COUNTY NEWS.

Patea Mail, 28 April 1881, Page 2

COUNTY NEWS.

The Education Board at Wanganui sat yesterday. The important civil action of North v. Williams is now fixed for Saturday, at the Supreme Court, Wanganui. It is expected to last two days, if all the witnesses are heard. The census returns of population on the W henuakura block show a total ot 301 inhabitants, being 193 males and 108 females. There are 60 houses occupied and 2 empty. The census for Patea township will be found in another column. We understand that Mr W. Williams has purchased the lease and plant of the Patea Boiling-down Works, and that the retiring lessee, W. Hobbs, will continue to manage the works in Mr Williams’s interest. It is desirable that a local industry of this importance should be carried on by a capitalist. Three schooners laden with railway iron for the Patea section were towed into harbor yesterday morning. Some of these rails may available for part of the formation which was done by the Government unemployed, if the Kakaramea section be pushed on. But railway policy is a mystery, and we must wait in hope. Volunteers paraded for inspection on Tuesday evening, about 35 answering the roll call. Major Noake expressed himself much pleased with the improved appearance of the corps in their new scarlet uniforms, observing that the suits were capitally made, and reflected credit on the contractor (Mr E. A. Adams). The company were then put through the bayonet exercise, and received a word of praise from the commanding officer for their efficiency. After presenting the prizes won in the Good Friday shooting handicap, Capt. Black notified that the officers of the company had determined to present a challenge medal for competition, ranges and conditions to be decided at some future meeting. Another local extension in auctioneer"mg r ~Ts being" made" by Mr Dale. He has purchased from Mr Milroy a paddock iu the centre of the town, with right of way from the main street, to be fitted up as stock yards for fortnightly sales. The land lies on the west side, exactly opposite the large new auction mart just erected by Mr Dale, and could hardly be better situated for business, there being a back entrance for stock away from all traffic. The first fortnightly stock sale in the new yards is announced for June 2nd. Part of the new section is to be used as a timber yard, with a workshop for planing and shaping boards. Mr Dale is getting a steam engine and machinery for preparing timber, and will be in a position to develop this part of his business.

Government Bonuses. —Notice appears in the Gazette that a bonus of £SOO will be given for the first 25 tons of butter or the first 50 tons of cheese (produced in a factory worked on the American principle, and to which factory any farmer subject to certain conditions may send his milk), which shall be exported from New Zealand, and sold at such prices as shall show that the articles are of fair quality. A bonus of £SOO will also be given on the first 100 tons of fresh meat exported from New Zealand in vessels fitted with refrigerating machinery. Such meat must have been collected in a refrigerating chamber in this colony, and must have been landed in Europe in sound marketable condition. General conditions may be obtained on application to the Colonial Secretary.

glad to see that the medical staff have had arrangements to the best of their opportunities prepared on the ground.”