LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 85, 29 December 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chief Judge Prendergast leaves Wellington to-morrow and wilt arrive here on Monday to boll a sitting of the Supreme Court, which OOinm notie on Tuesday, January 8. On Sundry last special service wer* he’d at the different, places of worship, and s 11 tile churches were well attended. Holy Trinity Church was full both morning end evening. The ladies of the congregation had made the decorations usual on Christmas Day, and the effect was very pretty and impressive. The ladies are to be complimented on their tasteful work.

The Christmas holidays passed off very well in Gisborne. On Christmas Ev t G ads’one road was more lively with peop.e out shopping and strolling about than has ever been known before. The streets were very dusty on Sunday and Monday, owing to a supply of water not having been put on, and this made things anything but p easant for those in town. The races were conducted to the satisfaction of everyone present, and though there was a little ram it did not interfere with the sport. On the Kaiti the rain came down much heavier, and considerably marred the pleasure of those who attended the Wesleyan picnic. A few parties went up tbe river, aud some back wiser (and wetter) than when they started. The actions of the Salvation Army lately have been the cause of much unfavorab-e comment, and unless a different stand is taken by the officers they will alienate from the Army much of that sympathy and support which is now accorded the members in their work. On Saturday evenings it is usual for the Army to pitch on the vacant section near the Clothing Factory. Last Saturday evening the Garrison Band marched down the street, intending to take up a position at tbe lamp-post near the bridge, but tne Army evidently understood their intention, and took the lead and forestalled them. The Band-* master (Mr Brown) then, with a deference which did him credit, but which many present did not appreciate, went 011 to the centre of the bridge until the Army had moved away again. Is to be hoped that the lesson which Mr Brown’s sensible conduct should convey will not be without effect, though it is a matter for regret that a religious body should require a lesson in courtesy. It would not be wise for the Band to again take up a stand on the bridge, seeing the dan er of stopping the traffic, bm. if matters cannot be amicably arranged the Band will find a large public support in a course more antagonistic than that already taken up.

All County Council notices will appear in the columns of the Standard.

Bishop Cowie of Auckland is about to proceed to England to attend the meeting oi Bishops called by the Archbishop of Canter* bury to be held on July 3. Mr Pritchard Morgan, in a lett4f to the Times, pledges to devote the whole of his wealth derived from the Welch mines to national purposes after providing for his family. Ab he war riding home from ths races on Monday Richard Hunt fell from his horse. It was at first thought that he was seriously hurt, but he almost immediately recovered from his fall.

The lawn tennis tournament, for the Championship of New Zealand commenced at the Lancaster Park grounds, Christchurch, on Eiiday morning. The weather was fine, and the courts in good order. The tournament concluded on Saturday afternoon. As an example of the discipline that is maintained at the Maori camp at Waituhi, an incident occurred on Monday which is worth recording. About twenty natives could not resist the temptation to go to the races, but when they returned they were fined five or ten shillings each. At a meeting of the Gisborne High School Commissioners on Tuesday night last it was resolved to agree tc the resolutions of the" Hawkes Bay Education Board, and it was carried that a grant-in-hid of the salary of an assistant master at the rate of £l5O per annum be guaranteed. The Defence Minister h“S issued a eircu* lar to all Voiuute r» corps preparing them for large reduction- in capitation allowance, aud advising them not to incu any new li biiities on the strength of the capitation vote. He also gave notice to all musketry inspectors thiit in cons Que of the rereuchment propos is of the Government their services were dispensed with. Country corps wil probably be disbanded, and encouragement >o nfle clu >a with two inspections of anna yearly. - There are many stories told of the forgetfulness of some peop e—of the gentleman who looked for two hours for his spectacles and at last found them where an ordinary person would think they ought to be, on his none; and so on. But a case which is too good to be classed with ordinary stories is now under our notice. A lady who attended Holy Trinity Church on Sunday left behind her a pair of gloves, a parasol) and a purse containing a sum of money, and so far the articles have not been reclaimed. The Rev. Mr Fox, we understand, ban the lost property in his possesion, waiting for the owner to turn up. (< It transpired at the meeting of >hart>holders in the S. iuh Pacific Petroleum Company, he d at Gisborne the other day, that it would cost between £4OOO and £5OOO to lay a pipe iiuefiom the well to Gisborne. The oil is now at the surface of the well and run--1 ing to wast . Mr Weaver, the m mager, proceeds to Sydney at once to consult the directors with regard to tankage, aud for the laying of pipes to Gisborne.”—Thus says a Napier paper, which seems to know nothing about the facts of the meeting. It will take £14,000 to £20,000 to lay a line of pipes, not £4OOO or £5OOO, and the oil is not running to waste.

The Wesleyan Church picnic on Boxing Day was quite a success. Between 300 and 400 people attended it and had evidently come <>ut to enj >y themselves but heavy rain falling at about two o’clock sent numbers home again. Both before aud after dinner the fun was fast and furious, the Salvationists with their genial ways ai d good humour doing not a little to increase the enjoyment. At about one o’clock the gong announced dinner, and from that until nearly two o'clock the various attendants were assiduous in their endeavots to satisfy the cravings of a hungry multitude. Provisions were in aoundance and with the help of a number of ladies and gentlemen all were at length served. Shortly after the rain came on many clung to the hope that it would stop and endeavored to amuse themselves in spite of it and for two hours did so. But gradually, as hopes seemed futile, the people began to make for n >me, but not bet«iie they had had a cup of sea and someihing to eat. Tne spot chosen was very picturesque, but for sucii a large number was scaroelz open enough, although when the ain came on this proved an advantage. The persons in charge of the affair exerted them--elves to their utmost and a number of ladies and gentlemen on the ground of various denominations kindly helped them. The only complaints heard were about the lack of vehicles of which a sufficient number had not been provided. Church of England country services on Sunday next—-Rev. O. Dean: Patutabi 11, Waerenga-a-bika 3, Ormond 7 —(Advt.)