LOCAL, AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 115, 23 April 1883, Page 2

LOCAL, AND GENERAL.

We have been specially asked to an* nouucein our local columns that there will be a practice of the Ofaoral Society this evening, at which a fall attendance is requested m preparation for a concert shortly to be given. ' It is a pity there was no policeman about the other end of the town Tester* day afternoon, when his services could have been utilized m arresting a horse* man who appeared to be m a state of mad druukenneas, not only endangering his own life but also that ot pedestrians, of whom there were a good many about. The exhibition was a lamentable one on a Sunday afternoon, and it is a wonder that an accident did not occur, ag the man waß madly urging the horse to the top of its speed, and was rolling m the saddle as if every moment he would pitch headlong on the ground. The whole neighborhood was scandalized by ihe unseemly exhibition, A. rather good little story was told ua on Saturday night. A baker m town had m his employ two Lids, and when carry, ing the sweets from the bakehouse to the shop they were told to whistle, so that no accidents happened m the way of the cukes mistaking their destination. It has come out that the youths dropped to this game, and evaded the plan m this way, viz., one boy whistled while the other sampled, and vice versa. Several of Manaia settlers are startiug for the new El Dorado, Kawhia. Messrs Henderson Bros. & Wratt, of Swainsoa's Crossing, are removing their entire sawmill plant to Woodville, where they will re-erect it,and again Btart busi« ness. An important auction sale by Messr9 Harris Bros, m coajjunction with Mr G M. Snelson, is elsewhere announced, being the clearing sale of Air F. Beaven's stook. The date fixed foe the sale is next Friday and Saturday, commencing.at 10 a.m. each Gay. Messrs J. Chadwick and F. W. Evans, of Wanganui, were on a visit to Palmerston to«day, having travelled via Feilds ing, Ashurst, and the Gorge* At the termination of the inquiry into the collision between the steamers Ken* nedy and Tui, the captain of the former vessel was adjudged to pay the costs, L 4 17s. No counsel's fees were allowed. We hear that Mrs Weight, of the Princess Hotel, has been prostrated for some time by severe illness, but is now happily recovering. The New Zealand telegraphic receipts for the March quater amounted to L 23, 914, as compared with L 20,590 for the | corresponding quater of 1882. The number of telegrams Bent was 360,429, as against 330,089. In the three months ended 31st ultimo, 39,423 postal money orders were issued m New Zealaad for an aggregate amount of L 124,753, and 33,154 (for L 103.747) were paid. These figures show a large increase on 1882: The New Zealand Postal Revenue for the past puarter was L 29.822, as against L 44,672 for the March quarter of 1882The decreace is due to a diminution m the amount of postages received from foregin offices. It is calculated that 734,000 persons entered the United States last year as immigrants. This is the largest total for any year m the history of the [Republic. The largest quota of these immigrants flow from Germany.

Both Wanganui and Foilding are enerjatically moving m the matter of the 63---tablishment of butter and cheese f aotoriea. What is Palm erst on doing m a similar direction ? The brigantine Sarah and Mary was to sail to«day from Wnnganui for Rockhampton with 120,000 feet of white pine timber shipped by Mesare Bartholomew. MrD. Pringle's business announcement will be found elsewhere. His intention is to snpply first-class articles at a reasons able price, and make and repair cheaply and substantially. The value of the gold export from the colony for the last quarter was £283,797, I a decrease of more than LBOOO as com* pn^ed with the corresponding quarter of 1882. A death caused directly by intemperance, or " alcoholism," occurred m Wel« lington last month. The publication of the Waikaia Herald haa been incorporated with the Mataura Ensign. The March number of the New Zealand Settler, published at Auckland, contains much information which should prove of prac tical use to every class of settlers m New Zealand or those intending to become such. The inhabitantsof •Johnstreet, Glasgow, were recently startled by cries of distress proceeding from one of the bouses m the lane. Tne door was opened, when the only inmate of the room, an old woman of 70 years, named Catherine Robertson, or Horn, was found lying on the floor with her breast and arms dreadfully buraed. Information was sent to the Police Office, and Dr. McDoußall, the assistant police surgeon, proceeded to the unfortunate woman's assistance, but before his arrival she had expired. Mrs Horn was addicted to smoking, and it is supposed that a spark from her pipe had set fire to her clothing. Her husbaud is m the poorhouse, and the poor old woman lived alone. The American and Canadian steamship lines have reduced their rates for steerage passengers to the very low sum of twenty or twenty«one dollars — that is about £4 of our money. For this sum — which within human memory was charged for an inside seat by the mail from Manchester to London — a man may cross the Atlantic m a safe, easy and well-appointed vessel, and find himself m a new world, surrounded by eager competitors for his valuable services. The history of the deceased wife's sister measure m the English Parliament is thns told : — " It has b een four times thrown out m the Commons ; it ha* once passed a second reading m the Commons, and brok«n down on the motion that the Speaker do leave the chair; it has three times passed a second reading m the Commons, and broken down m Committee • it has once been sent up to the Lords from the Commons, and withdrawn with" out a division ; it has been five times sent up from the Commons to the Lords, and thronn out by them ; and it has been five times initiated m the Lords, and rejected there/ The township of Gore (Southland) is attaining an unenviable notoriety for rowdyism. S ome very discreditable scenes have occurred m the public streets. The paper published quite a sensational description of one of these scenes a few days ago under the alarming headings of "Blood and hair." It is understood (say the Post) that the Directors of the Wellington and Mana> watu Railway Company have received very satisfactory and encouraging intelh" gence from London as to the progress of the negotiations now going on with re« ference to the floating of the Company's loan. It will be noticed that some large additional contracts have just been advertised, so it is evident that the Directors have every confidence m the probadilities of success. The quantity of gold exported from New Ze viand for the last quarters (ending March 31st), is 70,907 ounces, of the value of L 283.797. The corresponding figures for the same quarter of last year being 73,309 ounces, value L 291,962. Parliament stands further prorogued until the 15th oi May. It is not expected, however, that the session will commence before the end of June or beginning of July. __ mmmmm