NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 51, 6 October 1880, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

It was rumored in Hawera, on Monday, that a row occurred at Opunake on Saturday night between some of the A.C. men, who were on their 'way to Manaia, and. that one was dangerously hurt. It is said that knives were used in the melee ; but we have been unable to ascertain any further particulars. As usual, driuk is supposed to have been the cause of the disturbance. Sixty men from the A.C. Camp at Pungarelra arrived at Manaia on Sunday evening, under the charge of Captains Gudgeon and Taylor. They will receive a reinforcement of twenty A.C.'s from the redoubt at Waihi ; and it is stated that these will be replaced by a detachment from Waikato. The camp will be on the banks of the Waikura stream, and close to the site of the Manaia township. Captain Gudgeon, as senior offioey, will Lave charge of the station, and it is intended to build a redoubt immediately. The Public Works Office at Hawera was closed yesterday , and the keys were handed over to the possession of Mr. Chancy, postmaster. Mr. O'Connor, who was chief of the railway survey party acting under Mr. Foy, left by coach yesterday ,for Wellington, where he will -await further instructions. Mr. O'Connor has been here since February last, having succeeded Mr. R. G. Parke, and during his stay amongst us he has made many friends, who will be glad to welcome him back at some future time. Mr. Simpson, who has been in charge of the National Bank at New Plymouth for some time past, was entertained at a farewell dinner on Friday evening, at the Masonic Hotel. He expressed an. opinion, in replying to the toast of his health, that the late crisis through which the mercantile community had passed would eventually do good, because it would have a tendency to make people more careful in future. It has been stated that the Government intend building -a redoubt at Okaiawa. We are informed 1 on reliable authority, that there is no foundation for the rumor. There will be twenty-four village allotments, nineteen of, which will be one acre in extent, and tife remaining half-dozen nearly an acre, within the boundaries of the village to be sold next month, There will be nineteen suburban sections, varying in size from 1 acre 1 rood 25 perches to 10 acres, and seven rural sections, ranging from 21 acres up to 50 acres. Residence will be compulsory on the suburban and rural sections, which will be sold on deferred payment, and will be open for application on Monday, the Ist November. The fact of so many people being located so close together is considered sufficient security, without building a redoubt, more especially as Okaiawa is so close to Normanby and Waihi. Although the village will be called after one of Titokowaru's settlements, it will not be in the place known by the natives as Okaiawa, which is thre > or four miles further inland than the site chosen. At a meeting of the Town Board, held on Monday evening, Mr. Winks presided for the last time, his resignation having been accepted at the close of the business. There has been a general expression of regret at the loss of Mr. Winks' services, not alone amongst the members of the Board, but throughout the township, and it might not be out of place to suggest that the ratepayers should present a requisition, asking him to again come forward. We have differed from Mr. "Winks, and shall probably do so again, but we can bear testimony to the faithful manner in which he has discharged his duties as chairman of the Board. Mr. Winks is, comparatively speaking, a young man, and he will yet learn that it is not wise to resign positions of public trust, simply because business may not be conducted just as one would wish, or as it ought to have been transacted, according to the rules laid down. We hope, to. see him a candidate when the next, election takes place. The new Adulteration Prevention Act is both concise and stringent. It first defines food as any article used or capable of being used for food or drink by man, other than drugs. For 4 a first offence, the person convicted shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £SQ ; for a second offence, he shall "be imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months with hard labor." Clause 7 declares that " any person who sball sell any article of food, or any drug, mixed with any other substance with intent fraudulently to increase its weight or bulk, and who Bhall not declare such admixture to any purchaser thereof b fore delivering the same and no other, shall be deemed to have sold an adulterated i article of food or drug, as the case may be, under this Act." We wonder whether any ot the numerous bonifaces who water their grog freely, will henceforth admit the same openly, and advertise "wellwatered brandy," or whether they will prefer to risk the i>oO fine, trusting to the lawyers to find the road along which to drive the proverbial coach - and - four through any Act of Parliament. Under clause 30, any person having reasonable cause to suspect an article of food to be adulterated, may require an inspector of nuisances or of weights and measures to procure and submit samples to the analysts appointed under the Act.'' Upon delivery of the goods, the seller has to be informed that it is intended to forward snob article- to the analyst.

Mr. Bird is engaged in putting in a survey line running due west from the Mangawhero towards Opunake, some distance at the back of the native reserves. Recently a bullock got bogged on the road between Inglewood and Stratford, and died before it could be got out. The Taranaki News is our authority for the statement. Mr. R. M. Nicoll, hotel keeper, Inglewood, has filed. He estimates his assets at .£ll4B, and his liabilities at £1575, and he attributes his failure to the dulness of trade. A meeting of the committee appointed at the recent public meeting held to consider the advisableness of forming another county, has been called for Saturday next, at Owen's Hotel, at 3 p.m. A young man in the employ of Mr, Foreman, Manutahi, has sustained a fracture of the leg, through a kick from a horse which he was leading with a rope. Dr. Heating lett Carlyle yesterday to attend to the sufferer. A pensioner writes to a contemporary in reference to the taxing of Imperial pensions with a receipt stamp of a pinny on payment. The complainant is of opinion that the Government will soon hear from the Hors ■ Guards, if they do not refund the money. Mr. Sutton, of Normanby, met with a nasty accident, a faw^days ago, whilst engaged in bush felling. He made a false blow with the axe, and it slipped on to the front part of the ieg, inflicting a severe wound. One of the best shots in the cavalry corps will thus be prevented from competing for the Officers' Cup on Saturday next. It is rumored — but we can't vouch for the accuracy of it — that as soon as road lines are cut through the bush country, the land will be thrown open for free selection, as was done in Canterbury. We are, however, disposed to receive the ■statement with caution, because the principle of free selection in bush country would be much more difficult to carry , out than it would lie in open land. The Australian Frozen Meat Export Company has chartered the German steamer Protos to carry another cargo of refrigerated meat to London. She is said to be well adapted to the trade, has tanks for water-ballast, and, in addition to the meat, will carry a general cargo to London. The refrigerating machinery is being got ready with due haste, and the carcases will be frozen at the company's works at Footscray. The result ot the experiment will be looked forward to with interest in New Zealand, as well as in Australia. A visitor from Wanganui paraded Hawera yesterday, and afforded considerable amusement to small boys, and to some of the grown-up folk as well. In High -street he pulled a pair of socks out of his coat pocket, and holding them up to the admiring gaze of the bystanders, he exclaimed : " These are my socks I I bled for these socks !" Nobody appeared to doubt the man's veracity, and he went away quite satisfied. He seemed to be suffering from the effects of drink. About twelve months ago he paid a visit to the district, and was in a similar state most of the time. How is this for high ?" —As a proof of the good which has been done to us by the action of the Cabinet on Tuesday, and of the earnest it is of increasingly future good to us, we may truly affirm that since we last went to press every inch of land in New Plymouth and its suburbs has risen 20 per cent, in value." This is what the Taranaki News says about the approval of the plans for the New Plymouth harbor. The people hi that district ought to be grateful, if the above is true ; it is well to remember, however, that gratitude has been recently defined as a lively anticipation of future favors. In another column will be found a full report of the meeting of the Hawera Road Board. Business commenced at five minutes past three, although two o'clock is supposed to be the hour. The members themselves seemed to be in doubt whether two or half-past was the proper time ; seeing that foiir or five of the members were quite content to spend about three-quarters of an hour gossipping round the door of the office, the hour appointed would not appear to matter much. Punctuality is the soul of business, but road boards are .bodies without souls of any sort. A road line described as Courtney's hi the report should have been Katene's. Under the Public Works Appropriation Act for the railway between Foxton and New Plymouth, the total expenditure on a length of 216 miles to be incurred was thus estimated : — From Foxton to Carlyle, 128 miles 24 chains ; estimated total expenditure required on the section, .£182,000 ; appropriation granted, £117,000, leaving a balance for future appropriation Carlyle to Waitara, 65 miles 56 chains; estimated expenditure required on the section, £197,000 ; amount appropriated, £82,000, leaving a balance for future appropriation of J115,000. Consequently, £180,000 will have, to be appropriated, at some f ature date, in order to complete the through line. A police constable's life is not all beer and skittles. Constable PI asants is the only police officer at Normanby, and he would have had rather a rough time of it on Monday night, had it not been for the ] willing assistance rendered by some of the residents in the township, one or two J having jumped out of bed when they heard him " cooeying " for help. A native named Irina had been imbibing rather freely, and Constable Pleasants endeavored to induce him to return home. This only had the effect of making the Maori fightable, the result being that the constable took him in charge. On the way to the lock-up, the native became very violent, and if Constable Pleasants happened to be a less powerful man, he must have fared rather badly. As it was, | the thumb on his right hand got nearly dislocated, and the Maori, who is stoutlybuilt and, judging by his appearance, very resolute, made one or two efforts to lay hold of the nasal organ of his captor with his teeth, but without avail. There ■were several rough-and-tumble encoun- > tare on tiie way to the lock-up. Tbe bench fined the prisoner 5s and costs on the first charge of drunkenness, or 24 hours' imprisonment ; and for the second offence £2, or one month's imprisonment in Taranaki gaol. Captain Wilson and F. McGuixe, Esq., were the presiding justices".-

The entertainment in aid of the Wesleyan Church will come off on Friday, the 15th instant, and not on the 18th, as previously advertised. The Wairarapa Standard asserts thrit a boy only ten years of age is earning twenty-five shillings a week hy rabbitcatching on the Upper Plain. He must be a smart youth. It is rumored that Mr.McMinn, who was at one time on the staff of the Rangitikei Advocate, is making arrangements for starting a daily paper in Feilding. We are afraid (says the Wanganui Chronicle) the opening is not good enough. At the last meeting of the New Plymouth Education Board, the chairman stated he had addressed a letter to the Minister of Education asking for 500 acres of land on the Waimate Plains, as an endowment for high school purposes. Mt 1 . Chetwynd has succeeded in taking the levelß for the bridge over the "Wai. ngongoro, to connect the Manaia-"Nor-manby road. He thinks the work can be done for something like' the amount stated by tbe deputation— .£soo to .£6OO. It is to be hoped that such an important work will be eomuaencetl forthwith. The usual monthly meeting of the Hawera Masonic Lodge was held on Monday evening at the Town Hall, the R.W.M., Bro. Finnerty. being in the chair. Some routine business was transacted, but in consequence of the indisposition of the R.W.M., several matters had to be postponed till the next meeting of the lodge. The Taranaki Herald says that the constabulary actually engaged working on the roads are to receive an extra shill- , ingper day. This is termed " road money," ; and is given, we presume, as an incentive . to the men to work with more energy than is usually observed in the " Government stroke." At any rate, it will compensate the men for the ten per cent, reduction. Complaints have been made by some of the Plains natives that their wbares have ' been entered &n& some oi their goods stolen. The Maoris blame the men belonging to the A.C. Force for the petty thefts that have been committed. If such should happen to be the case, we trust that the large number of respectable men in the ranks will not permit the disgrace to attach to them, but will report the offenders to their commanding officers. Some of the most notable men in England were bom during the same month — Thomas Carlyle, Dec. 4, 1795 ; Benjamin Disraeli (Earl Beaconsfield), Dec. 19, 1805 ; William Ewart Gladstone, Dec. 29, 1809 ; Dean Stanley, Dec. 13, 1816 ; and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dec. 22, 1811. John Bright is a little older than the Archbishop, having been born on November 16, 1811 ; whilst Lord Selborne is younger than either, having been born on Dec. 27, 1812. The Wanganui Herald makes the following remarks about the railway in this district :— " In the Atkinson policy, the rapid extension of the railway to Hawera from New Plymouth is intended to secure the trade to the latter place before the line is opened from Wanganui. As a part of the policy, a gap has been left between Waverley and Patea. The result will be that the whole trade of Hawera will be done from Auckland on account of the difference in cost of carriage. We shall give the details on another occasion, but inquiry will at once establish the truth of our statement." | Australian papers report a new form of ] swindle. Some of the Melbourne publishing firms propose to issue an Exhibition Supplement. One of them has issued a circular to exhibitors, in which they promise, on payment of a fee, to publish a literary notice of any articles exhibited. The notice will, however, be submitted to the exhibitors before publication. The Argus exposes and denounces the swindle. j Hitherto the faithfulness of the reports, and the honesty of the criticisms of the colonial press have been unquestioned, and it would be impossible for any reputable journal to countenance the above proposal. The impartiality of any | criticism by the Press ought to be above | suspicion. During the debate on the West Coast Settlement Act, the Native Minister stated that he hoped the time would soon come when he would be able to allow the Maori prisoners to return to their homes. We believe that the first bateh — twentyfive in number — will be conveyed to New Plymouth to-morrow in the Government steamer Hinemoa. Amongst those to be liberated will be poor old Wirenm Kingi Matokatea,who is reported to he suffering from ill health. It may be that he will refuse to return to his home, but it is to be hoped the old chief will not be so foolish as to persist in remaining in prison. Major Parris, Civil Commissioner, will be in New Plymouth, to look after the comfert of the men when they land, and to make all necessary arrangements for their return to their homes. The rate of progress of a district is more clearly indicated, as a rule, by the growth of local manufactures than by anything else. The American thoroughbrace coach, just built to order by Mr. Cockburn, is remarkable as being the first thing of the kind turned out between New Plymouth and Carlyle, if not between the former place and Wan^anui. After two trial trips, Mr. Prosser expresses himself thoroughly satisfied with the conveyance, which will carry nine passengers and driver. The express built by Messrs. Williams Bros., of Carlyle, for Mr. Flynn, shows what a superior class of work can be turned out by that well-known firm. It is fitted with steel springs of the best I pattern, and either a pole or shafts can be used, as may be found most convenient. As the waggonette has been built for the carriage of passengers and merchandise,the seats can be taken out whenever required, and goods to the weight of a ton and a half, stowed away. American timber was used in the wheels, shafts, &c, the flooring and the sides being made of kauri. Several trips have been made to and from Opunake, and Mr. Flynn is much pleased with the easy manner in which the journeys have been performed, Twelve passengers can be comfortably seated, and the travelling public- will therefore have lifcile trouble in getting as far as Opunake. The charges made by the proprietors of the coach- and waggonette are very moderate, considering that the road is still rather, boggy and uneven hi some places. It is to be hoped that there will, be sufficient traffic for both vehicles. ■;

Messrs. Bain and Riordan, Wanganui bakers, since Ist October, have reduced the price 'of bread down to 2£d: the ''21b. loaf and sd. the 41b. loaf. In Hawera, ' the price is just double the above. Settlers in the lower Ngaire district will have an opportunity of consulting with the engine r of the Hawera Road" Board on Saturday, when a visit of inspection will be made to the block. A start will be made from Robson's mill at 9 a.nt« The land advertised for sale for cash in Block 111., Ngaire District, situate on the eastern side of the Mountain road, neat Stratford, and on the northern side of the Patea River, will be put up to public competition on Saturday next, at. the Crown Lands Office, New. Plymouth. The sale will commence" at 11 a.m. The second competition for theOffie rs' Cup will take place on Saturday next. The shooting will commene'e at 9 a.m., and those not present before the comple. > .tion of the first round will be debarred' from firing. A mountedparade will take place in the afternoon. The finance committee w.Il meet at 7.30 p.m. on Friday* at Lloyd's hotel. The Evening Post states that tlie new lighthouse at Cape Egraont is being so ' constructed as not only to be impregnableto all attacks, unless artillery be employed, but also to form a very strong defensive work as a base of military operations on-i - the West Coast should this ever be re- -: quired, a purpose for which its commanding situation particularly fits it. • • Under date, London, Sept. 18, a special cable message to the . Melbourne .Press ■ runs as follows:— The financial cdiiditioii - of New Zealand has excited grave alarm . among bondholders, and frequent atten- " tion has been called in the Press to the excessive borrowing of the colony" in comparison w|th its population. There Have been persistent sales of New Zealand bonds, which have fallen heavily.It is probable there will soon be three vacancies on the Town Board. Mr. Winkß* resignation has been accepted- and it.vraa " stated by members of the Board, at the last meeting, that Messrs. Stevenson and Spence were about to resign. If the xale'payers do not take more interest in public ' matters than they do at -present, it^doea not appear unlikely that the Hawera Town Board will be numbered amongst " the things that have been." Last week it was rumored that the Maori prisoners on Ripa Island had created a disturbance. .It now appears, however", < that some of the Armed Constabulary re- • fused to carry up the Maoris' provisions, considering that the prisoners ought .to do it themselves. They made no objection while there were only 28 natives, but there are now 163, and the men considered that the natives ought to be obliged to carry their own food. The malcontents were paraded, and, on refusing to obey- orders, ■were fined £2 each and dismissed, their places being filled by men from Christ* church. The report was due tq'tbe/qn* rolment of the recruits, in place of the men dismissed. Wild pigs are "vermin" in the eye of # the law, and may be destroyed as such, but by what law shall the "wildness" of the pigs be determined? The Hawke's Bay Herald says : — ' ' The, Maoris-^r-niark ,>- all their litters of young pigs, and.layV, claim to every animal thus marked, moc matter how wild he may have become.. More 'than this, 'they find the litters of' genuine wild pigs, and ear-mark them too t but leave th"fern to run about in ihdiiT native "wildriess, %king , ; no trouble to se-. cure them. In fact they are still wild pigs, . but in theory and in law ihey( are tame ones belonging to the Maoris." A private trial with one of Hornsby r * hedge-cutters was made (says the Tara.naki Heraidf at Mr. R.Honeyfield'B farm, at Blagdon, when the result was verysuccessful. The hedge-cutter, for hedges' free from roots, will do remarkably well, cutting from eight to ten miles a day. The • hedge it was tried on was an old one, but . the knives cut through a stump 9in. in . circumference, 2Un. in diameter, and 6in. - in the slant, and was brought up at a puriri' post, into which it cut nearly 2J.inohes. The only breakage that was ex* perienced was the point of one .of the. knives, which can easily be repaired at a trifling expense. With such a machine, in the place the farmers will be consideredvery untidy if they do not have their hedges trimmed neatly. This is what the Hawke's Bay Herald has to say about the portion of the Waimate Plains advertised for sale : — " How men are to make a living on such small sections, many miles away from a market, is a mystery. The land is, we believe, most fertile, and is "admirably suited for farming if held in blocks of 300 acres or upwards, but a man without means, buy« ing a 50-acre section on deferred payments, " would be simply inviting ruin. A great ' fuss is often made by politicians with' an ' end to serve about ' land for th poor man,' but those who have seen otir deferred payment settlements in Hawke's Bay, and the struggles of the settlers to make a bare subsistence when far nearer a market than' the first settlers on the Waimate Plains' '" will be, know 1 that it is little less thau'"' : cruelty to induce poor men, and especially' those who are not practical farmers, to settle on small sections. Near a town, 50-acre blocks may be profitably worked as market gardens, or dairy farms, but, far irom a market, the small settler cannot sell such produce as could be raised at a profit upon his holding."