LOCAL AMD GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 656, 21 March 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AMD GENERAL.

Some few issues back we mentioned that the Hawea steamer, while making for the Gisborne port, had touched upon a rock, not laid down on the chart. Since then Captain Chrisp, our Harbor Master, has been untiring in his efforts to ascertain the precise' whereabouts of the danger, but has, to the present, been unsuccessful. Captain McGillivray, of the Wanaka, states that he has seen this dangerous rock in passing, but lie was not able, at the time, to take its exact bearings. It is possible that the rock may form the end of a reef which runs out to a considerable distance, and not a distinct danger ; but master mariners frequenting the port will not be at ease until it has been definitely ascertained whether such clanger actually exists, and if this be the case, until it is buoyed to mark the spot to be avoided.

We wish to impress upon those who look for bargains, that the sale of Mr. Sam Stevenson's salvage stock takes place to-morrow, iiiTownley's Hall, commencing at 12 o'clock. The goods for sale comprise ; drapery, boots, ironmongery, groceries, provisions, and ninny other descriptions of merchandise. The whole will be sold by Carlaw Smith, in suitable lots, without any reserve whatever. Mr. William Ratcliffe advertises in our columns, a long list of valuable properties which have been placed in his hands for lease or sale. These consist of a section in the Patutahi Suburbs ; a fine farm and dwelling at Ormontl, several freehold town sections, a number of leasehold properties in town, suburbs, and country, and a sledge house at Ormond. A special meeting of the County Council is convened- for this evening. There is business of much importance to discuss, moneys to pass for payment, amounting to nearly £3,000 ; but we believe owing to the unavoidable absence of some members in the country, there will not be as many present as are required to form a quorum. At an election in England lately, speaking of his opponent in the field, Sir Richard Wallace, M.P., incidently remarked, " Who is this Mr. Wilson ?" One of the free and independent electors, desiring to air his smartness, sang out as only an Irishman can at election times, and not far from Bush Mills distillery : — " He's a bushranger from Australia." This created considerable amusement, but it was capped by another of the O'Neill faction exclaiming, "Begorra, he's worse — he's an Australian squatter !" an announcement which evoked a storm of groans and hisses. The London correspondent of the Morning News, writing on the rumour that hopes were entertained of Sir Julius Vogel's appointment as successor to Lord Nornianby, says such an appointment would be regarded by the great bulk of New Zealand colonists as a deliberate insult, I and says Sir Julius Vogel is comparatively unknown except in New Zealand, where he is anything but popular, and insinuates that the rumor originated in the office of the Agent-General of New Zealand. "Australia has already sent cricketers and rowing men to the Mother Country, who have well sustained the honour of the Antipodes in the Old World, and now," says the Ballarat Star, ' ' We understand there is a probability of Victoria sending swimmers to England to battle for glory in foreign waters. M'lndoe, who won the principal races at the swimming matches here, and his brother, who are both well known to be expert swimmers, are stated to be talking about taking a professional trip to Great Britain, and we have no doubt that if they do go they will render a good account of themselves. The' Thames Advertiser is not complimentary to either of the City West candidates. In an Article on the election it says : — "So far asthe candidates themselves are concerned they are not worth the attention of the constituents." It continues: "Nelson, the hot-bed of denominationalism, thebirth-placeof itschampion, and the seat of the learning and talent of I the Church decided against the teachings of its superiors in ecclesiastical dictum, and stands forth the confessed opponent of a system which it has hitherto been charged with originating and supporting. City West is the next hot-bed of denominational support, and we believe that here likewise I the electors will be compelled to witness the strangulation of their boasted power over the cause in question, and add another triumph to the banner of secularists.', Mr. J. R. Morgan calls for tenders for the erection of a horse bazaar, to be sent in by the 25th lust. We notice that Mr. Locke offers for lease, for a term of three years, 390 acres of agricultural land in Patutahi, the whole fenced in substantially with a seven-wire fence, and divided as follows : — 97 acres ; 52 acres, 152 acres and 88 acres. To-morrow, Messrs. Bourke & Fryer will Sell at their sale room, a quantity of furniture, jewellry, watches &c. in the estate of the late Captain Read. The sale is without reserve.