LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 580, 10 March 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There will be a suitable wind np to the holiday next Tuesday, in the form of a "social” in the City Rink. A big mob of sheep passed through Gieborne yesterday morning, on their way from Mr Williams’ Waipiro Station to Napier.

A ball is to be held at Patutahi on the evening of Easter Monday. These gatherings at Patutabi are invariably successful. A man named Joseph Ireland yesterday morning forfeited the amount of hislbail, 10s, for being drunk. Mr C. C. Lucas was the presiding Justice, A big bowling carnival is to be held at Oamaru at Easter, and a match North v. South will be played by the aid of electric light on the evening of Good Friday.

At the Burns’ dinner in Auckland, a degenerate Southerner was so blasphemous as to say that the haggis tasted suspiciously like bran mash.

Mr G. Humphreys, the well-known local tradesman, has been entrusted with the ironwork in connection with the new Kaiteratahi bridge, for which Messrs Weir and Sellars are the contractors.

A notice to jurors is posted np outside the Gisborne Anglican Church. This saves a few pence in the way of advertising, but does not conduce to a calm state of mind in church, os most people have little fondness for the inconvenience of serving upon a jury. The Rangiora Standard is rough on men of the “ Dr Warren ” stamp, and gleefully congratulates itself that the Yankee had not (before being found out) reached the fair South, where he would have been sure of a good haul.

“ Opium Mag,” of Wellington, went up last week for her 59th conviction. Since 1877 she has spent more than half the time in gaol on charges of drunkenness, or vagrancy. She is aged 48, but bears few traces outwardly of what she has gone through. In the neighborhood of Temuka it is stated that the week before last the grass grew at the rate of an inch a day. It would have been just as well to add that anyone could see it growing by look-ng through a glass—a tumbler just emptied.

Several of those men whose names arc mentioned in connection with the recent explosion in Wellington were among those artillerymen who visited Gisborne when the Te Kooti trouble was on. Ross especially made himself very popular during their short stay here. A Melbourne reporter was interviewed in one of the law courts the other day by a satin-clad lady who was proceeding against another woman. She wanted the oase against “ that person *’ laid on strong in the report, and to this ond hoped that the scribe would accept—sixpence. He says that he hates to offend a lady, but he can't be bribed by anyone, especially when she breathes peppermint. The February number of Typo is to hand. In concluding an interesting article on “Tbs Ameni'ies of Journalism,” Typo says : — 11 The time has come for an Institute of Journalists in New Zealand, with an annual convention. Let the wretched unwritten code of mutual discourtesy and affected contempt ba repealed, and a system of journalistic ethics substituted that shall be worthy the dignity of a great profession.” "Townsman” writes:—To the Editor: Sir,—l think it would ba well if the members cl the Garrison Band reconsidered the proposal to play selections in the vicinity of the Hospital on Sunday afternoons. In a small town like Gisborne there are many objections against such a proposal, and if the Band adopted their proposal I am afraid they would find that their good intentions were rather repulsed than reciprocated. General and Mrs Mite, accompanied by Dr Canaria’ combination company, visit Gisborne this week, and perform in the Theatre Royal on Friday and Saturday evening. The entertainment is a novel and very pleasing one. General Mite was preceded (by some years) by one assuming that title, but it is the original General who visits Gisborne this week, Dr Canaris is a very clever conjuror.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company have received the following London market cablegram, dated sth March :—Tallow market quiet; fine mutton tallow is worth 26s 91 per cwt; good beef tallow is worth 24s 9 J per cwt. Mutton market steady; the price of mutton has advanced Jd per lb since last report. Beef market quiet; the price of beef has declined -Jd per lb. Lamb market unchanged.

The Waimata Road Board met on Saturday; present—Messis McPhail (Chairman), Read, G. Harris, and Barker. It was agreed to accept £lO7 from the County Council, out of subsidy, on condition that the Board imposed no rate this year. It was decided to leave in abeyance the matter of a deviation in the road through section 64h, Whataupoko, Mr W. Richardson’s tenders were accepted for both formation contracts, £6O for the first and £4O for the second,

Mr Patrick O’Meara, who has long resided in Gisborne, left by Sunday's steamer on hie way to Northern Queensland, where his brother, Mr B. O’Meara, is doing well. The departing Gisbornite is a steady, energetic young man, who is bound to succeed in life if favorable opportunities are plhcod in his way.

Messrs J. T. Evans, Deßlaquire, Warren, and Turnbull, were ordained as elders in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church last Sunday morning. The Rev. Mr Ryburn made an impressive discourse, in which he alluded to the duties of the elders and of the members of the Church. This young preacher increases in the esteem of the people the more often he is beard, and the Church tinder such ministry, ip making good progress in Gisborne. The balance sheet in oonneciion with the liquidatilion ol the Banpisikei Fibre Company, shows that the cash paid into the Supreme Court by the Directors, in settlement of claims of creditors, amounted to £s7s, out of which £364 5s 5d has been eaten up in expenses, leaving only £BlO I4s 7<l for division among creditors. The latter will only receive a shilling or two in the pound. Mr Jelliooe’e bill amounted t.o £1)20 10j iOJ. A London correspondent writes: —" This week witnessed a lamentable sequel to a sporting tour through Australia and New Guinea A Cheshire gentleman, Mr Henry Hall, just arrived from hie Antipodean excursion, was in the act of unpacking hie trunks when ho camo upon a revolver, which was very rusty from having been immersed for a time in Torres Straits. He most imprudently endeavored to extract the cartridge, with the result that there was a sudden discharge, and a bullet entered the unfortunate man’s left breast, and passed through the lungs, causing death in a few hours. No amount of warning and sad experience, it would seem, will teach people to be careful and cautious with firearms.”

At the recent encampment of the Hussars Captain Winter set his face against any of those scrimmages known as attacks on the camp, but which too often proved to serve no other purpose than concentrating rowdyism. One wayward individual amused bimself late on Saturday night by firing eff blank cartridges in the vicinity of the camp, bat his ardor cooled when he heard that no one would bother to chase him, but if he was not careful he would be tied up and left, to while his night away in the camp ground, A few good stories are told in connection with the camp, one of which includes a graphic description of the Sergeant-Major turning out in a costume that would become a spirit haunting the grave yard near by. Some larrikin had been having a game, and the officer, clothed in the raiment of glory, made a stern chase after the delirqurn’, but tlielatter sped like a terrified hare before a hound ae the ghostly individual followed at hie hash,

Thi membars of the Harbor Board meet this evening.

In Invercargill many young people have lately had attacks of quinsy. Tenders for additions to the Patutahi Hotel close this afternoon.

A large stock of new goods are now being opened up at Mr Townley’s furnishing warehouse.

Tenders are invited for the erection of 140 chains of fencing at Warengaokuri; tenders close on March 19.

Miss Amy Sherwin, the Tasmanian singer, lias got an eng 'gement in England at the modest screw of £9O a week.

At Gore the medical practitioners have agreed upon a uniform scale of fees, which are advertised.

At Westport, Mr Jackman, the Customs rieteolive laid twenty informations against a brewer, for alleged infringements of the Act.

The survey of'the bay is being steadily continued under the supervision of Mr Kenny. The work is necessarily slow and will take some weeks yet to complete. At Waipawa one ingenious person sews on the badly summed stamps ; ibis is thought to be an improvement, on the person who used pins to fasten the stamps to the letters. A man in the South Island went in for a sewing machine on the time-payment system, but did not keep up his payments and the machine, valued at £ll, cost him £36 ss, besides his solicitor’s charges.

The Native Land Laws Commissioners proceeded to Auckland by Sunday’s steamer. They hold another sitting at Gisborne before making their report to Parliament. The Native Land Court sat yesterday, and among other business transacted one ease was completed, and judgment will be delivered on Friday, to which day the Court was adjourned,

The football season will soon ba in again, It has already started in some places down South. A new e'ement in the local field this year will be a Club organised by those employed at the freezing works. Such a team will take some work before it can be thrown into the shade.

Great preparations are being made for the regatta on Easter Monday. The canvassers have met with good success, and there is likely to be a great deal of public interest shown in the effuir. A meeting of the Committee takes place at the Argyll Hotel this eveniog, when subscribers and other wellwishers are invited to be present.

It is to be hoped the Harbor Board will take definite action this evening in regard to a landing stage for passengers. It is dise-eli-tab’s to the town that ladies and children should have to clambar from the launch Snark over other craft at the wharf when a fair expenditure would ensure excellent facilities being given to passengers.

As Mr and Mrs A. Parsons, of Ormond, were driving out homo-last evening, the horse shied at a piece of paper while passing Bright street. The trap was brought into violent collision with a poplar tree, and Mrs Parsons (who had the baby in her arms) got badly jambed against the tree, while Mr Parsons was thrown out upon his shoulder. The biby seemed to have been miraculously preserved, Mr Parsons got off with some uas'y bruises, and Mrs Parsons had a very painful experience, but so far as we can learn sustained no injuries likely to have a permanent effect. The vehicle was temporarily wrecked. The admirable way in which the Argyll Hotel has been fitted up on behalf of the new proprietor, Mr James Finlay, is certain to commend itse'f to those who patronise that favourite hostlery. In the billiard room especially are the improvements noticeable. There are two excellent tables, which give complete satisfaction to players, the well-known and obliging marker, Mr J, Brodie, having charge of the room. In all other respects the comfort of patrons has been considered, and expense has not been spared in making the arrangements complete in every way, Added to this the experience and popularity of the proprietor are a guarantee that the Argyll will maintain and still further justify the high reputation it bas held. Mr Finlay is well known throughout the district, while visitors to the town have only to make a short stay at ths Argyll to be well satisfied as to the exce'lence of its management.

The 1891 encampment of the East Coast Coast Hussars concluded on Sunday—when a church parade took place—and is pronounced by ali to be the most successful encampment yet attended by the troop, All through a good spirit prevailed and there was a large amount of public interest taken in the affair. On Saturday afternoon there was some capital work done in Captain Tucker’s paddock. In the evening there was a big crowd of civilians at the camp, and the Garrison Band made the evening a very jolly one. The attendance of ladies was particularly noticeable, although the walk over in the dark was anything but a tempting one, and a stranger was apt to get into all kinds of difficulties before he could reach the camp as shown by tha lights in the distance. Excellent order was maintained in the camp, and there is ho doubt the troop will be mhcfi popularised by the affair. The members of the Band returned at about 9 on Saturday night. On Sunday there was a full dress parade, but there was not such a large muster as there would have been if the troopers had all got their uhiforim. Before dismissing the men, on their return to the drill sfied, Captain Winter expressed himself highly pleased at the success of the encampment and the interest shown in it by the men, and in addressing ths members of the Band be warmly commended them for the voluntary way in which they ba-1 given thejr services, and he expressed a belief that liie troop voQl’l reciprocate it in the future.

Our Melbourne correspondent writes:— For downright, unmitigated blackguardism J: would be difficult to match Collingwood, though that district is run pretty hard by one or two other eurburban ci'ies. I gather from the Hawthorn Afiver iser that jnformaton.at first shadowy, but now pretty ivei l verified, is to hand concerning a most disgraceful scene that occurred at Studley Park on the early morning of the 11' h. It appears that two young women h tiling from the Collingwood side of the Yarra, fell out over a difference of opjnipa, and so bitter were the feelings of ope to the oifier, that blood alone could wipe out the antigouism. By arrangement, about haif a-hundred young men, attired in bell-bottomed trouser,s high heels, spotless shirt fronts, and redolent of profanity, assembled in Studley Park, between five and six o’clock on the morning of the 11th, to barrack the girls who had decided to settle their difference there in the ring. The girls’ sweethearts, qr whatever they may bo called, acted as seconds, and rigidly adhered to the rules of the ring. A number of rounds were fought by the young women, who punished each other to such an extent that at the termination of the battle both Were covered with blood, and wore a most bespattered appearance, They fought exactly as men would, entirely with their fists, without gloves, and both were completely nude to the waist. After the combatants were satisfied, and had been washed down by their seconds, the champion of the defeated woman said to the other second | ” Now, your girl has walloped mine, so you must either lick me or I'll iiok you,” and the two men fought until the tables were re/eraed, The whole affair lasted upwards of ao hour, each contest taking up half the time.