LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 185, 21 August 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Owing to the exodus, there is said to be a scarcity of good miners at the Thames now. A special meeting of the County Council takes place this afternoon to take the harbor crisis into cosideration. The exemptions of cattle and sheep-dogs from taxation (as in England) is proposed by . Mr Verral, M.H.R. A Melbourne correspondent says that Sir William Jervois is winning golden opinions on alt sides, and is very popular at that city. The “ Mantraps of Christchurch ” is the sensational'title of a sermon delivered, to young men in a Wesleyan Church at Christchurch. Half and-half of soda and milk is the drink now in vogue in London. They say it was introduced by John Ruskin, who vouches for its being wholesome for the stomach. F. Penfold, champion walker of New Zealand, will give a walking exhibition in the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. During the evening several local peds will walk against him. The annual election for three Borough Councillors takes place shortly, the nominations to be in on Monday next. Those Councillors who retire by effluxion of time are J. Townley, J. Ponsford, and J. Harding. In a late issue of the New Zealand Gazette, statements of the affairs of fourteen goldmining companies in various parts of the colony are published. Out of that number eleven are destitute of funds, having neither cash in hand nor cash at their bankers’.

Mr Graham, M.H.8., telegraphed to Mr Sievwright, Chairman of the Harbor Board, yesterday stating that the Premier would take up the Harbor Bill and carry it through, and that the radius clause would be either struck out or altered and made workable.

"Captain Jackson Barry intends re-visiting this colony on a lecturing tout. If he were to ooms to Gisborne just now he would have material for an unlimited stock of fiction. There is the black flag, the Mabia gold, fields, the Washington weaver, ato, etc.

The appearance o! a black flag, which was fastened to the Goliath crane caused considerable comment among those who visited the harbor works yesterday, and many were the opinions expressed for aud against the works. We certainly think the hoisting of the flag was a very unwise proceeding.

According to a Taranaki paper all the Harbor Boards in the colony will in a few years need Government assistance. It says the Auckland Harbor Board is drifting into the same position as the Otago Board, and Wellington also will in a few years need Government assistance.

The half-yearly meeting of the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, to have been held in Christchurch last Tuesday evening, lapsed for want of a quorum, Eight shareholders attended, but did not hold the necessary number of shares among them. It was decided, after waiting an hour, to adjourn for four weeks.

At the annual meeting of the Napier Rowing Club on Friday last a letter was read from the secretary of the Poverty Bay Rowing Club stating that the club desired io to make an annual fixture of the race with the Napier club. It was decided to agree to the suggestion on condition that the Poverty Bay Rowing Club join the Amateur Bowing Association of New Zealand.

At the Mutual Improvement Society last night two essays entitled “Flowers” by Miss Megay and “ Woman beyond the Home ” by Miss Lowndes were read. Five new members were elected and one nominated. As an example of what may be done in a short time the Society lately started a gift library aud have already twenty-one volumes in it.

A special Exhibition correspondent thus refers to a Poverty Bay product—” and this trophy of honey—pure honey, mind you ; not sulphuric acid and rags—speaks for Mr Stevenson, of Gisborne. May his bees never sting him 1” It seems to be quite a surprise to the Melbourne people to have pure honey shown them. The same correspondent says there is no beating the Hawke’s Bay grass seed and hops.

According to a correspondent in last night's paper there are 120 paupers ”in Gisborne, and if the harbor works are not continued it will be necessary to strike a poor rate. Such a statement is a most atrocious libel, and besides being an insult to the men who have the misfortune to be out of work, it is a statement which outside will be taken as a black mark against the district. We have every sympathy with the men referred to, but it is shameful that anonymous writers should be allowed to add insult to thair misfortunes. The Victorian exhibits at the Melbourne Exhibition are much disfigured by being allowed to conclude a number that are merely shop advertisements, pure and simple. Thus, one enterprising clothing firm has filled its space with a pyramid under a glass case. The pyramid is covered with blue satin, and the only exhibit of art or industry which the glass case otherwise contains consist of a number of cards stuck all over the pyramid inviting people to buy trousers at fabulously low prices, or whole suits which are the envy of mankind.

There seems to be no and to tha rubbish which press agents insist on telegraphing to this colony. A late cablegram says it is stated that the libel action brought by Mr Parnell against the Times will collapse, owing to the agents in Scotland having no copies of the paper in which the alleged libel appears. Of all arguments tnat could be urged this is the most stupid. If such a thing could upset a libel action how many newspapers would be found to possess a partioular copy of their paper if called upon to produce it? The following is the copy of a telegram sent last week by the Mayor Of Napier to Mr OrmondAt public meeting of large number of unemployed just held, the petition of 50 able-bodied men, mostly married, with families was presented. All seek employment of any kind; many out of employment for months. Kindly interview Minister of Public Works, and help to alleviate distress by finding work of some sort. Fully 150 men out of work in Napier, representing a large number of women and childrep in distress.”

An amazing amount of interest has been worked up in connection with the fancy dress rinking carnival, which eventuates on Saturday evening next, the carnival being in aid of the Cadet*’ uniform fund. Every one seems to be asking every one else what they intend wearing for the occasion, The ball coming on the previous night will enable many to go to both without incurring the additional expense of new costumes. An energetic Committee is engaged in working up the arrangements, and it is expected that the corps will reap a big benoli t from the carnival. The new rink has bsen generously placed at the disposal of the corps, free of charge, from early morning until late in the evening, the occasion being the formal opening of the new building. One advantage of rinking Is that there need be no “ wall-flowers ” —the Tinkers can go in pairs or singly, they can sit down or fall down just as it pleases or displeases them, so long as they do not .interfere with others. Apart from the fascination which seems to take hold of everyone who puts on the skates, the Oommittee express their intention of supplementing it with every possible attraction. The Garrison Band will be in attendance, and during the evening various events will take place. Many persons have enquired of us what would be suitable costumes, as if we were authorities in the matter. All we have got to say is, don’t wear tightly-fitting garments unless you are a good skater. Miss Doran and Mr Miller have still a number of excellent costumes on hand, and early application should be made.

There are in England 347 female black smiths who actually swing heavy hammers, and 9,138 women employed in nail-making. Herr Kuster, the musical director of the Hans the Boatman Company, will give an imitation of the Scotch bagpipes this evening. There were not many dry eyes in the hall last night when Hans the Boatman was being produced, many even of the sterner sex turning their heads to let a tear drop when Hans found his wife again. During the performance last night of Home, Sweet Home, by Herr Kuster, some illbred fellow thought it clever to essay a stepdance in one of the back seats. It was well for him that none of the managers were about, or he might have been forcibly presented with a walking ticket. A correspondent signing herself “ Mary ” has been exercising her mind as to the kind of husband she would prefer, and has indited a letter on the subject to a Napier paper. In the hope that a suitable applicant for Mary’s hand may be found in Gisborne, we republish her letter :—Sir, —This is a subject that interests many of your readers and for their benefit should be thoroughly investigated. I feel, therefore, no hesitation in telling you the sort of a man I should like for a husband. He must have wicked blue eyes, a delicate mouth, a refined nose, a Langtry complexion, anything but straight hair, shell-like ears, legs (in stockings as they often are) as shapely as a ballet dancer’s, and biceps like a blacksmith’s. He must be a good cricketer (and never say so himself), a better footballer (and deny it to everyone—as he does frequently). He must recite like ’Enry Irving (as he doesn’t just yet). He must never, never ‘ com-promise ’ himself, but must reserve all his energies so as to thoroughly appeeiate the rapturous harmonious state of matrimonial ’ felix ’ (sic) and cetera.’— -Maby. We doubt very much whether Mary can get satisfied in Gisborne, but in one thing she certainly may. Nothing conduces more to family happiness than comfort and contentment, and one of the best means of securing this is by getting the family fitted out with Garrett Bros’ boots. Don’t procrastinate.—Ad.