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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 1, 5 April 1876, Page 2

The Hov. Mr Law the now Wesleyan Minister appointed fur this district, will arrive here during’ the week, and hold his opening service in the Carlyle Chapel on Sunday evening next.'

A great ileal of illness prevails in the district, influenza, fortunately not ft a, virulent type, bein'; - included. It will be of interest to main' of our Masonic readers to know that at the meeting of (hat brotherhood this evening, the new W.M. elect, Mr W. Dale, will be duly installed, with all 1 be honors usual on such occasions. Mr Dale has already worthily filled ihe same position, and will' no doubt, in future discharge, the duties pertaining as well as on 1 1 is prior terms ol olliee. A comparatively largo muster of of the craft is expected at the ceremony. Mr laniisson, to whom we have, on more than mm occasion, paid favorable notice, has arrived in Patea, and will proceed at, once to apply his far-famed hematite to the bridges for which he has contracted to paint. .lhi.se are the 1 atea, Whcuuakiira and Waitotara bridges, and there can be no doubt that he will do the work effectually. Thu value of the hematite, as a preservative, has been so well established that, any recommendation on our part would be useless. \\ e may say, however, that it has been heaitily recognised by both (icueralaud I io\ Tucial Governments, the best proof of which lies in the fact that Mr Louissou is engaged to cover the timbers of the above bridges in question.

During tlic witting of the Kdneation Board on Monday last, a question of eonsiderahle importance cropped np, in reference to the rights and the powers possessed by original lessees of reserves to sub-let their holdings. Nothing definite was settled, but the matter was deferred for a full board to determine, there being a bare quorum then present. It is a subject that should not be hastily determined, and the members acted most wisely in giving it duo consideration. In the first place, it is not reasonable that lessees and sub-lessees should multiply indefinitely ; and, on the other side, lessees should not be iroiiboinid, for, if too rigorous conditions as to snb-leiting are made, leases will speedily become white, elephants to those; who hold them, and the lands will be returned on the hands of the education Hoard.

To-morrow promises to be a field day in the li.M. Court, for, in addition to numlerless other eases, there will be. two Maori trespasses determined. One is the now famed Dickie intrusion, the other (lie latest Maori escapade on Mr Nicholson s land at M’hcimaknra. A lull bench ot magistrates lias been summoned, and wilt probably comprise the U.M., (he lately appointed justices, Major Brown, Captain Wrav, Mr Livingstone, and others—some seven in all, at least. If this array does not strike (error into the hearts of the malcontents nothing can, and if they do not mete out deserved punishment to the oll’endeis, if proved to have offended, then benches of magistrates are shams. any rate one ol the most lively Court days that has occurred for some time, is likely to take place to-morrow. The often postponed ease, Taplin v. Gibson) will also then he finally dealt with.

The Patea Education Hoard met on Monday last, when there were the Chairman (Mr Middlemas), Messrs Milroy, Mcllue, Furlong, and Pale. 'Hie minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr Lee, stating that In; could not examine Mr Dyer for a higher certificate till July next. Tins, with some other unimportant correspondence, was dealt with. Mr WWilliams and Mr Ivees, applied for permission to transfer sections of land lease 1 by them from the Hoard, and a long discussion arose out of the applications. A letter was read by the clerk from M r Ilammcrton, solicitor, of Taranaki, containing an opinion, the effect of which was that though lessees could transfer their interests to other persons, their liability did not cease, and that the original tenant was responsible for any rent. Tt was resolved to postpone dealing with the matter till the next meeting, when a full Bnard might be present. The Secretary was authorised to procure certain necessaries for the vadons schoolrooms, in the shape of firewood, platforms, and other things. The next question discussed was Mr Dyer’s salary, the only question being whether it should he raised at once, or whether it should he raised when he had passed his next examination. Tt was shown that he was quite willing to submit to examination, and that the delay was not his fault, so tlie Hoard agreed unanimously to make it £IBO per annum. Before coming to tins decision, it was shown that the average attendance at the Patea school was rather over 57, ns against 5(1 at Tlawera, 5 at Ketemarao, and 18 at Kakaramoa. It was also agreed by the Hoard that the}' would vote salaries to the masters of the schools, in lieu of naming them. Arrangements were made for fencing in the school reserves in various places, and some parlies having’ land abut ting on them were ordered to he notified of the intention of the Hoard to fence. A rather irregular debate took place on the Ketemarac school, at which it appeared only some, seven scholars attended, anditwois intimated, if this was not increased, that the school would have to bo closed. It was stated that some dissatisfaction had been shown as to the position of the sehoolhonse, but it was also said, that it was the most central available. The Secretary was instructed to ask the master to send in a report on the subject, Several small accounts were passed for payment, and the Hoard then adjourned till Monday, the Ist of May.

Wo remind our readers and tin? public generally that: the Clmreh of England bazaar in tiie Town Hall will lie field on Friday and Saturday next. As a rule, on Occasions of the kind, all denominations unite to do each oilier service, and we have no douht the same good feeling will ho shown on the following occasion. "We sincerely lope such may bo the ease, and that the compliment, if such it. may be termed, will be returned by the Episcopalian to other denominations. On Sal unlay last two of the seamen belonging to tin* keteli Hunter narrowly escaped drowning in the Patea River. Earlv in the afternoon (hey took the, ship s boat ami went outside the bar to lisb, but mi their return, owing to (lie tide being out. there was a break on Hie bar, and the boat capsized. Although both men could swim well, they bad great difficulty in reaching the shore, through the strong current miming out at the time. The boat was washed ashore. The condition of the main road, betto 1 ’ known as the Taranaki Road, is simply disgraceful, hut there seems to he a dilfienltv in fixing the blame ol its state on the right shoulders. The Town Hoard, by (heir action on Monday night, seem to ignore all responsibility, whilst the Genera] and Provincial (lovernmeuts app.sireipially anxious on the matt ter, and evidently are desirous of exonerating themselves. The Town Hoard resolved to ask the General Government to help them in the dilemma, hut we verv much doubt whether their application will be successful. There are boles in the road really dangerous to lito. and we cannot understand bow Government officers can allow them to exist without remonstrance, On Sunday last, a buggv of Air Erskinc's came to grief in one of the abysses nearly opposite the Masonic Hotel. One of the wheels went into a hole, the axle and axletreo were smashed, and the occupants of the vehicle pitched into the road ; fortunately without serious injury. Tin* matter is too serious to he lightly dealt, with, for, if the road is allowed to remain in its present state*, some grave and probably fatal accident will assuredly occur Indore long.

Some little time ago it was discovered that a sum of no less than .thSO was not forwarded to the I’atea V> est Hoad Board hy the General Government, that, sum being actually due and owing, on tbc usual rates. The Board resolved to communicate with Major Atkinson on the subject, an. l wo are op.- id io s.iy, tliafc ."-on I Lilian interested himself so sueees-dullv that the whole deficiency was forwarded without delav. Mr \V. Dale, tin* secretary, received I lie following telegram oa Monday last) in reply to an application on the subject ; Hr your letter asking additional subsidy, on rates collected by Bond Board, payment ordered as yon request. —H. A. AtkinsoX.

A case occurred in the Magisl rate’s Court, (’hrisfehureh, which ought to prove a caution to shopkeepers with respect, to the ticketing of goods. Messrs J. and J_ Crothers, drapers, were charged with having obtained 7s (id I*3" false tiii> charge being based upon the fact tlcp llannol had been ticketed in their window as Kaiapoi flannel, but on a purchase being made, English instead of Kaiapoi llannol bad been inadvertently supplied as Kaiapoi flannel by one of their servants, who was a recent arrival in the Province, and as the prosecutors consented to accept tins explanation, the case was dismissed.

At a recent Maori marriage at Wellington (says the Guardian ), aMr Baker addressing the married couple, said ; 1 will not say much to you, but 1 will tell yon a little story. A man and his wife threw a rope over the roof of their house, each taking hold of one end. Then they commenced pulling against each other ; they pulled long and strong but neither could overcome the other an I obtain possession of the rope. At length the woman wen* to the side of the house where the husband was, and she, taking hold of the rope with him, they pulled together, and the rope came down at once. So let it be with von ; stand both on one side of the house, and pull together, otherwise yon will not get the rope.” We know some men who would prefer to lia.nl on one end of the rope themselves if the wife had the other end fastened round her neck. The Na2>ier Mercury says : —Melbourne newspapers state that in a recent communication made to the well-known Dr Hleasdalc respecting the alleged suitability of the vine and olive to the soil and climate of Auckland, Sir Julius Vogel averred that if the opinion of the learned doctor was correct, it would “ add a new Province to the Colony.” ffc may remark that this was a curious phrase for Sir Julius to use, seeing he wishes to destroy the Provinces The Wellington correspondent of the Melbourne Argus admits that the Ministry may count upon a fair working majority in the House, but says : —“ Whether they keep this or not will in a large measure depend on themselves. There arc not wanting indications of the formation of an influential third party, a kind of ‘ cave,’ which may aspire to hold the balance, and may produce strange complications.” There arc according to the “ New Zealand Jurist,” 225 barristers and solicitors in New Zealand, and there are nine in the House of Representatives. . ,

The following - idea entertained** by a Maori on the matter of bankruptcy is rather too good not to be handed down to posterity. A certain chief, a man of intelligence, and punctual in monetary matters with bis pakehn neighbors, was lately a sufferer to the extent of some TOO or £4O through a man going through the Court. In relating (he affair to some natives whom he was visiting the told them he had lost his money by a man becoming “ Packarapu.” This word rather staggered the aboriginals, who immediately demanded an explanation, ft. was given as follows ; —A pakeha who wants to become a “ Pakarapu” goes into business and gels lots of goods and does not pay* for them. He then gets all the money he can together, say £2OOO, and puts it away where no one can get it, all except £o. With this lie goes to the Judge of; the Supremo Court, and tells him he wishes to become “ Pakarapu.” 'The Judge says lie is very' sorry, tint of course it cannot bo helped, and he then eallsall the lawyers together, likewise all the men to w'hom the “ Packarapu owes money', and lie says : “This man is ‘ Packarapu,’ but lie wishes to give you all be, lias got, and so be lias asked me to divide this (the £;>) among yon all.” The Judge thereupon gives £4 to the lawyers, and £1 to the other men and the “ Packarapu” goes home. 'This actually' was the explanation given, and can be vouched for. The Bank of New South "Wales intend exlcndiny its operations to Fiji. The Melbourne An/us say's : —‘‘For all the good the present Parliament has done, wo might just as well have been without its services, and so have saved some £1)0,000.” A steam laundry' lias been started in Dunedin. The sum of £:>00 has been subscribed by the Maoris of the district towards the cost of the erection of a Public Hall at Kawa kawa, Hay of Islands.