NEWS OF THE DAY.

Patea Mail, 16 October 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Ballasting on tho Waverley-Whenua-kura section is to be commenced to-morrow. Intending' contractors for the Patea Passenger Station, are reminded that tenders.close to-morrow at noon. The vacancy in the County Council caused by the resignation of Mr F. M. Chapman, has been filled by the election of Mr James O’Sullivan, of Kakaramca, who was returned unopposed on Saturday. A vacancy in the Waverley Town Board has occurred, owing to the resignation of Mr George - Howie. Nominations will be received by Mr Fookes, the Returning Officer, until noon of Monday,-Oct 23rd. The Tradesmen’s Ball, which will be held in the Harmonic Hall to-morrow evening, promises to be very successful. A large number of tickets have been issued, and every attention has been paid to detail witba view to making the affair a pleasant one. Dancing will commence at 9 o’clock. We are Informed that petty stealing is still carried on in the reading room of the Institute. Illustrated and other papers vanish with a celerity that is the means of intense disappointment to a large number of would be readers. Sometimes the consciences of the pilferers smite them and the papers are returned in Ibe course of a few days in the same mysterious manner as they disappeared.

We have to remind our readers that the Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association will hold their Annual Show on Thursday nest. What will probably be a very interesting part of the proceedings is advertised in this issue, viz.,' the Hunters’ Competition over a flight of hurdles, stonewall, and water jump. The . r ».wi ...m u— r—• J on the ground up to 2.45 p.m., the competition taking place at three o’clock. Some of our local cracks should have a try in this, as in addition to the prizes of £3, and £2, a special one of £5 ss, has been given by Mr J. Alexander.

Mr John Morton’s well-known entires Exchange and Dalesman are advertised. They, are in the pink of condition, and look very well. Exchange is a fine specimen of the Clydesdale, having all the essentials of quality iu this breed. His sire, Young Banker, is sufficient guarantee as to his quality. One of the Young Banker’s ’stock was sold the other day for 500 guineas. His dam is well-known in the Oamaru district as a prize taker, being now owned by Mr P. Orr. Dalesman is too. \Voll--9JXcI_ fA.wi-J.At.tj-. Ufc-.0-rrji 'iu itns'tnstrict to need comment.

At the Waverley race-course on Saturday last, the Wairoa Light Horse were inspected by Captain Neill, officer commanding the district. The weather was fine, and 45 officers and men were on the ground. The troop presented quite a gay appearance, and were put through their various manoeuvres creditably. After the inspection, many adjourned to the range, to fire for the belt. Nearly all the shooters were in very bad form, owing to being up all the previous night, and this is said to be the cause of so many low scores. A slight wind was blowing, which also had a tendency to spoil good scoring. The shooting as a whole was not a good average. A number ot men arrived after the firing at the first range had been finished, and competed afterwards. One of them, G. Howie, made 58, the highest score, but it was not taken, as he was late. Had he come earlier ho would have been the leading man. About 30 competed for the bolt, which lias to bo won three times in’succession to entitle the holder to its possession. Mr F. Mathieson was the winner for the time being, with a score of 57. Wo were enable to get a full list of the scores, no one in Waverley having one.

An infant room is to be added to the Patea High School, 54 feet long by 22 wide, with a now porch 12 feet square. The inside will be match-lined, a beaded dado running the usual height from the floor, and unvarnished. A sloping gallery, with four rows of seating of modern design, will occupy one end of the room. There will be two fireplaces, and separate entrances for the hoys and girls, with convenient communication with the older portion of the building, thus giving to the headmaster a ready means of supervision. The building is in the cottage style of architecture, having five large windows to Egniout road, the centre being about ten feet square. The new schoolroom, which will be surmounted by an ornamental ventilating lower, will be a creditable addition to the many good buildings recently erected. The school committee have been much inclined to make an appeal to tiie public for funds to move the whole of the present buildings to the higher ground in tho adjoining school paddock, a site which commands an extensive view of the sea and surrounding country : high, dry, and healthier. The present site lies low, with a tendency to dampness in winter. From £BO to £IOO won Id cover the cost of removffi at the present time. Should the addition be made on the present site, it will be hopeless ever to expect a removal to tho higher and healthier ground. If half the amount could be raised locally, the Education Board would provide the other half, the rule being to contribute pound for pound. A good start by a few publicspirited townsmen would induce the school committee to make an effort.

Mr . James Rhodes, who has a lot of boots ex Wakatu slightly discolored by sea water, is offering them at cost price. The saying “ a bull in a china shop ” is proverbial, but a horse in a furniture warehouse is seldom heard of. There was one, however, in Messrs Lundhcrg’s shop this afternoon. The animal walked in as unconcerned as a cu a tomcr, but he was quiet, and a little gentle persuasion resulted.in bis retirement without mishap, much to Mr Lundberg’s relief. The Cavalry' Ball at .the Town Hall, Waverley, last Friday, was a great success. Owing to the evening being fine, almost all of those invited living in the district were present. The ball was neatly decorated with evergreens for the occasion, and at 9 o’clock dancing was commenced, and continued with great spirit until six o’clock next morning, about 50 couples tripping the “ light fantastic.” A good deal of disappointment was felt by the non-arrival of the Alexandria Cavalry. Although invited through Captain Somerville, only two put in an appearance. All the gentle sex were dressed with great taste and neatness, but to draw comparison is odious. The catering was entrusted to Mr Williams, of Waverley, and gave every satisfaction, while the music was supplied by Mr King of Waangauui. During the intervals, many took advantage to see the comet, which looked beautiful, besides giving a plausablc excuse for astronomical observations.

The Auckland News says if Mr Bryce is successful in opening up the King country, he will no doubt receive the honor of knighthood as a reward. One of the Englishmen who escaped from Egypt is Mr Bcnwell, a consulting engineer. He says -15,000 Europeans got away down to Juno 17th, and left all they had behind them. His own private house and belongings were worth £3OOO, and the machinery of the firm ho is connected with was worth £120,000. The country lias been ruined. The following has appeared in the Waipawa Mail as an advertisement;— “ Not me. —To the kind friends and neighbours who have persistently made attempts to burn me out. —This is to give you notice that I have taken out a policy of insurance for my property, and that should a fire now take place the loss will not fall upon me, but upon the insurance company.” London Trulh mentions a change that has not so far been heard of here. It says that Lord Nonnanby, the Governor of Victoria, will shortly retire, when it is expected that he will be succeeded by Sir William Jervois, now Governor of South Australia. His Excellency was appointed Governor in December, 1878, and baa, therefore, not yet been four years in office.

A telegram from Wellington to the Liverpool Weekly Mercury, dated June 17th, states that “the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill, rendering the trial of Te Whiti and Chief John unecessary, anti preventing their return to Parihaka, has been read a second time in the House of Representatives.” Chief John is almost as bad as the mistake made about Te Whiti, when he was called Mr White. Tohu of course is the person referred to. An article on electric light in the Sydney Morning Herald commences as follows : “The most recent English commercial journals'speak of something approaching a panic amongst the shareholders of the various electric lighting companies. Within four weeks shares valued at, £3O had sunk to £ls 10s, others valued at £6O dCJOOj u.ivl-Jrr—tluXJj while some, it is hinted, are likely to become the prey of the official liquidator,” At the meeting of the Education Reserves Board at New Plymouth, the Board decided to re-enter upon sections Nos. 4 and 27, block 42, Patea, and determine the lease of the same, held by G. N. Baggett. The following tenders were received for the lease of section 16, block 12, Whakamara M. Quilliam, 2s per acre for the first seven years, 4s for the second term, and 6s for the third term ; Patrick O’Neill, 2s per acre for the first term of seven years, 3s for the second term, and 4s for the third term ; George Gane, 9d per acre for the first term, 2s for the •second term, and 6s for the third term,— It was resolved on the motion of Mr Parris, “ That Mr Quilliam’s tender bo accepted, but Mr Gane is to be allowed to remove his dwelling within four months,” Extensive reductions arc being made in the Armed Constabulary force. The men who were only taken on about this time last year, for twelve months’service,'are not being rc-ongagcd, and it is understood, says the Post, that the reduction by the end of this month will have exceeded 100.

A peculiar and sad accident occurred at Hotham (Victoria) recently. Arthur Huxley, aged 10 years, with his cousin, Clarence Miller, and his sister, were playing soldiers. Young Huxley, assuming the character of Arab! Pasha, made a dash at his sister with a fork, when his cousin, as an English soldier, came to tho rescue. He had a small knife in his hand, and in the play by accident stabbed little Huxley in (he groin. The boy was removed to the Melbourne Hospital, whore ho lingered for a few days, and died. The coroner’s jury returned a verdict that tho wound was inflicted accidentally. The Melbourne Telegraph reports a peculiar phenomenon, not altogether unknown in tho mining world, occurring the other evening at the Duke of Timor claim, Maryborough. Some men were at the bottom of tho shaft engaged in sinking tho bore, when a tremendous movement of the ground beneath them, accompanied with a largo upheaval of matter, so alarmed them Hint they immediately telegraphed for the bucket, which was quickly lowered. Into it they at once got, and not a moment too soon, for as they were drawn up they wore surrounded with a vast column of mud and water, and it is said that the bucket was so buoyed up with, the stuff that tho hands at the windlass felt no difficulty in winding. The matter rose up with them to a height of 60ft. George Bell, farmer, of Wangarra Scrub, near Bumlaberg, was shot dead by his son, aged 20. The sou lias taken to to tho bush. The South Australian Assembly has granted £25,000 for assisted immigrants and the introduction of female domestic servants. The Government of Western Australia intends to introduce a system of competitive examination for civil service appointments. Rumors are current in Brussels that Germany contemplates taking advantage of existing circumstances to arrange wtih the Dutch King for tho entry of the Duchy of Luxemburg into the German Empire. The Lyttelton Times says :—“ There never was in New Zealand such a disgraceful waste of time as the waste of time of the session that lias just ended.” A London paper lias discovered a groat want in New Zealand. It hears we have “ a great opening for sensible clergymen, several incumbencies being vacant.” The adjective is, to say tho least, an ambiguous one.

The Hon. J. Bryce is at present in ■Wanganhi. Mr E. C. Horner has been appointed to collect debts in connection with the late butchery business of T. Haywood senr.

It will be seen by advertisement that in consequence of the Wanganui Agricultural Show, Mr C. F. Barker has postponed his stock sale till Monday, (he 23rd inst.

The Ban Francisco mail arrived at Auckland yesterday. A telegraphic summaiy of news appears elsewhere. To-day being the anniversary of the foundation of the Bank of New Zealand, all branches of that institution were closed.

It was stated about town this morning, that the Patea S.S. Company had chartered the Jane Douglas to take up the Wakatu’s running; We are in a position to state that there is no foundation for the rumor, cither as regards the Jane Douglas or any other steamer.

The Star says that Mr J. Barlqyman has just imported 5000 hop - plants from Nelson for Mr A. A. Gower, who intends planting thorn on his land on the Plains. Mr Boardman, the manager of the South British Insurance Co., and Mr Reid, of the United, are in town, and have visited the Heads. Their opinion of the entrance to the river is not a very favorable one, and it is understood that no further insurance will be taken on the Wakatu for this port. Arrangements in connection with the visit of the Hon. Ivo Bligh’s cricketing team to .New .Zealand are now nearly completed. Numerous centres of population not hitherto visited by teams from England will be included in these arrangements, and they will play at' Blenheim, Hawera, and Waikato. They are expected to arrive in Dunedin about January 10th. Rather a novel sight was witnessed at half-past two o’clock this afternoon. At the hour named, an unusual rumbling of wheels caused a general look out on the part of the townspeople, when it was seen that the noise was occasioned by a string of Mr A. Young’s coaches taking their departure from the district. There was quite an imposing army of horseflesh and vehicles, and one could not help a feeling of regret that the place would know them no more.

The attention of builders and others is directed to Mr W. Dale’s advertisement in this issue. That gentleman will sell tomorrow at his mart, at 2 o’clock, a quantity of building material, 'and other sundries, ex Wakatu, on account of whom it may concern. Purchasers will thus have an opportunity of picking up some bargains.

The Presbyterian Church soiree will be held in St. James’s Hall on Wednesday evening, tea commencing at 6 o’clock. Tickets may be obtained from Messrs Howitt, Currie, and Kenworthy, and considering the object of the gathering there will no doubt be a large attendance. There was a large attendance at Mr Cowern’s auction rooms this afternoon, when a quantity of damaged drapery was offered and disposed of. The purchasers seemed very well satisfied with their bargains.

We ( Chronicle) inspected on Saturday last, at Messrs Kohn Bros.’ establishment, a handsome and valuable’ silver cake basket, appropriately engraved and chased, and of graceful design. It is a prize presented by Mr Freeman R. Jackson to the Patea A. and P. Association, 1882, for the best pen of long-wool hoggets. On Saturday evening the’ Wakatu was slewed round and hauled well up on the bank to enable the workmen to get at the iuiured part. The work of. repairing..is., proceeding rapidly, and Roles are being bored to enable the plates to be put on quickly when the water recedes. It is anticipated that in about three days the vessel will be ready to make a start for Onehunga, conveying the engines for tlie new steamer.

The. Mayor of Hawera has written to Major Atkinson, asking him to use his influence in having the money voted for erection of Courthouse in Hawera spent as soon as possible ; also pointing out the need for offices for Crown Land Department, and Reserves Commissioner, and suggesting that it would promote economy to take a sum of £2OO from contingencies, and make the Courthouse building large enough to serve all these purposes. The Mayor Mso points out that as yet the promise given to the deputation of a letter delivery in Hawera has not been given effect to.

Mr T. Haycock had rather an unusual experience about 7 o’clock this morning. He was proceeding down Leicester Street, when ho found himself in the midst of a pack of about 25 dogs, who manifested anything but a friendly disposition. In fact Mr Haycock relates tßat they made an attack on him almost immediately, but fortunately he had a stout stick with him, and managed to give a good account of himself. He received one or two bites, but not of a serious nature. Had the dogs met someone without the means of defence it might have gone hard with him. The launch of the largest sailing vessel over built in Aberdeen, the four-masted ship Port Jackson, was to have taken place on August Ist, but owing to an untoward accident the ceremony was not completed. The vessel, which is intended for the Australian trade, was built by Messrs Hall and Co. A few minutes past 2 o’clock the vessel commenced to glide down the ways, and she was, in the presence of a vast crowd of spectators, named by Mrs Duthie, the wife of the owner. When nearly half way into the water the ship stuck and remained fast, and it was found impossible to give her any more declivity, although all available means were used to complete the launch. The men from the adjoining shipbuilding and engineering yards turned out en masse and volunteered their services. Then four tugs came to the rescue, but all efforts proved in vain, and as the tide commenced rapidly to recode the works had to bo given up. After several unsuccessful attempts the vessel was finally got off; on August 3rd. The defendant in (he recent breach of promise case, at Wellington, informed his \ Jinuncee in one of those voluminous letters of his that he had eschewed animal food and taken to porridge, peas, and barley, as being better calculated to suit the requirements of his health. This reminds a well-known member of the medical profession, at present practising in this city, of an amusing incident that occurred during his experience, A young man came to him complaining that his health was not as good as it ought to be, and the doctor recommended a change of diet, advising bis patient to live chiefly on vegetable food for a week or two. At the end of the first week the patient again presented himself. “Well, how arc you getting on ?” enquired the doctor. “Oh, pretty fairly,” replied the patient. “ But,” ho proceeded to say, “I don’t care much about that vegetable food. I can manage the oats and the barley, hut I can I stand the chaff!" Probably the defendant in the breach of promise case, while taking kindly to porridge, peas, and barley, will also be unable to stand the chaff, to which he will be a martyr dining the next few weeks in consequence of the disclosures at the late trial. — Post.

M. Leon Caron, the composer of the prize cantata for the Melbourne International Exhibition has decided to settle in Sydney. Mr Ballantyne, manager for the Oarnaru Woollen Factory Company, has completed the purchase of machinery at Home, at a cost of £BOS. The protracted cruise of the Royal Princes, which terminated at the Cowes Roads on August 5, says the Times, had “extended over 45,000 knots. After leaving England on Sept. 13,. 1880, the Bacchante proceeded along the coast of Spain, across the North Atlantic to Montevideo, and thence along the Coast of South America to the Falkland Islands. Here the news of the Transvaal War reached the squadron, and necessitated an alteration in the orignal programme. The ships went direct to the Cape, and thence across the South Pacific to Australia, and northward to Japan and China. Leaving Hong Kong the Bacchante sailed through the Sea of China and the Straits of Malacca to Ceylon and the Cape, and thence across the Indian Ocean to Aden, and through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean and home.” One by one one the old fighting chiefs of the Maoris are gradually dropping off. The -well-known chief Tito Hanataua is, .we (Star) regret to say, dying at Taiporohenui. Tito is the most important chief of the Ngatiranuie, being superior in rank to Hone Piharaa, and was, during the last Taranaki war, second in command to Titokowaru. He is, comparatively speaking, a young man, being only 50 years of age. That there is no hope of his recovery, may be judged from the circumstance that the Oeo natives have not only come down to take a last farewell, but have brought down their contributions of the needful provisions and supplies for the tangi.