Local and General.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 344, 25 December 1875, Page 3

Local and General.

The Baals wiilibe closed oa Monday next; Hey making is being much retarded by the wretched; weather lately experienced. The oat crops everywhere are looking splendid, and it is to be hoped that when fll for cutting the weather will have beeome more settled,. Mr Dennis, of Motiti, came into town the otheir day to spend the Christmas holidays. Feeling assured that same kind of sports would be on.foot, he* with his proverbial kindness, brought in a pig value, 30s, which he has handed over to the sports* committee. We have- interviewed the porker, and from its appearance shall consider.its capturer. a lucky man.

Captain Turner, District Engineer, is at present in the Waikato district, in order to report on the extent of the damage caused by the recent heavy floods in that district. Captain Turner may be expected back in Tauranga next week.

Captain Morris addressed the electors of Greerton at Mr J). Kennedy’s house on Thursday evening. In his remarks he went over much of the same ground as on Saturday last, A vote of confidence in Captafn Morris, proposed by Mr Kennedy, and seconded by Mr Fielding, was carried by the meeting. The meeting of the ratepayers in the Taurang® North Township Highway, con* veaed by the chairman of the Board for the 12th proximo, has, we understand, been called on that date instead of an earlier one, owing to the anticipated excitement conae* quent on the general election which takes place on the 6th prox. A general impression has been abroad the last few days that Mr F. Johnson was the main obstacle in retarding the progress of the Kaimai prospectors. Mr Johnson came into town yesterday, and was astounded on hear* ing the news. He immediately requested the secretary to call a meeting of the com* mittee in order to exonerate himself, which he did to the entire satisfaction of the committee and prospectors. Mr Wi Marsh has sent us a long account of what he says were the particulars of his address to the electors on the evening of the 11th instant, in the preface to which he complains that there are some inaccuracies in our report, and in conclusion attributes the errors that appear to the incapacity of those who interpreted for him. With all due deference to Mr Marsh, we really cannot hold ourselves responsible for any incapacity on the part of his interpreters, though it is quite possible, wo imagine, that Mr Marsh may in the account alluded to refer more to what he intended to have said than what he actually did say on the occasion in question, Had wo a large amount of vacant space in our columns to spare we should, however, be very glad to insert the letter received from Mr Marsh in full, but under the circumstances we are unable to do so, though we would just mention one contradiction made ; —ln our report it appears that Mr Marsh was a member of the Auckland Provincial Council in 1848, whereas Mr Marsh states he said only that in that year lie “ first went to Auckland and was employed by Sir George Grey.” If the residents of Tauranga and neighbor* hood do not thoroughly enjoy their Christmas dinner to»day the fault will not be attributable to those energetic caterers, Messrs Harvey and Kirk, whose large and lofty shop was literally packed yesterday with meat of the very best quality, comprising the carcase of a superb bullock, mutton, lamb, veal, pork, &o. Tht piece de resistance was undoubtedly the beef. Hiding round the slaughter-house paddock a day or two since, wo noticed a grand looking blood red bullock, on whose shiny hide the raindrops sparkled diamond like. This animal wo found on enquiry was bred by Mr Robert Kirk, and despastured for the last two years on the farm of Messrs Harvey and Kirk, near Greerton. When killed and cleaned the animal was found to weigh close on 14cwt., |a fact which speaks volumes for the fattening capabilities of this district. We also particularly noticed in the shop a remarkably fine piece of mutton, bred and fed by Mr iSherratt, of Otumoetai. Altogether, wo have no hesitation in saying that the show of meat in Messrs Harvey and Kirk’s establishment would do credit to any district.