LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 957, 22 November 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Mayor's banquet last night to the Borough and ex-Borough Councillors, and to the officers of the Council, was all that might be expected of it. It was a right royal hospitable affair. And when host Page received a carte blanclie, and was told to spare neither trouble nor expense, those who know the Mayor, the Masonic, apd the genial company of Councillors, will know well what this means. Nothing could exceed the enjoyment of such a reunion of last night. It was just one of those affairs which one carry m our minds for many a long day, and look back at with a pleasurable reminiscence. A telegraph station will be opened at Greytown, Taieri, on Monday, 24th of November. At a meeting held m the Masonic Hotel, last evening, it was decided to form a Tradesmen's Athletic Club, and the officers were elected : — President, Captain Winter (and starter) ; vice-president, C. D. Berry (and judge) j secretary, C. Dunlop ; handicapper, Mr. Strong ; committee : Messrs. M. McLeod, M. G. Nasmith, C. E. Major, Strong, and W. Graham. The committee were instructed to draw up a programme of Caledonian Sports, which will be submitted to a general meeting. A letter was read from the secretary of the Band, offering their services, which was excepted. Among the amusements, two new features will be introduced, as special prizes are to be given for swimming and bagpipe playing. Messrs Frier and G. Maher were appointed to act as canvassers and collect subscriptions. One of the police authorities called at our office this morning, and enquired whether the reporter was m who had given an account of the Ned Kelly transaction m our columns of last night. The enquirer was informed that he was not m just at present. Then the enquirer was desirous of knowing when it was likely he would return. He was informed that the reporter, m leaving the office yesterday afternoon, had left a note saying that he did not feel quite well, and had been recommended change of scene. He should probably show up again early towards the latter end of next year. The police official said he would wait to see that reporter, even if it was ever so much longer. He was anxious to know where he had got his Ned Kelly information from. The Chinamen at Hokitika are catching whitebait by the ton. What are not sold by them m town are dried m the sun on big tables, on which they are constantly turned, and after being dried they are put into bags and shipped from the Coast and sold by the pound to Chinese customers. They ask ls 6d, but if sold by the sack they readily fetch ls per pound. The balance, for which have no tables or board to dry them on, are used as manure for their gardens, and. if the wind is coining from their quarter the odour is like that from a slaughteryard.

The Mount Ida Chronicle speaking of the departure of Mr. H. McNeil Campbell Sheep Inspector, for Poverty Bay says : — There left here for the North a public servant who has for seventeen years a resident m this neighborhood m the active performance of his duties. Mr. H. M'Neil Campbell, who has been for the time we have mentioned m the Sheep Department as Inspector over tho very large district which includes Naseby, Clyde, and Cromwell has just been transferred at his own request, to Poverty Bay, family considerations having compelled him to seek for a warmer climate than that where he has been so long stationed. Although of late years the duties of a Sheep Inspector have not been very heavy, time was when they were both onerous and responsible, and among all those who at that period filled the office of Inspector no one was better or more favorably known than Mr Campbell. In all matters relating to scab m sheep, at a time when a great deal that is now wellknown m obscurity, Mr. Campbell's judgment was considered to be all but infallible and there are many runholders now flourishing m Otago who have reason to be thankful that such was really the case. We believe it was Mr. Campbell's intention before he left to visit all the flockowners m the district, and to bid farewell to his many intimate friends, but the time officially allowed him was too short for the purpose. We need scarcely say that he carries with him the good wishes of every one with whom he has been thrown m contact. A little old-fashioned fellow, six years of age, was found by a gentleman wandering bare-headed the other night m Madrasstreet (says the Lyttelton Times). On being interrogated as to what he was doing out at that late hour, he shook his head mournfully, and replied, " He didn't care, He was going to throw himself into the river." His interrogator could not help smiling at the mite before him, who seemed to be tired already of the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and taking his hand started for the police depot, with a firm hold, determined to do his best to prevent the accomplishment of such a wicked intention. On the way a short halt was made at a confectioner's shop, and after receiving a parcel of comfits, the would-be suicide expressed himself that he liked lollies, and gave the impression from his manner that there was something still worth living for. On reachI ing the depot it was fount that the child had been missing since 2 o'clock, and shortly afterwards he was restored to his anxious parents. A novel reason for obtaining beer on credit was supplied to a publican m Hokitika lately. The dispenser of liquor, says the local Times, was so amazed that contrary to his usual habit he furnished the beer without obtaining the compensating sixpence. A girl rushed into his bar and excitedly said : " Please give me six-penny-worth of beer, and be quick, cos' mother's broke a blood vessel." " The hope of the colony is m her young men." This is a quotation. Very recently a gentleman holding honorable degrees as a scholar, decided upon opening evening classes three nights m the week, for the the purpose of teaching the higher branches of education to young men over 18 years of age. His success is worthy of note, — he had two pupils, at 2s 6d each ! Close at hand was a " jigging " society, where scores of young men, who are unable to say " boo to a goose," are found spending their time and cash every night, m the graceful and " fantastic toe " business. " When I look around me," said a statesmen the other night, " and look upon these young men, I see before me the future legislators of this colony, and men who will also legislate for the Islands of the Southern Ocean !" We see something e ]_ e , — " Auckland Free Press. The common idea that a married couple have common interest m what belongs to either is bad m law, as a Christchurch woman recently found out. In the course of the trial of Jane Mohoney, for forging her husband's name to a cheque, the prisoner stated that she thought she was doing no ham, as what was her husband's property was hers. His Honor remarked that if any of the ladies of Christchurch had got hold of this notion, the sooner they were disabused of it the better, as it would not hold good for one instant m law. A man was testifying m Justice Howe's court, Little Rock, Ark., when a loud peal of thunder and a flash of lightning caused him to spring to his feet. The Justice, with his fatherly kind of protection, reaching over and catching hold of the man, said : "Sit down, sir — sit down. You are m my charge now. Don't be frightened ; 111 protect you" The man looked at the Justice with an inexpressible expression, sat down m the chair and resumed his statement.