LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 224, 20 November 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

To-day is the last day of payment for the accruing instalment of property tax. The barque Deva is expected to get away by the end of next week. She is now over two thirds loaded.

Mr E. Burch announces that he has made arrangements for a regular supply of smoked fish, which he is prepared to sell cheaply. Mr Booth leaves for Wairoa on Monday next to hold a sitting of the “ Resident Magistrate’s” Court thereon Wednesday, and will probably return on the following Friday. Captain Tucker (proposed by MrE. Harris and seconded by Mr Joyce) was the only person nominated for the Mayoralty on Saturday, and was therefore declared elected. The Garrison Band intend resuming their open air concerts on Saturday evenings, commencing this week. Mr Townley has promised to erect a rotunda for the use of the Band, on his section in Peel street.

The Hicks-Sawyer Minstrels are announced to play here on Friday and Saturday evenings next. The company is a thoroughly good one and has been favorably received throughout their tour. In Wellington they had crowded houses.

At the meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society last night the Magazine was read. It contained three papers, entitled*-* A trip round the North Island, ” “ A holiday trio in Brittany, ” and “ Girls. ” It was decided to spend the next meeting night in a hall, when games etc. will be indulged in.

The tank oases Borough Council v. W. Maude, were called on at the R M Oourt yesterday morning when Mr Macdonald, for the plaintiff, applied for leave to withdraw the information without costs. Mr K<mny objected to this course and asked that £3 3s be allowed in each case. The Bench, however, decided on allowing £1 Is on each information.

Mr Booth, Trust Commissioner, yesterday granted a deed of conveyance frcm Mere Wiri or M. R. Bloomfield to T. C. Williamson and others of Wharekopae No. 2 A deed of transfer wn« also granted from Maraea Mokena to Jas. Williamson of Okahuatiu No In. An application for a certificate of see'ions 166 and 238 Kaiti from Noko to G. R. Moore was withdrawn.

Energy and self-reliance era characteristics which can always be admired, and certainly the promoters of the ladies’ bathing shed are to be congratulated on their promptitude. Instead of frittering away the time in discus’, ing the matter, work was commenced, Mr Poleman's 2,500 bricks were delivered, and it is believe-i the who’e thing will be complated by next Saturday night. The great success achieved by the promoters of a Regatta Club for Poverty Bay may be seen by the nanvs of the gentlemen, who, as a provisional committee, are taking part. The probability of a bona fide whaleboat race was discussed, and from remarks falling from those present, in all probability this exciting event will add greatly to the proposed aquatic carnival, which mav now be looked upon as certain. Should a fairly substantial prize be offered, boats from Tokomaru down to the Mahia may be expected to put in an appearance. The Committee meet this evening at Cassin’s Albion Club Hotel.

Two carious fires occurred last Sunday—of no importance whatever in themselves, but of great interest as showing from what small things great calamities may arise. As the first churchbells were ringing in the morning, smoke was observed to come from the foot of the fence round Mr O. Veale’s place, directly opposite the Settlers’ Hotel. It was seen that the grass had been ignited, and in a few seconds the light fence would have been ablaze, and the house endangered. Mr Con Hansen and one or two others who wers passing by quickly beat the fire out with branches of a poplar tree. Some passer by must have carelessly thrown a match in the grass, or it may have been caused bv mis. ebievous boys. In regard to the other incident referred to, it occurred in the Masonic Hotel. Mr Shaw heard a rat gnawing under the front bar counter, but did not take anv notice until he smelt something peculiar, which he thought appertained to fire. Going over to where he heard the rat be discuverrd that it had been operating on a match, with the result that an incipient fire had been caused. Had there been no one about, the otherwise trifling incident might have been wry serious. Last night a case of rubbish which somehow caught alight in Common, Shelton, and Go.’s yard caused a little alarm, but the flame was easily aubaued.fi

The Matawhero Dairy Factory re-opens to-morrow. Reference was made to the late Mr Woon at Hoiy Trinity Church on Sunday. An ordinary meeting of the Harbor Board takes place to-night. The barque Mataura, from Rondon, arrived at Lyttelton yesterday afternoon. In consequence of the low prices of dairy produce, several of the Auckland farmers have renounced their dairies, and are going in for sheep. It is not generally known that Mr Walter, proprietor of the Times, and Mr Parnell’s father were at Eton together, and were on very friendly terms as boys. Close on 2000 sheep, says the Examiner, have lately been sent by special train from Mr Sydney Johnston’s Wocdville property to the Hawke’s Bay Freezing Company’s Works. Considerable local interest has been created at Rockhampton by a company of the Defence Force refusing to fall in when commanded, “ they being dissatisfied at not receiving the pay due to them.” A Wellington paper says the Public Works Department will gradually disappear as the various arrangements mature and as each branch is ready for the change. When Parliament re assembles it will find no Public Works Department in existence. Inspector Hill is in hot water over his report on the Napier side-school. * The master, Mr Golding, and the mistress, Miss Monteith have written to the committee protesting against the report and giving strong grounds fur their protest. The following tenders were received by Mr Quigley, architect, for the erection of a dwelling house and stable for Mr McLoughlin : — John Forbes £248 10s (informal) ; W. O. Sknet, £263 (accepted); Hunt and Maher, £230 ; D. Curtin, £2Bl. Among the items of commercial news received by last mail was one which, though small, is satisfactory. A lot of twenty kegs, each containing lewt of honey, was sold in London at prices ranging from 49s to 55s per cwt. The former-pride was given for some honey which was slightly faulty in coloring. As another sample of the trash which is continually being sent to the colonies is the marvellous record of a woman having fainted when under cross examination in connection with the Parnell cases. While not a word is heard from the most important witnesses, we are told that a woman fainted! So thankful it is no worse.

We do not know who are the responsible parties, the workmen or their masters, but we think a slop should be put to the silly practice of flying colors at the harbor works just as it may suit the temperament of those engaged thereon. A short time back, when the works were stopped, there was a black flag hoisted—a procedure most discreditable to all concerned, and now there are two gay flags flying because the works have recommenced, If the Engineer or Overseer do not see that these flags are lowered then they are quite as much to blame as whoever put them there, and we hope that this evening the Board will, unless the flags are previously withdrawn, not allow the matter to pass unnoticed. The notice of our readers is directed to th e advertisement of the Ormond School Concert to be held on the evening of Boxing Day. We may state that we have seen a large photo of the whole of the children with their teachers, and have much p easure in complimenting Mr Browne on the excellence of his work, which, speaking generally, we believe is not to be beaten in New Zealand, It is intended to reduce the photograph to cabinet size, and attach the programme of concert and ticket of admission, and dispose of them in this form for the moderate charge of 2s 61 each. The proceeds are to be devoted principally to the procuring of drums for the school band, a very worthy object.

At the R M Court on Saturday morning R Little sued G L Greenwood for £l6 damages to a mire which hid been hired by D Murray, and £7 2s 6 1 fur the hire of same. The latter claim was pud into Court, but Mr Do Lautour, who appeared for the defendant, disclaimed all liability lor the amount. It appears, from the evidence taken, that Hull was employed by Murray to take possession at Turehau, the mare being ridden by Hull, who it seems went out for a ride ou the day after his arrival accompanied by some of the station hands, who commenced racing along the beach, when the mare Hull was riding fell on the pipa r ck, sustaining severe injuries. Mr DcLautour submitted that as the mare had not been hired by Mr Greenwood he could not be liable. Mr Booth reserved judgment till Thursday. In our next issue we shall give a report of an interview between the representative of a paper called Capital and Colonization and Mr W. L. Rees, concerning the latter gentleman’s co operative colonizing scheme. Mr Gladstone, in acknowledging the receipt of an early copy of “ Poverty and Plenty,” wrote as follows to Mr Rees : “ Dear Sir,—-I'thank you for the work you have kindly sent me. I find it to be of great interest and to contain many things with which I agree, but my age and engagements prevent, and I fear will prevent, my entering upon the subject at large. Your very faithful servant, —VV. E. Gladstone.” The Colonies and India, writing on the book, says, “ ‘ From Poverty to Plenty ’ is a book which one may pick up and read from cover to cover with the keenest interest. Apart from those who are philanthropically disposed in the direction of assisting the emigration of our struggling poor from the old country to the colonies, the book is one which will attract the general reader who desires to become conversant—with little trouble—with the social and political state of affairs at the antipodes. Mr Bees writes with much fluency and eloquence, while every chapter is laid upon a groundwork of sound logic and common sense which is convincing in the highest degree.” New Goods—N.Z. Diaries, Collins’ Calendar Desk Pads, Fancy Stationery, &3., at Mrs A. M. Browne’s, next Standard Office.— [Ad. ]