HASTINGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1157, 4 May 1894, Page 26

HASTINGS.

I SCO “Scrutator" has been stirring up the modern stylo of reporting music *1 entertainments. It is quite time this matter was taken in hand, and I do not think a better than “ Scrutator " could bo found to commence reform on such a subject. Anyone who makes a point of reading fo called ciiticism* in the newspapers migh very well suppose that the proprietors used stereotyped blocks with a few holes cut out for the nanrn of the performers.

Looking through an o’d scrap-book the oilier day I found a critique which is, I think, a fair average specimen. It records that the overture was “ played in gool style," the next item was “creditably sung," one was “ well sung," another was “very attractive !" One was “very good," and two were “tastefully per formed." Quite a long 1 : st of items were “loudly applauded," three or four were the “ best execu ed," and a few sliowod “ taste and execution " Only one is said to have been “creditably performed," one received a “loud encore," and two were “ vociferously encored," but, strange to say, not one of the items was “ rendered !"

'This subject makes 0113 almost tremble to think what the future language of New Zealand will be. Leaving out of the quos ion the foul mouthed stylo of desoiipcion induced ly so much racing, and which the class of people it collects together aie responsible for, there is a vocabulary steadily, but surely, being formed which will in time bo as great a mystery to the umuitia'od as that by which the denizens of Whitechapel make their ideas known to one another. Any thingapproachingperfection is a “dandy," something easy is “a snip" or “a bird," and hundreds of similar objectionable terms are ass 1 redly making their way into the common language, owing to their habitual use by so many people. This is only one of the evils arising out of the racing cancer which is sapping the morals of the rising generation, and causing utter stagnation in trade.

Thero was a very short sitting of the Land Court last week. As it only lasted about two days it made no difference in the way of business, except to the publicans.

Mr H Linimer has lost his stallion Wilberforce. Tho animal got into a paddock with another horse, which kicked him 011 the leg and broke it. He had to bo shot.

To day (30(h) tho pupils of the Heretaunga Private School are having a day’s sports, and a most enjoyable affair it is. A very large numbor of friends of the pupils are present.

An attempt is being mado to start a musical and dramatic society, but present appearances seem to suggest that the best thing would bo to make it a branch of the Hastings Town Band. Unless they can all be conductors, or chief promoters, or stage managers, or else the man who pays the bills, there docs not seem much show of starting it as a separate concern. One individual advertised that he was the chief promoter, and in'ended to have the initiatory meeting at the office of a trade rival. This was, of course, to show that there was no animosity—a very right and proper proceeding—but the other fellow didn’t seem to see it in the same light, so the meeting fell through “ owing," it is said, “ to the short notice given." As 1 have already hinted, they had bettor tack it on to the band, and then it is sure to go ahead. Slow music please, for a start.

When a certain literary gentleman (who shad bo mmelesa) some years a_o christened a certain Napier print “ the literary cesspit "of the city of shingle and swamp, he, no doubt, wished to convey the idea that any alteration would be for improvement, but, judging by the result of careful study, there does not seem to have been much improvement so fr. Several letters have appeared lately in the print i in question on the subject of the Hastings Woollen Factory, and the irate writers blame Mr George Ellis for keeping them out of their money (God forbid tiny should mention the amount). While he was hero there was nob a word said about it, except in one quarter, but now he has left the place, and is unable to defend himself, these poor creatures come out with their effusions, and want to know, “ When shall we get our money back ?" I was never an ardent supporter of Mr George Ellis in any public capacity, bub 1 certainly think that in his absence he might be left alone. The only thing that surpiisea me is that these sorry scribes have not been able so far (o connect the lockb g up of their few paltry shillings with some Act of our present “villainous" Government. As that does not seem possible they have to fall back on an absent man, who cannot reply. Let them tell us who it was that got the injunction to prevent the starting of the company, and how it was that the money came to be locked up at all. That would be more manly, and far more interesting to the general public, than striking at a man behind his back. Who was it put every Borfc of obstacle in the way of preventing ir’

the ffarting of the factory, and only took up shares so as to bo in a position to thwart the efforts of those who desired to promote the advancement of Hastings. Come along, some of you sorry knights—forget your few shillings for a littlo time longer, and tell us why the factory wai not started long ago !

A lire was discovered in a shed in tho main street at 8.30 in tho morning of Friday, but was put out befoto it got a fair start.

The Hastings Rifles met a team picked from tho Napier Garrison (including two men alio represented New South Wales in the intercolon al competition) on their own ground on Saturday and boat them by eleven poiuts.

Colonel Newall put the Hastings Rifljs through their facings on Friday.

All the sportsmen left on Saturday night and Sunday to be ready for the ducks on Tuesday morning.

The Hastings Bui’ding Society held their annual meeting on Fr day. They presented an encouraging report, and tho balance sheet showed this year’s work had been satisfactory.

The wife of Mr C. Donelly, a somewhat elderly lady, slippo \ on a banana peel lying on the footpath and broke her thigh bone.

On dit, that the danghtor of an M. H.R, living not far frem here is engaged to Colonel Fox.

Cycling, which made a great flourish for about three weeks appoara to have gone bung, and football aeeuia to be too hard for our growing men. Cigarettes and slang seem more iu theif lino.

St. Matthew’s gymnasium has made a start for the winter.

One or two quadrille assemblies are already announced. Tho new Oddfellows' hall is just the place for these entertainments, and is already let several weeks deep.

The last number of the English Oddfellow compliments P P.G M. Brother A. A. George on being the first to bring before tho lodges the question of the admission of women.