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Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 524, 25 May 1880, Page 2

The Queen’s Birthday, her 61st, was observed as a general holiday with the usual colonial loyalty. The weather in this district was a damp and dismal contrast to that “ Queen’s weather” which is traditionally looked for (but seldom realised) as her gracious Majesty’s due. Patea Harbor. —The Gazette notifies the official approval of plans for the deviation of river channel and training wall on the south-east bank of the Patea River. The Patea s.s. arrived here on Saturday, not much worse for the long and stormy voyage which had kept- the small craft scudding before the wind and dodging about for shelter during a whole week. The passengers speak highly of the care and skill of Captain Gibbons during that anxious-time. The Patch sailed 'on Sunday morning for Nelson, intending to go on directly to Wellington, but a telegram was received yesterday intimating that she would lie up for repairs. She will sail for Wellington, next Saturday. Four, passengers came in with the Patea on Saturday, namely, Constable O’Brien, Mr McLean, Mr and Mrs Owen, The cargo was general merchandise. Harbor Bo vrd Correspondence.— Mr J. Gibson has requested the publication of letters, and telegrams relating to a point of order in, the management of the Harbor Board’s business, but as these reached us too late for the present issue (having regard to the space they would require), they must be held over till Thursday. It should be observed, however; that this correspondence, comprising nine documents, is too lengthy for the purpose sought to be attained ; but the principle, contended for is important jahd I 'full''justice shall be done, so far as That lies in our power, by according reasonable space to controversial matter.

Freights.: —Tenders' are invited for conveying government rails, 230 tons, from Wellington to Wanganui.

■ Town Board. —A requisition was presented yesterday to Mr G. F. (Sherwood, to. offer himself as a candidate for one of the ordinary vacancies on the Town Board. It bore 32 signatures. Mr .Sherwood replied that he would willingly serve the . ratepayers in this capacity, although his time was much occupied with other public matters. He consented to be nominated to one of the vacancies on the Town Board.

Footuall, A match was played yesterday at Carlyle, between the Carlyle and the Star Clubs, resulting ili a victory for the Carlyle Club by 28 points to nothing, - Our report of the play is held over till next issue.

The Opposition out of Parliament has been rather weak during the recess, but some members of it ore plucking up spirit as the session approaches. The “ outs ” are venturing to prophesy hard things for the “ins.” Mr. Ballance, and Col. Trimble, in this district, profess to see heavy storms ahead. A Wellington critic is even more confident of impending .-disaster, for he says':—“ Never did a better opportunity present itself for assailing a Government than will be offered to the Opposition during the ensuing session. The -Ministry have committed enough of faults of commission and omission to ruin any Government that ever existed. The Royal Commission business and the monstrous bungling over Native affairs would alone be sufficient to damn any Government.”

The School Inspector visited the Carlyle school last week,- and found that considerable improvement had been effected since .his last visit in branches of schoolwork which lie had previously noted as not quite satisfactory. In writing.be notes an improvement equal to 25 per cent.: Mr Fouliss speaks very favourably of the general efficiency of the Carlyle school. Dust Storms at Wellington have been very troublesome. Men were told off by the Corporation officers for laying the dust by'means of water carts, but instead of laying tnc dust in the morning, they wait until afternoon before this important duty is attended to. The shopkeepers whose goods get spoiled are using strong language. The s.s. Osprey, 28 tons, is to commence running to Patea from Wanganui shortly. The dates of sailing will be announced in the Mail, The City of New York, with the London mails of 22nd April,left ’Frisco for Auckland on the 10th inst, being two days late. The Zealandia, with the April Colonial mails, arrived at Frisco on the 18th inst, two days in advance. Several Russian war vessels have been ordered to the Pacific to cruise off China.

St. Gothland Tunnel.— The finishing work at the St. Gothard tunnel has been temporarily interrupted by a.casualty. A considerable portion of the tunnel has collapsed, leaving, many thousands of tons of cartli to be cleared away. It is intended to send a financial commission to enquire into the state of Indian finance. . ; Steamer Foundered, —The s.s. American, Cape of Good Hope line, foundered on the equator. The passengers and crew escaped in boats.