PATEA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 96, 16 March 1881, Page 3

PATEA.

(fbom our own correspondent.)

Patea, Yesterday.

On Sunday evening, while returning with a large fishing party, the steamer Clyde crossed the bar at nearly dead low w;iter, but grounded inside behind the breakwater. Captain Bonner endeavored to get a line to the north shore, but this could not be done. A rope, however, was attached to the breakwater head, and great efforts were made to draw the little steamer into deep water, but the strain proved too much for the line, which snapped, leaving the vessel in a very pvecanous position. Mr. Woods, the harbormaster, dashed into the water, intending to swim out for another line, but he was called back, as a boat was being lowered. The second rope was made fast, but met with the same fate as the first ; and the steamer got close under the concrete work. Here is supposed to be the original channel, aud as the Clyde was afloat, Captain Bonner headed her off shore, and twice attempted to run for the entrance, but each time a heavy sea drove her back to a more perilous position. Nothing daunted by failure, however, the captain made another attempt, and wa9 successlul in entering the river. It was only by a very narrow shave that this was managed, as there could not have been twelve feet between the steamer and the breakwater when it passed, and a single breaker would have dashed thejlittle craft on to the solid work, probably causing its total destruction, and considerable loss of life. The danger over, the excursionists, as Well as a number of onlookers on the banks, breathed more freely, and at the wharf a large crowd greeted their arrival with a I hearty cheer.

Thursday next, St, Patrick's Day, will be observed as a bank holiday, and a cricket match will be played at Hawera between the Patea and Hawera clubs. The Patea team will consist of the following : — Messrs. Jacorab, Kitching, Coutts, F. J. Homer, Arundell, F. Read, Dixon, Tennent, Dasent, Pringle, and Taplin ; emergency men : Messrs. Owen, E. C. Homer, and Black. The new branch of the Bank of Australasia was opened to-day. The committee of the Harmonic So*

ciHty are in treaty with the Town Hall Company ior the purchase of ihc Towu Hall. It is understood that an offer has been made, and if it is accepted, the building will be removed bodily to the society's section in Cambridge street. On the present site of the hall, a large new building, consisting of stores and offices, will be erected*

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Harbor Board was held yesterday. Present — Messrs. Sherwood, Homer, Newland, Aitchison, and Gane. The minutes of previous meeting having been read, Mr. Sherwood stated that a member of the Board had publicly accused him of being to Wellington on private business of his own at the expense of the Board. Until this matter was thoroughly investigated by a committee appointed for that purpose, he could not occup}' his place as chairman of the Board. Messrs. Homer, Newland, and Aitchison were appointed an investigation committee ; and, after an adjournment, reported that " at the chairman's request, this committee having held an investigation into tlae cliarge against the chairman, of his having been paid by the Board for going to Wellington on his own private business, consider the charge to be entirely without foundation." It was resolved that the standing orders of the Patea County Council he adopted by the Harbor Board, when applicable. Messrs. Sherwood, Aitchison, Newland, and Gane were appointed a committee to inspect the harbor works, and report on same at the next meeting. Mr. Holthain's application for a three weeks' extension of thne to finish his contract was granted. The Patea S.S. Company having asked permission of the Board to erect a shed near the wharf, it was decided to leave the question open until the expiration of the wharves' leases. The chairman was empowered to get urgent repairs done, where necessary, to the extent of i'2s.

For remainder of Reading Matter,

see Fourth Page.