HASTINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2529, 7 June 1895, Page 4

HASTINGS.

The local fßflembly of the Knights of Labour intend hiving a good time on the 21st June, having arranged to hold a social and dance on that date. Mr J. H. Kirby, a well-known authority on all matters appertaining to the order, is to give an address on •‘The objects and aims of the K.0.L." The fire brigade did another splendid piece of work on Saturday night. Just before 11 o'clock the bell rang, a two-storey boarding house in the main street, near Caulton’s Pacific Hotel, being on fire. The fire was found to have started iu the top of a cupboard under the staircase, and with a few minutes’ more start might have resulted seriously. As it was. however, the brigade bad the lire out within ten minutes, which was a very smart piece of work, Mr Olsen, the proprietor, was just looking up for the- night, his wife having previously retired to bed. This is the bouse from which Fogganaud Studdan carried on their burglaries. The origin of the lire has not so far been explained. The Ore police mustered in good force and with commendable promptitude. • Dr Somerville, who has recently taken up his abode here, has. offered to give a course of lectures to the lire brigade and fire police, and it goes without saying that the offer has been gladly accepted. The first lecture, of which there will be six, will be given next week. The ceremony of installing Bro. \V. G. Martin as W.M.. of the Heretaunga Masonic Lodge will bo celebrated with duo eclat on Wednesday evening next. -Last Thursday the employees ofTomoana Freising Works got np a dance toassist a fellow-workman who has been hud up' for some time. Over sixty couples wore present, and the affair was most successful, resulting in a substantial amount to be banded over to the invalid. Mr W. D. Ireland, the secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Gun Club, informs me that nominations for the Open Handicap, of 100 sors, and the other matches to be shot for on Tuesday.2ilh inst, (the day after the Steeplechase), are rolling in freely, and the success of the meeting may be looked upon as fully assured. This club has become very popular with sportsmen, and under Mr Ireland's management has been placed on a sound financial basis.

Colonel New-all is to pat the Hastings Eifles through their facings next Friday. I hoar the Salvation Army have taken the theatre tor several days this month, and in tend to make things lively. The Borough Council have increased their revenue considerably by imposing licenses on theatres, halls and billiard rooms. The publicans complain that although they are compelled to close their saloons at 11 o’clock the owners of private billiard' saloons are allowed to keep their promises open to all hours, which seems hardly fair. When the edict went forth some time ago re the sale of cigars and cigarettes at the hotels, mine host of the Pacific had the whole of his stock shrouded in a black mantle. I observe; that the genial H.O.C. has now removed the funeral pall, and the fragrant weed, of which he always has so excellent a sample, can be obtainedjas heretofore. Rumour "has it that Sam Charlton, the popular proprietor of the. Railway Hotel, has secured whouse at Rotorua, and intends

to make it h popular resort for tourists, who will he enabled to do a wook or two in tho lake district for much leas than it costs at present. I understand Mr Charlton has no intention of leaving Hastings or relinquishing his present establishment When are the tlovcrnment going to bring in a Bil! to poleaxe all the book and picture fiends who infest the country, is a question which is agitatiug.tho minds of many hereabouts just now, not forgetting the local shopkeepers. A letter which appeared in the Tilt its lately from a parent who wants 100 acres of land for tho twelfth child has been the subject of long and serious discussion in many family circles hero, and the general opinion seems to be that the scheme would work all right if our young married couples .who thought of competing lor the 100 acres'coahl mt in a year or two as probationers at Marae;akaho, where olive branches arrive by twos and threes; otherwise it is thought the chauce of many gaining a prize would be somewhat remote. As . the Hon. John McKenzie remarked when ho was up there, “he knew of no place in New Zealand where the population increased so fust." Would it not be simpler to give every married couple a few acres to start with ? Ihe 10th instant will see tho Native Laud Court in session again, aud local traders are Iherofore rejoicing. Ike Oddfellows of Maraakakaho, who have a lodge of their own at tho statiou, are holding an anniversary ball next week.