NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 178, 28 November 1881, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

The ordinary weekly Supplement is published with this evening's edition of the Star. A special 14-colunm Supplement v/ill be published with our next issue, £ A large batch of Maoris, numbering some 400 to 500. have resumed the occupation of the Kaupokonui kainga. Old Mauaia ha 6 been killing beef for them, and has slaughtered eight bullocks within the past day or two. They have very little crop iv within the district, and even Manaia's hospitality seems likely to be | soou exhausted. Generally speaking, the Maoris who have returned to the Waimate Plains from Parihaka appear to be very friendly. They say, however, that as the Maoris I obeyed Te Whiti, and have submitted to indignities and wrongs without resistance, they believe that Te Whiti will win yet. Some of the late absentees complain that they have had all their horses taken away during their absence. Bangi (Lloyd) has been committed for trial on a charge of having on the 10th

November, at Parihnka, wilfully and unlawfully obstructed Charles Wilson Hursthouse, a person authorised by his Excellency the Governor to carry out the provisions ot the West Coast Settlements Act, by sitting in company with a large number of other natives, in the marae at Parihaka, aud refusing to leave the place when requested to do so.

The election contest is being carried on with spirit and good humor. Both Major Atkinson's and Mr. Hutchison's committees are holding frequent meetings in each centre, and neither candidate will have any reason to complain of lukewarmneßS on the part of his supporters. At Hawera, Normanby, and Manaia each committee is working hard. An advertisement announces that Mr. Hutchisou's Mauaia committee will meet at the road board office on Wednesday evening 1 next.

The Son. the Native Minister, Sir "Win. Fox, and Mr. Panis arrived in Hawera on Friday evening about 5 o'clock. Mr. Bryce and Sir William were closeted all the evening on business f connected with native matters. Iv the morning Mr. Bryce received a deputation, and the proceedings are fully reported in another column. He left by the 11 o'clock coach for Wanganui, nnd it is pi - obable he will address the electors oi Waiiofcua. Sir William Fox leaves Hawera to-morrow for Raugitikei, where he will probably remain until after the election.

Plans for additions to the Hawera schoolhouse have been received in Hawera, and we presume tenders ior the work will soon be invited. Two classrooms, each 26ft. by 19ft. 3in., are to be added, a fireplace in each, and will be put along the front of the present building. The addition will not be sightly, and the plans show that want of knowledge has led to several inconvenient arrangements. However, the work is so much required that it will not do to quarrel with what has been sent. When the additional rooms are added, there will be accommodation for another 100 children.

Mr. P. Galvin, lately connected with the proprietary of the Stae, is commencing business in Opunake as a land and general commission agent. He is so well and favorably known throughout the district for his business habits and abilities, and his genial manners socially, that we have no doubt many persons will find it to their interest to entrust him with business. We ai*e quite sure that Mi*. Galvin carries ■with him the good wishes of all Hawera and Normanby people with whom he has come into contact. It may be added that he is building suitable business premises in Opunake.

A number of people having been inquiring when the English Church at Hawera will be opened for public worship, we have ascertained the following particulars : — The church is not yet quite finished, the contractor having left on more urgent business elsewhere at some distance. The guarantors are therefore likely to undertake the balance of the work required, which is not likely to last more than a few days. But, under the contract for seating, the carpenter who has the work in hand, can claim until the 20th of next month to complete the work. Although the bishop is now at Bulls, and expected to be called up to Hawera to open the Hawera church, it does not appear that such is the intention of the vestry, who were given to understand that the bishop would come up to consecrate the building whenever he might be requested to do so. The sooner the date for the opening is fixed and known the better.

The high praise accorded to Sergeantmajor Thompson for the excellent instruction given to the Wairnate Mounted Rifles by him during their week's annual training, suggests that so good a man might well be retained in the district. The half-dozen rifle corps, both mounted and foot, which have been formed throughout the district, would provide ample employment for an instructor, and if a man were appointed to act throughout the district, as has been elsewhere, it would be to the advantage of the public, as it would quickly increase the efficiency of the force. In many instances, it is well-known that the officers need instruction as well as the men, and none could wish to be in better hands than in Sergeant-major Thompson's.

The Hawera Bifles paraded for inspec lion on Friday evening at 6/ o'clock. They fell in between 70 and 80 strong behind Cook's Hotel, and were then marched up to the cricket ground. The newly-formed band headed the corps, and played one or two tnnes in capital style, much to the surprise of all who were aware that the band has only been formed two or three weeks. Arrived on the cricket ground, the corps were put through skirmishing drill, changes of front, &c, and acquitted themselves most admirably. This week is to \>e & \>nsy one, five inspection parades having been ordered. It is necessary to get these parades over in order to secure the capitation, and as there are uniforms, &c, to pay for,- it is hoped that, even though the inconvenience may be great, every member will show his interest in the corps by qualifying himself to receive the 'capitation grant.

Mr. Hutchison speaks at Opunake tonight.

Tiie s.s. Patea leaves for Wellington on Tuesday, at 2 p.m., and on Friday at 5.30 p.m.

The Land Board to-day approved of £10 working expenses ar>d ,£BO fur deviations in the Ngaire Eoad District.

We hear that the Bank of Australasia is about to build iv Hawera. Plans of the new building will be ready in a few d;;j s. The Athletic Sports Committee have put forward a very liberni programme for New Year's Day. The prize-money reaches nearly i'Bo.

A meeting of Mr. Hutchison's supporters was held at the Road Board office, Manaia, on Friday evening last, when there was a large attendance of settlers. A committee was formed, with power to add to their number.

The first mob of sheep shorn by Europeans on the Plains has been in hand during the last day or two. There being as yet no woolshed on his land, Mr. Broadbent, the owner, has had to shear in tbe open, at Mr. Martyn's; the frequent sliowers have impeded progress.

The young fern as well as the artificial grasses on the Plains has grown ao last during the past fortnight of showery weather, that there has been a brisk demand for stock to keep the fern down, aud give the grass a show. A large number of cattl* have been driven on to the Plains during the past week.

A meeting of returned natives is being held at Okarima to-day. It is not expected that speeches of any importan ce will be delivered, as no men of importance will be present. Probably, a meeting will be held at Taiporohenui shortly, at which Patoe, chief of the Tongahoes, may have something to say.

Captain Bayty waited upon the Defence Minister on Saturday in reference to the supply of new targets. He described the wretched condition of the present target, and said that volunteers could not be expected to become very proficient shots unless something were done. Major Noake had already promised to see to the matter, but doubtless on account of his titua being- so much taken up with move important matters, nothing had yat beeu done. Mr. Bryce promised that he would give the necessary instructions immediately. In the course of conversation, the Minister said he had seen the corps march, aud he was pleased to see it in such an efficient state. Major Noake had informed him that the corps was getting on well, and what he had seen quite con&rmed the information he had received-

Tenders for works for tbe Hawera Road Board close on Saturday, at noon.

The Banks close on Wednesday, being St. Andrew's Day.

A meeting- of the members of the late Hawera Brass Band will bo held on Wednesday evening.

Mr Murray Thompson sells timber at the Bailway Station on Wednesday.

Th© new Oddfellows 1 Lodge is to be opened this evening 1 .

A lecture is to be delivered by tbe Rev, Mr. McNichol this evening at Manaia.

Inspection parades are ordered by Major Noake at dates and times stated in advertisement. We are informed by Capt. Bayly that Major Noake will inspect any men who fall in at the rear of the Empire, at 6 o'clock this evening.