LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1318, 11 May 1881, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the Borough Council Chambers last night, there was a full attendance of Councillors ; this being the first occasion for a very long time past of every member sitting in hi« place. The public also took a lively interest in the proceedings, the chamber, being thronged by anxious tenderers and those who are directly or indirectly interested iv the Waerenga-a-hika metal contract. On the tenders being opened, Councillors appeared astonished at the low rates stated by the tenderers, which are far below the estimates which had been anticipated. The competition was keen, the prices per cubic yard varying from 4s H, the highest, to 3s the lowest. There was considerable discussion as to whether they should accept the lowest tender or one where the contractor had the ability to carry out the work satisfactorily. Cr. Ward argued that it would be unwise to accept the lowest, and stated he was in favor of a man of experience in large contracts like Mr. Davis getting the contract. Cr. Bennett was averse from departing from the rule which had been laid dowu by that body of accepting the lowest tender. The question was fairly argued and the decision arrived at was the acceptance of the lowest tender. Previous to the opening of the tenders the question of liability of contractor for wages of men employed by sub-contractors, was entered into, and pointed reference made to the very great injustice inflicted on the laborers of the sub-contractors for the Ormond Main Road. Tlw ppinion of the Council was, that it was then too Jate to insert fresh clauses bearing on this question in the conditions. His Worship the Mayor hoped that as publicity had been given to the fact, there would be tt better understanding in the relations existing between the employers and em.ployed. *ad that the latter would before accepting work protect themselves when engaging with a aub-contraptor. We are iuformed that the arrangement of the terms on which the injunction on the Whatapoko Block is based, will be settled to-morrow. The S.S. Rosina sailedjithis morning for Tologa Bay. There Honors Judges Heale aud O'Brien and staff were passengers.

We regret to hear through our telegrams that Mr. Newton, of the firm of Messrs. Winter and Haig, has lost his wife, through the result of an accident on board the s.s. Potosi at Adelaide. She was coming out accompanied by two children to join her husband in Gisborne. The first intimation he received of the accident was sent yesterday, telling him to prepare for the worst, and to-day 's telegram announcing the news of her death confirmed his anxious forebodings. Particular^ aa yet have not reached Gisborne.

The formation of a Gas Company for Gisborne is on the tapis, Mr. Wm. Clarke, the promoter, being occupied during the last two days in ascertaining the probable amount of gas likely to be consumed at business establishments, and private residences in town. The support which he has hitherto received is very encouraging, and before long the prospectus of the Company will 1)3 issue). He intends that the operation of the Company shall embrace the production of gas and the refining of paraffin, the gas to be produced from the material which is now known to exist in large quantities at the South Pacific Petroleum Company's works.

At the R.M. Court yesterday, His Worship sat uninterruptedly from 10 a.m. to (5 p.m., in order to dispose of the long list of civil cases that were set down for hearing. Besides those reported in our yesterday's issue there were two other cases heard. McLean, Trustee in Hardy's Estate, v. Gruuer, a claim for £14, the balance of the moneys derived from the sale of certain sheep seized and sold under distress warrant. Mr. Turton appeared for the Trustee and Mr. Rees for Mr. Gruner. The case was adjourned for one month pending the decision of the Supreme Court in an action concerning the same property. Tho other action was brought by Read's Trustees against Fitzgerald and Brown, claiming £20 damages for illegal impounding cattle from the property known as the Island, situated at Waerenga-a-hika. Wi Haronga, who has an interest in the land as joint tenant, stated that he gave defendants permission to use his name in impounding the cattle. Mr. Brassey contended that the question of title having been raised, the jurisdiction of the Court was ousted, and after some further argument by Mr. Rees (who appeared for the plaintiffs) in support of the claim, the Court decided that it had no jurisdiction.

Elder J. C. Ferris, of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, addressed a meeting of a fair proportion of the Gisborne residents yesterday. His arguments were the usual ones in these lectures. The so-called lecture itself commenced with, and ended with prayer for the well-being of this community. Nebuchadnezzar's dream is according to Elder Ferris, responsible for the Mormon religion, together with all its surroundings. The image of various metals, but with feet of iron and clay, represents the various changes of the different Dynasties of the world ; eventuating in the power of Great Britain being characterised as the Kingdom of Iron, and America (or Amerikey !) being the feet of clay. He finished his argument by asserting that the "stone" of Mr. N.s dream, which destroyed the image, and occupied the Government of the world, and was to last for ever, was The Mormon Religion". With the death of St. John on the Isle of Patmos, all inspired exponents of the true Gospel ceased to exist. From that time until 1839, when Joe Smith came to the fore, this world had been in au utterly benighted state. Now 1 there is a chance for us ! — Let us go to Utah ! We do not think that this particular Latter Day Saint quite understands his business. He expatiated considerably on the future of this district in the matter of oil, &c, and then he asks us to abandon all this and go to Zion, where they are all " brothers and sisters," and take their meals 175 at a time. Query — Who washes up tlie dishes ? I may mention that Elder Ferris finished up by informing us that if he had not succeeded in convincing us by the arguments he had used, we might — all " Go langf"