The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 1879.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3139, 4 June 1879, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 1879.

The Native Political Ploughmen who have been amusing themselves lately on Mr. Courtney's land, at Oakura, arc getting tired of their work. They made a start on Mondaj', aud were there yesterday, but have failed to put in an appearance to-day. They do not do much, for, alt Ik ugh they have four ploughs in lhe field, the extent of their work each day does not exceed an acre.

The Governor and Ministerial Pauty have left for Wellington, and the arrangement made for the protection of the district appears to have allayed somewhat the alarm that existed. Yesterday afternoon, the Premier and Colonel Wlutmore had an interview with Major Atkinson, M.H.R. ; Mr. Kelly, M.H.R. ; CoJouel Trimble, and Mr. Standish. Sir George Grey stated that 200 men would immediately be sent here as a movino column, aud that the force would be stationed near Oakura, at a spot to be selected by Colonel Whitmore. He further informed those gentlemen that this was only a part of a scheme which was under the consideration of the Government for the disposal of the native difficulty for ever. He also intimated that he would endeavour to have the settlers all armed with Snider rifles. The excitement that has existed during the past week has now somewhat subsided, and business, which has been suspended during that time, it is to be hoped will be again renewed, now it is known that the settlers in the district, are in a position of defence should any attempted raid be made on them by the natives, which is not very probable.

A meeting was held at the school-house, Okato, last evening, to enable the settlers there to consider their position, aud for the purpose of forming a volunteer corps, when between fifty and sixty persons were present. Mr. W. N. Syme was voted to the chair. Major Atkinson then male a statement of what the Government propose,! doing, and at the conclusion real the terms on which Colonel Whitmore was willing to accept of their services as volunteer-;, when nearly fifty came forward and .signified their willingness to join the corps. A vote of thanks to Major Atkinson for attending, aud Mr. Syme for presiding, terminated the proceedings.

The English mail, via 'Frisco, arrived in Auckland early this morning, and our portion will be brought on by the s.s. Taiaroa, which we learn may be expected here this evening.

The Colonial steamer Hinemoa took her departure with the Governor and Ministerial party yesterday, at 4 p.m., when a number of gentlemen accompanied them to the beach to see them off.

The Rangatira arrived from the Manukau this morning, at about 1 L o'clock. She left Ouehunga at 3 o'clock yesterday, and had a fair weather passage down.

The Post circulates a rumour that a Northern journalist is about to be appointel a Judge of the Native Land Court, and that a member from the same district will probably join the Ministry.

A passenger, while travelling to the Hutt by train, fell against the rail which opens to .allow the guard to pass through, and fell backwards between the carriages on to the buffers, but was immediately extricated by another passenger from his dangerous position.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Nelson, on the 27th May, the evidence was taken in the case of Macalistcr v. Young, coach proprietor, of Wellington. The plaintiff is Inspector of Telegraphs, aud whilst journeying from Hawera to Taranaki, with his wife and other passengers, in one of defendant's coaches, the driver, who it was alleged was not in a fit state to drive, got the coach fast in a most dangerous position whilst crossing a tidal creek, when the passengers with difficulty escaped. Mr. Macalistcr obtained the assistance of a party of natives, who extricated the coach, and he thereupon rewarded them for their exertions and it was to recover the value then given the Maoris that he brought the action, The evidence showed the driver was not sufficiently sober to drive, and the plaintiff had to take the reins whilst he slept, but on crossing the crock he insisted upon again taking the reins, the result being that the coach was all but wreckc 1, and the lives of the passengers jeopardised. The case will be tried at New Plymouth.

St. Patrick's Day was celebrated throughout Ireland on Ihc 17th March, but in consequence of the incessant rain the ceremony of trooping the colours at Dublin Castle was abandoned. The military band, however, played national airs in the streets, and was followed by large bodies of idlers. There was less drunkenness visible than was the case in former years, and the good effects of the Sunday Closing Act were generally admitted. The day was kept as a general holiday,