LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 68, 17 November 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

On the charge against A. Beid, for wife desertion, being adjourned at the Court on Tuesday until Thursday, Mr Rees drew the attention of the J.P. presiding to the fact that Thursday was always set apart for the disposal of civil business, and criminal business should not ba taken on that day. Sergeant Bullen considered that criminal business should always have prcedence of civil.

A committee meeting of the Harbour Board takes place this afternoon to consider the charges preferred against Mr Beeoheno, overseer, by some of the discharged workmen. It is said that the matter is likely to go further than a mere investigation by the Harbour Board, as Mr Beeoheno intends to take proceedings against those who have signed the petition. This is the general cry of those who have been charged with irregularities. Future developments of the affair will be looked forward to with interest.

The London Socialists are developing, and it seems strange how honest working men who have a grievance—and bitter grievances no doubt they have—can associate themselves with some of the low characters who are connected with the movement. The Mrs Beasant mentioned in the telegrams is the woman that was connected with Bradlaugh in his “ Fruits of Philosophy,” and at one time her husband applied to have the children taken from her, alleging that she was not a fit person to have control of them.

An account for £l4 odd was presented at the Borough Council meeting on behalf of the street-water contractor. Cr Joyce asked who had kept the tally. The Clerk said Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. had, and Cr Joyce replied that some one representing the Council should do it. Some Councillors thought this would be too expensive in any case. Cr Tucker: Well, it does’nt make any difference how long we discuss it: we can’t keep the man waiting for his money—he has been authorised and has done his work, and we must pay him.

In dealing with the subject of bankruptcy the question of suing for small debts came up in the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Mr George thought it would be a good thing to carry out the late Chairman’s idea, and amend the laws so that debts under £lO should not be recoverable by any legal process. He said it was not an uncommon thing for a speculative lawyer to undertake to collect a lot of small debts for a tradesman, and it not unfrequently happened that a debtor was summoned for a debt of a few shillings before he knew of it, and was let in for the speculative lawyer’s fee also.

It will be remembered that at the last meeting of the County Council the special order abolishing the Turanganui Road District was confirmed despite the protest of the Board. The preliminary step to abolish the district was taken upon a petition presented by all the largest ratepayers, but the members of the Board were adverse to the step being taken; The Board has now placed the matter in the hands of a solicitor, who, it is stated, has held that the action of the Council is illegal on technical grounds. What steps are to be taken in the matter remains to te seen, but it seems absurd that the minority of tht ratepayers should be able to go to law againse the express wish of the majority.

All Borough rates outstanding on December 1 will be sued for.

Tenders for the supply of 1500 dog collars to the County Council close on Wednesday next.

Mr E. P. Joyce returns thanks to those ratepayers who voted for him at the County Council election yesterday. The polling for the election of a member to represent the Tologa Riding in the County Council took place yesterday, and resulted as follows ;—Gannon 28, Joyce 20. A large tangi is being held at Murewai on a half-caste woman of some rank who died the other day. There is a large number of natives present. There is a large amount of sickness prevailing in the Bay at present. A number of people are suffering from what Is known as the dandy fever, Mr Hill, Inspector of Schools, completed his examination ot the Gisborne school yesterday afternoon. From what we can learn all the children have done remarkably well. At the B.M. Court yesterday D. Kemp was fined 10s for furious riding. A charge against W. S. Greene, for using language calculated to provoke a breach ot the peace, was adjourned. Attheß. M. Court on Tuesday Alexander Reid was charged with deserting his wife in Hampden, in 1887. The case was adjourned until to-day. A native woman was fined 10s. for drunkenness.

Mr E. S. Goldsmith's new advertisement appears elsewhere. It will be noticed that all goods have, been reduced in pries; and that there will be a shilling table, on which will be placed an endless variety of articles,

The s.s. Wairarapa should arrive from Auckland about noon to-morrow. She leaves for Melbourne via Southern ports in the evening again, The last launch leaves at 7 p.m.

Both the Australia and Suva should put in an appearance in the Bay during to-day. The Suva is from South, and has the Majeroni company on board. The Australia comes from Auckland.

Mr Abbott, late of Opotikl, at present in Gisborne, has decided to put down 45 acres in corn near Ormond, Should the crop prove a good One, Mr Abbott will be repaid for his venture, and we trust he will meet with success.

At the fi.M. Court yesterday (before Messrs Tucker and Bennett, J.P.’s) J. Mclntosh was committed for trial for forcibly entering upon land, claimed to be the property of one Ambrose Wiokens, Prayers and counterprayers for sureties of the peace were adjourned. The Austrians living near to the frontier of Russia are in funk. A division of Russian cavalry has arrived at Lublin. It is only a slight hint to Kalnoky that he has baen saying too much lately. Bussia will never start the game. Bismarck will be the man to let slip the dogs.of war.

Circumstances alter cases. Speaking of the Waikanae dam, at the Council meeting, Cr Joyce said that a month was not a long period. Cr Tucker said a man who was in gaol would not say that. Cr Joyce: It depends what gaol-he is in—in some gaols it would be considered too short.

Special attention is drawn to Mr W. Adair’s new advertisement. In announcing the arrival of several direct shipments of new goods for the spring and summer season, Mr Adair points out that everything has been marked at the lowest possible advance on invoice price, and draws attention to the splendid goods he has in stock.

The Hawaiian ‘ army ’ consists of one ‘generalissimo,’ five colonels five majors, one adjutant-general, one quarter-master general, one intelligence officer, one engineer; one de camp, one adjutant, one captain, two lieutenants, eight sergants, 16 corporals, one bandmaster, 24 bandsmen and 60 privates.

Keen interest is being taken in the forthcoming mounting and dismounting gun competition in connection with the Hospital sports. Every night a detachment is to be seen going through an active course of training. This ought to prove one of the most interesting items on the programme as both detachments are evenly matched and con. fldent of winning.

At the Borough Council meeting on Tuesday evening, the Clerk said he had sent a telegram to Mr Graham asking whether a week's delayin the deputation going down to Wellington would matter, and Mr Graham replied that it would not. Major Porter explained that the message had been sent because Mr Bees said he did not think it advisable to go down that week.

The case of the poliee v. U’Ben, heard at the B.M. Court on Tuesday, showed a vary one-sided state of affairs—a state, however, that has always existed. The polios lost the case, and the witnesses for the prosecution, who wars brought on two occasions from Te Ara., were not allowed costs. If it had been a private individual who had prosecuted he would have had to pay coats, but in any Crown prosecution witnesses never obtain one penny for their services unless a conviction is recorded.