LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 485, 26 July 1890, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Public Works Statement was coming through as we went to press this morning. We give the gist of the first portion. The copy supplied, bristling as it was with figuri s. was transmitted with great rapidity and its legibility conld hardly have been improved on. The work was a high testimony to the skill of the operators, Messrs Percival and Cuming, who took turn about in the accomp’ishment of their heavy night's task. They finished at 2.30 a.m., there being 14,000 words.

A Bill dealing with the libels laws is to be introduced during the present session of Parliament.

A very successful social gathering took place on Thursday evening, in McFarlane’s Hall, under the auspices of the United Order of Druids.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yester day morning, the following civil cases were heard :—J. Walters v. J. Barrington, claim £4 is 10 Jd ; judgment by content, costs £l. P. B. Road Board v. Bridget Muldoon, claim £2 Ga 7d; judgment for plaintiff, costs 10s. G. B. Moore v. H. Hull, claim £1; judgment by default, costs 6s. Judgment summons— J. Wbinray v. G. Laverock, claim £8 4s; an order for immediate payment was made, or in default 10 days’ imprisonment. Messrs. Lewis and Lucas were the presiding Justices. ;

A new firm, but comprised of well-known Gisborne business men, begins operations next week in the Club buildings, as auctioneers, stock and station agents, and general oom mission agents, etc. The partners are Mr C. P. Davies, who has had great experience in the special business, and Messrs Akroyd and Porter, who are so well known in connection with the agency business that any commendation of tbeir abilities would be superfluous. The firm has even now a large accumulation of business to deal with, and its operations begin on the strongest foundation. Mr Akroyd, we understand, takes the position of knight of the hammer. Lowe street has been very quiet lately, but the D.O.A.’s bell has been rung up once more, George Bell, of Waerengaa-hika, having failed to come up to time and found it advisable to steer into “ queer street.” The liabilities are set down at £72, and the assets are—book debts valued at £3, and horse, saddle and bridle at £4, The creditor to the largest extent is J. Wallace, whose £l3 7s 6d does not promise to return a handsome dividend. ”As sound as a bell ” is a saying which has now become a flattened corpse. The creditors assemble on Monday afternoon to decide how they will dispose of the assets.

A member of the Salvation Army w rites : Sir, —In your issue of the 24th instant, you say, on the departure of Misa Podmore from her charge here, that, “ Many have, by her earnest work, been induced to entirely change their antagonistic views concerning the Army.” This is true in one sense, but why has there been in the past any opposition to the Salvation Army work in Gisborne ? By reason of the ungodliness of the people of the town!! Not at all, Sir, not at all; but simply and naturally from the want ot Godly wisdom and gentlemanly conduct in those who were responsible amongst the Salvation Army organization for its work hitherto.

Two fine young Gisborne men left by last night’s steamer on their way to other fields of labor—Messrs G. R. Johnston and S. Gidney, both having been formerly in the employ of Messrs Brown and Smaill. Mr Johnston is a very thoughtful, studious young man, specially qualified to rise in the trade he has chosen, that of mechanical engineer. He has received the appointment nf second engineer in the refrigerating department ofthe R.M.S. Ruapehu, and when he reaches England he intends to devote his attention to the gaining of larger experience in some of the great city establishments. Mr Gidney is also a man of sterling character, who will never fail to make friends wherever he goes. His destination ie Melbourne, a city in which he believes he can soon push his way, Everynne will hope that these young men will have that success which their high characters make them deserving of. The Union Literary’s meeting on Thursday evening shows that the Society is retaining the popularity which it has acquired, for there was a very large attendance. The discussion was in regard to the respective merits of the poems of Tennyson and Longfellow. Mrs Akroyd led off with a concise essay, in which she extolled Tennyson’s works, and made selections, and favorable references thereto that must have been reciprocated by every refined mind. She fully acknowledged the merit of Longfellow’s poems and said she would be sorry to depreciate them in any way, but claimed there was greater depth in Tennyson’s compositions, and while they must all admire Longfellow she thought they would admit that Tennyson ranked still higher. In addition to the selections given by Mrs Akroyd, at her request Mr Pettie read "In the Children’s Hospital,” in a very pleasing manner Miss Sheltcn at once gained a point by the way she distinguished the two poets. Tennyson's works reminded one of a beautiful hothouse plant, while Longfellow’s were like the sweet-scented flower that appealed to everyone’s taste for the beautiful. She gave a clever analysis of many of the most popular poems, and recited a number of selections, Their simplicity made them attractive, and assured tbeir universal appreciation, Beth ladies spoke well, and were much applauded as each resumed her seat. The Rev. Mr Gardiner and the Chairman (Rev. Canon Fox) took part in the discussion, and favored Tennyson. Mr Crawford also spoke, congratulating the ladies on the able way in which they had acquitted themselves, and then going on to express an opinion that the “ Holy Grail ” was an overrated poem, an opinion which did not seem to have many supporters. Mr R. N. Jones championed Longfellow, and said that ten' persona would read that poet’s works where only one would read Tennyson. The voting was given 31 for Tennyson, and 24 for Longfellow, but many of those who held up their funds,were ndt seen by the Chairnun.

Stansbury and Kemp, and probably Beach, intend to visit America next year for glory and dollars.

" The Gisborne Murder ” is the absurd heading which some newspapers put to their telegrams concerning a murder which occurred nearly forty miles from Gisborne, and with very bud roads as the only means of communication.

What seems to be Jan indisputable proof that trout are thriving in some of the streams in which they were liberated in Gisborne is afforded by the fact that the other day Mr A. Parke picked up one of about 8 inches length. It was found above the Turanganui bridge and had evidently been washed down by the fresh.

And such is fame ! At the Union Literary Society on Thursday evening, Dr Samuel Johnson was quoted as an authority. Aber the meeting one person was heard to enquire of another, “ But who was this Dr Johnson ? Was that the man who wrote the life of Bosicell

The members of the Salvation Army have keen having a four days’ Council in Auckland, the meetings being very successful. The great event of Tues lay evening was the marriage of Cadet-Captain Turton, formerly of Gisborne. The hall w-as filled with an enthusiastic audience, and intense interest was manifested in the ceremony.

Mr R. Finlay entered into possession of the Argyll Hotel on Thursday last, and intends to use his best endeavors to maintain the high reputation which the Argyll Hotel already possesses. Mr Finlay has had large experience in hotel management, and ought to succeed well in the Argyll, which Mr Dickson made so popular. The new proprietor is going to large expense in making the accommodation more efficient than it is even at present.

There is now a fine opportunity for persons wishing to make trips to Australia. The Union S.B. Company have arranged for a series of winter excursions by their fine line of steamers. The fares are fixed at extremely low rates. In an agricultural community like this now is the best season for those who desire a change to take advantage of the opportunity of a cheap excursion trip, instead of jaunting off in the busy harvest time.

The Rev. C. E. Beecrott delivered the first of bis series of lectures at Te Arai last night, on the subject, ” Three years in the Dock District of East London.” The lecturer is a splendid speaker, and no one can listen to him without being impressed by his utterances. A good attendance was regarded ae a certainty at Te Arai last night. The rev. gentleman preaches in the Wesleyan Church to-morrow morning and evening, and lectures at Ormond on Monday, at Patutahi on Wednesday, and at Gisborne on Thursday.

Our Auckland exchanges contain long accounts of the crisis in Tonga. The Star thus sums up the position:—There is no doubt that if Mr Baker had chosen to be sufficiently pliable his rule might have become popular enough in Tonga, but ha was not made of yielding stuff. He felt able to hold his own in the islands, and would doubtless have continued to do bo but for tbe present extraordinary action of the High Commissioner. The accounts ot the circumstances immediately preceding the issue of the order of prohibition are so conflicting that we must suspend judgment until we are more fully informed. Ou ths face of it, however, the mere fact that a few of Mr Baker’s political opponents had declared his life to be in danger was certainly a puerile reason for forcible removal. The lives of Mr Baker and his family, we fancy, were quite as valuable to themselves as to the High Commissioners, and it would have been time enough to remove him on that ground when he sought protection. The charge has an air of being trumped up. -However, we presume that Sir J. B. Thurston has not resorted to so extreme a measure without being prepared to vindicate it; aud we shall await further light on the subject.

There was a very large attendance at the Salvation Army building on Thursday evening, when Captain Amy Podmore was to publicly bid farewell to the many friends she has made during her short stay in Gisborne. The scene was deeply pathetic and the farewell addresses very touching. There was no testimonial valuable merely for its intrinsic worth, but there was what was of far greater value — a simple testimonial from the hearts of the people. Every word the members spoke in favor of the Captain was heartily approved of by the large congregation present, and the testimony made by the Cadet, Miss Linkhorn (who was much affected), was of a very fervent nature. When Captain Podmore rose to speak there were in the building m my eyes moistened with the tears of genuine sorrow. Those who only a few weeks before had been moved by the stirring appeals of the Captain, with her beautiful flow of simple language, apt similes, earnestness of expression, and charming imagery, now beheld her in shattered health, her voice husky, and tremulous with emotion. She said little about herself beyond that she felt that she was unworthy of the many kindness bestowed upon her ; she spoke very highly of Cadet Miss Linkhorn, beseeched them to keep true to the standard, and give their cordial support to the Cadet, ever reposing their whole trust in the Lord.' Miss Podmore left by the steamer yesterday evening on her way to Palmerston North, aud a large party of friends went down to the wharf to bid her farewell. There is much sympathy for her in her indisposition, and it is devoutly hoped that the change may recruit her health. “ Three Years in the Dock District of East London.” Lecture, by Rev, C. E. Beeoroft (lately from Loudon); with Musical Selections. Ormond, Monday ; Patutahi, Wednesday, Everybody come I —Advt.