HASTINGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 18

HASTINGS.

A gentleman did a lot of free lecturing in tho street last week, and afterwards went into a shop and asked for a hob. '1 la; proprietor declined to disburse, hut in response to a further request gave the lecturer a p.v.r of laces. To signify his jo ; the lecturer put Ins fool, through a pane of glass, for which two justices ordered him to pay i'2, hut as lie declined to do so lie was locket up for a lew days.

The boys attending the Ileretaunga School have got off their annual sports. Mr A A. George, the lion, conductor of the Operatic Society, informs me that lie has everything in readiness now for commencing the rehearsal of “ lolanthe,” and that a start will be made next week. The whole of the musical talent of the district has signified their intention of joining the Society, so that there is every prospect, of a successful season. The whole of the dresses and properties have been secured on very favourable terms. Some delay was caused through a ditliculty in getting sufficient scores, but these have now also been procured, and all is ready to start work.

A somewhat demented youth was brought before the bench and ordered to he scut to the Wellington Asylum. The Hastings Rides, the friendly societies, and a large section of the public will take part in the sports and procession to be held in Napier in aid of the Brunner disaster, and this will about finish up the financial efforts in this direction.

According to the census returns, Hastings has about doubled its population ii the last five years.

I hear there arc now close on COO children on the roll of tho District School.

The Ileretaunga Dairy Factory is now

amongst the successes of the century, and during the past half year has made so large a profit that the directors have decided to raise the price given for milk to 3ld per gallon. They have over £7OO worth of butter stored in the freezing chambers at Tomoana, and the whole business is in a splendid financial position. Some years ago I advocated in my notes the idea'tlmt the time had arrived when the council should insist on brick partition walls in the business part of the town, but the suggestion was op; o.sod by interested people, who said that the expense would prevent people building, and so retard the progress of the town. Of course that was the veriest bunkum, as has been proved recently. The result of the brick walls to Blythe’s shop is that the insurance on the stock is now Ids, whereas before it was fids. 1 hat ought to lie sufficient to convince the densest individual amongst ouriuling powers.

The Fire Brigade have just received a consignment of hose, for which they ha\c paid 'Jd per foot, and a thorough test has proved it to be equal to what they have previously paid three times as much for. Inis is another case where it has taken years to convince those who hold the purse-strings that practical experience is more valuable than theory. Numbers of people have of late complained to me of the difficulty of getting copies of the New Zealand Times in Hastings, there being such a demand lor them. Mr S. Knieht, who was connected with the Pel one Band for some years, has been appointed conductor of the Wesicyan choir. Dr liosking was formally welcomed to his new charge last week, most of the local cl erg v making speeches on the occasion. The upset rental of the llatireka land is about £2 per acre with the improvements required, and there seems every poliability that, it will all be taken up at that figure. There are a great many people cnqu.ring tor particulars regarding if. People (male or female) who want to vote at the next election should see that their names are on the roll, and if not, take steps to ect it there.

A publican has found it necessary to draw locally-made beer exclusively, even at the risk of a law suit, as he finds that the imported article is driving his trade to other houses.

Tho Rev. Father fimythe has had a con. servatory erected in order to supply flowers for the altar all the year round. Tho Town Band gave a performance in the street on Saturday evening. The Building Society show a nourishing report and balance-sheet.