LOCAL ANO GENERAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 837, 17 July 1879, Page 2

LOCAL ANO GENERAL

After the departure of the steamer, this morning, for Auckland, the gloom which had hung over Gisborne for a week suddenly cleared off. There was a joyous appearance m people's countenances. There seemed to be felt a lightening of the spirits. People trode the ground with a firmer, yet more elastic step. There was, as it were, a burden removed which bad. weighed people down ; and when we came to enquire into the cause of this change, we learned that it was due to the fact that a Bank Inspector had taken his departure from our midst. The Bank sweating-room has for a time lost its terrors. The Manager has resumed his usual placid look, and dow smokes the pipe of peace. He has even been seen to smile. Alas, that it should be so, but so it is. We have suffered from drought, and fever, and flood, and storm, and bankruptcy. We overcame them all and still lived, and breathed, and had our being. Then all hopes were crushed by the coming of that dreadful Inspector. Now he is gone. We wish him no harm, but will hope, that like angels', his visits will be few and far between. A large quantity of early potatoes are now being planted out m the Matawhero and Makaraka districts." "It is a hazardous crop to venture upon, bub the farmers have been greatly puzzled what to put m the ground this season. We beg to remind shareholders m the Poverty Bay Printing and Publishing Company that the aunual meeting will be held to-morrow at the Masonic Hotel, commencing at 7 o'clock. Changes have been made iv the Gisborne Telegraph department. Mr. Cribb, so long stationed here, has received leave of absence for a time on full salary. Mr. Cribb's eyesight has been long failing him, and he is about to seek advice from an eminent oculist. Mr. Norrice succeeds Mr. Ashman, who has been called to Wellington. Mr. Ashman, beyond all doubt, ranks among the best operators m the New Zealand Telegraph establishment. The Baldwins now exhibitiug their marvellous performances at Napier, will appear m Gisborne m a few days. Father Henneberry appears to be meeting, with success m Queensland. A Brisbane telegram states : — "ln connection with the mission of Father Henneberry, a procession, numbering 2000 persons pf all ajres and both sexes, marched from the Cathedral to-day, carrying banners with temperance and religious mottoes. The Bishop at the head of a crowded congregation had previously stood up and taken the pledge." Lately the Victorian hangman, was hooted by boys at Richmond when drunk. He attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat, but was overpowered by three strong men. The Tapanui Courier says : — "A fatal accident occurred to a. son of Mr. W. C'ark, of Dunrobin, on the night of Saturday last, or rather the morning of Sunday last, the 29th ult. The child— about six yea>s of age — had been suffering from chilblains, to relieve which bis mother bad applied cloths saturated with kerosene to his legs and feet. The child went to bed with these bandages on, and about 1 o'clock m the morning got up to renew the cloths, and while sitting by the fire a spark caught the oil-soaked materials, setting them ablaze, and seriously burning his abdomen, thighs, and legs. Dr. Douglas attended as early as possible, but could do no more than allay the child's sufferings, and he died during the course of the day." As a substitute for the execution of a criminal by hanging, Dr. Packard, of Philadelphia, makes the following suggestion : — There should be fitted up m the gaol a small room, which can be made air-tight. By means of very simple arrangements, carbonic oxide can be substituted for the air of the room, and a person confined in.it would then die the easiest and quritest death known to science. ' He would simply cease to exist. Another half-caste (a male this time) has been added to the Native Minister's staff m Waikato, according to the Free Lance. His qualifications none can deny. He is rather reticent about his duties, but one of his relatives says, quite innocently, " Oh ! he is a kind of spy." A day or two ago Dr. Smith, while on his way from Balclutha to Popotunoa, observed not far from the road a sparrowhawk m the act of devouring something. The Bruce Herald says that m order to satisfy his curiosity the doctor rode to the spot and dispossessed the bird of its prey— an English partridge, with the head off, and portions of the plumage gone. Haying put the dead bird into his pocket the .doctor .pursued his journey, when suddenly he received a sort of a blow at the back~"of his head. On turning round to ascertain the cause he was astonished to find that the sparrow-hawk had followed him and struck him from behind. The bird continued its attacks' on Dr. Smith . during the rest of his journey, a distance of two miles, but he was kept at bay with the assistance of a riding whip. For some time after reaching his destination the bird was seen hovering about the house." We hear taat Mrs. Hardinge-Britten purposes lecturing m Great Britain and America upon Australia and New Zealand. The boys of America have a secret society called the "Loyal Sons of America," with an aggregate membership of 10,000. Its objects are fraternal and patriotic.