LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 662, 28 March 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. J. S. Cooper, secretary of the Waerenga-a-liika Jockey Clubhas convened a meeting of the members for Tuesday evening next, at the WaereEga-a-hika Hotel. On Monday next, at the Masonic Hall, (not Tuesday as stated in our h'rst advertisement), Mr. George Wilson will deliver an interesting lecture, entitled "Land Tenure Reform League." Mr. Wilson is a philosophical thinker, well read in the history of countries and nations. His opinions are the result of much prolonged thought, and tho3e present will go away impressed with many deep truths which had. never previously struck them. We notice that the Gisborne shipping agents have severally notified through our columns that consignees are called upon to pay freight and charges before delivery of •goods. The enforcement of this rule haa been found absolutely necessary.

We suppose there are very few persons in the community who do not require, on occasions, to post letters ;it our post-oiHce, there being no receiving boxes placed in any other part of the town. Now the operation is frequently this. The man or woman who requires to post a letter has to pass through a complex gate ; walk up a long narrow path, having numerous puddle holes which fill after a smart shower of rain. Having secured the necessary stamp, it would be thought there was a receiving box somewhere in front of the post-office counter into which a letter or a newspaper might be dropped ; but there is no such convenience. The man or woman must return along the puddly path, through the complex gate, turn round the corner, proceed some twenty or thirty yards, where there is no pathway, but very often much puddle ; theu ascend some steps, and tli^re is the aperture, in which to pa*s through what is required to be forwarded. Would it be impossible for the post-office authorities to have a slit in the counter, with, say, a draper's packing case or a square gin box to receive letters, instead of causing so mi'ch trouble and unnecessary loss of time. We think, if a great effort, not one of too tremendous a character, were made, that the object to be obtained might be accomplished. And we think further that a receiving box might be placed at one of the shops or stores higher up tlie Gladstone ltoad — say Mr. East's establishment, — and another between that and the chief office, say Mr. Judd's shop. It is not asking so very much after all, and will not make an appreciable diminution of the postal revenue for the next year. It will be seen by our telegraphic columns, that Sir Hercules and Lady Robinson, with suite, arrived at Wellington last night, and met with a magnificent reception. Sir George Grey was the only Minister who did not think proper to be present at the reception ; but it is very little Sir Hercules will take this to heart. He is just the man to make Sir George know his place and to keep it. Mr. Good's case, for an infringement of the " Lotteries Act," was brought on today before Mr. Kenrick, Resident .Magistrate. The Court looked upon it more as a test|case]than anything else, and the defendant, who pleaded guilty with extenuating circumstances,' was lined £1. Mr. Good thanked the Court, and of course pays the fine. The question having now been settled, we presume that no more lotteries will be permitted, excepting those of a nature allowed by law. But will this effect Itaffles ? for the Art Unions in Gisborne (so styled) have been nothing more nor leas than raffling for goods against money. Supposing a man wants to raffle his watch, or his horse, or his house, or anything else that is his, will he be permitted ? That is the question. For we find raffling common throughout the Colony, and allowed to pa3s unchecked. What should bold good or bad in one place should be held to be good or bad in another. Sweeps are permitted in Christchurch and in the West Coast of the Middle Island. They are forbidden in Dunedin. They have not interfered with them in the Empire City, but in Taranaki a heavy penalty is inflicted. It is this making flesh in one part of the Colony, and fish in another part, which causes the laws to be so frequently broken, as people really do not often times know what is lawful and what is not. The proprietors of the " Fatiina" illusion was well patronised last night, at the Masonic Hall. People went in f looked, and wondered. Could not make out what had been done with the lower exti-emities of ' ' Fatima. " Made all sorts of conjectures. Gave all kiud of solutions. Ventured upon the most tremendous of guesses, but none of these correct. To the sight-seers numerous presents were given away, and the shilling spent was not all laid out. The illusion was worth the money, but the prizes, bestowed upon all reduced the entrance fee, in several cases, much beyond what the admission fee amounted to. The first of a series of Saturday night's entertainments will open to-morrow evening, at the Masonic Hall, with a Variety Troupe, in which among the popular vocalists and instrumentalists announced, will appear Madame Lucy Stewart, Mr. T. Smart, ' Mr. W. H. Sceats, and others. We have before us a large number of commendatory notices from the London press, speaking in the most eulogistic termg of Madame Stewart, as a moat accopiplished vocalist. We have no doubt the entertainment will draw a crowded hall. Mr. A. Dornwell, the butcher, of Georgestreet, Dunedin, is at present the owner of a three year old Leicester sheep of enormous proportions. It originally belonged to Messrs. Smcllie and Young, of Mossgiel, who found it when it was almost dead, and reared it with tender care. It now weighs 3001b.