LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 705, 29 May 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The nett proceeds of the concert and ball in aid of the Matawhero School reserve funds, we are informed, exceeds twenty pounds, and is another instance of the liberal maiiuer with which the residents of the Bay respond to a worthy object. We are informed that regulations for the conduct of the business of the District Court at Gisborne have been made by Judge Kenny, and are open for inspection at the office of Mr. Greenwood, clork of District Court. They are ef special interest to the legal profession, ■

The question of the establishment of savings banks in schools underwent some discussion at the Dunedin School Committee's meetiug last week' but the decision was adjourned till tliere was a full attendance. The opinion was expressed that in the majority of instances the work in connection with such banks would fall upon some unfortunate and already overworked assistant or pupil teacher.

The charge against Mr. Robert Cooper and John Brodie cornea on to-morrow at $he Resident Magistrate's Court, and from the fact that, a large number of native witnesses are to be examined, whose evidence must be taken down in English and Maori, the case is likely to be prolonged until the evening. Four members of the legal profession have been retained— Mr. Brassey for the prosecution, and Messrs Rogan, Ward, and Bromfield for the defence.

Chief Inspector James, whilst conducting the Kaiwarra arson case a few days since at Wellington, after questioning a a witness as to the origin of the fire, put the question, "Now do you remember anything unusual about this particular morning ?" the* reply was " Yes, sir, the fire was very unusual." The worthy Inspector looked at the floor, and hastened to his next question, not apparently seeing the joke, which set the Court in a roar.

The Freemason's Repository says: — "A Mrs Emma Britten, formerly a lecturer on Spiritualism in the Uunited States, is now engaged in exposing the mysterious and evil practices of Masonry — to the far away communities of New South Wales. She announces her mission to be the destroying of the Institution, and she seems to engage in such a self-constituted mission with all the ardour of Don Quixote and President Blanchard combined. Sooner or later she will undoubtedly find that she has taken a large engagement on her hands."

A marriarre was celebrated at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Warrnambool, the incidents of which are worthy of record. A Mr. P. O'Flaherty, who was the bridegroom on the occasion, entered into the bonds of wedlock for the thirdtime, at the mature age of seventy-five. His spouse, who entered into that happy state for the second time, had already reached her sixtieth year. It is a strange coincidence, too, that all their previous marriages were celebrated by the rev. dean who officiated on this occasion. The combined ages of the happy couple amounted to 135 years. The age of the rev. celebrant was seventy years, that of the " best man" on the occasion fifty-two years, and of the bridesmaid forty years : thus making the combined ages of the various parties to the ceremony 297.

The following joke is recorded in the Waikato Timts ' report of the King meeting : — " Mr Moss, M.H.R., has been the subject of a cruel joke, which has caused a horse-laugh throughout our little camp. It appears that with that mental acuteness, for which he is so justly celebrated, he had discovered the comfort afforded by a hay mattrass and pillow. He providad both, and sought the arms of Morpheus, congratulating himself on his foresight. But man proposes, and some one else disposes. To»vards morning 1 he was awakened by a chilling sensation about his frontispiece, and on looking upwards he discovered nothing between himself and the starry firmament. A stray horse had commenced his supper off his pillow, and had dragged it, M.H.R., aud all tinder the flap of the teat out into the cold. Mr Moss intends to move the House next session that a breach of privilege has been committeded, and have tlie animal up to the bar of the House, reported by Mr Swausou's friend, " Usher ol tne Black Rod." He keeps a big stick as a bed-fellow now. Messrs. Ferris and ±*itt will hold an auction sale on Saturday, at 11 a.m., when will be disposed 40 sacks of oats, furniture, saddlery, puinp, tauk, casks, and other articles. The sale of lambs, wethers, &c, at Waereuga-a-hika, has been altered from the sth, to Tuesday, the 10th iust.