NEWS OF THE DAY.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1037, 21 May 1883, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Napier arrived at Wellington at 11 o’clock last night after a smart rim of fourteen and a half hours.The Kailway meeting will be held tomorrow evening at 7.30, in the Harmonic Hall. A further subsidence of the Railway embankment across the swamp has taken place, and it will take some time to raise it to its previous height. Some excellent samples of potatoes from Blenheim were sold at Mr Cowern’s rooms on Saturday, at 8s 6d to 9s 6d per bag. The privileges for the Volunteer Sports were sold on Saturday by Mr Cowern, The booth was purchased by Mr Odgers, for' £8 ; the fruit stall by Mr Donnelley, £1 ; right to games, Mr W pixon, ss. The Church parade of the Patea Rifle Volunteers, under the charge of Captain Taplin, on Sunday, was a treat to the public. We like to see volunteers march out on Sunday to church of it shows the corps to bo thoroughly respectably grounded. The Band under the leadership of Mr Thomas Hamerton, discoursed some new and splendid music. To-morrow evening is the usual weekly parade when we understand the drill to be held on the Queen’s Birthday will be gone through. The balance sheet of the Patea Cricket Club shows a deficit of £ll 3s ; cricketing material, £8 ; Patea Rifle Band, for services rendered, £3 3s—the latter account will have to be provided for by some means or otherwise the Club will be sued. Since New Year there has been little or no cricket, as lawn tennis seems to have attracted those were always willing to practice a little every fine afternoon. However, if the present secretary is alive and well next year, there will be a good Volunteer Cricket Club as well as the P. 0.0., so that those who wish to play will be enabled to do so. The Volunteers intend forming a Football Club at once also. We remind settlers that Mr Barker’s Horse fair, promoted in conjunction with Mr Cowern, will be held to-morrow, when about 150 horses of all classes will be offered for sale, commencing at 12 o’clock. The present is a good time for buying as values rule low, but owing to the heavy export to Sydney that is going on from other parts of the Colony, a rise will shortly be inevitable. Another of the old settlers at Waverley, Mr J. Aiken, has sold out his farm at a satisfactory figure to his neighbour, Mr A. Howie, and has purchased largely in the Momohaki Block, The Government should be urged to continue the survey of that block as soon as possible,; as the greater yart of the available land has been taken up, and inquiries are being made for more. There is some excellent land behind the blocks already disposed of which only requires surveying and offering for sale to find a ready market, provided it is, made accessible by roads. The advantage of first forming the roads to the Crown lands to be offered, is proved by the late sale,"as there would have been little probability of such a large quantity being taken up without means of access to the sections. From an advertisement the Masonic fraternity will notice that their regular monthly meeting is to be held this evening. We understand that Mr Milroy, who has lately become proprietor of the hall, has greatly improved it, and has partitioned off an ante-room, which is exclusively for the use of the Masons. Without exception there is not another room in Patea so well adapted for social meetings. Our Waverley- Correspondent writes -A meeting is called for Wednesday evening of settlers interested in the erection of a school on the Momahaki Block, As a difference of opinion seems to exist as to whether the proposed school should be erected on the township of .Richardson or near Block YIII bridge, the meeting is called for the purpose of hearing the different views of those interested. Owing to the rapid settlement of the Momahaki Block and the increase in the number of settlers within the last year or two there is no doubt that a school is needed somewhere on the block, the distance to •'WaverlGy being too far for the children to travel. It is to be hoped, therefore,, that all interested will “ roll up.” The Education Board, I believe, have signified their willingness to have the school erected on receipt of the necessary guarantee, ‘ A meeting of the Wairoa Light Horse was held on Thursday evening, to select a team to fire against the Alexandra Troop on the Queen’s Birthday. The following team were chosen Lieut. Johnston, Lieut. Thurston, Sergt. McLean, Sergt. Howie, Sergt. A. Aiken, Troopers W. Howie,- F. Matheson, J. Milne, W. McFarlane, Waiting men, Simms, O’Neil, and W. Vincent. It was also decided to divide the troop into three classics for class firing, and to take 5s per man but of the troop fund for prizes for the class firing. The match against the Alexandra troop will take place at the Waverley range, and a close contest is expected. The Governor and suite leave Auckland on the 26th. He will call at Gisborne to receive an address, and will reach Napier on the 29th, and Wellington about June 2nd. On Saturday a man named Thomas Henderson was killed by a fall of earth at the excavation of the Auckland Sugar Company’s works, Northcote. He was married five weeks ago. At the R.M. Court, on Friday last, judgment was given for defendant in the case of Sykes v. Dickson in which plaintiff claimed £3O odd for detention of contract. A case brought by S, Taplin, as captain of the Patea Rifles, against J. Jackson calling upon the defendant to deliver up certain accoutrements, the property of the corps, was adjourned for a week, and judgment was given for plaintiff by default in the case of Haywood v. Yeoman. >

The Waitara Press asserts that cement made from stone found near Mokau is equal to the well-known Portland cement. The death is announced of the father of the British Army. General G. Macdonald, who died the other day, aged 99, entered the Army in 1805, and saw a great deal of service. At Waterloo he received three severe wounds. He had fifty years service before arriving at the rank of MajorGeneral, owing to bis not having purchased his promotion. In these happy days of Army reform ho probably would never have been General at all. The Post's correspondent at Nelson telegraphs that Mr Shaw lias just arrived from Reefton. He says the petition against his election is all bunkum. A Royal Commission will shortly be appointed to inquire into the past management of the Dunedin gaol with reference to the punishment inflicted upon prisoners in that institution. The difficulty between the contractor and the Shipping Company has been got over, and the Waverley leaves Auckland this afternoon. The reappearance of the Star of Bethlehem is predicted by astronomers for this year or the next. On 11th November, 1572, Tycho Brahe discovered a star in Cassiopeia which equalled Sirius and even Venus in brightness for a month, and then fell back into its former insignificance. Conjecture has sought to establish a connection between this ephemeral phenomenon and two similar apparitions in 1264 and 945. A not unnatural inference was (hat the same increase in volume of this remarkable star occurred before 945 which would bring us to about 630 and 310, and to the date .of the Nativity, This star is now again due. It is gratifying to note (writes the European Mail) that the signs of improvement in Ireland are becoming more distinct and general. Lord Spencer and the officials, who have been, working with unremitting energy during the past ten momh*, are now relieved of the tremendous strain which allowed no rest or respite, and breathe more freely. His Fjxcellency is now able to arrange occasionally for a short absence from the cares and anxieties of his high position, and to enjoy a little of his favourite pastime of hunting, and the season at Dublin is as gay and brilliant as in former years under the same viceroyalty. The whole tone of society is more cheerful and confident as regards the future. The sense of security: which bad almost disappeared, is returning, and there is a growing belief that a period of tranquility and order is likely to succeed the excitement and turmoil of the last three years. A young man, who was taking a stroll under the cliffs, on the breakwater side of the river, yesterday, bad a narrow escape from receiving a nasty knock on the head, by a lump of papa rock that fell Indiscriminately off the side.- We would warn anyone, who likes the seaside, not to walk too close under these precipices, or it may be attended with fatal results,, owing to the heavy falls of earth and rock caused by the tide. The Waitotara natives who attended the meeting at Parihaka on the 17th insfc, passed through Patea yesterday evening, on their way home again. It is expected that the alterations to the Parliament Buildings will be completed in about a week’s time. A Wellington telegram says A young man named Edward Dowling was killed at Tenui on Monday by a fall from his horse. He was a station hand. The Southland Farmers Co-operative Association have decided to wind up, and it- will be reorganised under the Joint Stock Companies Act, with a capital of £50,000, in £5 shares. The first races of the Auckland Bicycle Club were held on Saturday in the Domain Ground. There were 1500 persons present. For the Club championship, five miles, there were nine entries. The race was won by W, M. Service, Plewellyn second, and Fitton third. The time was 20fmin. The Hawera paper speaks favourably of the reductions in the Harbour Board charges, and considers that with the resumption of Tunning by the Patea Steam Shipping Company,. a renewal of trade between Hawera and Patea may be looked for. Our contemporary says that “ the only difficulty in the way will be the bad state of the road near Manawapou ; and it is to be hoped the Patea people will stir up their county council to do the fair thing and assist to put that road in order.” By the. Orient steamer Garonne, which sailed from Sydney on April 13, the Orange Frozen Meat Company shipped 5100 carcases, frozen mutton and 75 quarters beef. The, cargo -is described according to the Sydney Morning Herald,, as being “ the best conditioned meat sent from the Colony ; and although the weights of' the carcases of mutton are not so heavy as those sent from New Zealand and Melbourne, yet the quality and condition are said to be splendid. The Company -will load 5000 carcases of mutton in the Lusitania, to sail on May 25 ; 4500 the Chimborazo, to sail June 22 ; 5000 in the Cuzco, to sail July 29 ; and thereafter continuous shipments at intervals of about a month. It is said the profit on the last shipment taken Home by the Garonne sent from Sydney in November last, exceeded £1000.” The “ grand old man,” as irreverent Home journals style Mr Gladstone, has his humble butwarm admirers in Invercargill. The local Times had the following :—“ In conversation with a friend the other day, ,Mr Peter Dalryple stated that he was about to make an effort to get up an invitation to Mr W. E. Gladstone, Premier of Great Britain, to visit New Zealand. This, he thinks, would be a well-earned and beneficial respite from Mr Gladstone’s legislative duties, and at the same time a good advertisement of our Colony. Mr Dalryplc is sanguine that the Premier will be hero before the completion of the first section of the Seaward Bush railway. There is an ambiguity abowfc that statement that Mr Dairy pie may or may not have intended—he is quite ‘ pawky ’ cnought for the latter course. The idea of a “ grand iour ” by Mr Gladstone of the immense Empire of which he has so long and acceptably held the reins of power is a most pleasing one, and would term a fitting close to his public life.” “ ASglcs ”in the "Amtrdlatian, says A Sydney literateur, I am told on reaching his rooms very late one night (having admitted himself with a latch-key) found the house in darkness, and no lucifers where he sought them. He had an article to write, felt brimful of brilliant ideas, and groped about in every likely, and many unlikely, places in the means of obtaining a light, but in vain. He had removed his boots in the hall so as not to disturb the household, and in his stockencd feet desperately explored to touch every piece of furniture in. or on which Fate, in the shape of the parlourmaid, might have mislaid the matches. Just as he was about abandoning the search,, his ears caught the sound of passing footsteps, “ Surely,” he mentally said, “ this late wayfarer may, peradventurc, supply me with a match !” Hastening to the front door, he found that the said wayfarer was about twenty paces down the street: yet in his shoeless condition, he gave chase. The stranger suddenly became aware that a man was rapidly and noiselessly approaching him, gave vent to a yell of terror, and went off at the rate of fourteen miles an hour, dropping en route an excellent umbrel la and a barrister’s bag, of which the sole contents were a pound of sausages. Next day’s evening journals contained paragraphs headed, “ Bobbery with Violence,” and one of them an editorial, advocating the lash for the gavotter,

It is proposed to form a woollen factory company in Wellington with a capital of £IOO,OOO in £5 shares, and a meeting in furtherance of this object is to be held. Trade betvyeen Wellington and Patea seems on the increase. The Napier, which arrived on last, had on board beside a large quantity of general cargo no less than ten passengers, eight of whom are .emigrants by the s.s. British Queen, and who intend making the Coast their future home. The wharf on the vessel’s arrival presented a very busy appearance, and numerous vehicles of all descriptions plying between the wharf and the town gave Bedford street more the appearance of being a main thoroughfare in a large city than a street in usually sedate Patea. At the Supremo Court at Wellington on Frida}', judgment was given in the case of Williams v '.he Queen, which was an action to recover damages through the steamer Westport striking a snag while loading coal at Westport. The proceedings in this case wore on (he petition of right. The issues of fact joined between the suppliant and the Grown were tried by a special jury at Nelson in December last, when the issues as amended at the trial were answered in favour, generally speaking of the suppliant, and damages were assessed at the full sum claimed, £SOO. The present motion was on behalf of respondent on the issues found, or for a new trial. The rule was discharged, with costs, the Court giving their reasons at great length for deciding against the respondent and in favour of the suppliant. A strange circumstance occurred to a cow—by which it almost became a carcase —on Saturday morning, about 100 yards from the wharf. Grazing on the brow of the hill, it injudiciously went too near the edge, and toppled over, alighting on a small peninsula jutting out into the river. The tide was running down, and so released it from its perilous position, or the animal \vould have inevitably been carried out to sea. Great excitement was created in Mongonui recently by the trial of a resident named Hodge for rape on a servant girl. The offence is said to have been committed at the Settlers’ Hotel, where the girl was living. Hodge was charged with the crime in the local court, and was committed to take his trial at the next session of the Supreme Court. Bail has been fixed at the amount of £3OO. The prisoner has a wife and family, who are at present living at.Mongonui. The platelaying on the Waverley-Patea railway is progressing favourably to-wards completion. The bridgework has been ballasted with clay ; but the embankment near the Boiling Down .Works, which is forming, is backward, owing to the late slips The weather yesterday (Sunday) being salubrious, a large number of people visited the line, and the fine appearance of the railway station attracted a considerable amount of attention. A scene was recently witnessed in Bathurst, N.S.W., which created some sensation and considerable alarm. A shoemaker, named Aker man, who was evidently mad, entered the shop of a saddler named Mansell, and demanded a bed. Upon being told there was none there for him, he became furious, and took up bottles, tools, forms, and whatever else be conld lay hands on, and dashed them through the plate-glass windows. He then smashed a show-case, and having seized a knife, defied all efforts to put him out. The police were sent for, but be overcame two policemen, and another man ! who sought to lay hold of him, and when they endeavoured to take, him tie stripped himself naked, and his passion was something frightful to witness. He was ultimately overpowered and lodged in gaol, but not before be had wrecked the shop, of the saddler. The meeting of the Patea Cricket Club, which was to have been held at the Albion Hotel at 7.30 on Saturday evening, did not take place, the Secretary being the only person present at the hour appointed. A child has lately been born in New Jersey with two-tongues, and,•■■horrible to relate, it is a girl. What a fearful time some poor fellow is destined to have ofjt; The latest temperance movement is the Order of the Yiolet Ribbon. It is against public drinking, its members being only required to pledge themselves to drink nowhere but in their homes. The Salvationists are about to raise the “ war cry” in Wellington. They have taken the theatre in Tory street for twelve •months. , . , The demand for female servants throughout the colony continues unabated. For a batch of : 17, landed at Wellington on Monday from the British Queen, 47 applications were received, and as a consequence the girls were able to make their own terms. , The only gap on Lambton Quay, Wellington, will shortly be filled by the erection of a fine building for the National Mutual Life Association of Australia. William Whitely whose premises at Westboune-grove, London, have been injured to the amount of £IOO,OOO, by a fire, is pei haps the most interesting specimen of the British tradesman extant. He set up in 1863 with a staff consisting of: himself, two clerks, and an errand boy; now he employs 3400 persons, 1800 of whom he boards at his own hotel, to supply which and his own customers he maintains a farm at Fincheley. He gets his mail in a waggon, and sends out 140 men to deliver, his goods. The clerks have lectures and bible classes, teachers of French, Germany and music, shorthand, drawing, &c., and innumerable dramatic, literary, and athletic associations. Whitely calls himself the “ Universal Provider,” arid lives up to his name, furnishing dry goods, groceries, meat, provisions, confectionery, bread, cake, furniture, musical instrumenis, toys, cord, railway tickets, theatre tickets, books, newspapers, stationery, boots and shoes, patent medicines, hardware—if needs be barbers, waiters and clergyman, cradles and coffins. “Whitely, U.P.,” it was who furnished a gentleman going to India with.a complete outfit at an hour’s notice, wife included, and who, when a rashj'outh went to West-bourne-grove (to win a £SO bet) and ordered an elephant, asked politely, “African or Asian, sir ? How many feet high ?” and had the animal up for inspection inside of an hour.