HASTINGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1189, 14 December 1894, Page 18

HASTINGS.

Hastings, December 7. A meeting of .the Evening News shareholders was to have been held in Napier last night; but there was no quorum, and the meeting was adjourned for a week. There were 51 cases at the Magistrate s Court to-day. . A boy named "Rice has been committed to the Wellington Lunatic Asylum

■ . \ Later. As the festive season draws near, things seem to be brightening up a little, but there is still plenty of room for improve3, as ready cash is still very scarce. The shop windows are already putting on a Christmas appearance, and the proprietors are busying themselves to attract cusThere is an institution to which I should like to draw attention, and that is our swimming bath. Although many people do rmf seem to know it, we have one of the finest swimming baths in the colony, and certainly the best of any inland town; but, for some reason or other,’it is not supported as it ought to be. The proprietor has not only gone to a deal of trouble to em “re the comfort and convenience of Patrons but he has also had taps arranged so that the water is available for the use of the engines in case of fire, for which purnose the supply is practically inexhaustible. Certainly, there are a few other places where the iuvenile population can bathe, and the hotel" are alMod-np with bath aceommo/inHon of a modern style; but, with a population such as we have, there ought EX sufficient who take a pride m being clean to keep both the swimming and tho hot and cold baths always going. Some time a-o, the School Committee, were talkinc?"about spending money °u baths for the school,; but, surely, seeing the baths

I already erected are so complete and so near I the school, it would be much better to arrange special terms for the use of what we have already than to waste money on new ones which are quite unnecessary. This may look something like an advertisement, but, knowing that the editor _is always willing to advance anything which is for the public good, I make no apology for bring forward what ought to be looked upon as one of our most valued institutions, and patronised accordingly. At the last meeting of the School Com- i mittee the case of a scholar having broken his arm was mentioned. The doctor s fee

for setting the limb was two guineas, and j as the family were not in very affluent circumstances it was suggested to raise the amount. The teachers having generously offered to find one guinea, the chairman (Captain Russell) said he would give the other one. The committee intend to see that every child of school age is m his place after the holidays, which commence on the 20th December and end on the 26th January. The latest in a sporting way for Hastings

is a Cash Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club. A preliminary meeting was held at Charlton’s Railway Hotel last Thursday, Mr Geo. Ebbett in flie chair, when about thirty put down their names as members of the new club, which looks like booming. All those present were very enthusiastic. Mr Sam. Charlton was elected president, and several gentlemen will be asked to accept the vice-presidency. Mr H. Symonds was appointed secretary and treasurer. The following are the handicaps and drawing of pairs for the first round in the bowling tournament —four bowls each, 31 up—declared by the President, Mr TV. J. Tyerman: —G. Faulknor, 6, plays Lelievre, 7; A. Newman, 6, plays A. A. George, 9 ; H. L. Jull, 6, plays H. O. Caulton, 15; E. Newbigin, 10, plays Haszard, 15; Runciman, 7, plays Hunt, 9; J. Reynolds, 6, plays T. Clarke, 6; S. Charlton, 7, plays IT. K. Thomson, 14; W. A. Carter, 7, plays J. Mellroy, 4; D’Emden, 2, plays A. King, scr.; T. Foreman, scr., plays A. L. D. Fraser, 15 ; W. J. Tyerman, 4, plays W. C. Maddison, 6; B. L. Knight, 7, plays A. Karaitiana, scr.

The anniversary soiree of the Wesleyan church was held last Thursday. The tea was laid in a largo marquee in the grounds, and the canvas structure was crowded. Afterwards addresses and musical items given in the church, a number of visiting- clergymen assisting. The usual statistics-relating to the year’s work showed that the management had been excellent, and the results all that , could be desired. On Sunday the anniversary services were held, the church being- crowded, at both morning and evening services- Next Sunday the school children will 1 hay® their special anniversary services. His Worship the Mayor was quite, humorous at last meeting. When the question of tenders for dog collars was on, one member, who shall be nameless, made a lengthy oration in which lie pointed out that collars ought to be of different widths according to the size of the dog. “For instance,” said he, “a collar two inches wide ought to be provided for a mastiff.” “And,” said His Worship, “I suppose about six inches wide would be the correct thing for bull dogs !” That concluded the debate. ■ i

One of the annual gatherings which is always looked forward to with expectant pleasure is the District School Concert, and, from the number which crowded into the hall on Tuesday, this year was no exception to the rule. Something like two hundred children were ranged in tiers on the stage for the choruses, a part of the programme which W 8 8 greatly facilitated through Mr W. A. Beecroft having lent the ample seating accommodation from his sale yards. The action songs were of course a great feature of the programme, and on this occasion were quite a clever performance. In the front row we noticed a very small young lady whom on inquiry we found to be under five years ol>l, and small even for that age, who went through all the actions perfectly. Her name was Miss Alice Maud George, and she is said to be the smallest performer who has ever appeared before the public of Hawke's Bay. The programme was not so long as some we have had, but it was exceptionally well-arranged, and quite avoided any feeling of monotony such as is sometimes the case with concerts of this kind. "With only ono or two exceptions the performers wore either teachers or scholars, all of whom were excellent in their respective parts. The iunior portion were under the guardianship of the head mistress, Miss Percy, while

the other teachers kept the balance well in hand. Tho programme opened with Ja couple of choruses, “Waken Lords and Ladies Gay ” and • “ Three Bumble Bees,” the pianos and fortes in tho latter being exceptionally well done. Mr Darvall sang “ The Scout,” and Miss Newton, one of the best vocalists we have, sang Mattel’s « Lear Heart,” with taste and expression. Two scholars, Misses Williams and Love, sang a duet, “Come with thy Lute,” very nicely, and Miss Roach followed with the popular ballad “Douglas Gordon.” A double quartette was next given, “When Evening’s Twilight,” but our local vocalists are only a moderate success in concerted music. Mr G. M. Hall, who is immensely popular with local audiences, sang “ Down in the Mine,” rolling out the bottom notes in great style. “ Birdie has Come,” by Miss N. Taylor, with full chorus by the children, was clearly enunciated and well received, and several action songs by the children were very amusing, and creditable alike to the little , ones and their instructors. Between the parts, the Chairman of the Committee, Captain Russell, made the complimentary allusions usual on occasions of this kind. Two more choruses —“ The Foot Traveller ” and an item from “ Loreley were next sung, after which Mrs Heighway favoured i the audience with “ Fancy.” Miss Lee gave i one of her always welcome violin solos, ■ which was followed by several Kindergar- ■ ten songs. These tho audience would have i liked repeated. Miss M. Collinge sang

1 « A°-es Ago.” (Note— The lady also sang on Tuesday evening, and with that taste which always characterises h©r perrormances.) Master Smith and Miss M. Taylor gave a very amusing dialogue in character, “ Dolly’s Mamma and the Doctor,” and Master O. Stevens sang a comic sonc “ Three Little Pigs,” with an excellent” moral. Mr F. Winsley sang “Love Tide,” and another double quartette brought the programme to a close. The accompaniments were played by Misses Kelly, George, Roach, Ceilings, and Percy. As a result ot the concert, there will bo about .£2O to spend in prizes, which will probably_be distributed about the 19th instant. The Chairman was quite right when lie said this was the best school concert that lias ever been given. .. „ ... A Hastings firm are in receipt of a dividend of 4s 2d, the first and final dividend in the estate of a business man who went bankrupt about eighteen months ago. Would it be asking too much to suggest that in cases of this kind parties interested should be supplied with a balance-sheet, say within a year ? The present system seems very primitive, for in most cases a man merely files, one or two meetings are held, and there the matter seems to end. Hero is a chance for some budding M.TI.R. The brass band gave a performance on the racecourse on Sunday afternoon. It may be taken for granted that the chief officers of our fire brigade give satisfaction. Captain Branscli, who has held office for about four years, is the only nominee for the office for the ensuing yeai, and the same is to be said of Lieut. A. A. George, who also holds the office of secretary, and has conducted the business ot both positions for the last six years.