NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1915, 27 April 1888, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

The Egmont Star for this week will contain a great variety of interesting matter. There is English news by the Orient, giving particulars with regard to the provision being made for an Australasian navy ; tho strength of the British navy ; the intense cold in England ; English footballers ; Mr. Brodie Hoare's introduction into Parliament, that gentleman having been returned without opposition to represent the district formerly represented by Sir Henry Holland, now Lord Knutsford. There is also an interesting communication from a London correspondent on the War Cloud in Europe ; also notes on the silver wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales ; the Australian Princess Midas ; the shipping ring, etc. In the Australian news, there is an account of the burning of the Coffee Palace at Ballarat, etc. There is a threecolumn report of the lecture by Mr. Molloy, M.P., on Home Rule, which, we are sure, will be read with interest. Sporting news, general extracts, dealing with a great variety of subjects, garden notes, fashion items, kitchen recipes, and household hints all go to make up an interesting paper. Cable news and telegrams are full, and local correspondence and news are complete. Every week the circulation of the Egmont Star is increasing, and it has a larger circulation than any other weekly paper printed between Wellington and Auckland.

The Taranaki Education Board has decided that, in consequence of the long closing of the high school by order of the local board of health, it is desirable that the ordinary holidays in May be not held this year.

We have been shown some monstrous potatoes, grown, we believe, on the land of Patohe, native chief. One weighs 5£ lbs. It may be said to be a cluster of potatoes, but the principal tuber is extraordinarily large.

An instance of good faith is reported to us from Manaia. A few days ago Mr. Green, tho well-known draper, changed a for an Opunake customer, and sold the latter some goods. At the time the sale was effected, short change was given, to the extent of about £5, in error. Neither the buyer nor the seller noticed it at the time, but two or three days later Mr. G. discovered the mistake, and forwarded tho correct change to Opunake. Probably no one will bo more surprised" than Mr. Green, to find that his good deed did not escape notice.

In February there were in New Zealand 8608 acres cultivated as gardens, and 16,329 acres as orchards. There is an increase of 678 freeholds above one acre in extent, 671 leaseholds, and U2 partly freehold and partly rented, making a total increase ior 1888 of 1411 holdings. There was an increase of land in wheat of 104,334 acres, estimated to produce over three million bushels in excess of last ■year. In oats there was a decrease of 50,754 acres, estimated to produce nearly 1\ million bushels less than last year's produce. There are 2345 acres of potatoes in excess of 1887, estimated to produce 3095 tons more than the yield for that year. Cocksfoot is estimated to show an increase in 1888 of 174,638 bushels.

At a meeting of the Harbor Board on Wednesday, Mr. Marcbant moved that the returning officer be instructed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. J. Stevenson, and pointedly drew attention to the peculiar action of the board in first asking Mr. Stevenson to hold his resignation over, and then refusing to allow him to sit. Either he should be allowed to sit, or his place shoald be filled. The Chairman and Mr. Corki'.l said the election was not proceeded with owing to the expense, and the resignation having been made public became absolute. Mr. Marchant said there was a feeling in the country that they were not properly represented in the board. He would point out that when Mr. Yorke resigned some time ago, his place was filled by Mr. Corkill, a. town member, who was nominated by the Government, and now there were two county seats vacant on the board, as Messrs W. Bayly's and J. Stevenson's seats were vacant. Mr. Corkill said that Mr. Bayly was a town member, and his resignation had been in the Government's hands for about four months, and yet they did not fill it. He also pointed out that Mr. Stevenson when on the board did not atten:! regularly, although he represented a large area of country. Mr. Shuttleworth said that they could not tell if it was a country member that would be elected, for it might be a town one. Mr. Marchaot said he saw the force of Mr. Shuttleworth's statement, and thought it was a pity that the Harbor Act did not maik the district into ridings for elections. Mr. Paul considered that it would meet the case, if in the event of the board not ordering an election, the Government would appoint members to the vacancy and thus save expense. The members for the district, he thought, could suggest country members for the two seats now vacant, and by that all feeling that the country was not properly represented would be done away with. The Chairman considered that the board could leave the matter alone. A division on Mr. Marchant(s motion was then taken :—: — Ayes (1), Mr. Marchant. Noes (6), The Chairman, Messrs. Shuttleworth, Carringtou, Paul, Corkill, and Connett.

We would again remind our readers that at the Town Hall this evening Mr. J. D. Pope, a young New Zealand orator, will tell the story of Emmet's life and death, concluding with the recital of his memorable speech in answer to Lord Norbury. The subject is one full of interest both to Englishmen and Irishmen, and judging by the critiques of several able journals in other parts of the colony, Mr. Pope should have a bumper house tonight. The subject covers a period the most interesting and sad in Irish history, which should enlist the keenest sympathy of every friend of humanity. Several ladies and gentlemen have consented to contribute some vocal and instrumental items, and the Town Band, under the leadership of Mr, Smart, will play some selections in front of tbe Town Hall, commencing at 7.30. The lecture commences at 8 o'clock, and we feel sure Mr. Pope will be favored with a large audience.

At the Harbor Board on "Wednesday, Mr. Marchant moved, " That tbe boat's crew should be dismissed." He said that for the year 1887 the service cost £663 10s, made up ot £186 for harbormaster's department, £77 for whaifinger, £66 for fenders, £109 for boating proper, £207 for wharfage, and £18 for sundries. The refunds from Government, Northern S.S. Co., and Union S.S. Co. amounted to £294, thus leaving a large deficit of £367 to be accounted for. He considered the cost was too great, and that it could be worked by men employed when occasion arose, instead of keeping on a permanent staff. Mr. Corkill seconded the proposition pro forma. The Chairman said that he would analyse the amount for Mr. Marcbaut. The cost of the whole last year was put down at £663 10s. From this amount would have to be deducted £296 actual cash refunded to the Board for the men's services. The value of the work done by the men in attending for a whole year to the fenders, warps, and dredging was £160 odd. There then remained £286 odd of the £663 10s to be accounted for. This was easily done. Last year the actual boating cost £109, but the amount for the current year would be greatly under this, as last year the wharf was not built for accommodating vessels, which had to be done at the breakwater. There was the cost of signalling and lighting at the harbor, which would, in round numbers, cost £186, so that the whole sum was thus not so formidable when analysed. The motion was negatived by 6 to 1.