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Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 417, 16 April 1879, Page 2

The Chairman of the County’ Council has been informed by r the Secretary for Public Works, that the £1,50;) promised by Mr Macandrew on account of the Stoucy Kiver to Waitotara vote, has been placed at the disposal of the Council. We understand that Mr Furlong has just disposed of his newly erected premises at Hawera, consisting of billiard room, with shop and offices, to Mr Thos. Crowhurst, foi the sum of £GOO. On Friday next, Mr F. R. Jackson will hold his Hawera stock sale. Mr W, Cowern will sell by 7 auction today, at his warehouse, land near Manntahi belonging to Mr J. Bait, also other properties ranging from 80 to 205 acres. Sale at 2 o’clock. On Saturday next, Mr W. Dale will hold a sale of general incrciian.lir.; in 'ne Town Hail, Hawera, in order to close the partnership accounts ot Messrs Ling and Son. The s.s. Clyde had a rough time of it crossing the bar on Monday last, which nearly proved too much for the little craft. A heavy sea was running, and when about half way across the bar, in trying to keep more to the north, a regular toppler caught the Clyde on the broadside, and stove in her staiboard bulwarks, This happened at a very critical time, for the chain that connects the rudder with the wheel, runs along the sides, and through the mishap the rudder was rendered unmanageable for a few minutes, audit was only through Captain Bonner’s presence of mind, and the readiness with which his orders were obeyed by the men, that the vessel was saved, and possibly 7 the lives of those on board. Tremendous seas broke over the Clyde at short intervals, and it was feared that the deck house would have been carried away, which meant certain destruction. Captain Bonner proved himself on this occasion, as on all others where his skill and genuineness has been taxed, a thorough seaman, and one who would not desert his post, bo it ever so dangerous, till every means bad been tried to save his vessel and those entrusted to his care. There is no blame attached to the Pilot, for by the appearances of the weather, be no doubt thought it would be safer for the steamer to try and got into the river than remain outside all night. A heavy 7 sea still runs on the bar, and the Clyde was unable to go out yesterday. Mr McKenzie, the new Sheep Inspector for the County of Pa tea, is now in the district, and sheep owners or others wishing to see him can do so by calling at the Albion Hotel. There is very little doubt as to which County 7 deserves most praise for the manner in which the Mountain Road work has t heen carried out. On the Taranaki side" the road is now impassable, whilst on the Patea portion it is in very good order. The Minister of Public Works will no doubt be able to speak feelingly on this matter, for whilst enjoying bis ride on this side of the Patea River, he had no sooner crossed the boundary, than he was hogged, and had the pleasure of walking several miles. It might be a good thing for the Mountain Road that a Minister has been bogged, as it may he the means of opening the eyes or Government to the necessity of being a litttle more liberal with work of such importance. At the meeting held on Saturday 7 evening last, to discuss football matters, it was decided amongst other things that a scratch match be played on the following Saturday afternoon. For the information <■£ those who were not at the meeting, we may mention that the Carlyle Cricket Club’s ground will he scene of contest. In another column will be found the Prospectus of the Taranaki Land Company. The Taranaki Herald says : “ From what we can learn, the project seems to be very favorably received by the public. This Company is formed solely for the purpose of buying and reselling land in the provincial district of Taranaki, and the directors’ aim is to purchase, ns far as possible, their properties direct from the Crown, in order that the greatest possible advantage may lie obtained both to the shareholders and the purchasers of the land for settlement. The names of the directors are a sufficient guarantee of the stability of the Company, and that its affairs will be conducted, in a business-like manner, whilst Capt. Skeet, as managing director, through his extensive knowledge of the country, will be a valuable acquisition to the Company 7 as managing director.

In answer to a memorandum from the Immigration Officer, Wellington, as to the number of immigrants this County would be likely to require, the Chairman of the County Council telegraphed for 1-50 working men, 70 female servants, 20 carpenters, and 30 miscellaneous hands. As the Stadt Haarlem, the vessel by which the immigrants are to come from London, has arrived at Port Chalmers, we may expect shortly to receive a batch, and it is to be hoped (hat all sent here will readily' find employment. l enders for (he creed inn of the Hawcra Institute-building, will be received at Mr M. 10. King’s store up to noon this day.

Messrs McLean and Co.’s Hawera stock sale lakes place to-day.

The lion Mr Sheehan arrived at New Plymouth on Saturday last, and left again by the Hinenma for Wellington yesterday. We are at a loss to know why Mr Sheehan did not conic down this wav.

W. Hamilton Inman, late of Featbcrston, and formerly of Hawera, pleaded guilty, at, Mnstertcn, to having passed a valueless cheque, and was sentenced to 28 days’ imprisonment.

Tairoa, a well-known chief, here, says that if Government give back the Waimatc Plains to Tito Kowaru and others, lie will expect liis land returned. It would, says Tairoa, be very unfair to do the one without the other, move especially as Tito Kowaru has acted in a far worse manner than be has. We quite agree with this, and hope Government will see the justice of the argument. Urn Te Angina, a chief of the Ngaraurn, Waitotara, luis written a letter to the Wanganui Herald, staling that his tribe have decided for peace. The Wellington Chronicle of Saturday last says; “Tne telegrams bring good news. Money is abundant and very cheap in England, while Colonial securities arc in favor, and wool is rising. The Now Zealand banks should ease the screw.”

We take the following from the Wellington Chronicle of baturday ;—“Fifty of the Aimed Constabulary arrived by the Ladybird yesterday. They are now at the barracks, awaiting transport by the Government steamer Stella to Opunake, in view of force being possibly required to settle the Waimate trouble. It is deemed advisable in any case to concentrate forces in the neighborhood, to overawe the Mauris.”

The Wanganui Chronicle of yesterday snvs :—“ We regret to learn the death of Mr Lawson at. half-past ten o’clock last night, at, Fortier’s Hotel, Victoria Avenue. The deceased gentleman, who had but recently arrived in Wanganui on one of bis periodical visits in connection with his profession as a dentist, was taken ill some i'our or five days ago, with an attack of the severe form of dysentry which is now so prevalent, and which notwithstanding the constant care and attention of Dr Donaldson’ and of Dr Taylor of Marton, who, also, was called in, resisted medical aid, and terminated fatally, as wo have said, last night. Mr llawson retained his conciousucss up to the last.”

Mr A. S. Dongles, of New Plymouth. District Land Registrar, is seriously 7 ill. He had only just received an intimation thru: lie wonirt bo removed to Cuncdin, end promoted to Hie position of Examiner of Titles.

The prospects of the wool trade are not very bright this season. We learn from papers by the mail that there were shipped from these colonics, from October 25th, 1878, to January 7 25th, 1879, 515,000 hales, against 460,000 hales fur the same period in the preceding season —of these New Zealand contributed 80,000. Notwithstanding the reduction of the Bank rate to three per cent., inquiries were very moderate from the first. The Liverpool ami Bradford sales only reflected the general depression. The Economist , of February 7 22m1, four clay's after the opening of the London sales, remarks—“ No improvement can he quoted in the trade. . . Buyers show the same want of confidence in values by purcinioing almost from day to day the quantities they require. . . The demand for all markets is far in arrear of the supply 7, and consequently sales can only 7 be made at exceedingly low and unprofitable prices.”

t; The Loafer,” i.n the Christchurch Press, writes r—“ In one of the North Canterbury townships, an innocent and unassuming Maori (it seems rather anomalous, but such is my informants description of the gentleman) had been for some time in the habit of dealing with the local storekeeper. The aboriginal got an impression that he was being had, and purchased a Ready 7 Reckoner. Thus on the occasion of his next squaring up with the storekeeper, he was triumphantly enabled, as be thought, to point out several errors in the account. ‘ Oh,’ said the astute tradesman, who knew there was not the slightest use in arguing with his dusky customer, ‘ you’ve made a mistake, Jimmy : that's last years Ready Reckoner.' The Maori, admitting the justice of the argument, left sadly,”