Local and General.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume VI, Issue 559, 26 January 1878, Page 2

Local and General.

The Reverend Father Mahoney is at present on a visit .to the Lake District. The performing ponies belonging' to the Barlow Circus, must he lively " critters" outside the circus ring. The Poverty Bay Standard has the following regarding their eccentric behaviour in the streets of Gishorne : — Those two apparently harmless liliputian circus ponies, belonging to Mr Barlow have become quite a terror to the owners of buggies,, drays, spring carts, and other kinds of vehicles. Within the magic circle of the circus-tent no two animals could behave with greater docility and intelligence. They will climb a ladder, dance a polka, fire a pistol ; will walk,, trot, canter, or gallop, at the word of command. If the infant son of the Prince of theBounding Prairies, who rides them, standing with _ne foot on each back, falls off, the ponies stop and pick him up quite tenderly. But only allow these gentle creatures to get away into the broad thoroughfare of the town, when they' play such wild pranks that all the horses in the neighbourhood become alarmed and start off at a wild gallop, taking the path or roadway indiscriminately and utterly indifferent to human life. To Mr Barlow in the circus the twin ponies are his very obedient servants. Outside the circus Mr Barlow could more easily call up spirits from the vasty deep than he could get near to either. They will stand on their hind legs and paw the air with their fore ones. Then they will change, and stand on their fore legs kicking out broadcast with the hind. ones. Afterwards they will rush in at an hotel door and back out while they try to bite little hoys in tender places. Yesterday these two ponies nearly brought Mr Hird's cordial cart to grief. The horses alarmed at the frantic antics of the ponies started oH and were nearly at a gallop, when Mrs Hird, with great courage and presence of mind, rushed forward and hung on to the bridles at a great risk to herself. Two other vehicles, with horses were also endangered. . On Saturday last several horses took fright, and tried to bolt. The day before other things of a likenature occured, so that it will he looked upon as something in the light of a blessing, when these charming little docile, intellectual ponies are outside of our harbour enjoying life on the ocean wave. On Wednesday morning last a female shark apparently pregnant, was captured by the Hairini natives at the west end .of the Maungatapu Ford. It was found entangled in a stake net, in company with a number of otherfis h. It measured 8f t. 6in. from snout to tail, and 4ft. Gin. in girth. At a meeting of the Committee of Management of tbe Building Society, on Thursday evening, Mr Sheath was reelected Chairman of Committee. Mr Sam Orowther'a horses, Rattling Baven, Stoeltrap, and Wait-awhile, arrived in town from Taupo, and were put up at tbe Masonic Hotel stable., on Thursday evening. A. reduction in the price of bread is announced by Messrs Brennan and Smith ; on and after Monday next tbe price of the 2lb. loaf will be fourpence half-penny, at the Phoenix Bakery. Mr Peters advertises that he will run two four-horse coaches to and from the Race Course on Tuesday next as often as may b» required, and that he bae buggies, carriages, and wagonettes for hire. We remind o.wnera. of "horses that aooepi lances for the Tauranga Jockey Club: Handicap, and -Handicap Hurdle Rac., and entries, for tha Maiden Plate, and Ladies Parse must be forwarded to the Secretary- Mr D.- Asher, by eight o'clook this evening, at tbe Commercial Hotel. The Tauranga race meeting comes off on Tuesday next. There ib. every judication of fine weather ; there'never have been better entries than this year, and a good day's Bport to sportingmen^ and of pleasant.exoiteinent to tho general. publio may therefore heanticipated. The course is in capital condition, and the races of 1878 ought to he. about tbe beat that have yet been seen^iu Tauranga,

We have been asked to mention that tbe Pace Stewards particularly request all subscription lists to be forwarded to the Secretary, at the Commercial Hotel, this evening, and that .all those wb-ha*o put. down their names will oblige by paying their subscriptions in tbe course of the day. A large haul of dog-fish was made in the babour by the natives yesterday morning. In addition to several that escaped, Mr' Asher, who was out early in the morning when the net was drawn ashore, informs us that he saw about thirty-five lying on the beach, below Mr Sims' house. We learn tbat Sir George Grey and the Honorable John Sbeehan will not pass through Tauranga on their visit to the MaoriKing, but tbat they proceed by the West Coast, and .bat the meeting will take place at Kopua, a settlement on the banks of the Waipa River, about sixty miles from Te Kuiti. We regret to learn thnfc Mr W. H. Bennet, who was for some years in business in Tauranga, has been unfortunate in Christcbureh. Only a very short time since, ho took over tbe mMAgement of an hotel in that oity, and on W«__tesday, Mr Bodell learnt by telegram that early on that morning the hotel was burnt down, and that Mr Bennet lost everything he possessed. Captain Tovey has brought to our office very fine specimens of fruit growing in his 'orchard, and now in season from trees in full bearing, and vthioh kinds succeed admirably in this district, viz-, apples, — Devonshire Bed Guarrindin, Northern Spy, Mot Peach, Kirk's Golden Pippin , of these Northern Spy and Irish Peach are blight proof; also fine specimens of tbe Jargonelle Pear. Captain Tovey has also shewn us samples of potatoes, new to this district ; being splendid specimens of Sutton's Bed Skin, Flourball, and the American late Hose, all grown in his garden, and planted in August last. Settlers wishing to buy furniture and clothing of all kinds will find just what they want at the City Hall Arcade. It is the largest establishment of the kind in Auckland. The proprietors study tbe interest of country buyors in having furniture made to take to pieces, and thus save freight by packing in a small compass. There is always a large stock "of bedroom furniture to select from, and bed ding of all sizes. Dining and drawing room suites alwajß on view. The immense trade done at the Arcade is due to the cheapness and durability of their ware, also to the great care taken in packing couutry orders, The largest stock of carpets in Auckland. Hoi. loway and Garliok have a large staff of first class cabinet hands constantly at work, and invite intending purchasers to inspect their stock before buying elsewhere. Orders accom. panied by a remittance faithfully attended te by Holloway and Qarlick, Oity HallFurnituro Arcade, Queen Street, Auckland. — [Advt.] 1