PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Wednesday Evening, December 7.

Patea Mail, 7 December 1881, Page 2

PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Wednesday Evening, December 7.

Mr Rolleston. a member of the Cabinet, expresses his individual opinion as being favorable to electing Parliament every year. This would give quicker effect to changes of popular opinion, bnt its chief effect would be to increase the political power of newspapers. The main objection to annual Parliaments is that members need educating to Parliamentary duties am! routine, and it requires at least one session for a new member to “ know the ropes.” In the second and third years he should, on the average, be a useful member. In the action brought by Mr C. F. Barker to recover damage, for detention of vessel in loading timber in the Sound, the case was adjourned on his application for evidence of captain to be taken by commission ; and Mr Barker paid £l6 9s expenses up to that stage. Ho has since stopped the action, and paid further costs £1 17s 6d. An unfortunate incident occurring at a local hotel was mentioned at the Licensing Court yesterday. It appears the police will make it a ground of complaint against the next application for renewal of license. It is also stated that one of the parties intends seeking damages for being turned out of the hotel at night, and thereby scandalised. The whole affair is much to be regretted. It appears to have arisen from hasty suspicion on the part of a landlord who was anxious to prevent impropriety. The seeking of damages will make the. affair worse than is necessary ; and instead of any such course, it would show sense and a right feeling to ask for a proper reinstatement of character. Allow a fair opportunity for cool consideration, and then request ample amends, which can be made in a form that will not degrade anybody. A Woouville Case of a curious kind came before the R.M. yesterday. Two

A Woouville Case of a curious kind came before the R.M. yesterday. Two years ago the settlers agreed to subscribe towards making a piece of road into Woodville. They appointed a committee of two, Mr D. Hurley and Mr (}. A. Marchant. Tenders were called by a written notice, without signatures. The work was let to Harry Butler, who had a mate in the job, Timothy Hurley, It appears Butler got paid £3, but T. Hurley got only part payment for his work, £1 10, and claimed £3 more. He now sued Mr Marchant, who came from beyond Stratford to defend the action. In Court it was arranged to make Mr D. Hurley a joint defendant, he being present. Mr Marchant’s evidence was that he received no money, and paid none, but he assisted to pass the work. Mr D. Hurley’s evidence was that two settlers had not paid the promised sums, and so he could not pay the balance due to his brother for work. Mr Hamerton, for Mr Marchant, contended there was no liability. Mr Hutchison, who was hastily instructed in Court for the plaintiff, admitted at length that there appeared to be no case, and his client had brought the action by the light of his own knowledge. Verdict for defendant. Mr Marchant claimed costs, but they were not allowed, the [ laintiff having evidently suffered a hardship. An Entertainment, clever and amusing, was given last night in the Harmonic Hall, by the Lyon Tourist Troupe ; chiefly by youug ladies versed in light musical opera and burlesque. Miss Horton’s illustrations of London music-hall singing arc so much above the average that she must be described as a finished artist in that line. A new programme is promised for to-night, and it would be well to omit that too suggestive duet, “ Moses and Aaron.” Harmonic Bazaar at Patea this Friday and Saturday is expected to attract many settlers. The display will be large. The new brass band is to play each evening. The County Council had a short meeting fo-day. The question of County management will come up at next month’s meeting. Tub Polling on Friday in this district will be watched with keen interest, as the contest appears very close. The Major is likely to have a large majority in Patea and neighborhood, also at Hawera, and at Omata. Mr Hutchison will probably have a good majority at Opunaki, about a tic on the Plains, a good majority at Normanby, and a tie at one or two smaller places. On the whole, the Major will win by his strength in' the two largest towns and his large support among the older settlers. The result cannot bo known till Saturday.