NEWS AND NOTES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 32, 31 July 1880, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES

We believe there is to be a regular exodus from the Waimate Plains during the next few weeks. Te Whiti has invited all the natives to come and partake of the hospitable shelter which Parihaka affords to the discontented and the disaffected. Many of them have already responded to the invitation, and most of the kaingas on the Plains will probably be deserted, to a very great extent, by the time the_ next meeting takes place at Parihaka. The fact of the arrests .being made does not in the least appear to damp the ardour of the followers of the Pro2>_»et; they are as ready to obey his will as ever ; — indeed, they appear to be quite pleased to have the chance — more especially the young men. A telegram received from our correspondent at the camp yesterday (which, together with the news of the disaster to the British troops, was published as an extra immediately afterwards) states that four Maoris were arrested on Thursday and four on Friday, bringing the number of prisoners up to fifty altogether. He states that they were all perfectly goodhumored ; but surely all this cannot last much longer. Last Monday week Te Whetu and the first batch were arrested, and, although it was stat d that after ten days one hundred to three hundred would be sent in a body t .to ; do the fencing, that has not taken place. Some of the natives state that Te Whiti has given orders for the fencing to cease — that his purpose has been accomplished. What the next move will be is rather difficult to foretell.

The next meeting of the County Council will take place on Wednesday. We hope that our three members will be in their places, and that they will endeavor to get the Hawera- Normanby road put into something like a passable condition. If the Government will do nothing with it, the County Council must do so. The large body of ratepayers at this end have a right to expect something in return for the rates which they contribute. True, they have plenty of mud-ponds and manholes, hub that does not altogether satisfy them. Mr. Harden, the coxiucil engineer, was here last week, and he will be able to give a true picture of the condition of the road, which is certainly in a disgraceful condition.

We had the pleasure of inspecting, last evening, two certificates for good attendance, given by the Wanganui Education Board, under section 79 of the Education Act, 1877, to Miss Annie C. Hobbs and Master Walter Syme. Both were present on every occasion that the school had been open during the twelve months ending 24th July, and this fact speaks well both for the pupils and their teacher, Mr. Mair.

The work of dealing and deepening the drains at both sides of High street is progressing rapidly, and Mr. Twigg appears to be making a good job of it. A culvert has been placed at the entrance to Bamford's paddock, and the residents must be thankful for .even such small mercies. They have not any longer to wade knee-deep through the mud to get to and from their dwellings. We wish the Town Board could do something with Regent-street. All. the light reflected from the Star is not enoxigh to prevent visitors floundering m the mud.

A very severe shock of earthquake, accompanied by a loud rumbling noise, was experienced on Wednesday evening, at about 13 minutes past 5 o'clock. Bells hung up in the stores, and those permanently fixed in hotels and other places, were ringing in all directions, whilst tables, chairs, crockeryware, and other things swayed like a small vessel when overtaken by a huge wave. The shock was the severest felt for years, and must have lasted nearly a minute. In Wanganui and other, places the earthquake was felt quite as much as it was in this district.

We have received copies of the Ellesniere Advertiser and Ellesmere Guardian. The former has been started by Mr. Ivess, and the latter by Mr. Sherlock, formerly editor of the Rangitikei Advocate, a veteran and able journalist. Both papers are creditable productsons, similar in size to the Star, and well printed. From the following extract from the Guardian, we learn that its projector was first in the field, but Mr. Ivess managed to get his first issue out two days before the.Guardian appeared : — " Our task was not yet completed when an interloper appeared on the scene, having, with an instinct peculiarly sui generis, sniffed the east wind — of success — from afar, and endeavored to job us of the guerdon of our, arduous labors.' '

Mr. W. M. Thompson will hold a sale of fruit trees to-day, in Prosser's yard.

We would remind the members of the Town Board that the next meeting will be held on Monday night, when we hope to se them all in their places. The Masonic body will also meet on the same evening.

Tb.3 business at the Resident Magistrates Court on Thursday was very light, only six civil cases being set down for hearing, which were all disposed of in leis than an hou.

The English mail, via San Francisco, arrived at Auckland on Tuesday, New Plymouth on Wednesday, Normanby on Thursday, and Hawera on Friday morning. The mails were p.tcked from Strattord.

A private meetiug of creditors of Mr. E. J. Blake was held this week at Brett and Johnston's Hotel, Normanby. Mr. C. E. Gibson was elected trustee, and it was decided to give the debtor twelve months to clear off his liabilities.

Those who have not yet given up their rifles should look sharp. After to-day, a notice in our advertising columns warns delinquents in No. 1 company that they will be prosecuted, unless they comply with tlie order of their commanding officer.

When will the bridge over the Waihi stream, on the road to the Plains, be put in repair? As yet, there have been no accidents, but Aye have heard of some narrow escapes. The cost would not be very much, and therefore there is but little excuse for allowing it to remain so long undone.

The usual monthly meeting of the Education Board was held at Wanganui on Wednesday last. It was resolved that notice be given to the Foxton, Normanby, aiid PaLmerston committees th t their schools were over officered, and that a pupil teacher must be removed unless the attendance increased.

The directors of the Normanby Town Hall Company have decided to call for tenders immediately. Mr. Wreford has, we understand, been offered the position of permanent secretary to the company, and no better selection could have been made. Mr. Wreford has certaiuly worked very hard to make the undertaking a success.

We have been informed that during Mr. K. J. Duncan's visit to Parihaka he urged .upon, Te Whiti to test in the law courts the power of the authorities to detain the Maori prisoners in gaol ; but Te Whiti did not at all appear to relish the advice, and curtly replied that, as the pakehas had taken the matter into their hands, they would have to deal with it : he would have nothing to say to them.