Local and General.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 336, 27 November 1875, Page 3

Local and General.

Some two months since we drew the aliendoa of the authorities to the inconvcni# enco arising from tho want of direct postal communication between Tauranga and Mercury Bay, and as the arrangements still remain in force whereby letters for that place are sent via Auckland instead of direct, we would again bring this matter into notice, especially as we cannot understand on what grounds the present state of things is allowed to continue, for according to postal regulations, we are informed by a gentleman who formerly held tho position of postmaster, that it is the duty of that officer to make up mails for any place where there is a post office, and as tho Rowena calls regularly at Mercury Bay on her way from this port to Auckland it is really difficult to see what cause can exist to prevent this rule being carried into effect. We trust that without further delay tho postal authorities will make tho necessary alteration in their present arrangements. The usual monthly parade of the Tauranga Rifle Volunteers is advertised to take place in the Government Paddock this afternoon at 4 o’clock. Mr Joseph Kinsley, of the Victoria Gardens, informs tho public that bo is now prepared ro receive any number of visitors to partake of tho excellent strawberries grown by him at his well-known gardens. The usual fortnightly meeting of tho Town Board, which should have been held on Thursday was unavoidably postponed owing to tho absence of three of the members, and it not being possible to form a quorum in consequence. We learn on reliable native authority that Mr Wi Maihi To Rangikaheke has notified his intention of erecting a fence across the road through the Mangarewa Gorge if lie is not supported by Europeans at the ensuing general elections. Wo remind those interested that Mr R. 0. Jordan’s sale of agricultural implements, stores, and personal effects, in tho estate of the late Mr A. Anderson, will take place at the Katikati, to day, at noon, at the residence of tho late Mr Anderson. Relative to the intention of the residents of Greerton to endeavour to obtain a school for that locality an esteemed subscriber informs us that all necessary stops for its institution are being taken, by application to the Board of Education and to Dr Pollen. In the meantime a school has been established to meet the temporary requirements, which is presided over by a lady resident at Greerton. The members of the Airoc Troupe gave a successful performance on Thursday evening to a full house for the benefit of M. Frederico Airec. The programme as unannounced was faithfully carried out to tho evident satisfaction of tho audience, among the attractions of the evening being the gymnastic feats performed together by M. and Madame Airec. The Troupe announces a matinee to be given this afternoon at two o’clock, and another performance this evening at the usual time and place, for the benefit of Madame Airec.

Wo understand that Mr Bodell is making efforts to organise a good day’s sport on New Year's Day, to consist of horse-racing and athletic sports of all the known kinds. It is proposed to hold the sports in the Government Paddock for which permission will doubtless be granted, and under Mr Bodell’s manage' meat, and that of some other members of committee whom he proposes to ask to work with hitu, there is every prospect of a pleasant day’s amusement, provided always that the residents in the district at largo lend the necessary assistance. The following are some of the rules and regulations for the competition for General Government Prizes at the Prize Firing, 1876. Groytowu, Masterton, -Wairoa, and Tauranga, form one district, and a preliminary match will be fired by each Volunteer Corps in these die* trict on its own range. The six highest scorers oat of all the corps in the districts mentioned will then have to fire off, and the highest scorer out of the six will be the Colonial representative provided that lie makes the following score:—at 200, 400, 500, and 600 yards; seven shots at each range; 165 points in the two- matches, It will thus bo seen that it will be no easy matter to qualify for the honor of representing the district, as nearly an average of centres must be made, as in the two matches, 56 shots will be fired, which, multiplied by three, gives 168 points, supposing a centre was made every time. “ Colonial Representatives for the Colonial Prizes for Infantry will not be eligible to compete for District Prizes (or the Colonial Carbine Prizes); but any qualified Colonial Representative may elect to fire for the District Prizes instead of the Colonial Prizes; in which case the next highest scorer in the District (being himself duly qualified) will be the Colonial Representative.” In the event however, “of there being a surplus Disqualified men in some districts, and not the authorised number in others, the vacancies will be filled up out of the surplus according to merit; sod should there still be a surplus of qualified men, they will he permitted l to fire for the Colonial Prizes on presenting themselves on the ground, furnished with a certificate from the Officer commanding the district to which they belong that they are duly qualified according to Rule 8 ; but. it must be distinctly understood that the Government will not provide them with passages, or incur any expense whatever on their account. All such corn* petitors will, however, be debarred from competing (or the District Prizes.”

: _ An important alteration in the registration of electors is made by “ An Act to Amend the Law Relating to the Registration of Electors,” dated 21st October, 1«75. By the amended Act it is provided that the dork to the Town and Highway District Board* (or other governing body, as the case may be) shall at the end of March in each year com* pile a list “of all those persons, being males of 21 years and upwards, who shall have been assessed to and shall have made payment of, any rate struck by such governing body in respect of rateable property situate irb an electoral district within the ’year, ending on the 30th day of March then instant,” and that such list shall be forwarded to the Registra* tion Officer for the electoral district within which the Boards are situated, and fanner that the Registration Officer shall deal with such lists as claims to be inserted on the list of voters for the electoral district as effectually as if the claims had been made in tho form prescribed by “ The Registration of Electors Act, 1866,” and all the provisions of tho last mentioned Act will, subject to the amended Act, be applicable to the registration provided for by the amended A ct.