NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 59, 3 November 1880, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

The next block of land on the Waimate Plains will be put up to auction on the Gth or 13th of December. The township of Manaia will probably be sold about the same time. The ballasting on Mr. Bassett's contract is nearly finished, and the line, as far as Messrs. Berry and Newman's contract, will probably be handed over to the Government in the course of a week or two. It is stated that the department does not intend putting up a station at the Mangawhero, but we can hardly credit the rumor. A small 6tation will be almost certain to .pay working expenses, even at the present time. One of the recent purchasers of land on the Waimate Plains began to plough up an old Maori cultivation there on. Monday i last. Some natives, who were passing, requested him not to meddle with some potatoes which were stored in pits there. Oats were being sown and potatoes planted yesterday -by the same settler. The old settlers seem quite pleased to think that one of the white men has undertaken to do unto the Maoris as the Maoris did to them about fifteen months ago. One hundred of the 250 remaining sections in the township of Stratford will soon be offered for sale, and we learn, on what appears to be good authority, that the upset price will be £10 for each quar-ter-acre. When the other sections were sold, the upset was £40, so that the Taranaki Land Board must have changed its opinion, since that time, as to the value of land in the " future Chicago of New Zealand," as the Wellington, auctioneers termed it, when the *' extension " sections were offered for sale in the Empire City. A gentleman who returned from Opunake yesterday informs us that Mr. Wi2son Hursthousß and ona of the mounted men belonging to the Arniecl Constabulary were stopped on Monday by the Maoris, whilst on their way to Pungarehu, and two pedestrians were compelled to go by the beach road. The fencing farce is still being carried on, and some of the natives stale that Te Whiti has issued instructions to the Maoris to *re-occupy the Plains. We are not, however, in a position to vouch for the correctness of the rumor. We have been informed that the Public Works Department will not accept any of the tenders sent in for gravelling on the Mountain road, as they are considered too high. It is further stated that tenders will be again called for m a few days. We cannot vouch for the correctness of the information, but one or two of the tenderers have informed us that their calculations were cut very fine. Unless the department has good grounds tor objecting to all the tenders sent in, it is a great pity that valuable time should be lost. If the work is not done quickly, there will be a poor chance of having the " slough of despond " made passable before the next winter sets in. The Government interpreter at the Constabulary Camp, Mr. Thompson, has taken it upon himself to protest against the action of Ministers in selling the Waimate Plains, and has written Mr. Bryce a severe letter on the error of his ways. As this conduct is scarcely consistent with the subordination and discipline desirable to be preserved in the public service, and especially in a camp at the " front " during the military occupation of a disturbed district, and in a time of quasiwar, it has been de mcd advisable to dispense with Mr. Thompson's services, and he has accordingly received notice of dismissal. The above particulars are supplied by our contemporary, the Wellington Evening Post. There were about 2000 persons present j at the Wanganui Spring Meeting on Friday last, and the weather was all that could have been desired. We expected to 1 get the results of the different events I through tbe Press Association, on Friday night, and therefore made no special arrangements, but the association disappointed us. The Maiden Plate, of 50 soys., was won by Mr. Higgie's Messenger, Mr. Mclvor's Chandler second, and Mr. Brewer's Canielia third. The Handicap Hurdle Eace, of 50 soys., was won by Mr. J. Higgie's King Don, Mr. J. Bae's Grey Momus second, and Mr. Keith's Ada third. Hack Hurdle Eace, of 10 soys. — Mr. Wilkie's Dan first, Mr. McEae's Mere Mere second, Mr. Stent's Calamity third. The Wanganui Stakes Handicap, of 150- sovs. (the principal event of the day), was carried off by Mr. Powdrell's Hailstorm, Mr. Rowe'B Opawa beiug second, and Mr. Quinlivan's Rocket third. ! My Dream, Otawa, Astronomer, Marie Stewart, and Wilßerforce ran in the order named. The Kailway Plate, of 50 Boys., was also won by Hailstorm, Mr. Quinlivan's Redeemer being second, and Mr. Keith's Soukar third. Consolation Stakes Handioap, of 80 soys. — Mr. Keith's My Dream first, Mr. Quinlivan's Eocket second, and Mr. Howe's Opawa third. Camelia, Raven, Otawa, and Soukar, aIBO started, . atari© Stewart 'having faen. . sctascbM before th&tace -took place.

There will be a meeting of the Hawera School Committee this evening. Th° Hinemoa arrived at the anchorage on Saturday morning last, with materials for the Cape Egniont lighthouse. Ned Kelly, the bushranger, after a trial lasting two days, has been found guilty and sentenced to death. A telegram from Melbourne states that no witnesses were called for the defence. We are pleased to learn that Mr. F. H. Brett continues to improve in health. On Sunday he was a little worse, in consequence of having caught a slight cold, but yesterday he was much better. The following tenders have been received lor the new office in Hawera (labor only) :— Accepted : A. Scott, £27 18s. 6d. Declined: Hills, £30) Potts, Maeklum, .£4O ; Rowley, £46 ; McGuire, i .£49 ; Turner, £48 ; and Robson, £64. A bullock driver, with his bullocks and cart, was bogged on the Mountain road last week. The man and his bullocks had a narrow escape from death by suffocation. So we learn from the Taranaki News. Mr. Kelly's team, to ou 1 knowledge, took four days from Ngaire to Hawera — a distance of about fourteen miles. ' There is another vacancy in the Town Board, Mr. John Stevenson having sent in his resignation. The names of Messrs. McGuire, Pitcher, and Lynch are spoken of as probable candidates. Those who can spare the time ought to come forward willingly. There are several things that will require to be attended to during the summer and autumn months. A number of intending settlers are burning off land on the Plains. No one would complain if the buyers confined the fires to their own land, but they are quite unable to do ■ so. All old settlers know perfectly well that it is a mistake to burn fern at this time of year, unless with , the object of clearing land for immediate ploughing. We learn from a correspondent at Opunake that a running match came off there on Monday between Messrs. J. Eiordan and J. Murray, two members of the A.C. Force. The former, who proved himself a very good runner, won easily. He apr peared to be the favorite, as it was known that during the time' he was training he did the quarter -mile in 52 seconds, although the ground was in bad condition. Lithographed plans of the Opunake township have been issued, and Mr. Finnerty will have tbe complete survey finished in about ten or twelve days. Some of the suburban land at present advertised for sale in the Gazette will have to be withdrawn from sale, as it was reserved for a Town Belt in the year 1871, and an Order m Council to that effect was published in the Gazette of that year. The usual monthly meeting of the Town Board, which was to have taken place on Monday evening, was allowed to lapse, as it was supposed that a quorum could not be got together. The indefatigable secretary (Mr. Wanklyn) informs us that | a special meeting will be held on Saturday evening, for the purpose of appointing valuators, and for the transaction of general business. Dray roads will soon be made from Okaiawa and Manaia into the bush to connect with Hursthouse's Lme, leading from Stratford to Opunake. The bush i land is of splendid quality, and in a few t years there will be hundreds of homesteads and thriving setters in what has been, practically, an " unknown land," until Mr. Wilson Hursthouse cut the line [ through it. Here is another gem from the Wellington Chronicle for sick people. There were two patients in the Wellington hospital of the same name, but in different wards, and with different complaints. By mistake, each man took the other's medicine for some days before the error was discovered, and the odd part of the matter was that both patients throve just as well as if no mistake had b en committed. Mr. Eobert Kenshole, Normanby, writes as follows to the Taranaki Herald : — " I beg to publicly, tender my thanks to Dr. O'Carroll for the skilful treatment I have received at his hands while in the hospital. He has effected a cure in my case which baffled the skill oi all the surgeons in Auckland and elsewhere, whom I consulted. I also thank the other officials at the hospital for their kindness in attending to my wants." The Surveyor-General has sent instructions to Mr. Cheal to proceed to the Auckland district as soon as the survey of the township of Stratford has been finished, which will be in about a week or a fortnight hence. Mr. Cheal will be a good deal missed in this district, if he obeys the instnictions of his hief, and proceeds to Auckland, as directed. He has thoroughly identified himself with the people, and is much respected. The monthly meeting of the Hawera Masonic Lodge took place on Monday evening, Bro. C. Finnerty, E.W.M., presiding. There was a good attendance of the brethren. One brother was raised a degree, and there was one candidate for affiliation. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: — E.W.M., Bro. H. G. Pitcher ; S.W., Bro. G. V. Bate ; 1.W., Bro. J. K. F rguson ; S.D., Bro. T. H. Weddle ; J.D., Bro. T. Lloyd ; Tyler, Bro. D. Hurley; Treasurer, Bro. H. B. Baker ; Secretary, Bro. M. IX King. Judging by tbe Dumber oi complaints that have been made to us, petty thefts must be rather numerous about Hawera. Half-a-dozen complaints about stolen firewood, and a similar number about stolen buckets and axes, have been related to us within the past few days. We have endeavored to console the injured individuals, but without avail, by informing them that there are three police officers in Hawera and Normanby. But of all the petty thefts that have come to our knowledge, the meanest robbery is that of a kerosene lamp which had been left outside the Wesleyan Church because it had been leaking. A member of the church committee, of a Mark Tapleian disposition, wishes us to inform the party who took the lamp that the frame and shade can be had by merely asking for them, and that if, necessary, a small boy will be paid- to carry them home. Even Lord Chesterfield himself, could scarcely exceed that member of committee vi- the art of politeness. , We commend his example to the- firewood-less, bucket-less, axe-less individuals. There is nothing to. be found in the numerous recipes in an Editor's aoraß-bqok .that" will bring balm to the afflicted like the pationco of that oomraitteeman. -. ". ■ '■

A. lady dentist has started in bnsineas at Napier. The resignation of Sub-lieutenant De Gennes Fraser from the Patea Rifles has been accepted. Messrs. Beetbam Bx*os. are said to have 104 entries for the forthcoming pastoral show in the Wairarapa. The Customs revenue for the September quarter was £312,528 as against £380,850 [ in 1870, showing an increase of €3698. The operation of the Maori Prisoners Act has been extended by proclamation, from the last day of October to the last day of January next. A telegram was received last night from our correspondent at Carlvle, stating that Francis Williamson had been fined £10 and costs, or two months' imprisonment. According to the Evening Post, the Govertmient have promised very important concessions to some of the gentlemen who are endeavoring to form a company for the construction of the railway between Foxton and Wellington. The Auckland Board of Educition had a conference with the City School Committee, and resolved to diminish the floor space in the schools to eight feet for each child, with a view to the enforcement of the compulsory attendance clause. . At an inquest held, on the human remains found in the bush at Owake, near the Cattlin river, they were identified as those of Eobert Grey, who was missed in May, 1876. Grey was employed at Eobert Anderson's saw mill. The Messrs. Beetham have just shorn 2000 wethers at their Brancepeth station, and the animals (says the Post) are being sent to the Wellington butchers to be slaughtered. Several of the fleeces averaged 91b apiece. On the Ist November Messrs. Beetham will commence shearing 47,000 sheep. The Sydney Telegraph sayß that the single crop in one of the principal orchards in the Paramatta district, was this year sold for .£6OOO cash, as it stood on the trees, the purchaser bearing the cost of its package and removal. The orchard in question has an area of 170 acres. A cricket match between Hawera and Carlyle has been arranged to take place on Saturday next at Hawera. Tlie following are the names of the players; — Gr. Bayly, Beresford, Cunningham, Flint, Fraser, Miller, Parrington, B/ddiford, Southey, Thomson, Wanklyn. Emergencies — Goodson, Mason, Lysaght, and Johnston. Mr. Hall has resumed his old position with Mr. Young. When he brought the coach to Hawera and Normanby on Saturday, he received many a cordial " Welcome back," and a good deal of hearty hand-shaking. With either Mr. Hall or Mr. During on the box, the public will feel that the danger of coach travelling has been reduced to a minimum. We believe the young man who was driving when the co.ich got upset will be ( employed as groom at Carlyle or Wai* totara; In the Wellington Evening Post of Friday, we find the following item : — '* A sad case of distress has been brought under notice. It appears that an unfortunate man named McCusker, after a series of reverses in business, has just been committed to tbe "Wellington Lunatic Asylum, leaving a wife and five children penniless. Mr. McCusker was formerly an hotelkeeper in New Plymouth; then he started a brewery at Hawera, but that proving unsuccessful, he was obliged to seek employment in the Armed Constabulary. Becently his mind became affected — probably his losses in business had something to do with it — and now, as already stated, he is in the Mount View Asylum. The case of his wife and family appears to be a peculiarly melancholy one, and we shall be glad to receive and acknowledge any subscriptions in their behalf." We shall also be happy to receive subscriptions from any of the people in Hawera, and shall forward them to the editor of the Evening Post for Mrs. McCusker. The Bangitikei Advocate is rather hard on the " Special." In that journal, the following interesting information is sup- | plied : — " One by one the strange doings j of the Grey Government are coming to light. There is a gentleman known by the plebeian name of Brown, or as he de- j lights to be called, Croumbie-Brown, who acts as correspondent to a Southern pap r, i which is always preaching the virtues of Sir George Grey and his party. Well, Brown, or we beg his pardon, CroumbieBrown, went to P.irihika during the Grey regime, and of Parihaka he drew a rough sketch. On his return he went to the then Defence Minister, and got the Minister to promise him J2O for this precious plan ; but before the cash was handed over, the Minister was kicked out. When Mr. Hall saeeeeded to the position, "Rrown, ox Croumbie-Brown, continually badgered him to fulfil the engagement entered into by his predecessor. Mr. Hall had at last to hand over the £20, as he was bound by the promise of the previous Minister. The value placed by Mr. Bryce on the plan which cost the country £20, may be judged when we state that he regards it as waste paper." About four o'clock on Sunday afternoon a fire broke out at Mr. Halse's residence, in Brougham-street, Taranaki. Fortunately for the owner, he had a more efficient hre-engine on his property than that brought up by the brigade, and his own "baby engine" was chiefly instrumental in restraining tbe fire within the limits of the main building, and in saving the two wings of the house. A large quantity of the furniture was successfully removed, but, as is usual on such, occasions, a good deal of unnecessary damage was done by the rough handling to which the goods were subjected. It is believed that the policy of insurance had lapsed only a few days before the fire. If this should prove to be the case, Mr. Halse will be a heavy loser, as the damage to the hosue alone could not be repaired for less than £300. Mr. Ellis, who was helping to extinguish the flames, received a severe wound on the scalp from a bucket which was carelessly thrown down from the roof of the building. It is snpposed that the fire was 'originated by a young son of Mr. Halse's, who had been noticed playing with pieces of burning .paper a short time before the. fire broke out. Mrs. and Miss Halse were,, in Hawera. at the, time, and we)re about to start for Wanganui, bufc received., a telegram informing them of the. ddkaater, and asking -them to return. : Mf, Bate accompanied the ladies to New Plymouth. •