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Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 523, 22 May 1880, Page 2

A Public Meeting is spoken of as about to be called in Carlyle, for. discussing the Plains question, and adopting a memorial to the House of Representatives, in the nature of a protest against certain parts of the Native Commissioners’ Report. Wo presume the proper course would bo to present a requisition (signed by, say, 20 residents) to the Chairman of the County Council, as official head of this County, calling on him to convene a public meeting. A Dramatic Club is in course of formation in Carlyle, A Line of Steamers will call at Patea, Wanganui, Wellington, and Nelson, as soon as the extended arrangements can be completed. The Anchor Irine, of Nelson, is being- formed into a limited liability company, arid Patea is to be included among the regular ports of call for the five or si x steamers of this line. The Queen’s Birthday ought to pass off merrily in this district. : Rifle shooting, football, and social merriment will lead up to the chief event of the holiday, namely the Harmonic Society’s concert in the evening, supplemented with a sort of County ball. Settlers are coming from remote parts of the district for the music and the dancing; and this composite entertainment promises to be a pleasant event in local history.: The United States House of ‘Representatives has decided to reduce the ad valorem duties on imported wool to 45 per cent. Queensland has arranged with the British India Company for a mail service between London and Queensland via Colombo, commencing in October. Colonel Trimble anticipates a strong garty struggle when the House meets. Football.— The Star Club team which Is to play against the Patea Club on Monday will comprise R. Jacomb (captain), A. McKillock, W. Locker, J. Dwyer, H. Davis, G. Pearce. H. Locker, J.‘ McCarty, W. Sangster, N. Higginson, J. Ross, and A. Sergeant. Players to be oh the grourid at 2 o’clock sharp. A Bazaar is to be held in June as a means of paying off the debt on the Catholic Ohdnih, Carlyle. ' ' ’ *

Mr -Rees, harbor engineer, is returning from his London excursion to New Plymouth, having left Sydney on Thursday. Ho has been much wanted, and will find many criticisms and accusations to answer.

Nelson Innocence. —An enlightened resident of Sleepy Hollow begins a letter thus:—“ Very reluctantly, but urged by a sense of duty to my fellow-towns-men, I write to express my sense of the utterly reckless conduct of our present Town Councillors.” And he winds up hy saying, “ How ardently is it to be desired that our public representatives, whether in Parliament or Council, were honest and true to our poor little town.”

Mr Seed, who is appointed to manage the Waverley branch- of the Bank of New Zealand-, was formerly teller at Nelson, and latterly second officer at the Mastcrton branch.

The Death of a Taranaki chief, Pairama Paihu, reported in the. Mail, was sudden and peculiar. The Herald says an eruption of a very extraordinary nature appeared on his leg some days previous to his death, and the usual Maori remedies were applied but without success. On Saturday afternoon the wife of the chief left the wharc to prepare some medicine, and on returning she found the chief had expired. The suddeness of the demise created no small sensation among the natives, and preparations aro being made for holding a tmyi, on a large scale. The natives have been selling horses’and cattle for obtaining money to celebrate their solornn rites, ' A large gathering is expected from all the districts, including Parihaka, and the tangi may be prolonged for over a week.

A Weekly Supplement is presented with this issue of the Mail ; containing literary selections, stories, and general news. A Lawn Tennis Clue, is to be formed in biclson. The ladies of Carlyle, and those other persons whoso “ seventh heaven ” is found in the society of ladies, might form some plan for holding lawn tennis parties when the bright season comes round. “Meets” might be arranged at one house this week, and at another house next. There is no more joyous device for easing the monotony of a placid existence in our sunny climate than at. fresco games on a smooth lawn, in front of a pleasant villa, the younger people tripping about with romping enjoyment, the elder ladies watching in easy indolence from under the verandah, and exchanging that sweet gossip which matrons are privileged to talk At Nelson they cannot settle who is senior member. Mr Albert Pitt says he is senior member, in his own opinion. A declaration like that ought to settle the dispute. Our opinion is that Nelson is very senior altogether.

The Wool Fall is said to be due to a decrease in the French demand, consequent, on workmen’s strikes.

A Gaming and Lotteries Bill is reported to be under the consideration, of the Ministry, and that Mr Whitaker ■will introduce it in the Legislative Council, to give it an airing. It will probably resemble the unfortunate Bill of last year.

The Wanganui Graziers’ S. S. Company’s annual meeting was held on Thursday, when it was reported that the gross earnings cf thos.s. Wallabi during the year had been £4876 13s, whilst her working expenses, including a large sura spent on repairs amounted to £3816 19s 7d, leaving a profit of £1059 13s 5d ; this has been nearly absorbed by a loss with the St. Kilda, and interest on loans. The St. Kilda’s working showed a loss ; the gross earnings were £2717 12s 4d ; disbursements, £3022 6s 4d ; showing a loss of £304 14s. This steamer has been repaired at a cost of £2OOO. The directors.think.it advisable, now the opposition is removed, to put the St. Kilda in the Southern trade again. The steamer’s wages have been reduced from £287 10s per month to £239 10s; a saving of over £SOO per annum. The Wallabi took away from the port during last year, 1070 head of cattle, 10,615 sheep, 591- pigs, and 24 horses. The St. Kilda during the six. months she was running, cleared with 85 fat cattle, 1314 sheep, 322 pigs, and 61 horses. Cattle Regulations.— A supplement to the New Zealand Gazette dated 18th May, ;contains an Order in Council to prohibit the removal or driving of cattle out of the South Auckland District r Waikato) into any other ; district southward of that district. Mr T. Richardson is appointed Inspector for Wellington District, and Messrs Alex. Munro, and William M’Kcnzie, for Wanganui District, Notice is also issued directing cattle inspectors to keep each other ; informed as to the cattle travelling ' through' the districts where pleuro-pneumonia is known to exist.

The Wellington Eailway will be open to Masterton about August next. Too Local.— Discussing the Nelson resolution instructing the local members to “ stonewall” till they get a railway vote, a Wanganui critic says—Nelson is to be auctioned .like an old chest of drawers, and knocked down to the highest bidder. These are politics with a vengeance, and show that the geographical isolation of Sleepy Hollow has already had the effect of blinding the residents to an apprehension of their duties as citizens. To them none of the great questions of the day is of any interest whatever. . Give them money, and they will agree to anything and everything; refuse their demands, and for all they care the country may go to the dogs.” r Mr Miller, a farmer at Masterton, had his thumb nearly torn of at the wrist, while working- at a threshing machine. “ George Eliot ” the famous novelist, has been married. ~ Her maiden name was MiSs Manah Ev’ahs, anil she has married a Mr. Cross. . ' ■ George Eliot” has been crossed ini lore.

Mr E. C. Horner is; commencing Business' in Carlyle as general commission agent, and is about to build offices. Hens taking charge of the Patea Shipping [Company's business, pending perfor the managemlnt.

An Action against the Patea S.S. Company is spoken of as likely, to be brought by. a Wanganui merchant, who claims about £IOO for loss of business through delay in despatching mail-letters by the company’s steamer. Their liability is peculiar, for they contracted to carry post-office mails, and to apprise the local postmaster of day and hour of intended sailing. This notice being omitted,- the steamer departed without that day’s mail, which could -nol be sent to the wharf because notice of sailing had not been given. The Postal Department might press for a penalty, under breach of contract. The loss to individuals might be still more serious. If the company escape , all claims for this serious omission they will be lucky.

News of the Patea Steamer was received yesterday, after a period of rather strained anxiety as to her safety. She had left Wellington last Saturday for Patea, but being overtaken in the gales which set in and continued several days, the little craft must have bad a fearful struggle in the stormy strait. It was supposed she bad sheltered under the lee of Kapiti Island, but a telegram informed the directors that the Patea bad not been reported there. On Thursday the suspense .became alarming, and telegraphic inquiries wore addressed to Wellington, Wanganui, and Nelson. An answer from Nelson came yesterday, saying the Patea had been sighted oh Thursday by the 'steamer Murray, and was thou running towards Pelorus in a high sea.... The Patea made no signal of distress, and it is presumed she was in good condition. She is expected to reach this harbor to-day, unless delayed in the Sound for needful repairs.