LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 655, 20 March 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In a Parliamentary paper we have a return showing the contracts for public works on which penalties have occurred, and contracts in which penalties have been enforced, and the contracts in the case of which penalties have occurred but have not been enforced. The period extends from Ist July, 1877, to 30th June, 1878. The amount of penalties which occurred during this period reached £43,000. Of all this large amount a sum under £600 only was enforced. Why this should be so, we think, is a fit subject for enquiry. If contractors are not to be held to their contracts, as regards time and conditions, then what is the use of the Government entering into stipulations '! '

A short letter, in our present issue, re a water supply for the town of Gisbome, points in the direction of artesian springs, as the only practicable source. We have already made the experiment at the cost of a considerable sum of money ; but the writer of the article thinks, as we also are inclined to think, that we have not gone deep enough. The question is really worth considering whether the expenditure of another two or three hundred .pounds would not be worth the outlay. The large watershed to the eastward and northward can only dispose of its waters by percolation, and we have very little doubt but what a powerful stream of water underlies the town at a greater depth than what has been tried. The pipes driven by Air. Humphries are still in tact. A further trial of perhaps only a. few feet may possibly lead to most important discoveries.

Our English tiles of exchanges are painful to read. Distress of the severest kind, strikes unprecedented, accidents, and fatal casualties innumerable, failures bringing ruin to thousands of families, famine in foreigh countries, war threateniugs from European powers, and other dread subjects form the staple of the news to hand. Of these we propose iu our next issue to publish such as will tend to enlighten the New Zealand colonist, and show to him his happy lot in the new laud he is cast in, in place of the many miseries which now beset the old home country.

We understand that an information is to be laid against Mr. W. Good, jeweller, for holding an Art Union in the Masonic Hall last night. We notice that a sweep stakes, the prizes of which reach £4000, are to be drawn for on the 14th April, at Christchurch, the particulars of which appear in our columns ; but as yet there is not a warning note given as to the illegality of the thing. There is no doubt the sweep will be drawn for and not a word said about it.

During Mr. S. Locke's absence from Gisborne, at Napier, that gentleman as a member of the Napier Education Board, has been untiring in securing for the Gisbome School all the benefits it is entitled to receive under the " Education Act, 1875." By his efforts, Mr. Maberly, the principal, has received a aeries of valuable and most instructive maps in physical geography, in natural history, and in the physiology of plants, animals, and the human frame. These are all of the very best of their kind, and -will prove at once, both instructive and entertaining to the pupils of the school. The delight of the children, when the various maps and illustrations were placed before them this morning, was really a pleasant sight to look upon, and the thanks of parents to Mr. Locke in accomplishing so excellent an object is deserving of the fullest recognition. Among the presents to the school is a valuable terrestrial globe, with the elevation of the mountains of the world graduated to scale, as also the rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. The plans for the enlargement of the school building are now ready, and when the tender has been accepted, the work will be commenced without delay.

The inspector, Mr. Hill, of the Hawke's Bay Educational Board, will arrive in Gisborne next week, to examine the progress being made by the school children. At it is possible after the present oppresive weather has passed over, we shall have cool days, parents should not neglect sending their children to school that the progress they have made may be noted.

There is likely to be some further legal proceedings over the will of the late Mr. W. B. Rhodes. It appears that in consequence of some technicality, the executors refuse to pay more than £2000 into the Treasury as probate duty, whereas the real amount should be £31,000. The Government will therefore sue to recover the full sum of probate duty in the courts of law.

Canterbury supports nine daily papers — three morning, six evening ; Otago, eight — four morning, four evening ; Auckland, six — three morning, three evening.