NEWS AND NOTES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2348, 9 February 1893, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES

The rainfall at Waipapa during January was 477 inches; and at Manaia, 4*66 inches.

Two important witnesses required in the Land Act prosecutions at New Plymouth have disappeared, and tbe police are searching for them. One of these, we understand, is John Lawson, of Eltbam.

The contractors for building the new Egnoont Hotel commenced operations this morning, tbe work of excavating thcL cellar (a large one, to be eight feet from' tbe floor) being tbe first thing undertaken.

Three caseß in whioh native's .were interested had to be adjourned on Wednesday owing to no interpreter being obtainable. Mr. Fox was away from town, Mr. Coffey could not be found, and Mr. C. B. Bayley declined to act. Mr. Barton thought representation should be made to the authorities to have better arrangements made, and tbat any interpreter licensed under the Land Court Act should be compelled to give his services in B.M. Court business. Mr. Kettle asked Mr. Barton to put his complaint in writing, and be would forward it to tbe authorities. Great inconvenience was occasioned through an interpreter not being forthcoming, several parties interested having come very long distances to attend tbe court. Another matter to which reference was made was the non-service of several summonses. Sergeant Stagpool stated tbat owing to no constable being yet appointed in the stead of Mr. Patterson, he was unable to leave the town. Mr. I Barton said he did not blame the Bergeant, but wished to refer to tbe trouble caused by police duties interfering with those of the bailiff. The attention of the authorities is also to be referred to this question. Kaponga sale to-morrow.

lonic bas been scratohed for the First Hack Fiat race at Egmont.

The New Plymouth Harbor Board's bonds were quoted at 82, according to a recent advice from London.

The Harbor Board's share of land revenue for tbe quarter ending December 4tb is £1179 4s, as against £1124 for tbo corresponding quarter ot previous year.

We regret having to report that Mr. Aj. Matheson, assistant master at tbe Hawerft school, is laid aside by inflammation <n the luDgs, supervening an attack of & grippe. Mr Matheson's medical adviser urges that he should obtain removal Sio another district before the winter comes on

Referring to tbe cricket match, Stratford v. Stars, played at Hawera last Saturday, " Square-leg," in the News, says :— " The Star bowling was good ; there ie no lack of bowling talent amongst them. Rowe bowled remarkably well. Soutbey, Lucena, and two other bowlers, with whose names I am unacquainted, also trundled well."

During the sitting of the R.M. Court on Wednesday, Mr. R. D. Welsh was seized with sudden indisposition, and had to be assisted out by Mr. Barton. After about half an hour be recovered sufficiently to resume his duties. Mr. Kettle ordered the windows to be farther opened, attributing the cause of Mr. Welch's sickness to the closeness of the Court room.

At a meeting of tbe Library Committee last evening, it was deoided to order another instalment of 200 volumes. This led to a discussion on the want of room in the present building. It was pointed out tbat the library now contains 2400 volumes, and the available room is fully taxed. One proposal brought forward was to remove the library to tbe Borough Chambers, and another to take in the passage leadinginto tbe reading-room, but both of these suggestions were considered impracticable. As no funds are available nothing can at present be done in the matter of a new building, but some steps will have to be taken very soon to provide adequate accommodation for the rapidly increasing stock ot books. Tbe number of subscribers is 80, and the library contains a better stock than many older and wealthier institutions. The new batch of books will contain a set of Dickens' works, the present one having become rather the worse for wear.

If we are to believe the European papers one Carl Theodor Geiesler, a German gardener, haß Bolved tbe problem of balloon navigation. He claims — and bis claims are endorsed by several experts — to have invented a balloon which can be accurately steered. Geissler's balloon is torpedo-shaped, it is not covered with a net, but is so sewn into its casing tbat should a hole be knocked into any part, such part only will be effected, and the escape of gas will be quite gradual. The car is slung by two ropes which atfe attached to loops in the lower folds of tb:'e case. The car is the same length as the baloon, and carries a winged screw forward and a rudder aft. This screw is driven by petroleum motor of aluminium, of light weight, and capable of making 1,000 revolutions per minute, and of moving tbe balloon forward. Bise or fall can be regulated by a sliding weight and by s a ring which encircles the case, and on the surface of which tbe air exerts greater or less pressure, according to the position, oblique or horizontal, of the balloon. A Geissler balloon costs £600, and no family should be without one. — Catholic Times.

Smart boy to learn bootmaking is wanted.

Messrs. Adamson, Pease and Co. notify that all accounts not paid or arranged for at once will be sued for.

Choice apples for sale at Eeady Money Warehouse.

Mr R W. Thompson, professional pianoforte tuner for Collier and Co., is now visiting Hawera.

Annual meeting of Manaia Caledonian Society will be held on Monday. Mr Gilbert, pianoforte tuner, will visit Hawera shortly. Train arrangements for Egmont races are advertised.

Grand selection of Engagement and Dress Rings, at H. G. Pitcher's.— Advt.

Mr> J. Hisrham, Professor of Music, desires to notify pupils that the next term for instruction commenced on Jan 15. — Ad.

Eotheram's English Levers, £5 ss, £& 6s, £6 103, £7 10s, and £22, at H. G. Pitcher's. Serviceable cheap Watch, 'The Egmont/ at H. Gr Pitcher's. 21s each.— Advt. Grazing to let is advertised.