Untitled

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 2, 17 April 1875, Page 2

Major Turner, during his late visit to Waihi, availed himself of the opportunity of visiting the scene of Tito Kowaru’s haunts, and on seeking for an interview, was informed by a native that the chief was engaged, some distance off, clearing a piece of land for the purpose of cultivation. Tito Kowaru is reported to he industriously engaged in the cultivation of hops, and rarely ventures outside the boundary of his territory, fearing that his presence among the authorities would not be very pleasant for his liberty. Now that this notorious chief, whoso name was once a terror to the country, exhibits evidence of desiring peace and , reconciliation, it is high'time that the Government rescinded the reward for his apprehension. The mail coach has been very irregular of late in its arrival at the several Post Offices along the lino of road, and in consequence occasioning inconvenience to many. The matter is, however, capable of easy remedy by the driver curtailing his detention at his various halting places, and exorcising the whip a little more diligently. It was three o’clock yesterday before ho deliverdd the mail at the Carlyle Post Office. Anxious-as we are to accommodate our readers with the very latest telegraphic information, we took the opportunity yesterday of interviewing Mr. Lemon, the General Manager of the Telegraph Department, while passing through Carlyle, for the purpose of securing the opening of our local office for the receipt of press telegrams on publication evenings ; and we were rather surprised when the manager informed us that the matter of opening small offices was under the consideration of the Government, and declined to accede to our request. We entirely dispute his right of ruling, and contend 'that we have a perfect claim to have the same privileges conceded to Patea as arc given to other districts throughout the Colony. Mr. Hutton, our courteous post-master, desirous of accommodating, intimated to his chief that lie had no objection whatever to be present at bis post in order to receive the telegrams, but the inspector very discourteously replied that his attendance would not receive his (Mr. Lemon’s) consent. There are some people when vested in a litt’e brief authority take a delight in letting the world know who and what they are ; and Mr. Lemon is just a type of this character, but he must be taught to learn that the public interests are not to be a 1 lowed to suffer in order to gratify his little vanities. We purpose communicating with Major Atkinson, as member for the district, in order to secure the opening of the Telegraph Office on our publication evenings, and from whose hands we hope to receive a little more courtesy.

The forcible remarks made by Mr. Coutts the other evening at the Pastoral .Association’s Banquet, regarding the advisability of settlers directing their attention to the establishment of a Hour mill in the Patea district, are likely to be productive of beneficial results.,- We are pleased to learn that several settlers have taken the matter warmly in hand, and already a proposal has been submitted to a gentleman resident in Canterbury on the subject. There is every probability that the terms will bo accepted, and the erection of the mill commenced at an early date.

A large portion of the timber for the Bank of New South Wales has arrived. It has been prepared in Wanganui, so that when the balance comes to hand, the work of erection will occupy but little time. We have been favored with a view of the plan—it is very neat and suitable, and when the building is completed, will prove an ornament to the town.

A'meeting was held at Wairoa on Tuesday evening, 13th instant, to consider an offer received from the Government to sell, for a nominal sum, the land on which the present Town Hall is erected to a public company. The attendance was rather limited, but sufficiently numerous to decide the question at issue. It was resolved that the Government ho communicated with, requesting that the land may be made a reserve. We are of opinion that the meeting acted very unwise in not complying with the stipulations contained in the proposal. Had this course been adopted, Wairoa would shortly have been in possession of a superior hall to any at present erected on the coast; but the meeting having decided otherwise, it must be contented to jog along with the present inadequate building, and the few residents of Wairoa who arc always found active in furthering the interests of this rising town, will have to submit to the mortification of seeing themselves outvied by Maxwell, Waitutura, and Kakaramca. Wairoa at one time gave evidence of taking the lead, but now appears to be falling behind in the march of progress. The present building used for entertainments is found to ho quite unsuitable. A sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court was held yesterday. Pat,rick Gill, a recent arrival, and whose presence appears not to have been regarded as an acquisition to oilr community, was brought before Major Turner, R.M., charged with vagrancy and disorderly conduct. The prisoner was discharged on the understanding that he would bid farewell to those friends who were solicitous for his welfare. The contract for the formation of a portion of the Mountain Road has already been accepted. Great dissatisfaction is expressed at the work not having been commenced in Hawera, as it is alleged that if the work is delayed till winter sets in, the road will be utterly impassable. There is a romour that the road will not be made through Hawera at all ; but we do not think there is any truth in it, as we have it upon good authority, that tho work w«<» authorised, and the plans prepared defining the route, which provides for the road being carried through the Hawera township). We shall refer to this matter again when we have further information.

By the kind permission of Capt. Wray, a part of the Immigration Barracks J>as been placed at the disposal of the Patea Lodge of Good Templars, for the purpose of holding their meetings. The want of a suitable place to meet in has been a great disadvantage to the Patea Templars, and we are glad to see that they have been accommodated with a room.

Mr. Williams is importing a steam saw mill, which will be erected in the bush near Hawera. This will supply a want long felt in the district. The high prices, combined with the great difficulty m procuring timber from the Sound, have been the means of causing many to retrain from building. We presume the now mill will be able to keep the market supplied at a reasonable rate ; if so, its introduction will bo a great benefit to the district. Mr Joseph Ivcss has been appointed agent for the Patea District for the Government Life Insurance and Annuities Department. The Rev. Mr M'Callum, Presbyterian Minister, returned to Patea on Thursday last after a visit to Auckland. The rev. gentleman will hold Divine Service in the Court House to-morrow evening.

A young man namedWm. Cole, a recent rrival, was brought into Carlyle the other day, suffering from dysentry. lie was first taken to the Albion Hotel, where be was attended by Dr: Croft ; but becoming worse, he.was removed to the Hospital. Unfortunately tire case was too far gone, and the poor fellow expired oil Thursday morning. He was buried yesterday, the Rev. M. Kennedy performing the funeral rites.

It will be seen by our advertising columns that Mr. Williams is importing a large quantity of machinery, fencing wire, &c., ■per Huon Bell, which vessel has been chartered from Wellington to convey it to this port. This will be by far the largest consignment of this description ever brought into the district. A committee meeting of the Patea, Wairoa, and Hawera' Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held yesterday, for the purpose of winding up matters connected with the late Show. There was a good attendance of members. Accounts amounting to over £9O for prizes, &c., were passed for payment. The committee decided that in the case of Mr. Potto’s protest, the decision of the judges should be upheld. The secretary was instructed to ascertain the prices of silver and bronze medals. On the motion of Mr. Peacock, seconded by Mr. Goutts, it was resolved that the sum of £lO be presented to the secretary, Mr. W. Dale, in recognition of his valuable services. After satisfying all claims, a handsome surplus remains in baud for the next Show. Mr. R. E. Mcßae signified his intention of offering a special prize of £3 3s. for the best foal by “Wonderful Lad” at the next Show of the Society.

Tenders are invited by the 25th (or , Patea West) Hoad Board for works on Unthanks road.

The difficult and painful operation, says the “ Wanganui Cbronicle”generally known as “ tapping” was performed with unusual success by Dr Marshall on Tuesday last. Twelve pints of water were taken from the patient,, who, though yet weak from the effects of the operation, still experiences great relief from the mode of treatment adopted, which will be productive of a greatly improved state of health and additional corporeal comfort. The diminished weight should be equal to lolbs. .tap The life of the late Captain Pearce, fif the ill-fated Gothenburg, was insured in the Australian Mutual for £IOOO. The “ Post,” referring to it, says :—“ He was induced to insure by the sudden death of his fellow commander, Captain House, of the Claud Hamilton. It will be remembered that Mrs. House and family were left very badly off. Captain Pearce determined to guard against his family being similarly left, and so effected the insurance in question.”

The “ Wanganui Herald” says;—“ The circumstances surrounding the last moments of a young man who died in the hospital lately, are very painful and not over creditable. The young man was a stranger in the place—had no relations here, and but few friends. He had been for some time in ill health, hut was sufficiently well to permit of his accepting an engagement in a business house in town, which, however, he never filled, as he gradually became worse, and within a few days of the date upon which lie was to have entered upon lu's duties, he was in his grave. He was lodging in a hotel in town, but when it became evident that he was rapidly sinking, the medical gentleman who was attending him applied for his admission to the hospital. The chairman of the Hospital Committee, to whom application was made, declined to accede to the request unless the certificate of the hospital medical attendant was procured, as this was the course laid down by the committee to be pursued in all except urgent cases, such as accident. The doctor argued ihat the case in point was an urgent one, as the sick man’s life was not worth an hour’s purchase, and it was clear that he could not get the attention in the hotel that he would in the hospital. Eventually, as Hr. Earle’s certificate could not bo obtained, in consequence of his absence from town, the sufferer Avas brought down the stairs of the hotel and carried to the hospital, where ho Avas admitted on the doctor representing that he had the certificate in his possession. After the patient’s admittance, no certificate being produced, a scene occurred between tire keeper and the doctor OA r er the dying man, Avhose agony of body was so intense that he prayed to be left alone to die. As far as avg haA’-e been able to ascertain, avo belie\ r e the above to be a plain statement of the facts of the case. It does not appear to us that much was to be gained by removing the sufferer, when lie was believed to be 'past'recovery, and the attendance he would bo likely to receive at the hospital could hardly be an improvement on that lie receiA r ed where he Avas, Avhen it is considered that there is only a man and his Avife to attend on all the patients. Altogether, as avc have said, the circumstances surrounding this case are A r ory painful and not very creditable.