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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 46, 23 April 1873, Page 2

We regret to learn that the accident which befell the respected RM., at Waiapu, 3. H. Campbell Esq., some time since, is likely to confine him from active work for some considerable period. We observe in last Saturday’s minutes of the Road Board that that body have agreed to pay Mr. Daly five shillings for spreading a load of gravel on the 14 harf road. Their worst enemies cannot accuse them of undervaluing the dignity of labor.

Pound.—lt is only a fair inference to draw that the little difficulty of settling the Pound question without recourse to law, has now been overcome. By the proceedings of the Road Board published to-day it will be seen that Mr. Dalziell has intimated his intention of opening that institution from the 18th. Road Board Engineer.—lt is currently reported that Mr. R. M. Skeet has been appointed Engineer to the Road Board, vice Mr. Drummond, resigned, Should this be the fact, we cannot see the object of keeping it from the record ; and we congratulate • Mr. Skeet on his appointment, than whom it would be difficult to find one better qualified for the position.

Amusements. — Information came to hand by the last mail from Napier to the effect that the Mammoth Troupe, now playing in that town, intend visiting Poverty Bay shortly; preparations are already being made in the Music Hall for their reception. The Ormond Garrick Club and the Gisborne amateurs also have bills of fare in active preparation for the approaching festive season—the 24th of May.

Gisborne Band. —The zealous members of this new institution are remarkably diligent. Not an evening has passed since their formation —Sundays excepted —in which they have not been heard blowing away most indefatigably. A strict Shaksperian reader here amongst us says that they make the “ nights hideous ;” but in this it is to be hoped they will be forgiven if they keep their promise and help us to pass the nights pleasantly by and bye. A new instrument, we understand, came to hand by the last steamer. —

. OUb. ExcHANGES.-j-We can only assume that our friends north and south forward their exchanges for the Standard pretty regularly, and as they may be under the impression that they arrive in due course, it is as well to draw their attention to the fact that they do not. Our own are posted regularly and may, perhaps, share the same fate. By the last mail from the South the files—irregular and ancient—were useless; while that from the North, after an interval of two or three weeks, brought one Bay of Plenty Times, three Waikato Times, a full file of New Zealand Heralds, none from the Thames, and not a single copy of the Southern Cross. We do not blame our friends, as we firmly believe the fault lies with the Post offices ; this is manifest when it is made to appear that Otago papers come in the Auckland mail and vice versa.

To Country Subscribers.—An apology is due to our country subscribers —as also an explanation from ourselves relative to the non-delivery of some portion of last Wednesday’s files. The packets for the four receiving houses along the Ormond road left our office by half-past 9 o’clock in the morning; and those for Mr. Hird at Matawhero, were delivered in town to a resident there, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and, considering that both the parties obliging us are subscribers, we can only regret the unfortunate circumstance of their forgetfulness. Our desire is very great on each issuing day to get the Standard despatched as early as possible, and by the most reliable means. It is simply impossible in the early days of country settlement to ensure a never-failing delivery without Postoffice machinery; but we will use our best endeavors to attain to that satisfactory condition of affairs as early as possible. In the meantime we can only ask of those who are desirous of serving us in this matter, that they will please to. recollect that we are not the only sufferers from the miscarriage of our customers’ favors. We shall be happy to supply any dates so short delivered. Quadrille Party.—One of the most attractive and pleasant recreations which society, in these days, readily and cheerily enters upon is dancing. The formation of a Quadrille party (We adopt this term in opposition to what may be looked upon by some as a mere Casino) has been talked of for some time; and the building of the Hall, the only one remaining requirement left for the accomplishment of it. The Hall is now at the disposal of the public, and we have a prospect of the band or some portion of it, being in working order by the time the arrangements are completed. Our own proposal would be, were we asked, that a committee of private gentlemen do undertake the collection of the names of as many aa desire to aid in such a social scheme. That the subscription be, say, 5s a month, to begin with. That, what is conveniently known as a Bread and Butter dance take place periodically, terminating not later than 12 o’clock at night. That only members be admitted; and that it be one of the objects of the “Party” to encourage a better acquaintance with figure dancing than is generally to be met with—and which cannot be well practised if but imperfectly understood —in public assemblies. Such a plan would, we think, meet with universal support, and be the means of infusing a feeling of good fellowship amongst the inhabitants

Mr. Peacock, the Sheep inspector at Napier, has recently reported to the Government of Hawke’s Bay upon a series of experiments he has made with a view of ascertaining the results from sheep fanners shipping their sheep to the Auckland market for slaughter, as compared with what they would be by boiling down, or meat preserving at home. We are glad to sec that the report is in favor of the home trade, as this is a question that must occupy the attention of our own flockowners before many years are past; and the proper means to be adopted towards utilizing capital by an expansion or establishment of local industries cannot be too assiduously cultivated. It is a question, it is true, tliat can be shelved for a time; so thought the Hawke’s Bay wool-growers; but it has been forced upon them atratn, by cumulative arguments and facts which cannot be denied: indeed, with antipodean markets gaping for our supplies, it is a pity that they should be. We append so much of the report as has been published, and commend it to the careful attention of all concerned “ The first vat contained fifty-five Merino wethers, aged respectively as follows: 40 just full-mouthed, 11 six years old, and 4 two-tooth. They averaged 91 bs caul and loose inside fat. The average weight of carcase was 611bs. The total net yield of tallow was 1,5611b5, or an average of 281bs 6oz per sheep. The second vat contained thirty-seven cross-bred wethers, about i longwool and J Merino, aged respectively as follows: 26 six -tooth, 8 fourtooth, and 3 two-tooth. They averaged lOlbs caul and loose inside fat. The average weight of carcase was 741bs. The total net yield of tallow was 1,3831 be, or an average of 371bs 6oz per sheep. The third vat contained thirty-two cross-bred wethers, about t longwool and f Merino, aged respectively, as follows: 21 sixtooth, 9 four-tooth, and 2 two-tooth. They averaged 12£lbs caul and loose inside fat. The average weight of carcase was 801bs. The total net yield of tallow was 1,2521b5, or an average of 391bs 2oz per sheep. The fourth vat contained thirty half-bred wethers, aged respectively as follows: 24 six-tooth, and 6 fourthtooth. They averaged 13|lbs caul and loose inside fat. The average weight of carcase was 891bs. The total net yield of tallow was 1,4341b5, or an average of 471bs 14oz per sheep.—G-avin Peacock, Inspector of Sheep.”