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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2995, 31 January 1881, Page 2

A rather smart shock of earthquake was felt in Napier yesterday morning at 9.15 o'clock. His Excellency the Governor visited the District school and the Hospital this afternoon, and expressed himself as well pleased with those institutions. Complaints are made that tie cemetery is made use of on Sundays as a play-groun d by lads old enough to know better. A cemetery should be as sacred as a church. The native chief Topia, with about one hundred and fifty Maoris from Taupo, arrived at Petane on Saturday, and proceeded to Wai-o-hiki to-day to tangi over the grave of Tareha. Wβ are glad to perceive from our Wairoa correspondent's letter that the Constabulary station at Tβ Onepoto, Lake Wailcaremoana, is to'be re-occnpied. Sergeant Hackett has received order to send up a detachment at once. The Lydia Howard company repeated " H. M. S. Pinafore " on Saturday evening , to a crowded house. They were again assisted by a number of K"apier amateurs, and the piece went even more smoothly than on the previous evening , . An error appeared in our report of the Waste Lands Board proceedings at its last meeting. We stated that a letter was read from the secretary to the Victeria Small Farm Association, whereas it was a communication from the secretary of the Ormordville Association in reference to arrears due from members.

The reviewers of assessment under the Property Tax A ct sat to hear appeals at the Supreme Court House this morning. Mr R. Stuart presided, and Messrs C. J. Nairn and J. Lawrence were on the bench. There were a large number of appeals, but as the enquiry was conducted with closed doors we cannot give particnlars of the 3ases. We learn that in several cases the appeals were allowed.

The Hawbe's Bay Education Beard obtained a third prize for school apparatus at the Melbourne Exhibition. It might be asked whether money has not been thrown away in the purchase of apparatus so little wanted that it can be forwarded to Australia for show. There is a large quantity of toys in the possession of the Board never URedfor educational purposes, but dignified by the name of school apparatus it is a curious collection as showing how the money goes.

At the "R.M. Court this moraine:, |before Captain Preece, R.M., the case Partington v. Ebhett, claim for £45, was adjourned until 28th of February. Leonard v. Mere Takitri, claim for £50 on a judgment summons ; Mr Lascelles appeared for the defendant; defendant, sworn, denied having had any money in her possession since the judgment; ehe admitted that £350 of her money was in the hands of Mr H. R. Russell, but ehe could'nt get it; she had no claim on any land in the possession of her father; the money which she had to receive from Mr hustiell was part of the money paid over by Messrs Watt and Farmer; the plaintiff was non-suited.

A man named Laurie, a travelling tinsmitb, was charged at Waipawa on Friday last with committing , a breach of the Arms Act, ISBO, by repairing a gun. It appeared from the evidence that he had only soldered the rib holding the ramrod. The gun would have been quite available for distruotive purposes without the repairs done to it. The prisoner pleaded that he was entirely ignorant that he was breaking the law ; he was aware that, if he repaired any part of the mechanical workings of the gun, he would bo liable to prosecution. The repairs were done openly. The Bench ruled that the prisoner had not acted strictly in accordance with the Act, but dismissed the case.

We understand that Mr J. T. Tylee, Commissioner of (grown Lands, who had made an objection to the assessment of his property under the Property Tax Act, was unable to attend the Boaid of Keyiewers this morning before half-past ten o clock, in consequence of having: urgent business at the Crown Lands Office. His name had been called before he arrived at the Oourt House, but be was not informed of that fact, and in reality was given to understand that his case would come on for hearing when the other cases were disposed of. Instead of this being , done, when Mr Tylee presented himself and stated the reason of his absence, the Bench informed him tbat his case had been called, and could not be re-opened. This appears very peculiar justice.

A very important discovery to naturalists has just been made in Newgate Jail. Upon some repairs being , made a petrified cat was found in a crevice of an old stone wall. It subsequently oatne under the notice of Mr Frank JtSuokland, the eminent naturalist and editor of Land and Water, and he is of opinion that the cat must have been in this condition ever since the fifteenth century. V"That being so," says Mr Buckland, "I have but little doubfc that it is the celebrated cat of Sir Riihard Wittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London." The cat is exhibited in the window of the Land and Water Office, and is attracting a good deal of attention.

The New Zealand Herald has the following :—"All the tenders received for the Gisborne bridge have been declined, the local tenders being excessive, and an Auckland tender having fallen through in the final settlement. Mr J. Davis, C.E., of Napier, formerly of Messrs Brogden and Sons, and contractors of the Napier reclamation works, lias since contracted to build the bridge for £1900, payment half cash and half land. The work is to be commenced forthwith. A double plant for pile driving, to be subsequently used on the Gieborne breakwater, is to be put 'on, so that the bridge may be capable of being used at the advertised land sales in May next."

The other day (says Truth) an Englishman went to Ireland to see a friend of his, who ie an Irish landlord. He said that he should like to meet one of the most ardent opponents of landlords, and his friend referred him to the village blacksmith, who, he said, was a good enough fellow, but who, he believed, contemplated shooting him shortly. To the forge he betook himself, and the blacksmith explained the wrongs of Ireland. " Are we not," he said," suffering from absentees taking from Ireland all the money that we earn, and do you suppose that we mean to continue to pay this tribute to the Saxon ?" " But," replied the Englishman, " here there are many resident landlords." " Tou are mistaken," anewered the blacksmith; " I know the country, and I tell you that it is full of absentees.

Shakspearian readings by Mr Morrison this evening at 8 o'clock.

Napier Gas Company's half-yearly meeting to-morrow, at 11 a.m. Messrs Banner and Liddle will sell tomorrow, at the Spit, 80,000 feet of assorted timber at 11 o'clock.

Messrs Miller and Potts will sell at Waipa wa, to morrow, lease of shop, house, and section ; also, cattle, horses, wool, &c.

Messrs Manoy and. Co. have just received new fruit.

The Napier District school re-opens today.

Consignees of cargo ex Chimhorazo are notified to sign general average agreement.

Mr It. G. Graham has money to lend

Messrs H. Monteith and Co. will sell by auction on the Bth instant at Meanee, Messrs Cornish and Co.'s stock. ' >

Tenders are wanted by the Heretaunga Road Board for forming and metalling roads,

Messrs Blythe and Co. announce cheap terms in boots. '-■■■■.