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Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 443, 12 July 1879, Page 2

The following is a list of Maoris captured in the Taranaki district up to the present time : —From Hawera. 41 ; from Opunake, 15 ; from Tapuae, 15 ; from Wai-iti, 34. Total, 105.

Mr W. Dale will hold a miscellaneous sale at his mart to-day, commencing at 12 o’clock.

Patea Light Horse will parade at 2 p.m. this day. The Carlyle Harmonic Society repeated their late concert programme at the Immigration Barracks, on Thursday evening ; but the weather being almost as bad as on the first occasion, very few attended. The schooner Croydon Lass, which vessel went ashore near the breakwater, through the tow-line breaking, has been successfully floated, with apparently very little damage. Most of the timber had to be taken out before this could be done. When the whole of her cargo has been removed, the damage, if any, will be ascertained.

The s.s. Patea left for Wellington on Wednesday last, taking with her the remainder of the Maori ploughmen. The majority of the prisoners looked gloomy, but no doubt a little tossing about on the briny would impress them with the benefits of living at home in peace. We hope so. The season is approaching when horse breeders will have to look about them for suitable sires to mate with their favorites. Thus early appears an advertisement setting forth the terms of a well known thorough-bred which is to travel in this district. The admirers of Day Dawn—a horse of undeniable good quality, and unquestionable pedigree—will now have an opportunity of availing themselves of his services without having to go far. Day Dawn has left behind him in the Wanganui and Eangitikei districts many first-class animals. Last season he put forth several striking advertisements, among which may be mentioned —Peep o’ Day, Loch Lomond, and Astronomer. The former has proved himself one of the fastest horses in New Zealand, and will do much to push his sire into prominence before his carier on the tu if closes. Astronomer is a very promising youngster, and one of the likeliest of the next candidates for Wanganui Derby honors, if his two year old only performance is any guide. Loch Lomond has figured over hurdles with success, besides having won at four successive steeplechase meeting, the concluding event as a 5 year old. He will be heard of again in some of New Zealand’s best handicap events, let them be over sticks or on the flat. I shall expect to see him stretch the necks of some of the cracks.—Communicated by Leolinus.

The annual meeting of the Carlyle Harmonic Society was held on Wednesday evening last ; the Rev. A. Dasent in the chair. A very satisfactory report and balance-sheet was read to the members by the Secieiary (Mr E. C. Horner), which, if space permits, wo will publish in next issue. Mr Tenncnt was re-elected Conductor, and a very handsome compliment was paid to him for the excellent manner in which he had carried out the duties of his office. Mr Horner was re-elected Secretary and Treasurer, and also received a vote of thanks for the great pains In- had taken to work the affairs of the Society up. Mr S, Taplin was re-elected Librarian, and Messrs A. Dasent and A. King were elected Committeemen.

John Murphy was charged before Captains Livingstone and Wilson, J.IVs, at Hawora, on Thurday last, with having committed an indecent assault on the wife of John McDonnell. According to “ our own,” the woman stated in Court that she was an unwilling witness, as she did not care about having her name published in the papers. Her evidence bad to be dragged out by threats from the Bench. The woman was also insulting. After the husband and Sergeant Cahill were examined, Mr Barleyman (who appeared for the prisoner) contended thnb-thero was no case, as the evidence was so contradictory. Case dismissed. A second charge was also brought against Murphy, for burglariqusly entering the house of McDonnell, and did assault his wife, with intent to commit rape. Case adjourned till next Court day.

A special meeting of the Carlyle School Committee was held on Thursday evening, to meet Mr Inspector Foulis, who had been deputed by the Education Board to carry out arrangements in connection with the proposed High School. Ways and means being carefully considered, a scheme was finally proposed and adopted for raising the salary of the present master, and for the appointment of a ccrtificaetd assistant. A teacher of high attainments, lately arrived in the colony from the Melbourne Training College, and recommended by Mr Foulis, was proposed. If the office is accepted by him, the High School will bo opened in the course of a month’s time. Should - the increase of scholars be sufficient to warrant the outlay, the Board will readily undertake to enlarge present school building, so as to give separate class-rooms for the higher branches. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Foulis for his attendance, and the aid afforded by him in framing a workable scheme, and his best assistance was promised in regard to securing an efficient assistant teacher.

On it becoming known at Manntahi that Major Atkinson was on his way down to Wellington, the settlers held a public meeting, to elect a deputation to wait on the Major, in order to bring under his notice matters that required looking into during the present session of Parliament. Major Atkinson arrived at Manntahi on Tuesday morning, and the following heads were laid before him by the deputation, as worthy of his best consideration : —The Land Tax ; Police Station and Lock-up (local) ; Patea Harbor Board ; Sheep Act; Block-house (local) ; Civil Service Pen sions ; Telegraph (local) ; Railways ; Eduootion j Oounty Uouocil } KniiUi- Uitloc ; Native Department. The deputation withdrew highly pleased with the manner in which Major Atkinson expressed himself, and a vote of thanks was accorded him for his answers and opinions.

A young woman named Margaret Sinks, was brought (o Carlyle from Waverley on Thursday, and after being examined by Drs Croft and Keating, was pronounced insane. Whether the present unsound state of mind of this unfortunate woman will be permanent, we are not prepared to say ; but she acted in a very strange and boisterous manner while in custody hero. The poor woman, for want of better accommodation, had to he confined in one of those miserable dons called cells, and Sergeant Whelan and another had to keep strict watefi during all Thursday night, for fear of the woman doing serious damage to herself. She was forwarded on by coach yesterday, cn route for Wellington Lunatic Asylum, where wo hope she will receive such treatment as will soon bring her to her right senses. l Sire was a domestic servant at Waverley, and we believe she has but recently arrived from Sydney.

The Taranaki Herald of July 7, says —• There can be no doubt that, the words uttered by LIO3A (Ibe ringleader of tbc Wai-iti prisoners) at the Police Court, on Friday last, are full of significance. He said that “ the Maoris were like a regiment of soldiers —they bad to do whatever Te Whiti ordered them.” Upon reflection it is seen how great, and perhaps terrible, is the power of Te Whiti. Were he to order the Maoris to make a general massacre of the out-scttlcrs, these deluded fanatics would be bound to obey Ids order. This is no effort of the imagination : it is simply a fact, as enumerated by tire natives themselves. We have been informed that a conversation took place between a wellknown settler and a native. The former was desirous of knowing Te Whiti’s power over the Maoris, and was induced to put questions to the native to see how far he would go in obeying the orders of Te Whiti. He gradually led the native on until he declared that they would not only plough and make havoc with the settlers’ property, according to Te Whiti’s orders, but if Te Whiti gave the order to kill the settlers the natives must obey. The native added that he would be sorry to kill anyone, but he must do it if Te Whiti commanded. They were just like soldiers : they had to do whatever they were told. It is thus a fact beyond all dispute that Te Whiti’s power must be crushed—completely overthrown—before peace and security can be established in our midst. This only shows the necessity there exists for the Government keeping the natives sent to Wellington from returning to this district again—at least for several years to come, A Press Agency telegram dated New Plymouth, July 9, says—All the hostile ploughing has ceased here. It is reported that the wives of the imprisoned ploughmen have been to Te Whiti to enquire what should be done to effect the deliverance of their husbands, and he recommended them to procure horns, and proceed with their friends to Wellington, and encompass the prison, blowing their horns, when the walls will fall, and their husbands by delivered. It is said that three hundred persons will proceed to Wellington on this errand.

Our Waverley correspondent writes as follows :—Mr Joseph Dixon, one of the oldest settlers in the disiritt, died on Tuesday last. The funeral took place on Thursday, and was numerously attended, Mr Dixon having been much respected by the settlers of the district. —Firewood is scarce now and some people who find a difficulty in getting it from the bush, adopt the easier method of helping themselves from their neighbours’ heaps. I may mention, for the information of the said people, that they do not always escape observation, and that unless they cease their depredations, they are likely to be accommodated with cheap lodgings as well as firewood.

A curious circumstance is narrated by the Freemantel Herald of April 26 : “ The boy who was unfortunately killed by lightening at the Suhiaco Orphanage was found after death to have a fig-leaf and geranium, which he was holding in his hand, photographed on his breast. Another boy who was in the number of those who wore stunned hut not further injured, was found, when examined, to have a fig-leaf photographed on his foot, which was at the same time swollen by its contact with the electncfluid.” We learn from the Wairoa Free Press that four young whales were recently washed ashore on the Mahia beach, Hawke’s Bay, and captured. Out of tw oof them were extracted a couple of miniature whales, perfectly formed ; the larger one measured sixteen inches, and the smaller one not over six. The informant adds that they are preserved in spirits by a Mr Bendall, who intends to forwaid them to the Wellington Museum ; and further, that they are a curiosity which it has taken a long time to obtain. The New Zealand Times of July Bth, says—lt will be seen from our report of the Surprerne Court proceedings yesterday, that the Court will sit next Monday tor the purpose of trying the Maori piisoners who have recently been brought trim the disturbed districts. His Honour the Chief Justice j'esterday, in his charge to the Grand Jury, completely upset the defence that has been suggested, namely, of raising the question of title to the lands upon which the Maoris had trespassed. His Honour elerr’y poi ited out that such a question could not be entertained in a Court of law.