Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3707, 17 December 1912, Page 4

Local and General.

I lie Frisco mail despatched on November 6 arrived in London on December 14. A particularly prolific crop oi’ oats, extending over 170 acres, i s being reaped just now by Mr F. Patnllo, of Te Jvaraka, the showing of oats being the finest seen in the district for many The whirr of the reaper and binder lias been heard during the past day or two, until several acres of the russet-brown cereal has been laid low. It is stated that the crop will yield some three tons of chaff to ilm acre. ilis Majesty s Theatre was the scene of a bright gathering yesterday afternoon, when some hundreds of school children from the Kait-i, Manga pa pa, and Gisborne Schools, attended a matinee performance given by the Fa the I U’turo Management. The treat was organised by the Bible-in-Schcols Teachers’ Association. A capital programme was provided, and the little ' ones enjoyed themselves to their heart’s content, the building resounding time and again to happy laughter.

“The Black Chancellor,” a / thrilling story of Court intrigue, was given a great reception at His Majesty’s Theatre last night. This line drama, which h undoubtedly one of the most attractive romances yet produced, will be shown to-night for the last- tune,

“'The Acrobat’s Daughter” will be screened for the last time at the Opera House this evening, and to-mor-row night the star attraction will be “A." Rogue of the Turf,” a sensational racing story, said to be worth seeing. At the Police Court yesterday, Oscar James Hodder was remanded to appear at Auckland on December 20, on a charge alleging failure to provide maintenance for his unborn illegitimate child. Bail was allowed on one sursiv of £SO and two of £2-1

A dull red sunset and a thick fogginess about the atmosphere during the past day or two tell of the big bushfires which are raging in the bush Country. Taking advantage of the dry spell, settlers “away hack.” both beyond otoko and over towards Xgafapa are holding burnings and the success of the tiros was plainly evident up Te Karaka way yesterday r: lien the air was stifling enough to set one coughing. The fires will probably last for some weeks yet.

Our Napier correspondent wires wires that the Napier Chamber of Commerce has wired to the .Minister for Public Works asking rf the Borough Council, River Board and other local bodies can attend, as a deputation, on Tuesday in regard to the embankment. Qtir correspondent says that if a full attendance of delegates from all the bodies is present there will be no finality and the Minister would be well advised not to come rather than face such a deputation and fighting factions.

The Army Band is about to commence a serenading campaign, the first of which will be held in Victoria Township to-night. The Bandmaster lias realised for some time past that if the Band is to continue in its good work effectively its present instruments must be replaced by more modern and better toned instruments. The Band’s goal is £OOO, which will procure for them a full set of srvcr-plat-cd instruments, and they are very sanguine about raising a very nice sum for the fund during the coming holiday season. Donations to the fund will be received either by the Corps officer, or the band secretary. Mr K. Halli’well. . .

The new hall which is being erected at Te Karaka by Air Peacock", or Wnihora. promises to be a s7**wi(n«s one. the internal floor measurement being 98 feet by over 40 ft, while tk • stage is of especially liberal climensi ns and a large supper room and dressing rooms are provided at the rear. The hall is probably on the large side, for Karaka v s present needs, but Mr Peacocke has unshakable confidence in the future cr the district and believes that his big entertainment house, which will be available for many purposes, including dancing. skating, etc., will not be any too large in the matter of a rear cr two.

An attempt made by the Methodist people of the Paparoet-oe district to build a whole church for themselves in one day was successful, for during the hours l>etween c dawn and darkness on Saturday a fine Ht-tie building was erected, and, in the major sense, completed ready for the first service, which was conduetetd by Rev W. Ready on Sunday morning. Ihe wotk was started at daylight and completed by gaslight in the evening. _ The Papatoetce pecple have some £7O for all the work excepting life plastering, and some of the plumbing was given free. As it is the building will now cost some £4BO. and it will be used as a hall on week days, for the congregation wishes to swell its fund to pay off the debt (says a P-A. message from Auckland).

j Mr J. F. Sheridan. J.P.. presided i over a brief sitting of the Police Court ! yesterday. Herbert Aitken (Mr j Arthur Coleman) was charged with ai- • leged forgery of a cheque for £lO on 1 the Bank cf New Zealand, drawn on ! Duty Eros. Sergeant Hutton asked I for a remand until December £O. The i accused was remanded, and bail was I allowed in one surety cf £-30 and two of £25. A Maori named Rihara idea fled guilty to being drunk while in charge of a horse, and was fined os. costs (2s) or 24 hours’ imprisonment. George Lucas pleaded guiltv to being drunk, and was fined os and costs (2s) or 24 hours’ imprisonment. On a further charge of procuring liquor while under prohibition, he was remanded until to-morrow.