NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 138, 10 August 1881, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

The amended census returns of the several electorates show that the population, exclusive of those on board ship, in this provincial district was as follows on the Ith April:— New Plymouth, 3,32G ; Grey and Bell, 5,092 ; Esniont, 6,367. In the latter electorate, 4,040 were males, as against only 2,327 females.

The greater part of the road across the Plains between Hawera and Manaia is now fenced on both sides. Several settlers have bought stock and put them on the farms for the fisrt time during the past fortnight. These purchases have, doubtless, helped to keep prices for stock up to their present high level.

A severe hailstorm passed over Hawera yesterday about 2 p.m. Hailstones, fully as large as ordinary marbles or nuts, poured down for the first half minute, to the manifest discomfiture of travellers, and more especially, perhaps, of horses and bullock teams exposed to the pelting storm. One shop window was broken. The land referred to in a local in our last was 54 acres in Block V., section 28, Waimate Survey District. It was sold through Mr. F. McGuire, for £10 per acre cash. It was originally purchased by Mr. P. Healy, of Boss, Westland, at the second government sale on the Waimate Plains, for £6 2s. 6d. per acre. This is the largest price yet given to our knowledge for land in this particular block.

The valuator for the Ngaire Eoad Board was required to prepare a county electoral roll at the same time as the valuation list, showing the number of votes to which each ratepayer was entitled at an election of county councillors. The valuer's task is an easy one, seeing that he has only got to write one vote opposite the name of each ratepayer. There being no property within the district of more than £'50 annual rateable value.

We have to acknowlege the receipt of a complimentary ticket for the Taranaki Philharmonic Orchestra Concert, which takes place to-morrow evening. An excellent programme has been provided ; but until the trains runs twice a day, most of the folks in this district will be unable to get to Naw Plymouth to musical and other treats without serious inconvenience. We trust to hear that the concert will have proved a success, from a financial as well as a musical point of view.

We have been carefully through the West Coast Commissioner's report, but fail to find in it anything of importance, as to the work done, which has not been already made known to our readers through these columns. We can but reiterate the wish of the Commissioner, " that what remains to be done will be accomplished by a continuance of patient labor for a not very protracted period." At the same time, we would point out that there is a heap of work to be done between Oeo and Waitara, which has apparently been scarcely entered upon as yet, much of which presses for immediate attention, if Opunake is to prosper and flourish-

Politics have been very dull since the conclusion of the fruitless No Confidence debate. The Estimates have been brought up and the first few items Ipassed — even that prince of economists, Mr. Saunders, expressing himself satisfied with the reductions made. Sir George Grey has moved that the estimates shall be returned for revision, but those who remember what happened in 1877, wheu Sir George Grey and his party undertook to make large reductions in the estimates before they came into office, but entirely failed to do so after they came into power, well know how much weight to attach to such a resolution coming from such a source.

The New Plymouth Railway Celebration Committee have written to the Hawera Committee, requesting that both committees should work together, and inviting the people of Hawera to a ball at New Plymouth on the evening of the opening day. It is not our intention to forestall the action of the Hawera Committee, but we are strongly of opinion that the proposal will not meet with much support ironi this end of the line. Residents throughout this district desire to entertain and act the part of host upon this occasion. An. opinion lias gradually gaineil ground that any attempt to divide the honors would be both unusual and dangerous, in that it might spoil both entertainments. If the New Plymouth people would be our guests upon that day, the people here would be most happy to attend a return ball given at New Plymouth at a later date. Such a compromise might surely be conveyed in polite terms, so as not to give offence, thanking the hosts for their kind invitation, and hoping that the date of the New Plymouth ball might be altered without inconveniencing the hosts.

The address which was read to Mr. Laishley on the occasion of his leaving the neighborhood, (says the Waikato Times) has been placed in Mr. Sandes' shop that all may have an opportunity of seeing it before the departure of his family for his new field of labor. It is engrossed in black (with Mr. Laishley's name and that of his wife in scarlet, white, and gold), in the form of an oval, with short lines filled in with sprays of laurel in gold and scarlet. The oval has an illuminated border of scarlet, blue, and grey, round which is a wreath of ferns in shaded grey, the original fronds all being gathered in the immediate neighborhood of Hamilton, and outside of all is a border corresponing in design with the inner one, only on a larger scale, and edged with a row of embossed work, making- a pretty finish to the whole. It is framed in leather- work, groups of geraniums and fuschias top and bottom, convolvulus and ferns at the side, and is to be hung from, and supplemented by ornamental leather nails on a thick blue silk cord and tassels. It is pleasant to remember that wherever Mr. and Mrs. Laishley may make their home in the future, they will carry with them this slight momento of the high esteem in which they were held ; which, with the gift it accompanies, does not fully represent the regret all feel at losing them. The design is most beautiful, and the execution is almost perfect, and bears the highest testimony to the taste and skill of Mrs. Calder, from whose pencil it comes.

We have received the first number of a new monthly educational journal and review, entitled "The Schoolmaster." It is well got up, and contains a mass of varied information.

We have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a further supply of electoral lbrms from the Registrar of Electors.

The foundation stone of the new Borough Council offices, at Wauganui was laid last Saturday afternoon with much ceremony.

We have received the pocket guide of the Union S. S. Company for August. It is a handy little book for reference, and contains a fund of information.

Road work on the Plain's is being rapidly proceeded with ; almost all the contractors having started work. Some of the work is being done very cheaply.

Tenders for supplying forage for the A. C. Force at Waihi and Manaia during the coming twelve months close on the 12th inst.

The opening of the rink at Hawera took place ou Saturday last ; there was a good attendance, and the season promises to be a success.

Sir Wm. Fox is at present at Patea, his presence having been required in connection with land claims near Patea. He will probably remain at Patea until the Land Court sits on the 16th.

There was a good attendance and brisk bidding at Mr. Nolan's tree sale on Monday last. It was conducted by Mr. W. Thomson, Mr. Nolan being absent in Auckland.

Persons having unregistered dogs within the county, either on the Waimate Plams or elsewhere, are now liable to a penalty, the period of exemption on the Plains having expired.

According to a correspondent's letter, there were at the date of the last balance sheet of the "Wanganui Borough, jfi2B4s of uncollected rates, and £964 of uncollected rents outstanding.

The celebrated horse Mata came over to New Zealand in the last trip of the Te Anau from Australia. It is rumored that he will take part in the next race meeting in Canterbury.

The petition for circulation on the Plains in favor of county separation has been prepared, and will be circulated forthwith. There can be no doubt whatever as to the feeling of the new settlers, and they are many, being strongly in favor of the movement. On Saturday next it will be open for signature at Messrs. Langley's store, Manaia, whither any who may not be visited in the course of the next three days, are invited to attend for the purpose of signing. As it is understood that great efforts are being made to induce certain members of the House of Eepresentatives to propose that the proclamation be annulled, it is necessary that those who favor the movement should bestir themselves.

The next Licensing Court will be held on the 6th September, at Patea.

A preliminary notice of Mr. CheaPs sale of furniture is advertised.

Tenders are invited for cleaning public school, Hawera. Also, for felling 240 acres bush in Kaupokonui.

The regular monthly meeting of the Hawera Masonic Lodge will be held at the Town Hall to-morrow (Thursday) evpning, at half-past seven. Visiting brethren are respectfully invited.

A sample of bone-flour has been sent to us by Messrs. Bluck and Baker, of Waitara. The quality is all that can be desired, so far as we are able to judge. We shall be happy to give a small parcel to any of our farmers who may be inclined to invest.