LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 412, 4 February 1890, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

In cur last Issue w# gave an instonoo of the Maori's regard for politeness, and this morning there is another exainpie. in our advertising columns. The glove has bean thrown dawn, the 1 aoble art" to be reaartod to. Mr G. Adams, an Ausirlan oil expert, paid a visit to the South Pacific works on Friday, returning on Saturday afternoon. He says he has no doubt there is oil somso'hero in the district, but his Vsrdiat is practically that the game is not worth the candle., even if oil :g struck! unless there is a number of bores.

Cup’ain Cummings, of the freezing hulk, did a plucky thing on Saturday night, with the aid of a daring crew. The fire was near hie house, and fearing that his family were being burnt out he came ashore in an open boat. On such a night ths venture was a very risky one, Mr Josiah Walker won the first prize in Mr Fraser's pea guessing competition. The ten other winning numbers were, in the order given:—2nd 81.292. 3rd 81,249, 4th 31,452, s'h and 6th (divided) 31,500. 7th 91.550, Sth 81,556, 9th 31,156,10 th 81,146. Mr Walker’s guess was 81,882, the number ot peas being 31,884.

In the rowing match, Poverty Bay representatives v. Auckland, on Saturday, the Gis. borne crew won easily by about three lengths. In the first gig race, on Friday, the Gisborne boat was swamped ; otherwise victory was almost certain for them. Thera was much enthusiasm when the result of the match with Auckland was published by the Standard on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday evening the Rev. J, Ward conducted a very impressive memorial service (in connection with the death of the late Rev. J. MoAra) at the Wesleyan Church. The church was crowded, seats having to be placed wherever room for any could be found, and there was not sufficient accommodation for persons wanting seats. The Rev. Mr Douglas preached at the Presbyterian Church. He is an able preacher, hie sermons being excellent compositions, but his delivery is very rapid. The halfholiday to morrow will be closely observed, the leading business men having agreed to recognise the halfholiday. The Church of England Garden Fete at the Hapara ought to be largely attended, and the generosity of Messrs Tansley and Little, in conveying persons to the ground, free of charge, will no doubt be fully availed of. In care of Captain Edwin’s prophecies being less perverse than usual—the latest threatens rain—the Theatre Royal will be engaged, so that there may be no more postponements, and the footraces can be run at some future time.

The passengers in the steamer Arawata had a most unpleasant trip from Auckland. The steamer was crowded with passengers, aud with such a number on board it may be imagined that the accommodation was far from being flrat class. The Arawata left Auckland at 10 on Thursday night and th»re was good weather until reaching Cape Colville, when a terrific southerly gale waa experienced, and from that cut the passengers were in complete misery. For a time the steamer appeared to ba making no headway against the gale and she was repeatedly on her beam ends. The voyage from Auok land to Gisborne took the extraordinary time of 42 hours.

By the results of the pupil teachers’ examination it will bo seen that, though Giaborne has not attained its usual success, it still retains a high place. Miss Townley again maintains her splendid record, having achieved the highest number of marks, as against all the candidates in the Hawke’s B»v district, in every examination for which she has entered. Miss Bouillon has also secured a high position, only surrendering first place to Miss Magill, a very clever Napier scholar. We are glad at least one of our Napier contemporaries has taken notice of the hint we gave about " conceding honor to whom honor is due,” and .we think we also fairly commend to their notice the gratifying record made by ,Miss Townley, The victory of the Poverty Bay Rowing Club's representatives, in a match against Auckland, has a peculiar significance when considered in connection with the Jubilee of the colony. Auckland claims the honor of being the city first ohosen aa the capital of theoolony; while Poverty Bay was the first place in New Zealand on which white man set foot. Captain Cook's voyage was essentially a maritime adventure, and it was in a contest on the water that the representatives of Poverty Bay were victorious over the City of the North, There is between Auckland and Giaborne a natural affinity which the encouragement of friendly athletic contests would do much to cement, The boat race on Saturday being not only a naw feature, but an event which may be retnmm ably regarded as one of historical importance, we have especially good reason to ba proud of the way in which our man showed the Auoklauders the way to victory. Of course, from a sporting point of view, a Infire even contest would ba wished for, and that wpuld have given our men a batter opportunity of showing their metal.