LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hastings Standard, Issue 209, 31 December 1896, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A stack of hay is advertised for sale. Miscellaneous extracts appear oil our fourth page. G. It. Yickers and Co. hold an important sale on Saturday next. The Alfred Woods Dramatic Company will play in Hastings on Tuesday night. The social on behalf of the Hastings Fire Brigade takes place this evening at the I'rincess Theatre. From whatever cause the visitors to Hastings for the races, so far, are not so numerous as on previous years. Business people who propose opening their shops half-day to-morrow will do well to remember that they do so at their own risk as New Year's day is a statutory holiday. We have pleasure in acknowledging the receipt from Mr Gorman, Carlton Hotel, Hastings, and from Messrs Robjohns and Sons. Napier, of samples of their best brands m stock as a New Year's gift. fn connection with the Wood s Dramatic, Company's performance at Napier, the special irain for Hastings to-night will not leave Napier until 11 p.m., instead of at 10 p.m., as previously notified, arriving at Hastings at 11.40 p.m. As will be seen from our telegrams bush fires are raging down south, and damage to the extent of tens of thousands has already taken place. The universal cry is now for rain, but so far as this district is concerned the rain seems as far off a* ever. A hot nor-wester has been blowing all day. Good rnin has fallen in Southland, and has done immense good to the crops. Lewis Bellman and John Welsh were this morning committed for trial at Napier on a charge of robbery from the person. A Press Association telegram from Wellington says :—"The receipts from the Exhibition have paid the whole of the expenses, and a handsome balance is already in hand." The boat of a man named August Anderson, who has been missing from the Bluff over three weeks, was found yesterterday in the Straits smashed up, making it almosi certain that the man has been drowned. He leaves a widow and family. An effort is being made by the Agricultural Department to forward a good exhibit of New Zealand cider to the Intercolonial Fruitgrowers' Conference in Brisbane. It is said that a good market exists in Queensland for this beverage. A large number of cricketers and their friends met the Queenslanders on their arrival by the express at Napier last night. The visitors were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr Swan), and Mr R. I). D. M'Lean, M.H.1!., also spoke a few words of welcome. A fisherman named James 'fillet was drowned at Half Moon Bay, Stewart's Island on Boxing Day. He was with two others in a small dingey, and in attempting to shift their seats it capsized. His companions swam ashore, but Tillet, whose body was subsequently recovered, sank at once. Considerable damage was done at the Waipawa Cemetery on Wednesday last. By some means the grass became ignited, and grave fences and headstones were destroyed, and strenuous efforts had to be made to subdue the outbreak. The initiation of a new lodge of the Ancient Ordev of Druids took place at Gorman's Hotel last evening. There was a good muster of members, including some of the officers of the Albion Lodge from Napier. A.D. Bro. Yandall presided. supported by P.D. Presidents Cleary, Wyatt, and Yarrall. District President Bro. F. Tankard appointed the following officers of the new lodge:— A.D., Bro. Charles Hughes; secretary, Bro. H. H. Hunt. Nominations were made and approved by the newly-initiated brethren, and the following officers elected for the ensuing term:—Y.A.D., Bro. H. Gorman; treasurer, Bro. 11. F, Jackson ; 1.G., Bro. J. Hodd ; 0.G., Bro. Connop; A.D. Bards, Bros. C. Jones and Sanders; Y.A.D. Bards, Bros. W. Everett and Mackay. The name of the new lodge is " Carlton U.A.O.D. ' The night's proceedings passed in the most harmonious manner.

The annual open handicap meeting of the Napier liilie Club was held at the Te Mata range yesterday, and was a decided success. The entries were large, and prevented the entire programme from being carried out. A heavy wind was against first-class work, still the shooting on the whole was fair. C. llobson and AY. H. Nelson scored 149 points each in the aggregates (not including handicaps) for Mr F. AV. AA'i'liums' silver medal, but, in tiring oft, the former scored 9 to 6, and thus secured the prize. In the First Match, 10 shots at 300 yards, the followihg secured prizes:—C. AYise (2|, 42; C. Crown (o). 42: F. Humphries (scr). 41; C. liobson (scr), 40 ; A. A. Kennedy (Bi, 40; J. Gleadow (8), 40. Second Match, seven shoots at 200, 500, and 600 yards ; six prizes : -J. Gleadow (10). 94 : A. Pirie (11), 85; A. A. Kennedy (7), 84 ; D. S. Laing (10), 82; S. Tong (9), 82; C. AA'are (10), 81; C\ liobson (scr), 81. Third Match, 10 shots at 700 yards ; five prizes : A. Pirie (4), 80 : AY. .Johnson (9), 39: AA". H. Nelson (scr), 84 ; B. C. AVare (10), 84; J. Pirie (5), 32. At the conclusion of the firing three cheers were given for Captain Lewis, of the Hastings Rifles, who had kindly given the marksmen the use of the range.

AYellington warehouse prices are in every instance charged by the D. I. C. when executing orders received by post. Those of our residents who want really nice fashionable goods need not hesitate about communicating with the D. I. C., AA r ellington. Complete furnishing is now a special feature of the D. I. C., and those who anticipate requirements in this direction will be supplied with catalogues and estimates post free.—-Advi.

Cool and showery weather is being ex perienced in Dunedin.

Up to tho present no trace of the escaped prisoner Simpson at Dunediii has been discovered.

Operations at the Coroiuandel had to be ■discontinued yesterday, because of the unfavourable weather (says the N.Z. Times). The last attempt made to raise the sunken vessel (on Monday) resulted in her being heeled over about six feet nearer to the wharf. The lifting tackle is at present holding weli : and shows no signs of carrying away. The shocking death in the sea at Napier last week was the rueaus of bringing a good number of residents of that town together at Mr Hoadiey's looms last evening to consider the question of safe open sea baths. His Worship the Mayor presided, and, after a number of opinions and schemes had been submitted, a committee was appointed to» formulate a practical scheme and report as soon as convenient to another meeting.

By the Reserves and Crown Lands Enabling and Disposal Act of last session the reserve at Ship Cove, Marlborough Sounds, is declared a reserve, in memory of its occupation by Captain Cook, and is to be retained in its natural state. Tho Surveyor-General has drawn the attention of the Mariborough Land Board to this fact.

The danger of children eating wild berries is illustrated by a fatality which occurred at Eahotu, near Opunake, about a week ago. Two children of a settler named Dunton ate a number of green karaka and other bush berries, with the result that both were taken seriously ill. The eldest child, aged about years, recovered after some vomiting ; but the other, aged about 3 years, died before medical aid could be obtained.

It is satisfactory to learn that Ladv Glasgow's health has already derived much advantage from the cruise in the Government steamer Tutanekai on which she and the Governor are now engaged. The Tutanekai is due at the 13luff on the 6th proximo. On the way from Westport she will visit the whole of the Sounds. After leaving the .Bluff she will probably call at Dunedin and Lyttelton, and then go on to Auckland.

A yonng fellow named "William Benson was the victim of a serious and peculiar accident at "Wanganui on Boxing Day. The Chronicle states that Benson was fishing off the Heads Wharf in company with a younger cousin. The latter was in the act of throwing out his line when the sinker, parted and struck Benson a terrible blow on the right side of the head, knocking liim senseless. He was removed to the Hospital, where it was found that the skull was fractured, and a portion of the bone had to be removed. Hopes are held out that Benson will recover.

"I confess that 011 the subject of cookery I speak as-a man,'" said Professor Parkes at the break up of the Dunedin High School. " T firmly believe that ill-made bread, fried chops, stodgy pudding, and unlimited libations of strong tea do more to ruin the digestion, and, through the digestion, the general health, the manners, and morals of Zew Z.;alanders, than all those forms of liquid refreshments that are usually selected for denunciation. . .

As a matter of fact most temperance reformers fail to reach the root of the matter ; they should begin with the cooking-stove and the teapot."

From the evidence adduced at the inquest yesterday on Thomas Stephenson, who was killed recently at Onga Onga, it seems that, after the tank of water had been placed on a two-wheeled carriage, the deceased mounted 011 top, while his companion proceeded in front to pick out the best track. They had not gone far when a sudden crash occurred, and 011 looking round Lucas found that the tank had capsized and pinned Stepenson underneath. He was immediately released, and it was subsequently discovered that the unfortunate fellow had eight ribs broken, besides sustaining spinal injuries. Death resulted about half an hour after the accident. "While conscious the deceased endeavored to dictate a will, but was unable to sign it. A verdict of accidental death was returned. I STOPPED THAT VOUGH AND CUReI) A very bad cold by a single bottle of Dr Pnscall's Cough Mixture. Signed, K. McDowall. 4s 6d and 2s 6d. Eccles. chemist, Napier and Hastings.—Advt. Neil's Compound Sarsaparilla. A household medicine for purifying the blood and toning up the system. In large bottles at 2s 6d at Neil's Dispensary, Emerson street, Napier, and all leading storekeepers.—Advt. Neil's Celebrated Liver Tonic, a pure botanic remedy for all affections of the liver, biliousness, jaundice, yellowness of the skin, indigestion, &c. In bottles 2s and 2s 6d, at Neil's Botanic Dispensary, Emerson street, Napier, and all leading storekeepers.—Advt.