NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 265, 23 June 1882, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

Mr. J. A. Johnston, the contractor for the Hawera Couucil Chambers, has signed the contract, and executed the bond required, Messts. J. Thaiu and Peter Bell, of Wauganui, being the sureties. The building is to be completed within five months. The closeness of the tendering, and the near approach made to the estimate of the successful architect, Mr. Pinches, are worthy of notice, and reflect credit upon the designer for accuracy of the estimate of cost. Mounted-constable Connell yesterday placed his resignation in the hands of Sergeant Cahill. Mr. Connell has been appointed clerk to the Waitara Harbor Board, and a more fitting person for the position could scarcely be obtained. The constable has been but a few months in th^listrict, but he has in that time succeerotl in making himself popular by his quiet aud unassuming demeanor. Mr. Connell will carry with him the best wishes of the residents of Hawera. The rinking club not being able to secure the hall on Mondays have arranged to rink on Thurday and Saturday afternoons and evenings instead, commencing from to-morrow. The secretary has a quantity of skates on hand, which he will be ready to dispose of to residents. The finance committee of the Hawera Bifies hold a meeting on Wednesday last, when the consideration of the remuneration of Mr. Keir, the recently appointed bandmaster, was entertained. The general feeliug of the committee was one of regret at losing the services of Mr. Keir, which was necessitated by the action of the baud. It was decided that a quarter's salary should be given to the bandmaster. Judging from the amount of preparations that are being made at the Town Hall it is only fair to assume that the dramatic performance to be given on Monday evening next will be well worth attending. The principal feature in the programme is the drama entitled " Meg's Diversiou ;" which sparkling little play was performed by the Wanganui Amateur Dramatic Club a few mouths ago. The local paper alluded in flattering terms of the performance of the gentleman who played Ashley Merton, who is cast for the same character here. The box plan is to be seen at the shop of Messrs. Jones and Son. The Royal Australian Circus opened for a short season in Ilawora last evening, at the rear of Prosser's Hotel, from whence a well-gravelled track, brilliantly illuminatod, conducted tho visitors to the pavilion. The show is really a good one. The performers are all first-class artistes, and the funny business is entrusted to clowns who are witty without being vulgar. Personalities should not be indulged in if they can possibly be avoided. Allusions to privato citizens, althugh they may create a laugh amongst the groundlings, cannot but make the judicious grieve. The proprietors of the Royal Circus have not resorted to objectionable puffs. Their entertainment is a genuine one, and is worth the money charged for admittance. The public have heard with regret of Mr. C. D. Whitcomho's retirement from his office as Commissioner of Crown Lands. Those within this district who havo had official business to transact with him ' have found him ever prompt, courteous, aud obliging ; willing at all times to give the fullest information in his power, and well able to offer judicious advice to those seeking it from him before investing in land. A well-read, cultivated mind and polished manner commended him to his friends. As Commissioner of Crown Lauds he was marked above his fellows by an earnest desire to foster the well-being of the settlers rather than that of the departmental cash • box ; he constantly deprecated wild or excited bidding for Crown lands; knocked down every section without ever attempting to drag the last sixpence per acre out of the competing purchrsers, because, ns he said, the department always put what they consider a fair upset price on the land offered and was quite content if it got it. All who know Mr. Whitcoinbe wish him a speedy recovery of his health, and trust that he may, after 14 years public service, soon be able to put on official harness once more. The shooting match between the married and single teams of the Hawera Rifle corps will take place to-morrow afternoon. The conditions of the match are — five shots at each range, at 200, 300, and 400 yards (any position). The following are the names of the respective teams: — Married: Sub-Lieut. Kempthorne, ColorSergt. Meredith, Qr. -master- Sergt. Watts, Sergeants Whittington and Purdey, Corporal Broadribb, Lance-Corp. Pleasants, Volunteers White, Goodman, Prossor, Potts, and Morgan. Single : Sergeant Coady, Corporals Jury and .Hicks, Volunteers Suiter, W. Douglas, R. Douglas, J. Hicks, R. Hicks, O. Wakelin, J. Hood, R. Hood, and F. Baddeley. There appears to be considerable difference of opinion as to the result of this match. It may be stated that the single team have spared no trouble in collecting sufficient metal to "put the benedicts through," aud scoring a win after two defeats. Should the day prove fine, no doubt there will be a good number of spectotors present during the firing of the match. Competitors are requested to be on the ground at 12.30 sharp. Owing to unforseen circunibtauces, the dinner in connection with the match will not be held till Tuesday evoning next.

The Bishop of Wellington has written to the Church of England vestry, •in Hawera. stating, that if the Rev. Mr. Taylor will apply to the Bishop of Wellington for appointment to this benefice, the application will be entertained. k A well enacted little drama was pro"duced at the Circus last evening, which caused considerable merriment at the expense of Sergeant Cahill. During an interval an apparently drunken man presented himself at the door, and obtaining admittance, walked into the .ring, and demanded to be supplied with a steed. The ringmaster remonstrated with the fellow for some little time, but apparantly to no effect. Sergeant Cahill had been eyeing the man for some little time, at tins juncture stepped into the arena and proceeded to arrest him, but before he could effect his object the apparently inebriate jumped upon tho " pad," and before the zealous constable could realise his position he had covered two laps of the riug. The officer upon finding himself sold, joined in tho laugh which had been raised at his expense.

A young man of respectable appearance, named W. H. Wilson, answered to his bail at the R. M. Court, yesterday, on the charge of criminally assaulting a girl, named Maiy Ann Butler, who was stated to have been employed as a domestic at an hotel at Manaia. The charge was a most trumpery one, not the slightest attempt was made to support it. The information, which was sworn to at Manaia, was not produced, aud on this ground alone the Bench, consisting of His Worship the Mayor aud Captain Wilson, J,P M dismissed the case. Sergeant Cahill stated that tho prosecutrix and her father, on alightiugfrom the coach, had been induced to visit the office of Mr. Hatnerton, who was engaged as counsel for the defence, and the sergeant from his remarks in the witness box led those who heard hini to infer that the prosecutrix had been tampered with. Mr. Hamerton indignantly] denied the imputation, but .admitted that the girl's father had called at his office.

Mr. C. E. Major has notified his acceptance of the appointment to the trusteeship in the estate of Dr. Gr. P. Richards. The Government invite tenders for the supply of 10,000 sleepers for the FoxtonNew Plymouth Railway. Mr. H. R. Parrington advertises .£7,500 for investment. C. F. Lichtwark notifies his desire to transfer his interest in Section 54, Block IV., Okaiawa, to W. T. Watts. Tenders are called for the supply of 200 cords of firewood by Mr. M. McMahon. Mr. T. Ecclesfield, grocer, notifies a sale of flour, bacon, hams, cheese, &c. He also advertises a prize for the best butter and cheese maker in the district. Messrs. R. H. Nolan and Co. will sell steers, fat cows, and mixed stores, at their Manaia yards, on Thursday next. Mr. Jno. Parsons makes a boundary fence announcement. The District Manager announces that he will run a special train to Eltham to-morrow night to enable people to visit the circus in Hawera. Messrs. G. and F. Homer will sell fruit and forest trees to-morrow. The Hawera Rifles will pnrade at halfpast seven this evening. The Normanby contingent will parade for inspection and exercise to-morrow, at 3 p.m. Mr. Freeman R. Jackson announces entries of 40 bullocks (3-year-old) for sale at his Waverley yards, on Friday next. The Opunake Road Board call for tenders for the formation and gravelling of Have-lock-street from South road to the turn of Beach road. Tho poll for the election of five commissioners for the Manaia Town Board will be taken to-morrow. Messrs. R. H. Nolan and Co. will sell household furniture, store and a sixroomed cottage at their rooms to-morrow. A meeting of the Egmont Race Club will bo held this evening to receive report of Committee, &c. Married couples resemble a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing any one who conies between them. The New Zealand Herald says : — The " Zealandia Bouquet," distilled by Messrs. Sharland, appears to win upon the admiration, for when sprinkled upon the handkerchief its odour softens down for several days, each day yielding a different fragrance. As almost everybody has a love for flowers, not only for the effect produced on the olfactory nerves, but for the reminiscences they evoke, " Forget-me-not " will probably be the true motto of the " Zealandia Bouquet." We heartily wish the proprietors success.