THE WEEK.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 11, 16 May 1885, Page 2

THE WEEK.

In the case Common and Co. v. Sheehey heard at the R. M. Court on Tuesday some peculiar facts were elicited. It appeared from the defendants statement that some time ago he had asked Mr. Wallace storekeeper, at Ormond, to cash a £ll cheque, but the latter, on searching his cash box, said he only had one pound and a cheque for A - which Sheehey agreed to take and call for the remaining the next day. The next day, on the latter going into the shop he found Mr. Wallace engaged with some ladies and again went away for two or three days. The next time he called Mr. Wallace was out and he took some goods. Some time after, finding he did not get the money, he got more goods and then asked for his account, which he found came to fifi, some odd shillings. On offering the odd shillings to Mr. Wallace with the remark that they were now square, the latter denied ever owing the £-$, and eventually proceedings were taken by Common and Co. for the recovery

of the same. In the course of the hearing Mr. H. E. Kenny, who appeared for the defendant, asked for a nonsuit on the grounds that Sheehey was never indebted to Messrs. Common and Co. The goods had been obtained from Mr. Wallace, whose name appeared over the store, and who drew cheques and paid accounts, &c. In support of the case Mr. Wallece said he only received a share of the profits and that the business belonged entirely to Messrs. Common and Co. The Bench disallowed the application for a nonsuit and gave judgment for plaintiffs in the full sum of A 3 3 s - 9d.

A report of Tuesday’s meeting of the Harbor Board will be found on the fourth page of this issue. We hear that Mr. Kenny is likely to receive a Judgeship before long.

The subdivision of Nuhaka No. 2 Block, having been set down for Wairoa, has caused much discontent amongst the natives interested in the case.

Sir George Grey addressed a public meeting at Auckland on Monday last. At its conclusion the following resolution was carried unanimously : —“ That this meeting tenders its hearty thanks to Sir George Grey for his address; that it places the utmost confidence in him as leader of the Liberal party in New Zealand ; and that it also expresses its opinion that such a leader should be supported by every man in the colony who wishes for the welfare of his fellow colonists.”

Mr Thomas Macfarlane, Trustee in Bankruptcy and Curator of Intestate Estates, died in the Auckland Hospital on Monday, from injuries sustained through being knocked down by a train on the Tuesday previous.

The man Maxwell, charged with committing a murder at St. Louis, is to be brought up at the Auckland Police Court to-day.

The Bryce-Rusden Commission commenced its sitting at Wanganui on Tuesday.

The annual general meeting of the Gisborne Acclimatisation Society, was to have been held on Tuesday last, but lapsed for want of a quorum. At the Harbor Board meeting on Tuesday night it was decided to take over the weighbridge from the Borough Council. The election of two members to the Waimata Road Board will take place on Wednesday next. Messrs. Taylor, Coleman, Gannon, and Caulton have been nominated.

Mr McDeavitt had a narrow escape from a serious accident on Wednesday last. While walking down one of the wings of the new bridge he lost his balance, and had to jump a distance of about twelve feet.

At Christchurch on Tuesday an accident happened, whereby two children lost their lives. It appears that a man named Briggs and his wife left home about 10 o’clock in the morning, their three children remaining behind. Mrs Briggs returned about 2, and found the house full of smoke. The eldest child, a boy four years of age, was charred to a cinder, while the youngest was burnt severely about the lower part of the body, and has since died.

The monthly meeting of the Library Committee was held on Wednesday evening, when the librarian stated that 11 new names had been added during the month, making a total of 93 subscribers.

On Thursday a boy named Markey was riding down Gladstone road, when his horse bolted and threw him off. In falling he was struck by the horse, receiving a slight cut on the head. At Dunedin on Wednesday a boy named Leary had his right thnmb blown off through an explosion of gunpowder. At Geraldine (Canterbury) on Wednesday a man named Charles Trengrove was committed for trial on a charge of murdering his wife. A petition from the residents in Grey Street, praying that the unsightly and dangerous ditch known as the Grey Street drain may be filled in, will be presented at the next sitting of the Borough Council. The pathway on the Eastern side, owing to slips, has become absolutely dangerous and we have heard of several people falling in during the past dark nights.

The Borough advertising and printing for the year ending March, 1884, cost X"45 2s 2d; whilst that for a like period ending March, 1885, cost Z 93 17s 6d, or rather more than double the previous year. This is how the overdraft is accumulated ! The announcement that Mr. F. W. Skeet has been awarded the Law Society’s gold medal for the highly meritorious manner in which he passed his law examinations, must prove a source of great congratulation, not alone to his immediate friends, but also to the whole district, which is honored thereby. This is the second time in succession that Gisborne has carried off the hicfew honors, Mr Chrisp having taken*the Certificate of Merit last term. We wish that a bright and prosperous future career may reward Mr. Sheet’s studies, and that lie may prove that something good can even come out of Nazareth.

The Watchman of May 9, says :— “We have received a copy of The Poverty Bay Independent, the latest addition to the list of periodicals published in this Colony. We glean from its leading articles that it is sound on the leading questions which are agitating the Liberal minds at this time. We trust it will remain true to its colors and aid us in impregnating the mind of the public with sound opinions on the land question, plural voting, &c.” Our zealous contemporary need have no fear as to our loyalty to the cause we have espoused, even though we experience the fact that Poverty Bay Liberalism is to be measured by the sum of 2s 6d per quarter.

Mr. John Cohen, who leaves by the next boat for Melbourne, was entertained at the Royal last night by a few friends. A presentation of a handsome album was made in token of the good will and esteem in which his friends held him.

The great co-operation scheme is fast emerging from the misty halo of philanthropy in which it has been sought to disguise it, and the cunning wolf is slipping off the lamb skin. It is understood that as a set off to his disinterested efforts, Mr Rees has reluctantly(?) agreed to accept £lOOO shares and 10 per cent royalty on all profits, as a slight acknowledgment for showing the working man how he can be gulled by claptrap and humbug. The enquiry into the cause of the stranding of the schooner Comet, commenced some days ago, was concluded yesterday, and resulted in the captain having to pay the costs, /"is. The youngest son of Mr Finn had a narrow escape from being poisoned on Thursday last, through eating matches. Dr. Innes was soon in attendance, and the child has now recovered.

A boy named Kissling, while out shooting at the Tamaki (Auckland) on Thursday afternoon, in company' with another boy. was accidentally shot in the head by his companion, death being instantaneous.

At the Phoenix goldmine, Dunedin, two men named Mitchell, father and son, were killed on Thursday while taking out quartz.

The attendance at the J Battery gymnasium is steadily increasing, and the institution is already one of the most popular ones ever started in Gisborne. A visit will amply demonstrate that our youths are by no means deficient in courage and skill —the two great requ ; - sites in athleticism—and under the able tuition of Mr. Croft and the instructor, will shortly turn out excellent gymnasts. The paraphernalia is most complete, trapeze, hand swiugs, jumping guages, vaulting poles, horizontal bars high adfe low, giant strtdes, single sticks, boxing gloves, dumb bells, &c. On looking in the other da)' we found about thirty going through a sort of “ follow-me-leader” performance, which consisted of leaping, flying, and turning somersaults in every conceivable manner, and it was truly astonishing to witness the agility displayed by most of the performers. Others were slashing away right and left at free play with single sticks. Others less advanced were going through the “ seven cuts and guards, three points and parries,” whilst others were studying the noble art of self-defence with the gloves. Others, again, were hanging from aloft by their feet, hands, and eyebrows, in such a mysterious manner as to make one think he was standing in the monkey house at the Zoo. All those who have the well-being and healthy training of our rising generation at heart should gladly welcome and encourage an institution which is the only healthy antidote to more vicious pastimes.

The following is a list of the civil business transacted at the R.M. Court during t e week: —-Stephenson v. Rangatiwarua, £i Judgment by default; Common and Co. v. Sheehey, £$ 3s 9d, judgment for plaintiffs; Finucane v. Poulgrain, claim £7 12s. 6d., judgement for plaintiff; Common and Co. >v. Poulgrain, claim /"6i 19s. 1 id., judgment for plaintiff ; Keily v. Swainson, claim £l6 14s. 3d., judgment for the amount.

Sportsmen’s attention is directed to the notification that the native who won frp remarkable shooting match a d bought his ammunition and Croll's store.

Daniel Ryan, aged 13, received 12 strokes of the birch rod for stealing a hat from Mr Cantie’s drapery shop.

The Ormond Volunteers now numbering 45. were sworn in by Mr. Locke last Saturday.

Four men were drowned in the Thames river, on Monday last, through the capsizing of a boat. At Greymouth, on Saturday last, a storekeeper named Stephen Walsh, was drowned in the Nelson Creek.

At Sofia, in Bulgaria, a number of soldiers outraged a governess and lady’s maid in the employ of the British Consular agent.

At Omaru, on Saturday, a Mr. E. S. Lees was found dead in his room.

The enrolment of the Militia seems to have suddenly aroused a large amount of military ardour in the breasts of those liable to serve, as shown by the impetus volunteering has received of late. Within a few days the Defence * Office have received no less than 78 offers from new Volunteer corps tendering their services. We hear that Captain Ferris and Mr. Dufaur had a narrow escape on Thursday. As they were driving across the Whautopoko the horse shied and run them into a fence, throwing them both out. A few bruises was the only result.

A native named Albert, while out shooting at Te Aria on Thursday met with a painful accident by the bursting of his gun, whereby a portion of his right hand was blown away.

As will be seen by an announcement in another column, Mr. G. Burnand will on and after the first of June, run a daily coach between Matnwhero and Gisborne. There is little doubt but what Mr. Burnand. who is so well and favorably known to all residents of this district, will receive that amount of patronage which he deserves, and we wish him everv success.