HASTINGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 18

HASTINGS.

It has been said that "law is the nemo of reason, and, therefore, anything which is not good reason cannot bo good law." I was forcibly reminded of this when sitting in Court a few days ago. A lawyer was arguing a ease for his client, but only a few days before he had argued a similar caso when appearing for tho other side, and now brought forward views which were diametrically opposed to those lie had previously pleaded. The S.M. called his attention to the fact, when tho man of law remarked, " Surely what a solicitor does in ono caso is not to be quoted against him in another 1" The " acme of reason " theory did not seem to fit in, and tho Magistrate declined to bo led away by such a transparent fallacy. Some time ago a local publican lent a horse, saddle, bridle and overcoat to a welldressed individual who had been for some time a prominent Good Templar and church-goer. Tho articles not being returned within a reasonable time, the owner put the matter in tho hands of the police, who eventually traced the borrower to Wellington Gaol. He was conveyed from the retreat in uniform to Hastings and brought before tho local Bench, who remanded him, to allow the police time to work up the case. So far applications for enrolment are coming in very slowly, and it is than possible a great many people who visit the polling booths at next election will find their application for a voting paper a vain appeal. Every opportunity has been given for people to find out whether their names are on tho roll 01 not, and those who are disfranchised will have only themselves to blame.

A ball which is being got up to raise funds for charitable purposes in connection witli St. Matthew's Church is going to be a big affair. There will bo no expense to speak of, as all tho work is being done gratis. Tho following will comprise the band:—Miss Caulton (piano), Messrs Marbrock and King (violins), A. A. George (cornet), Philsou (clarinet) and Poppelwell (bass). Tho young ladies of Hastings are arranging a Leap Year ball, which seems likely to be a great success. Mr John Percy, a prominent figure in iho educational world of New Zealand, passed away on Saturday morning. Mr Percy was for many years a teacher and also school inspector in the Nelson district. He was also a prominent Mason and a Past Provincial Grand Master of the Oddfellows. He has resided in Hastings for a number of years with his family. On Thursday ho was smitten with a paralytic stroke, from tho effects of which bo succumbed at the age of 07. Tho funeral took place on Sunday, and deceased was buried with Masonic honours, the Collin being carried by the members of tho Oddfellows' Lodge. Deceased was born in Alnwick, in Northumberland, and came to the Colony witli his wife when he was 22 years of age, having been specially chosen by the English Government to organise tho national school system in vogue in tho then early flays of the Colony. Ho went to Nelson as the first schoolmaster in that city, and in that, his first colonial home, were spent the best years of his life He was a most energetic worker, being connected officially with tho Volunteers and with both the Masonic and Oddfellows' Lodges, being P.M. of the Nelson Lodge in the former order and Past Provincial Grand Master of the Oddfellows in tho Nelson district. Ho was secretary of different building societies, and also found time, even when engaged in onerous duties connected with 11. M. Customs, for which for a period he relinquished scholastic pursuits, to engage in a good deal of musical work, and was in consequence well known and appreciated in musical circles. About 12 years since he went to Patangataas master of the school there, but owing to failure of eyesight about live years since he was compelled to retire, since when ho has lived in retirement with Mrs Percy and his two daughters—Miss Percy, head mistress at tho district school, and Miss Annie Percy. Deceased was well acquainted with the heroine Grace Darling, and would occasionally speak of her as a bright recollection of his early days in Northumbria. Some of the 'delights of running a newspaper have been exemplified here recently. One Kirby took it into his head that ho ought to start a paper, and with that object in view employed an agent, who bought premises, and also bought a plant which has been established in Hastings for some years. Later on ha changed his mind, and suddenly concluded that, although he had got canvassing forms printed and done many other things which those who intend to start papers often do, he would not buy tho necessary plant. Tho result was that tho agent sued him for commission at 5 per cent, on tho cost of A. A. Georgo's plant, and the Magistrate, after a hearing which extended over three days, gave judgment

for Mo. Lovers of music were afforded a great treat on Friday night, when tho two Napier bands established a new era, which it is to be hoped will bo continued. They combined to give a concert in honour of a visit Wff tho Wairoa Band, whose members came

down to assist at the Brunner demonstration. " A tremendous crowd " (vide local papers) assombled to hear tho music, and they showed their appieciation of the local and visiting bandsmen by subscribing tho gigantic sum of 30s. There is no doubt tiny do appreciate music in Hawke's Lay. Why a few nights back the Hastings Band gave a concert in the street, after which the tradespeople subscribed ss, and the balance of the public found Is 3:1. On another occasion tho band got fourpenco for a similar effort. No wonder we have tho best bauds in the world.

A couple of years or so ago tho Town Hall Company resolved to sweep away all the old cobwebs who had been (as caretakers, lessees, and so on) clogging the wheels of the institution and so retarding the progress of one of our most useful institutions. Large numbers of new shares were taken up. A new manager was appointed, who told tie.; assembled shareholders that his enormous experience both before and behind the footlights would enable him to show that tho shareholders had a veritable goldmine, lie would arrange concerts, balls, fireworks exhibitions and what not, and show the people of Hastings that lie and he only was the man to boom this show. lie was as good as his word. He boomed the show, and now wo are told that the shareholders and directors are to be relieved of all their difficulties, as the mortgagee is about to step in and take the whole show ! There is nothing like a good fat boom ! Mr Maughan IJarnott lias arranged to give on': of his enjoyable concerts here on the 21st inst.

A representative parry of Hastings Oddfellows paid a friendly visit to Maraekakaho on Saturday, when they were entertained in real Maraekakaho style.