COUNTY NEWS.

Patea Mail, 10 August 1880, Page 2

COUNTY NEWS.

Several matters of local and general interest are unavoidably held over, through the length of our report of the Public Works Statement. Mr Oliver’s speech shows the nature Mid extent of public works undertaken in the colony, the results obtained from finished works in

operation, and the policy which ought to govern the undertaking of farther works. The universal importance of this exposition of public works policy, in relation to the colony’s financial condition, will be recognized by all intelligent observers of public affairs.

Waverley Chough.— Opening services arc to be held next Sunday, particulars of which will appear on Thursday.

A translation in Maori of the West Coast Commissioners’ Report is to be printed for circulation among the natives on this coast.

The Maoui Ploughmen who arc to be kept in prison at the pleasure of the Government, without trial, during twelve months, arc now 130 in number.

Unemployed. —There are at present 1,G74 men employed at subsistence wages on Government public works throughout the colony'. The Harmonic Society’s quarterly concert is announced for Thursday 7 week; and a ball promoted by this society is fixed for Tuesday, 24th.

A Letter from Mr Dale, re public trustees, will appear on Thursday 7. Pressure of news has prevented several matters of local interest from receiving duo attention in this issue.

Mr Baulkyman returned yesterday from Wellington, whore bo had been giving evidence in support of the Hawera petition against the deep-water harbor at New Plymouth.

Mn Sherwood returns to-day from Wellington, to report to the Harbor Board the results of his endeavors to obtain funds for continuing the harbor improvements at the Patea heads.

llosiTi'Ai. Patients.— There are now eight patients in the County Hospital. The following names are in addition to the four published on Saturday : —John Boyle* George Barron ; and two others were admitted yesterday. Tin-; Homeward ’Frisco mail closes at Wellington on Sunday. Letters should be posted in tin's district not later than Thursday. The inward mail via Melbourne was received here yesterday. Fifty more men, drafted from Wellington by Government, left last night for Patca, per the Manawatu. They are to be employed at subsistence wages on railway formation between Kakaramca and Patca, and will probably be divided between the two camps. The number of Government laborers in this district, when the present draft arrives, will be about 110. A Boatixt. Cum lias been started at Patca, provisionally. At a meeting bold at the Albion hotel on Saturday, seven promoters present, a provisional committee was appointed to canvas for members, to ascertain particulars as to prices of boats, with other preliminaries, and to report in a month. Communications should be addressed to Mr Eyton. FooTJiAi.n.—A match between Carlyle and Waverley Chibs will be played at Waverley next Saturday, commencing at 2.30. The Patca team will be picked from the following;—llecnan, Pearce, Kitching, W. Uasent, Gower, Gibbons, Byrne, Baggett, Siiiclairc, F. Bead, Sargeant, Powell, D. Williams, 11. Chadwick, Contts, and Jones. Mu Bryce stated in Parliament, a few days ago, that tho procedure of the present Government on the West Coast has been an unqualified success. Ho added: “I am prepared to maintain that we have made no mistakes on that Coast. In fact, tho whole of the operations of the Government have been a success, without any hitch whatever.” He also said : “ I think that, with care, we shall dispose of this great difficulty before long, and dispose of it Anally and for ever.”

Hunting, —“ The joys of chase arc within the reach of every state and stage of life.” That sentiment is as old as Homer ; and to-morrow should be fraught with interest for the sport-loving public ofPatca. The Otago hounds arc to meet at the Albion Hotel at 2 o’clock, as advertised, and for the first time in the history of this district will be seen the orthodox breeches and boots and red coats of the huntsmen as they follow the hounds from field to field, over hedges, ditches, and timber. The chase will be new to most of the residents and settlers here, but we may expect to see a large field turn out, and that many horsemen will have the hands, the seat, the pluck, judgment nerve, and good horses to carry them bravely to “the death.” The drag will be taken through properties oy the Whenuakura Block, and wo understand that a good view of the hunting may be had from the roads in the vicinity.