HASTINGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1160, 25 May 1894, Page 18

HASTINGS.

During the last woek or two we have been surfeited with “ shows ” innumerable —ch cap jacks, magic lantern men, raghawlror3, &c., Ac. —all of whom it is to be hoped havo gone away wiser than they camo, for it is a moral certainty they are no richer, unless, indoed, they have some other way of gathering coin of tho realm than that they have placed before the public. One gentleman became excessively indignant bocause ho could not get a hall for nothing—his show being an educational one that was the very least lie oxpected.

At the Court recently it camo out that a certain policeman had found it necessary to “see a man about a dog,” not in the fashion in which that phrase is generally understood, but to enquire why a certain canine was not labellod with leather strap and tin plate according to the statute in that case made and provided. “man” had his way the poor policeman would have been annihilated. The citizen complained that the man in blue had issuod a challenge to him inasmuch as lie had written him a note (which it was not at all necessary for him to do) to the effect that if ho did not register his dog by a certain day a summons would follow. This he took as a deliberate insult, and wanted to know if tho man in blue “thought he ran the blooming country because he wore a uniform.” Had tho S.M. been on tho bench it is more than likely the “ citizen ” would have been run in for contempt of court. People ought to know that tho fact of allowing a dog to frequent their premises is sufficient proof of ownership for tho purposes of tho dog nuisance act, and that it is very improper to offer gratuitous insults to an officer of the law who is merely doing his duty.

Bessie Doyle’s concert was the greatest* treat lovers of the divine art hero have had for many years, in fact I have no recollection of such a genuine performance being given in Hastings before. What public opinion was on the subject is best judged by the fact that they contributed «£GG for tickets and have asked Miss Doyle to give them another concert. Ere this gets into print Miss Doyle will have been heard in Wellington, so that I need not criticiso the performance further than to say that it is novel, charming and sublime. For tlio information of those who think otherwise I, may say that I have it from Miss Doyle’s own lips that “there will never be another Remenyi.” The young virtuoso is never tired of looking at her violin, which by-the-byo is a Stradivarius, and cost GOO guineas. She says that every timo she looks at it some now beauty makes itself apparent. It is to her what a pretty baby is to its mothor. Wo are looking forward to the return concert which has been promised.

The police are waking up those who neglect to give the chimney-sweep a chance to live. The next class to be called on will be those drivers of vehicles who go round corners at such a pace that they could not pull up if it were necessary.

The dancing season is now fairly going, and we have at least half a dozen quadrille assemblies in full swing. The latest to come in the field are the Catholic Church people, who are running a series of “socials” to raise funds.

St. Matthew’s choir having appointed Mr H. H. Hunt choirmaster, are going to get up a series of concerts to pay his salary !

St. Matthew's gymnasium are arranging a concert, the first of a series, to be given early in June.

There will be a Steoplechaso Ball about the 21st June, and the Fire Brigade and Fire Police have arranged their annual fixture for the middle of July.

The Wesleyans give a concert on Wednesday next.

As the primary object of all these affairs is to raise funds, the charitably disposed will have plenty of opportunities to get rid

of their surplus cash. It is estimated that, including tho daucing classes aud tho gymnasium, there are occupations arranged for at least 80 evenings ! , A distinct novelty was unearthed in Court last week, when a storekeeper, who has been in business for a great many years in Hawke’s Bay, and who was ( being questioned about three promis- j sory notes, for tho value of which t he was suing, acknowledged that ho had never had anything to do with such documents before, and knew nothing about the nature of them —and he didn’t want to. Messrs 11. H. Murdoch and W. A. Beecroft havo been nominated for a vacancy in the Council. Three ladies who (figuratively, at all events) wear the divided skirt (?) led a number of bystanders to think that they were graduating for the office of Mayor of Oneliunga. Tho fracas is likely to bo continued in the Court at an early date. I think wo can go ono better than Wanganui this timo, for it is stated that Miss* Bessio Doyle is a relativo of ono of the leading families of Hastings. The Knights of Labour held a very enjoyable “social” hero last Friday, at which addresses were delivered by Messis Hall, M.H.R., Tomperloy (Napier), W. A. Carter and others. Dancing, singing, and an excellent supper, arranged by Mr Lois Brown, afforded those present great pleasure. Messrs Williams aud A. A. George supplied the music, and Mr T. Stewart acted as M.C. Mr B. C. Waro has been elected lieutenant of the Hastings Rifles, vice Mr R. B. Holmes, resiguod. I understand the Hawke’s Bay Gun Club’s jCIOO Handicap, which is to bo shot for the day after the Steeplechase, is attracting a good deal of attention. The conditions are seven birds each, two misses out. Hastings, May 18. The Rov A. C. Morrison was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church last night. • • • • At Court to-day a Native named Heta was heavily finod for trespassing on tho railway line between Hastings and Tomoana. Tho evidence showed that the man was drunk, and lying asleep at full length across tho track and that it was only with great difficulty tho train was stopped in time to prevont a fatality.