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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 158, 11 April 1874, Page 2

On Dit.—Southern papers report Major Pitt as having “ retired from the Turf,” and taken to sheep-farming.

Earthquake.—We are informed that a very lively earthshock took place on Sunday afternoon last, felt principally in the town of Gisborne, and lasted some seconds.

Ormond Garrick Club. —We are reluctantly compelled to hold over our notice of the very successful performance given by the Ormond Garrick Club on Wednesday evening last, until Tuesday next. In the meantime we offer the Club our warmest congratulations.

The Rev. Father Simpson.—We have been requested to state that this rev. gentleman started for the Wairoa on Monday last, a portion of the district assigned to his spiritual care. He is expected to be absent for a few weeks.

” Waiting for the Shot.”—A pen and ink sketch very faithfully and artistically copied from an engraving of the above subject, is now on view in the town, and will well repav an inspection. It is the work of a very estimable member of the detachment of the Armed Constabulary Force stationed at Ormond—Mr. F. Helps, and as a feat of penmanship does him infinite credit. lhe picture is mounted, and enclosed in a handsome frame, and is to be raffled for at the Argyll Hotel in a few days. Immigration Agent.—We learn that the Road Board have temporarily appointed Mr. W. Smith to select a few immigrants, and otherwise to represent this district in making known the wants of the settlers in this respect, during his stay in Auckland. Mr. Smilh was a passenger by the Pretty Jane yesterday, and we think the duty could not have been entrusted to better hands. Mr. Smith is nn old settler, and is as well acquainted with the subject as any one can be. The Census.—The following items in connection with the census returns will be interesting. In Auckland the returns of eight districts are in. They show an increase 2,753 souls over last census. Six returns have y .41 0 come j n . The Waikato shows the largest mcrei> M 1,311. The population of < ie province of Wellington is over 20,000, and • are nofc all in - lhe ?? P r ± Uon yVeHington city is nearly LIjUUU. Jhe increase of population for Otago, since last census, so far as is known, ■imotttds to about 12,000.

Napier Rifle Volunteers —This Corps, originally formed in August, 1863, has, after near 11 years’ vicissitude of flood and field, come to grief. We are not at all surprised at this ; of late years it has been badly officered, and has been Close on dissolution for some lime past. Brains, minus pluck, may keep a Company together in times of peace. Phick without brains will generally work its way in times of trouble, but officers who have neither must not only come to unmitigated shame themselves, but, unfortunately, drug others after them.

Svicide.—M’Dermott, who attempted to commit suicide at Mr. Scott’s station the other day, has been removed to town for medical assistance. Dr. Nesbitt has with great difficulty succeeded in sewing up the severe lacerations which had been inflicted. It certainly seems to be unaccountable how so much injury can be inflicted without being instantly effective. Long deep gashes traverse the arch of the throat from ear to ear, just missing the jugular artery, and but slightly incising the wind pipe. Should erysipelas not supervene, the patient may recover, but his present condition is an extremely critical one. Roads.—The Road Board, we learn, have decided on metalling some considerable portion of the trunk line between Gisborne and Ormond, a work much needed in view of the approaching winter. The work is to be let in small but conveniently sized contracts, so as to secure as much being simultaneously done as possible. The sum of £554 recently paid to the Board’s credit, by the Provincial Treasurer will be available for that purpose, but will not go far in the costly production of metal. A good stretch of road is in process of formation between King’s Mill and Saunders’ Hotel, doing away with the numerous poles, sticks, and tree stumps which, hitherto, have made the Ormond road a terra of terrors. 1 hat portion from Higgins’ Hotel to Espie’s corner is also to be re-formed, a work much requi'-ed. At the present time, the roads in the district are in capital order for travelling. New Tax.—The Provincial Council of Taranaki has passed an Act legalizing the imposition of a fee of £lO on all strangers opening shops in that province! What a barbarous invitation to settlement! The old accusation, with a variation, riseth up against the political latitudinarians of Taranaki: “1 was a stranger and ye took me in ” to the tune of £lO. Sureley the Arcadians of that beautiful province cannot seriously mean to stifle the introduction of new blood in this fashion ? If so, for their own sake, the sooner the right to do so, is negatived by the Governor’s disallowance of the Bill, the better. We much question the right of any Government to place such an embargo on the liberty of Her Majesty’s subjects, more particularly these Pedlington associations of local jealousies called Provincial Governments.