LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 342, 24 August 1889, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Te Anau did not leave Auckland for Gisborne until five last night. There is now a great congregation of natives at Waerengahika, where a big ” tangi ” is being held. In his report to Government, on tho native schools on the East Coast, Mr Booth makes favorable reference to each school, without exception. It is with a feeling of satisfaction we note the rejection of that proposed job among jobberies, the Otago Central Railway Bill, by 33 votes to 20. Mr Graham voted with the minority. We hope he will be able to justify his action in supporting such a monstrous proposition. We decline to publish "Mona’s” letter, in which a writer under the signature of “ Homo ’’ is accused of being the person whose name heads a certain petition, and to whom much advice is given on the propriety of minding his own business. The letter is too personal for our columns. The natives sometimes do things in a novel way when they go in for mourning over anyone. A feature at the “ tangi ”at Waerengaabika is the Union Jack turned upside down and hoisted ball mast high, " The dispersion and return of the Jews, as pointed out in prophecy,” is the subject advertised for the Theatre lecture on Sunday night. This will take up their history as a kingdom and people, also that of the Lost Ten Tribes, and the Jerusalem that is to be.

A short time ago one of our correspondents stated that Mr W. L. Rees intended, at next general election, to try and secure a seat in the House of Representatives. Mr Rees has now affirmed that statement, but he has not made up his mind aS to a constituency. The Chandos Hotel (Ormond) is now pre. sided over by “ Mine Host ” Mr Smith, who gave a very successful banquet last week. Mr Smith has- already given good evidence that he will maintain and increase the high reputation the Chandos Hotel gained while in the hands of Messrs Currie and Hogan. Visitors from Gisborne, and travellers generally, may rely on getting the best of attention, and that all liquors and meals will be of the best quality,

A correspondent writes complimenting the Standard on the 11 straightforward and decided tone it always takes up an local affairs,” and then very ingeniously puts a question as to why we do not a'so make a stand, for or against, in regard to a petition that has been got up concerning the harbor endowment, In reply we may state that we referred to the subject at the proper time, and further that wa have no wish to say all we might when the facts that we would adduce would only result |u decreasing the price obtainable for a public property. At the tho last meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, a letter from Te Arai was read, asking that ths services of pupil teacher King be retained.—As the average attendance did not warrant his employment, it was decided to reply that the regulations could not be broken. From Waeranga-Kuri, recommending Miss Chegwidden for appointment as mistress. —Approved. From Gisborne : Mr Trimmer asking the Board to obtain a district license. —Granted.

This is how the Napier News pokes fun at Gisborne people;—“ They are still pulling up the pipes at tho South Pacific well, Gisborne, and of course the Standard announces that * satisfactory progress is being made.' Such have been the reports for the last ten years, and such they will continue until the millennium. I Hope deferred maketh the heart sick,’ and the Booth Pacific shareholders have been sick fora good many years,” The News might have added that on the same day as it published that paragraph, the schooner fkjraroa was leaving Napier With ten tons of II spuds ” lor Gisbornei

The reason why Mr Ballance contemplates legal proceedings against the Waikato Times 1s on account of certain reflections recently made upon him in that journal in connection with native land matters.

A big feature of the forthcoming Dunedin Exhibition is to be ths native brass band of the King of Tonga. They are “ bossed ” by a European bandmaster, and are said to be extremely clever musicians.

Expressed opinion of the Lyttelton Times on the Public Works statement Taken as a whole, there is only one criticism to be applied to it—it is a confession of failure. ’

Mr W. Law, whose business capacities are highly spoken of by Opotiki people, in this morning’s Standard has an announcement in reference to his having taken over the Ormond Hotel, which has become so widely known as the hostelry that was honored by the Premier, Sir Harry Atkinson, during his sojourn in this district while tho Te Kooti scare was at its height. Ths hotel is situated in a central part of Ormond,

Dr Gradenigo, Professor of Ophthalmic Surgery in the University of Padua, has, the Lancet says, just succeeded in transplanting the cornea from the eye of a barn fowl into the eye of a patient under his care. On tho eighth day after the operation the transp'anted cornea presented a quite pellucid and convex appearance. Such a result has not been recorded in the annals of Continental surgery.

A prominent citizen of Parsons, Kan., determined to sup with a party of friends against the will of his wife. He was resolved that he would, and she that he would not go. He did not go. His friends missed him, and just for fun invaded his residence, where they found him and his wife sitting in their chairs fast asleep. He had given her an opiate that he might slip away, and she had given him one that he might not.

Says tho Advocate :—For many years past there have not been such indications of earth hunger and desire for settlement as at the present time. The number of visitors who have been spying out the land, which has been lately advertised for sale, would almost justify our calling it a rush. At Pahiatua for six or seven weeks past there have been so that the hotel accommodation was not nearly sufficient, and the visitors to the Pohangina and Rangitekei blocks have been quite as numerous. The bulk of the people who are thus in search of homes are not local residents, but are from the South and some have come from Australia.

The eviction which took place on Mr O'phert’s estate at Glashe.rchoo, Ireland, on .day 24th, was witnessed by deputations from Leeds and the Gweedore Ladies’ Vigilance Committee. After their experience at the eviction, the Leeds deputation sent a telegram to Her Majesty, congratulating her on attaining her seventieth birthday, and hoped that “ her life would long be spared to reign over a prosperous, happy, and united people. At the same time, they regretted that on Her Majesty’s birthday large forces of the Crown were employed evicting from their homes a lot of unhappy tenants and their families, because they were unable to pay rent which they and we believe to bo excessive an unjust." A similar telegram was sent by the Ladies’ Committee.

The WairoaGuardian says:—“ We were recently informed by an influential Government officer at Napier, that steps will be taken during the forthcoming summer, to induce His Excellency, the Earl of Onslow, to visit Waikare Moana. As the Govenor is an energetic traveller, both on horseback and on foot, it is thought that there is every likelihood of his paying this picturesque district a visit, when he makes his tour round the island. A favorable opinion from him of our beautiful lake, Te Reinga Falls, and other sights of this district, would be valuable, and it would lead to many people of wealth and position following in his footsteps.” In the summer time His Excellency would find the trip a magnificent one, and ho might improve upon it by coming right on through Gisborne, or by coming to Gisborne first.

There was a good attendance at the meeting of the Union Literary Society on Thursday evening, and a most enjoyable time was spent in discussing the contents of the " Waste Paper Basket.” One or two of the papers were worthy of a better destination, and as a whole tho Society has every reason to be satisfied with the bill of fare provided. The contributions were very varied, ranging from a short essay oti the question of the proposed “ Court of Crimimal Appeal” to some original conundrums. “Trix” wrote a poem, with the title, “ A quiet little wedding,” and this was much enjoyed. “ Martha ” asked the advice of the Society as to the best way out of a serious domestic dilemma. “ Delta ” gave a little warning as to the tendency to misuse words. “ Disgusted ” wrote to relieve his exasperated feelings on the subject of Amateur Photographers. “ One who knows best ” set herself to solve the question of Female Suffrage, by boldly advocating the transfer of political power to the gentler sex, and drew a striking picture of the good results that might be expected in regard to “ sweeter manners, purer laws.” All present seemed to enjoy the papers thoroughly.

A meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Land Board was held thie week. The Waimata, Ormond, Patutahi, and Waikohu Road Boards forwarded estimates for expenditure of land revenue.—Approved. From Walter Whyte, re the forfeiture of his own and family’s deferred payment section, Hangaroa.—The Chairman stated the man had not effected any improvements whatever, and had held the land for over four years. The section could be forfeited, and when offered at auction, could be bought again by the applicant.—Mr Harding said it was a foolish thing to do to buy the land, and then take no further notice of it.—The Chairman thought the Auckland Board were partly to blame for not having the place inspected, and their ranger reporting on the case.—Mr Hall was willing to give the settlers every help,—The Chairman said the man resided at Dunedin.—lt was decided to let the matter take the usual course—forfeiture. From T. C. Hales, re forfeiture of his small grazing run.—The Chairman stated that Hales had forwarded a long explanation regarding the matter, and he thought they might reconsider the decision ; the case was a hard one.—Applicant's section not to be forfeited. A number of applications for land and transfers were granted.

The Post, referring to the fatality at the Wellington Heads, says i—" Captain Simms is the first pilot who has been drowned while in theexeoution of his duty, Captain Hebberley, who was the first pilot employed, is still alive, and was succeeded by Captain Calder, who met his death by drowning on the West Coast of this Island some time after leaving the service. Captains Davis and Scott were also drowned, but both were out of the service at the time. The former was drowned close to Pilcher’s Wharf, on the Te Aro foreshore, and Captain Scott was lost (at sea. Captain Dooherty was found dead with his neck broken on the road between Wellington and the Pilot station, and it is supposed that as he was riding home one night, after berthing a vessel, he was thrown from his horse and instantly killed, Captain Amos, father of the present City Valuer, died in his bed, Captains Hebberley and Holmes are the only per. sons who were connected with the service who are still alive.”

It is just possible that the dispute between the Dunedin Education Board and Mr David White, a prominent Dunedin teacher, may Set end disastrously for the Board, The 'unedin correspondent of the Taieri Advooate emphatically asserts that should the Board resort to the extreme course of dismissal—a proceeding now considered somewhat likely—three fourths of the Dunedin teachers would stop teaching on the instant. This certainly would be something of a novelty in the scholastic profession—a •• teacher's strike,” and would, if it did nothing else, have the effect of concentrating public attention on the Beard’s proceedings. The action of the Education Soard has certainly ou a few recent occasions been decidedly autocratic and even harsh and unreasonable, The members of the Board do not seem to attach much importance to public opinion, and evidently none at all to the opinions of the teachers. Otherwise their conduct would be more dignified and less petulant and humiliat&g in dealing with a body of educated mem

A Mrs Hearn was arrested yesterday afternoon on a charge of brutally illtreating her little boy, and after being formally charged with the offence at the Police Court she was remanded.

It is estimated that the damage done to the main road in New South Wales by the recent floods will coat half a million pounds to repair.

Three thousand people paid ten and fifteen dollars for the privilege of seeing the Kilrain and Sullivan fight.

The unemployed question is again coming to the fore in Sydney, but the Government decline to start work simply to give employmoat.

Ths Bush Advocate, Hawke's Bay, says :— One encouraging sign of ths timesis the fact that during the past few months tenders tor work in the country are about 20 per cent higher than formerly. Mr J. A. Blank, of Tai Tapu, Canterbury, has just killed two pigs of surprising weight. They were three months old when killed, and turned the scale at lOUbs and llfilbs respectively. Thia weight seems almost incredible, as it allows for an Increase of 2lbs daily, allowing them lOlbs at each six weeks. Mr Rees, oh I Mr Rees—where art thou ? A London correspondent writes :— Mr Courtney, of Taranaki, returns to the colony by the Buapehu, with a special party who are going out under his auspices. He expects to be back again in London in March, when a Land Company, in which he has a large stake, will if possible be floated. Mr Courtney has lectured most energetically on the subject of New Zealand in general, and Taranaki in particular, and his brochure on the Garden of New Zealand is to ba found on every railway bookstall. The colony might, he thinks, offer a little pecuniary encouragement to special agents like himself who constantly send out parties of desirable settlers with pockets wall lined.

Despatches received by the City of New York report a terrible catastrophe which occurred on June 22 on the St. Maurice river, eight miles from the City of Three Rivers. A ,steam ferry boat was swept over a cataract 100 feet in height, and all on board, fifteen Sassengers with five of the crew, were rowned. At Grand Pile Station, about half amile over the rapids, a number of excursionists for Quebec were to have crossed in the ferry-boat to join|anothor train. The weather being stormy, many declined to cross, but fifteen passengers embarked. About halfway across the engine became disabled, and the ferry boat, coming into a strong current, was swept towards the rapids, those on board and the spectators on shore being alike powerless to arrest her course. The Palmerston North magisterial authorities apparently know how to deal with a real bad case when one is brought before them. A fellow named Murphy was brought before the court upon charges of drunkenness with disorderly conduct, assaulting Constable Seymour while in the executing of his duty, and also assaulting a pedestrian whom the constable had summoned to his aid in effecting Murphy’s arrest. Upon the charge of drunkenness the bench fined the offender £3, with the alternative of seven days in gaol, while for assaulting the constable ho was fined £2O, or, in default, three months' imprisonment. For assaulting the other person Murphy was ordered to pay a fine of £3. or else go to gaol for seven days. Murphy decided to take out the sentences.

The following cases were heard by Mr J. Booth, R.M., on Thursday last:—Waimata Road Board v. David Reid, claim £3 12s 9d, for rates ;Mr Ward for defendant; the plaintiff was nonsuited, it being held that the Board had been dissolved, and the County Council were the only persons entitled to sue. County Council v. J. F. Herbert, claim £l3 Is Id, for rates; Mr Kenny for plaintiff, and Mr DaLautour for defendant; plaintiff nonsuited on the grounds that he was not in occupation of the land. John Bourke v. J. McDowell, claim £3, for rates ; judgment by default, costs 7s. H. Pollen v. Amy Goodwin, claim £lO 10s, for medical attendance; judgment by default, costs £1 Is. Walls and Smith v. Burke and Bidgood, claim £l7 2s Bd, for wages ; Mr Kenny for plaintiffs ; judgment was entered up as against Bidgood for the full amount, costs £2 Is. Edward Boyd v. W. King, claim £2l 9 s 6d, for wages ; Mr Kenny for plaintiff, and Mr Chrisp for defendant; judgment for defendant. B. Colebrook v. D. Courtney, claim £ll Is 4d, for goods supplied ; judgment by default, costs £l. Kennedy and Evans v. W. Brassey, claim £4 Bs, for goods supplied; judgment by default, costs 6s. Judgment Summonses : S. DeCosta V. W. Tharratt, claim £3 5s 6d; the defendant was ordered to pay the amount by monthly instalments of £l. J. Wallace v. P. Buru, claim £6 16s Id ; an order was made for the amount to be paid forthwith, or in default 7 days’ imprisonment. Yesterday the case of Mary Robinson v. Josiah Tutchen, claim £3O, for damage, was heard; Mr Chrisp for plaintiff, and Mr DeLautour for defendant; plaintiff was nonsuited, with costs £2 15s.