NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1638, 31 May 1887, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

♦ We draw attention to a letter beaded "Election" in another column. The writer complained to us that we had neglected our duty to the publio in not warning them to beware of binding themselves to support a politician who had made no public avowal of his political opinions. We were compelled to admit th it we might have, to some extent, neglected our duty in the matter ; but that we scare e-ly believed that such an obvious (Linger would be generally overlooked by the electors. If our desire to give lair play to both Bides led us into neglecting to offer a necessary caution to rasli electors or political novices, we can but express regret for the over sight. The opinions expressed by Fair Play have our fullest concurrence and support. We notice that the Patea Mail thought such a caution necessary to Patea electors. The Hawera Brass Band have lately received, by the English mail, a large parcel of newly composed pieces of mueic, some of which is pioposed to be presented by tlie band on Saturday evening next. The Sydney Morning Herald says of the New Zealand Budget: — No one will recegnise very much skill in a Budget speech such as tin's, and it is hardly likely to give satisfaction to any but the few to whom it is to be helpful. The anDouncemenfc that future borrowing is to le reduced' is satisfactory, for tho colony r wauts a rest. It is its public aud private debt that depresses it, and tbe aim of the Government should be to reduce that debt.

Hawera Bides parade for inspection this evening. Lieut. -Colonel Stapp is expected to be present.

The annual meeting of the Hawera Choral Society is to be held this evening in the banqueting room at the Town Hall.

At a meeting of the Patea Agricultural and. Pastoral Society Mr. W. Wilson carried a proposal recommending the opening of the ports to the importation of stock, subject to a quarantine of not less than five months.

In the course of the recent debate on tbe tariff, Dr. Newman pointed out that he knew there must be a tariff, but be did not believe in the Government proposals, and as an instance pointed out that the duty on sashes had been raised from 4s to 6s, and yet last year not a single sash was imported into the colony.

The Waitara Freezing Works last week did the largest week's business since the company have commenced operations, no less than 250 bullocks having been killed aud dressed. The company send by the through train to Wellington twice a week a large consignment of meat to the local markets there, and the meat is admittod to be the best that has been seen in the Empire City. Gradually and surely the company are extending their operations. — News.

The following is a synopsis of tbe bankruptcy business in Napier district since the Act came in force to the present date :—: — Total number of bankrupt estates, 114; estates in which the assets were nil, 63; estates in which the asspts were under £50, 20; total assets realised, £12,719; total amount paid in dividends, .£5.547; preferential claims paid, £4430 ; solicitors' charges. £365 ; other costs of administration, £603 ; balance in bank relating to 46 estates, £1762.

The Wanganui Herald says :-For Egmont Major Atkinson will have to fight Mr. Felix McGuire, who has been busy studying the science of political economy for some years, with a view to entering Parliament. Of course a veteran campaigner like Major Atkinson has a lot in hand in such a struggle, but Mr. McGuire will put him on his best metal, and possibly beat him by a narrow majority, as he has made himself very popular among the small settlers and the working class up the coast.

It will be seen by proclamation gazetted in another column that the Hawera Parhmentary Union is summoned for Friday next. We may state that on that dny the House will be opened by Commission, but the only business will be the election of a Speaker, and the signing of the roll, and so on by the members. The session will be opened by Speech from the Throce on the Monday following. Mr. Hutchison has been requested to form an Administration and has accepted the duty. The session will therefore open under tbe auspicies of a new Minister.

A correspondent of the Daily News, in a letter on the borough rates, of New Plymouth, points out that ratepayers are now subject to a rate of 3s 3^d iv the £ sterling of annual value, " which is a somewhat ugly impost, and when the inevitable harbor rate of one shilling in the £ is added, which must be the case during the present year, the New Plymouth oniana will rest under the refreshing collective rate of 4s 3|d in the £. Cannot Mr. McGuire devise a scheme whereby the colonial taxpayer could be made to l run tbe whole shop,' and let the burgesses have their property rate free, just to give them a show."

Monday's Patea Mail says : — Messrs. M. D. King and Barton have been on the electioneering war path all day obtaining signatures to a requisition to Mr. McGuire to contest tbe Egmont seat at the election consequent on the now anticipated dissolution. We have not beard what their success has been, but no doubt it will be made public enough later on. Electors should be careful who they request to come forward, as a request of that sort is usually construed into a promise ot support, and candidates are apt to base their decisions on the names appearing on the requisition, and are in consequence sometimes thereby unfairly dealt with.