LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hastings Standard, Volume V, Issue 1245, 15 June 1900, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On our fourth page to-day will be found cable news, and other interesting matter The rain practically stopped all work on ihe racecourse this morning, and only a few horses wei e sent out to do trials. There was a splendid turn-out of the Hastings Rifles last mght. The corps were out through a great number of movements by Captain Fraser. Color Sergeant Humphries instructed the men in bayonet exercise, while Sergeants Harding and Hobbs put them through the physical drill. After much deliberation we to-day came to the conclusion that it would not be impossible to make a crossing from Station street corner over Heretaunga street. By a little skilful engineering, or the use of a mud rake, a track might be made which would at least give one an opportunity of crossing without getting over the boottops in slush and water. The authorities will probably look into the matter. The following letter dated April 29 was received by his mother from Trooper J. Catherall to-day : -" I hope you have received an exact account of my whereabouts from some of my comrades in the contingent, and you have in no way been put to any uneasiness or worry by the cablegrams received in New Zealand. I have been a prisoner oi war just a month, and nm in the best of health. Inm receiving the best of treatment, and hope to be released at an early d-itp.'' Some difficulty has arisen over the regulation forbidding the supply of rifles to the native members of tho Hawko's Bay Mounted Rifles. Mr Frnser, M.H.R., wired to the Defence Minister yesterday, and in reply reo< ived a telegram to the effect that the regulation did apply to all Maoris, but that the Minister would see that exemption was allowed in the ease of this district. This will be pleasing news to tho natives, whose enthusiasm and patriotism was in danger of receiving such a rude rebuff. General Robley sends to the Loudon Graphic an amusing caricature of Mr Kruger tattooed like a Maori chief, and writes: "The New Zealand Contingent now serving in S>uth Afiioawill, perhaps, not expect to see the President of the Transvaal decorated like the late Maori King. Tawhaio, but it cannot be denied that the amount of cheek would lend itself to vast designs in tattooinp, meandei« ing like his own in tortuous lines." A grand Catholic social in aid of the Convent Building Fund will be held in the Princess Theatre on Tuesday next. In addition to the dance a splendid miscellaneous concert programme has been arranged, at which amongst others the followingwillgiveitems : —Mr Warren (liincmatograph Company), banjo solo; Mr Baxter (Kinematograph Company), comic songs; Mr Hullett (Hastings), violin solo; Messrs Eager (Napier), and Vickers Bros. (Hastings) will also contribute vocal items.

The officer was putting the new Mounted Infantry corps through its paces, and in the course of the manual exercises he introduced the system of doing it by numbers. " Ready I" " present I" " fire!" " One I" " two 1" " three 1" This was done with the utmost preeision, "Now," said the instructor, " we shall do it without numbers." Turning to one of the men he put the question abruptly, " supposing I was to say 'fire,' what would you do?" " Run and get out the engine," promptly replied the wag, and discipline was set aside for a few moments while the troop enjoyed a laugh. An adjourned meeting of the Licensing Committee, consisting of Messrs Turnbull, B.M. (chairman), Beilby, Me.Leod, FitzRoy, and Captain Howard, J's.P., was held this morning in the Magistrate's Court to consider the application of Mr T. Morgan for a wholesale license. Mr Saiusbury (for Mr T. Morgan) explained at great length the reasons why a license should be granted, and the necessity for a second license in this district. He also presented a petition signed by 70 residents, praying that the license be granted. The committee, after a short adjournment, decided to grant the license to Mr Morgan.

In conversation with the secretary of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society lately we learned that the programme for the Spring show, which will shortly be issued, will contain several new items of special interest to the general public. The Society are offering a prize for the best appointed tradeauian'r vehicle and horse, while Mr H. T. Williams, of Primley, offers a special for butchers' carts, driver to appear in costume, so that the gentlemen in blue will have to look to their aprons. Exhibitors of farm implements, and carriages are also to receive their share of the good things this year, as Mr L. M. McHardy gives special prizes of £5 5s in each of those sections to the best all-round exhibit. Altogether it looks as if varnish should be at a premium about show time, and we are sure the general public will appreciate these novelties.

Messrs Charles Begg and Co., of Dtmedin, have received the following letter from Messrs Enoch and Sons, dated London 13th April:—" The success of Sir Arthur Sullivan's setting of Mr Rudyard Kipling's poem has been so phenomenal throughout the Empire that we think the following facts may interest you:—On the 23rd November we published the song for the Daily Mail, and supplied the first edition of 75,000 copies, without any charge whatever, as our contribution to the Kipling poem fund. An enormous number of patriotic songa were being produced at the time, and we were quite prepared to see so large an edition last for many months. The music, however, leaped into popularity, and within a fortnight the whole of this first edition was exhausted, while the demand has since been so great that 300,000 copies are now in circulation. Such a sale, reached within four months, is, of course, quite without parallel in the music-publishing world. The pecuniary result to the Daily Mail has been equally gratifying their fund being now close on ,£100,000."

There was an unusually attendance at the Loyal Hastings Lodge of Oddfellows last night. The secretary reported that Dr McDonell, Si.D., M.Ch., would shortly arrive and take up his duties as Lodge Surgeon on July Ist. A long discussion took place on the question of the rejoicings at the forthcoming declaration of peace. The matter was finally left in the hands of a committee to deal with. A general wish was expressed by the members present that the Lodge should get up a fixed number of socials for the benefit and amusement of itierubers on the same lines as those of last year. It was unanimously resolved that the Lodge oflicera be appointed a committee to report at the quarterly summoned meeting and make all necessary arrangements. A strong competition manifested itself for the nomination of the various officers for the forthcoming term, which speaks well for the strong vitality of the Lodge. Several new members were proposed for initiation. Sentenced to death! the doomed mau stands, To die iu prime of life, No shade of hope, no outstretched hand, No friend, except his wife ; She heeded not the doctor's voice, " Hia cough would kill him sure,'' She saved hie life, and did rejoice, Wilb Wwds" Great ftypwuut Cwe.

At the Hastings Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr W Beilby, J.P., a first offender was charged with drunkenness and was convicted and discharged. We hear that Mr Philip Russell, third son of Captain Russell, M.H.R., has received a commission in tho militia to qualify for one in the Imperial Army, and will be lexving New Zealand by the B.a. Delphic, which aaila from Lytteltou on the 23rd inst.