LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 260, 14 February 1889, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Local contractors and laborers will not have a high appreciation of the Harbor Board’s decision to advertise in other large towns ol the colony for tenders for the supply of stone from Kaiti. There is unfortunately an overstocked labor market here as it is, and the importation of foreign element has been a grievance from the commencement of the Works.

Notwithstanding the storm there was a fair attendance at the Tent last evening. The lecture was of an interesting character and pointed out some of the causes of dyspepsia. The subject advertised for this evening will take up the Judgment—Will it be general, when will it take place, and how are the rewards to be determined 1

• Humanity ’ writes: Sir,—l am surprised to see that no public person or journal has taken up in a fitting spirit the subject of Herbert DeCosta's gallant rescue on Saturday morning last of one of Captain Kennedy’s daughters, from drowning. I think ths brave act should not be allowed to pass without at least the recognition which is usual in such cases, and I believe that the Mayor would be assuming a popular duty if he took the matter up officially. The lad’s age and ths merit of his plucky action specially commend him for some notice.

A number of boys, from 12 to 16 years of age, congregated in front of the Salvation Army Barracks on Tuesday night, and remained until after 10 o’clock, indulging in loud horseplay, and making use of very bad language, and occasionally throwing stories in the door of the building. There were only a few persons in the barracks at the time, and these were in the back portion of the building, so the annoyance to them would not have been so great as to tbe passers-by who have to submit to tbe not altogether favorable criticism of these cheeky youngsters. About the only thing to cheek this behaviour would be the visit of a policeman, who should disperse the larrikins who hang about the entrance of the barracks—particularly those of the age mentioned above, as these should not be out in the streets after 10 o’clock at night.

Meetings of the Hospital Trustees and Charitable Aid Board were held last night. No business of special importance was transacted. At the former meeting the treasurer reported that the Trustees had £134 13s 8d to their credit. Accounts to the amount of £64 were passed for payment. It was reported there were four patients remaining from last month, admitted 14, one death, discharged nine, remaining seven. The City Rink continues to bs a source of great attraction, the usual prices of admission only being charged, with Professor Durney’s entertainment and the services of ths band given in. The fire bottle act last night was a clever performance, and was much applauded. As Professor Durney wishes to get away by to morrow’s steamer, he will perform to-night for the last time in Gisborne, when the programme will include new skating feats, the fire bottle act, the toy waggon, and the high stilt. The change in tbe weather is just the thing for skating. A meeting of tbe Provisional Directors of the Gisborne Standard Newspaper Company was held yesterday, when Captain Tucker was appointed Chairman and Mr C. C. Lucas Secretary. It was decided to close the share list on March 15. It is a certainty that the full number of shares will he applied for. The Fire Brigade held a wet practice last night. After the practice a meeting was held, when the resignations of Firemen Roas and Ormond were received and accepted. The former was one of the oldest members of the Brigade, and is entitled to a long-service medal and certificate. After the preliminary business was completed, Foreman Morrison, on behalf of the team which represented the Brigade at the Demonstration held in Christchurch last year, presented Supt. Townley with a very handsome silver helmet and epaulettes as a mark of the esteem in which he was held, and of tbe team’s appreciation of the interest he took in their training. Supt. Townley responded in suitable terms, and thanked the members of the team for their unexpected, though appreciable gift. It will be seen by our advertising columns that the counter-challenge of G. Wildish, to walk W. Jerome for two hours instead of three hours, has been- accepted, though the latter ped. is a long distance walker. The match takes place at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. Seats are to be reserved for ladies, and a band will play seleotions during the evening, As Mr Jerome will be detained in the district until the latter end of next week, he intends also giving an exhibition performance for tbe benefit of the Hospital.

■* Outside Contractor” gives what he says are a few lines to add finality, so far as he is concerned, to the correspondence re the Harbor Board's stone supply “ Sir,—l am sorry that “ Qualmagoung ” is so intent on his purpose as to ba unable to appreciate a little fun, which he ought to know was not intendsd to thwart him, and I am even more sorry that he suffers so little from “ qualms ” of con. science that he does not think it necessary to adhere to the truth when he has his sentiments transmitted to black and white. In conclusion I will ofily refer to one peculiarity which was exhibiteerby the Board at its last meeting. lam told there was a big discussion as to whether the P.W. Committee should not supervise tbe specifications, a most unusual course, though subsequently agreed on, Further, it was decided to advertise in other districts for tenders. Tot up how much twice two makes, and when you ascertain the result, wall whustia, lad, whustlo, Eyes front, and no winking," An American correspondent writes I—"It is generally believed at Washington that no changes will be made in the tariff on wool and woollen goods during this session, A delegation of wool-growers called on the United States Senate Committee on the Bth Inst., and attar a long conference presented a long schedule, which they wanted the Senate to incorporate in the New Tariff Bill. The woolgrowers wanted all duties materially increased, and they backed up their demands by claiming that they had virtually defeated Cleveland in the reoent election. Nevertheless the Republican Senators were not inclined to make any increase in the duty. No change is likely to be made in the duty on worsteds. In speaking of this subject of wool, it would be well to say that a new freight rate schedule on wool went into effect on the Ist of January. Hereafter li oents a pound on greased wool, and 3 cents on scoured, will befohargcd from San Ftanoisoo to New York or Boston. This is an advance of a quarter of sosnloa greasy Wool, bud bait» cent oil secured.”