NEWS OF THE DAY.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1104, 26 October 1883, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

——— At the request of several gentlemen we have reprinted portion of our report of the meeting on Wednesday, so that a complete account of the proceedings can be sent to friends at a distance if desired.

There is a rumour going about that at the next general election the Hon. Major Atkinson will not seek re-election at the hands of his Egmont constituents. It is said that he has been offered a seat in the South Island which he is likely to accept. The Egmont seat is to be secured to the Government by the return of Mr J. R. Lysaght, who will be “ run ” in the Mi nis terial interest. We do not vouch for the correctness of the above, but putting this and that together we are inclined to think (hat there is “ something in it.” At the quarterly meeting of the Wesleyan body held this week, it was understood, says the Star , that Messrs Luxford and Mather would have to work between them the whole of the district between Patea and Opunake, and that, in consequence, it will be necessary for Mr Mather tp reside at Opunake. : The Rev. Lloyd Keating, of St. Thomas’ Church, Auckland, who is passing through Patea on a visit to his former parish of Palmerston North, will conduct the services at St. George’s Church on Sunday.

We desire to draw the attention of our Catholic friends to the services to bo held in the District on Sunday next. Mass will be said at Patea at 9 a.m., and at Waverley at 11 a.m. Vespers will also be held at Patea nt 7 p.m. The Rev Father Le Menant des Chenais will preach at both places, and no doubt will meet large congregations.

In connection with the Governor’s visit to Patea, His Worship the Mayor, received the following telegram from the Premier) this morning :—The Governor intended to travel overland from New Plymouth to Wellington, so as to visit the different towns, &0., during his present tour, but having been detained here by ill health, and being thus late in starting, His Excellency now, much to his regret, finds that ho has not at command the time necessary for the purpose. His Excellency proposes however, to have the pleasure of visiting the districts between New Plymouth and Wellington during the summer. Another suicide is reported from Invercargill, the victim being Charles Sims, recently a railway surfaceman. He discharged a gun into his mouth, causing instant death. For some limo ho had boon hypochondriacal.

Mr R. Erskiue, who has removed to his fonner stables in Derby street,' has a business notice in this issue. From our advertisement columns we notice that a movement is on foot to form the eastern portion of No 4 Ward and the western portion of No 6 Ward, Wairoa Highway District info a new road district. At a meeting of the Hospital Committee held on the 19th inst, it was resolved to authorise Mr R. Baldwin to collect all subscriptions promised in aid of the Hospital, and in answer to a telegram received from the Government asking suggestions as to the future care of the incurable patients, now inmates of the Hospital, it was resolved to write a letter stating that the committee would undertake their maintenance at 15s a week each patient, or it was suggested they should be sent to Wellington or boarded out. The committee purpose taking over charge on Ist proximo, pending the result as to amount of subscriptions collected, and. a satisfactory and final reply from the Government.

Patea*will moot Hawera in a gam.o of cricket at the latter place to-morrow. The names of the local team have already been published. r lho Hawera m< n will bo selected from the following Messrs G, and F. Bayly', Moore, Bercsford, Riddifoi d. Phil Ipoit, Farrington, Wanklym, Good, Vincent, Halliclay and Mathioson. We fancy 7 that the Northerners will make it rather warm for our men.

A printer’s error occurs- in the programme of the Agricultural Society. The dates under the headings of horses and cattle should in all oases read a year later than printed. We remind intending exhibitors that entries will close with Mr Eyton at 4 p-.m. to-morrow. Wo hope to see a goodly number of entries, so that ihe Show may bo an improvement upon that of last year. Several special prizes have been offered, and in this connection the Secretary will be glad to hear from any gentleman who intends contributing The prize-list appears elsewhere.

Messrs Arundel and E Le G Jacob returned from their wanderings on Wednesday evening. Both gentlemen are looking exceedingly well and of course met with a hearty welcome from their numerous friends.

For some days we have been without our usual budget of Home and foreign news, owing to a break in the cable. This morning we received the following from Wellington : —"The telegraph authorities received the following from Port Darwin on the 25th— ‘ Ship paying out cable and expects to bo through to Binjoewangie this evening.’ ” We may therefore look for a resurnption of communication almost immediately.

There was no business transacted at the R. M. Court this morning, Captain Wray being at Manaia. A few civil cases set down for hearing to-day were accordingly adjourned till Tuesday next. The Borough Council intend fencing their section at the top of Bedford-street and erecting thereon a shed for the storage of plant. A Press Association telegram from Dunedin yesterday says : —The frozen meat trade seems to bo telling a tale on the supply of mutton for the Ideal market. At the Yards to-day prime merino sheep brought up to 20s 3d, and mutton is quoted at fully 3| per lb by the auctioneer.

Wo, remind our readers that Messrs Fisher and Perrin’s American and Australian Combination Company will make their first appearance at the Harmonic Hall this evening. Press notices elsewhere have been favourable, and it is said that the company is able to give a very enjoyable and amusing performance.

There is trouble at Hawera between the borough auditors and the Mayor with reference to the half-}’early accounts. The story is that the auditors have attached a note to the accounts, calling attention to various items of expenditure, and commenting thereon. The principal point is in reference to the £ISOO of water and drainage loan. The auditors alleged that it was improperly removed from fixed deposit, and inssted on its being replaced at fixed deposit, which has been done. They say that accounts show an apparent loss of interest of £37 10s. The Mayoron receipt of the auditors’ report, objected to it and demanded that the auditors einiply say whether the accounts were either correct or incorrect, The auditors say they were acting within their statutory powers, and decline to alter their report. The Star says that this is how the matter stands at present. The sale of the Wavcrley race privileges takes places at the Commercial Hotel, Waverley, on Monday at noon.

The Protestant Hall at Hawera was destroyed by fire on Wednesday night. There had been a dance in the ball, and an hour after the termination the fire broke out. The Oddfellows, Good Templars and Orangemen lose their regalia, books, papers, harmonium, &c. The insurance on the building amounts to £350 in the New Zealand. The cause of the fire is undiscovered.

Tlio Captain of the Wavcrloy, which arrived at Wellington yesterday reports that when at kelson he was informed by tho mate of the Hinemoa that after that vessel loft Wellington on Sunday night when off Island Bay she passed what appeared to bo a schooner about 60 feet long floating bottom upwards. Alexander Boswell, late manager of tho Lighter Company, at New Plymouth, charged with fraudently inducing Mr M. McDonnell to sign a cheque for £37 ; was committed for trial yesterday afternoon. James Taiwhanga, brother of Sydney Taiwhanga, was found hanging by the neck yesterday morning dead in his whare at tho loading ground at Russell, He had been suffering from mental aberration.

The sale of Crown lands in various parts of the Auckland province yesterday realised £6392. Messrs T. and A. Ilay'wood notify that they have let their well known Albion .Stables to Mr Geo Williams.

The tender of Fergus and Blair, of Dunedin, £94,074, for the construction of the Merscy-Deloraine railway, has been accepted by the Tasmanian Government, Great preparations are being made at New Plymouth for the reception of the Governor, Several triumphal arches are being erected ’ and a very enthusiastic reception will be given his Excellency.