LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 916, 8 October 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

<- Last night's sharp frost, followed by this day's heat, has seriously injured the early crops of potatoes, and the more tender vegetables and infant fruit, in the town and neighbourhood. If we have the usual three consecutive nights (which as a rule are followed by rain), much damage will result. By our Auckland telegrams we also learn that last night's frost destroyed the potatoe crop at Onehuuga. The loss is estimated at' £2000. From Nelson we also learn of much injury being done to early crops and fruit trees. At the meeting of the Hawke's Bay Education Board on Monday last, a letter was read from the Gishorne School Committee, requesting that some increase be made to the teacher's (Mr Maberley's) salary. The Board decided that the request could not be complied with> Mr Maberley being now paid according to the Board's regulations. It will be seen by our telegrams that the Grand Jury at Wellington has thrown out the bill of indictment against Mr. E. ft. Ward, junr., Mr. O. I'lexman, and others who were lately committed for doing something which is legally termed ' • routously. " Messrs. Taylor and Batten's tender for the removal of night soil, has been accepted by the Corporation, at 2s per box. Speaking of the performances given at Auckland on Saturday by the Maori H>ka Troup, which left Gisborne last week, en route for the Sydney Exhibition, the Star says : — "The announcement of a performance of the characteristic dances and hakas of the Maoris by a party of aboriginals selected for the purpose attracted a very large assemblage of ladies, gentlemen, and children to the Theatre Royal this afternoon. Previous to the commencement of the performances Mr. Ferris (the manager) stepped to the footlights and made a brief explanatory statement regarding the performance. He said the Maoris were a portion of Major Ropata's tribe, and inspired by motives of curiosity, they were proceeding to Sydney for the* purpose of seeing the Exhibition. The curtain was then raised discovering two rows of Maoris seated on their haunches along the whole length of the stage. The men wore shirts to the waist, and thence to the feet the native drapery, while the women were attired somewhat after the same fashion. One man knelt in front, and at a signal from him the whole body sprung to their feet with a responsive shout. . They then went through a grotesque performances, accompanied by uncouth gestures and much vociferation. Other dances succeeded and in all unison was the distingishing feature." Among those who have, taken the benefit of the Bankruptcy Act is the Rev. Father Larkin, a Catholic priest wellknow some years ago in connection with the Irish processions on the West Coast and the prosecution of the Celt newspaper. A contemporary says that the rev. gentlejnan has been stationed ar Taupeka for' a long time past, and the fact of a clergyman " taking the benefit of ÜBe Act " may seem strange to the lay mind, it should in justice to Father Larkin be said that his excess of generosity chiefly his promoting the erection of schools, has led him into difficulties. Those who know him are aware how thoroughly and extremely benevolent a man he has always been. A Reuter's telegram, dated Adelaide September 29, says that on the last homeward voyage of the Chimborazo, it was reported that a passenger who joined at the Semaphore was recognised as Ned Kelly. He disappeared at a siding in the Suez Canal. Later and more reliable news by way of Melbourne denies the correction of the report, but says that a convict New Caledonia, very like Kelly, embarked at Adelaide, disappeared at a siding on the Suez Canal, The H. B. Herald says the shearing season has already commenced, and an extraordinary amount of interest is being developed in the result, inasmuch as there are a number of shearers from the Southern provinces who have the reputation of having shorn from two hundred 'or . two hundred and nine sheep per day, which naturally puts the shearers of Hawke's Bay upon their mettle. Our local men are consequently determined to test the powers of the southerners, and, if possible, will not permit them to take the laurels from the place. Sheepowners are taking a lively interest in the matter, and doubtless will feel gratified if the men of the place hold their own against all comers. Several bets are depending .on the issue, and the first meeting of- the rival shearers will take place at the Te Mata station, somewhere about the 15th inst. At Addjngton Canterbury, some little children were playing, when their grandfather gave them some matches to amuse themselves with. They did so effectually, ; setting some gorse on fire. A playmate, a little girl named Florence Evans, standing with her back to the gorse, was enveloped in flames. A little sister pluckily dragged her to a tub of water and immersed Tier, i burning her own hands .severely in the pro- i cess. Medical assistance was. obtained as soon as possible, but the child is reported to be lying in a critical condition. I There is only one Bible in the House of Representatives, and all the members had to be sworn in in batches of four. The Premier and Mr. Hall happened to be in the same quartette. Lieutenant Carey, who was with the Prince Imperial when he was killed, is cousin to a gentleman in Napier, and nephew of Colonel Carey, lObh Royal Irish, who distinguished himself against the Maoris at Orakau. This is the manner in which two of the members of the Wellington Detective Force had lately, says a local paper. They were walking up by the barracks, they were thirsty and wanted drink, they were hungry ana wanted a victim, accordingly they called in at a club situated in the vicinity and after lounging around the billiard table, expressed a desire to have some drink. The proprietor expressed his approval, picked up the half-crown piece which one of them was jingling on the table, and said he would send out for it. He went to the door, whistled to a small boy, handed him the coin, and told him to go for the drinks. There was no knowing whether the club man was in the confidence of the small boy, but the nipper never returned, and the detectives went away without their drink, minus a halfcrown, and no victim.