LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 690, 8 May 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Gisborne portion of the English Mail will arrive by the Southern Cross to-morrow morning. The long-continued heavy rains, which commenced on Tuesday, partially ceased about ten o'clock this morning, and at the time we write, there are the indications of a favourable break in the weather. Yesterday evening, at 5 o'clock, it was fully anticipated that the flood tide would back up the river, and cause an overflow where the banks were low, with a flat country behind. Contrary to what was looked for, the Taraheru fell some three or four feet. This was accounted for when it came to be known that the river running past the Koseland Bee Farm had broken through the bank, and flooded the gardens.. Of course this reduced the flow of water in the direction of the bar. We have not heard that any very serious damage has been sustained, althongh it is too early to learn what the rains have done in the upcountry districts. We must hope thab all danger of a destructive flood has passed away, and that farmers and sheep-grazers will find the benefit in abundant grass and the cleansing of the land. It has been suggested by a correspondent that Gisborne should forward to the Sydney Exhibition the following specimens : First— A modern model Bill of Sale of the most artistic design over goods and merchandise, which has been given to one man, when the goods and merchandise were actually the property of another man. Second — A specimen of the Borough Council footpaths with a bit of the roadway. These, it is considered, would be certain to take gold medals. Third— Two or three Maoris, who, having sold their land and spent the money received for it, ( now want the land back ai:ain. Also a photograph of two or three Repudiationists who are assisting the Maoris in their moral : efforts. In spite of flood, and heavy rains, and water holes, and deep puddles, the Jam Tarts met last night, and having defied wind and weather, enjoyed theinselvftfl mightily. Mr. S. J. Bromley notifies that he will pay the first dividend in the assigned estate of Dugleaux, at bis office, on and after next Thursday, 15th inst. Creditors who have not proved their claims are requested to do so before that date. The sale of property advertised by Messrs Ferris and Pitt, for the 17th instant is postponed for the present. We draw attention to the words headed "Peremptory Notice," in our advertising columns, in which Mr. O. D. Berry announces that all accounts due to him, if 'n6t paid- within fourteen days from date, . will be placed in a solicitor's hands, with instructions to recover the same, forthwith by process of law. A youngster, about eight years of age, tried to distinguish himself at Mastertou on Sunday evening last, by setting fire to his father's home. He laid the wood in order under a corner of a house, and procured a live coal from the fire inside, started the conflagration. Fortunately, just as the flames were taking a firm hold on the premises, the attention of the child's mother was called to the fact, and a couple of buckets of water judiciously administered swamped the tire. From the very peculiar noises made by the little Guy Fawkes when his father came home, we (Wairarapa Daily) should- imagine his ardour was also somewhat damped.

A certain well-known resident in Gisborne remarked to his better half the other evening that he was going to sally forth for a short time. " You're going to Sally Forth, are you ?" was her quiet reply, and ! then — he didn't show up at the office next morning. A few years ago (says the Loafer in the streets) there resided in Christchurch a j great temperance advocate. In fact he resides here still, though not quite so good at the trade as he used to be. Passing , one of the shrines of Bacchus one evening towards the witching hour of night, he met a diminutive urchin coming out of the public house. The son of temperance stopped the little girl and demanded what she was carrying in her hand. Before she had time to answer he said in a aepulchural tone, ' ' My child, there is death in the pot. My child ! my child-i-Th'ere is death in the pot. ''Oh no, there ain't, sir," promptly replied the child, "it's father's supper beer." Taking the pot from her hand the temperance man quaffed thoughtfully a goodish pull, and then murmuring sadly "Too true!" he passed reflectively on his way. A "welsher" made bets at the late Auckland Autumn race meeting amounting to £370. On settling he gave cheques >on the Bank of New Zealand to those to whom he owed money, which on presentation were returned. The bookmakers " went " for the "Jeremy Diddler," only to discover that he abruptly lett his lodgings in a cab with all his belongings ; but on subsequent search one of the bookmakers discovered his hiding-place, and negotiated a little transaction which resulted in the transfer of a big diamond ring, a diamond locket, and various other articles of personal adornment. At a later stage it was reported that he had sailed for another colony in the Rotor ua, and the bookmakers took a waterman's boat and searched the vessel in vain. A cable message was sent to his father in Melbourne, who was formerly iu a good way of business, but the " governor " declined to. pay. There are so many debt cases in the Wellington JK.xVl.'s Court just now, that no further summonses will be issued calling an appearance to be put in, for a shorter period than fourteen days. This will possibly result in one of two things. It may allow time to debtors to scrape the money together, or to clear out and get away. A great convenience from which ever point tlie matter is viewed. "■ ; ' Pastor Cbiniquy appears to have excited the ire of the lamttan fraternity at Ballarat. .The house in which he resided was stoned ; the chapels in which he delivered his addresses have been stoned ; the Rev. J. W. Inglis, who attended his meeting, has been subjected to personal. violence j and now we learn that the house in which nis secretary has res.ded since his stay in bailarat naa had the most of the windows broken. The following extraordinary story is told by the Taranaki Herald : — A cool thing was recently enacted by a certain, man in business in this town, who has since distinguished himself by another act, which is becoming too common here. He was at a loss for a candlestick, and as a substitute placed the lighted taper in the folds of some bank notes. As might fairly be expected the notes were' burned — charred to a cinder, so that even a trace of their numbers was not left, and this wily noodle had the presumption to go to the bank manager and asked that the value of the uotes (the numbers of which he could not tell) might be redeemed to him. Of course, adds our contemporary he got it.