LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1138, 4 October 1880, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The "fourth" of the month, we are informed, has been satisfactory to-day. Gisborne is recovering its former firmness and stability, aud things for the best are looming iv the immediate future. What has become of our cricketers ? The fine weather has now set in, and yet there is no word of cricket being commenced. If our players intend doing anything during the forthcoming season, a start ought to be made at once. We understand a ground has been made at Te Hapera, which would doubtless be placed at the disposal of tht club by Mr. W. L. Rees, which gentleman we believe is one of the best cricketers in New Zealand. A very serious accident most unfortunately occurred yesterday morning, to Mr. John Fergusson, senr., on the station of Messrs. Harris & Fergusson, Te Arai. Mr. Fergusson was riding on saddle in company with Mr. E. Harris, when his horse fell, and unseated the rider. One foot became fixed in the stirrup and he was dragged for a ' considerable distance. In his efforts to free himself, Mr. fergusson received two severe kicks which caused a fracture of the ribs, and it is greatly feared the bonea have penetrated the lungs. Dr. Percy, who fortunately happened to be near the spot at the time, immediately gave his professional assistance ; and iv the afternoon the sufferer received the attention of Dr. Pollen. _Mr. Fergusson now lies iv a very precarious condition. In answer to " Enquirer," whose lettei appeared in our Saturday's issue, we have to state that the boat race between Hanlan and Elliot was rowed on the Tyne river, New Castle, England. There is on view at the studio of Mr. C. P. Browne, photographer, an enlarged photograph, mounted in oil colors, of the child of Wi Paraone, which, for finish and tint, is superior to most enlargements of the like kind we have seen. The picture represents the child life size, and delineates every expression of feature with au accuracy which is marvellous considering that the copy sent for enlargement was very much faded and indistinct. It has been produced to the order of Mr. C. P. Browne .by Mr. Arnold of Auckland, the same artist who excuted the portrait of the late Dr. Nesbitt which adorns the Poverty Bay Club Sitting room. As a work of art it is well worth inspecting. It - will, we understand be on riew this week. At the supper given by Mr. Allan McDonald to the members of the Turanganui Caledonian Club, on Thursday evening last it was decided to give a complimentary dinner in honor of Mr. W. L. Rees, as a slight recognition of the valuable services rendered by him towards settling the titles to Native lauds in this district. The dinner has been arranged to take place at the Masonic Hotel on Thursday evening next, the 7th Inst., at 7 p.m., and, as the affair is not to be considered exclusive of any persons outside of the members of the Caledonian Club, we are requested to announce that any of Mr. Rees friends and well wishers may take part in it. Tickets may be obtained from Mr. D. Page or any members of the Committee of the Caledonian Club. The nomination of Sylvia which was taken for the Prince of Wales Birthday races, subject to tne approval of the Committee has, on the decision of the Committee, been refused, in consequence of the disqualification of that horse by the Poverty Bay Turf Club. Attention has been drawn (says an English paper) to the openings presented by many of our colonies for the cultivation of the cork tree. The small experiments in the Colony of Victoria show that the young saplings grew there at the rate of four feet a year. There are many 'parts of Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa where this majestic tree would thrive, and where, with proper cultivation, it would prove a great source of wealth. The demand for cork in all brances of the mechanical and industrial arts is largely increasing, and, except for recent precautionary measures takeu forthe preservation of the planations in Spain, France, and Algeria, would considerably outrun the supply. If only for their own needs, and without any view tr> an export trade, our subtropical colonies would do well to turn their attention to the production of cork.