NEWS AND NOTES. The Star. "WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1881.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 142, 24 August 1881, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

The Star. "WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1881.

Early on Saturday we published an " extra," giving the result of the debate on Mr. Wright's motion in reference to the Taranaki Harbor. Great excitement existed throughout the district. One old settler rushed to the Telegraph Office as soon as he saw the news, and telegraphed to a prominent settler at Waitara, " Hawera shakes hands with Waitara over the result." The Plains people were quite enthusiastic, and the event was duly celebrated. The orators who asserted that some people bought land on the Plains, upon the understanding that they were to get a harbor at New Plymouth, ought to have been at Manaia on Saturday evening.

It is said that during the Harbor excitement, there was a greater amount of business done at the Waitara Telegraph Office than was ever known to be the case previously. We have heard it stated that in one day the telegrams forwarded in reference to the harbor alone amounted to nearly £9.

There is a good deal of gossip in Parliamentary circles in reference to Major Atkinson's speech on the Representation Bill. It was rather a strong one, but not a single word of it appeared in Hansard. Major Atkinson made an explanation in the House, and has asked for an inquiry. The chief reporter is likely to get into trouble.

We understand that Mr. H. Southey, the late Chairman of the Ngaire Road Board, will be a candidate for the vacant seat on the Hawera Road Board, the nominations for which close on Saturday next, at noon. Mr. A. S. Hobbs has also announced his intention of coming forward, so that, for once, there seems a probability of a contested election in connection with our local governing bodies.

We regret to learn that Mr. Moorhouse, M.H.R., lies dangerously ill in Wellington, and but little hopes are entertained of his recovery. Mr. Moorhouse was a candidate for this constituency on one occasion, and ran Major Atkinson very close. He is a kind, genial gentleman ; but latterly be has shown no great desire for official life. He was in Hawera a few months back, and looked very well at that time. „■/

The petition to the Minister of Lands, asking that a recreation reserve and racecourse might be set apart on the Waimate Plains, has been very numerously signed. Indeed, had any trouble been taken, it is probable that nearly every settler between the Manawapou and Taungatara would have readily signed. In a few days about 100 signatures were obtained. The piece of ground asked for is section 32, block 111., Waimate Survey District, containing 90 acres. It is within about a mile and a half of Manaia, and is as near to Normanby as it is to Hawera, being about seven miles from each place. A better site could not be choson, and we hope to hear that the prayer of the petition has been acceded to.

The first steeplechase meeting in connection with the Wanganui Hunt Club took plar-e on Saturday at Aromoho. There was a fair attendance, and the weather was all that could have been desired, hut the ground wasratherslippery. The veteran sportsman, Mr. F. E. Jackson, acted as judge, and Mr. C. S. Cross superintended the totalisator, over £70 being invested in this mild form of gambling during the day. 4)26 was taken at the gate, which was more than was anticipated. The Corinthian Cup was won by Mr. J. Higgie's Monk. The lowest weight was 11 stone, owners riding, and the distance two miles and a half. Six other horses started, Satanella and Leotard being scratched. The Hunt Club Handicap (distance about three miles), was won by Mr. J. H. Nixon's Satanella, Mustang and The Cure being also starters. Dr. Connolly's Dhudeen carried away the Ladies' Purse (distance three miles), Mr. J. Higgie's Monk second, and Mr. B. Higgie's Bully-for-You third. Mr. C. S. Cross's Hawthorne also started, Topthorne, Mustang, and Stonewall Jackson being scratched. The Hack Bace (distance half a mile) fell to Mr. Watkins' Sandfly, there being four other starters. The three first races were for pieces of plete. The idea is a good one, and, if encouraged, should have the tendency to lessen gambling, without in any way interfering with what is regarded as the most national pastime of the British speaking race.

Mr. Elliott Barton appeared before the Clerk of the District Court at Patea on Monday, for the purpose of endeavoring to upset the appointment of Mr. Win. Cowern as trustee in the estate of Mr. W. Williams. Mr. Barton represented Mr. North, draper, one of the principal creditors, and Mr. Duncan, solicitor, Wanganui, who was acting as agent for a large number of the Kaitangiwhenua natives. Mr. Barton put in two affidavits, setting forth that the election was null and void, on the ground of irregularity of procedure, the chairman (Mr. Farrab) being blamed for the manner in which the election had been conducted. It was argued that Mr. Cowern's election had been carried before some of the other creditors had been given "a reasonable time to make objections. At that meeting both Major Brassy, who appeared on behalf of the Kaitangiwbenua natives, and Mr. North, one of the principal creditors, objected to the election. Mr. Barton contended that, as the two creditors who objected represented a majority in value, the election did not hold good, as the resolution could only be carried by a majority of those present, both in number and value. Mr. Hamerton, who appeared for the trustee, put in affidavits from fourteen persons who were present at the meeting when the trustee was elected, stating that reasonable time had been given, before the resolution was put, for any creditors who wished to do so to object ; and Mr. Dale, the Chairman of the Patea County Council, stated that he would not have allowed any more time for the " noes" at a meeting of the Council. Mr. Hamerton objected to frittering away the whole estate in lawyers' fees, and claimed full costs if the motion were disallowed, in order to check the tendency ] to rush these matters into courts of law. Mr. Dean, the District Court Clerk, said be would take time to consider the points raised before giving his decision.

The San Francisco Mail steamer, which was due at Auckland ou Sunday, had not arrived up to last evening, our latest telegram to hand stating that there was no sign of her.

The steamer Clyde, which was run on the sand at Opunake by Captain Bonner, and about which some people made such a fuss, was floated off on Sunday morning, and reached Wanganui the same day.

The Native Land Court finished its sittings at Patea on Saturday. The natives appear to have got some cash. For the last day or two, some of them have been rather lively.

On -Monday, immediately after the House met, the Premier (the Hon. John Hall), gave notice that he would introduce a Bill to amend the Taranaki Harbor Board Act.

Reports have reached Wellington that the special train which carried the New Plymouth people to the Waitara meeting was laid on free of charge. Mr. Hamlin, M.H.R., has signified his intention of inquiring into it,

A complimentary dinner will be given to Mr. P. E. Cheal, surveyor, on Thursday evening, at the Egmont Hotel, as he has decided upon severing his connection with this district for the present.

Mr. Wilson Milne has sold his farm at Waverley at a satisfactory figure, and intends permanently residing in this district. Mr. Milne was one of the oldest settlers in Waverley, and very generally respected.

Sections 51, 52, 59, 60, and 61, in the township of Normanby, together with a four-roomed dwelling-house, were sold, by order of the mortgagee, at Patea, on Saturday last, by Mr. W. Dale, but only, fethed £117 10s.

Mr. W. Courtney intends starting in business at Opunake m a short time. Tenders have just been let for building a large auction mart, and as soon as the building is ready Mr. Courtney will probably shift his quarters from New Plymouth to Opunake. -"3?

From private sources, we learn that Messrs. Mace and Bassett are likely to get into hot water on account of stopping the special train last Sunday. Civil and criminal actions are threatened. One gentleman remarks in a consoling way: •'The oatmeal given to the inmates of the New Plymouth gaol is of excellent quality, bat rather deficient in quantity. How will Mace like it?" We should say our friend, Mr. Mace, would much prefer buckwheat cakis. The following tenders were received by Messrs. Edmonds and Sanderson, architects, New Plymouth^ for the erection of a store and auction mart at Opunake : —

£ s. d. J. C. George, New Plymouth 525 0 0 Munro and Gould, Manaia ... 532 0 0 E. Bullot, New Plymouth ... 544 0 0 W. Campbell, New Plymouth 590 0 0 John Nixon, Hawera ... 595 12 0 E. J. McKenzie, Hawera ... 598 0 0 G. E. Sole, New Plymouth... 665 0 0 R. McDowall, Normanby' ... 860 0 0 Mr. J. C. George's- tender has been accepted.

When the special train was on its way back to New Plymouth on Sunday morning, it was stuck up at Normanby by the contractors, as their permission had not been obtained. From Monday's Taranaki Herald (the Edito^-of which journal was on board at the time) we gather the following particulars : — " It is not often that a train is stuck up", but this was the case yesterday. A spatial train left town to convey some gentlemen to Hawera, and on its return an engine was found on the line at Normanby, which had been placed there ■by the contractors — Messrs. Mace and Bassett — who refused to allow the special train to return to New Plymouth. After detaining the train for two hours, Messrs. Mace and Bassett, in rather a brigandage style, made a proposition to the New Plymouth stationmaster to allow him to proceed with his train on payment of ten shillings. Mr. Cottam (the stationmaster at New Plymouth) denounced such an imposition. He said he had Mr. Holmes' permission to travel on the line, and when the Telegraph Office opened at five o'clock, he would get an authority from New Plymouth that would compel the contractors to clear the way. Mr. Mac said he did not care for anyone, and would be away in Hawera when the Telegraph Office was open, and would keep the train till the next morning. One of the passengers, not caring to be detained, offered the money to Mr. Mace, and was told to give it to the driver of the engine which blocked the road. This was done, the driver remarking at the time that he accepted the money on behalf of Messrs. Mace and Bassett. The obstruction was removed, and the special resumed its journey to town after a delay of two hours. If there was ever a case of •blackmailing,' there is little doubt but that this was one."

There were about 300 persons present at the football match at Wanganui on Saturday, notwithstanding the counter attraction of a steeplechase meeting at Arornoho the same day, The Patea County team were represented by five from Hawera (G. Bayly, \F. Bayly, F. Lysaght, S. Adamson, and W. Mason), five from Patea (Coutts, Gibbons, Powell, Turner, and Williams), and four from Waverley (J. Howie, F. Howie, Sim, and Thompson). The following were the Wanganni players : — Barton, Powell, W. M. Smith, P. G. Smith E. Smith, Gower, Allison, Thompson, Coakley, Moore, Marshall, Aiken, Montgomery, and Hackett. Barton captained the Wanganuites, and G. Bayly the Patea County team. There was some very good play on both sides, but Wanganui secured the victory by one try to nil. In the early part of the game, Gibbons got disabled, but recovered in time to do some good service for his side. We learn from tb£ Wanganui Chronicle that it was thought by many that the Patea County team would have been the victors, if they had not to leave by the 4.20 train, which necessitated time being called when they were playing in splendid form. During the two first calls, of 20 minutes each, Wanganui had the best of it, and at the close of the second 20 they had scored three points, whilst their opponents were nil. Gibbons' recovery, no doubt, helped his side considerably. Mr. J. Stevenson acted as umpire for Wanganui, and Mr. F. T>asenb for Patea, and their decisions gave general satisfaction. .The utmost good feeling prevailed throughout," as should always be the case, and at the conclusion each team gave three hearty cheers for their opponents.

The petition, praying that Hawera might be incoi'porated into a borough, has been forwarded to Wellington, more than the requisite number of signatures having been obtained. - There will be only two mails per week made up in future at Hawera for Mangawhero — on Tuesdays and Fridays. Mr. G. Tisch, who is acting as agent for the Star, has kindly intimated that he will make arrangements for getting our paper on the evenings of publication, so that subscribers will not have to put up with any delays.

A meeting of working men was held at the Town Hall, New Plymouth, on Saturday evening, Mr. Tremayne occupying the chair. It was resolved to present a petition to the Government asking that the Harbor Works should not be stopped during the inquiry to be made by the Roj'al Commission. The petition was signed by 400 men. There were a large number of the workmen's wives outside the Town Hall waiting to hear the result of the meeting. Mr. E. M. Smith made a temperate speech, which was attentively listened to. There were two hundred men present at the meeting.

Mr. T. King, Chairman of the New Plymouth Harbor Board; Mr. Rhind, Overseer of Works; and Messrs. Richmond, Samuels, Standish, and Weston, arrived in Hawera on Sunday morning by special train, and proceeded immediately by special coach to Waverley, arriving at Wanganui on Monday. People in this district have been wondering what it all means, the general opinion being that these gentlemen were going to Wellington, so as to endeavor, by lobbying (as our American cousins term it) to place men on the Parliamentary Commission favorable to the harbor. One of the party, however, informed one of the Waitara settlers, who got hounded down at the meeting at New Plymouth, that they were going to Wellington, in order to endeavor to obtain J6700 or £800 to house their machinery till the works were allowed to proceed. But if such were the object, the embassy might have been spared. The Government would be unlikely to refuse such a reasonable request, nor would the most violent anti-harbor agitator be found to oppose it. Our clever New Plymouth friends have some other object in view besides that. Nobody will blame them. If people in this district are opposed to the harbor, they can, at all events, appreciate earnestness, even in, their opponents.

Tenders are called by Mr. C. Tait for felling 60 acres of bush at Kaupokonui.

Mr. C. F. Barker will hold a sale of 30,000 feet of dressed timber at Patea. on Saturday next, at 2 p.m.

The Hawera Road Board invite tenders for 30 chains of side cutting on the ManaiaNormanby road.

Messrs. Duffill Bros, invite tenders for painting the Bank of New Zealand at Manaia.

Mr. F. B. Jackson's sale will take place at Kakaramea on Friday next. The entries are very -numerousJorJbhiltmie of year. Messrs. B. H. Nolan and CoTwiU'KSET their usual monthly sale of stock at Hawera on Friday next, at 1 p.m.

Mr. Newton King will hold his usual monthly sale at Waiwakaiho to-morrow. Farmers on the Plains would do well to observe that a lot of young stock are to be sold.

This eveniug the Lydia Howard Comic Opera Company will appear at Patea, and also to-morrow evening. On Friday and Saturday the company will give performances at Hawera.