NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 66, 27 November 1880, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

Report says that the railway to Hawera is to be finished by May next. We hope that for once dame rumor speaks truth.

A sale of land on the Waimate Plains is advertised to take plac ■ at Hawera between the 13th and 20th December. Full lists of the land to be sold can be Been at all post offices and railway stations.

At the prize firing of the Hawera Light Horse, which took place yesterday, there were 34 competitors. The conditions were — five rounds each at 150, 200," and 300 yards. Trooper J. B. Lee. was the highest scorer with 44 points ; W, Sutton 2nd, 43 ; Sub-Lieut. Johnston, 3rd, 43 ; T. Mason, 4kb, 42 ; W. Rogers, slh, 42. Pressure on our space prevents us from giving the full prize-list in our present issue, but we hope to do so in our next. A protest was lodged against Trooper Lee, on the ground that he had not passed as an efficient trooper, and was consequently not eligible for a Government prize, according to the Act. In consequence, the prizes are withheld, pending MajorNoaire's decision. There was a strong breeze blowing, which interfered with the shooting, nevertheless, 20 competitors scored within ten of th j winner.

The Native Minister and the Minister for Lands have thoroughly explored the district during their recent trip up the coast. On Saturday last they reached the new camp at Manaia, and the following day, accompanied hy Ca.pt. Skeet, rode through, upon what is known as Skeet's line, to Hursthouse's line, a distance of twelve miles up a gentle incline the whole way. From thence they proceeded along Hursthouse's line to Stratford, completing the journey of twentyfour miles in about six and a half hours. Numerous stoppages had to be made to cut round large rata trees which had been lit, and had. subeequertfCy burnt dovraand stopped the track. The bush is for the most part light and easily cleared, and the land of first-class quality. From Stratford, Ministers took train to Ngaire, and came on from there by buggy to Hawera, reaching this town at about 5.30 p.m. From tbe personal inspection, anil the knowledge derived from his trip^ the Minister for Lands will no doubt be able to exercise an intelligent supervision over the conduct of any future land sales in this district, and to check and correct any possible errors which might; otherwise pass unnoticed.

Mr. Isaac Bayly has been duly elected a member of the Hawera Town Board.

Tenders are invited for enlarging the Hawera school buildings.

Mr. Thomson will hold a sale of furniture in Hawera to-morrow.

Mr. Courtney will hold sales of cattle on Wednesday and Thursday next. About 120 haad are advertised.

Messrs. Bauchope and King hold a cattle sale at Waiwakaiho on Thursday, the day after the New Plymouth show.

Tenders are invited for the compiling of a valuation roll for the Hawera Town Board.

. Tenders for the erection of the stationmaster's house, Hawera, close at noon on Tuesday next.

A cricket mateh — WaihY v. Manaiai — will be played on the Waihi ground today.

The. frame of the new Town Hall at Normanby is now up. The building when finished will be a credit to the township.

At the Mayoralty election for Wanganui, on Wednesday, the polling resulted as follows : — Mr. Watt, 141 ; Mr. Nathan, 12fl. Mr. Wait was therefore declared duly elected.

The Key. Jas. Treadwell, of Wanganui, will deliver a lecture in the Presbyterian Church, Hawera, on Tuesday next ; the subject being the evidence of coins to the truth of the Scripture narrative.

A large muster of the Hawera Light Horse attended the prize 'firing and infipeotioon yesterday, thirty-four competitors for the prizes attended, and a number of others were present at the inspection.

■ The meeting to elect a committee, &c, for the management of the Hawera athletic sports will be held to-night at Mr. Cook's Hotel. AH interested are requested to attend. We understand that "there is a considerable balance in hand from last year. Surveyors are now surveying along the railway line at Normanby, and it is rumored they will fix the site for the station. It is to be hoped the rumor will prove correct, as it is iiighi time the vexed question as to where the site shall be was settled.

It was rumored in Hawera yesterday that tenders had been accepted for the metalling of the Mangawhero contract. We were unable to ascertain positively whether the rumor was authentic or not, but several persons stated that they had heard the report. Prom our special reporter's notes, it will be seen that all the gravelling contracts at the northern end of the Mountain road have been let.

At the meeting of th • Education Board in "Wanganui, on Wedn sday last, the bulk of the business was of little general interest. The only matters concerning the schools in this district are thus reported by the "Wanganui Chronicle : — " It was resolved that the proposed additions to the Carlyle school be referred to the Building Committee. — Letter received from Normanby stating that the school ground had been let, as authorised, for a period of' seven years, at a rental of £2 10s. The ground had been let by tender."

The first orahiary meeting o£ the Ngaire Road Board will be held on Thursday nexl at Mangawhero, at 2 p.m. We believe that after considerable delay the chairman has been informed that there is a sum of about payable out of deferred payment monies for land to the new board. It will be seen that a petition was presented to the County Council on last against any alteration of the boundaries of the Ngan*e Eoad Board district, but we hear that the petition in favor of the alteration has been much more numerously signed.