LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hastings Standard, Issue 20, 19 May 1896, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In connection with the musical treat to bo given by Mr Maughan Barnett on Thursday evening we have been requested to mention that tickets sold privately can be exchanged for reserved seats on application at Hunt's book depot. We acknowledge receipt of a bottle of Hunt's black diamond ink, and can safely recommend it as far above the ordinary run of such fluid. "With such an article Mr Hunt should have no difficulty in disposing of wholesale orders. One trial should be sufficient to recommend it. Some excitement was caused on the departure of the express train to Wellington this morning by the persistency of a passenger to jump on a carriage while in motion. The efforts of the guard to restrain him were of no avail, and the traveller will probably be called upon to answer a charge in the S.M. Court in a few days. A gentleman who has just returned from a trip to Otago informs us that there are more abject hypocrites in the prohibition district down there than ever he saw in his life. There is little trouble whatever in obtaining liquor; but there is a weird expression on the faces of all the business men, as trade is not nearly so good as it was under the old state of affairs. A tea and concert in connection with the Star of Hope Lodge is announced to take place at St. Matthew's Hall to-mor-row night. Arrangements have been made for a pleasant evening, and a good programme of vocal and instrumental music is assured. Several visitors from the Napier and Spit Lodges have signified their intention of being present, and everything points to a big success. The first match for the Hastings Rifle Company's belt takes place at the Te Mat a range on Saturday afternoon next, firing to commence at 1.30 o'clock. The company has gone to considerable expense in preparing the range, and it is now, without exception, one of the best in New Zealand, which is saying a good deal. There are two canvas targets, and the trench is 28ft long by 7ft. deep. The mounds are comfortable, and run up to 700 yards. Altogether it reflects the highest credit on the company and its energetic officers.

The Hastings correspondent of the New Zealand Times stated what was entirely contrary to fact when he wired on Monday re the accident to the lad Jams that " since then at least half a dozen cases of driving without lights have been seen, but still 110 notice seems to be taken of them.' We are given to undestand that the police have kept up their usual diligence, and that on Sunday evening a special watch was kept, and that not a single vehicle was observed without lights. Perhaps the correspondent in question has a motive for decrying the work of the local police. Six couples were divorced in a little over two hours by Mr Justice Hodge, of Melbourne, at one sitting recently. Five of the petitioners were wives, and one a husband. A lady authoress and journalist, named Mrs Agnes Elizabeth Lavton, formerly proprietress of the Silver Press, Batlxurst, New South Wales, obtained a divorce on the ground of her husband's adultery with Mrs Vere Fielder, of Jelimont. Petitioner admitted that she had offered to forgive the past if he would give up Mrs Fielder, but he said that he had a child to think of, and could not do so. The only male petitioner, John Brideson, mining manager, obtained a divorce on the ground of his wife's adultery with a ledger named John Ford.

The boy Jarvis, who was injured on Thursday night, is, strange to relate, on the improve. He is a wonder. Active preparations are being made in the Masterton district for rabbit poisoning operations, which commence in a week or two. A Maori named Nuta, said to be 120 years old, is missing on the Coromandel ranges. Search parties have been unsuccessful. The New Zealand Railway Department owns 270 locomotives, 8500 trucks, and 500 cars, and gives employment to nearly 500 hands. Mr Panton, P.M.. Melbourne, has ruled that the act of wearing trousers by the female sex is not only illegal, but comes under the category of " playing the fool." Attention is directed to the prices for admission to the Faust Family entertainment this evening. A really good laugh and much enjoyment is obtainable at a low figure. The Directors of the Wellington Exlii bition are endeavouring to arrange a band contest in connection with it, and are negotiating with the Executive of the Brass Band Association to hold the annual contest in Wellington this year instead of Dunedin. In connection with the syndicate which Mr Martin Kennedy has gone Home to float, to take over the brewing interests of Wellington, it is stated that, as an inducement to investors, the promoters will guarantee a dividend of 7 per cent to 6tart with. The death of Dr Pollen, M.L.C., at Auckland yesterday removes one of the earliest settlers in the Auckland district. He arrived in the Bay of Islands in 1840, was a member of the second Fox Ministry, took office under Sir Julius Yogel, and was for a time Premier of the colony. The Native Appellate Court was occupied this morning with argument in an appeal against a partition of September last of Koparakore B. Mr P. McLean appeared for appellant, and Mr A. L. D. Fraser for respondent. Further hearing of the ease was adjourned for consideration of argument. The adjourned appeal re the Omahake block comes on to-morrow morning - The management of the Olivette Assembly have decided to hold their weekly dance in the Band Hall in future. The class has hitherto been held in the Oddfellows' Hall, but on account of the large number of members is was thought advisable to engage a larger hall. Next Monday evening the Assembly will hold "a longnight," during which refreshments will be provided. The Hon. J. Cr. Ward besides being a sound finan.icier, a clever business man, and an able debater, is also a comic vocalist. At the Stratford banquet on Thursday night Mr Ward was prevailed on to entertain the company with a song, and responded with the comic melody "There's bound to be a row." The title of the song is decidedly suggestive in view of the many attacks Mr Ward lias to repel, not only in the House, but out of it, for, no matter what Mr Ward does, his political opponents always want " to pick a row with him."—Taranaki Herald.

Another " gun " exploded ! A Napier print a short time ago published a pretty story regarding the strange meeting of two veterans whose regiments were in close vicinity upon the Alma heights. Mr Peter McKay, who belonged to the 93rd Highlanders, one of the first regiments on the heights of Alma, informs the Southland News that " the veterans " could not have been present at the battle, as neither the 85th nor 57th had then landed. The 57th landed a day after the Alma, and the 85th were " on the briny " thousands of miles off. At I/umsden, James Scott, licensee of the Holmesdale Hotel, was charged with selling brand}' to a child apparently under thirteen years of age. The father stated that he saw the child going for the brandy, and that it had been a practice for three or four years for the child to go accasionally. Mr Poynton, S.M., said he entirely disapproved of the father knowing the child had gone for brandy and not stopping him. The proceedings might have arisen from spite, but he must convict on each charge. Defendant would therefore be convicted and discharged and the license cancelled, it having been twice endorsed already ; costs £2 7s. One week was granted to make the payment. Much consternation was caused last winter, amongst the medical men in Wellington, by the introduction of Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds ; that a very bad cough could be cured by a 1/6 bottle, and a whole family, with a 2/6 bottle, was a serio\is loss to them. It is sold by all Grocers and Chemists.—Advt. Stop that Cough by taking Neil's Balm of Gilead, a positive cure for coughs, colds, chronic bronchitis, influenza, &c. In large bottles at 2s Gd, at Neil's Botanic Dispensary, Emerson street, Napier, and all leading storekeepers.—Advt. Neil's Celebrated Livee Tonic, a pure botanic remedy for all affections of the liver, biliousness, jaundice, yellowness of the skin, indigestion, &c. In bottles, 2s and 2s Gd, at Neil's Botanic Dispensary, Emerson street, Napier, and all leading storekeepers.—Advt. Neil's Compound Sarsapakilla. A household medicine for purifying the blood and toning up the system. In large bottles at 2s 6d at Neil's Dispensary, Emerson street, Napier, and all leading storekeepers.—Advt.