which is advertised for sale in Wellington by Mr R. J. Duncan, on Tuesday next, the 10th instant. A s'this is the only land on the east bank of the river below the bridge available for business sites, the sections now to bo offered should be well competed' for. The completion of the Harbor works Will_ render them extremely valuable. It will be noticed on reference to our advertising columns, that in order to meet the wishes of local men who well know the value of the land a number of the sections which it was intended to reserve, will he offered for competition. From the following extract from the New Zealand. Times, it will he seen that the steamer Patea will he launched today ;—The new steamer being built by Mr E.W. Mills for the Patea trade is getting close on to completion. It is expected that she will he launched at the end of the present week, which will he inside the contract time. No expense has been spared by the contractor to hurry on the launching of the steamer, which, judging from her lines, will not only be a good sea boat but a very fast one. At a tolerably full meeting of creditors in the estate of J, Lyttle, of Kakaramea, held at Carlyle, on' Thursday, the Trustee (Mr J. Gibson) was authorised to take proceedings against the bankrupt under the provisions- of the Fraudulent Debtors Act. The concerts looks queer.

A new material for binding’ purposes, to bo used in reaping and binding machines, has been invented in America, consisting’ of bands of flax paper. The Duneiin Age describes the band as of the ordinary thickness of grocer’s brown wrappers, about an inch wide, but of great.strength, A Wellington contemporary, referring to a large branch establishment about to be built in Wellington for Messrs Guthrie Larnacb, and Company, says ; —Under the able management of Mr Walter Guthrie it has risen to the first place amongst importers to New Zealand" and employers of labor. It possesses seven or eight sawmills, a fleet of about thirty’’ coasting vessels, and employs, all tSlcf -‘over 1000 persons, and is one of the most extensive and enterprising concerns in the Southern Hemisphere. !i

VISIT OF THE HON. NATIVE MINISTER TO PATEA, The Hon. the Native Minister and party arrived at Carlyle shortly before nine o’clock on Wednesday night, going direct to Odger’s Hotel. The party consisted of the Hort. J. Sheehan and his Secretary (Mr Lewis), Major Brown (Civil Commissioner), and the following notable Natives :—the Hon. Hoani Nahi, Major Kemp, Honi Piharaa, Katene, and Mrs. Takiora Dalton, Trooper Jones being in attendance as escort. Mr Sheehan having telegraphed to Mr Sbcrwoocl, that lie would, see any deputations immediately after arrival,a number of leading townsfolk were in waiting. On account of the late hour at which Mr Sheehan arrived, it was decided to receive deputations on Thursday morning, from ten o’clock. About that hour, and • after attending to Native and some European visitors, a deputation headed by Mr Sherwood, was received by Mr Sheehan, and consisted of Captain Wray, and Messrs, H. F. Christie, R. C. Tonnent, John Thomson, C.8., James Hirst, John Black, John Gibson, Samuel Taplin, William Dale, and P. O’S. M’Carthy. A programme of matters to bo brought before the hon. gentleman had been previously drawn up, and Mr Sherwood, who had been appointed Spokesman, briefly, but clearly explained what was required, and argued the point where neccs-ary—other members of the deputation occasionally taking part.

Mr Sheehan showed himself anxious to understand the position of affairs in each case, and took copious notes. Wanganui Endowments in Momahaki Block, for High School and Municipal purposes.—The injustice of further raids for the endowment of other places with Patea lands being pointed out, Mr Sheehan expressed himself as personally opposed to any such encroachments, and at once, despatched a long and stiff telegram on the subject to the lion. Commissioner for Lands. [_la the afternoon the following telegram in reply received by Mr Sheehan; was handed over to Mr Sherwood : —” Ee Momahaki and Waimate, no applications received or promises made. No reservations will be agreed to, save the Primary Schools.— R. Stout.”] Bonded Store.—lt was suggested that a portion of goods shed about to be erected in connection with the extension of wharf, should be used as a Bonded Store. Mr Slieeiaan thought the idea, a. good one, rroulcZ make enquiries, and if practicable, would recommend its adoption. Definite answer to bo sent in a few days.

Place of sale of Waimate Plains.—lt was pointed out that all Government land sales held here had been successful, and that it was a district specially well suited for holding sale, &c., and that some place within the County should be chosen. Mr Sheehan admitted that the arguments ■ were very forcible and new, and every consideration would be given to them. At present Wellington appeared to be the favored place. The Hon. Mr Stout would soon visit lire district, and should be seen upon the matter. Railway through Carlyle.—Mr Sheehan was much in favour of lines being taken to established, and especially Government Townships, and considered Carlyle had an excellent claim to consideration, on account of its being a Government town, and connected with a port. He would use all his influence to have the line laid off through Carlyle.

Gaol.—Circumstances to be enquired into, and if found necessary would recommend the erection of a gaol. New Post and. Telegraph Offices.—Would inspect the buildings, and advised that a petition be sent to the Head of the Department.

Subsidy for Steamer.—£3oo would be available as soon as the steamer was ready. After the first year, tenders would bo called for continuation of the service.

Immigrants.—Would be careful for the future that Patca should have its fair proportion of immigrants, from those allotted to Taranaki, and that they should be sent din ct from. Wellington. Mountain Road.—Mr : Sheehan would assist the County Council by a grant in addition to that already secured, if the County Council would guarantee to push on the work. He recognised its great importance, and the Council might count on his best assistance in the matter.

Native Hostelry.—Would consult Major Brown and Honi Pihama. Probably a small building would be erected. Native School.—Money for this purpose was available, and a school could be established at once, if the Natives woul 1 take the matter up.

Representation for Fateh.—Government intended to deal with this matter, and in all probability, by the time a re-distribution of seats was made, Patea County would be qualified to have a representative of its own. Two hours were occupied in discussing the above matters. At the conclusion, Mr Sheehan was cordially thanked for the very patient hearing he had given the deputation, and for the interest taken by him in the welfare of the County. About 2 o’clock in the afternoon, under the direction of the Chairman of the Harbor Board (Mf G. F. Sherwood), the Hon Mr Sheehan and party, and a number of townsfolk, proceeded in boats to the Patea Heads, for the purpose of inspecting the works now in progress. This occupied till about halfpast 4 o’clock. Mr Sheehan, with Major Brown and Mr Williams, then met a number of natives in the Court House, and on completion of the business at 6 o’clock, started at once for Waitotara.

We are indebted to a Normanby correspondent for the following : The Hon. Mr Sheehan passed through here on Wednesday, 4th instant, and was interviewed by a deputation of settlers and residents. The question of the' proposed site for Railway Station and Post and Telegraph Offices was fully gone into. The injustice the people here' are' suffering under, in having these offices placed by the Government in the worst and most incqhvenient position that could possibly be chosen, was pointed oat to him. The hon. gentleman took a lively interest in the. matter, and expressed his sympathy with the people of Normanby. He afterwards walked round the township, with the deputation, and personally inspected the various sites which are now under offer to the Government. The deputation were promised that on the arrival of the Minister in Wellington, the matter should be fully inquired into, and, if possible, the offices placed where they will be most convenient to the people. Mr Sheehan referred to the Mountain Eoad, and expressed a desire to have an interview with the Chairman of the County Council, He informed the deputation that the Government were anxious to have the road put through and metalled this summer. There would be no' lack of funds if the Council

would take it in hand and push on the work vigorously.

The Hon Mr Sheehan stayed in Hawerii for about"three hours, having put up at Prosser’s Hotel. No formal deputation had been, appointed to wait Upon him, and no public business was transactedi

At Opunake Mr Sheehan was interviewed in respect of wharf accommodation, and some assistance was promised.

LETTER-PROM MAJOR AtKiNSON. We have been permitted to reprint the following letter, addressed by Major Atkinson, M.H.R., to the Patea County Council, in which it will be seen that that gentleman expresses himself very plainly and forcibly on the action of Government in taking from Patea 75 per cent of its Land Fund i—- “ New Plymouth, Nov. 26th, 1878. “ The Chairmain of the Patea County Council, “ Carlyle, “ Sir, —With reference to your letter covering a resolution of the Patea County Council, requesting that I would use my influence to prevent the injustice to the County of seventy five per cent of its Land Fund being taken by the Government for the purpose of constructing a branch railway, I have honor to say in reply, that in conjunction with the Hon. Mr Fox, I used every endeavour to prevent tlie infliction of the injustice of which the County Council so reasonably complain, but, I regret so say, without success, “ No valid reason—not even a plausible one—was advanced by tbe Government in defence of their arbitrary and unjust act. They simply determined to take the local revenue of a weak County, apparently because it was weak, and that they possessed the powerto do so, and they used, without scruple, their majority for the purpose, “ The injustice and arbitrariness Of this proceeding is rendered the more apparent from the fact that, while the Government have by one Act seized the local revenue of Patea, for the purpose of constructing a branch railway, they have by another Act taken power to construct, out of colonial funds, several branch railways, in the strong and rich Southern districts, far more local in their character than the one to which the money of the' ratepayers of Patea is to be applied, withoitt their consent being obtained, oi- even asked, and against the protest of the County Council.

'• But this exceptional treatment of the Pa'ca County is not new with the present Government, for last year, the money voted for the main road from Waiiotara to Stoney river was withheld, while that voted for the main road through the Wanganui County, was paid over to the local body interested—the money in each case coming from the same vote.

“ These actions are. however, I regret to say. only typical of the want of principle and favouritism shown throughout their administration by the Government of Sir George Grey, and 1 fear that so long as he remains in power, it will be hopcleiss for weak or independent districts to expect due consideration for their many wants, or even common justice. “ I have, &c.-, '•'fl. A. Atkinson.”