HASTINGS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4860, 9 March 1887, Page 3

HASTINGS.

]_OWN COBDESTONDENT.J The -work of strengthening the fire-bell tower for the reception of our local !' Big Ben " was commenced yesterday, and -will be finished to-day. The bell, to all appearances, mil make itself heard. Our first firebell was knocked out in one round, but the present bell- Trill take it lot" of punishment before it gives the clapper best. Our local Sard is preparing an ode to commemorate tho hanging. ' I notice that the Hawke's Jockey Club ■will be well prepared for any casualties that may happen during the races. . Mr.S. T. Tong, under the supervision of Dr Hoadley, is manufacturing a medicine chest, which will contain a supply of spliuts, bandages, medicine, &c, aud, in fact, all that is requisite in. case of any accident occurring during the races. The chest is to be placed in the casualty-room of the club. Neighboring Booing Clubs would do well to follow the example of the Hawke'a Bay Jockey Club, and have appliances on the ground in case of accidents —if only for humanity's sake, as the cost is only trivial. The Hastings drainage works' are gradually nearing their destination; at least, the main portion is. There will bo the usual amount of tributaries to finish, and other odd jobs; but the principle work W all but completed; There is no doubt but that the extraordinary,, dryness of. the weatner Has had a. lot to.do with the rapidity with which the work has been performed. The works up to the present has beenremfttkably free from accidents which so often occur on jobs t>f the same description where excavation of any depth, have to

be made, and where there is much timbering to be done. Had, the work been- done by contract, as some suggested, the same amount of care would very likely not have been used for the safety of the men working below, and any faulty timbering of the sides of the drain - might have cost several men their lives. The next great question to be solved is whether the drain will act or not. After that wo will deal with the overdraft.

To-day is an off-day here. The usual number of sporting public will find there way to the Napier Park races by some means or other. No matter how dull business is, the little ready-money shop on the racecourse, that has generally stock on hand, can always ran the dust out well. Place it where you will—on a Hill or in a Poole —the little mahogney-fronted shop, with the little windows, generally scoops the pool. (Your own, H.H.M.) Tho ball that is to be held in the Hastings Town Hall on the first night of the Jockey Club's races promises to be well patronised, A number of tickets are disposed of already. The programme of dances are numerous and well selected, and ought to satisfy the most fastidious lover of the Terpsichorean art. As the proceeds of the ball are to be devoted to a deserving object, there is no doubt but 1h it the efforts of the promoters will meet with the success they deserve.

Now thiit the totara has finished growing in tho Forty-mile Bush, the Government have treated as to a few substantial wire props. The old telegraph posts arc to be sold to the Paki Paki Jockey Club for hurdles.