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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1358, 25 June 1872, Page 2

Almost continuous rain has been fulling since our last. "Willie Steel, the " natural songster," gave his first entertainment in the Port Schoolroom last evening, the Rev. G. Morice in the chair. In consequence of the very unfavorable weather the attendance was poor; but Willie's efforts met with hearty appreciation. His style is decidedly original, as he is quite superior to all scientific rule ; but his whole heart is evidently in his songs, and there is an entire absence of artificiality. Perhaps the best of his original compositions is " The Drunkard's ragged Wean," to the melody of " Castles in the Air," which he sang with real feeling; and the sentiment of another—" Unity," to the air of "Bed, White, and Blue," was in true poetic spirit, though terribly out of measure. But metres which to an ordinary man would be simply impracticable, offer no difficulties to Willie. The entertainment was varied by some readings by the Chairman, in his veil-known admirable style, and songs by a gentleman from the audience. We hope Willie Steel's next performance will be better attended.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, the following caees were heard i —The Superintendent v. H. R Russell.—Claim of ,£lO for two years' lent of section 43, Papuknra, the cemetery reserve. The defendant admitted the occupation; but stated that he held the land under a five years' lease, and that the only copy of the deed had been left in the hands of the Provincial Solicitor. He objected to the claim, because during his absence in Wellington the land had been leased to another tenant, the. five years not having ex-

pired. He wished the deed to be produced, but this the Provincial Solicitor was not in a position to do.—The Magistrate said the case was very simple ; the point raised might give ground for another case, but did not alter the fact lhat the rent was clearly due and recoverable.—Judgment lor the amount claimed, with 13s costs* John Higginswas charged, on the information of Sergeant Farmer, with neglecting to keep his chimney clean*, whereby it, took fire. The defendant said that he had cleaned it himself only si>c weeks previously, and that it was set. alight by the fat in a frying-pan taking; fire.—Fined the minimum penalty, 10s, u with 5s 6d costs, C. Palmer v. D. F. M'Keazioi— Claim of £2 ss. Judgment by default for araouDfe. claimed, witli 9s. costs. Swan v. D. F. M'Kenzie.—Claim of «£7 ss.—Judgment by default for amount of claim* with 13s Hone v.Rollo.. —Ulaiuv of .£4 1.05,. for hoirse hire. —Judgment for £2, with 14s costs. The Taranaki Provincial Council ha* granted Mr Rotten one year's monopoly to enable him to raise a company towork the petroleum springs at; the Sugar Loaf. A. bonus of j£soo is offered for the first 10,000 gallons ex- \ ported. The Akaroa correspondent of theCanterbury Press writes : "Shoals of" tirnall fish aboat the size of sardines arenow smarming our bays and harbor, on* which countless flocks of birds arefeeding." Some telegraphic- despatches pub- ; lished in the Adelaide papers throw : some light on the progress and probable date 6f completion of the overland telegraph. From them we leam that onx May 10, the line was in working order from Port Darwin to a point 300 miles inland. It is estimated that by themiddle of this month not more than 150 miles will remain unconstructed. On the Ist of this month Mr Todd was. to start on his long journey overland, from Port Darwin to Adelaide-. The Home News, April 19, says that a feeling, is prevalent,, that had the? second instalment of the New Zealand loan been brought out at a fixed price, the public would readily have subscribed for the whole amount at an enhanced price;. that by not. placing theloan in the hands of the colonial banks, the result will be a heavy loss- to the colony. If you have not heard the- following; jeu d'esprit it will amuse you. You. are asked to find our what, two distinguished characters are alluded to>in,the-. folio wing lines :. Not over Alpine snow and ice,. But lowly English ground, Excelsior- was theic device, And sad the fate- they found. They did not act from love of fame,. But followed duty's call;. They were together in their airaj. Though parted in their fall. There is something so exalted in thetone of these line*, that every one sets; off thinking of some great philanthropist—Howurd, perhaps, or Mrs. Pry; but if you give it up I. will tell you the answer—" Jack and JilL" Thewriter is said to be a distinguished bishop, who often says very witty things in private life.— tc May-fair," in the Queen. Referring to the news by the last Suez mail, the Australasian says:— Increased attention is being called to> the supply of Australian meat for the English markets, by the fact that there is a falling-otf to the extent of 4,500,000 in the number of sheep in the mother country. People are taking alarm at this circumstance, and colonists at home are quieting that alarm by pointing o'it the inexhaustible sources of supply which are presented by our own flocks and herds, and by the vast area of unoccupied country in Australia. In the meantime steps are being taken to organise an association with the object of popularising the consumption of Australian meats among the masses at home by the establishment of depots in poor and thickly inhabited neighborhoods. It is satisfactory to add that the trade in preserved meats is recovering from the sudden check it received by the Boaid of Health in its ostentatious condemnation of a large quantity of the article. Consumption is said to carry to the grave 200,000 persons annually ol the North American continent.