Untitled

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 415, 9 April 1879, Page 2

At the m'-eting of rlie Town Board on Monday, the Cion’; read out a iis*. of names of persons in arrears with run! —in which list three members of the Board were prominent. —The advisahilif}- of erecting a suitable building for offices was discussed, but it was decided lo hold the matter over for the present. —The disgraceful state of the Carlyle pound cropped up, and it was suggested that the County. Council bo written to on the matter. It is generally believed the pound does not, receive proper attention. The fee board is no longer of anj” use, the letters being invisible, and altogether the affairs connected with this institution want looking to. The ketch Falcon, after heating about outside for over a week, crossed the baron Sunday last, with a heavy sea running. The vessel struck on the north spit, after which she woidd not answer her helm, and grounded on the town side of the breakwater. In the afternoon a portion of the cargo was taken out, and the vessel was got into the channel again with the evening’s tide, although a good deal of trouble was experienced, owing to heavy seas breaking over her, which almost compelled the men to cease work. AH praise is due to those who assisted in getting the Falcon off, more ospeeiall}" tiie pilot (Captain Wood), who rendered good assistance. It was discovered that the vessel had sprung a leak, but the extent of the damage has not yet been ascertained. On the arrival of the s.s. Patoa to this port on the 29th March, Captain Gibbons reported having lost several blades from the starboard propeller, just inside the breakwater. Notwithstanding tin’s statement, we are nonw to say that several gentlemen were unkind enough to disbelieve the captain, some of the Directors being amongst the number. We dislike this jumping at conclusions before any thing lias been proved to the contrary, and think those who had a different opinion from the captain, should have kept quiet until they could prove their version. Not so, however, for Captain Gibbons was told that the blades could be four..l on the north spit, and not in cue channel. This was a direct insult to n man who should know where the blades were lost, better than those who were not near the spot at the time of the accident. We are happy to say that Captain Gibbons proved right, for the missing blades have been found at the exact spot where he says they were lost and a moderate-sized boulder near, shows how the affair haupened. In justice to the captain, we think the above explanation necessary, for masters of vessels, as a rule, have plenty to do without being saddled with unnecessary blame. It has been suggested that the channel inside the breakwater be properly buoyed. .On Saturday next Mr VV. Dale will sell by public auction, at his mart Carlyle, 20 valuable building sites in Mauutalu; section 5, with a well finished dwelling house erected thm-eon, in the town of Carlyle ; | and a section containing 69 acres, in the ( Otoia-Oouku Block. Sale commences at 2 oVoek.

Members of the Patea Kilwinning Lodge are requested to meet in the Town Hall, on Friday evening next. Remember Mr Cowern’s Kakaramea stock sale to-day. Footballers are reminded in another column that the kicking season is about to commence, and a mooting is convened for Saturday evening next, at the Albion Hotel, to make preliminary arrangements. The Patoa County Council vote of £SO to the Hawora Institute does not seem to bo relished by the ratepayers hereabouts, and it is freely spoken of as a wholesale robbery. We are inclined to think the Council is voting away money in rather an off hand manner, without looking to the result. Matters thattonch the pockets of the ratepayers should he more carefully considered, and resolutions should not be passed that afterwards require rescinding. We do not think the County can afford at present to vote sums of money to Institutes, no matter what may be the circumstances, ami we strongly advise the members of the Patea County Council to turn their attention to matters of more importance to the district—viz, roads and bridges. If we are correctly informed, these works will take all the money (he Council can lay its hands on, and possibly a deal more. All Institutes no doubt require grants of some sort to enable thorn to keep their heads above water, but the whole of the ratepayers should not be taxed to support institutions that do not benefit them. It is not reasonable to expect that will stand it. It is difficult to say liow the Council intend getting out of the present difficulty, for the money has been voted, and if paid, other claims will, as a natural result, soon follow.

The late freshes, together with the good effects of the breakwater, have done valuable service to the Patea River, the entrance being now perfectly stiaigbt. We hope it may remain so, as then the difficulty in getting into the river will be obviated, there being no sharp turn at the breakwater point to endanger vessels. The Waimate Plains has been withdrawn from sale. This, coming so soon after the professed intention of the Government to sell the land, notwithstanding the attitude of the natives, does not look well, and bears out our opinion that the present Government are unequal to the task set them. This last stroke is only another sample of the absurd administration of Sir George Grey since the day ho took office—a cry loud in promising, but when tbe time .-uTiros to be up und doing, SOUJO excuse is ahtays to be found why promises should not bo fulfilled. By a Pn.-ss Agency telegram, dated Wellington, April 5, it would appear that the settlement of the Waimate Plains question has been left to Mr Mackay and Captain Blake, and these gentlemen having just returned from Now Plymouth, are to meet the Native .Ministei at llawera, for the purpose of drawing up some proposals to be submitted to the naUA'cs, wi. li a view to a final adjustment of the present difficulty. Have the Government lost faith in .Major Brown and Mr Williams, that Messrs Blake and Maeluiy ha\o been entrusted with this important work ; it certainly dues not please the people of Lids district, and nuuors arc afloat that a different tale could bo told as to the circumstances which led to the turning off of the surveyors, if Government choose to open its mouth. The Nntv Zealander, of Saturday’ last, says : “ We are in a position to state that Mr Mack ay’s report, to the Native Minister will, when made public, effectually’ dispel any’ lingering apprehension that in the settlement of the Waimate difficulty, there will be need for appeal to arms. Nothing is further from To Whili’s thoughts. In his conference with Messrs Mackay’ and Blake he adopted the character of a practical man of business, and told them plainly’ to drop all metaphor and circumlocution, and come at once to the point with any offer they migh be authorised by’ the Government to make in settlement of the dispute. He ignores what bo terms the paper confiscation of the land, and claims in law and in equity that if the Government want quiet possession, they must make reasonable compensation as an ordinary’ matter of business. Pending the amicable adjustment of the affair, the land Avhieh it is intended to dispose of on the Plains lias been temporarily' withdrawn from sale, but this does not in any way imply that negotiotions are otherwise than satisfactorily progressing.”

We learn from exchanges that the volunteers of Canterbury and Otago are to have a weeks outing at public expense. They will be taken by train from their respective stations to Invercargill, (he southermost to'vn in the British Empire. Some of these redonbtables avi’ll travel more than 400 miles. They will avc hope feel quite safe with this extra distance betAveen them and the Waimate Plains. We feel inclined to exclaim Avitb the Yankee Avhen be saw Niagara, “ What a waste of mill poAver.”

By reference to our advertising columns, it will be seen that a grand Cavalry Tournament is to bo held at Waverley, on Easier Monday. A good programme has been arranged, and as Hawera and Carlyle are to be represented, a good display may bo looked foi, and we hope the affair will be a great success. In the evening, a ball will be given in the school-room, by the VYairoa Light Horse.