NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 154, 3 October 1881, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

There is a feeling abroad that something definite will be known in a few days as to what the Government" intend to do in reference to native matters. It is believed that the three Cabinet Ministers who met at Opunake, decided on a course of action which will develope itself before the week is out. At any rate, on Friday they were in conference from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m., when Mr. Hall and Major Atkinson returned to Wellington, and Mr. Rolleston to Pungarehu.

The land which is to be offered for sale this day week is expected to hang on the hands of the Government considerably. Fortunately, being bush land, residence is not compulsory, and, therefore, those who buy can wait a little and allow the present little cloud of native difficulty blow over before clearing or settling the land. We are glad that the sale has not been postponed, or the land withdrawn from sale, as such a course would have given an air of importance to Te Whiti's obstruction which would scarcely be warranted by the facts before the public.

Captain Gudgeon returned to Manaia last evening from Opunake ; consequently, it would appear that the rumor that he had gone to Opunake in order to take part in active measures against the trespassers was unfounded.

People are anxious to know when the railway is expected to be opened to Hawera. There are a few of the original committee who are inclined to move further in the matter, provided that the Maori scare blow over. If this should happen, people would have a little heart to go in for rejoicing. As the first train through will probably be crowded with New Plymouth people, it would certainly seem shabby not to provide meat and drink for the visitors at the least ; just at present, however, it would probably be a mistake to attempt any demonstration. A trotting match, which had attracted some interest came off on Saturday afternoon between horses belonging to Mr. W. Martyn, of the Plains, and Mr. Nicoll, of Hawera. The stakes were £5 a-side ; and the distance was from the Waihi turning on the Hawera and Manaifl. road to tllß school-house, estimated to be about two miles. The two horses got away well and kept together for about hah' a mile, when Mr. NicolPs horse broke, thus giving its opponent an advantage of about 20 yards, which was never recovered. The pace throughout was very good, but time was not taken for the reason that the distance has not been accurately ascertained. Mr. W. Prosser acted as referee, but the distance between the two horses at the finish was such that there was no need to appeal to his decision. Subsequently a race came of! b tween horses belonging to Messrs. Newsham and H. Walsh. The distance was a mile, the latter receiving a start of 100 yards, which was made the most of by the latter, with the result that he landed his horse a winner.

The Taranaki Herald states that sixtythree applications to register votes were received in New Plymouth on Friday, all being for votes in the Egniont electoral district.

The Taranaki Herald says that "the A.C. Force have received a refund of the 10 per cent, reduction, which was taken off their pay. in July. They, however, have received notice that the pay in future will be 6s. per diem, instead of Gs. 6d." The redoubt at Mauaia is being improved by the addition of a look out tower at the entrance. It will be from 20 to 30 feet high, and is constructed of really etout frame work, and will probably increase the strength of the redoubt agaiust an attacking force.

In reference to a paragraph published by us on Saturday, to the effect that Mr. Hutchison was unfavorably received last week in Hawera, that gentleman requests that the btateinent may be contradicted most ernphaticall}'. He adds that he received nothing but encouragement.

The Waitara Harbor Board has resolved " That preliminary arrangements be made for vigorously pushing on the river improvements," and instructions were given to procure the necessary dredging gear from Melbourne, and to call for tenders for the construction of a dredge.

Jacob, a well-known native, was found drunk and disorderly in the street on Saturday evening. Free quarters were found for him ; and this morning he was brought up before Captain Wilson, J.P. " Twenty shillings, or 48 hours," was the fiat, and Jacob concluded_tK?t he_wowJ£ "iffkn itoui."

It is a curious fact, but it is one which cannot be questioned, that the further one goes from Parihaki the more decidedly warlike does the tone of the public become. Can it be that those who have least to lose have the most to 6ay, and can afford to be brave at the expense of other people ?

Great efforts have been made at the Manaia redoubt to render the ground around it really handsome and ornamental by the planting of trees. Most of those planted seem to have taken and thriven well, and in the course of a year or two we expect there will be few prettier place on the Plains than the Manai redoubt.

At the Normanby School Committee, on Friday evening, Messrs. Quin (in the chair), Rowe, and Richardson, being present, the following tenders for addition to the school were opened, viz. i — Ryan and King, £99 10s. ; F. Sisely, £73 155.; Scott and McLean, £128; A. Tourner, £144. The committee accepted the lowest tender, subject to the Board's approval.

An entertainment in aid of the funds of the Church of England Bazaar will be given on Friday evening. The first part of the programme will consist of a concert, and the second part will be the well-known highly diverting farce, " The Phenomenon in a Smock Frock," by local amateurs. The entertainment will be attractive, and as it will be a moonlight night, there should be a very large attendance.

In reference to the purchase by Mr. Martyn of the Clydesdale horse Prince Arthur, we learn that a gentleman in the Auckland district was commissioned to buy Prince Arthur, back at an advance on the price given for him by Mr. Martyn, but could not secttrp him. We also hear that three two-olds of Prince Arthur's stock were recently sold at an average of within a few shillings of .£SO each.

A telegram has been received from the Defence Minister to the effect that a definite answer in respect to the grant in aid for the Manaia drill-shed will be given as soon as he returns to Wellington, but that no definite reply can be given previous to that date. It is expected that an answer to the request will be received in time to lay before the mounted corps when the arms are issued to them on Wednesday evening next.

Out of more than seventy horses recently bought from the Maoris by Messrs. Martyn and Humphrey Bayly only two have been claimed by Europeans who could show a title. The Maoris have recognised in each case that the horses had been sold by other Maoris, without the knowledge of those of the hapu who lately unintentionally re-sold them to the above buyers, and have undertaken to give Messrs. Bayly and Martyn other horse 9in their stead. The following letter has Keen addressed to Mr. Hendy, and has been handed to us for publication as being of somewhat general interest: — "Fort Manaia, September 28. — Sir, — With reference to your request to Major Stapp, at the meeting of the Volunteers on Monday evening last, that arms and ammunition might be issued by the Government to settlers on their depositing the value of the same with the officer issuing, I have the honor to inform you that Enfield rifles may be purchased from Major Stapp at two pounds each. — I have, &c, W. S. Gudgeon, Sub-Inspector."

A meeting of the Church of England Vestry was held on Saturday afternoon, when a variety of matters were discussed. The question of getting a musical instrument for use in the church was taken into consideration, but no decision was come to in view of the circumstance that money is short. The Rev. Mr. Dasent mentioned that he was about to attend the session of Synod in Wellington, and promised to endeavor to get the Bishop to fix a date on which he would consecrate the new church. It was also decided to remit the balance of offertories to the Secretary of the General Church Fund, in order that some of the overdue stipend may be paid. About £15 or £16 will be sent in.

Read this paragraph, for it concerns you, and if well received, will lead to fortune. Every man may, if he chooses, become a moral hero; he may, like a good soldier, organise a campaign against passions that debase, and appetites that destroy. Freedom from misery, from sickness, from perplexity, headache, and corroding care, is a condition of successful life, and this gaol is within the reach of all men. Strength of will is not acquired by a single effort, but by degrees, by a process extending perhaps through many years. If you desire wealth, your health you must study, your passions control ; simple diet will do this. Lean upon the staff which, will support you — viz., bread. Ask your storekeeper for the Moa Brand Baking Powder, and if he does not keep it, close your account" and go elsewhere. Sharland has depots all through the country. [Advt.J

At the inquest into the circumstances attending the death of the child Maria Bason, the jury found that deceased was accidently drowned.

The early crops in the Southern districts are reported to be in a very advanced state, and are locking exceptionally well.

Ma Oi'mond (says a. southern exchange) is said to own property "which brings him in from J30,000 to iJ40,000 a year. No wonder Mr. Orinond hates the property tax.

The unsold sections in the Opunake and Cape Survey district have been withdrawn from sale. This is as it should be, as a sale of land, unless possession can be given, is to be deprecated.

A Press Association telegram states that the Christchurch Engineers, City Guards, and Yeomanry Cavalry have offered their services to the Government in the event of hostilities breaking out with the Maoris.

Owing to the recent unfavorable weather and the ravages of insects, it is estimated that the American crops will show a deficiency of 500000,000 bushels as compared with the yield of last year.

Tenders for the erection of a store are invited by Mr. Pinches, architect.

A parade of the Hawera Rifles will be held to-morrow evening, in the Town Hall.

The Hawera Light Horse hold a carbine drill this evening, in the Town Hall. Captain Lukis requests a full muster.

A meeting of the Waimate Mounted mU be Z&ld at Manaia en Wednesday evening, for the purpose of framing bye-laws, and for the issue of arms.