PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Friday Evening, November 18.

Patea Mail, 18 November 1881, Page 2

PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Friday Evening, November 18.

A Wellington letter says : —“ It may not be out of place to mention that yonr candid and fearless action in re the Dale controversy is much admired here. The copies of the Mail recently received have been eagerly read by many people in Wellington, and the opinion expressed of Mr Dale’s conduct in the matter is anything but complimentary to that gentleman.—J. W. B. and Co.” Another difficulty about deserted children is causing trouble in Patea. Mrs Charles and two young boys wore discharged from the Hospital recently, and have been occupying a cottage without the rent being paid. The Hospital Steward paid 11s rent out of his own pocket, the County Chairman being unwilling or unable to interfere. Then the woman and children were turned adrift on account of rent; but it should be understood that the woman’s improper conduct could hardly induce any charitable feeling. The children returned to the Hospital the other morning, the mother preferring her own bad way; and the children are there now. The case is well known. An Act recently passed protects persons who adopt abandoned children. An entertainment of dissolving views will shortly be arranged, in the Harmonic Hall. The necessary expense has been guaranteed, and the balance of proceeds will go to some deserving object. The accompanying lecture is to be given by a Patea resident, and there will be vocal and instrumental music. The pictures are very large, and will probably afford a treat. The office of the N.Z. L and M.A Coy. is removed from the river-side to Mr Eyton’s new premises in Egmontstreet. Mr H. M. Brewer has been in this district some days enquiring into claims for railway compensation.

Mr T. Fergus has commenced his election campaign in the Lake district by addressing a meeting at Arrowtown. A deputation saw Major Atkinson at Kakaramea after the meeting on Wednesday, respecting the early opening of the railway to Manutahi, and about fencing. He promised to push on the line, and as to fencing he made an encouraging statement. We believe the railway survey for the section Waverley-to-Patea will be completed about ten days hence. The plans will then need preparing, and tenders may be invited early in January. Mr R. B. Pearce, Kakaramea, attended the Auckland show, to see how his pigs compare with others up there. He brought back first prize for sow one year old, first prize for boar 10 weeks old, and second prize for sow 10 weeks old. Mr James Hamilton, who has held a farm at Alanutahi, is removing- from Wanganui and disposing of his wheelwright business to settle with his family on the farm. He is well spoken of as a settlor. The Fire Brigade at Patea have received the engine promised by the N. Z. Insurance Company. It appears to be a useful sort of hand-engine, having 500 feet of leather hose and two delivery pipes. Mr Hutchison will commence another series of election addresses at Patea this Friday week. Major Atkinson spoke at Stratford last evening. The Alexandra Cavalry are expected to return passing through Patea late this evening. They are highly spoken of up country. Probably they will stay the night here. The colony is officially notified as free from pleuro-pnenmonia, and all quarantine regulations as to moving cattle are abolished. Will the new Borough Council work fairly well, without party bickering and obstruction ? The elected members seem to bo likely, ou the whole, to sink all other desires than that of promoting the common interest. We do not see the elements of petty strife, and shall be slow to believe that any of the elected members will carry his personal opposition to the length of interfering with that policy of progress which we all desire to see carried out promptly and judiciously. Councillors have a duty to the Borough which should be of more consequence than any personal or party question of supporting or opposing a particular Mayor. The Mayor is elected, and should be supported because he is Mayor.