LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 214, 27 October 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The first load of wool thia season was taken oft to the barque Deva on Thursday. At a meeting of the Fire Brigade held on Wednesday evening Mr F. Allen was elected a member. An adjourned meeting of the Hospital Sports Committee will be held on Monday evening. Miss Houldgate was a passenger by the Tarawera yesterday. She will oommenoa her duties as Lady Superintendent of the Hospital on November let. Cricketers are reminded that the match Married v. Single takes place at Te Hapara ground to-day. Several have their intention of taking part, aud no doubt a good game will be the result, The following crews have been picked for the Gisborne Rowing Club’s Trial-fours Spurdie (stroke), Miller (3), McLean (2), Dickson (bow); Chrisp (stroke), Young (3), Drummond (2), Collins (bow) ; Green (stroke), Teat (3), Morgan (2), F. Clayton (bow). An election m connection with the Borough Council takes place to-day. Saturday is certainly not a convenient day for suoh a contest, but it is anticipated the election will be a close one. Of course our contemporary, as usual, quietly. ignores these matters.

In the programme which we published of the coming Hospital Sports the mile wakling r&oe was oniittGds Inis is anticipated to ba one of the leading events. If all the young men who are talking of starting in the sports actually enter the results are likely to be more suecsssiul this year than ever they have been. Considerable interest is being taken in the Trinopliflon Limelight Exhibition to be given in the Theatre Roy»l “ext Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thuisuay. The synopsis of lectures now being issued giyes alajgc variety of views, The Bev P. N. Hunter, the lecturer, is to preach in the Wesleyan Church to-morrow evening at 7 o'clock.

In our issue of to-day will be found the advertisement of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s chartered barque Deva, for London. As an arrangement has been made with all the shipping firms to send their wool by this vessel she will have quick despatch to ensure her arrive in time for the March sales. There will be »o increase, we understand, in ths rates of freight, as at first anticipated, and as comparatively little Wool is offered at the March sales early shorn clips will receive the lull benefit of tile market.

The popular theatrical manager, Mr A. L. Canard, arrived in Gisborne yesterday. The sculling match between Searle and Kemp takes place at Sydney to-day. Searl. is being backed at 6 to 4. Mr Edward Ling is again to the fore with his well-known summer beverages. These drinks are very cheap, and are both wholesome and palatable. •

the as e age increase in the flocks in the Ma Awn u district is over 110 per cent. Th. mortality among lambs has been unusually small.

The Church of England Bishop of Hong Kong thinks that tea should be used by the Churches of China in the administration of the Lord’s Supper. Latest advices concerning the ship Weathersfield, now lying stranded upon the Otaki beach, are that the vessel’s head has moved 25 feet to seaward.

At the Gisborne School on Thursday Cade: Morgan was awarded the cup for good markmanship which was presented by Mr A. R. Muir. The win was very popular.

A Wellington paper predicts a strong effort will bo made next session to reverse the “unwise and cheese-paring legislation which the present'Ministry initialed as part of its policy when placed in power.” Under the heading, “ Sham Boards,” the Post says :—“ The correspondence relative to the appointment of the new Harbor Boards at Greymouth and Westport, which was laid before Parliament during the session, has just recently been printed and circulated. It is amusing, and, at the same time, instructive reading.”

Mr Joseph Hatch has been informed by H.M. Customs that he can get possession of tne sealskins seized on board the Awarua (when he proved where they had been taken) on payment of all expenses incurred in their seizure. Mr Hatch has made the required declaration and paid the sum demanded under protest. The Wellington Post again harps on the absence of Ministers from the Empire City, and says that as soon as ever Parliament is prorogued—whether its work is done or not is never considered in regard to proroguing it—the only Ministerial anxiety seems to be how to get away from the seat of Government as quickly as possible. The folk wing story from Melbourne seems to be too good to be true: —A cabman named James Orange, while in a state of intoxication, drove his cab over a precipice into the Yarra river at Melbourne the other night into 26 feet of water. Next morning when he regained his senses h« found himself lying high and dry on a ledge of rock. At the R. M. Court yesterday, the cars of Miller v. Ward, claim £95 19s for wrongful dismissal and damages, came on for hearing, Mr Brassey, for the defendant, objected to the amount £4 16. alleged to have been paid by Mr Ward to Mr Matthewson on account of rent due by plaintiff, as such payment had never been made. Mr Matthewson, who was called, stated that he had not received any money on behalf of Mr Miller. Mr Booth then allowed the amount to be added on to the claim, which therefore made it beyond the jurisilioiion of the Court, and the claim was accordingly dismissed without costs.

An Inspection parade of the J. Battery was held on Thursday evening when only 12 men put in (an appearance, including one officer. After Major Porter had inspected those present he was waited upon by Lieutenant Kenny, who stated that the members of the corpshad voluntarily agreed to disband, and asking that this decision should be forwarded to Government. Major Porter expressed regret that the corps should take this step. But he could see no alternative as the Battery had for some time past been below the strength. At theR.M. Court on Thursday, Mr Booth gave judgment for the plaintiffs in the following civil oasesJ. Craig v Jamas Carroll, claim £72 3s lid, coats £5 4s; Finn and Chrisp v Hereana Potae, claim £l4 5s 2d, costs Ils; Otto Hansen v. W. Jaggs, claim £5 7s, costs £1 Ils. In the case Courtney and Pitcher v Tiopere Horere, claim £3O, the plaintiffs were nonsuited with costs £4 4s. Judgment summonses—Ferguson v Oleqn, claim £4 18s, ordered to pay the amount claimed on or before November 22; G. R. Moore v Paora Haupa, claim £lll2s, ordered to pay amount forthwith or 11 days’ imprisonment. On Thursday last the case of Rangi v. Reeves, for assessment of damages, came on for hearing at the B. M. Court. The plantiff in this case claimed £27 10s for the illegal impounding of 78 sheep, and also the sum of £lO for damages. The case was heard last April by Mr Booth, who gave judgment for the defendant. The plantiff appealed and the Supreme Court decided the impounding was illegal, and remitted the case back to the R. M. to assess damages, when Mr Booth allowed 3s 6d per head for the sheep, amounting to £l3 13s, and also £l9 Ils costs, including costs of appeal. Mr Day appeared for the plantiff and Mr Macdonald for the defendant.

It would be well if our Borough Council or its servants would kindly remember that when satisfaction can be given without the pocket or exchequer being affected, that satisfaction should be given. Read’s Quay was recently metalled, and the wise City Fathers were much exercised as to whether or not blinding should be used, but that would affect the exchequer, and many people questioned whether talk was not more profitable than work in this instance. Still, they should take pity on those who have to stumble over the jagged metal so as to gat to or from the bridge—if they will not do this they should at least ask Messrs Garrett Bros, for a subsidy for the additional business directed to their establishment on account of the damage to shoe leather. If the Council cannot afford to shingle a path from the Post Office corner to the bridge, they might give » boy sixpence to take a shovel and scatter a little sand over the rugged road. The Ormond people managed tq get off one good joke at the meeting on Thursday night, in which they scored a point off the * townies.’ One well known person vigorously protested that undue influence had been used in getting signatures to the memorial, and said he could prove it. For a few seconds a pin could have been heard drop, and everyone looked at everyone else in wondering expectation, until the suspense was relieved by a shout of “ Name I name l !> The accuser was as good as his word, and stood up end said Fagan had been given a pint of beer. An outburst of laughter followed, those who knew Fagan—and who doesn’t ?—at once seeing the joke. Fagan himself, being rather deaf, joined heartily in the laugh, but upon hie being appealed to and then realising the situation, he got terribly indignant, and denied the accusation in a way that only such a veteran could do it. However, those Qrmond people are so malicious that some avqr that Fagan was not so. angry at the accusation as at the fact that he had not been “ unduly influenced.” As our Ormond correspondent takes great interest in anything affecting the good name of that township we hope he will sift this matter, and see no “ undue influence” was subsequently used. At the Harbor Board meeting the other night, Mr Dickson was vainly trying to distinguish the writing on some notes which he held in his hand, and the Secretary procured a candle to give him extra light, The Chairman laughingly remarked that thia was a reflection on the Gas Company. “ You will excuse my being so short-sighted,” said Mr Dickson, whereupon there was a general titter amongst those present. " I thought you were always credited with being far-sighted?” said the Chairman. Mr Dickson then saw the joke. “ Yes, mentally," said he, “ I accept your compliment.” This incident and the earthquake, whist) only one or two seemed to notice, were about the only things to enliven four hours of wearisome and resultless talk—or “ the dreary drip of declamation,” to use an expression of Lord Salisbury’s. We hope that at the meeting on Monday night the Chairman will see that the business is conducted on some approach to business principles. As an instance of the absurdities that may be resorted to at these meetings, we may mention one point! It iyae proposed that tenders be called fob painting portions of the machinery, and an amendment was proposed, the words used being, “ That the Engineer do it hitheelf.” The member who gave the motion then withdrew it in favor of “ the Engineer doing the work himself.” Instead of the Amendment being at once put, as intended, that the Engineer be authorised to have the work done, fifteen tninuies were wssted over the uuibbie<

The New South Wales Divorce Bill has again been negatived. The difficulty between the Seamen’s Union and the Union Company has been satisfactorily settled. It appears that after all the Government intend to appoint two more Native Land Court Judges. It is a ild that Messrs D. and J. O. Syme, th * 0 tors v the Melbourne Age newspaper, vided £70,000 of profits last year. Mr Harry Rickards, wh > has been in New Zealand once or twice before, will be in the colony again some time early in the new year.

In accordance with a promise made last session, the Government are about to set up a commission to inquire into certain native grievances in the North Island. A Southern paper says:—‘Rudolph Radka is supposed to have joined Jonathan Roberts in a missing friends and private enquiry business in Melbourne. Gasparini will be the travelling agent.’

The Wairarapa ’ Standard says that a stallion made a savage attack on Mr John Eglinton, of Wharekaukau, on the coast, about 30 miles from Featherston. He was riding a mare at the time, when the entire rushed at him, seized him by the thigh, lifted him clean out of the saddle, shook him, and then dropped him, and made off after the mare.

The other day a 11 spieler ” on the Hastings railway platform had a lively time of it for a few minutes. He was giving his landlady the “ slip,” and forgot, as usual, to settle his little account, but the victimised female was equal to the occasion, and took It out of his hide, to thegreat enjoyment of the by-standers. The next time he does these dirty tricks he may have to settle with a landlord, who may be able to give him a better hiding than he received on this occasion.

A curious interview has taken place between Sir Thomas Mcflwraith, Premier of Queensland, and Lady Musgrave. The latter assured the Premier that Sir Anthony Musgrave has entertained no ill-feeling against him, and her ladyship refuted the charges of parsimony which had so often been levelled at the late Governor. She produced books of Sir Anthony’s, which showed that his expenses had exceeded hie salary by £3900, the deficiency being met by her private purse. It is rumoured that if it does not prove practical to obtain a Chief Railway Commissioner from Great Britain, the Board will be constituted as follows:—Mr Edward Bichardson, M.H.R., Chief Commissioner with a salary of £1,200 or £1.500 ; Mr J. Maxwell, the present General Manager ; and Mr O. Y. O'Connor, Secretary of Public Works, The assistant Commissioners’ salaries would be a £lOOO each, but nothing authentic is of course obtained as yet. It is further rumoured that Mr Maxwell is willing to serve under an English Chief Commissioner of repute, but not under anyone appointed in the colony. So gnat is the rivalry between the drivers of the tramesra and omnibusses in Wellington that they are continually resorting to all kinds of expedients to get the best of each other. At half past ten one night last week the drivers of a tramcar and an omnibus raced along Cuba street, travelling abreast. When opposite Te Aro House the 'bus driver whipped up,his horses and passed the car, and both vehicles shot round the corner into Manners street at a furious pace, the drivers cracking their whips and shouting loudly, -apparently with the idea of urging their respective teams. The police have received many complaints regarding this dangerous practice, and intend prosecuting the offenders.

From a private letter received from London we learn that Mr W. L. Rees, late of Gisborne, is getting on very well with regard to his colonisation scheme. The writer says that Mr Rees is a man of great energy, and has done as much in a few weeks to advance his cause as most men who go Home on kindred enterprises do in some months. His great ally just now is Major Houston, nephew of Lady Mattheson, who is also, from a landlord or landlady point of view, interested in Mr Rees' proposals, The Gisborne lawyer is ably assisted by Wi Pere, his Maori coadjutor, who is also very energetic. When the mail left he was giving addresses, through his interpeter, to the members ,of different societies. Mr Rees commences a regular lecturing campaign jn Scotland shortly.—Napier News. Our Melbourne correspondent writes : — Our dear old Governor has at last a heavy misdemeanour to answer for, Up to the present I had thought him a * ‘ courteous knight-of fair renown,” and would have upheld bis fame with the sword and spear and rounded buckler gainst any recreant knave who said it nay. But now, from what a great hope have I fallen. Last week he took himself and his family and went “ a-switching.” Yes; our own Guv., with his £lO,OOO a year, took a flying trip on the switchback railway at the Exhibition, and so gave the last impetus to what is now the prevalent craze in Melbourne. He seemed to enjoy it too, and sat there with resolute firmness and a broad smile on his face, going up and downs up and down, with his fine white beard streaming over his shoulder and his arm passed round the waist of his eldest daughter. “ You have had an eventful career, your Excellency," said the Chief Secretary, with a bow, as Sir Henry Loch descended, “ but I don’t think you ever had so many ups and downs in your life,” whereas yice-Royality smiled broadly. And so, following the example of Government House, all Melbourne now goes a-ewitching, and the enterprising proprietor is making a fortune. One of the most fashionable doctors, too, has declared that it is good for the liver, and so the last excuse has been found for those whose dignity would not permit of their patronising it for mere pleasure. Vive la bagatelle I and glory to the switchback in excelsis.