The Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1880. NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 27, 14 July 1880, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1880. NEWS AND NOTES.

The full report given in our columns of the capture of the Kelly Gang has compelled us to hold over leading article, and other matter. An interesting account of the football match had also to be curtailed for the same reason.

A gentleman, who has just returned from th ■ camps, informs us that the roads will probably meet to-day or to-morrow. He tried very hard? but in vain, to find the swamp. Oh,-' "Special," why wilt thou persist iv sending M.H.R.'s, and other less favored' mortals, on such fool's errands'? Verily, thou hast a lot to answer for.

The Parliamentary correspondent of the Wanganui Herald telegraphs that it is reported on good authority that the Government propose, in the Representation Bill, to equalise electoral districts by throwing a portion of the Manawatu into the Wellington Country Districts, and that the Tarauaki districts are to remain as at present. ; The first monthly meeting of the Early Closing Association was held on Monday evening, at Owen's Hotel. A conunittee, consisting of Messrs. Sheat, Kirk, and H. Owen, was appointed to wait upon the different employers, with the view of endeavoring to get them to close at 9 o'clock, instead of 10, on Saturday nights. This is another step in the right direction, and we hope that" the employers will accede to it. J

Mr. C. W. Hursthouse, C.E., under whose superintendence the roads have been made through the Plains, sent the following reply to head-quarters in reference to the "dismal swanip" created by the " Special" : — " Re swamp. I know that not one inch of road cut by the A.C. Force, or any other body, has been abandoned. There is not a swamp in the whole route more than about six chains across, and only two of these. The reports referred to are utterly untrue ; in fact, fabrications."

Mr. Fred Russell, who has been for some years on this coast as telegraph lineman, has received orders to proceed to Nelson. Mr. Russell took a lively interest in cricketing and sporting matters whilst in Hawera, and was a general favorite. As lineman, he was recently employed in connecting the two camps by wire, and the correspondent of the Auckland Star at the camp spoke highly of the way in which he pushed on the work. We are not aware whether the new change implies promotion, but we trust that such is the case. All Mr. Russell's friends will be glad to hear that he is doing well.

Mr. Lewthwaite, of New Plymouth, has been on a visit to Hawera for the past few days, and has been giving some interesting particulars of a new style of constructing a harbor at New Plymouth, which he intends siibniitting to tbe Government in the course of a few weeks. Not beiug engineers, we cannot venture to pronounce any opinion as to the merits of his plan'; but if we thought it all likely to come up to his railway ticket- printing machine, which is now almost in universal use, we should have no hesitation whatever in strongly recommending it to the notice of the Government. We have been informed that Mr. Lewthwaite will have the first choice of 450 acres on the Waimate Plains, in exchange for some land at Waitara, which the Government took from him 20 or 30 years ago.

It is with feelings of regret that we havo to announce the death of Mr. James Douglas, son of Mr. William Douglas, of Hawera, after a short illnes, at the early age of twenty-five. It was only a fortnight since the deceased was walking about in his usual state of health, and his death has, therefore, been a great surprise to his many friends and acquaintances. James Douglas belonged to that class of the community who are little noticed during life, because of their quiet, uuassuniingways; but the large concourse of people who thronged to the funeral yesterday was an ample testimony of his worth, and proved how his loss had been felt. The Rev. Mr. Torry read the burial service at the grave in an impressive manner, and afterwards delivered a short address, in which he strenuously combatted the materialistic theory of human existence. Typhoid fever was, we understand, the cause of death. ' The funeral managements were conducted by Messrs. Dufnll Brothers: - -- - ■ - .

The English mail will close at Hawera to-morrow, at S a.m. Registered letters must be in by 4 p.m. to-day.

The steam launch for the New Plymouth Harbor Board has arrived in sections, and steps will be taken for its immediate construction.

The next Parihaka meeting will be a large one, judging from the number of natives who have passed through Hawera and Normanby during the past few days.

It is stated that the officers and crew cf the Government steamer Hinemoa will probably be discharged at the end of the month, and the v ssel laid up.

It is expected that the next meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association at Nelson will surpass those hitherto held, both hi the number of competitors and the amount of prizes.

Clay limestone, possessing hydraulic qualities, has been found in immense quantities at Mokau. It is said to be superior for cement making purposes to the septaria of the White Cliffs.

There was only a small muster of the Hawera Light Horse on Saturday. Sergeantmajor Lloyd put the men through sword exercise for about an hour. It is evident that the corps needs drilling in that particular line. Those who turned up were far fiorn efficient.

The fresh discovery of gold at Mataira, near Coromandel, is of an extremely promising character, according to the Auckland Herald. Application has been made bj r the prospectors to some Auckland capitalists to erect a battery, and they will receive favorable consideration.

There is a very nasty man-hole in the culvert below Mr. McLdowie's house. The sooner it is repaired the better. Might not a good deal of the water which now lodges there be easily taken away by placing the culvert in good order ? This could be done at a small outlay.

We have been informed (says the Taranaki Herald) that the fence erected by the natives across the road being made by the constabulary near Parihaka, has not yet been taken down. The natives left the spot several clays ago, no doubt thinking they had gained their point in erecting and maintaining the fence.

We understand that the four miles railway extension beyond Stratford, undertaken by Mr. Bassest, was completed several weeks ago (says the Taranaki News), and very nearly within the time which would have entitled the enterprising and industrious contractor to the bonus offered for speedy completion.

At the last meeting of the Wanganui Education Board, a letter was read from Mr. F. J. Gane, Whakamara, asking that that place might be constituted a school district. It was decided that the' Secretary should write to Mr. Gane, drawing his attention to the rules, and intorming him that the Board would be willing to appoint an itinerant teacher.

The remarks which appeared in our Carlyle contemporary yesterday, in reference to Major Parris, were hardly fair. It was intended that Judge Heaphy should open the Native Lands Court at Patea at the appointed time , but in consequence of, some heavy. claims which he had to adjudicate upon, it was impossible for him to be there. At the last moment a telegram was sent to Major Parris, requesting him to open the court, in order that the natives might not be disappointed. Major Parris was also requested to bring an assessor and an interpreter with him, but as there were no persons in the district authorised to act in either capacity, he was unable to do so. Hence the necessity for adjourning the court, once the objection was raised as to an assessor not being present.