LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hastings Standard, Issue 204, 23 December 1896, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

(J. H. Vicker.s and Co. hold ;ui extensive sale to-morrow at '2.30 p.m. Mr Mere wot her gives notice: that he will bo dosed on Christinas day only. The Hastings Volunteer parade called for Thursday 24th inst. is cancelled. Tlie Jlawkc's Uav .Scholarship was won by Amy Schenk, of Waipawa, who scored 603 marks out of h 25. Mr Tom Pollard passed through Hastings by this morning's express en route for Wellington. Mr 1). McLean, M.11.K., was in Hastings this morning. Later in the day ho drove to Maraekakaho. Mr rainier, the local herbal chemist, has received a new stock of medicines. Anyone suffering any of the ailments of the flesh should interview Mr Palmer and inspect his remedies. Mr Carter calls the attention of the public to the fact that he has opened up a large stock of boots and shoes suitable for the season. "What more useful or substantial Xnias present than a good serviceable pair of boots? Mr J. W\att's employers are to-day busy in decorating liis' butchering establishment with evergreens for the Christmas. Mr Wyatt has a royal display of lordly beefs, such substantial commodities suggestive of the Xnias festivities. Several carpenter's tools were stolen from a house that had just been erected on the spot where Mrs Saunder's house stood before it was destroyed by lire. The robber gained entrance by breaking one of the windows and evidenty secured his booty unobserved.

Blythe's grand Christmas exhibition was the centre of attraction for the people in the main street last night. The show consisted of a brilliant display of millinery, laces, dress stuffs, drapery, etc., tastefully arranged in the gas light and the decorations were a credit to Messrs Johnston and Duncan who were responsible for them. The display will again be given to-night up to 9 o'clock. We regret to announce the death of Mr John Murray Grahame, of the Government Stock Department, Napier. Deceased, who died this morning, has been in broken health for a long time, but he struggled bravely against fate, performing his duties faithfully, besides identifying himself closely with the Napier Highland Society, of which he was Gaelic secretary. In the Old Country Mr Grahame was a non-commissioned officer in the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, whence he drifted into the Army Service Corps. His health failing, he was discharged, and came out to New Zealand three years ago, hoping to be benefitted by the climate. During his residence here his natural good fellowship and manliness caused him to be loved by his intimate friends and respected by a wide circle of acquaintances. by whom his death will be sincerely mourned. The literary instinct, racy "of the imaginative Celt, whether Irish or Scotch, was not wanting in Mr Grahame, for he contributed many interesting articles on his native land and other subjects to the local press under the nom de plume of " Claverhouse," which always commanded attention. The deceased, who will be buried in the Napier cemetery to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock, will be accorded a Highland funeral, the pall-bearers being members of the Highland Society in kilts, and Piper Stuart, of this town, playing the pipes on the occasion.

Cables and interprovincial news will be found on the fouth page. Mrs Evans, Avenue road, advertises for gentlemen boarders. Full particulars of the train arrangements for the holidays appear in another column.

Mr and Mrs I'. Gorman leave Hastings in a couple of days for a trip through the North Island.

The Salvation Army intend keeping up the time honored English custom of carolling on Xmas Eve. Master Harry Cook won the Dux prize amongst the boys at the Hastings school. Mr Frank Moller donated the prize. The district school broke up this morning for the Christmas holidays. The jubilations of the youngsters put one in mind of his young days. The Athena:urn, which by the way will not be open on Christinas Day, is now well supplied with current literature " The Nineteenth Century " and " The Strand Magazine " being the latest additions. Mr W. D. Stuart, M.L.C.. of Dunedin, who has been paying a Hying visit to Hastings, round winch he has been piloted by Mr A. L D. Frnser, went on to Wanganui by this morning's express, thence to Auckland back to Dunedin. This afternoon near Annett's ironmongery establishment a horse which Mr Smith, fruiterer, was driving stumbled and fell, throwing both the driver and Mr Ansel], who w;is with him, out 011 the road. Fortunately no injuries were sustained.

Mr A. L. 1). Frnser, has to-day received a letter from the secretary of the Women's Social and -Political League congratulating him on his gallant and gentlemanly fight during the recent contest, and trusting he would be returned to Parliament in the Liberal interest in the near future. Miss Francis A. Hayes, daughter of Mr T. Hayes, of Hastings, who was awarded

several school prizes to-day, including the Dux, registered 512 marks out of a possible B"2f> in the recent scholarship examination. We congratulate the young ladv on the success that crowned her efforts.

Mr E. Brown's establishment in Heretaunga street is a source of attraction to the small fry of the town who are constantly congregated round the windows critically examining the beautiful toys displayed therein. Mr Brown's stock of fancy goods and drapery are also well -worth an inspection.

At 2 o'clock this afternoon Mr George Ebbett, accompanied by Mr Murfitt, started from the Union Bank corner in a sulky with the object of trotting into Napier within 50 minutes for a wager. Notwithstanding the unfavorable wind Mr Ebbett accomplished his task, covering the distance in 47 minutes. Mr Arthur Hyde accompanied them on his bike. This morning at the Magistrate's Court.,, before Mr G. Ellis. J.P.. a woman of the unfortunate class named Annie Preston, alias Hannah McMahon. against whom there were a number of previous convictions, was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six months' hard labor. Another disreputable looking female named Pronse, alias Sullivan, alias Malone. pleaded not guilty to the charge of vagrancy. Sergeant Mitchell, sworn, said in consequence of complaints received Constable Butler and he went down towards Stortford Lodge hotel and found accused and the woman Preston lying in a. hedge in a most disreputable condition. Accused was living with a notorious thief named Leatham, and had eleven previous convictions against her. She received a sentence of four months' hard labor. Thomas Rogers, alias Smith, alias Kyan, who was before the Court some days ago and remanded for medical treatment, was called upon to pay 9s, the cost of his maintenance. As he was unable to meet the demand, he was sentenced to seven days' hard labor.

The Orotava which was sunk in the docks at London a few days ago has been floated again.

Mr Justice "Williams has been elected President of the Dunedin Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Societv.

In view of the danger to training cyclists caused by the presence of dogs near the track the directors of the Dunedin Caledonian Society have decided to lay poison on its ground.

I STOPPED THAT COl"OII AND CUReD A very bad cold by a single bottle of Dr Pascall's Cough Mixture. Signed, E. MeJ'owall. 4s 6d and '2s 6d. Eccles, chemist, Napier and Hastings.—Advt. Wellington warehouse prices are in every instance charged by the D. I. C. when executing orders received by post. Those of our residents who want really nice fashionable goods need not hesitate about communicating with the I). I. C., Wellington. Complete furnishing is'now a special feature of the D. I. C., and those who anticipate requirements in this direction will be supplied with catalogues and estimates post free. —Advt.