HASTINGS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9735, 18 July 1894, Page 3

HASTINGS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 17, 1894. The various committees appointed to make the preparations for the Fire Brigade and Fire Police hall to be held tomorrow (Wednesday) have been hard at work lor the past few days, with the result that the engagement bids fair to he one of the most successful ones that has ever been held here. Before the close of last week the financial success was prac tically assured, miilicient tickets having beeu s»ld to defray the expenses, all subsequent sales being a profit. Visitors are expected from Napier, Clive, Havelock, and many of the surrounding stations, and it is fortunate that we possess snob a capacious ball-room as the Princess Theatre. A good programme of music has beeu prepared, and the refreshment catering has been confided to capable hands. The raison d'etre of the Fire Police and Salvage Corps has beeu fully established, not that their active services have yet been requisitioned, bub the obdurate hearts of the lire underwriters, which were unmoved ot the sight of “Tlie Deluge," our beautiful engine, were melted do the tune of 10s per cent immediately the corps, as one man, had taken its oath. ThD little concession, to be followed no doubt by greater ones when the corps has shown what it can do, has been highly appreciated by the longsuffering premium payers, and the ball In consequence will in all probability pro dace sufficient for the proper equipment of the corps.

It is a mailer of regret (hat owing to his severe illness r.ur worthy Mayor will be unable to be present at the hell. He is now able to take carriage exercise, anil drove down to day to inspect I be drainage works Irom chi' Havelock-mad lo the river, with e-b goal progress it now being m ale, and the work is having a marked effect: so far relieving the flood nuisanc ; in 'lie u: ’.in road. < »ar ex Mayor. Mr George E 'ii, has again taken his departure for the North, having had an ec jov..blc week’s hull lay in the city of his choice. During ids may beio ho has beeu running the gauntlet in lUetence to “ Tod’s luck,” but all who

know Mr Kills are fully aware that he is quite capable of giving a “ Roland for an Oliver.” To-morrow afternoon the newly formed Glass Ball Club meet at Stortford Lodge, when some interesting matches willfbe shot off. The clnb is daily increasing in numbe.-s, and will probably develope into an institution in this locality. , Last night a gentleman who this morning remembers nothing since he had a shave yesterday morniog— not drunk, of coarse—entered Dale’s restaurant, and being naturally incensed at being asked to pay for the meal he had consumed, proceeded in revenge to smash a window value 325. Fortunately the hour of 10 had not arrived, and we had the benefit of onr whole staff of constabulary, to wit Sergeant Mitchell, by whose kindly offices the gentleman in question was provided, in addition to his free meal, with a free lodging for the night. To wards the maintenance of the Crown and its dignity he was, however, mulcted in tbe sum of £! ss, in addition to the cost of the window. Dr. Linney, J.P., prescribing for Mr James Wilson’s special form of disease, “ How to live cheaply " might be recommended to the latter as a profitable study.