NORMANBY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4123, 29 August 1882, Page 2

NORMANBY.

[from otju own correspondent.] August 28. — The late fine weather has inspired the inhabitants of the district with a hope that winter is over, and that the boisterous storms experienced during the season lately passed have finally disappeared before the advent of spring. Should such be the case a long interval of fine summer weather may be expected, which will be specially beneficial to the newlyinitiated improvement works of the Town Board, and tenders will doubtless be shortly called for the metalling and improving the streets and roads which are to be dealt with before next winter. It has been the custom of looal bodies generally to postpone the active measure necessary for the completion of such works until the summer has so far advanced as to throw the contractors into the rains of the winter next ensuing before their work is finished, and thus not only curtailing the contractor's profits, but seriously deteriorating from the value of the work done. The example of Hawera stands as a warning to all such procrastination in the future. The Normanby Board has begun its work in an energetic and exceedingly praiseworthy manner, and it is in no spirit of dissatisfaction with that body that your correspondent refers to the subject. Perhaps the most pleasant evening ever experienced by the inhabitants of Normanby geneially was that spent in the Town Hall on Friday evening last, when upwards of 140 of the youth of both sexes met together to celebrate the close of the dancing season by a ball on a larger scale than the weekly re-unions of the quadrille party. Some thirty couples came from New Plymouth and the north by the train ; the musical talent, which gave so much satisfaction to all, has also to be credited to that direction. It is impossible to particularise the dresses of the ladies where all were tasteful and choice, the colours in harmony, and in all cases suitable to the style and complexion of the wearer ; and equally is one at a loss to choose any lady as the belle of the ball when all were either beautiful, pretty, or pleasing, sparkling brunette, or languishing blonde. Doubtless each fair one there had some admirer of the opposite sex, who is anxious to do battle in the arena of argument for the pre-eminence of the beauty of his choice, and to the decision of these your correspondent leaves the matter. The Quadrille Party which has held weekly assemblies in the Town Hall during the past winter months has been managedby a committee, consisting of Messrs. White, W. Jenkins, and Dent, whilst the office of honorary treasurer has been filled by Mr. Dacre, who, by careful and thrifty management of the finance, has contributed in no small degree to the success of the undertaking. At Friday evening's ball the refreshments supplied were recherche and abundant, and the table which presented such a glittering appearance owed its beauty to the kindly and skilful care and superintendence of Mrs. Beresford, energetically assisted by Mrs. H. Gibson and many other ladies. Mr. R. Dent was M.C., and filled that onerous post to the satisfaction of all. Nothing occurred to break the harmony of the evening, which was superseded by morning light ere the party dispersed. The coming land sale on the Waimate Plains is the theme of conversation among the settlers generally of the district, and hopes are entertained that the establishment of a desirable class of settlers on the lands to be disposed of will initiate a renewal of trade, whilst the increase in the population will enable local bodies to enlarge their sphere of utility in the improvement of the roads in consequence of additional revenue accruing from new ratepayers. It is a matter of regret that something is not done towards bringing into operation the provisions of the New Zealand Settlement Reserves Act. It is intimated in the lately issued report of the Royal Commission that the Crown Grants for many reserves are already prepared, and such being the case it should not be a matter of much difficulty for those wishing to lease to attain their ends. It is not anticipated that much opposition will be experienced from the natives, but all appear at a loss how to proceed in the initiation of the leases under the Act. No information is forthcoming from either Government, Commission, or Mr. Mackey, the officer in charge of the reserves. An intimation has been received from the latter by settlers already holding native leases that all rents must be paid to the trustee, but as the conditions of such leases are such as to render it legal for the native owners to enter into possession of the land should the rent not be paid to the natives by the lessee within some few days from the date specified for payment, it is not to be supposed that the latter will pay much regard to a request of the Commissioner, which may be productive of much trouble. The terms and conditions of leasing under the Act mentioned should be printed in ! English and Maori, and distributed among both races. In a matter of such paramount importance to the advancement of a district so largely made up of native reserves, no time should be lost, especially as no further legislation is required on the subject ; the Act dealing with this coast having been passed last session. Mr. Quin, who some months ago retired from the Town Board, has returned, as he says in a letter to the Star, " from a seven weeks' tour ;" and in the letter mentioned he has made a somewhat intemperate attack upon the tradesmen generally of the district, and advocates a cooperative scheme, which shall curtail the profits of the business people of the community. The letter in question has caused considerable discussion, but as the motives of the writer are understood and appreciated, the reviled butchers and bakers and storekeepers generally do not fear much for the result. The lalter, whilst thoroughly willing to discuss the question of co-operation in the abstract, ; and even talk over the matter as applied to this neighbourhood, object to be treated to a Q«in-tessence of Billingsgate, supposed to be the ptculiar property of Mr. Fish, M.H.R. _____