LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 609, 19 May 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Gas Company is selling coke at 2s a bag. Coke makes a good, economical fuel, and is especially serviceable when used with coal. The steamer Waihora has not been getting record weather lately. Her steaming time recently from Gisborne to Auckland and back again would cover three smart trips. Captain and Mrs Martin, of the Salvation Army, have arrived in Gisborne to take command of the corps. There is to be a big reception meeting at the barracks to-morrow night. “Are you going to the ball?” is the question which now seems to arise on a great many people’s lips. The Hussars’ annual ball is now the premier social gathering in the district, and it is being taken up with great eprrit this year. Inspector Emerson, who has now charge of the East Coast police district, was a through passenger by the Waihora on Sunday, but it was so rough in tho bay that he did not come ashore, and Sergeant Carlyon went out by the last boat to sea his chief officer. The Rev. Mr Gibson, the new Wesleyan pastor, conducted service in Gisborne for the first time on Sunday, there being large congregations both morning and evening, The pastor is a preacher who deals with his subject in a thoughtful way, while having the power to sustain the interest of those whom he is addressing, and he has a pleasing voice and an impressive delivery. The Trust Commissioner yesterday granted certificates to a deed of conveyance from Katerina Tokoraugi to Bead’s Trustees, of Matawhero No 1 ; also to deeds of transfer from Hohepa Waikore to W. Morris, of Hau-o-Matuku No 2, and from Hami te Hau and others to A. McLean, of Takapu No Ib. We hear that a small mob of fat cattle, three-year-olds, have come to the flats from the property belonging to Mr Edward Richardson, situated in the Motu district. It is specially pleasing to mention this fact as the mob sent down will be soon followed, we fuel sura, by wool, sheep, and cattle, A boxing match takes place to-morrow night, at the Theatre Royal, between Tom Porter (who is known to be a smart customer to tackle), and an Auckland native, Tieki, The match was to have taken place on Saturday night, but It was agreed to postpone it on account of the weather. Nevertheless a good many people rolled up in ths hope of seeing the contest, which is to be for twenty rounds. Other local boxers will give exhibitions of sparring during the evening. A funny story has just been published of Edison, The report was recently circulated that he invented a wondrous shirt. It consisted of thin pieces of gelatine, each piece to be taken off when soiled, and one shirt was guaranteed to last a year, The story after circulating in many places, at last found its way to Brazil. “ The gullibility of the South American may be appreciated,” said Mr Edison, in a recent interview, “ when it is known that soon after tbs shirt story met their eyes, the Brazilians began to send ma drafts and cheques for shirts. An idiotic diamond dealer sent me a draft for £lOO on the Bank of England. He wrote that he didn’t know how much the shirts were, but i he did not think they ought to coßt over «8100 apiece. ” i

Another case of indecent exposure will be before the Court to day. The population of Sydney has gone up 70 per cent, during the past 10 years. The Paramatta Presbyterians raised £llO at a chrysanthemum show held recently. During the quarter ending March last tho Melbourne Police Court dealt with 13,000 oases of drunkenness. Grace Graham, of Caffrey-Penn notoriety, was the other day one of those in the exodus from New Zealand, It is stated that Mr J. Clark ha : disposed of the City Butchery to Messrs Nelson Bros, which firm will take possession on June Ist. The steamer Waihora had a very rough time of it on the passage down from Auckland, the trip occupying 32J hours. She met with head winds all along the coast, accompanied by a heavy sea. _ Mr O’Hara Smith, the Public Auditor, is now on a visit to Gisborne, on his ordinary rounds. The local bodies will be presented with the bills in due course. Ho was engaged yesterday on the County accounts. Lieutenant-Colonel Porter was the presiding Justice at the Police Court yesterday morning, when Hirini teKera, an old Tologa Bay identity, was charged with being drunk on the previous afternoon, and for resisting Constable Pardy. For the first offence Hirini was fined ss, and for the other charge he had to pay 10s, with 5s for cab hire. The rain came pelting down on Saturday afternoon, and the day was miserably cold, but this did not prevent a large crowd of merry footballers from stretching their active limbs on the greasy turf. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy the rough and tumble, but the joy was too great for a large attendance of spectators. A Maori haka was to have been worked off at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, but the house looked cold and miserable for want of being better packed—there might have been enough cash available to clear the cost of the hall. An impromptu sparring match that was got up in a friendly way sapped all interest from the blood-curdling, liver-freezing haka.

There was a fair attendance at the Mutual Improvement Society last night. Mr F. Stafford started a discussion on the strike in Queensland, and read numerous newspaper extracts to prove that the shearers had been guilty of acts of great excess. His conclusion was that the situation was unbearable. A discussion followed, the majority speaking in favor of the shearers. One new candidate for membership was proposed. At the last meeting of tha Tauranga Charitable Aid Board, the Chairman stated that a man named Adamson, belonging to the Gisborne District, in coming through the bush had lost his horse and smg, and was found in a destitute condition, and suffering from mental derangement owing to sunstroke. He had had medical attendance and maintenance from the Board, and was now recovering, It was decided that a wire be sent to the Gisborne Board, asking them what steps they wish to be taken with regard to the case. There was a lively scene at the wharf on Sunday afternoon, upon the arrival of the Waihora from Auckland, As Staff-Captain and Mrs Holdaway and Cadet Tamatae (Salvation Army) were to leave by the boat an open air service was held, and the Caplain made a strong attempt to get an addition to the mission funds. He did to some extent succeed, but had to leave without the fund reaching the amount he had anticipated. He took his departure with full Hallelujah honors, and until tha little Snark was gallantly struggling through the waves after she had got away from tho shelter, the Salvation band still played the parting salute.

On Saturday afternoon, as the lighter Iris was being towed out to the Australia by the Noko, she had a very narrow escape of going on the beach. Owing to tho heavy gale blowing in the bay at the time, the Noko found it very diffiouit tn make any headway. The consequence was that both the Noko and the lighter got blown dose to the beach, The tow line was quickly let go, and the lighter with mainsail and jib set, headed for the breakwater, which ehe managed to reach, but nofwithout doing some damage. The lighter run head on to the breakwater, getting the bowsprit pushed in, and ths windlass was smashed. Harry M'lnnes, who was committed for trial at Wanganui on a charge of arson, is a remittance man from home. He is also a genius of ihe first water, and has a hidden vein for poetry! When asked if he wished to make an application for bail, he (says the Herald) extended his right arm, gazsd steadfastly upon the magistrate, and in measured tones exclaimed, “Stone walls will not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage!” The court was astounded, but Harry is now reflecting upon the truthfulness of bis remarks!

“Footballer” writes:—Sir, —l aminclined to think that it is very near time that the Rugby Union in Gisborne erected a small building of some description for the convenience of footballers. The Rugby Union, since it was formed, has continually had the matter before it, and on each occasion it has been proposed to have a building erected. But as yet there seems to be not the slightest prospect of having one. I suppose the football season will pass away as usual, with nothing done in the direction of having a building erected. Next year again the same thing will occur, and so the matter will go on for ever. It is to be hoped that the Union will see to the matter as soon as possible, and carry the thing into effect. [On enquiry we learn that Mr Skeet has the shed in hand, and it will be up by next Saturday. The Bank holiday yesterday enabled some energetic workers to do good service to the ground, and it will soon be a model in the matter of arrangements.—Eo.J The Maoris of Gisborne are a churchgoing lot, but they are not noted for punctuality. It is a common thing in each of the churches —denomination does not concern the Maori —• for a number of aboriginals to troop in. They try to make their footfall as light as the pussy-cat’s, and the measure of their success can best be gauged by assuming for the nonce that the pussy-cat has sledge-hammer shoes on. If the intelligent Maori happens to arrive before the sermon he gets weary before the preacher has half done, and straddles out to seek fresh air. At the Anglican Church on Sunday night a blind Maori was led in, and formed one of the congregation. The poor fellow seemed to take great interest in the proceedings, but his whispered comments were audible to more than him to whom they were addressed.