The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1880.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 507, 10 April 1880, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1880.

PATEA INDUSTRIES. The Patea Agricultural and Pastoral Association has been invited, through its chairman, to offer suggestions to the Commission on Local Industries, as to what new manufactures or industries are most suitable for development in Patea county. Mr Owen Hawes, chairman of the Association, writes to the Secictary thus : Waverlcy, 7th April. Dear Sir, —I return the enclosed circular, re Local industries.'as perhaps some of the inhabitants of I’atea may wish to take steps in the matter. I cannot say that I can offer any suggestions myself, and dare say that the Wanganui Society will be able to afford tire desired information.—Yours truly. Owen Hawes.

Although the chairman is indisposed to move, wo would suggest the propriety of calling the Association together for a free discussion of so important a matter as the development of the Patea district. Consider what will happen. Societies and public bodies from all parts will bring their districts into notice by offering suggestions to the Commission, while Patea would remain unknown because its leading men are not public-spirited enough to seize the right moment for making known the richness of the soil, the vast extent of land nnworked, the delightful salubrity of climate, and the ready outlet to markets. Among the fifty members of this important society, there must surely be many who would be glad of an invitation to meet and discuss this question ol the future prosperity of Patea. Lot a tew confer with the Chairman or the Secretary, Mr Eyton, and thou call a general meeting at Carlyle as the county town. The Wanganui society has taken action: why not Patea ? Time presssos ; for the Commission asks replies by the J 6th instant, or thereabout. ♦ A COUNTV .INSTITUTION. One pauper is quartered in Carlyle, and a levy on the whole county is necessary for his support. The blind man Hudson must be fed and clothed.

He cannot be deported to his native “ settlement,” for all the machinery of the County Council has proved unavailing to get rid of one blind man. He is a “ settler” whom no Native difficulty frightens off. He finds himself comforta6lc at fifteen shilling’s a week, and' he does not petition for a Government appointment, bo Patea keeps him as a local institution, to demonstrate to the outer world that this district has progressed to the highest stage of civilisation known in the British Empire, namely the institution of a pauper class. The blind man Hudson is that pauper class. lie might be sent Home, you think. Try it : you . will find that captains will not ship him as a blind cargo, unless guaranteed his passage home to England and back again ; for as soon as Hudson lands at Home, the captain who unshipped him will become liable for his pauper expenses. If you remove Hudson to any other province in this colony, that province will feed him just long enough to ship him back to Patea, and all the expense of that holiday excursion will be charged to our County Council, who will duly mulct the ratepayers for their “institution.” We wish Hudson a long life, even at fifteen shillings a week ; and hope he may see his way, as it were, to take up an allotment on the Plains when Te Whiti girds up his loins with his blanket, and abandons the confiscated Plains to the grasping Pakehas. Hudson would not bo the only blind settler rushing in there, would he ?

NEW KIND OF AUCTION, Selling bojs has been discovered as a new source of income to parents “ hard up,” A father at Wavorley, finding employment scarce, has taken to auctioneering on his own account. Having no consignments in hand to dispose of, and being determined to sell something, he put up to auction his two boys. They were fine lads, and fetched a price. One was “ knocked down ” by the amateur auctioneer for 10s. cash ; the other, a smaller lot, but neat, fetched ss. The sale being a success, the new auctioneer is considering now whether to put himself up to auction, or to “ knock down ” his grandmother. The old lady, suspecting his intention, has laid by a rolling-pin for the occasion ; so she is likely to put in a word or two on her own account. The buyers of these boys should use their bargains gently. Thralls cannot be held in bondage nowadays ; and we presume these Waverley masters will regard their bargains as apprentices let out on hire, and free to change service at any time. Lot there be plenty of porridge, but no licking.

We understand that Mr Wm. Dale has been appointed Assessor, under the Property Assessment Act, for the town of Carlyle, and for Patea West Road Board division of the Patea county.

The Patea Steamship will reach this port to-morrow from Nelson, where she has been laid up a few days for painting and scraping, the bottom having become so foul as to decrease her speed. She will then load for Wellington, and resume her regular trading. She took a small cargo last Monday for Nelson. At the R.M. Court yesterday, there were no cases for hearing.

Crown Land Sections in the town of Stratford are to be offered at auction, on the 24th, at New Plymouth, the upset price ranging from £7 10s to £45. Plans may be seen at Carlyle and Tlawera. Heavy Crops of Grain can be grown in this district with remarkably little labour in working the rich soil. In a paddock close to Carlyle, 20 acres of oats haro threshed out 1,100 bushels, averagingss to the acre.

A “Local Industry” has been suggested as peculiarly adapted to the West Coast. It would be an opening for capital without competition for any lucky speculator first in the field. Taranaki being a rich grazing district, there is this peculiar quality in the “ feed,” that beasts fatten and develop to unusual size and weight. For example, nothing surprises visitors more than the abnormal proportions of the West Coast flea. The climate improves the breed till you hardly know the original as the same nimble rascal which used to torment you at Home—tormented jmu, and your sisters, and your cousins, and your aunts. The West Coast flea is a beast with a pedigree—came in probably with the Normans ; and having emigrated with the Now Plymouth Pilgrims, has now thriven in a warm climate to a monstrous size. He walks about like a baby elephant, and hops as gracefully. His “Jong legs and thighs pass the common in shape, or in colour, or size.” He is an insect Brobdignag. Mr Charles Darwin can have no suspicion of the complete working out of his theory of the “ survival «f the fittest.” The evolution of species as applied to the flea may be taken as an established fact; for here is a flea developed into an elephant. The New Plymouth brethren are at a standstill to know what to do with this class of grazing animal. He is constantly trespassing. He leaps over fences, defies boundaries, runs around your preserves, and hops off before you can impound him. He is not quiet in harness, or you might make him earn the feed he steals so impudently. Vigilance committees cannot check his vagaries. He never reads the official gazette, and so does not see the notices of trespass. A mob of fleas on a New Plymouth “ run ” would spoil the temper of a saint. Whenever an old identity in those parts is heard to swear a mils off, his pious neighbours know the fleas have broken loose, and they forgive that swear. There might have been a Royal Commission appointed to sit on the West Coast flea ; but those who know the animal best are doubtful whether oven a Commission could crush him. A bright idea has flashed apeross tne subject. Let us boil him down ! Appoint a committee of old identities to confer with the Royal Commission on Local Industries,, and see if they cannot start a boiling .down establishment for these big fleas.

/ The Elections at Some are likely to be misinterpreted as to the true extent of the Liberal re-action. The boroughs have gone largely against the Conservative Government ; but the county elections have yet to come off, and it is in counties that the Tory strength lies. We would sug--gest caution in construing* the meagre cablegrams, as they represent a first wave of Liberal success which 'must be modified in -its effect by later reports from county contests. The two parties are likely to bo very closely balance, but the Liberals may still fall short of a majority. A few days will decide that point, which may have important and. far-reaching consequences on our foreign policy. Sir William Fox holds strong opinions on politics and publicans; and having treated his ungrateful friends at Wanganui to a teetotal sermon anent a certain pump at Carlyle, we propose to treat Sir William in turn to a little harmless effervescence in the shape of our opinion. Another day will do.

The Railway Commission will probably visit Patea shortly. In that event, they will make an inspection of the port Heads, as wo understand there is a keen interest felt by members of the Government in the success of the Patea navigation works, in opening up sea communication for a district which is believed to have a brilliant future.

Mr G. D. Hameuton, solicitor, lately at New Plymouth, has removed with his family to Carlyle, where he is resuming his professional business. Mr Hamarton is well known in Patea. The deed of arrangement executed with his creditors at New Plymouth led to an inquiry before the Taranaki District Court; and as some prejudice may have resulted from an uncompleted report of the case published in this district, we hare pleasure in now stating the result of that investigation. The debtor’s certificate of discharge was opposed by Mr J. Uncles, on various allegations, all of which were answered in Mr Hamcrton’s affidavit to the satisfaction of the Court, the judge closing the inquiry with tho following remarks ;—His Honor, after a careful consideration of the whole case, was satisfied that at the time the guarantors signed the deed, they were in full posession of all the facts stated in their affidavits, with two exceptions—the sale of office furniture, and the collection of moneys by the debtor. It had not, however, been made to appear to the Court that these two transactions would in any way prejudice the guarantors. They had signed the deed with their eyes open, and they could not now be released from their responsibility by the Court. Ho therefore declared the deed fully executed. He hoped that the guarantors would not show any antagonistic feeling towards the debtor, but that both parties would endeavour to work harmoniously, that being the only way by which the estate could be satisfactorily wound up. J. Uncles to pay all costs of his opposition.

Eucalyptus Extract. —Gower & Co. have just received a Stock of Eucalyptus Extract.— Advt.