HAWERA.

Patea Mail, 13 September 1882, Page 3

HAWERA.

(from our correspondent.) Hawera, Tuesday. Although great numbers of people have left, there are still a good number of land buyers in the township. * The general opinion here is that the majority of the sections just sold went far above their value, and that in a few weeks some of the land will be again in the market for loss than was given at the auction. The vacancies in the Borough Council form the serious topic of considertion, and parlies are canvassing the free and independent electors for votes. The retiring councillors are Messrs Pritchard, Riddeford, and W. M. Thomson, who have been again nominated; and the other candidates are Messrs S. Adamson, Eastwood, Lynch, and Winks. I believe, however, it is Mr Eastwood’s intention to withdraw his name. The fine weather during the last week or two has given the Borough Council an opportunity of proceeding with street improvements. All the dangerous holes in the town have been filled up, and Princes Street is metalled the full width, including the footpath from High-street to the Railway station. Four street larapshavc been erected in Princes-street, and we can now get to the station with dry feet, and are also able to see our way on the darkest night. The ball in aid of the funds of the Drill Shed on Friday was financially a success. There were between 200 and 250 persons present, including visitors from all parts-between New Plymouth and Wanganui. Oyer £6O was taken, and after expenses are paid the committee think they will have about £25 to the good. There were one or two drawbacks to the enjoyment of the evening. The floor was bad, and so was the music; but despite these everybody seemed to make the best of the affair. The building is a credit to the town, to the architect and the builder. Mr Wright of Wanganui supplied the plans, and Mr Lockington of Normality was the contractor. Mr Johnston is proceeding with the Borough Chambers very satisfactorily, and hopes to have them finished within contract time. The Chambers will be the handsomest building in town, and it is a pity they were not more central. Messrs Scott and Baker were the successful tenderers for Mr Thomson’s shops and offices on the Town Hall site, at somewhere about £BOO. Most of the timber is on the ground, and the contractors are working at the frame. There was some talk of trying to get the Australian Footballers to call here on their way down. The Rev. Mr Jones, of Nelson, has been staying in the district for the last

week or so, and officiated in the Church of England on Sunday. Mr Wilks, from Manaia, will take the services next Sunday. An interesting case to all boroughs has cropped up here. The bye-laws provide for the licensing of billiard tables, and the Council considered they had a right to charge the publicans with the license fees. Two of the publicans paid, but Mr Wallis refused ; so the Council proceeded against him, and the case was heard last week. The decision of the Justices will be given on Thursday, and is looked forward to with a good deal of interest, as I am told this is the only place in the colonies where publicans have been asked to pay separate licenses for billiard tables. The negotiations between Messrs Heslop and M.artyn for the purchase -of the latter’s farm on (he Plains have fallen through, I believe owing to some difficulty as to a title for a portion of the land. The farm, however, has been sold since to Mr D. Peat, who is purchasing I believe for Mr Hair, brother of Mr J. Hair, of Waverley. A gentleman was heard to remark to a friend at the land sale on Friday, when the land was fetching big prices: “ If yon catch me bidding like these lunatics, I want you to get a few friends together and carry me out and lock me up until the end of the sale.” I don’t think however that his friends were troubled. Mr J. L. Perry was lucky enough, after purchasing a section at the sale, to sell it again next day at an advance of about £2GO. Some warm words occurred at the last meeting of the Council between Councillor King and the Mayor. H : s Worship had ruled Councillor King out of order for speaking to the report of the Works Committee more than once, but Councillor King persisted in talking, and the Mayor continuing to order him down, Councillor Partridge got up and said the scene was getting disgraceful, and that Councillor King ought to know better than persist in talking after he was rnled out of order. He urged that it was the duty of the Council to uphold the decision of the Mayor whether right or wrong. Councillor King sat down, but had his say afterwards, which roused the ire of Councillor Bate, and a breeze was the result, both Councillors waxing warm.