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Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 527, 1 June 1880, Page 2

The Public Meeting convened for this evening is expected to be attended by many prominent settlers from the neighboring district, as well as by all townsmen interested in County politics. The muster will certainly be large, and rumors are afloat that it is likely to be made lively with the spice of opposition. We shall sec. There cannot be much difference about County politics, for we are all alike interested in promoting the prosperity of this rich and attractive district. About the best means of doing this wo may hold differing views, but, the object should command unanimous assent. The cooperation of various portions of the County is heartily desired, for unity means strength in the promotion of a common cause. The four subjects on which discussion was invited in the requisition have been allotted to the care of the following speakers, who will arrange to have their several motions effectively seconded : Ist, the desirability of a separate representative for the County will be moved by Mr Joseph Ivess ; 2nd, the vigorous pushing on of the Railway will be proposed by Mr Tennent; 3rd, the speedy settlement of the Plains will be moved by Mr Sherwood ; 4th, the making Patea river a port of entry will be proposed by Mr Tapliu. One or two other subjects of local importance may be broached, if time permit. It is said that a few ardent politicians will oppose any interference with the Plains question until after Par : Lament has discussed the Report. Will, it not be then too late for an expression of popular opinion ? Two Trout have been caught in the Wanganui river, measuring nearly eight inches in length. They were returned to the water.

Wharf Wanted, —The directors of the Patea s.s. Co. passed the following resolution at their meeting last night;— “ That the Harbor Board be informed that the steamer Patea is detained an unreasonable time in loading and discharging cargo, owing to the want of proper wharf accommodation, and that they be respectfully requested to provide increased wharf accommodation and better facilities for shipping stock, than there arc at present,” A “No Confidence” Motion is already rumoured at Wellington ; and there is also talk of an amendment to the Address in Reply to the Vice-Regal Speech, Colonel Trimble lias consented to move the Address, and this is an indication that the Opposition is loosely organised at present. Are the measures promised in the Governor’s Speech likely to pass ? Mr Ballancc says that if Parliament disposes of two items in that list—Finance and Native Affairs—it will have done a very good session’s work indeed ; and there are precisely the questions which most urgently press for solution. Mr Rotherham, railway manager at Wanganui, is to be transferred to Dunedin.

Hard Hitting. —Mr Barron, member for Cavcrsham, told his constituents that the Hon Mr Hall had said they had been called the “ cockatoo Government,” and ho could Jay claim, to being a cockatoo rather than a squatter. He (Mr Barron) thought the more appropriate term would be the “ cuckoo Government”—because the cuckoo never built a nest, but took another bird’s nest; but, again, it seemed to him the title would not be correct, for although the cuckoo took the nest, it always laid its own eggs ; but the present Government had taken the nest and the eggs.’’

In the nominations of candidates for the Town Board, Mr S. Taplin was nominated by Mr H. E. P. Adams and Mr H. F. Christie. The name of R. A. Adams was inaccurately mentioned in this connection, in Saturday’s issue.

Mr Ballance was waited on last Friday by a deputation from the Wanganui Borough Council, who urged him to co-operatc with other borough members in securing renewed subsidies to local bodies, in opposition to the change which the Colonial Treasurer proposes to introduce this year.

Prosecutions under the Sheep Act. —The Sheep Inspector for this district has served notices on Messrs W, C. and E. Symes, for infringing the 26th clause of the Sheep Act, on April 21st and on May 29 th, at Whenuakura. The clause says: “ When any owner shall have in his possession any infected sheep, Lo shall cause all rams to be kept separate from the ewes in any infected flock in his possession until the Inspector shall have granted a clean certificate for such owes ; and, for every day during which such rams shall not be kept separate from such ewes, > such owner shall be liable to a penalty of not less than one pound nor exceeding ten pounds in respect of each rain which shall not be kept separate as aforesaid.” The summonses issued for these offences will come before the R.M. Court at Hawcra next Thursday.

Tawuaio, the Maori King, is reported ill with consumption. An Auckland telegram says he is losing much blood, llowi remains at Hikurangi. William Cain, for indecently laying hands on a female at Auckland, has been fined £5 and costs, or one mouth. A Chinese Witness was being “ sworn” the other day at Rangitikei. He gave some trouble. John said “Me no biowce match out; me no entice off cock’s head ; mo no kissec book ; me no believe anytink.” No use trying to bind him by any form of oath known to the law, for when a heathen refuses to believe “ anytink” ho is likely to swear “ anytink.” Tixe Patea Steamer was delayed an extra tide yesterday, through having to take in a nearly full cargo at the boiling-down establishment. She commenced unloading on Monday morning, and was not loaded up fully yesterday. She will get away between one and two o’clock this (Tuesday) afternoon. It is not a little surprising that the local shipping company remained content with this rate of working. We do now hear of an effort being made to quicken it. Probably their principal impediment is the limited wharf accommodation. There is not storage or wharfage room when a full cargo is being taken out, and some obligation lies on the Harbor Board in not putting up wharfage space sufficient to keep pace with the increasing requirements. When the Nelson line of steamers begin calling here, as they are ready to do when accommodation can be guaranteed, the present requirements for working the steam trade will be extremely inadequate. Fire Brigade. —The local brigade have been endeavoring to obtain the use of a vacant shed on the Government reserve near the Court House for a fireengine house and store-room. They sought the assistance of Mr Sherwood, and the following letter was received yesterday :

Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, 28th May. To G. F. Sherwood, Esq. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 21st instant, applying on behalf of the Patea Fire Brigade for one of the old military buildings at Patea to be used as a fireengine shed, and in reply am directed to inform you that this request is granted, on the understanding that the building is removed from its present site, as stated in your telegram. ' ; G. S. Coopkr; The shed will be erected on a piece of land which tho County Council are said to have promised. A committee meeting of the Brigade was held last evening, and Mr Sherwood carried out the Under-Secretary’s instruction by formally handing to the committee the official letter-as evidence of. possession of the building.

Sir Wm. Fox was led up to the table, on Friday, by the Premier and Mr Brandon, as bis sponsors for the swear-ing-in. A Whale recently towed In at Sumner yielded 440 gallons of oil. Major Atkinson is expected to make Iris financial statement in the House today. The Murder “Business”. —The New York Herald remarks that “ the spring opening in the murder line is decidedly lively.” The Herald is right. In a southern town several rowdies entered a bar and assaulted a policeman, who shot one dead and wounded another. At St. Nicholas a waiter shot dead a commercial traveller who found fault with the quality of the eggs supplied for his breakfast. At Slaughterville, Kentucky, the marshal having been threatened with death by a citizen, who considered himself wronged by that official, went to the house of his enemy and shot him dead; and the same fate befel a man engaged in a strike; while a colored boy of fourteen cut the throat of a colored girl because she refused to get up to find him a pen. Pretty well this for one day.