HAWERA.

Patea Mail, 24 August 1880, Page 3

HAWERA.

[from our conniisroxDkn x.l

BRANCH OFFICE OF THE MAIL, Monday Evening.

Tho Normanby tradesmen bad a treat on their own account last Friday. The fox broke loose from the Bank of New Zealand. Mr Trcwcek gave the “ Tallyho ! ” The hunted one made straight for Hawera, and at Roper’s corner was turned by that gentleman, Troweck being close up. A run back to Normanby ensued, where bo was somewhat harassed until the arrival of the master of the hounds in the shape of the bailiff’. But the huntsmen having had one run were keen on tho scent, and accompanied them to Hawera, and back again to Normanby, where at about 8 o’clock they ran Reynard to earth at the police station.

From the above chase a law case was tried on Saturday, before Major Brown, Captain Wilson, and F. McGuire, J.P.’s. It would seem that a man named Hawkins, with his mates, had finished a contract under the Waste Lands Board, and Hawkins having received the money refused to share with his mates or pay tradesmen’s bills ; and that Mr England, hearing he was about to boll, shepherded him all day and in the evening as well. Hawkins, thinking to relieve himself of tho presence of England, sought the protection of the police, stating that his follower had threatened to cut his throat. This step was highly beneficial to bis creditors, for early next morning they got warrants out against him for embezzlement, and of course bo was searched and £BS found upon him. His charge against Mr England was dismissed, and costs were deducted from tho money in iho hands of tho Court. Tho charge against Hawkins for embezzlement was remanded until next Thursday, bail being refused. Hie creditors hope to teach this man such a lesson that it will be a caution. The hardest part of the case is that Hawkins’s mates, who have been working hard for the last few months with the hope of having a few pounds at the end, find themselves thus defrauded by the man who shared their tent.

Hawera has been very lively the last few days. Maoris have Hocked here in largo numbers, but still no money is forthcoming. Our cunning dusky brelhern have used every means of raising the wind. A very good joke was played on some of these hard-np gentry. After vainly trying to squeeze £3 out of a tradesman, to get rid of them he wrote on a piece of paper, “ These men want £3,” and addressed it to one of our commissioners, who wrote across it, “ I have no objection to any ono paying those men any amount.’' Tho Maoris, beaming with the prospect of waipiro, handed this triumphantly to the storekeeper, but it was some time before they wore made to understand its meaning. Mad they not, they indignantly said, seen tho Commissioner make the poka poka ? Had not they not seen him sign it with his own name? But, alas! it would not do ; and they at last left, their faces very elongated. Tho remarkable thing is they did not sec the joke, and yet people say they are a witty race. The proceeds of the last entertainment in aid of the Institute realised the handsome sum of £l9 4s net.

Re tho Ngaire district meeting for forming a Road Board, it is not known what tho boundaries will be, but presuming it will bo proposed that they be from Patea river to Normanby, they will have to take into consideration the fact that tho Hawera Road Board district extends some distance beyond Mangawhero stream. Judging from the experience of the Whakamara block, it is highly desirable that deferred payment selectors should have tho sole control of the 3 years payments deducted out of the purchase money for road making, as the Road Boards have only a nominal contract of these moneys, and it is found a source of much waste of time and money. Of course the Whakamara was an exceptionally bad block for road making, whilst that of Ngaire is comparatively very level ; but still the argument holds good, as the commissioners who hold no land in these particular deferred blocks rarely offer an opinion how money that is the part payment of those particular blocks should be expended.