LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1491, 2 December 1881, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Surveyor-Ceneral, Mr. McKerrow, who is on a visit to this uistrict, in compauy with Mr. Barnard, luspector ot Suiveys, met the Public Works Committee of the Cook Comity Council, iv refi-reuoe to tau expenditure of ttie £4001) voted last session for the Giaborue-Wairou ruad. Mr. McKerrow said tlie vote was luteuded to be expended for the purpose of opeuiu^ up the Crowu lauds on mat live. There were two very valuable blocks in the Wairua County, the itakituai aud another, and theretore the greater part of the expeuditure would be required for the country between Te Keiuga aud the Wairoa, and very little would be left for any part of the road near the townships at either end. The vote is totally inadequate for the gr«.at length of road, supposing that a track was ouiy made auiUuie tor a bullock dray. The Chairman wished it to be seen that it tlie £40U0 was expended on the hills, the uiouey would lie partly thrown away, as it would not be possible to cross tlie fl-Us uuless iv summer. The Surveyor-General while promising to convey tho wishes of the Council to Mr. Kolieaton at the same tune gave it as his opinion that in the rich flat of Paiutahi cue Council should tind the uiouey for any improvements, aud leave the votes of the Assembly for making the iulaud or hill districts. In reference to the vote for the Opotiki road, the mteution of the Government was to clear bush on hue of present track for a chain wide, aud make the line available for stuck driving. The Survey n< General promised immediately upon his return to Wellington to explain the matter ot these roads to Mr. Kollestou, and he said ttiat the works would be commenced immediately upon the necessary measurements aud levels beiug taken. The construction of the Wairoa Kuad would be done through the County, and tnose to Upotiki and Wanuata would be carried out by the Survey Deuanneut, the Government taking this as au equitable principle. A special meeting of the Borough Council was hol'l on Tuesday last, at which tenders were opened aud accepted, and a chscussiou took place relative to Oxenhaui's coDtract. The tender of J. Thompson, for the punt, to be constructed iv accordance with the now plans and specification, was accepted, the sum beiug £52 10s. The teuder of D. McCarthy, for tho removal of the rails from the Kaiti Beach, for £23 19s, was accepted. The. total of the custom duties levied at the port for the month of November exceeds in amount that for a like period any time these past two years. The iucrease is principally noticed in the ad-valorem duties, indicating that a larger direct import trade is being conducted by our merchants. The cricket match between the Town and Country will take place at the Hapen Ground to-morrow, at 12.30. As traps will be laid on at low fare of Is, return trip, it is expected that a good few of the public will avail themselves of the opportunity of witnessing ths game. A telegram receivod from Mr. Locke this morning mentions that he will addross the Wairoa electors this evening. Tho candidate had been most favorably received. Mr. Locke is accompanied by Captain Ferris, who is well known and much respected by the settlers in that portion of the electorate. The local agent of the New Zealand Loan aud Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), had received the following telegram from London under date 20th ult. : — Wool sales progress (irmly, Home buyers purchasing freely; but continental demands is limited. Scoured, combing, washed, and new clip greasy have advanced ono penny per pound, long staples, in<;riuo, aud crossbred, have advanced half penny to one penny per pound since close of last sales." A sitting of the R.M. Court was held to-day, beforo Captain Preece, R.M. The only case set down for hearing was 11. Trimmer v. Twnati K.iraka, claim £19, for which judgment was given for the plaintiff with costs. The Union Steam Shipping Company have reduced the fares for passenger traffic during the holiday st-ason. Tho reduction oointnence on the Ist June, and will continue until the end of March. We learn from telegraphio source, that Captain Porter has about concluded a very satisfactory election tour, and may be looked for in Gisborne by the first boat from the South. His addresses have throughout been well received, and appear to have given great satisfaction. Tho various meetings have been orderly and numerously attended.

Wb are furnished by the Yen. Archdeacon Williams with the following particulars of rainfall :— For October 295 inches ; for November, 469 ; from January to November iuclusivo, .'IVBB inches. Maximum temperat\ire in tin? shade during November, 75 de^s, f.ilirenheit ; moan of maximum readings, 68 deg ; minimum during the month. 38 degs ; mean of minimum readings, 50 degs. The highest temperature was nee- led on the 18th, and the lowest on the nigbt of the 20th. The Hospital Sports Committee liavo decided to allow the Champion Swimming match to be held to-morrow afteruoon, at 4 o'clock, if there are a sufficient number of entries, the prize being the Cup donated by Messrs Nolan and Braasey. The course will be from the Ferry to the Oisborne Wharf. This event will come off just boforo the final heat of the boat race. We would draw the attention of the Stewards of the Waerenga-a-hika Jockey Club and others interested, to the alteration of the time ami placo of the meeting of the stewards. It Una been deemed desirable to postpone the meeting till the electioneering crisis has been tided orer. We remind our readers of the sale to be held at the mart of Messrs Pitt and Bennett, of the Patutahi educational reserves ; after which th y will offer the lease of some valuable sections. At I' 2 o'clock they will sell a four wheeled dog cart, and at 2 p.m. sheets, bags, &c, for the forthcoming grass seed harvest. We call attention to Messrs. Bourke Smith &, Co.'s land sale at 2.30 p.m. tomorrow, at which some valuable sections iv and about (iisliorue will bo offered.