NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 38, 21 August 1880, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

The meeting in reference to forming a Road Board for the Ngaire district will take place at noon on Tuesday next, at Brett and Johnston's Hotel, Normanby. Should the weather prove favorable, it is probable that the chairman of the Patea County Council (Mr. Dale) will attend, and preside at the meeting.

It is notified in the Gazette that the first Tuesday in each month, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., has been set apart for vaccination purposes in the Hawera district, at the surgery of Dr. Richards. The second Tuesday in the month, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., has been fixed for inspecting the progress of the vaccination.

It is rumored that the Government intend to give some relief by abandoning the Local Public Works Bill, and intend scraping together sufficient cash to pay half the usual subsidies (telegraphs tb.B correspondent of the Taranaki Herald). Having accomplished this, the Government intend to disperse members with all possible speed.

At the close of the meeting of the Hawera School Committee, on Wednesday evening, the chairman (the Rev. Mr. Tony) pointed out that there were only two names in the list of classified teachers, as published in the Government Gazette, in the Wanganui Education district, higher than that of Mr. Mair — namely, Mr. Fearnley, M.A., head master, Wanganui High School ; and Mr.*A. M. Williamson, 8.A., Turakina. The people of Hawera ought to feel proud that they have secured a gentleman of such high scholastic attainments as Mr. Man*.

Abraham, the native who was some tune since severely injured by the burning of his whare, at Bell Block, expired at Mr. Sampson's house on Thursday morning, from the effects of the injuries he had received. It se^ms (says the News) that he escaped unscathed from the burning hut, but remembering that within was a gun, given to him by some great chief, and which he very much valued, he reentered the burning building to recover it, and so met with the injuries which have proved fatal to him.

Under the heading of " Meddlesome Civil Servants," the Taranaki News writes: — "A Hawera correspondent informs us that one of the foremost of the opponents of our harbor scheme, and one who is the reputed author of the letters in the New Zealand Herald and Canterbury Press, is an officer of the Survey Department. Cannot the Chief Surveyor utilise, for the benefit of the service, the superbundant energy, which some of his subordinates manifest, by imposing a little extra work upon them ? Has the regulation, prohibiting civil servants from meddling with politics, become a dead letter?"

I The political fencers sent by Te Whiti from Parihaka come down daily to the camp like martyrs and allow themselves to be taken by the Armed Constabulary. It is stated (says the Taranaki Herald) that Te Whiti has an object in view in sending the men four at a tune, and it is said he is acting on private information received from Wellington, to the effect that the Government have spent all their money, and if he continues his present plan of action he must be victorious in the end. We can hardly credit this, but, if so, the Government are determined to counteract the influence that is at work. Mr. K. Graham, of Auckland, has visited W-eUla^on, taking with him Wi Marsh te Rangikaheke. Marsh, who is one of the most acute and intelligent Maori chiefs, was acting as Native Assessor to Judge Symonds when the Native Lands Court was sitting here. Whilst here, we learn, he made diligent inquiry with the view ot discovering what it was that Te Whiti meant by the procedure which he was adopting. He says that the relatives of the men who have gone into captivity are filled with grief, and are mourning bitterly. He believes, however, that the fencing, or something equivalent, will still go on, and that men, women, and children, and even Te Whiti himself, will readily go into captivity. Te Whiti points to this, that if last year he had not ordered the ploughing, the Native Commission would not have been appointed, and no arrangements would have been made as to reserves. The last report of the Commission recommends that the Government should consult Te Whiti, and if possible enter into an arrangement with him. Marsh went to Wellington with Mr. Graham, believing that from his knowledge of the native mind, and his acquaintance with the position of Taranaki, he would be able to assist the Government with good counsel. By Monday's steamer from Wellington, Mr. R. Graham returned to New Plymouth with this native, and as he has gone to visit Parihaka, it looks as i£ he was authorised to act as mediator I between the Government and Te Whiti.

The plans and specifications of the proposed Town Hall at Normanby can be seen at our office. Tenders will be received up to the Ist of September.

The Roy. Mr. Torry will deliver his promised lecture on Monday evening, at the Presbyterian Church, Hawera. He will be assisted during the evening by the church choir.

The Choral Society is increasing hi numbers every week, and efforts will soon be made to procure a piano. The first concert will probably be given in about six weeks hence.

There is no truth in the rumor that a detachment of the Armed Constabulary were to be despatched from Waihi. The places of those who have resigned will be filled by recruits from Wellington, who will probably arrive at Opunake to-day.

It has been decided to open a post office at Mr. Price's accommodation house, at the Manga whero bridge. This will prove a great source of convenience to the settlers, as they have had to go through an almost hnpassable road for their letters.

The " Health Gazette" is the title of a new monthly publication, published in Wanganui by Mr. Manley, manager of the Wanganui Herald. It is creditably got up, and deserves to have a wide circulation. Journals of this description are much required in the colonies. Dr. Curie, of Rangitikei, is reputed to be the editor.

A meeting of the Normanby School Committee will be held at seven o'clock this evening, when the charges preferred by the teacher against the chairman will be inquired into. Mr. McCutchan will probably be in attendance, to give an explanation of what transpired. We are reluctantly compelled to hold over a letter in reply to " Father of a Small Family."

The " old familiar faces" have departed from the Telegraph Hotel, Opunake, and Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett and family have taken up their abode in Hawera. The hotel has, we are informed, changed hands for £3000 cash to Messrs. Middleton Bros., who have already commenced making additions, so as to be in a position to accommodate the large number of travellers who are expected to visit the Plains during the next few months.

Mr. Edward Tregear, surveyor, Carlyle, has been on a professional visit to Hawera during the past few days. He brought the addresses for the Messrs. Middlemas with him. They are beautifully engrossed on parchment, with illuminated capital letters at the commencement of each paragraph, and Mr. Tregear may well feel proud of his art. There is a rich crimson border round the edges of the aildx6Sß ptepai'etl fctf Ml. T, MidtHeinos, which sets it off very handsomely. The borders in the other address are somewhat different, as Mr. Tregear thought it better to vary them a little, as he considered it likely the two brothers would be as near neighbors in America as they were here. We feel sure that the Messrs. Middlemas will appreciate these souvenirs from the people of Hawera.

We regret to learn from the committee who were instrumental in getting up the last entertainment that not only was loud talking carried on during the evening, but that some filthy expressions were also used. That such a thing could prevail in any civilised community must be a matter of wonder, and we are not at all surprised to hear that the committee are seriously thinking of placing the matter in the hands of the police, as the parties are well known to them. It is quite bad enough that the enjoyment of people attending the entertainment should have been interfered with ; but that ladies and innocent children should have been submitted to the indignity of hearing beastly expressions must bring 1 a blush of shame to the cheek of those who could stand idly \>y without taking some action for their protection.

If report be true, Te Whiti has at last met a Maori who has defied his temporal and spiritual authority. Rana, one of the Opunake natives, went to the last Parihaka meeting, and as there were some fences on the road, he cut them down. Te Whiti, hearing of this, sent for him, and gave orders to him to go down and re-erect them. Rana declined, telling Te Whiti he did not care about being sent to the Dunedin gaol — in fact, that he much preferred living with his wife. The prophet asked Rana where his "betterhalf" was, and the latter replied that she was in Hawera selling land. Te Whiti then said, "Do you not know that your wife is also doing wrong hi selling her land ? Tell her she must come to Parihaka." Rana would not put up the fences ; neither will he send his wife to Parihaka. It seems a great pity that other sensible natives will not follow the excellent example that Rana has set them.

The late Mr. Ireland, M.H.R., was a working miner, elected by his fellow workmen without any cost to himself, on account of the high estimation he was held by the community among whom he lived (says the correspondent of the Taranaki Herald). In the House Mr. Ireland was greatly respected for his scrupulous regard for truth and right, irrespective of party consideration. Hb supposed -what is termed the Liberal party, but being a man of high moral character, he never sacrificed his principles at the altar of party. He was one of the very few men in th i House who cast aside the trammels of his party when higher considerations were Involved. He supported religious education, as he believed the well-being of the children depended on it. The cause of temperance found in him a quiet but consistent advocate, and all real Liberal measures which tended to advance the iuterest of the mass of the people found in him a true supporter. The Premier and Sir George Grey spoke in high terms of the deceased gentleman.

A land sale was held at the Crown Lands Office, New Plymouth, on Saturday last, when the Chief Commissioner (Mr. C. D. Whitcombe) acted as auction *er. The following sections were disposed of: — Stratford — Suburban : Section 17, 2 acres 2 perches, £IS> 15s, Davidson ; section 23, 11 acres 1 rood 20 perches, i-68 ss, Hayes ; section 74, 10 acres, £40, Worthington. Town of Raleigh West — Section 63, £10, W. B. Walker ; sections 1 and 2, £30, P. Walsh"; section 4, £10, T. Osborne ; section lOj £10, H. Selfe ; section 11, £15, P. Bluck; section 12, £15, H. Selfe; sections s and 6, £20, P.Walsh. Block B— Section 5, £10, E. Thomas ; section 7, £10, G. Pearee. Block 36 — Sections %4, 6, a»d 8, J45, P. Earp. Block 37— Sections 1, S, 5, 7, 9, and 11, £10, F. Earp.

A telegram to the Wanganni Chronicle states that Mr. Bryce intended to start from Wellington for the Waimate Plains to-day.

In reference to a statement published in our Carlyle contemporary, Mr. KiinbleBent wishes to state that he was not at the last Parihaka meeting; in fact, he has never been to Parihaka at all.

Five tenders were received for the additions and lining to the Roman Catholic Church, Hawera. The lowest, that of Messrs. Fitzsimmons and Brophy, at £48, was accepted. The highest tender reached .£72.

It has been decided to postpone the meeting, in reference to forming a separate county, from the 28th August, to Saturday, the sth of September. This has been done in consequence of the monthly inspection of the Normanby Rules being fixed for the same date.

The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse has given the following notice of motion in the Legislative Council : — " That the New Plymouth Harbor Board refund the sum of .£4OOO illegally expended, and that the members of the Board be made individually liable, if the harbor funds are not equal to the demand."

The Rev. J. Torry delivered an interesting lecture on " Home Life and Influence," in the Presbyterian Church, Normanby, last evening. There was a very good attendance, every part of the church being quite full. The choir from the Hawera Presbyterian Church attended, and sang several pieces of music, which were loudly applauded, duriug the delivery of the lecture. Mr. S. Dickson, conductor of the Harmonic Society, sang the "Life-boat" in excellent style, and took the audience by storm ; whilst Mr. Charles's rendering of "My mother dear," was deservedly applauded. A vote of thanks to the rev. lecturer brought a pleasant evening to a close. We regret that the night selected for the lecture necessarily compels us to give only a brief outline.