LOCAL AND GENERAL

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 9, 30 June 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

No flashes this morning. The weather is too cold and the news too scarce,

Mr David White has been elected president of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Four thousand eight hundred people were carried by the Wellington trams on Jubilee Day, A telegram received. In town yesterday states that. Teretu Tawa, a well-known Wairoa chief is dead.

Advertisers who wish to reach all section 8 of the community can only do so by adver* rising in the Siandabd.

The Wellington and Manawatu Railway is doing well, On Jubilee Day no less than 800 people used the road for excursions to the country districts. At the County Council meeting to-morrow, Mr Warren, County Clerk, ■drill report that he has collected £B,lBs towards the Imperial Institute, dud that it cost him £4 4a to do this.

Mr Luke Humphries, night-watchman, was excused from the jury in the murder ease on Tuesday. He explained that he had been on duty all night, and His Honor remarked that he, no doubt, was unfit to serve. So far, we can only hear of one 'outside solicitor being engaged in the Supreme Court oases, viz, Mr B. Hawkins of the Wairoa, who will appear for the defence in the case of A. Waerae v. Ihaka Whanga, Captain Webster, the Timaru Harbormaster, has been sacked for neglect qf duty. He neglected to go down to the wharf to see about saving a vessel from bumping injuriously against that beautiful breakwater in rough weather lately.

Mr Morgan Morris, who was once known in journalistic circles here, is now issuing a little rag in Newtown, one of the Auckland suburbs. The Auckland Observer goes for him hot and strong, and has bsen threatened with a libel suit for its remarks.

It was announced in the Supreme Court yesterday that the Bankruptcy businest would be adjourned until Wednesday next, as ten o’clock; also that the civil cases of Baldwin v. Chrisp and Muir, and Brassey v. Chrisp and Muir, for libel, would be taken tomorrow.

The murder case at the Supreme Court attracted a large attendance of Natives, and others interested, during the whole of Tuesday and yesterday. The unfortunate jurymen are to be pitied for their long confinement in the cold draughty hall, and their temporary exile from their families. Mr F. Skeet, of the legal firm oi Nolan and Skeet, was married yesterday to Miss Minnie Johnston, eldest daughter of the Collector of Customs. Both bride and bridegroom are well known and respected residents of the Bay, and we wish them a long and happy experience of the “ double life.” A useful and sensible departure is being made by the East Coast Hussars in placing a box outside Mr Parnell’s tobacconist’s shop in Gladstone road, where all notices relative to the corps will be placed. The J Battery would do well to follow the example set them, as it is very inconvenient to have to go to the drillehed everytime a date of parade or other notice is required.

The only European army that is numerically superior to the Italian is the Russian. Italy has a permanent (though not permanently active) fighting force of 802,687 men, and mobile and territorial militias which bring up the available strength for defensive purposes to a total of 2,387,832 men inclusive of non-combatants.

Manufacturers in Ireland have made steady progress during the past 83 yoars. The linen 1 trade of Ulster has attained very large proportions; and the manufacture of woollen goods has been established in several places in other provinces. Irish friezes and Irish tweeds now compete successfully with the bes productions of English and Scotch looms. Says the Auckland Star : The Governor in opening the Wanganui Exhibition, returned thanks for the casket containing the Jubilee Ode. Was afraid to give thanks for the poem, I suppose, in case it should prove to be as bad as Tennyson’s. Not quite that. The author of the Jubilee Ode is the editor of the Wanganui Herald, and the Exhibition business is being run 11 run ’’ under the auspices of the opposition paper. Journalistic jealousy again I

The Raugitikei seat is to be well Conte eted this election. Mr Bruce, the sitting member, will stand again, and will be opposed by Messrs Stevens, Remmington and Arkwright. The latter is a man of money, who is a grandson of the famous Arkwright who invented the spinning jenny. He sat in the English House of Commons for some years as member for South Derbyshire. Mr Stevens is a popular auctioneer and land agent, a strong Ballanceite and a smart fellow. He beat Sir War. Fox some years ago, and was for some rime in the House, being defeated in his turn by Mr Bruce.

The amount annually spent by the European countries to keep up their armies and navies is £181,120,000. The amount spent by America is about £8,000,000, Adding therefore the cost for war debts and for armaments together, it will be seen that Europe pays £394,760,000 and America £18,000,000 per annum, How possibly can Europe hope to hold her own against her trans-Atlantic rival when she handicaps herself in the struggle for commercial supremacy with the stupendous charge of £376,000,000 per annum, As if this was not enough, Europe is each year increasing her burden, while America is each year decreasing hers. Whilst Londoners are squandering thousands on the Jubilee, the poor are as wretched as ever. Says the Pall Mall of a recent date. There is a little story in the morning papers which has escaped the attention of most readers, but it is one to which a genius like Victor Hugo might give an imperishable place in the memories of man. At four o’clock on Monday morning a police constable found three boys asleep in a disused ropeyard in Southwark. A large mongrel terrier was lying on the boys, who were fast asleep. The dog was at once coverlet and guardian, and when the constable approached his attitude became so menacing that the boys had to be awoke before the' officer dared approach them. Two of the boys were sent home, and the third, Charley Burton, a boy of fourteen, having no home but the streets of London, was sent to the workhouse. The story of the mongrel is better worth telling than most of the speeches in Parliament are worth reporting.

Dunedin Jubilations included one very amusing incident. Says the Star“ The apparent disloyalty of one citizen caused a small hubbub yesterday. A gentleman on passing up Cargill Street noticed that on one of the flagstaffs the ensign of Sir George was floating half-mast high, and upside down. He seems to have at once jumped to the conclusion that this was the work of an Irish discontent, and evidently thinking that the moral suasion which he could bring to bear on the subject would be unavailing, went to town for the assistance of some volunteers and obtained reinforcements in the form of some members of the Port Chalmers Navals, and Waitahuna Rifles. At the head of his army he proceeded to the scene of the rebellion, where the attacking force made a demand that the flag should be struck. The disloyal subject turned out to be a Scotchman hailing from the neighborhood of Glen Line, who was determined to do his best to show his loyalty, He had intended that the ensign should be displayed at the head of the mast, but also he was blind and helpless; he did not know that the ensign was upside down, and he moreover believed that he had hoisted it to the full height. He, although objecting to being browbeaten for disloyalty, which was quite unintentional, at once struck the flag, and put matters to rights when the real state of affairs was explained.

•Ths Bellringers only did moderate business in Napier, and ate now off to Wellington, through the country districts. Napier parsons are nothing if not eccentric, The title of a recent sermon was: “ How Giant Slaygood fought ftnd fell;” At ths hearing of the murder case at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, Messrs O. P, Davies, H. J. Browne, and W. Ball were challenged for the defence. Randy Churchill is said to have been one of the most active of. Jubilee subscription canvassers in London. Pity he had not something better to do. On our fourth page wilt be found interesting articles upon the incomes of the great European Royal Families, and the Woman’s Suffrage experiment m the United States, We regret to hear that Mr J, R. Scott, the popular host of the Masonic Hotel, is confined to his room with an attack of quinsy. His many friends will wish him a speedy recovery.

The Bruce Herald states that amongst the Jubilee processionists at Milton (Otago) the other day was a Mr, John Bares, who was one of the Guards who took part in Her Majesty’s coronation.

Wellington ladies are about to establish a boating club of their own. She Gisborne ditto should follow the lead given. Why should the men have a monoply of a useful and health giving pastime ? . The County 'Council should sit to-day, but owing to the fact that tne clerk and some of the councillors may be called upon to attend at the Supreme Court at any hour, it is hardly likely a quorum will bo obtained.

Wybert Reeves’ Comedy Company will commence their tour of the Colony at Invercargill on August 2, and .visit/ Ddnediffi Oamaru, Timaru, Christohuich, Wellington, Nelson; Wanganui, Napier and Gisborne, Several new London comedies are included in their repertoire.

A big meteor traversed the sky at Wellington the night before Jubilee Day, and the New Zealand Times immediately discovered therein a portent of bad times in store for Great Britain. Such an asinine conclusion is only to be expected from a paper owned by Chantry Harris.

The famous old " Pickwick" Inn, the Leather Bottle, Cobham, near Rochester, a favourite resort of Charles Dickens, and described in his " Pickwick Papers,” has been partially destroyed by fire. The front and side of tne house are only left standing, the roof having fallen in;

Mr Horace Balter, late Chief Surveyor for Hawkes Bay, is standing for the Waipawa seat. He is catching it hot from the Napier Evening News, which calls nim 11 a land jobber,” and slings the editorial ink at him in a most ferocious manner. For political mudthrowing the Napier papers are hard to beat.

Says the Napier Telegraph :— 1 ‘ There is turmoil amongst the barmen of Napier, one of whom has been accused of having appropriated money that he was asked to receive on behalf of another from the totalisator. We hear legal proceedings are to be taken by a barman who was charged on the racecourse With being the guilty party.”

Sir George Grey had a grand reception when he rose to address the electors of Auckland City East the other day. He was again the old man eloquent, and his speech was not disfigured by the faddy ideas to which he was once so fond of giving utterance. Say what they will, our N.Z. G.O.M. is still a prominent figure in politics. Says a Chicago paper When Herr Most, the leader of the “No God, No Soap ” Anarchists, was released from prison last week he held a meeting and made a speech. His harangue aroused no frenzy until, in describing his imprisonment, he exclaimed: “ Dey drofe me to vork,” when the crowd howled. But when he added, “ Dey efen drofe me to de vash blace I " there was an outbreak of rage that would have appalled a weak country. Says the Hawera Star: The Governor had not anything very original to say in opening the Wanganui Exhibition. He approved what the chairman had said about the coast, “ being more especially an agricultural district, and not one in which industrial concerns would best be supported. He was sure it would be recognised that they must depend on the land for the prosperity which the country had before it.” Which surely was rather mal-apropos at an industrial exhibition, and in the presence too of Mr Protectionist Ballance.

So many harsh things are said of Mr Parnell now-a-days that it is a treat to come across anything to bis credit, Says the Manchester Courier “ We have seen a letter which appeared in a New York paper over Henry George’s signature, in which that gentleman asserts that he was the first person to carry the news of the Phtenix Park murder to Mr Parnell, who was then staying at the Westminister Palace Hotel, London, Mr Dillon and Mr Michael Davitt were also present. All were deeply moved, especially Mr Parnell, who, on the impulse of the moment, talked of resigning bis seat in Parliament, and of retiring from public life for

Here is one of the latest Jubilee yarn; " One of the first things Queen Victoria did on hearing that William IV, was dead, and that she succeeded to the throne, was to call one of her mother’s ladies-in-waiting. ”Am I really Queen ?” asked the excited princess. " You are indeed, madam,'’ replied the lady-in-waiting. ” And I can do wbat I choose by right ?" continued Victoria. " Certainly, your Majesty.” " Then get me a cup of green tea, mamma would never let me have it; now I mean to know what harm it can do me.” And the young Queen drank three cups, had a violent fit oi the shivers, end has never liked tea since.

Sir Charles Mills lately gave in London an interesting instance of the huge profits reaped by the middleman upon even so small an article of commerce as fruit, He said that in the early part of last summer he received a number of bunches of grapes from the Cape. He picked out two of the finest bunches, and took them to a large co-operative store, and asked what they would be prepared to pay for grapes of that quality, The answer was from 6s to 8s per pound. He then took the grapes to a large firm of fruit merchants—of middlemen—and put the same question. He was told that the price for them in the wholesale market would be 9d to Is per pound. It would appear that what the middleman buys for 9d or Is he sells for six or seven times that amount.

That the “ sun never sets on the British Empire” is shown by a correspondence in the Timaru Herald as follows : -About four hours after the sun has risen on Great Britain he will rise over some of the British West Indian Islands. Two hours later he will be visible in the western part of Upper Canada, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Three hours later he will have risen on the western part of the Hudson Bay Territory. Three hours later still, when just setting on the British Islands he will be rising on the eastern part of New Zealand, and two hours after this he will have risen on Australia ; four hours later on Calcutta ; two hours later on Aden ; about an hour later on Cape Colony ! and two hours later on Great Britain again.

The Duke of Edinburgh is a good man at meanness, fiddling and other things, but in naval matters he seems to be a fair specimen of an ass. Says an English paper. The Duke of Edinburgh has been guilty of a piece of senseless extravagance for which he ought to be sharply reprimanded by the Admiralty. An immense boom was recently constructed in the Malta dockyard by the Duke’s orders at a very considerable expense, and it was shipped on board the Temeraire for conveyance to Argostol, as the Duke had conceived the idea that it would be a fine thing to place this boom at the entrance of the harbour there, and then to test the powers of the Polyphemus by making her burst it. Just as this crazy experiment was on the point of being tried, it was pointed out by some officers who were more practical than himself that if by any chance the Polyphemus did not cut the boom clean in two a fearful catastrophe would be the result. The Duke reluctantly abandoned the idea. The boom was one of the largest and most elaborate that has ever been seen, and it has now been returned to Malta, where presumably it will e sold foi a iiifle.