LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 234, 13 December 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The pupil teachers’ examination was commenced yester day in Mr Townley’s City Rink.

Albert Hurd alias Thomas Scott made his third appearance at the R.M, Court yesterday, on a charge of drunkenness, and was sentenced to 24 hours imprisonment. An information by Mary Jones against her husband G, Jones was struck out, owing to their being no appearance of either party. The auction sale of Japanese goods and art productions, by Messrs Graham, Pitt and Bennett, takes place at 10 o’clock to-day, at their mart. The articles are now on view, and comprise many rare and beautiful curios and ornaments, only obtainable at these special which are held annually, and parsons wishing to obtain some of these interesting wares should not fail to attend the sale to-day. The attention of our readers is directed to the Garden Fete to be held in connection with the Presbyterian Church, in place of the annual soiree. It is to be held in grounds kindly lent by Mr Graham. A more suitable or more beautiful spot for such a gathering could not be found anywhere. On the banks of tha Taruheru river, an easy distance from town, with beautiful lawn and abundant shade, with games and pastimes of all sorts provided, Christmas tree and fancy goods stall, a sumptuous tea and attractive concert in the open air ; and all for the charge of 2s and Is respectively. What moie could ba desired for a pleasant afternoon and evening? Therg will KO ioubk be a large gathering

The Wellington Press does not know whether New Zealand is worse than the other colonies in a certain respect, but says it decidedly has the character of being an exceptionally gossipy, tittle-tattling, runror riddled little place. At a meeting of the Wellington and Wai* rarapa Charitable Aid Board the other day* some members objected to the Rev V n ’Staveren being appointed Chairman as he was already Chairman of a Board which occupied the position of plaintiff tn legal proceedings in which the Charitable Aid Board was defendant. During the hearing of a case in Dunedin, one of the solicitors was cross-examining a cabman with reference to a suggestion of inebriety on the part of one of the persons engaged in the case. The cabman’s reply to one question was this, “We most of us offend now and again ; I have carried -you home drunk before now ” The lawyer subsided, and obtained the protection of the court; for the Magistrate promptly rebuked the wit ness. When at Wairoa Mr Booth said the question of including Wairoa in his (Mr Booth’s) di-trict had been the subject of correspondence between him and the Justice Department for the last twelve months. He did not desire the additional work as he already had a 1 irge district, extending right up to the East Cape, to adminster; but recent arrangements had rendered the change necessary. In our last issue we made some comments on the conflict between the Salvation Army and Garrison Band, and a representative of this journal interviewed both Captain Strand

and the Bandmaster. The former states that he has no wish in any way to interfere with the Garrison Band, and he was not aware on last occasion that anything of the sort would occur. He would take care that it would not on a future occasion, as he wished to perform his work in a friendly spirit. Wo are pleased to hear of tbe matter being settled in this way, and we feel sure that by such a course the Army will gain much sympathy and support from those who do not agree in all the proceedings of the corps, and it is certain the members of the Garrison Band will reciprocate the friendly feeling. The monthly meeting of the Hospital Trustees was held last night. Present: Messrs Stubbs (in the chair), Watson, Coleman, and Dunlop. The monthly report showed remaining from last month 8, admitted 6, death 1, re. maining at date 7. Mr Coleman, the Treasurer, reported the receipts daring month at £lO5 5s 2d and there was now a balance in hand of £l5B 14a lOd. Votes r£ thanks were given to the Members ot the Sports Committee, Salvation Army, Garrison Band, and Mr W. F. Stephenson for their assistance and contributions, and also to Mr E. Harris for the use <■! his paddock. Accounts totalling £75 9< 10d were passed for payment. Messrs W-itson and Stubbs were appointed a Visiting Committee for the month. Ac the annual meeting of contributors to be held in January Messrs Tucker and Nolan retire by effluxion of time, but are eligible for re-election. A Sydney telegram of November 26 gives a fuller explanation of the recent boatin’ fatality at Seymour:—“A tragic occurrence which took place here yesterday afternoon, has cast quite a gloom over the town. It appears that two painters who were sent from town to do some work, induced two servant girls from the hotel at which they were staying to take a trip’ up the river. The boat in which they went was a mere cockleshell, with the rowing gear very much out of order. About 300 yards above the bridge a large reef runs across the river, over which the water in the centre ripples shallow and deepens at bolh sides. As they rowed down, the boat struck on the reef in the centre and got broad ude on. The girls were then sitting quiet in tha boat, and the men in trying to right her made her heel over. She then slid over the r o ef into deep water, filled, and went down. The acene was witnessed by a woman, and a young man who lives close by. The last they saw was four pairs of hands above water as they disappeared. None of them ever rose again, and it is thought they must have clung tn each other, ae the men were both good swimmers.” About, two o’clock on Tuesday morning an alarm of fire was raised, which turned out to be a house in Lowe Street. The front part of the building was occupied by Messrs Grant and Morgan, and the back of the house by Mr Nichol. It appears that Mr Morgan was the first to give the alarm to the others in the house, he being awakened from his sle*p by the smoke and heat. The house was then in .flames and the occupants had barely time to escape with their live*, without being able to save anything. At this stage it was observed that the flames had reached the house adjoining, which was occupied by Mr C. Butler, and a number of persons were soon at work in clearing tha building of tho furniture. A’tention was next directed to the house owned by Mrs Bourke where Messrs J. Warren, Greenwood, and J. Robb rendered great assistance by placing blankets on the side of the house, and they were only able to do this work by those present throwing buckets of water over them. In the meantime a band engine from the Masonic Hotel had been brought on the scene and aMr Harris, of Christchurch, bravely stood between the builaings and played on the house which had by this time caught fire. Plenty of willing hands were also on the spot and a copious supply of water by the aid of buckets soon extingushed and kept the fire at bay. Had it not been for the timely arrival of the hand engine nothing could have saved the house. The following are the insurances : The cottage in the New Zealand for £l5O ; and the house in the Union Office for £250; Mr Morgan’s furniture in the Union Office for £5O; Mr Grant was also insured for the amount and Mr Nichol for £lOO. It it is not known how the fire originated and we are informed that for the past two months all the cooking has been done in an iron outhouse by a gas stove.

Remember the Garden Fete next Wednes day, 19th inst., beginning at 2.30. Games of all sorts. Fruitful Christmas Tree, Plain and Fancy Goods Stalls, Tea and Concert. Admission—Adults, 2s ; children, Is.—Ad.