LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1106, 27 August 1880, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A correspondent calls oar attention to the neglected condition of the fire engine, which was brought out a few days ago, upon an alarm of fire. He says the hose is coiled; the -wrong way — inside out, so to speak. That is, the hose should unroll from the engine, so that when unrolled the connection Would be along side instead of at a distance of its whole length from the engine. The couplings, our correspondent states, will'not work. There may or may not be a suction hose in existence. If in existence, it should be with the engine ; but is not. There, may or not be a tank. If there Is, it is the -right thing- ia the wrong- ; place. The engine, as. at present, would merely be a spectacle to gaze upon at a fire. It would be of no other earthly use. That is what our correspondent says. He may or may not know what he speaks of, but we are rather inclined to think he does, in which case the engine and its appurtenances and appliances should be looked to. Friday is invariably a field day at the Resident Magistrate's Court ; but to-day on enquiry, we learned there was a clean sheet. No police cases ; no debt oases jin faot a perfect lull. The steamer due to-day, and which was to carry the Southern and Melbourne mails, will not reach the port until tomorrow ; and the mails will not close at the Post-office, until 3. 30. to-morrow afternoon. Yesterday, " Happy Jack," well known to most old colonists at the Mahia. The deceased, for many years, was wont to light signal fires in front of his dwelling as a place of refuge during southerly gales.

Our Ormond readers are informed that services will be held in the School-room, Ormond, on Sunday next, by the Key. J. McAra, at 11 a.m. We observe by our telegrams that the 'Frisco mail has arrived in Auckland. The Gisborne portion may be expected by the Arawata to-morrow. Mr. W. Brassey, solicitor, will, we learn, stand his candidature at the forthcoming elections as one to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of three of the Borough Councillors who go out by rotation. We have not heard of any one who is likely to oppose Captain Porter's re-election as Mayor. Tom Margetts takes a benefit to-morrow night in the Masonic Hall, where there will be a promenade concert, in which he will appear in several of his popular and amusing characters. A special prize ot a sUver watch in addition to the nsual prizes is to be won during the evening. The Gisborne Branch of the Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society Will celebrate its fifth anniversary by a ball, to beheld on Friday, the Ist of October next, in the Masonic Hall. The active manner with which the members of the Committee are proceeding in the Work at its initiation augurs well for its successful issue. A large number of invitations have been issued and been accepted by ladies residing .in both town and country. We have every reason to anticipate a brilliant, sociable, and pleasant gathering on the pccasion. The monthly inspection parade of .the Town Detachment J. Battery was held i last night, in the Drill-shed: The corps, i mustered about forty members, the band : also in full strength being present. Intne absence of the Inspecting officer, the officer commanding— Captain Wintor— put the Company through various exercises. On Sunday next, the29bh mat., there will be a Church parade, at 10.30. a.m. Messrs. Garrett Bros, announce through our columns a genuine cheap sale of boots and shoes, to suit the times, fora period of three weeks, commencing from this date.Being their own tanners and manufacturers, they are enabled to offer a very superior article at greatly reduced prices, and consequently can compete with any other house in the Colony. Messrs. Garrett Bros, is a firm which has now acquired deserved I celebrity in all the principal ■ towns;of . the Nof thlslan'd, where branches: of their business have been' established.. The quality and durability of the boots and shoes manufactured by them are unsurpassed, and .are the theme of favorable comment by. all who have extended them their pataronge. As an example of successful colonial industry this firm is entitled to receive prominent mention, and if for nothing else, than the fact that they do from locally procured material produce an article equal & not superior, in finish and wear to that imported, while at the same time they apply their capital to the profitable employment of labor in the Colony, thus doing •'the greatest good to the greatest number in oui\ midst. The Rangitikei Advocate has the following :_F6r fche multiplicity of his resources uratime of trouble a colonial school boy cannot be" excelled. Illustrative of this fact, we give the following conversatson, as it occurred in one of our schools the other day. Master— "Why did you not come to school yesterday ?" Boy-S pose I must do what father tells me." Master— "You must obey my orders, sir.' Boy— ■ men I must play truant from home next time they want to keep me?". Master—- No/ you must bring a note in explanation next day.'-' Boy-(gleefully)-" Then I must write it myself, 'cos father arid mother can't write a word. A Maori girl, named Te Oriori, was charged at Foxton on Thursday with escaping from the lock-up. The solicitor who appeared for the defence pointed that the law made no provision for punishing a person who was arrested and escaped fromgaol prior to being brought before the court, although it was very strict as regards escaping from gaol after committal, andeven as regards escaping from a constable on the way tothe gaol. The Bench upheld the objection, and discharged the girl. Strange to say, however, they committed for trial a man who had assisted the girl to escape— another extraordinary instance of "Justices' justice." The Hawke's Bay Herald, in the course of an article strongly attacking the Audit Department, tells the following story :— i "A tradesman in Napier had an account for about £30 against ; the Government. After waiting some time, as is the usual experience of those who want money from the New Zealand Government, a cheque for the amount came down. It was duly countersigned and paid.- The surprise of the tradesman may be conceived when, two or three months afterwards, he received a severe letter from the department concerned, saying that on several items of the account there had been an overcharge, and that this excess would be deducted. Enclosed was a second cheque for the amount, less the deductions. He was honest enough to return the cheque at once, pointing out that the account had already been paid in lull. He has not -since heard anything about the overcharge." ' -'CX j