NEWS AND NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 2748, 15 June 1894, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

Complaints have reached us of inconvenience and disappointment caused through lines of stock entered and advertised for sale by auction being either withdrawn from sale or failing to come forward on sale day. -A case in point has come under our notice in which a farmer came from Waitotara to Hawera to bid for a line of cattle entered for sale, and found that only eight; of the thirty, five advertised were yarded. He was put to the expense of coming to Hawera for nothing. The auctioneer, it may be said, had no notice from the vendor that the cattle would nob come forward, and was therefore unable to notify intending visitors to tbe sale of tbe defection.

With reference to tbe distillery plant discovered near Wellington, the New Zealand limes says :— That the distillation of spirits on a large eoale had been carried on there was shown by the presence of a 50 gallon copper, 60ft of galvanised iron piping, a copper strainer, a condensing apparatus about 30ft long, a quarter-cask containing about 18 gallons of fermented liqoor, a quarter-cask with about 20 gallons of whisky, a hogshead containing about 30 gallons of spirits, three octaves containing 14 gallons 10 gallons and 8 gallons of whisky respectively, a 500-gallon vat lined with zinc, another vat of -wood of about tbe samb capacity, a potato-masher made out of a barrel, a quantity of potatoes, beetroot, 6ugar and isinglass, copper and cloth strainers, and tools of every descriotion that could possibly be required in the carrying on of a dißtillery.

The remarkable action of oil upon waves is well known. This phenomena led the officers of the steamship Soanda, of Hamburg, to make an experiment! upon the same principle that waß very succesafol, and that appears to be worthy of mention. Daring its last trip to the United States tbe vessel, while in mid.ocean, was attaoked by a very heavy storm. It then occurred to tbe officers to dissolve a large quantity of soap in tubs of water. Having tbns obtained several, hundred gallons of soap ends in a very short time, they threw it overboard in front of the ship. The effect was almost instantaneous, and tbe vessel soon be^an to navigate without difficnltv, Tbe officers at onoe addressed a long report to the Hydrographio Bureau of the United Stalest Soap-sndß is mnoh cheaper than oil, and a relatively large quantity of soap

Captain Edwin wired at 12.80:— Strong north to west and south-west winds after sixteen hours from now. The glass will fall.

We give a reminder that the Okaiawa Town Hall is to be opened this evening, when a grand plain and lanoy dress ball will be held. The music, we hear, is to be tbe best obtainable; and tbe event should be most successful and enjoyable-

The preliminary notice of the production by the Hawera Dramatic Club of tbe late Dion Boaoicaalt's great drama " Tbe Octoroon " is published in this issue. There will be two performances. Tuesday and Wednesday, June 26 and 27, are the dates fixed.

At the Magistrate's Court ibis morning, before Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., the charges of Sunday trading and gambling against Charles Edwin Brewer, of the Branch Hotel, Eltham, were heard. In the first case a fine of 40s and oostd was inflicted ; but in order that an appeal might be made the fine was, at Mr Oaplen's request, increased to £5 Is. The second charge was withdrawn. '

At the Commercial Hotel on Thursday evening, Mr J. McLaehlan, who is leaving Hawera to take over the Otakeho Hotel, was entertained at a dinner by tbe members of the Hawera Brass Band, of whioh he had been a member for' eight or nine years. The spread was a credit to Mr O'Connell, the proprietor, who as venal had spared no pains in the matter. The Mayor (Mr C. E. Major) presided, and there were several ex- bandsmen and others present. In giving the toast of the health of the guest, Mr Major referred in most complimentary terms, to. Mr McLaehlan both as a bandsman and a citizen, and regretted his departure from Hawera. The. toast was drunk with musical honors, the band playing "For he's a jolly goodiellow*" Mr McLaohlan, in a few well chosen words, thanked those present lor their heartiness in drinking the toast, and hoped the band would keep on in its present efficient manner. Amocg other toasts was " Old bandmaster and bandsmen," coupled with the name of Mr T. Smart ; and the proposer (Mr R. Lenebanjread an address from band members expressing their sympathy with Mr Smart in his recent affliction ; the latter suitably responding. The health of tbe bandmaster (Mr J. Higham) was heartily drunk, Mr E.- Tait, the proposer, speaking in higb terms ■of Mr Higbam's abilities, and regrettiog that members did not go in for home practice, which he considered most essential. 'Mr Higham, in thanking tbe company for the toast, paid a graoeful tribute to Mr Smart, who, he said, was entitled to some of tbe praise for tbe proficiency of tbe band, he having taught many of the members tbe first rudiments of music. He regretted tbat more public interest was not taken in the band, and that they had not newer and more numerous in* struments. The toast of the band, coupled with the name of the seoretary (Mr E. Morrissey), was honored ; and several other toasts were given. ■ Songs were , sung during the evening, and . the band played several selections. " Auld Lane; Syne " by tbe band brought a most pleasant evening to a close, and those present joined, in wishing Mr McLaohlan every prosperity in his new sphere. At the Magistrate's Court this morning, Mr Kettle* S.M., gave judgment in the charges against Nathaniel Johnston, brewer, for breaches of the Beer Duty Act. As to the first charge be held that defendant could not send out beer whioh bad been returned witbouc putting new stamps on. He would impose a fine of Is, without costs, as defendant was evidently ignorant of the law on the matter. In the second charge,, that of sending out two casks of beer without proper stamps being affixed, the S.M. said he could not overlook the evidence of defendant's two employees that they got the stamps on 1.0.U.'5, and would dismiss the obarge. Mr John Gilinour, jun., of the Cooperative Warehouse, Manaia, announces the arrival of new stock per s.s. Star of Victoria from London. Nolan, Tonks and po. to-morrow se]l' fruit trees, etc. Notice is given in reference to dog tax. Mr J. K. Ferguson, the well-known tailor, announces a clearing sale for one month,' as he intends retiring from business, having decided to have a change of climate. Farmers' Union sell trees, etc., at rpoms to-morrow. ' "- 1 "■' ' " ' "' ' ' Normanby Eoad^— We give a reminder of the sale of stock, implements, etc., to be held to-morrow by Messrs Badge and 3ood on account of Mr W. T. Wells. . The novel " Grazia's Mistake " was concluded in last week's Egmont S*ab, and that it was appreciated as an excellent story we hear on all sides. This week the opening ohapters of "In the China Sea" will be published; and this promises to be of thrilling interest.