NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Issue 215, 27 February 1882, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

Surveyors commenced work on the Oeo Block last week.

It is expected that Mr. Coutts will be re-elected chairman of the Patea Harbor Board to-morrow.

Sir William Fox passed through Hawera to-day, en route for his estate at Rangitikei, where he is going to spend a week or two.

Captain Wray is about to enjoy a six weeks leave of absence by a trip through the North Island, probably visiting the Hot Springs en route.

The election of a Waimate Licensing Committee on Saturday, resulted in the return of Messrs. Martyn, Hastie, Broadbent, Hughes, and Mcßae. Only ten persons voted.

The Patea Cricket Club held a meeting on Friday evening to ventilate grievances, and a motion was proposed condemning the match committee for their selections, especially in reference to the Saturday's match. The motion was negatived by 7 to 6, the members of the match committee not voting; and afterwards it was arranged to form a second eleven.

The Friendly Societies' Picnic on Wednesday will, no doubt, be a great success, if the weather continues as fine as it has been during the past few days. The railway manager announces a special train at excursion fares, and we hear that the New Plymouth Committee are busy making arrangements which will secure the comfort of visitors.

To-day a deputation from the Hawera School Committee waited upon Sir Wm. Fox, as one of the members of the Wanganui Education Board, and explained to him the position of affairs in this district, and the action of the secretary in not giving due notice to householders of the date of m eting. Sir William expressed surprisp and regret, and promised to look into the inattev when iv Wanganui.

The return rifle match between the married and single teams of the Hawera Rifles, will take place on Saturday next, weather permitting. It will be remembered on the last occasion the married men proved the victors by 14 points ; but on this occasion it is generally expected that the tables will be turned, as the married team have lost one of their best men — viz., Mr. Furlong.

The A.C. Force is being gradually reduced at the front. About thirty men have applied for and received their discharge within the last month ; aud it is understood that no steps will be taken to recruit the force. The Taranaki Herald says life at the camp is now becoming rather monotonous — nothing but roadmaking every day — and consequently many of the men think it is time they left for fresh fields of usefulness.

Messrs. Davies, Richards, and Hopwood are now getting to work, the difficulties ordinarily incident to starting new machinery having been pretty well overcome. They are receiving very good orders and promises of support ; and as they are turning out every thing from timber in the rough to all kinds of fancy woodwork, they hope to do a large business with contractors supplying them with everything needed for carrying out a contract from start to finish.

The Taranaki Herald says : We learn that natives are allowed to see Te Whiti and Tohu in prison, and although no conversations of a political nature are permitted between the State prisoners and the visitors, yet when the latter return to Paribaka, Urenui, or whatever place they may reside at, imaginary sayings of Te Whiti are told to the natives there, and implicitly believed by those credulous beings, thus keeping up Te Whiti's influence. The natives have evidently not all lost faith in Te Whiti, as we learn that a native the other day brought a basket ol mussels to the gaol for Te Whiti. He said that Te Whiti could not live on all pakeha food, and he should get some Maori kaikai sometimes. This, however, is a mistake, for the Prophet appears to be hearty and contented, aud enjoys excellent health, notwithstanding his waut of freedom, and the absence of Maori potatoe, kumeras, and mussels.

Tenders are invited for construction of hurdles for Racing Club ; also for erection on modified plans of office for proprietors of Stab.

Messrs. R. 11. Nolan & Co. sell general merchandise at Mart on Saturday.

Messrs. Barker and Hurley announce an opening sale at Norruanby on Wednesday Bth. March. It is proposed to hold fourweekly sales.

Mr. W. Brown, of Patea, holds a special clearing sale at Manaia commencing this week.

isl reward is offered for the recovery of a watch lost in Hawera on Saturday.

We would direct attention to a great sale of pure-bred cattle and horses advertised by Mr. Freeman R. Jackson to take place at Wanganui on Btli March.