NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 89, 19 February 1881, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

! The conclusion of the Patea County Couucil report will be found in our fourth page. To settlers in Normanby and the Ngaire district it will be especially interesting. The Supplement presented with today's issue contains about three columns of the serial story ; an excellent translation of a iragic story by Victor Hugo ; an amusing skit about an editorial apology ; a continuation of the article on the probabilities of Australian agriculture ; a scientific extract about gutta percha and India rubber: notes about the origin of the merino sheep ; notes about bathing ; and a column of humorous scraps. Mr. Ernest C. Wilkinson, Receiver of Land Revenue at Hawera, has been placed under arrest, on a charge of unlawfully embezzling money. He will be brought up this morning before the local bench of magistrates, and the charge will be formally gone into. Mr. Bullen was in Hawera on Thursday and Friday, but left by yesterday's coach. The Comptroller and Auditor- General has instructed Mr. Barleyman, Crown Prosecutor lor the district, to take charge of the case. Tito Kowaru has been suffering from a severe attack of asthma, and, in consequence, he did not attend the last Parihaka meeting. Tito informed an old pakeha friend lately that if he could only feel sure all the reserves would be given to the natives, as promised, he would not trouble Parihaka very much. But in speaking of the promises made by Government, be shook his head in a very significant manner, as if he did not attach much importance to them. " Cricketer " stated, in a late issue of the Star, that there was no excuse for the cricket ground not being kept properly watered, as there was every appliance for doing it. The caretaker, Mr. Conway, has drawn our attention to the fact that, although there is a pump and hose-reel on the ground, they are of no use whatever, as the well has run dry, and he has to draw water in buckets from one in the far-off corner of the field. In order to make the pump and the hose serviceable, it will be necessary to sink 15 or 20 feet deeper. Mr. Conway thinks that "Cricketer" might have at least taken the trouble to make inquiries before rushing into print with complaints. Mr. Dale, Chairman of the County Council, informed us by telegraph yesterday afternoon, that he intends visiting the Waimate Plains on Monday next, in company with the County Engineer, so as to be prepared for the apportionment ot the deferred payment money on the roads in the district. Mr. Dale applied for a Government surveyor to be sent with the Engineer, but we presume the Chief Surveyor has not been able to comply. It would be just as well if Mr. Dale invited the settlers to accompany the Engineer, as the Hawera Road Board did when they sent their Foreman of Works to report upon the most necessary works in the Lower Ngaire District. At the aquatic sports at New Plymouth, all the important contests lay between fie A.C.'s, none of the local men coming forward. The Half-mile Handicap was won by Cooper (lOnec), Galbrailh (lOsec.) second, and Pannell (scratch) third. The race was a very exciting one, and was only won by a yard. The President's Medal Handicap, 300 yards, was won by Watt (scratch), Pannell (scratch) second, and Cooper (lOsec.) third. The Blindfold Race, 50 yards (the most amusing event of the day), was won by Carrington, King second, and Cornwall third. The Taranaki Champion Half-mile Race (open to all-comers) was won by Pannell, Watt being second. Galbraith also started, but gave in after he had covered about 30 yards. The Club's Medal, 300 yards, was won easily by Galbraith, Govett second, and Cooper third. Galbraith also won the Champion Dive, with 50 yards, Revan second, and Scott third. The Boys' Handicap was won by Lynch, Scriviner second, and Schofield third. There is, as a rule, some sparring at the County Council meetings between Councillor Gane and the Chairman. At Monday's sitting the Chairman kept back a letter which he received from Mr. Quin, and in the course of Mr. McCutchan's remarks it teauspired that the communication had come to hand. Councillor Gane immediately demanded that it should have been read, as all correspondence was the property of the council, and the Chairman had no business to keep it back. The Chairman explained that the Star representative had handed him a letter from Mr. Quin, but he understood that it was only to be read in case Mr. McCutchan came before the council. That was his only reason for keeping it back. After the adjournment for lunch, Councillor Bridge again brought forward the 1 matter, strongly insisting that the letter should have been placed amongst the other correspondence, although he did not believe for one moment that the chairman had any wrong intention in keeping it back ; but it would be establishing a bad precedent if they allowed the chairman to keep back any correspondence addressed to that council. Mr. Dale again explained in the same manner as he had done previously ; the letter was then read ; and the business was proceeded with. At another stage of the | meeting, Councillor Gave proposed an | amendiuent. The chairman ruled it out of order, on account of its alleged similarity to a resolution which had been rejected. Councillor Gane demauded the reasons for the chairman's ruling, and the latter declining to enter into any explanation, Councillor Gane emphatically exclaimed, "You ought to leave the chair: you are unfit to occupy it." We value very highly the freedom of debate, but most reasonable persons — even Councillor Gane himself, in less excited moments — will be inclined to think that the person using such language, only defeats his own ends. In the opinion of our reporter, who has had a little experience in such matters, the chairman was decidedly wrong in refusing to put Councillor's Gane's amendment, if for no other reason than allowing Councillor Winks to prov the sincerity of his words, that he wished to see the road works on the Plains proceeded with as speedily as possible. But a mistake on the chairman's part does not justify the use of language such as that we complain of. That was the opinion of the majority of the couucil, who warmly supported the ruling of the chairman — although it is just possible that their action was taken more out of respect for Mr. Dale's position than for the soundness of his ruling.

The shooting for the Officers' Cup will take place this morning. The Normanby Rifles will parade at seven o'clock &ujj evening. Parliament has been prorogued until the 19th April. The dates of the Ruatangata sale have been altered to the 2nd, 4th, and sth March. Tenders for the post of Inspector of Nuisances are advertised by the Hawera Town Board. The first instalment of the Property Tax will he payable on the Bth March, and the second on the 22nd March. There were only about ten persons present when the Parihaka Block was offered for sale at New Plymouth, and not a single bid was made. For stealing a child of 3i years, an old ofiender named Thomas Burrowes, was at Melbourne, sentenced to three years hard labour. Tenders are called for the erection of the Church of England in Hawera, and will be received up to Ist March. Plans and specifications can be seen at the Bank of New Zealand. It is highly satisfactory to be able to state that the average attendance at the Hawera school has increased in a few months from about 100 up to an average of quite 150. The Ngatihako chief, Pineha, has determined not to take action about the murder at the Thames until he sees whether the Europeans will punish any one or not. The proprietor of the land at Terawhiti, where the gold-bearing reef was found, has promised to offer definite terms to the promoters of a proposed company before Tuesday next. The Armed Constabulary Athletic Sports will take place at Pungarehu to-day. We notice that Mr. Hall intends running a special coach this morning from New Plymouth, for the convenience of visitors. Mr. W. Eowe, late M.H.R. for the Thames, has been sentenced to 48 hours' imprisonment, for stealing 2s from the till at the Theatre Royal Hotel, Wellington. Frederick Smyth, painter, late of Hawera, has filed a declaration of insolvency. The first meeting of creditors will lake place on Monday, the 28th inst., at the Court-house, Patea. The Maoris at the Manawatu have threatened to eject the pilot and pull down the pilot station, if the rent, which they claim as due to them for the last four years, is not promptly paid. Pressure on our space prevents us from dealing with the question of the formation of a Eoad Board on the Waimate Plains. The delay at present will only inconvenience a few, who, however, might reasonably have expected more consideration from the council, especially as no expenditure could have been incurred without the express sanction of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr. "Wray, who is known as a very careful administrator. A nice airy shop is that built in High street by Messrs. Adamson and Pease, ■who were for some time connected with the Hawera butchery — one as shopman, and the other as bookkeejier. It is rather unfortunate that the shop should have been built, like that owned by Messrs. Scott, Nicliol, and Co., on the sunny side of the street, but the new caterers for public favors are appai'ently alive to the latest improvements, and the front has been fitted up with patent shutters, which can be lifted up, or let down, without the least trouble. The usual array of semicircular bar irons, hooks, and a large block of white pine, with a small office at the rear, comprise the inside fixings. We wish the new firm success, aud trust, in the words of the old song, that " there is room enough for all." The district is making vast strides, and in consequence the competition will not be so keenly felt as it would have been twelve months ago. There was very little business for the E.M. at the last sitting of the Court in Hawera. Arthur Owen, proprietor of the Egmont Hotel, was summoned for k eping his hotel open after hours. The case was remanded for a fortnight. Boyer and Co. sued M. D. King for £G 5s 6d. The full amount was paid into court, but defendant put in a set-off for £3 7s Id. After hearing th^arguments of Mr. Ward, who appeared for plaintiffs, the bench gave judgment for the amount claimed, but refused to allow a professional fee, although Mr. Ward stated that it was the custom to do so in other courts. Mr. Wray, however, said that the practice had been different in the courts over which he presided. So long as the amount was paid into court before the case was called on, it was not customary to allow professional fees. The defendant I stated that Mr. Ward had promised to allow the amount of the set-off, but the latter gentleman affirmed that it was conditional upon his foe being allowed. The bench informed defendant that he would have to recover his account in the usual manner. To get into debt appears to be an easy matter now-a-days ; but it is not always so easy to escape from the clutches of the law. Some of the members of the Armed Constabulary — but we trust they are very few — have, however, found out means of evading their creditors, by getting their comrades initiated into the " how-not-to-do-it"/policy. In the month of December, Mr. Ferguson took out a summons against one of the men stationed at Cape Egmont. The case should have been heard on the sth of the follewiug mouth at Hawera, but when it was called, it was stated that the summons had not yet been served. Mr. Ferguson has att nded at every sitting of the court since that time, and still the summons has not 3'et been served. On Thursday Mr. C. E. Gibson was present in court. He had taken out a summons against one of the men stationed at Manaia, but he met with the same fate as Mr. Ferguson. The Resident Magistrate advised Mr. Gibson to send in a written complaint, and he would forward it to the proper quarter. Honorable members of the A.C. Force would do well to aid the authoiities, instead of shielding those who refuse to pay their just debts. The Minister of Justice will, in all probability, submit the matter for the consideration of the^Native Minister, and we are much mistaken if those who get into debt, and refuse to pay all reasonable demands of their creditors, are allowed to remain in the Force.

There is a chance of the railway to Waverley being opened on the Ist prox. Mark Twain the great American humorist is said to be going crazy. Tenders for the Normanby Station formation contract close at noon on Friday next. Tenders for works for the Ngaire Road Board close at G p.m. on Monday, 21st inst. The crowor of the first crop on the Waimate Plains, although the grain was sown late — on the Ist November — estimates the yield at thirty-five bushels of oats per acre. M. Leoard, who has been exploring in Africa, has discovered on the banks of the Niger a plant which bears grapes, which he proposes to send to France to take the place of the vines which are being devastated by the phylloxera. A considerable number of persons have been up looking at the bush land on the Plains, at the back of the Maori reserve. They express themselves pleased with the land, though some of them report the bush as baing heavier than they anticipated. The shares in the new de Lesseps Panama Canal are being rapidly taken up in France and Spain ; the English have hitherto held aloof, and the projector reminds them that they did so in the case of the Suez Canal, and yet lived to benefit by its success and regret their lukewarmness. The Australasian reports that several species of the rata tree (metrosideros tomentosa, scandens, and robusta) are now proving themselves ornamental and vigorous forest trees. The African boxthorn (lycivun horriduin) is said to be one of the hardiest hedge plants for dry soils ; it grows to 15 or 20 feet high, and " as a shelter plant near the seashore it is perhaps unequalled." The sale of 15,000 acres of Crown Lands in the Fitzherbert and Kairanga Blocks will be held on Monday and Thursday next. The land is under bush, but those who are acquainted with it speak in high terms of praise of its quality. At the Masterton sale of land in the Pahiatua Block all the deferred payment land was sold, but only two sections of the cash. The Wairarapa Standard considers that the unsold balance of the land should be offered on deferred payment also. Tenders are invited for a bridge over the Inaha creek, on the NormanbyManaia line of road. When this work and the other bridges now under construction are completed, there will be no creek unbridged between the two places, and it is probable that a considerable traffic will spring up along the line. One Waimate settler, to whom this Inaha bridge was mentioned, said — " It is as good as another shilling an acre to the Government on the bush land — so far as Manaia settlers are concerned." In a former issue we referred to a number of samples of aerated waters, ginger ale, and liqueurs, which had been forwarded to this office for an opinion. Mr. Gower, the manufacturer, displayed a charitable consideration for the feelings of the staff, and a sharp eye for a timely notice by thus drawing our attention to the quality of his wares, during the hot and dusty weather, which has lately prevailed. The ginger ale is an experiment, and, although the flavor is not quite what it should be, it makes a pleasant and refreshing beverage. The lemonade, soda water, essence of raspberry, and lime juice cordial will bear favorable comparison with any imported into the district. The Southerners are ahead of us in some things. The Otago Times says: — " Locally-made twine is being used by several farmers for reaper-and-binder machines. The cost is said to be much less than imported." And a ,-Christchurch exchange reports that *' Some very successful trials of twine made from the phormium fibre have within the last few days been made in harvesting machines on Mr. Clothier's farm, Kaiapoi Island, at Mr. Denton's, Eyx-eton, and Mr. Daisy's, Swannanoa. This twine, manufactured by Messrs. Heyman Bros, of Kaiapoi, has stood severe tests, and proved to be superior to the imported twine on the machines in which it was tried. The strength is greater, and the price is a third less, being eightpence per lb for New Zealand twine, as against one shilling for the imported hempen twine. > In reference to the reeeni wool show in connection with the Melbourne Exhibition, the Australasian writes: — "From the finest merino wool to the coarsest of the long wools there is every grade of quality and character, and there are men who find that each of these grades may be profitably grown. It is to be regretted that the judges have not been able to j award a champion prize to the longwools. We suggest the probability of this decision being founded upon insufficient data. Merino men are not lovers of longwools, and we nowhere find that the adjudication of the lougwool prizes was entrusted to a special jury. It is improbable that the exhibitors have not done their best, and we have some guarantee of their ability to do well in the facts narrated in this journal at the time of their occurrence. A Western firm having sent to certain famous English flockowners sample locks of ewes' wool as a guide to the selection of suitable rams, were told in reply that, whilst sendiug the rams, they had none whose wool would quite match the samples iv point of excellence." • Messrs. Glenn and Martyn. two of the recent purchasers on the Plains, have returned to this district, - and intend settling on their land immediately. In reference to the latter gentleman, the Waikato Times had the following complimeptary remarks : — Mr. W. L. Martyn, with his family, has just left, en route for the Wnimate Plains, where he has bought one of the choicest of the sections lately put up for sale by the Government, and, in his departure, Waikato loses a valuable settler. Mr. Martyn is one of the oldest and most influential settlers in this district having been one of that pioneer band, which tackled the wilderness at a time when the quality of the land remained to be proved, and when settlement was attended with all the dangers and disadvantages consequent upon the unsettled state of the native mind. The condition of perfection to which Mr. Martyn and his brother brought their magnificent estate at Pencarrow, a portion of which was recently sold to the Messrs. Pearson, bears the strongest testimony to the practical qualities and to the energy and pluck of these gentlemen.

Dr. Hector cci-siders the repent discovery of gold bearing quartz ,d Torawiti au impoitunt one. Effor.s are being made to form a company to test the reeio. Blocks 9, 22, 27, and 28, in the Opunake township, have been withdrawn from Bale — it is to be hoped on account of the representations n>ade th;»t suitable reserves should be set apart for harbor purposes. An iron church was sent from London for the Esquimaux, in 1867, aud after being two years on the way was erected last October. Eight Esquimaux have recently been baptised in it. It is believed in some circles at Home that Queen Victoria has joined the ranks of the total abstainers. For a long time Her Majesty has exhibited strong sympathy towards the temperance party. The Eev. Father Grogan has gone to Wellington to attend the annual retreat for clergymen in the diocese. There will be no services at the Roman Catholic Church in this district to-morrow, or the Sunday following, in consequence. Mr. Shields, of Peterhead, proposes to lay down pipes to carry oil to the mouths of tempestuous harbors, by which oil cau be laid on when needed to enable vessels to enter harbors in storms. Recent experiments show that small quantities of oil are sufficient to smooth very troubled waters. Mr, T. Kelly, M.H.R., in thanking the Harbor Board electors for having placed him at the head of the poll, states that it will be his duty to see that the funds at the disposal of the Board shall be wisely and economically expended on necessary harbor works, and that none be wasted on projects of an experimental character, which are beyond the proper functions of the Board. In order to prevent our local bodies from making applications to Capt. Skeet, for works required to be done in connection with the Survey Department, we might state that he has been appointed chief surveyor to the West Coast Commission, and not for the West Coast Land District, as some erroneously suppose. We regret to hear that Mr. Lee had a valuable theodolite and other instruments burnt during the late fire which so nearly put an end to the citadel of Te Wbiti. The theodolite was lent by Mr. Wilson Hursthouse to Mr. Lee, the one owned by the latter gentleman being somewhat out of repair. Mr. Alexander Brett, proprietor of the Imperial Hotel, Normanby, was married on Monday last to Miss Bessy McGregor, daughter of Mr. D. McGregor, of the Normanby Hotel. The Rev. J. Torry, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, performed the ceremony, after which the happy couple proceeded to New Plymouth. William Barton has been remanded at New Plymouth for eight days, on a charge of having assaulted his wife and inflicted upon her grievous bodily harm. We learn from the Herald that Dr. O'Caaroll and Mr. Bullen had cousidered it necessary to take Mrs Barton's depositions, as it was uncertain whether she would recover |rom the injuries received. Captain Davidson, Mayor of New Plymouth, has made arrangements with the Bank of New Zealand to act as agents for the negotiation of the waterworks loan, and in the meantime they will make advances, so that the works may be proceeded with. The Herald states that " tenders will be called for at once, and therefore, in a short time, we may expect to see this important work initiated." A. number of Exmoor sheep have been imported into the Bay of Islands, Auckland, by Mr. W. Earl. The sheep are thus described by the Auckland Weekly News : — They are in size about the length of medium sized Merino, but are square and more solid'in build than the Merinos. They bear fin€Tdense fleeces. Their wool partakes much of the character of the Lincoln sheep. An Exmoor ram will clip from 12 to 13 lbs., the wool beiug worth about 14d. per lb. Ewes will furnish about 91bs. each. 'They are handsome, active sheep, with the white face of the Lincoln and the squareness of the South Down. They are noted for the early production of lambs, and are the most prolific sheep in Eugland. A two year old Exmoor wether will give 70 to 80 lbs. of mutton equal to South Down ; in fact, these two breeds are of the same value to the butcher. The most valuable characteristic of the breed is the remarkably strong constitution for which they are noted, and the ability to thrive where other breeds would pine.