The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6. 1892. NEWS AND NOTES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3294, 6 December 1892, Page 2

The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6. 1892. NEWS AND NOTES

Tbe English mail came down last evening.

In Wellington oity on Sunday 3£ inches of rain fell.

Captain F. W. Mackenzie, a wellknown Ot&go pioneer, ia dead.

Mrs Page, mother of the young man wbo was drowned on Saturday, arrived in Hawera by tbe Bouth train last evening. On being informed that her son had been buried, Mrs Page naiaraMv was deeply affected.

We hear that a lot of hoggets from tbe limestone hills, Toko way, driven to Hawera tbe other day for sale, were in a condition which gave excellent evidence of tbe value of the country they have been reared in. They travelled well and looked well at the end of tbe ionrnev. and fetched 13s.

The Manaia Brass Band intend to visit Otakeho on Friday next, and give a vocal and instrumental concert in aid of their funds. Tbeir kindness in giving their services tor the benefit of tbe Otakebo school prizes will hardly hive been forgotten by the residents, and no doubt a bumper bouße will greet tbem on tbe occasion of their own benefit.

The Taraoaki News relates that a boy about 14 years ot age, named Freeman, was lost in the bueb at tbe Egmont'road. He left hie borne on Saturday morning, and as be did not return that eight tbe settlers formed a search party, about 100 strong, on Sunday, and searohed tbe bush in all directions. Notwithstanding tbe very .wet weather, the seareb was kept tip all day without suocess. The youth turned up on Monday morning, and it was found tbat he had been lost in the bush, but was all the time, comparatively epeaking, close to bis own home.

The Fatea Press is to be published thrice a week after tbe New Year.

Normanby business people have decided to make half-holiday on Fridays, commen:ing this week.

By error the word •' Saturday " was printed in the school entertainment advertisement yesterday. It should bave been Thursday.

Another snake bas been brought to the colony. One seven or eight inebsa long was discharged in the ballast of tbe Nith at Oamaru on Saturday. The Nith is from Brisbance. Tbe snake is green, with copper-colored bead and ringed neck.

At the Hawera licensing meeting this morning, tbere were no applications to deal with ; but Mr. J. W. Kelly attended, and submitted plans of tbe proposed new Egmont Hotel which were approved and tbe approval was endorsed thereon.

This is not only a season for luxuriant grass, hut great vegetables, and we expect to bave plenty of samples. A specimen of. Rreeu peaa Bhown us to-day, grown by Mr. H. Capfen from Mr. W. Rowe'B " Stratagem " seed, is a very good beginning, being a pod over 4^ inches long, containing ten peas.

Among the street improvements now going on is the gravelling of tbe south side of High- street from Viotoria to Disraeli-streets, and the comfort to pedestrians, as well as the appearance of tbe ■treet, has been greatly improved, especially as the overhanging hedge from Winks's to the Presbyterian Church has also been cut down. Portion of Regentstreet, too, is being decidedly improved by tbe construction of kerbing.

At Stratford on Sunday, the Settler reports, 2-10 inches ot rain fell. The high wind did considerable damage, a new stable in the course of erection, at tbe rear of Mr. "Liardet's new bouse, being blown down, and & good deal of timber smashed. Several stacks of timber where new buildings are being erected were also blown down and more or less damaged. Tbe iron roof on the open stables at the Stratford Hotel was stripped off, and two chimneys at the new building occupied by Mr. Orchard and Messrs. Petcbell and Co. were blown down.

Tbe Taranaki Education Reserve Commiseioners met on Friday. A sub committee consisting of Messrs. Weetman and Corkill was appointed to confer with tbe Board's solicitor regarding the unlet lands in New Plymouth and vicinity and to make arrangements for leasing same. It was decided to offer the following sections for lease on terms and conditiona, and nt a time to be arranged by Messrs. Parris and Weetman, namely: — Seo. 4, block 11, Ngaire ; Bee. 8, block 15, Ngaire ; Beo. 24, block 15, Ngaire ; seo. 54, blook 14, Huiroa ; Bee. 6, block 11, Mimi ; sec. 5, block 9, Ngatimaru; sec. 5, block 13, Ngatimaru: sec. 1, block 1, Opaku. It was decided to take proceedings ior the recovery of rent against four tenants if the arrears were not paid on or before December 31st, and, if necessary, ' to determine tbe leaseß.

An extraordinary freak on tbe part of a hen is recorded by Messrs. Watson and Loggie, of George-street, Dunedin, wbo bave p. bull dog slut whiob eighteen days ago gave birth to four pups. The pups have been taken charge of by a hen, which sits on and cares for tbem as she would for a brood of chickens. The hen exhibits great concern for the safety of tbe pups, and whenever they go to sleep Bhe spreads her wings over them, and sits on tbem till they awake. When grain is thrown to her she clucks and distributes it to the pups, and allows tbem to clamber over ber, and pull her about as they choose. The mother of the pupß has hitherto shown a strong dislike for hens, killing every one tbat came within her reach, but, strange to say, she never interferes with tbe ben which has taken charge of tbe pups, and will fiercely resent any interference with her. The pups weigh about 4slbs each, and seem as much contented with tbe ben as with their mother. — Globe.

Manaia Town Board invite tenders for works.

Stock sales to-morrow.— W. Oowern, Patea ; Egmont Farmers' Union, Manaia.

Patea West Eoad Board call for tenders for several contracts.

Secretary Normanby Sports Committee invites tenders for booths, &c. Reward offered for recovery of lost horse. Commissioner of Crown I,ands inserts notices re land for selection.

Our readers will notice that Messrs. Vickers & Stevens advertise a considerable sale of cattle to be held at their Inglewood yards, to-morrow, and we have no doubt that there will be a good attendance of buyers. Colonel Trimble's cattle are specially mentioned. They are, we understand, all bred from a pure-bred bull, from Mr. Caverhill's well-known shorthorn herd, and are in prime condition.