PATEA DAILY MAIL. Published every Evening, Price 1d. Circulation nearly 600 : average last quarter 510. Politics, Independent. Saturday Evening, Feb. 18, 1882.

Patea Mail, 18 February 1882, Page 3

PATEA DAILY MAIL. Published every Evening, Price Id. Circulation nearly 600 : average last quarter 510. Politics, Independent. Saturday Evening, Feb. 18, 1882.

The public gave adequate support in Patea to the performance of Mr Gary’s operatic juveniles. No reasonable com* plaint can be alleged for the thinness of

attendance in the five shilling seals on the second evening, for money has a value, and people will not pay an extra price two nights together for a kind ot exhibition which has satisfied them in one. Children’s performances need not be rated higher than their real merit; and a little of that goes a long way. Talented actors are worth seeing more once; whereas the real novelty of Mr Carey’s company consisted in the number of children crowded on the stage. The number appeared to be about 30, besides 8 adults, including the band. When a company is advertised as 60 strong, those who pay expect to see 60. The company was well worth seeing as a novel and amusing spectacle, and Mr Cary’s enterprise was much greater than the average. It is to hoped his profits

have been adequate. C. Haddow announces receiving a consignment of Cameron’s American tobaccos.

The new Borough Council at Hawera is getting to work vigorously. Local improvements on a large scale are contemplated, and a loan of £2,500 to £6,000 is mooted, but not actually proposed. An overdraft of £I,OOO secured on the rates is arranged for carrying on. The Works Committee presented a report last night to the Council, recommending the immediate formation of several streets and footpaths, and also some metalling. Gravel is expected to be got from a Government gravel-pit, to be landed at about 2s 4d a yard. The local feeling as to the future is one of confidence, and business is brisk in the new borough. Tenders for the Manutahi earthwork contract close on Monday.

Manawapou bridge is now in process of being shored up for safety, until new bridge is built. The Engineer-in-Chief has been good enough to telegraph to-day as follows: —“To E. .Houghton, Paten. Your letter received. Will send copy of Whennakura contract plans to Patea.— J. Blackett.”

Mr John Gibson, who was improving nicely, is again prostrated. He was able to walk to the business store a week ago, and remained some time. He seems to have had a chill,, and has been since laid up with pleurisy. The case is severe. Mr McKerrow, Surveyor-General, is in Patea, and has to-day made a journey with Mr Wray, Commissioner, to see part of the University reserve between the two rivers. Mr Maben has been prospecting along the Kaharoa track, and on his report the SurveyorGeneral may take some action. It is desirable to urge on lnV attention the importance of opening the river os a practicable highway to extensive good lands held by Government beyond the confiscated line. The construction of a bridge across Whenuaknra to connect Patea port with settled land behind Waverley should be urged. That road would also be on the right line for connecting this port with large inland not yet settled. The back of the Otoia block ought to be settled early.

When visiting the district north of Auckland, the Premier was interviewed by the settlers as to the prosecution of some sections of the northern trunk line from Helensville. He replied that nothing could be done by the Government till the new loan has been raised. He suggested construction under the Railways Construction Act. The number of men employed by Government on the harbor works at Greymouth having been reduced, resolutions of vigorous protest have been passed at a large public meeting.

Antonio Domingo was in a bank at New Plymouth drawing a cheque for £22. Antonio had “filed” as a bankru t the previous day, and the official trustee happened to be in the bank, and stopped payment, saying: “This gentleman is an insolvent debtor, ami all his property vests in me as official trustee; therefore I object to the withdrawal of any money by him.” Antonio retired abashed.

At tho New Plymouth Police Court on Thursday, Mr Samuel applied, on behalf of Farquhar Finlayson, that letters of administration be granted to him of the estate and effects of his deceased brother, John Finlayson, late of Normanby. The deceased had bequeathed the whole of his property to his brother, Farquhar Finlayson, but not having been made ont in legal form the will was invalid. The Magistrate granted letters of administration, and required that applicant should provide a bond of himself in £IOOO, and two sureties of £IOOO each. The harvest returns around Masterton are reported exceptionally good. The Messrs Johnston Bros, had a yield of 30 bushels per acre of wheat, and 51 bushels to the acre of oats. The grain is nearly all fully developed, and of equal quality, for out of 1000 bushels there are only two bags of seconds or fowl wheat.

Wahanui, a Kingite chief, has refused permission to Mr Rusehek, the German naturalist, to visit Mnkau.

At Napier on the 16th a number of Mr J. Sheehan’s admirers presented him with a handsome illuminated address and a purse of eighty sovereigns. No one was allowed to give more than one guinea. A Woodviile Fortymile Bush settler, named Neill Thompson, has been committed for trial at Napier on a charge of dreadfully mutilating, with an axe, a bull owned by bis neighbor, a widow. The cause of the act seems to have been revenge. Mr Archibald McLean, Hawke’s Bay, has just imported from England six mares specially adapted to improve the breed of backs and produce weight-carriers.