COUNTY NEWS.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 544, 10 July 1880, Page 2

COUNTY NEWS.

A Weekly Supplement of fourteen columns is given with this issue of the Mail. Du Keating entered on the Hospital duties on Thursday. The Patea High School re-opens next Monday. Timber Trade in the Rangitikei district is being stimulated by recent orders. The new Archdeacon of Wanganui is the Rev. R. J. Thorpe, and his district will extend northward from Manawatu river. Mr Milroy’s Hotel at Patea is approaching completion, and tenders are called for painting and decoration, preparatory to occupation by the lessee, Mr McKetterick. Economy in the Legislature is brought “home” to the members by reduction of salary. It is proposed to reduce the hororarium in tbe Upper House by 50 per cent., and in the Loiver by 25. Different rates of allowance, according to the distance a member travels up to Wellington, is- another proposal under consideration.

Rabbit Skins are being exported home at a profit. A bale sent from Wellington realised a fraction over 3d per skin. Can nothing be done in ex-porting’potted-rabbit as a fancy meat for luncheons ? We fancy this would be a dainty in hotels at Home, and would be in groat demand at the West End of London during the fashionable season. The Fiue Police Bill is being considered bydifferent brigades in the colony. The Christchurch brigade have approved the bill, with the addition of words providing that the fire police cart, from time to time, frame rules and appoint officers, subject to the approval of the Mayor for the time being. The Kakaramea Entertainment in aid of the Institute funds realised .-£lO. The expenses will be slightly over £2, leaving a handsome balance to purchase new books. The great success of the two late entertainments has induced a resolve to hold periodical social gatherings. The Petitions from the Patea County were posted yesterday to the member for Egmont district, for presentation to Parliament. Some remarks on this subject are held over till next issue. The letter to the Customs Department, re port of entry, was also sent yesterday. A Fancy Dress Ball for juveniles was organised by Mr and Mrs Orchard on Thursday evening, in connection with their private school. Visitors who witnessed the motley assembly of juveniles in fancy dress are enraptured with the success of the pretty innovation. Nearly fifty characters, in costumes of fanciful design, paraded their decorated persons in the ample school-rooms, most of them dancing, as the result of previous instruction, and all taking parts in games and juvenile fun with zest as great as the scene was novel and entertaining. Much labor and not a little taste had been bestowed by fond mothers in designing and fashioning fancy costumes for their little folks. Most of them were admirable, .and some exceptional costumes wore “ immense.” Among the historical personages in miniature were Miss Columbia, bravely flaunting those stars and stripes which “lick all creation:” little Miss Folly, brilliant in pink satin ami bolls; tbe fair little harper of Erin’s Isle, and nicely she played the harp, too—“ the harp that once through Tara’s hall,” &c., as Tom Moore says ; the fair flirting Fairy was fluttering around, in gauze wings and silver crown, a pet of the party ; the little roving Gipsy, and a bonnic nut-brown maid she was ; the stately Spanish brunettes (2), small but consequential; the lovely modest Water Lily, “ floating” about with captivating grace; the old-world Charity Girls, with unique “ uniforms little Goody Two Shoes ; the famous Red Riding Hood whom the wolf did not oat after he had breakfasted on grandma ; Scottish Highland Lasses, resplendent in tartans; and then among the male youngsters there were some terrible fellows famous in song and story from old time. These very dressy young gentlemen will forgive us for not plunging into a farther fresh catalogue of historical personages. We “ fancy ” enough bas been said. The Native Lands Court was formerly opened yesterday at Patea, in one wing of the .Emigration Barracks. Mr Pi irris presided, but no assessor had arrived. Colonel Macdonald, Wanganui, was presenl, to watch certain private interests. Major Brown is superintending the presentation of business before the Court, as Native Commissioner for the district. Mr W. Williams, who officially purchased the laud blocks, the tribal and personal titles to which are to be inquired into, will give assistance when required in course of evidence. Mr E. AT. Ward, barrister, is retained to conduct certain native claims. One case was spoiled yesterday, but objection was raised by wellinformed natives against the constitution of the Court. Mr Parris was asked whether he sat as judge or assessor, or as both officers in one. He replied that he sat as judge. Then, contended the objecting natives, you cannot go into the business without an assessor. We believe Mr Parris sent a telegraphic inquiiy to Wellington. The result, however, was that he adjourned the Court until an assessor can arrive at Patea. The Native claimants at the native Lands Court are impatient for the arrival of certain plunder in the shape of “progress payments” for land blocks purchased by the Government, an instalment of which had been paid to bind the bargain. They want more money on account, and promises have been made that they shall receive more. They expect about a thousand to be distributed among the strongest claimants to-day: but whether that expectation is well or ill grounded we know not.