LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hastings Standard, Issue 145, 14 October 1896, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There is every probability of Mr A. L. D. Fraser contesting the llawke's Bay seat with Captain ltussell. At the next meeting of the Debating Society, on Tuesday, '2oth ilist. the ladies will take up the subject of " Should ladies ride bicycles." Miss (billveil will speak in the aflinnative and Mrs Dnrvall in the negative. The novelty should be interesting and instructive, and a large attendance is expected. At the Sutton-llosking debate on Prohibition to-night Mr \Y. lieilby will take the chair. As the electors will be asked to decide for or against prohibition at the elections which will take place in a few weeks it behoves every thoughtful man and woman to miss no opportunity of informing themselves on both sides of the question. "Whilst two boys named Walter McLean and Charles Gihlin were riding to school this morning McLean's horse, which was in front, lashed out kicking young Giblin oil the shin, which was laid open, but fortunately the bone was not broken. Dr. Linney attended to the requirements of the case, and the patient, beyond the shock, has sustained no serious injuries. On being pressed the men living next the house which was destroyed by fire last night would not state positively that the horse which they heard galloping towards the town started away from Hastings' cottage. The horse might have been cantering along the grass on the side of the highway (which would prevent the sounding of his hoofs) and broke into the open road opposite or nearly opposite the cottage in question, which might leave a listener under the impression that a horseman had just started from those premises. Our Napier correspondent writes this morning :—The strike at the breakwater is still on, and neither side shows any sign of relenting. Yesterday a gang of Harbor Board employes went on to the works at the instance of somebody who was not in authority. A number of the strikers assembled on the spot to make a hostile demonstration, tlireatening to throw the newcomers over the breakwater if they did not desist. An order from the engineer to cease work arrived just in time to avert a minor riot. Great sympathy is felt in town for the strikers, as it is recognised that the work in the quarries is worth at the least 8s a day, considering its arduous, dangerous, and intermittent character. At 11.5 last night a fire broke out in a three-roomed unoccupied cottage situated on the Karamu road about 15 yards on the Hastings side of Mr C. Fitzroy's residence. At 11.550 the lire alarm was rung, and in an incredibly short space of time several of the fire brigade were on the ground, but nothing could be done to stay the flames, which were left to exhaust themselves. The cottage, which is the property of Mr George Hastings, was last occupied about a fortnight ago by Mr J. Gold, and was insured in the New Zealand eftice for X'loo. The origin of the fire is a mystery as usual, but some men who occupy a whare next door sn v that about half an hour before they noticed ihe f)re they thought they heard a horseman clatter away from the cottage in the direction of Hastings. There was no furniture in the house. The Juvenile Temple of the 1.0. G.T. is going ahead by leaps and bounds, and parents seem to be taking a great interest in the movement. In connection with the body Mr W. Bishop has formed a choir, and has now under training 80 juvenile voices for a service of song entitled -'Little Glory's Mission." to be delivered shortly. Some of the children give promise of rare ability, and the singing lesson after the meeting every Wednesday night is looked forward to with interest and pleasure. Mr Bishop spares neither time nor trouble in instructing the young people. The Pollards are doing big business in Napier, and there is every probability o{ the season proving, as the Hastings one (Jid, a ifec<?rd <?ne.

Says yesterday's Post: —" The remains of the late Mr Charles M'Anally, the victim of last week's fatal accident at the Napier Breakwater, were laid to rest in the Roman Catholic portion of the Karori Cemetery yesterday afternoon. Several officers and members of the Poneke Football Club, of which deceased's son is a prominent member, were amongst the mourners, and the club sent a wreath. The Rev Father Ainsworth was the officiating clergyman." The ordinary monthly meeting of the Five Brigade was helfP at the station last night. Accounts to the amount of .£l3 lis were passed for payment. The secretary was directed to communicate with Captain Bussell with the view of securing the racecourse for sports on Boxing Day. The following members were gianted leave of absence :—Branc.hman 11. Chapman, three months; fireman Caulton, five weeks; and engineer Liversey, one month. Mr J. Walsh was elected a working member of the brigade. Mr R. J. Roberts, architect, of this town, has lost two calves within the last month under peculiar, not to say suspicious, circumstances. About four weeks since he visited his farm at mid-day and found everything all right and the cattle healthy, but when his man went to milk at 5 o'clock, lie saw a valuable bull-calf dead. The incident passed and was forgotten, but it was unpleasantly recalled yesterday when Mr Roberts inspected his stock and was particularly pleased at the condition of a heifer calf, but when he visited the place some hours afterwards, the animal was lying dead. The similarity of the circumstances surrounding both losses roused Mr Robert's surpicions and he intends sifting the matter t-> the bottom.