BRIEF MENTION

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 12, 4 December 1880, Page 99

BRIEF MENTION

— What about that "man from America " —A. K. Dendy is " roughing it" a bit at Te Kopuru. — The member for Waitemata grows beautiful lemons. —•Charlie Weightman goes South, per " Wanaka" on Tuesday to join Cole's Circus. He is all right again.

■ — The Good Templars of the Thames are to be congratulated on the success of their mayoral Candidate.

— Mr. Woodhead Avrites to say he will probably be in town about Christmas. His friends will be very glad to see him.

— Wanted known. — The amount of coin Mrs. Arnold received as nett profit on the "aciduous" Hayter's lecture.

— The favored one, who received a "bouquet at ihe departure of the mission schooner for Norfolk Island, is still seen about town, though much depressed.

— The qiiantity of Kauri gum exported from Auckland up to November 30th, of the present year, was 4,245 tons, valued at about £21-2,250.

— At the Police Court on Thursday, a defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined by the Magistrate before the charge was read to him.

— The pleasure boat " Zoe, " disposed of on the Art Union principle last week, was won by Mr. E. Coleman, of Brighton.

— I am assured that there is some likelihood of a revival of the row at Beresford-street church — touching the gown.

— The mimerous fishing parties that were out last Tuesday had very bad luck, not one of them caught any fish.

—It is reported that J. A. Douglas, F. A. Whitaker, and young Stafford, hare bought, into the Prospector's claim at Te Aroha.

— A lady-assistant at Messrs. went almost mad when a fellow asked her if she had any nice dark-coloured kids.

— Don't kick a man when he's down if you can help it ; but don't kick him when he's up under any circumstances. He might kick back.

— The married folk of Cambridge, headed by the gallant Col. Lyon, gave a return ball to the bachelors on Thursday, the 2nd inst., in the Public Hall.

— "Willie Lynch, of the " Bellringers, " has been rather seriously ill with congestion of the lungs and is at present recruiting under the care of Dr. McCarthy, of Bangiora.

— Preceptors are not often very popular with their pupils, so it is pleasant to hear that a certain curly-headed French master is much liked and admired both by the ladies and gentlemen whom he teaches.

— Mr. Brame, in his last issue, refers to Popery as the " Red Dragon." Surely this is something quite new, at least I hare never seen the expression used before.

— Taui'anga is the proud possessor of a resident who, after consuming a large number of glasses of miscellaneous liquors during the day, can drink six pints of beer in succession.

— Mick Gallagher did not start for the mile race hist Saturday. He says that if the handicapper had given him 950 yards start instead of 150, he might have thought about it.

— The Ponsonby people are taking steps to prevent the granting of a license to the Suffolk Hotel. A petition measuring about ten yards in length is being hawked around the district.

— Lieutenant Bower, commander of H. M.S. Sandfly, who is reported to have been murdered at the Solomon Islands, took part in a boxing contest in Auckland about six months ago.

— At the Annual Gathering of the Wesleyan Sabbath Schools last' Sunday, the churchwardens were so "hard up " for collecting plates, that one poor fellow was obliged to use a coal-shovel.

— It is whispered that a prominent govern" ment official is to be clothed in the garment which i 8 called " the sack." There are great rejoicings in consequence.

— Efforts are being made to establish a juvenile branch of St. James' Association. Calvinistic orthodoxy will be a "sine qua non" to membership. No connection with the older and more popular association

The last new lawn tennis dress I have noticed is a marvellous combination. Imagine a skirt of white cricketing flannel, with a scarlet washerwoman, and a maroon jersey ! " Voila tout."

— On dit that a Saturday afternoon club, similar to that suggested in this "journal" several weeks ago, is in process of formation. Archory and croquet will be the principal features.

— The choir of St. James's Presbyterian Church will not be able to " show out " for a few weeks to come, owing to the fact that Mrs. Mitchell, the conductor, has gone on a trip to Norfolk Island.

— "Whangarei," writes a correspondent, "is a very pretty place, and fast rising into importance Its latest onward stride is the addition of another ' Storey' to the Post-office."

. — Notwithstanding all the fuss about the new diggings, one shrewd old digger informed me that Te Aroha was the hungriest country he had ever seen.

— Although the Rev. Mr. C ,of Hamilton, has used evory endeavour to discover further deposits of Kauri gum in St. Peter's Parsonage garden, he has so far been unsuccessful. The other prospectors have trone to Te Aroha.

— A Katikati correspondent writes : — " We are to have a telegraph station in the township at last The posts arrived to-day (Nov. 22), per steamer, to connect with the main line. The station is to be in the Government Buildings.

— The arms of the senior resident partner of McArthur and Co., bear the somewhat self-laudatory motto, "Miseris succurere disco." Those who know this gentleman's nature, say the legend is peculiarly applicable.

— Whangarei people are happy in the anticipation of a marriage in high life. The prospective bride ia Miss A— , while the intending bridgroom is Captam McA , a well-known and very popular skipper.

— Can it be true (but no, of course it can't) that the Chairman of the Harbour Board extended his hand at the landing of Sir Arthur Gordon, with the intention of welcoming His Excelloncy with a hoartv shake ?

— In reply to the frequent inquiry, " What's fresh?" a waterman on Thursday afternoon informed his questioner that " the ' Southern Cross' had just sailed for Norfolk Island, with a full cargo of journeymen soul savers I"

— "The Emperor Alexander of Russia, whose morganatic romantic marriage with the Princess Doleorouski is believed to be an accomplished fact.is not (says a cable despatch to the New Tori • Herald') much more faithful to his new wife than he was to hie old one. He has, it is stated, already formed a fresh liaison with a pretty Polish lady."

ful lemons.

— The Queen-street dressmaker, who keeps her young lodios at work after two on Saturday afternoons, is warned that she is infringing the "Factory Act," and may find herself in serious trouble unless the ouatom is discontinued. Let this be a warning.

— Some one has copied out and forwarded me any Gilbert's "Bab" ballad of Capt. Beece." I don't know whether the sender desired that it should be thought an original composition. If he did he must be an idiot as well as a fraud.

— "Man wants but little here below, but wants that little strong." The strongest and best boots for the working man are obtainable at Messrs. Garrett Bros., Wakefleld-street, who could have supplied all tho Prussian army hod they been asked.— [Advt.]

— Mr. Walther Nathan of Sydney, and Miss Nathan, who came over to recruit at the Waiwera Hot Springs, return honte per s.s. " Tararua." For the last fortnight, Mr. and Miss Nathan have been staying with Mrs. Coahel, at Harbour View House.

— Dr. Rawson, of New Plymouth, was married on Wednesday to Miss Courtenay, a native of the same town. The bride and her mother were up in Auckland buying the trosseau not many weeks ago, and made numerous frionds.

— That slimest of journalists, W. Bartleet Langbridge, has procured the right to represent three more leading colonial papers. Considering his great size and the hot weather, W. B. L. is the most energetic man I know. May the " Bureau " prosper.

t — A perfect galaxy of innocence, beauty and virtue did honour to the boll for diseased clergymen's daughters on Tuesday night. "Our most respected citizens" assembled in great force, and spent a very pleasant evening in harmless mirth and guileless gaiety.

— The Parnell Lawn Tennis Club gave a Bread and Butter Ball last week in lira. Clayton's new schoolroom. About twonty couples were present, and despite the warm woather, seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly.

— One of the motley throng who accompanied Sir Arthur Gordon up the wharf, hit oif rather neatly the appearance of that remarkable part of the proceedings, by saying " Blow, me Bill, if it doesn't look as if the P'lice was a taking of him to the lock-up !"

— " Sherwood" would greatly oblige by calling at the Observer office, or sending me his name and address. I should also like to know the person who sent in a little sketch, entitled, " John Bunyau— a suggestion for the next fancy ball."

— Joe Ellis, the popular host of the Commercial Hotel at Tauranga, intends retiring from business, and at the end of the present month transfers his house to Mr. Charles McLoughliu. Captain Ellis will still reside in the Bay of Plenty District.

— A dog-poisoner is abroad ! Mrs. R of Napier Street, lost a valuable animal lost week. Its death is laid at the door of an irascible "ex-milingtary " man who lives in the neighbourhood. He has declared war "a l'outrance " against the canine race, but I should advise him to beware of their masters.

—It is said that Major W ,of Waikato, with a view to letting the G.P. behold his beautiful gardens and shubberies, is about to give a grand gardenparty. The menu, will include a plenteous repast of strawberries, in the culture of which the worthy Major is unrivalled.

— The first remark made by Sir A rthur Gordon on landing was Ah ! expressive no doubt of his satisfaction at placing his foot on New Zealand soil. The second remark, so I am informed, was oqually briof, being Oh! uttered on tasting some whiskey from the Nevada Hotel. — [Advt.]

— The great success of Cole's Circus is mainly attributable to the liberal use of printer's ink. I hope Mr. De Lias will take a leaf out of Mr. Cole's book, so that the pitiable spectacle of a good actor and splendid elocutionist, like G. D. Chaplin, playing to empty benches, may not be repeated.

— Things are very bad up Dargaville way. The fraternity put the "pot" on Mata for the Melbourne Cup, and have now to suffer for the mistake. A friend writes that the gum-diggers are not likely to have much surplus cash this Christmas, so both publicans and storekeepers will suffer.

— The nephew of mine uncle made two ineffectual attempts to get introduced to Sir Arthur Gordon. Each time His Excellency deliberately ignored him, in fact, the cut direct could scarcely have been given more cruelly. I hear the Governor thought his name was made too free with at a certain banquet.

— The great Auckland and Waikato Company, which for some time had its eye upon a choice spot at Te Aroha, pegged out fifteen men's ground on Thursday morning, but to their astonishment found that at least three quarters of the amount was also included in tho claims of others, their own townies too. "Well may the big wigs say, " Save us from our friends."

-— The nerves of Mr. M , the exquisite hosier of Hamilton, received a severe shock on the morning following the opening of Te Aroha. Sleeping at the Nottingham Castle Hotel, he was horrified to observe a man come into his bedroom at dawn, and asked if he (Mr. M.) "had any objection to his turning in with him, for half-an-hour."

— An imbecile contributorsendsthefollowing TO BELLA. I'll winter night fair Isabel ; I'll spring upon my knees and tell No girl is hand summer than she. And that she autumn marry me.

— The tickets for the lawn tennis dance in Parnell, were not disposed of as quickly as was expected. The gentlemen bought theirs like men, but the ladies hung back. It is said several fair ones did not approve of the men invited, many of the best and pleasantest dancers being omitted from the invitation list. How much truth there is in this, I, of course, can't say.

— Mr. H. C. Brook, A. A., who really ought to try if he can't dispose of his second A for two "S.s," offered his gratuitous services to one of the suburban church choirs the other day, but, as he had made rude and uncalled for remarks about the singing of one of the the ladies of the choir, he was particularly requested not to come there again.

— Murdoch is the acknowledged champion batsman of the Australian Eleven, and ho obtained that proud position by sheer downright hard wort and practice, combined with using first-class material. Cricketers go and do likewise. Above all purchase your tools at Partridge and Woollams, who hare a first-class Bupply.— [Adyt.J

— Drake-street possesses a full fledged amateur cornet player, and that artists' neighbours axe so delighted with the sweet music he discourses to them, that they intend to present him with a testimonial in token of their esteem and regard. What form it is to take has not as yet been decided, but a small bottle of prussic acid for internal consumption haß been mentioned as peculiarly suitable.

— The breezy, wheezy and sneezy suburb of Ponsonby, can boast of three very pretty and very charming young married women. One is tall and slight, (perhaps a triflo too slight) and dark and graceful; the second is fair and fresh and Hebe looking ; the third is tall and fair, with delicate features, and altogether scrumptious. If I were Paris, and held the apple, and those three stood in a tableau before me, I should be awfully puzzled about its destination.

— A certain Captain well-known for his skill with the rod, invited two youthful members of the legal profession to a day's fishing on Tuesday last, and both of the guests promised their various friends a quantity of fish. The party caught nothing, and the legal luminaries got a most unmerciful chaffing at the club. The contents of the Captain's well filled hamper must, however, have made up for their want of sport. Better luck next time.

— A wealthy admirer of Mr. B 's was recently showing that distinguished scribe over his charming grounds near Remuera. In his garden he has set up at great expense a choice collection of statues. On these works of art the opinion of B was asked. He gave it frankly. " I really think, sir, that for such a comparatively limited extent of ground one scarecrow would have been sufficient." And he can't make out why he hasn't been asked to that house Binoo.

* ~~Z A *t entlon ls directed to the advertisement ot the Waihou Land Sale in another, column . This Pr ??! r & * a situated wit hin two miles of the Te Aroha goldfield, in the centre of the Thames Valley, where all Waikato and Thames District Eoads converge. The £iScr c £ to£6oanallotilent -

— I hear of an amusing incident which occurred at the Grammar School Athletic Sports the other afternoon The high jump was being contested! and some young ladies wore intently watching the efforts Sf* \* « #i" mg a . nd mu3Cular athlete. IS the excitement of the moment, one of them (a very pretty girl) became oblivious of surrounding circumstances, and crimsoning with emotion, vociferated warmly, "Go it! go it ! oh ! jump, darling, jump !" Well, the darling did w^CbroTheT* 611^ eU ° Ughr <»*-<* «m&ett

— There has, I am told, been a mild kind of row at Mahurangi, in connection with a sectarian soiree held there not long ago. It appears the majority of those who took tickets for the affair thought there was going to be dancing afterwards, and when the parson and other serious folk, who disaproved of such "goings on," tried to clear the hall, they demurred. Eventually (my informant says) both aides waxed rather worm, and the local constable had to be sent for to settle mattera lake a wise man he declined to interfere, but promptly extinguished the lights, thereby putting an immediate atop to the rumpus.

— _ Sentimental travellers are much exercised in mind at the proposed introduction of a line of railways into Palestine. They opine that all the sweet and sacred associations will be done away with by such cries as Change here for Damascus; " " Nazareth only, this train. Some time, however, is likely to elapse beforo an iron net-work connects the landmarks of the Bible. What doea seem imminent is the lighting of Jerusalem by gas. " But this," saya the " Freindenblatt ," "need not jar with the traditions of the Holy City so much as one might suppose. In the time of Samuel the streets used to be lighted, and under the Herods they were regularly swept— a custom which did not commence in Paris till the fifteenth century."

— A good joke occurred the other day at Paeroa. Messrs. Mcllhone, Mick Hennelly, and D. R. Gellion, were returning from a visit to Te Aroha. Messra. Mcllhone and Hennelly are gentlemen fond of a joke, and they accordingly stopped at each public house on the way down, and introduced Mr. Gellion (who was not known in the locality) as an inspector of public houses. The proprietors of the several hotels were most assiduous in their attentions and showed Mr. Gellion over all the houses, through rooms, passages, and cellars, and "trusted he would make a favourable report." To see the renounced stock broker marching sedately from room to room was a sight for the gods. When he arrived at Shortland, the mystery of the politeness of the publicans was explained to him ; and it s needless to say he enjoyed the joke immensely.

— lor a quintessence of misplaced economy commend me to the members of the Auckland Harbour Board. To have declined to furnish carriages at the Governor's reception was bad enough, but who would have thought that any of the members of that august body would have tried to slip into the City Council carriages. Yet this was done by one of the most prominent menbers of the Board. After the landing of His Excellency, this gentleman made his way to one of the carriages hired by the Council and stepped, inside. He had, however, scarcely sat down when he was po/litely imforrued, that as he had not paid for the carriage, he was not at liberty to use it. The unfortunate gentleman felt too small to say anything, and had such a curious expression on his face as < he descended into the mud again, that the crowd who witnessed and understood the little episode roared with laughter.

— The people of Hamilton and Cambridge have gone clean mad over the goldfleld. Billy Pearce, the jolly host of the Commercial, is reported to have struck gold, while Mr. Breakell, the popular engineer whose claim lies somewhere on the other side of the mountain, has also, it is said, dropi>ed on to a reef.

— Talking of W. C. B M reminds me of a romantic exploit of his. Returning to civilisation on Thursday, the adventurous William missed tho other members of his party, and found himself alone in the bush on a steep declivity and enveloped in chaotic darkness. Caring not to proceed for fear of accident, William cut a sufficiency of supplejacks, which he twined round the adjacent tree 3, and lay down — secure from all ills except those occasioned by the mosquitos. Finding that these " cheerful Httlo cusses " had too much affection for his massive brow, B. took off his shirt— the only garment he had on except his pantaloons — and wrapped it round his head, saving that portion of his anatomy at the expense of his body, which suffered acutely. Fortunately rain fell heavily towards morning, driving the buzzing cherubs away, and William then enjoyed his beauty sleop. Strange that the mention of "supplejacks" should bo so unpleasant to W. C. B.