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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 22, 29 January 1873, Page 2

P. A. Phillips Esq., bee been gazetted Mayor of Auckland for the cun ent year; and .Ton— Woodward Esq., appointed to the office of Public Trustee. The same Gazette also contains Bules and Regulations under the Public Trust Office Act 1872.

Public Ball.—The Ball so long announced and so anxiously looked for, took place on Thursday evening last at the new Music Hall which had been hurried to completion for the express Terpsiehorean treat. The project was mooted as a fitting termination of the season's enjoyment, as also to formally open the Hall. In both respects the happy occurrence can be viewed only as an unqualified success, and we congratulate the Directors on the result. Dancing commenced about 9 o’clock which was kept up with unflagging good humour and spirit until daylight. About 45 couples I graced the scene, which was rendered not only effective, but socially agreeable by an entire absence of that bane and canker-worm generally found in small coteries, and familiarly known! as a starchy conventionalism. It was essentially! a public ball, and the public responded with af genial good will, which can have left no causefor regret except to those who were absent. The ladies, as in proper, had it all their own way, and we pity those who stayed away, as only those who were present know what the absent ones lost. The Hall was tastefully adorned and brilliantly lighted. Tha wellwaxed floor, quite new and free from dust, added a charm of effectiveness to graceful dancing. The galaxy of beauty which flitted hither and thither, seemed to impart a sort of etherial presence to a glittering substantiality, and those “to the manner born" could but wonder whence it all eame. The music of the band under the Superintendence of Mr. Sherriff, who led with his comet, was well sustained by members of the Ormond Dramatic Club during

the whole night. The piano which was to have been graced by the presence of a lady proficient, but whose unexpected departure, frustrated the arrangement, was presided at alternately by Messrs. Skipworth and Sherriff. Refreshments were at hand from after 11 o’clock, thus doing away with the delay of a cumbersome supper. The whole success of this the first formal ball in Poverty Bay, is due to the good taste, public spirit and energy of the Directors. Every possi■ble precaution was taken against unpleasant contratemps ; and it is not too much to say that the community is endebted entirely to them for a spacious, comfortable Hall, and for the gathering together of a very pleasant company to dance in it. Captain Winter did the honors of the evening as M.C. with au easy, familiar, grace which added to the comfort and pleasure of the party. We are, however, sorry to learn that these gentlemen who have done so much, should have to add a pecuniary sacrifice to their trouble. The expenses attending the Ball have been very great, but with a hearty enthusiasm which does them credit, they declare the success which has attended their patriotism to be well worth the cost. The Hall must prosper in such hands ; and ere the winter is upon us we suggest preparations for varied entertainments. The “Trio” club; Musical Society; Bread and Butter balls, cheap and often, without starchiness; Quadrille parties &c., all may now put their good intentions into force.

Public Health Act.— In a recent Government Gazette the following sections are published for general information :— 17. It shall be the duty of every medical practitioner who shall attend upon or give medical or surgical advice to or about any person suffering from small-pox, cholera, or other highly infectious or contagious disease dangerous to the people, to give notice forthwith after he shall have commenced so to attend or give such advice, to the Local Board of the district within which such person so suffering then is, and every medical practitioner neglecting to give such notice shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten pounds. 18. When a householder knows that a person within the house occupied by him is taken sick of small-pox, cholera, or any other highly infectious or contagious disease dangerous to the people, he shall immediately give notice thereof to the Local Board of the district in which he dwells. If he refuses or neglects to give such notice, he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding ten pounds. Errata.—We beg to apologise for two errors which crept into our account of the races. A typographical transposition makes Faith and Dick change places in the Scurry Stakes. In the first heat Dick is substituted for Faith who ran second to the horse; and in the second heat it should read, Dick pushed him (Marquis) hard and successfully contested for stakes and second place with Faith who tailed in third. In the Hurdles it should read, that the baulk occurred at the first jump by Walkover crossing ahead of Sportsman, who had his work to do to pick up lost ground occasioned by the fouling. Walkover did not take a hurdle at all, while Sportsman did not come to grief again at the third hurdle as reported, but maintained his prestige under difficulties almost unsurmountable. We are sorry these mistakes occurred, but they are as sent to this office. Oub Voluktbers.—On Saturday last 14 competitors from the Gisborne Rifle Volunteers assembled at their practice ground to compete for the possession of a watch and chain presented by Captain Winter, Commanding the Corps. The weather was fine but windy. The competitors fired with the Snider Rifle with which they are armed, at three rangers of 300,400, and 500 yds., five shots wt each. Twelve of the number were handicapped as follows, one with three, one witheight, and ten with ten points each. Sergeant Stott, one of the ten, won with a total score of 53 points. Five of the number refused to fire the concluding range, thinking that Stott, being a good shot, had no right to the handicap. Captain Winter deserves great praise for the spirit he endeavours to instil into his men. Absxssmtwt R 011.—1872-3, The Board will sit to hear Objections to the Assessment Roll THIS DAY at 11 o’clock. Settling Day. —A satisfactory settlement of matters'connected'with 4h» last racing meeting took place at the Argyll Hotel on Saturday evening last.