PATEA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 9662, 27 October 1882, Page 3

PATEA.

(from our own correspondent.) October 26. , Next Tuesday the Patea District Agri- 1 cultural and Pastoral Association Show will' be held at Patea. Mr F. R. Jackson heads the list of special prize-givers with seven guineas for the best pen of five longwoolled hoggets. Mr 8. Taplin comes next with five guineas to De given to champion prize-takers. An E.P. tea and coffee service is offered by Mr J. Gibson for the exhibitor taking the greatest number of first prizes for district-bred cattle, sheep, and pigs. But it must be won two years by one exhibitor before becoming his property. This will probably be another case of McQuire Cup (the much-travelled rifle trophy) ; and, unless the winner can have the use of the service for the twelve months after his first win, the chances are that no one but the offerer will ever win the right to handle and use the service. A programme of sports for New Year's Day hap been arranged by the Caledonian Society. The president (Mr R. E. Tennent), at the meeting held on Saturday, stated that it had been the intention of the executive officers to hand over the plant, &c, to the Volunteers, and if there was any prospect of the sports being carried out by the corps he would be willing this should be done. The opinion of the Volunteers was that tha new Government regulations might lead to a re-organisation, so it was resolved that the Caledonian Society should see the sports through this year. Nearly £100 will be distributed in prizes. The first prizes in the chief events are — one mile flat race, £6 ; champion half-mile race, £o ; champion ■100 yards, £5 ; 440 yards race, £5 ; with other first prizes, £4 and £3. Mr H. F. Christie, being unable, through precarious health and "many engagements, to except the proffered captaincy of the Rifle Volunteers, Mr Samuel Taplin has been unanimously elected, and with customary heartiness accepted the honour ; and the after - proceedings at Haywood's Hotel, at Captain Taplin's invitation, were interesting and copvivial — a very full muster of Volunteers being present. This appointment will doubtless prove satisfactory "in every respect, for while Mr Taplin . appreciates honours he is always ready tO do a full share of work in anything he takes in band. Captain Neill inspected the Rifle Volunteers on Tuesday evening, when a full muster was present, and he complimented the corps for creditable efficiency in drill. At a 'special meetiog of the Borough Council on ■ Monday, a ' satisfactory number of tenders were received for works in Leicester and Lincoln streets. The tender' of Gordon and O'flara, £578; was accepted for Leicester-street, and that of, Murphy and Kerrisb, £139, for Lincoln-street. The formation and other works proceeding and completed in various parts is giving a more townlike appearance to Patea. Mr T. E. Hamerton was appointed auditor pro tern. A vacancy on the Harbour Board,' caused by the resignation of Mr W. Aitchis'on, one of the representatives Of the council, was diseu6sed, but no fresh appointment was made. During Monday and Tuesday through rain inland and a "fresh" the river entrance was considerably improved ; and on Wednesday the welcome news was circulated that a straight channel had been gradually scoured across the bar.' The Wakatu is laid on direct for Onehunga from Wellington with machinery for the new steamer now . being constructed. The shipping company are endeavouring to lessen the iv convenience caused by the late mishaps to shipping, by making other arrangements to carry on the trade of the port. With tho wool season now opening this is very necessary in the interests of country settlers — though probibly a recurrence to former slow and expensive methods of getting wool to market, might give some of those " dead against the harbour and shipping company" a better appreciation of the aclvauiages afforded by both. Mr A. C. Homer, who. has but recently been appointed an accountant in bankruptcy, has-* despatched (with a celerity hitherto' unknown in this district) the claims in two estates which have been entrusted to him. In neither case was \ the dividend large, but the happy despatch was prompt enough, aud full statenieirs filed in Court for the inspection of all concerned. Dividends are also' issued^ by the publio trustee in Wellington, in. the estate of. Mr John Wlielan (deceased!)'