GORE

Otago Witness, Issue 1916, 6 November 1890, Page 18

GORE

November 4.— On the afternoon of Wednesday, the 23nd October, Mr Re veil, R.M., sat to hear two oharges against one Joseph Wallls, Esq., baker, Waikala, for makiog two false declarations before the Registrar of Marriages at Gore on the 14th August laßt— one declaration being that he was a bachelor, and the other that he had been within the Gore registration district for three days previous to that declaration. Inspector Hicfason, of Invercargill, conducted the prosecution, and Mr William Henderson appeared for accused. The facts elicited would form excellent material for a large-volume novel, and the proceedings were attentively watched by a " crowded house." It seems that Mr Joseph Wallia (better known as " Pie Joe," from his occupation of providing the nobility and gentry of Waikaia with mutton-pies) was anxious to espouse Miss Bridget Brosnan. a lady long resident in the Waikala neighbourhood. "Pie Joe" accordingly applied to the postmistreis at Waikala, who is also Registrar of Marriages, for a certificate to enable him to marry. Unfortunately the very cautiouspostmlstress believed " Pie Joe " waß already the unhappy possessor of a wife, and refused to countenance any such impropriety as another wedding under the circumstances. " Pie Joe " and his betrothed were then seen to ride off from Waikaia towards Tapanui, 30 mileß off, on Sunday, the 10th August, and the following day "Pie Joe" applied to the Registrar of Marriages at Tapauui, saying that he had come to be married, and wanted a certificate. " Pie Joe" had, however, forgotten there was such a thing as a telephone between Waikaia and Tapanui ; but there was, and the watchfnl postmistress at Waikaia was before "Pie Joe," and had told the Tapanui official all about it before "Pie Joe " conld set foot in the Tapanui office. Another disappointment! But " Pie Joe " was not to be done, andon Wednesday (the 13th) presented himself at the Gore Post Office and made the two declarations — that he was a bachelor and had had his place ot abode within the registration district of Gore for three days previously. The accused was married to Miss Bridget Brosnan the same day by Parson Hawthorne at the English Church at Gore. So much for the prosecution I But the defence was the strangest part of the affair. It appenred that poor "Pie Joe" did

verily believe that he was a bachelor. He had certainly gone through the form ol marriage about 21 years ago with a lady that described herself as Mary Butt ; but in the course of subsequent domestic difference* his wife had frequently Informed him that she was already somebody else s wife, that that somebody— a gentleman of the name of Butt— was still living, and that she should go baok to him. And so she did, and is believed to be residing to this day with the gentleman at Maerewhenua. Not only was she a Mrs Butt, but she was a Mrs Bignall, too. Aooording to the statement of " Pie Joe's solicitor, as she had married a man named Bignall in '61, and Mr Bignall was living after she bad gone through the ceremony of holy matrimony with Messrs Butt and Wallls (hubbies No. a and 3). Under these circumstances " Pie Joe " was very much a baohelor when he married Miss Brosnan, and Mrs Bignall-Butt-Wallis was only Mrs Bignall still. The end of last Wednesdays proceedings was that "Pie Joe" was committed for trial for making the two declarations, and until after the trial any comment would be improper. Bail was allowed, and Mr and Mrs Walliu at present reside peacefully at Waikaia.

Salvation army.- On Wednesday, October 22, whilst the entertainment at the R.M. Court was progressing another amusement of a less secular character was going on outside. All the Salvation, officers of the Southern Division met at G.~>re to welcome '• Major " Rolfe, the newly named successor of "Major" Hammond, At half-past 6 a big teameeting was held. An hour later a meeting was held out in the street opposite the post offioe, and then a procession was formed to the Town Hall. "Colonel" Taylor spoke first, and stated that the army had 200 officers in New Zealand and 100,000 members throughout tlie world. "Major" Rolfe followed, and said the movement bad begun at the Mile End in London ; they were now going to cope with the social question; "General" Booth was. going to train men to undertake colonisation, and the work would requite millions of pounds. After •♦Bnsign" Newbold had made an announcement. " Colonel " Taylor followed, and in the course of bia remarks said that the officers had generally very little idea where they were going to be scut to. Ho had orders in his pocket which be would hand round, and he did so. eaoh recipient expressing n-arfiness to obey. The " colonel " then gave instances of the good', work done by the Rescue Home in uunedm. Out of their Resoue Homes at Home 1478 girls had passed! through, and only 200 had lapsed. The army was at work in 35 .countries. After the speeches leveraF new members joined, " experiences " were given, and songs sung. — Since the above meeting, " Captain "' Tremain and " Lieutenant " Fleury have leftfor their new positions, the former at Chrlstoburoh and the latter at Rimu. " Captain" Fleming has come to Gore, and a new " lieutenant " is ooming. Election News.— Mr G. M. Bell, of Wantwood, will not stand for the Mataura electorate as expected, having left for Melbourne for a month last Friday. In to-day's local papers Mr Bell has an address to tho 500 electors who signed a requisition to him, and in thanking them Mr Bell says that he should have accepted their Invitation, but is unfortunately obliged to be absent from the colony during the whole of November, and to contest the seat under those circumstances would be to court defeat and so weaken the cause he wished to promote. It is stated that a requisition is in course of signature* asking Mr J. G. Fraser, editor of the Southern' Standard at Gore, to stand for the Mataura electorate. Now that the enlarged Clutha district comes so near Gore, it should be mentioned that Mr Thomas Mackenzie lias addressed meetings at Otama, Waikaia, , Knapdale, and other places, and to-day addresses a meeting at Waikaba Valley and another at Waikoikol schoolhouie to-morrow

Southland County Blbction .— For the Hokonui riding there was no opposition, so Mr Thomas Green has been returned unopposed. Mr John M'Queen, of Knapdale, is standing for the Mataura. riding in opposition to Mr Thomas Mao Gibbon.. Messrs H. Carswell and I. W. Raymond are standing for the Tol-tois riding. Mr Hatt has been returned unopposed for the Waikala riding. Gobb Presbyterian Church.— ln connection with the election of a minister, the Presbytery off Southland are to meet in the Gore Town Hall at 9 pm. next Thursday, when reasons for and against' the appointment of Mr Asher will be heard. About 114 members and 40 adherents have signed the call, and about a dozen members a'-d the same number of adherents have signed the'protest against the call,, on the ground of the youth of the candidate and some alleged informality in calling the congregational meeting Changes.— Yesterday Mr J. H. C. Hunter (who has been the manager here of the N. Z. Loan and Mercantile Co. since the death of Mr Douglas some three years ago) left Gore for good. Mr Hunter has accepted the position of manager of the new Invercvgill branch of the business of Fulton, Stanley, and Co,, of Dunedin, and is succeeded here at Gore by Mr Robert John Pottinger, formerly in the company's offices at Ohristohurch and Auckland. Iv these days of unearned and conventional " testimonials," " teapots," " tea and coffee services," and other " farewell presentation" nuisances, it is quite as well that Mr Hunter has escaped suoh valueless compliments. The faot, however, undeniably remains that Mr Hunter has left many friends behind him who respect him none the less for his quiet and honourable way of doing his business, and for his unostentatious way of doing good in many unsuspected ways.