Local and General.

Hastings Standard, Volume XII, Issue 60166, 5 January 1909, Page 4

Local and General.

We heartily reciprocate the good wishes extended to us by the editor and staff of the " Rotorua Tiroes."

The present year will mark the centenary of the birth of three of England's greatest minds of the nineteenth century —Darwin, Gladstone and Tennyson.

Mr Stephens, secretary of the United Friendly Societies, calls a meeting for to-morrow night (Wednesday, 6th inst). All members are requested to attend.

Sobriety (says the "Southland Daily News," was writ large over Invercargill on Christmas Eve. The once familiar aggressive inebriate was conspicuous by his absence, and the policeman's lot was a sinecure. Either we are becoming a remarkably sober community, or the man, " who drinks not wisely but too well " seeks other pastures for indulging in his libations.

The secretary of the Hastings Swimming Club gives notice that the junior handicap event, which on account of the lengthy programme was not held on the opening day of the school baths, will take place on Thursday evening next, 7th January, at the baths at 6.30 o'clock. Intending competitors a* the next sports are reminded that entries close at noon on /th January with the secretary, Mr J. Bamforth.

We are pleased to be able to report that the membership of the school baths is rapidly increasing, and the manner in which they are being patronised gives promise of a most successful season. Bathers are ensured against loss from pickpockets by the fact thatftheir clothes are left under lock and key. The committee are satisfied that no mistake was made when they appointed Mr H. E. Brunton to be caretaker, for the manner in which he fulfils his duties prevents the appearance of irregularities of any kind. One incident occurred which he promptly reported to the police, with the view of effectively preventing its recurrence.

Sensational statements concerning the danger of osculation are made by Dr John V. Shoemaker in the November issue of the " Monthly Cyclopedia and Medical Bulletin," a Philadelphia publication. " Not only is Dr Shoemaker correct in his statements, but, in my opinion, he does not go far enough," said Dr Clark Scott, a homoepathic physician of that city. '* The number of diseases which kissing causes is unbelievable to one who has not studied the question. Next to the evil of kissing babies comes the sweethearts' kiss. This is one of the most dangerous of all. During the long intervals while the sweethearts kiss continuously, one may imagine the various germs rushing backward and forward with unholy glee." \

Miss Ada Crosslev, the celebrated contralto, was in Chicago recently, and was waitejd on by a representative of a local paper, who ascertained that she was born at Tarraville, Gippsland, a district almost wholly devoted to onion growing Says an English paper: "Madame Crossley attached no importance to the fact until opening the paper the next morning, when she saw extended over the front page, and above a full length portrait of herself, the huge headlines, ' Onions make the voice grow strong.' 'Australia's Diva booms the odorous bulb,' ' Ada Crossley's high notes result of early onion training.'" Then followed a column of alleged interview with the singer, in which she was made to argue seriously, and with every appearance of logic, that onions had the same stimulating effect on the voice as on the breath. " The children ?f Tarraville," concluded the interview, " possess voices so powerful that they are renowned throughout Australia. In the middle of the onion season, a healthy child's cooee can be heard distinctly through the bush three miles away."

Two smart sales were brought under our notice the other day, and both were effected by local horsedealers, says the " Wairarapa Standard." An employer of horses resolved on getting rid of a horse that was little or no use to him, and a dealer got him for £3. Hi c new owner touched him up a bit, and offered him for sale at the yards, when he was re-purchased by his original owner for £2l. Some weeks ago a local farmer wanted a horse for his spring- cart, and approached a dealer, who happened to have an animal that would suit, but the price didn't. There was a difference of £3, the dealer wanting £lB and the farmer offering £ls. Rather than lose the chance of the sale, the dealer dropped his price to £l6 10s, but stiil the farmer was obdurate — he knew the value of a horse when he saw one. Well, the deal did not come off, and the dealer sent the horse to Dannevirke yards the following week, when he brought £27, and the Woodville farmer was the purchaser!

Miss AdaCrossley's Concert Company visits Hastings on January 14th.

Captain Edwin wired at noon to-day : Westerly strong winds to gale, rain probable after ten hours, glass fall.

At the Magistrate's Court, Napier, yesterday, a man named Leonard McCarthy, charged with the theft of £9 19s, the property of James Anderson, of Hastings.was remanded until to-day. Ex-Inspector Macdonell, who finally retired from service in the police force extending over 41% years on December 31st last, leaves Napier this week Wellington, where he purposes to settle. Evidently there is no great dearth of teachers at present. At last meeting of the Wellington Education Board there were 55 amplication for three vacancies, wilh salaries ranging from £144 to £165 and £2O house allowance. Catalogues for the H.B. A. and P. Show to be held at Hastings on March 31st are now being circulated. Copies are obtainable from the secretary, Mr Charles Douglas, Napier, or at Mr W. J. Stratton's office, Queen street, Hastings. The Christchurch correspondent of the "Dunedin Star " —one of the best informed political journals in the Dominion so far as matters pertaining to the present Government is concerned—writes: —" I have very good grounds for believing that Mr George Laurenson will be one of the new members of the Ministry."

Three residents of Waipawa reported to the police that pick-pockets at the Hastings races eased them of their money. Enquiries by the police failed to furnish any other instances of theft on the course, and the fact that the three men who allege that they were robbed all belong to Waipawa appears peculiar. At the Court this morning before MrD. WhyteJ.P., William Hoggard on a charge of drunkenness was fined 40s with the alternative of seven day's imprisonment. On a further charge of obtaining liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, an adjournment until the 15th inst was granted.

A sad incident is reported from Foxton. -The wife of the postmaster there was conversing with her husband in the garden, when she remarked that it was suddenly getting dark. It turned out that she had been stricken with blindness. Whether the loss of sight is merely temporary has not yet been ascertained.

His Excellency the Governor will be in Wellington on official business to-morrow. On the 19th inst. he will preside at the laying of the foundation stone of the Nazareth Hospital at Christchurch, the next day he will attend a Masonic meeting at Dunedin, and on the 23rd he will preside at a meeting of the Caledonian Society at Wanganui. We,regret to have to record the death of Mr Thomas Peddie, which occurred at Nurse Bethune's private hospital, Hastings, to-day. Deceased was widely known and highly respected throughout Hawke's Bay, being for many years licensee of the Clarendon Hotel, Napier. He leaves a widow and family of three daughters (one married, Mrs J. A. Miller) and two sons to mourn their losf.

Mr and Mrs Albert Mallinson, who gave some of their delightful song recitals here two or three months returned to Hastings and are staying in the district until fie middle of January. Since their last visit here" they have been performing to large and enthusiastic audiences. At Wellington, where they gave a series of recitals, every seat was sold. This was also the case at Dunedin. At Nelson practically the whole hall was reserved some days before the date of Mr and Mrs Mallinson's appearance. They are to pay return visits to Wellington, Dunedin and Nelson, and early in February they will give a series of recitals in Christchurch.

Between 30 and 40 members of the Star of Hope Lodge, 1.0. G.T., Hastings paid a visit to the united Napier lodges last night, which was largely attended. Bro. R. Wilson ( Hastings), Grand Counsellor of the Order, occupied the chair. Members of the New Plymouth lodge were also present. The chairman in the course of his address referred to the rapid progress of the temperance movement throughout the Dominion, and the campaign for securing a bare majority vote, which was to be initiated throughout New Zealand. The Star of Hope Lodge had enrolled 66 members since July, and in the near future they hoped to reach 100. He urged members to continue to work zealously for the advancement of the temperance cause. The following musical programme was contributed: —Songs by Sisters Pennington. Westneat, Bros. Harrison, Venables, Paris, Hemmingson, and Peat; recitations by Sister Mardon, Bros'. Bishop, Ferguson and Hodgkinson; mandolin solo by Sister Stubbs; violin solo. Bro Cliff; flute and cornet solo, Bro. Smith ; piano and violin duet. Sister Dew and Bro. Cliff. A capital item was an exhibition of club swinging by Sister Peat, followed by a comic sketch and Irish jig by Bro. Peat. After a vote of thanks had been passed to the performers, the visitors made a start for Hastings which was reached shortly after midnight, all expressing delight at their evening's enjoyment.

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