The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1883. NEWS OF THE DAY.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1131, 28 December 1883, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1883. NEWS OF THE DAY.

We (Star) hear that the Public Works Department have decided to take over the Manawapon railway contract, and finish it at the risk of the contractor and his sureties.

On Wednesday morning the guard of the southern express, named McPherson, fell off the train about three miles from Dunedin. He was collecting tickets. He sustained two slight scalp wounds. Captain Taplin has received a letter from the Secretary of the - Wellington Pifle Association, stating that the members of the Patea Rifle Volunteer Corps will be allowed to compete for the Association prizes, to be fired for on the llth and 12th January next, at the ranges, Wellington. The dead body of a youth named Hayes, aged 16, was found in the Ashburton river bed on Wednesday afternoon shot through the head. Deceased was missing from home for a week, hut was supposed to have gone to Dunedin. At the inquest a verdictof “ Found Dead ” was returned. An action for libel has been commenced in the Supreme Court by Mr W. T. L. Travers, barrister, of Wellington* against the proprietor of the New Zealctfßl TfrneST The alleged libel is contained in an article a. K w.j pUiiuUirs conduct in bis capacity of City Solicitor, and damages are laid at £IOOO.

As a curious commentary on the alleged scarcity of employment in Canterbury, it is stated that no fewer than 30 men who were working for one contractor on the Wellinglon-Manawatu railway left him on Saturday night for Christchurch to take work in the Canterbury district. These men were receiving a day on the Wellvv\jtaTV eowU&ct.

JPr/nce A/beri V/etor was expected on where was \o occupy rooms in Trinity C'otfege. When the Prince of Wales went to Cambridge in the autumn of 1861, he lived at Madirigly Hall, a dull old manor-house three miles out of town, surrounded by’ a vigilant body-guard of tutors and governors, and only came in to the University to attend the lectures. The system to be adopted with Prince Albert Victor is much more rational. The young Prince is to attend Professor Seeley’s historical lectures. The inquiry into the death of William Henry Keep, who died at West Maitland (N.S.W.) under suspicious circumstances, was concluded on December 5. A large amount of evidence was taken, upwards of 20 witnesses being examined, including Dr Edward Rennie, acting Government analyst, who deposed that he found over a grain of pure strymhnine in the stomach of the deceased. The jury found that the deceased had died from the effects of poison, administered by his wife, Sarah Keep, and by Mary Ann Burton, her step mother, both of whom were committed for trial for wilful murder.

The Directors of the West Coast Meat and Produce Export Company met yesterday, to interview Mr Coxon, the agent for the Haslam Foundry Company, of Derby. There were present—Messrs Wilson (Chairman), Norman, Palmer,'Hamiltoh, and Gibson. A visit was paid to the Company’s ground, and a site above the Harbour Board wharf was selected as the most suitable. A quantity of useful information was imparted by Mr Coxon, and finally it was decided to request that gentleman to draw up plans, specifications and estimates of cost for the whole of the buildings and plant required by the Company. Mr Coxon left by the train this afternoon for Wellington. The Hawke's Bay Herald mentions that the last mail brought letters to Mr M. R. Miller from Providence, Rhode Island, U.S, and from Toronto, Canada, announcing that preparations are there being made fer emigration to New Zealand by a number of small capitalists owning from £3OO to £IOOO. Some time ago Mr Miller heard from representatives of these parties, and replied at some length. Fearing that they might perhaps meet with disappointment on arrival here, he represented the high price of land when compared with the prices in the States and Canada, and rather discouraged than encouraged the proposed departure for New' Zealand. It seems, however, from the letters just received that his letters have not disturbed their determination to try this colony. I thought (observes the London correspondent of the Argus) we had come to the end of budges and ribbons. When one has red to show one can drink like a fish, and blue to indicate one cannot or will not drink at all, one would think there was enough of “ colourable pretence but a certain Admiral Ryder, at the late Church Congress at Reading, has out-heroded Herod in this sort of protestation. He proposes that very excellent persons (like liimself, I presume) should go about will a white badge in sign of “ moral purity.” Priggishuess can no further go than this unless one should wear a rainbow ribbon to show that one has got all the virtues. Not to be decorated will soon bo something very distinguished indeed. If a ribbon could bo found to indicate “humbug” it would suit a great many people a deal better than the insignia they are now in the habit of wearing. The French have decidedly got “ German spy” upon the brain. Every route, throughout Burgundy in particular, is so strictly watched that not a single stranger—no matter to what nationality he belongs—can travel the country without being subjected to all kinds of petty annoyances. A few days ago two young English artists were out on a sketching excursion in the neighbourhood of Beaune, whore they had been sketching the vineyards, when, after a day spent among the hills, they came down in search of refreshment. On arriving at a small village near, they were surprised to find themselves becoming the objects of universal interest on tho part of the villagers, and by the time they had arrived at the little cabaret they had attracted the whole population after them. They entered the refuge, however, and called for a pitcher of wine. Immediately tho cry of “Spies ” was raised. “ They arc Gorman; don’t you hoar their accent ?” The woman of tho house, pale with rage, emerged from an inner room, and having gazed earnestly at the younger pf tho two travellers, made him a jow, mocking curtsey, exclaimed, “ Good day to you, mei n herr ? What a fine young man you have grown since tho war ! You didn’t promise to become so stout when you were billeted on tho Cheval Blanc here 1" Of course the words were gn eted by a tremendous uproar, and sheu’s of were uttered against' the thunderstruck artists. There is no knowing what might have been the result had not the brigadier of gendarmes belonging to the place appeared in time to t escue tho travellers, i

Etpcrgency meeting of Patea KilwinningiLodge this evening. The railway arrangements for New Year’s Day are published in this issue. Service at the Weslej'an Church on Sunday will be held in the morning only. Mr P. Mahony has been elected to the Borough Council vice Mr F. O’S McCarthy. Attention is directed to an important advertisement, issued by order of the trustees in the estate of H. A. Arthur.

Mr McLarin will give a pair of running shoes to the winner of the 150 Yards Maiden Race, at the Caledonian Sports on Tuesday. There is a probability of the Wellington Meat Export Company and the Wellington Refrigerating and Meat Freezing Company being amalgamated. At Wellington on Wednesday evening Charles D Christian was killed while attempting to alight from a tram in motion.

Special attention is directed to the sale of furniture to be held at Dale’s house to-raorro\v by Mr Cowern. A very large variety of valuable goods will be offered, full catalogues of which may be obtained from the auctioneer to-morrow morning. In view of anticipated largo attendance and length of sale, luncheon will be provided.