COUNTY NEWS.

Patea Mail, 8 February 1881, Page 2

COUNTY NEWS.

Twelve nominations have been made for the six seats to be filled in the New Plymouth Harbor Board, the names being Walter Bewley, James Baxter Connett, James Davidson (Mayor of New Plymouth), James Dingle, William Humphries, Nathaniel Hooker, James McLaughlan, Thomas Kelly, M.H.R., Thomas King, Richard Randle, John Wray Sheppee, and Benjamin Wells. There should be a lively election. Another engine, and a new one, has gone to smash on the Taranaki railway. It happened in this way. The fireman at the Taranaki end got up early yesterday morning, and set a roaring fire under the boiler of his engine ; but forgetting to put water in the boiler, the result was that he stoked and poked till he burnt the bottom out. And still the engine wouldn’t go ! Then with true Taranaki energy it was perceived that something would have to be done equal to the greatness of the emergency; so it was resolved to send for another engine from Waitara, and after three hours’ delay the train for the south was started on its way. It reached Ngaire without the boiler giving out. But the south coach was also delayed three hours, and people in this district were in great perturbation about their letters.

Mr W. Cowern will hold his usual Kakaramea stock sale to-morrow. The Patea County Council are likely to be petitioned shortly to assent to the formation of a Road Board District for the Waimate Plains. Persons interested in the sale of Government land in the Wellington district, are reminded that 15,000 acres Pahiatua Block, will be offered at Masterton, commencing on the Bth, the upset ranging from one guinea to £3 10s per acre. Tenders for the Normanby-Hawera Station railway buildings must be in tomorrow. Tenders for the permanentway contract Normanby-Hawera are called for the Ist March. Captain Skeet, who has been appointed surveyor of Native reserves under the West Coast Land Commission, was in Patea on Saturday, on business connected with his department. It is well a separate survey officer, unconnected - with the Taranaki Land Board or Survey Department, has been appointed for this service. As Captain Skeet was formerly General Government survey officer under the Confiscated Lands Department, he is thoroughly acquainted with the land and past transactions, and therefore about the best man who could have been selected. A survey officer for that part of the West Coast Land District of which Captain Wray is Commissioner, quite apart from Taranaki survey control, is also desirable. Many readers will recollect that after the murder of McLean on Momahaki block, and the almost wonderful escape of Hiroki to Parihaka, a deputation of influential Waitotara chiefs accompanied Mr W. Williams to the “ murderer’s refuge,” in the hope of inducing Te Whiti to deliver Hiroki to be dealt with by the law. No official account of the proceedings were published at the time, and though it was generally understood that there had been a great row at Parihaka, and it was even stated that five minutes only had finally been allowed for the party to clear out or risk the alternative of being killed, the general impression was that the danger had been exaggerated as a cover for the nonsnccess of the mission, and that the danger was imaginary and not real. The following extract from a letter in a contemporary from a Maori named Wharchoka complaining that Mr Williams has not paid for a suit of clothes destroyed on that occasion, is sufficient to show the reality of the risk run by Mr Williams and the Waitotara chiefs. The Maori says:—“He (Williams) asked me to go to Patea; that he would pay me for the kindness I did to him and his Maoris, when they came to Parihaka in search of Hiroki. lam the man who was nearly killed by the Parihaka Maoris for protecting Williams and his Maoris. All my clothes were torn off me that day. I fought for him naked. My reasons for doing it were, to save Williams from being killed, and everything he and his Maoris had taken from them.” From advertisement in another column it will be seen that the application lately made by Woodville settlers to the Wanganui Education Board for a separate school district and school house, has so far been acceded to that a meeting of householders for the election ot a school committee has been convened. The particulars required by the Board, and furnished by a committee of settlers, appears to have been satisfactory. There will however be much to be done before the Woodville school will be an established fact, and settlers must show themselves in earnest in their desire for - a school, by mustering in force at the k appointed time for the election of committee. Mr Edward Gilshnan has been temporarily appointed secretary, and as he is the present medium of communication between the Education Board and settlers, such as are interested in the establishment of the proposed school, but who have not yet been moved to action, would do well to consult with Mr Gilshnan, when such information as is available will be readily placed at the disposal of enquirers.

Nominations for members of the Patea Harbor Board must bo made at the respective nomination places before noon this day. About twenty-five Volunteers from Wanganui will attend the Rifle shooting at Nelson, and are going over in one of the Anchor line of steamers. At Mr F. R. Jackson’s 81. Hill-street sale to-morrow, about 3,600 cattle and sheep will be offered. The following items were among last night’s cable messages— per cent. New Zealand Loan to-day is quoted at ex dividend.—The total reserve of notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £14,125,000. A man named Emanuel Dias, a carrier between Wanganui and Turakina, was killed yesterday morning at Wangaehu through his dray turning over on him. He leaves a wife and family. The criminal assault on a girl case down for hearing at Patea Court yesterday has been postponed till to-day, the R. M. being otherwise engaged, a J.P. requested to attend being too busy, and another only inclined to attend when private business not demanding attention. Patea is soon to be a municipal borough. The Town Board resolved last night, on the motion of Mr Sherwood, “ That in order to secure the benefit derivable from the adoption of the Municipal Corporations Act 1876, the necessary action be at once taken to have this town, with extended boundaries, declared the Borough of Patea. The agent for the Australian Eleven? arrived in Wanganui on Saturday. The preparations for the match are progressing satisfactorily, and the wicket is being carefully rolled and levelled. The match will commence at 11 o’clock on Friday next and be continued at the same hour on Saturday. The concluding events of Wellington races arrived too late for our last issue, but were as follows :—Racing Club Handicap of 200 sovs: Libeller, 1; Norseman, 2; The Governor, 3, Ladies’ Purse of 30 sovs : Billingsgate, 1; Miss Domett, 2. Consolation Handicap of 30 sovs : Dan, 1 ; Mischief, 2. The fine weather on Saturday led to a fair attendance at the Patea cricket ground to witness the match between Patea and Kakaramea. The latter had first innings, the chief scorers being F. Reid 18, F. Horner 8, Fetch 6, Mcßae 5, goingdown 3, 2, 1, 0, the total being 51. In the second innings F. Horner made 13, Baggett 9, F. Reid 7, five duck eggs and some single figures bringing the total to 40, or for the two innings 91. In the first innings of the Patea team Coutts put togethe 30, Tennent 9, Jacomb 7, the remainder being lesser figures, and the total 65. In the second innings eight players made 27, to which Pringle, contributed 6, aiKpJacomb and Tennant 6 and 4 respectively (not out), making a total of 92. There is a difference of opinion about one score by Pearce, which if gran ted to Pearce for Kakaramea makes a tie. Patea players gave up under the impression they had made enough tor a win. The score book shows that they made a mistake. Two new probable candidates are named for Patea Harbor Board—H. S. Peacock for Otoia, and G. W. Gane for Hawera Riding. Others may be forthcoming, and it is to be hoped such as will not attempt to overturn the useful work already done, or try to hinder progress, will be nominated in time to contest the seats with possible, obstructives. Hawera, even from the low stand point of having two strings to its bow—rival ports competing for its trade, as Waitara and Patea—should endeavour to return some one capable and desirous of doing useful work. If nominations are made in time, there will be opportunity for testing strength in the elections. Should lukewarmness be shown and nominations neglected, a member may be found returned in either of the different wards distasteful to the general body of electors, there being no remedy till another election.

“ Taniwha ” is the name of a monthly comic venture started at Wanganui by Mr A. D. Willis, and which may be obtained from news-agents in the various Patea townships. “ The potato is cooked,” is the subject of the chief illustration in the first number, and for conception and execution is no discredit to the local artist. The object is stated in the Editorial bow to be “ to amuse and enlighten those who are willing to be amused and enlightened by our efforts, and to apply the caustic of sarcasm and irony to abuses wherever we find them, dealing out our favours impartially and free from party bias of any kind.” The Waikato Times says, “ A special Native Commission, consisting of Commissioners H. T. Kemp, F. M. P. Brookfield, and Major Mair, was to bo commenced on the Ist February, and a number of natives have come in to take part in the proceedings. It has been appointed on the petition of Tapa Te Whata, of the hapu of Ngatikowhata, Ngatiraukawa tribe, and is, in fact, a rehearing of proceedings taken in 1868, whereby, as alleged, the lands of the petitioners were passed through the Court and sold to Mr E. B. Walker and others. The lands are situated at Pukekura, Puhoi, and other places, and the petitioners allege that they never parted with them, that others who had no interest in them received the purchase money, and they now pray for justice, and that the money should be paid for them. These Maoris came from Kapiti, and are not supported by the King natives in their demands. Indeed, we are credibly informed that the representatives of Tawhiao now hero, viz., Te Ngahau, Hau Hauru Hole, Taraihana, and others, have no intention of disputing the former decision of the Land Court, and do not at all recognise the claim of the Ngatikawhata natives as being a just one. The investigation will probably last some time. At the annual meeting of Melbourne Hospital Committee, the balance-sheet showed that the institution was nearly £6OOO in arrears. After some severe remarks on the management, the report was adopted. The Australian Wesleyan Conference has appointed the Eevs. Dodgson and Watsford, with Messrs King and Brooke as delegates to the Ecumencial Council to bo held in London, The “ Red Cross” Fruit-preserving Company, at South Yarra, Victoria, last year put up 20,000 cases of jams, exclusive of large quantities of jellies, bottled fruits, pickles, sauces, and vinegars. All the fruit preserved is colonial grown. In answer to a memorial from the Farmers’ Association, and to branches, the Commissioner of Public Works South Australia, has declined to reduce the railway rate on wheat this year, but promises careful consideration of the matter when the railway accounts are submitted in October. Mr Thomas K. Dow, agricultural reporter for the Melbourne Leader, is visiting this Colony for the purpose of furnishing that paper with a series of reports on the agricultural interests of New Zealand. At an Irish Land League meeting held in South Australia, the Vicar-General presided 5 fifty persons were present. The chairman disclaimed the League’s connection with outrages, which he said were only reprisals of tenants in return for the oppression of their landlords, and that the object of the League was good, namely, to obtain reformation of inhuman landlaws in Ireland. Dr Russell, Christchurch, has stated his intention of giving, during next winter, a series of scientific lectures bearing upon the temperance movement. He states that in these lectures he will be enabled to bring forward facts that will open the eyes of the public as to the true nature of the drink traffic. The Ardentinny, the first wool ship ever loaded at Oamaru, left that port in January for London, with one eighth of the wool produce of the district—a freight valued at over £40,000. Her Captain (Millar) was presented with a handsome silver cruet-stand on the occasion of her departure. The cricket match between the Australian Eleven and twenty-two of Dunedin was won by the former with 44 runs to spare. The scores for the two innings were;— Australians 112 and 105 ; Dunedin 83 and 90 runs.

“ I say neighbour Snobs, if you don’t keep your hens out of my garden I will shoot them.” “ Very well, Doolittle, shoot away ; only if you kill any of my hens throw them into my yard.” Crack went the fowling piece morning after morning, and the large fat hens were pitched into neighbour Snobs’ yard like rain. After a fortnight or more Doolittle discovered that Snobs never had any hens, and that he had been shooting his own, the hens having broken out of his own coop. A Thames paper says the chief Rcwi Manipoto absolutely declines to occupy his Kihikihi mansion, built for him by the present Government, without being handed over the Crown grant. Recent overtures made by Major Mair to get Rewi to give in his adhesion to the Hall Government have proved that the old chief is still a strong believer in both Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, and that no amount of “ native process ” will induce his forsaking the political principles which hcenunciated after coming out of his retirement during Mr Sheehan’s period of office as Native Minister. Both Messrs Whitaker and Sheehan were in Auckland at the end of January, arranging various matters with the Patetore company and Mr Gill, who is representing the Land Purchase Department as to the areas which will be taken for the department’s advances to the natives. Last year, according to official returns, Otago stood pre-eminent for its average yield of wheat, which was 31 bushels per acre. In Canterbiny it was 23, Auckland, 20; Wellington, and in Nelson 134 bushels per acre. Quite a novel theory was set op at the Police Court, Christchurch, by an experienced “ drunk and disorderly.” He pleaded in the following manner:—“ I came into town to get some things I wanted for my work ; I got a few drinks, and they leaned on me.” The presiding Justices, says the reporter, were unsympathetic and “ leaned on the offender to the extent of 205.” A number of the hard labor prisoners at the Wellington gaol are at present employed in constructing a reservoir on a hill at the rear of the Mount View Asylum, in order to meet the wants of that establishment. The Thames Star gravely says ;—We learn from a private source that the rumour of Sir George Grey, M.H.R., being requested to undertake the position of Governor General of the Cape Colonies is not without foundation. Such a step would be a wise one on the part of the Imperial Government, as, perhaps, no one has more influence with the Cape Colonists and Caffres than has Sir George. Being intimately acquainted with their language? his interest and love and patriotism would manner, and customs, Sir George Grey is admirably fitted to take command of the political helm and steer clear of the numerous dangers and difficulties which threaten our possessions in South Africa. Such an undertaking would be a great one at Sir George Grey’s advanced age, but no doubt induce him to once again undertake the affairs ot the Cape, as he did in 1859. The request shown the esteem felt by the Imperial Government for Sir George, and the appreciation in which he is held is only giving honour to whom honor is due. The smallest newspaper in the world is the Madoc Star, published in Canada ; the size of it is 3in. by 24in. and it is published weekly. The annual subscription is 2s. The first page contains foreign news, the second mining, and the third and fourth local news. Madame Lotti Wilmot in a lecture lately delivered in Wellington, said —She had arrived at the opinion, after years of study, that no man should remain single over 25 years of age, and no female over 20. In order to carry out this view, she would impose an annual tax of £lO upon all bachelors above the former age. At the meeting of the congregation of the Vivian-street Baptist Church, Wellington held on the Ist February Mr Kitchen made the announcement that when in Melbourne he wrote to Mr Thos, Spurgeon, one of the twin sons of the Rev.C. H. Spurgeon, asking whether ho intended to visit New Zealand. Mr Thomas Spurgeon, who was then in Perth, near Launceston, Tasmania, replied that he certainly would come on to this colony, and, sa3 T s a Wellington contemporary, we are informed that the gifted son of a far more gifted father may be expected to be in Wellington in about a fortnight. The other twin son of the celebrated pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle is at present in charge of the Baptist congregation at Greenwich, in Kent.