Local and General.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 328, 30 October 1875, Page 3

Local and General.

William Kelly, Esq., M.H.R., arrived in town overland from Auckland via Ohinemuri late on Thursday evening. . Tauranga Rifles parade this afternoon la Government paddock for the usual monthly inspection. We remind those who have as yet not paid the Education Rato that the collector, Mr Roger Hill, will be at the Maori Court House a orn ‘ D ?» between 10 and 12 o’clock. oub-Ipgpector A. S. B. Forster proceeded to aiikati accompanied by two constables on ednesday afternoon, to investigate the origin of the late unfortunate fire at that P ace, which destroyed a large quantity of armture and other property. Mr Forster * urned to town late on Thursday evening, 1 we understand there is little or no reason w wppoie that the fire was other than the l «9Wt of accident,

We arc glad to learn that Mr-srs Hannon I and Co. have again been Mir. < j. • ing the FubsMdj for running tb«- iimn between Taunmga and Napier. We hive, not yet. received infor rat ion as to whether the conh tract is for one or two years ; We believe that arrangements have been ; definitely made by the membtrs of our cricketing community to play a friendly match this afternoon, in tin- Qoven.u gm ; Paddock A challenge from the member* of the “ Civil Service and Armed Constibul-.y” ; combined has been accepted by the - Town j and Neighbourhood,” and some good piny I may be expected. Wickets are to be pitched i at one o’clock punctually, A prehmmary announcement appears in our columns to-day to the efi'et that a musical and literary entertainment will be given in the Temperance Hall on Friday j evening next, to provide funds towards furnhbing Trinity Church. The programme, which will be advertised in our next issue, is, we believe, a most attractive one ; and putt ing on one side the object for which the entertain’ ment is given, which alone should command a good attendance on the occasion, we feel sure : that it will well repay anyone inclined to enjoy a muscal treat to indulge their taste in this ! direct ion on next. Friday evening. The success of the late concert given in aid of the funds of the Mechanics’ Institute will doubtless be remembered by most of our readers, and we ' think that when we mention the fact that the : forthcoming entertainment, will chiefly be conducted by the same talented amateurs who on that occasion afforded such pleasure to their audience, we shall have said all that is necessary to ensure success on the evening mentioned.

We paid a visit to Mr Andrew Spicring’s nursery, Hairini Hoad, last Wednesday afternoon,and were exceedingly pleased at the great improvements that have there been carried out during the last few months. The portion of the nursery devoted to floriculture has been increased in area, and at present a magnificent assortment of tulips and other bulbs are in full bloom. The strawberry plants give every promise of a heavy crop, a’d wo are looking forward to a quiet dish of strawberries and cream in one of Mr Spiering’s retired arbors before many weeks elapse. We are pleased to-not ice that skylarks are rapidly increasing in this neighbourhood. It is quite a common thing to hear these “ Messengers of Morn,” as they are boautb fully termed by Milton, “ high above our heads, making such sweet divisions!” Sky larks are very migratory in their habits, and it is quite probable that our welcome visitors have come to us from Mataraata, Mr Firth’s estate in the Waikato, that gentleman having turned a large number loose there a few years ago. It will be remembered that Mr Chadwick brought down a few last year to Tauranga, but we question whether the large number at present daily seen, or perhaps we should say heard, are in this limited interval the off* spring of that importation. Wherever they come from they are truly welcome.