LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hastings Standard, Issue 423, 11 September 1897, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A paraquet is advertised as lost. The Oddfellows meet to-night. The Town Band will play a number of selections in the main street this evening commencing at 7.•30. A grand variety entertainment in aid of the floral fete fund is announced for the 21st inst. Mr Sam Kidgway has just opened up his spring stock of gentlemen's drapery, which may be inspected on the premises. Bev. A. Grant preaches at the Hastings Presbyterian Church to-morrow. A children's service will take place at B p.m. Mr I). M'Leod notifies that he is selling timber direct from sawmill at reduced rates. According to a special telegram elsewhere the Maori contingent cannot arrive in Hastings before Wednesday next. Arrangements for their reception are well forward. A large number of Hastings residents left for A'apier last evening to participate in the Bugby Union ball. The affair was voted a great success. Mr Ja.mes Scott who has been working at Mr Mcllroy's smithcy for a number of years has opened on his own account in 'the premises opposite the Defiance Packing Co. in Heretaunga Street. Mr Scott is highly spoken of as a workman, and should command a share of public patronage. Messrs Blythe and Co's windows and shop were gaily decorated last night with the newist spring fashions, and the passers by gathered in groups to admire the display. Messrs Johnson and Duncan were responsible for the tastful decorations, and Miss Leslie's millinery was the object of special attention from the ladies.

It will interest those who took tickets in the recent Druids' Gala in Melbourne to know that the total profits amounted to £IOO3 10s 11(1, which was divided amongst a number of Melbourne, country, and New South Wales charities, hospitals, &c. In addition a donation of £o each has been made to the hospitals in Wellington, Auckland, Nelson, Napier, Greymouth, Dunedin, and Christchurch. f In an age of invention we daily hear o improvements in machines of every description. The typewriter has jumped into popularity during the past few years, and is now reckoned as an absolute necessity by the average man of business. One of the latest machines is the Blickensderfer now being introduced intoHawkc's Bay by Mr H. 11. Murdoch. Judging by its simplicity and the work it turns out it should become as popular litre as it is wherever at work. It has no expensive inking ribbon but the type is inked direct by a clever roller device, consequently there is a uniform neatness in the work. Another recommendation is that the writing is always in sight, and what is even more important the price is within the reach of all, Mr Murdoch supplying the '• 13lick '' for the low figure of £lO 10s, as against £25 for the ordinary machines. The Rev. Mr Morrison presided at the lecture delivered on "Prohibition' by the Rev. Mr Judkins in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening. The Rev. Mr Marten opened the proceedings, and the lecturer, in speaking to his subject, alluded to the breach in the New Zealand Alliance, which he said was practically healed, and henceforward lie trusted the organisation would work together as a beautiful and harmonious whole. lie did not look upon the result of the last election as a defeat as they pushed their cause further than they ever did before. They intended to work harder than ever for the next two years, and get a more effectual record of the rotes. They would endeavor to have the Question of reducing the license omitted from tins ballot altogether, and ask the people to decide merely whether tli.ey will have prohibition or not. St-yen put of every ten crimes, he said, could be traced to drink. The lecturer concluded with a graphic imaginative account of the burial in the local cemetery of the thousand people who die annually in New Zealand fro 11} driijk. A yote of thanks to the reverend getjtleman concluded the meeting-