The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1880.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 489, 7 January 1880, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1880.

Mr F. ft. Jackson announces that bis Ilawera stock sale lias boon postponed from Friday next, to the Oth February. A Gazette just to band c mtains the resignation of Captain W. S. Ginger, of the Kaikarainea Rifles. Wo regret to announce the death of Mr F. j. Smith, cabinet-maker, who breathed his hist on Monday evening, after a very short illness. Mr Smith was one of the oldest settlers in the district, having been here between ten and twelve years, lie was well liked and respected by all who knew him, and it will lake time to fill up the blank caused by Ids almost sudden removal. Ho was taken ill on the 2(ltli December, with inllainmaliou of the bowels, mid, although this was no doubt the chief cause of death, an operating had to be performed by Dr Keating lor a serious rupture, which the patient never survived, it was only a chance—the operation might have proved successful ; but it is certain that Mr Smith must have gone had not the attempt been mane. Mr Smith was 40 years of age, and was a single man, bis only relatives in New Zealand being a brother, who reside at Auckland. The funeral will leave Ids late residence at 2 p.m. to-day.

The Huu Major Atkinson passed through Carlyle yesterday, on Ids way to Wellington. We shall anxiously await the result of his visit, as no doubt the settlement of the Plains is the chief item: on the programme. Various rumours arc alloaf, as Ur what is likely to be done, Out we are content to wait yet a im.iv.

expressing; an opinion one way ortho oilier —in fact, il is simply speculation on the part of our various cnntemporaiios when they give cut Unit so-and-so will he done this week, and so-and-so next ; but, they know as much about it as we do, and that in very little.

The Carandini Operatic and Ballad Company have left their mark in (tie Patea County, as hath at llawera and Carlyle they were exceedingly well received, the audiences being - large and appreciative. Although it is it great many years since we had the pleasure of listening to .Madame Carandini, we do not recollect having heard her to better advantage than on Monday evening, in the several solos she sang, and the vueillrons ennn'es accorded showed that her oll'orts were fully appreciated. Miss ManeCarandini, Madam.s’s youngest daughter, also promises to be a singer of no mean ability ; in fact, her rendering of 1 cannot mind my wheel, mother,” and “ Carissitn-i ” was splendid, and during the evening this young lady was repeatedly encored. Miss Deakin, as a pianiste, seems to understand he work thoroughly, and some splendid music was brought out of the Harmonic piano. The introductory duetts in the lirst and second parts, by Misses Carandini and Deakin, were played with great taste, and received well-merited applause. .Messrs Sherwin and Gooch also look prominent parts in the concert, the latter, with his magnificent bass voice, completely bringing down the bouse. The company appeared again lust night, when the Hall was crowded.

The Volunteer movement seems to be at a stand-still in this County, more especially atCarlyle itself. It lias always been found that a connection with Wanganui,no matter in what form, did not answer ; and when we saj r that it is a downright shame that the hvad-cjnaiiers of the Volunteers of this County is at Wanganui, we only give utterance to the feelings of all those who have the interest of the County at heart. We have a local office, in which are Major Lockett and two clerks, and still everything must come from and go to Wanganui. If a man requires half-a-dozen rounds of ammunition, a requisition must go to Wanganui. Now, we maintain that this County is entitled to the management of its own affairs ; and we therefore recommend that a strong deputation wait on Major Atkinson when he visits the district, which will lie in a few days, and lay before him the tine state of tiicca.se. If it is necessary tn have an office in the district, then power should be given those in charge to do the work required, without the interference of Wanganui. The amount of red-tapeism that is growing,up is becoming unbearable, and to make the Volunteer movement a success, immediate separation is required. I Since the above was written, Major Atkinson has passed through Carlyle.] Mr J. Black, who has just returned from a short visit to Wellington, has brought with him the silver cup given by Mr F. McGuire, to be competed for by the Volunteers of the County. It is a very beautiful piece of work, and was obtained from Mr Cohen, jeweller of Wellington, who, besides making a liberal allowance on the article named, has also given a handsome small silver cup, which we believe is intended for competition by the Cadets. Both are on view at Mr Kenwurihy sshop.

At the R.M. Court yesterday (before C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M.'), K. 0. Tennent, for allowing his chimney to take fire on the 31st December, wua fined 2s and costs. The Patea Steam Shipping Company intend, during the Christmas Holidays, to run tilt; s.s. i’atea on Excursion Ttips to Nelson and Wellington, at reduced fares. Intending excursionists will find this an excellent opportunity for visiting these Ports. — ADVT. The following from the Taranaki News might interest some of our readers ;—We should be thankful if some of our customers would discharge their long standing accounts. The conduct of some of our customers is most commendable, while that of olliers, to put it plainly, is simply dishonest. We believe we ma}’ say without egotism that considering its population Taranaki is better supplied with newspapers than any oilier place in the colony. To effect this tliere is much done that is of the nature of sacrifice ; lint as paper, printing machinery, and such like must be paid for with hard cash, we are compelled to urge our just claims on our subscribers and advertisers. Our accounts being mostly small may easily be met, but being Humorous arc in the aggregate of vital importance to ns. Those whose accounts are two or three years over due will receive no further intimations from us in these columns.

The writer of “ Zig Zag Papers” in the Sydney Echo observes : —“ If protection in Victoria be doing any really great and good work, wo ought to see some traces of it at the International Exhibition. Onr neighbors, to their credit be it spoken, have a very nice court, affording plenty of evidence of material wealtli ; but there is no more proof of a developed manufacturing power rearing its stately head under the beneficent influence of protection, than there is in the Fijian court, or in that of Ceylon. Indeed there is less evidence than may bo seen in the court of cither South Australia or Now South Wales. Our neighbors west of the Darling and Murray arc famousfor their agricultural machinery, and the cunning devices of t heir jewellers and silversmiths would elicit admiration in any country under the sun. In many a court there is proof that manufacturers in New South Wales are able to hold their own, but wo look in vain through the space allotted to Victoria for any of the fruits of her ‘grand protective policy.’” An extraordinary event lias happened in California. -Many years ago a lovely little girl, the daiigntcr of a lawyer, was lost, idie was sought for by her distracted parents in every part of America. Finally tho mother died broken-hearted, and the father pursued his search, unavailing, to Europe. At lust he too died, leaving his son his heir. The son married a beautiful girl whom lie met in New York, and they came and settled in California, After some years had passed, one day and old friend of the family called on Air Lawson and said ho had traced his long-lost sister, who had been stolen by vagrants and taken to New York city, where a lady had taken her and educated" her. The old friend then mentioned the name that had been given to the lost child, when, to his horror, Mr Lawson exclaimed, Sho has been my wife six years.” The, agmiv of (be devoted pair, in ay or- imagined'. 1 ney separated immediately, sue taking her !wo children with her, and .Mr Lawson, plunging into every species of dissipation, dually retired to a iiuio farm, where, shunning society, lie recently died.