NEWS OF THE DAY.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1064, 25 July 1883, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Richard Petersen and John Clarke, who had been out fishing on Monday, were drowned on the evening of that day while

attempting to cross the bar. Some particulars of the sad affair are given elsewhere.

Passengers by the coach from Hawera yesterday had their minds exercised as to the meaning of a little occurrence they witnessed just outside Patea. In a byroad stood a well-known grocerV cart, towards which were making at their best speed a female and a horse and buggy, the latter being driven by one of the male sex, who was endeavouring to intercept the female before she could reach the cart. He appeared to be successful, for, with a cry of “ Save me from that man,” she was observed to turn into a paddock and dart away in another direction. Our informant says that much speculation was indulged in by the coach passengers as to the meaning of the little comedy, but no satisfactory conclusion could be arrived at. Captain Taplin and Lieut. Adams, of the Patea Rifles, attended at Wanganui on Saturday, for the purpose of being examined as to their efficiency in drill and general fitness to receive their commissions. The examination was held before Major Stapp and Captain Watt, and these gentlemen put the candidates through a four-hours’ interrogation in theoretical and practical military knowledge. The result was highly satisfactory to the Board of Examiners, who will recommend the issue of the commissions forthwith. The Patea Rifles are now approaching a high stale of officionc}', and both officers and men seem determined to attain as near perfection as possible. The examination above referred to is the first held under the new regulations, A good-looking bay filly, having a white star on its forehead, has been lame for several days in the open ground opposite the Hospital. It has a nail in Its foot, but it will not allow anyone to come near enough to relieve it. It is hoped that tho owner or some humane person will take immediate measures for its relief. Sir Julius Vogel received an invitation (o the Stale ball at Buckingham Palace on 20th May.

Mr W H Pilliett, M.H.R. for Stanmore, is likely soon to place his resignation in the hands of the Speaker, as his health is so precarious that his medical advisers consider it absolutely necessary that he should for a time at least enjoy complete rest.

: During the last three years nearly two thousand more people have left New Zealand for Australia than have come here from that country. The arrivals were 19,175; departures, 21,015. Last year the subsidy paid by Government to the 354 libraries in the colony amounted to £6992 14s 6d. The income of the libraries was £14,045 18s. Taranaki has six libraries—lncome, £lO6 2s lid ; subsidy, £67 0s lid. Wanganui, 8 libraries—lncome, £829 5s Id ; subsidy, £269 7s sd. Wellington, 17 libraries— Income, £l7ll 17s 6d ; subsidy, £559 8s 2d.

The London correspondent of the Post writes :—Freights for New Zealand ports continue slack. The New Zealand Company have at length realised the necessity of lowering rates, and the ne:»t steamer will fake cargo at 45s to all ports, instead of 55s and 60s as heretofore. At these rates ships ought to fill, but whether they will pay is a different question. British King folks say the Catalonia burns a rare lot of coal, and I hear the steamer is chartered at 20s per ton for one voyage or 18s if kept for two. This means a largo sum of money. I . have heard homeward freights from New Zealand do not always pay. A ship owner told me yesterday one of his Captains, not long ago, cabled from Canterbury to know whether he should accept a cargo of wheat at 21s. This would have meant about about £IBOO, which the merchant did not think good enough. The ship was sent to Madras, and brought home freight trom there, turning in £4OOO. This is a fact.

The following Press Association telegram from Hawera appeared in print on Monday. The agent of the Association, however, neglected to forward it to the Mail, tor reasons only known to himself. We may as well say that both Hawera and Wanganui agencies treat us badly in this respect, as we never receive an item from these places. As Press agent here, we make no distinction in forwarding an item when it arises:— A preliminary meeting of persons interested in starting a meat preserving and boiling down works was held here oh Saturday. All the large farmers attended and supported the object. Mr .T. Lysaght was in the chair. It was unanimously resolved that it is desirable to establish a meat preserving and boiling down works in the district. An influential committee of eight was appointed to collect information, and report in a month, A general opinion is expressed that a refrigerator would ultimately form an important branch of the undertaking. Judging by the support • accorded to the movement, the company is almost certain to be floated. . The postponed performance of the Dramatic and Musical Societ}', is announced for Tuesday evening next.

Mr F"R Jackson has two sales at Waverley on Friday, one of stock, and the other leases belonging to the Domain Board,

At Hawera to-morrow, Messrs Nolan, Tonks, and Co. hold their fortnightly stock sale, the entries, as usual, being numerous.

Mr Cowern’s next sale at Lincoln-street Yards is announced for Aug. 1. We remind our Waverley readers that a meeting of those interested in the formation of a Harmonic Society will be held at Messrs Muir’s store, on Friday evening.

The Legislative Council have carried a motion asking the Government to bring in a bill to prevent advertisements of sweeps appearing in newspapers. One facetious member thought the advertisements should only appear in the New Zealand Gazette as they would extend the circulation of that publication besides giving members of both Houses, to whom it was sent free, an opportunity of seeing the latest odds.

The Taranaki News of Saturday last thus refers to the recent concert at the Alexandra Hall : —The Patea Band, who were arrayed in gorgeous uniform, arrived by the morning train on Saturday, and marched through the town to the Hall, playing a lively march which speedily brought out a numerous crowd of juveniles. In the evening, before the concert commenced, the combined bands played through the town, to the light of numerous torches, attracting much attention. The concert was well patronised, and although the brunt of the work fell to the lot of the visitors they were equal to the task, playing their selections with a carefulness that told plainly of the hard practice they had been subjected to. Two songs were given during the evening by one of the Patea bandsmen, meeting with a favourable reception. On Sunday a Sacred Concert was given in the Alexandra Hall, by members of both bands, when several well-known but choice selections were played to a large and appreciative audience. ThePatea Band is deserving of great praise for their kindness in enlivening us with their musical efforts, for we cannot depend on local musicians to do their duty in that respect. Three gentlemen from this district rode to Parihaka last week. On the other side of Opunake they fell in with about a hundred Maoris, well mounted, who were also going to see Parihaka. They (the Maoris) were not allowed to go till they had promised to return in two days. Arrived at Parihaka the Pakehas were entertained royally. They were cordially invited to spend the night in Te Whiti’s house ; but, as they had to return home early next day they were forced to decline the proffered hospitality. A policeman watched their horses for half a day while the travellers were “ doing ” the wonders of the place. An interview with Te Whiti was the first event. He is back in his whare and is living in true Maori style, while his finely built European house is almost deserted. The visitors were given a dinner in this house, everything served in true English style ; indeed a better meal than they had received at a certain hotel on their way up. The streets of Parihaka are kept scrupulously clean. All pigs are excluded from the pah. There are still 130 A.C.s close to Parihaka and about half as many at Pungarehn. Mount Egmont, as seen from Parihaka is truly magnificent. The immediate country around Parihaka is hilly and stony. We noticed some lambs in a paddock on Mr Jollic’s farm yesterday. Wo should think they would be about the first of the season.

A meeting of shareholders in the Patea Steam Sawmill and Woodwarc Manufac turing Company was held at Mr Eyton’s buildings on Monday evening. The memorandum and Articles of Association .were read over and approved and duly signed by the Directors. The Secretary read an offer from Mr Handley, of Nelson to lease the mill for five years with a purchasing clause, and after some discussion, it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Directors to deal with. This was all the- business.

The football match between Wellington and Otago was won by the former by one try to nothing. A rather curious, and by no means pleasant importation of scorpions has been made by the schooner Pirate, which recently arrived in Auckland from the Islaiids, The attention of the Mayor has been drawn to the fact. ■ The new gaoler in Auckland, recently transferred from Lyttelton, has revolutionised the management of the gaol. Prisoners are compelled “ to salute ”, the gaoler and chief warder, but are not required to do the same towards clergymen, whether of their own denomination or otherwise. The sitting of the R.M. Court yesterday was a very short one, the only case being one against Mr,J. H. Cjayton for an alleged breach of the borough by-laws. The charge was dismissed. When he came out from Homo Bishop Nelson brought with him a novelty in visiting cards which is really good. The little square pasteboard appears perfectly plain and white, like, an ordinary visiting card, but when held up to the light shows a beautifully taken photograph of the person,"whose name is neatly engraved in one corner.

A good story comes from Geneva concerning a lady and gentleman who recently arrived there, and found all the hotels so full that, they ultimately wore accommodated with a bath-room turned into a bed-chamber. During the night the husband, wishing to call for a light, pulled a £ord attached to yie, wall, under the impression’ that"'lie ! had g6t : ‘hold of the bell-rope. The immediate response was a deluge of cold wafer. Monsieur and Madame yelled for help, bringing out a crowd of guests and waiters in all sorts of light and airy costumes. Tableau. Mr Turnbull has signified his intention of moving in the House for returns showing the amount expended on Parliament Buildings arid Government Buildings up to date, including the expense of lighting Parliament Buildings by electricity. The monthly meeting of the Waverley School Committee was held on Wednesday last. Present—Messrs Dickie, Thurston, Mason, McDonald, and Bridge (chairman). The following accounts were passed for payment—Mr Caldwell, £3 8s ; Mr Mason, £1 5s 2d ; Mr Taylor, 5s ; Mr G. Taylor, 18s ;Mr Leo, 4s 2d, Tenders received for cleaning school as follow : F. Davis, £l7 10s ; Committee to find brooms ; Mrs Rolfe, £ls, scrubbing, 12s each time. Resolved, That Mrs Rolfe’s tender be accepted. Resolved, That application be made to the Board to increase the size of the school rooms, so as to accomodate 200 children. The meeting then adjourned. The Auckland Star of the 20th instant, which is the latest'to hand, says—The Resident Magistrate’s Court was occupied to-day by the he?ring of an action in which Messrs C. Bailey and Seager sue the Patea Steamship Companj T for balance of moneys in connection with the construction of the steamship Waverley. The claim is for-£156 for extra work done, only £l2O having been allowed under this head, and a deduction having been made by the company because the steamer was not finished at the time agreed upon. A portion of the evidence was taken at Patea, and the Court was occupied to-day in hearing the statements of the plaintiffs. Mr Brassey appeared for the plaintiffs and Mr Browning for the defendants. The case had not concluded when we went to press. "