NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 29, 21 July 1880, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

We would draw particular attention to a leading article, which appears in our fourth page, copied from the Taranaki News, in reference to the action taken by the people of this district to upset the Taranaki harbor scheme. To our mind, the writer answers all the arguments he adduces in favor of the work so well, that it appears quite needless for anybody else to do so. The article confirms many of the statements made at that public meeting in Hawera, which the writer so strongly condemns.

The petitions from this district have been presented to both Houses of Parliament. Mr. Waterhouse took charge of them in the .Legislative Council, and Major Atkinson presented them in the House of Representatives. It is probable that a searching 1 inquiry will be held into the prayer of the petition in the Legislative Council.

A root, grain, and produce show, in connection with the Tar naki Agricultural Society, will be held iv March next.

Mr. Freeman R. Jackson's monthly sale will take place at Hawera on Friday next.

A man named Pilkington, who is working for Mr. McMahon at the Waitara, had all his fingers cut off close to the palm by a chaff-cutter.

A meeting of members of the Church of England is convened by the Rev. Mr. Daseut for Saturday afternoon. The business to be transacted is very important, ami should secure the attendance of every member of that denomination.

The next concert in aid of the Institute will probably be given about the middle of August. It is expected that the entertainment will be far superior to the previous one.

The usual inspection parade of the Hawera Light Horse will take place at 2.30 p.m. on Fridaj', and that of the Normanby Rifles at the same hour on Saturday.

The cannon tournament, at Lloyd's Hotel, will close on Saturday next. So far, the four highest scores have been :—: — Hood, 18 ; Retford, two breaks. of 17 each ; and Bate, 14. Billiard-players, who wish to try their skill at this novel game, will only have an opportunity of doing so during the next few days.

A gentleman who arrived from Patea yesterday informs us that a telegram was read out in the Native Lands Court, from Major Kemp, advising his tribe not to sell any more land to the Government. Keepa appears determined to have his revenge. We believe a good many of his people are now regular attendats at the Parihaka meetings.

The Choral Society had a veiy successful rehearsal on Monday evening, and several new candidates for admission were ballotted for. The society now numbers about thirty members, over twenty of whom have paid up their subscriptions. This is certainly very satisfactory, considering the short space of time the society has been hi existence.

Shareholders in the Normanby Town Hall Company are invited to meet at Brett and Johnston's Hotel, at half-past seven o'clock to-morrow evening, when they will have to elect permanent dii\ ctors. The report of the provisional committee, and plans of the proposed new building, will also be submitted for their approval.

In consequence of the heavy downpour of rain on Saturday night, the Georgia Minstrels did not think it worth their while to go through the entertainment advertised, and the fewwho braved the weather — not very many, however — had to go away rather disappointed. On Monday evening, the Minstrels performed to a very fair audience.

There was quite a conference of surveyors in Hawera last night. Mr. Humphries, Chief Surveyor, came from New Plymouth ; Mr. Skinner, from Oeo ; and Mr. Che il from the Mountain track. We have not heard what the result was, but, judging from the utterances of Ministers, we presume that the surveys on the Plains are to be pushed ahead with all despatch.

England's great dependence on the flocks in distant lands for the wool needed in her manufactories is strikingly exhibited in the Board of Trade Returns just issued. During the three months euded with March, England received no less than 151,725,389 cwt. of wool from abroad, and its value is stated at .£8,590,016. These figures are lai'ger than those for either of the two preceding years.

The correspondent of the Wanganui Chronicle telegraphed to that journal on Monday night: — "The Premier paid a nice compliment to Mr. Sheehan, referring to his remarks re the Maori Prisoners Bill. He said — ' How different is it to turn from the speech of the hon. member for the Thames, to that of Mr. Sheehan, whose utterances on the subject (Maori Prisoners) are the most straightforward, statesmanlike, and patriotic I have ever heard. 1 "

We regret to learn that Mr. Wilkinson, who has been performing the duties of Clerk of Court in Hawera for the past few weeks, has received orders to hold himself in readiness to leave here, when called upon. It seems a great pity that Hawera will be compelled to lose Mr. Wilkinson's services, as he has made himself quite at home amongst the people, and is very generally respected. A petition to our member might have the desired effect.

We have received from Mr. Hogan, the special correspondent of the American Mail and Export Journal, at the Sydney International Exhibition, a specimen copy of this excellent journal. In printing, the proprietor, Mr. Howard Lockwood, New York, obtained the highest distinction — a medal of the first degree and special mention. The judges' report ran as follows : — "-As a specimen of periodical printing — the jjublication is issued monthly — this exhibit is equal to anything of the kind published in London, or indeed anywhere else. The type is clear and sharp — the wood cuts so well • brought "Up ' and worked that they -resemble steel engravings — the paper has a beautiful smooth surface, and the ink, which is a glossy black, is distributed, with unvarying uniformity. Highly commended, and entitled to first and special merit." Mr. Hogan is a journalist of long standing in Australia, and understands his duties ; he is retained, specially for the American Mail and Export Journal at the Melbourne International Exhibition.

A private meeting was convened by circular for Saturday last at Owen's Hotel, with the view of eliciting an expression of opinion as to whether it would be desirable, or otherwise, to take steps for the formation of a separate county. The weather was not favorable ; consequently, only tour or five persons turned up. After waiting some time, it was decided to adjourn the meeting until the following Saturday, at three o'clock. So far as we can learn, the objects of the promoters are to simplify and economise in matters of local government, and they are of opinion that one county council would be able to look after and maintain all the roads, without the aid of the road boards. We hope to see a large attendance.

A. R. Pye, H. B. Cockbum, and H. Pierce, were charged on Monday last, by William Guerin, bailiff, before Captain Wilson and J. Livingston, Esq., J.P.s, with having unlawfully rescued " certain goods — to wit, one saddle and bridle, three sheets of tin, water-spouts, and one pump, from Charles Stewart, while in the execution of Ins duty of assistant bailiff, under distress wan-ant, between H. I. Jones, plaintiff, and A. R. Pye, defendant, duly signed and dated Wanganui, 2nd Jnly, 1880, contrary to section 125 of the Resident Magistrates Act, 1867." After heariug the case for a considerable length of time, the Bench held that the information had not been substantiated by the evidence, and that there was nothing to prove that the goods had been rescued. They, therefore, dismissed the case, with costs. It appeared that the goods alleged to have been rescued had been seized in satisfaction of a debt due by the defendant Pye to H. I. Jones, Wanganui. The three defendants positively swore that Cockburn had offered the money to Stewart, who had been placed in possession by the bailiff, in satisfaction of the debt, but that he had refused it, stating that he had no authority to accept it. On the other hand, Stewart swore positively that the money had never heen tendered to lirtu, and in answer to defendants' solicitor, he asked, "Do you think I would be such a fool, if it had been offered, as to refuse it ?" Mr. BarJeyman appeared for the prosecution, and 'Mr. Parrington for the defence. A press of other matter compels us to hold over a full report of the case.