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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5007, 13 February 1878, Page 2

We hear that, on Friday next, a dinner is to be given at Mr Villers' Hotel, Petane, to Mr James Orr, manager of Messrs Carr's station, on tho occasion of his intended departure from the district. After the dinner a presentation will be made. Mr Orr, we hear, has obtained the appointment of manager for a company who have recently taken up a block of native land north of Gisborne, some 60,000 acres in extent ; no other, we .believe, though we are not certain, than the Waingaromia Block which we alluded to in a recent leading cirfcicle as being one of those in regard to which a notification of " entry on negotiations " by the Government had recently been published.

At the present conjuncture it is of such vital importance to the public to obtain any information with reference to the affairs in Europe at the earliest possible moment, that we have made special arrangements for the pablication of extras whenever news of the smallest importance arrives. It is impossible for us, however, to get these extras distributed at once, even to our town subscribers. We beg, therefore, to notify that in. future a flag will be hoisted at the Herald office as soon as an extra is in type, and it will very, shortly after that be obtainable at Messrs Dinwiddie, Morrison and Go's book-shop, and at the other shops in town and at the port where the Hawke's Bay Heraid is usually sold.

A dinner and a . ball in celebration of the anniversary of the Loyal Clive Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., were held last evening at Scott's Farndon Hotel. About forty gentlemen sat down to dinner, which was got up in a style that is beyond all praise. Mr O'Leary occupied the chair, and Messrs Hatch and Hollis the vice chairs. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, Mr O'Leary proposed, " The Board of Directors," and in doing so took occasion to refer to the extraordinary progress which the order had of late years made. ■ The lodges belonging to it had now about five millions in the aggregate standing to their credit. He alluded to the annual meeting of the representatives of the order, which had been held this year at Oldham, in Lancashire. The day was made a, public holiday, and the town was decorated to receive the deputies with flags and triumphal arches. After five days spent in doing business, they were entertained at a great public banquet, at which the Hon. Mr Stanley presided. The toast proposed by Mr O'Leary was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr Robb pi'oposed, " The Officers of the Wellington District." He hoped they would soon have a district of their own in Hawke's Bay. Mr Grigg replied, and in doing so adduced some interesting statistics with reference to the progress of the order in New Zealand. There were 7000 Oddfellows altogether in the colony. Their capital was £90,000. He -had pointed out to Mr Ormond, who was about to become an honorary member of the order, their strength in Hawke's Bay — that they had ten lodges with about 600 members — and that gentleman was perfectly astounded. Mr Bailey proposed, " The Loyal Clive Lodge." In replying, Mr Hardy, the secretary, read the report for the yeai % . They had now 39 members, their numbers having been increased during the year by 14, and some more were about to join next lodge night. Their finances were improving. The receipts for the year had been £132, and the disbursements £72. Strange to say, since the lodge was established not a single claim had been madejfor assistance. Mr Hollis proposed, " Sister Lodges." Messrs Bailey, Grigg, and O'Leary replied. The latter remarked that there Avas every chance of a lodge being shortly started at Waipukurau ; Mr Russell encouraged the project. There would, no doubt, also be one In Ormondville within twelve months. Mr Bailey strongly urged upon the members of the Olive Lodge the desirability of getting a hall of their own erected, a proposal which seemed to meet with general favor. The toasts of "Our Visitors," "The Press," "The Ladies," and "Our Host and Hostess " having been duly proposed, drunk, and responded to, the room was cleared, and shortly the dancing was commenced and was kept up until near daylight this morning.

There was a moderate house at the Theatre Royal last night to witness Mr Mundy's " Tour through Wonderland." The views were really worth seeing, and were deservedly applauded. The light was exceedingly good and showed the views up splendidly. As to-night is the last occasion on which an opportunity will be afforded of seeing this really line exhibition of New Zealand scenery, the public should avail themselves of it. Between the two parts of the programme last evening Mr Gilpin sang a song which was much applauded. This evening several of our leading vocalists will contribute to the entertainment of the audience.

A social tea meeting will be held this evening, in connection with the United Methodist Free Church, on the occasion of the change of ministers in that Church. There will be no charge, but there will be a collection during the evening. The members and friends of the Church are invited. Tea will be on the table at G. 30 p.m.

There was no business transacted at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

We hear so much of the trials which are being made elsewhere of thetelephone, that it seems a pity we cannot have some telephonic experiments here. Mr Floyd, we understand, will be in Napier in about three weeks, and Aye may possibly then have the telephone tried in this district.

The Napier Artillery Volunteers are requested to muster for gun drill, at the gun-shed, this evening, at half-past 7 sharp ; Sergeant Willrie in charge.

Mr H. Monteith reports a very good attendance at his stock sale at Waipukurau on Monday. One hundred and ten head of cattle were disposed of, realising the following prices : — Yearlings, £3 7s Gd to £3 10s ; two-year-olds, £4 10.s to £5 12s 6d ; three-year-old steers, £8 ; cows, £7 to £9. Several lots of horses were also disposed of at the following rates : — Medium draughts, £15 to £18 ; hacks, £G to £9 ; unbroken colts and fillies, £4 to £5.

It has been stated that Sir Julius Yogel expects to be relieved of the AgentGeneralship at the end of April. The N. Z. Herald thinks the report of Mr Reader Wood being appointed Sir Julius's successor has more reliability than has been accorded to it.

The Jtangitikei Advocate makes the most of the drought in Hawke's Bay. It,

says : — We learn that the drought in Hawke's Bay is unprecedented, especially in the neighborhood of the Ruataniwha Plains. All the feed is burnt up, and the sheep have become so low in condition that they are not worth boiling down. Many of the settlers are almost giving the old sheep away. The crops have suffered greatly, oats being scarcely worth cutting. Potatoes are a complete failure. A resident of twenty-four years in the province assures us that ho has seen nothing like the present drought during that protracted period. Grasshoppers, too, swarm in myriads, and devour the young grass as soon as it springs after occasional showers.

The Wellington Post, referring to the levanting of Levy, the great cornet player, says ;— " His agent here, Mr Thatcher, is one of the greatest sufferers, as he has incurred considerable responsibilities in preparing for a Southern tour of the cornetist, and is seriously out of pocket besides, for his own travelling expenses. People doubted the stories told about Levy's debt-incurring exploits in Australia, but after his hasty exit from Auckland, they will be prepared to believe him capable of anything in the way of 'paying off debts with the foretopsail.' It is just possible, however, that the great cornet solo-ist may yet hear further and unpleasantly from his swindled agent. Mr Thatcher, in the pursuit of his engagements as a theatrical agent, will shortly visit San Francisco, New York, and London, so that he is sure to come across Levy and compel him to make a settlement. When an agent has worked indefatigably, and for a reward is about £100 out of pocket, loses six months' salary, and incurs a number of responsibilities besides, he deserves some sympathy and consideration. Mr Thatcher, therefore, means to 'go' for Levy, and we sincerely trust, in the interests of commercial morality, that he may ' fetch' that solo-ist."

We regret to hear (says the Post) that Mr C. M'Kirdy, contractor, when being driven from the races lately with several friends, was thrown out of the trap, and fell upon his head. His system received a severe shock, but we are glad to state that no bones were broken.

Mr Sam Hollister has been appointed to a clerkship in the office of the RegistrarGeneral of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. Sir Edward Osborne-Gibbes, Bart., is appointed to be chief clerk in the Department of Education, from the Ist inst.

The Daily Times' London correspondent has the following : — " While articles are appearing in English papers respecting the labor question in New Zealand, the market at Home is in even worse condition than yours is uncharitably depicted. All over the manufacturing districts, fron mills are shortening work and hands, cotton mills are closing, and merchants are restricting their operations. Speaking in Wales the other day, that eminent political economist, Lord Aberdare, declared that within his recollection he had not known so depressed a state in the iron trade, while the mine owners of Northumberland practically admit the stagnation of orders by a reduction of 12A per cent, in wages. In London the great masons' strike still continues. Germans are flocking over to take the place of the English masons,, and with the stolid industry of their race, do more work and keep longer hours for a less wage ; under their busy hands the new Law Courts are rapidly progressing, and soon the passers-by in Fleet-street will walk beside its striking architecture, and have time to compare ancient and modern construction ere Temple Bar is consigned to the list of forgotten monuments. The masons on strike are still given £1 a-week by the Strike Committee, which is well supported by the conti'ibutions of various union societies."

The Canterbury Press says : — " In Auckland it has been proposed to hold a general meeting of representatives of all School Committees in the district, with a view of agreeing upon candidates to whom they can give a united support. In such a system of election much must depend on whether or no the electing bodies act at all in concert. If every committee votes blindly on its own account, Avithout reference to what is being done by others, the result is not likely to be a success. A great many votes will be thrown away ; and the nine candidates who are found at last to have the majority will probably be far from representing the nine whom the committees generally would have wished to sec elected. To ensure a satisfactory result, some amount of knowledge of each other's inclinations and intentions is necessary."

Charles Darwin has been made an L.L.D. of Cambridge. The scene in the Senate House beggars description. The opportunity for the display of undergraduate fun was too good to be lost, and from the crowded galleries were suspended monkeys in academical dress, while hurrahs for "Primeval man," cries of " Our original papa," admonitions not to " sit on your tail," weve bountifully addressed to the eminent naturalist amid shouts of laughter and the ring of Lord Neaves's evolution song from a chorus of a thousand voices. A portrait of Mr Darwin will be painted for Christ's College, of which he is a member, iv commemoration 'of the event. The Wunganui Herald of the 2nd remarks : — " With reference to a telegram in another column, informing us of the discontent existing among the Wellington telegraph operators and clerks, we are informed that a precisely similar feeling reigns with our local staff, whose active co-operation with their Wellington brethren in petitioning Government on the matter, "will not be wanting. Seeing how very pooi^ly these oilicials arc paid, we trust that the efforts of the fraternity to get the sum already voted replaced on the estimates will be attended with success." The same, we believe, may be said of the Napier staff.

We (Press) are informed, on apparently good authority, that, on a station in the southern part of Canterbury, the weight of wool obtained in the shearing of 32,000 merino sheep was equal to an average of 91b. per fleece.

Dr Selwyn, of Lichiield (says the European Mail) has had a boat built to go up and down the canals. It contains a chapel capable of holding fifty people, and his Lordship opened the campaign a few days since, before a full congregation of bargees. This is taking a practical view of episcopal work, and is just what one would expect from a bishop who used to preach to New Zealanders, not in lawn, but in his shirt sleeves.

The New Zealand ChurcJiman states that Bishop Neville's object in buying the Milton Potteries is to give employment to the men who were out of work in consequence of the potteries being closed. It is also said that the Bishop, who proceeds Home shortly, intends to raise a loan of £10,000 to purchase land for the Church.

The following original order was received at the Canterbury Press office by the last mail : — '"' Tw Digester of principal journal of Christchurch, NouvelleZelande. Caen, 4 Decembre, 1877. Sir, — I you pray to my address one No. , as specimen of your journal. Please do not to frank your journal, in effect, impossible to my send stamps of enfranchisement of New Zealand, and I not wish you spent any thing. I am with respect and gratitude your servant." The facetious writer on that journal says : — " Write and tell him that you will not spend more than you can help on him, and say you don't keep a ' digestor.' No human being is possessed of sufficient ability to swallow half that appears in your journal, lot alone djgo.st iL" " Oh, for some new coined name by which to call him ! Oh, for some name no other lips could give !" was the prayer of Violet Fane until she married him. Now she is content to call him "Old Beeswax,"