Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3413, 3 January 1912, Page 4

Local and General.

The exceptionally hot weather which bars been experienced during the past few days has been taken advantage of by station owners to hum their fallen bush. Yesterday the sky was overcast by dense smoke from fires at Mahia Peninsula, some very peculiar euecte being produced by the banking up or the smoke pal's, through which the r.un shone blood red. For a time in the afternoon the smoke settled thickly over Haiti Hill, giving the impression that an immense’ conflagration was taking place in that vicinity, The flames or the bush fires were distinctly visible Jest night, and presented a very pretty sight. Beautiful weather prevailed for the holiday yesterday. Although no large gatherings of any kind were he.o. townspeople generally took advantage of the day to spend private picnic*. A large number of people visited AA amui Beach, and spent- the time pleasantly at Gisborne’s ’popular watering place. Alany picnic parties went up the river in oil launches and rowing boats, and others journeyed into the country, the roads throughout the day being traversed by vehicles of ali descriptions. Tlie announcement by the rnamqmnie.nj- of the Pa the Pictures that they have secured the rights to screen in Gisborne the picture “The 1 Circus Girl.

of which the- exclusive rights of presentation in the Dominion were held by West's Company, will doubtless be hailed with satisfaction bv all picture-goers-ilie depiction. which has been the subject of some very favourable comment in other centres, will make its appearance at the local theatre next weekAir. J. Townley. J.P.. presided over a brief sitting of the Ponce Court or. New Years morning, at which one first offender was fined Ss. with 2s costs, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment, and another was fined os with 2s costs, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. For a second offence Harry Gandy was -fined 10s with costs 2s, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment, and Oswald A. Grattan, who was charged with having; committed a breach of a prohibition order, was remanded to appear on Alonday. Bth inst. A very happy and interesting day was spent by the members of the Poverty Bay Beekeepers’ Association and a number’of their friends at Air- G. Stevenson’s Waiohika property yesterday. The occasion was the inaugural field

dav. which is to be held each year, and by which it is hoped that the bee-keep-imr industry will be considerably stimulated. The' day was fine, and a large number .of people were present. The ■bee-keepers had an interesting talk concerning matters having to do with this industry, and luncheon and afternoon, tea was partaken of. A number or ladies were among the guests, and altogether the day was spent very pleasantly.

Air. J. AY. AA'itty. secretary of the Harbor Board, accompanied, by Aliss F. AA'itty. leave to-merrev for a three week's’ holiday, to be spent at Rotorua. The great struggle which is at present taking place between Stevenson, champion of the world, and George Gray, the young Australian marvel, is attracting the attention of billiardists the world over. The perfect tables and bright and airy appearance of Alessrs Smith and R-obinsou’s billiard parlor, in Dunlop's Buildings, is also attracting attention, and the tables are constantly occu--v-rd by highly pleased natrons.*

Tiie new position, that oi engineersecretary. to be created by the Gisborne Harbor Board, lias brought forth some dozen enquiries, as to the duties of such, position. These enquiries are from highly qualified professional gentlemen throughout the Dominion, and from one professional gentleman resident in Australia.

A well-known bee-keeper last evening informed a "Times" reporter that so far the season had not been a very good one for the industry, but lie pointed out that it was not improbable that the next few weeks would bring fort It brighter prospects.