COUNTY NEWS.

Patea Mail, 24 August 1880, Page 2

COUNTY NEWS.

The First Sod of the Railway at Patea harbor will be turned to-day. The contractors are not yet able to commence operations, their pile-timber and machinery not having arrived. Some timber is coming from Wellington and some from Dunedin. Mu McKerrow, inspector of surveys, is now supervising the work on the Plains, with the object, we believe, of sanctioning the surveys prior to the laud being put in the market. The West Coast Land Bill, one of Mr Bryce’s numerous measures, proposes to constitute the country from the White Cliffs to Waitotara a confiscated land district, in order to give summary powers for dealing with native offences, such as fencing on the public road and ploughing settled land. Hauuou Loan.— The Wanganui Harbor Board want a loan of one hundred thousand pounds. About £30,000 has been advanced on laud security by the National Bank of New Zealand, and the hank has been offering stock in the market to the amount of £60,000. The public subeription to this £60,000 loan was to be at 6 per cent., and with it the Board propose to pay off their debt to the bank, the balance being applied to dredging the river and continuing the walls. The loan has boon taken up by subscription at £95 to £99 per 100 stock. Mb Bryce is coming overland to the West Coast—for what ? Rumor says he is coming to “ wait upon” that august potentate, Te Whiti. He is coming to make proposals to him ; to solicit the dusky monarch’s acceptance of peace offerings from the pakelia Government, those offerings being the largo reserves recommended by Royal Commissioners. To Whiti maintains the haughty reserve of an inspired barbarian. He snubs the pakoha Government with savage contempt. The Government tempts him with large bribes of land. The Prophet says “ Get thee behind me, Satan but Satan wil 1 not get behind. The Government will make one more effort to propitiate the haughty Prophet. It will send its special ambassador to Paribaka, to rub noses with To Whiti—a spectacle for gods and men !

Those dearly beloved brethren at Taranaki are already moving to secure control of the new Land Board which is to be formed in this district, if the West Coast Commissioners’ recommendation be carried out. Taranaki has managed our land hitherto, and certain brethorn arc so anxious that our affairs shall still be looked after with true Taranaki vigilance, that they arc moving the powers at Wellington to appoint none but a Taranaki commissioner over the Patea Laud Board. Now, you Plymouth Brothers, do you want Patea to be eternally tied to our Maiden Aunt’s apron-string ? Are we not big enough and old enough to manage our own business? You have shown us by divers lessons what Taranaki management means when applied to other people’s property, and the result of your teaching is that, while we love you after a fashion, our affection is strongest when you arc far off.

The Harmonic Society’s ball takes plaice Ibis evening. - !

Mr Treagear’s resignation from the captaincy of the Patea Eilles is gazetted.

A Story of gold being found at some spot on Waimate Plains requires confirmation.

The, road now being cut from Stratford to Opunaki will be practicable for horse traffic in about two months.

Mr McKittrick has disposed of his farm at Wbenuakura to Mr Shield, formerly farming in the South Island ; arid the stock is to be offered at auction. The New Hotel in Patea will bo opened about the Ist of October, by Mr McKittrick.

Mr James Hirst 1 is about to erect a bouse on a half-acre section purchased up the Taranaki road, half a mile from town. A skull in perfect condition was found yesterday near the light-house, there being an old Maori burial-place in the vicinity. Mr Ivess has sold bis new paper, tire Ellesmere Advertiser, to the proprietor of the opposition journal. Mr Ivess will start another paper at Cambridge, in the Waikato, Ist September. A large new light is being fixed in Patea light-house, and will be in working order in a day or two. A smaller light is to be placed on the breakwater, aiula conical stone chamber will be built to elevate it above the wash in a storm. The entrance to the river at night will then become easy. Sales will bo numerous to-morrow. Mr W. Coworn will offer a dwelling-house at Kakaramca ; Mr Dale’s monthly stock sales at Patea will be resumed to-morrow; Mr F. R. Jackson will sell entire horses and stock at St. Hill-street yards and a farm at Waitotara on the same day.

The Thunderstorm on Saturday night produced a flood in the Patea river, the fall of rain being remarkably heavy. The freshet coming down was backed by a high tide, and the water rose above the level of the wharves, flooding the lowc 1 ’ wharf to a depth of six inches. Mr W. Dale, wharfinger, was roused from bis bed, and went into the storage shed to ascertain the damage. Having to plunge through the water in the darkness, be removed to a higher level some goods that would suffer damage. The shed did not contain much produce or merchandise, the rough weather for some da3’s preventing steamers from plying. A small quantity of grain got wet, but probably not spoilt. It is fortunate that so little loss has resulted. The water rose to a greater height than lias been known for many years. The lower wharf was flooded to a less extent about three years ago. The new wharf now under contract on the town side will bo at a higher level than the present wharves.

Cheap Coal is likely to be supplied to this district in a short time. The discovery of coal beds at Picton is an important addition to the sources of supply, by cheapening to the extent of 50 per cent, the price at which it can be delivered in Patea harbor. When coal can be landed here under2ss a ton, its use will be largely increased. It will be preferred for domestic consumption in towns, and the use of steam machinery will bo stimulatedA supply of gas to Patea township would become at once practicable, and the growing size of the place would justify experiment at au early date. Street lighting is already much needed along the main thoroughfare. If Patea could only have a thick belt of timber planted round the town to break the wind, and could have the main street lighted with gas, the “ County town” would bo a really pleasant place. It is a pity the tree planting lias not been commenced this season. A shortterm loan of £IOO might have been got easily for making a beginning, by planting a shelter against the prevailing wind ; and the indifference of the Town Board to the urgency, of shelter is so remarkable that the ratepayers will have to take the matter in hand through a public meeting. The loss of a month, in letting the season for planting slip by, is the loss of a year. The windinoss of the place affects everybody, and the remedy is palpable.

William Black, the novelist, is a painter, chiolly in water colours. Ho is living at Brighton, whore he and Bret Harte arc much together. Black is not a society man, and is very reticent, except with intimate friends. He inspects every place about which be writes. The Queen likes liis description of Scottish scenery. Mrs Black is a very handsome lady. Mr Alfred Tennyson is mentioned as receiving £3OO for Do Profund is, bis poem of 65 lines, recently published in the “ Nineteenth Century.” , . -

The light Brahma, when well bred, ranks second to none among the • breeds of poultry.-; „ 7 Poultry keeping in good localities is certain to realise a large percentage over the cost.. Always start a horse ; with the voice , never with the cut of a whip. In starting) ■turn'a little to one side ;in stopping, when going up a hill, do the same. Sulphur applied to sitting hens is warmed by the heat of their bodies arid omits fumes like those produced- by rubbing a match between the fingers. This odour is death to lice. Said Mr Gisborne, “the Treasurer borrows with one hand and taxes with the other, ‘taking care not to let his left hand kwow what his right hand is doing.” — Hansard • It is confidently predicted by one of the most intelligent wine-growers of California, that in twenty years the wine-growing interest in San Joaquin country will be greater and occupy the attention of more people than the wheat-growing interest, A bronze statue of Lord Byron was unveiled by Lord Houghton in Hamilton Gardens, at the rear of Apsley House, Hyde Park. A marble pedestal has been promised by the Greek Government, but it has not yet arrived. ■ It is stated that Mr Watts, E.A., is at work on a colossal statue of Dawn ; that Mr Poyntcr, R.A., is painting a portrait of Lady Constance Lawler; and that Sir Frederick Leighton lias begun his designs for the decoration of St Paul’s.

Wilkie Collins comes out in a statement that he has lost thousands of pounds through “American pirates” stealing his works. Harper's Weekly says in reply that the Harper’s firm pays £6,000 in royalties, &c. , Forced Fat. —M. Muniz has been studying the fat of such oxen and sheep as have obtained prizes at cattle shows, and finds that this fat is deficient in solid fatty substance. Hence it is less valuable from an industrial point of view, than that of animals not so forced. “ The tiller of the soil,” says an American journal, “ is brought nearer to nature and to God than the dwellers in cities. Nature is the farmer’s silent partner, and exercises a controlling influence in the business ; if he goes wrong, she checks him ; if right, she crowns his efforts with liberal success. ” An English agricultural journal say’s that the original cow of the “ Princess ” family’ of short-horns—“ Old Crazy’, ” she was called—besides all her beauty and longevity, had the characteristics of a great dairy cow, a susceptible temperament and regular fecundity’. Besides these qualities she is stated to have shown, in her ear and round the setting on the tail, the rich yellow hue which indicates a high colour in cream and butter. Abe Hakes Destructive? — The Auckland Star says several sporting gentlemen, who were doubtful about the statement that hares stripped 500 trees in five days, visited Mr Bowman’s nursery, and had ocular demonstration of the fact. There were 3000 trees planted out in the nursery, and if the discovery' had not been made in time, not only' would years of labor have been thrown away, but much would have been lost to the fruit-growing industry of the province. A Melaxchouy woman lay in sickness on her bed, and in a faint and broken voice to her sad husband said;—“ Dear David, when ray earthly'form has turned tolifeless clay, don’t throw yourself away'. I know a woman kind and true on whom you may depend. Oh, many Arabella Jones; she is my dearest friend.” “ Yes Hettio; I have much desired to talk of this before; for Arabella Jones and I have thought the matter o’er.” Then you and Arabella Jones have been too smart and sly. I tell you, David Wilkinson, I’m not agoing to die.” Her dark eyes flashed, her strength returned, she left her bed of pain; a-week had hardly passed away' when she was well again.

The Abierican Canal. —The terms of the Nicaragua Canal concession to an American company are published. They give an exclusive privilege, the concession being for 99 years from the opening of the canal. The company may construct a railway and telegraph along the canal. Nicaragau declares the canal and terminal ports neutral, transit being uninterrupted. If Nicaragau should be at war, troops and war vessels in hostility with Nicaragua or any other Central American Republics arc alone to be excluded. The canal is to be open to free navigation by all vessels. Nicaragua will endeavour to obtain from all other Powers a guarantee for the neutrality of the canal. The canal is to be exempted from all taxation.