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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 76, 6 August 1873, Page 2

Fashionable Arrival. —Henare Matua, the Great, arrived post-haste in Gisborne on Monday afternoon last on the back of a horse, and proceeded at once to the pah on the eastern bank of the Turanganui river, where a grand reception awaited him, i.e. as far as noisy demonstrations were concerned. Flags were hoisted in honor of the event, great and ” speeches were made, and very much jubilee seemed to take possession of the whole fraternity. Permissive Bill. —On Sunday evening last, at the conclusion of Divine Service, the Rev. Mr. Root, introduced and read a Petition, framed for signature, to be presented to the House of Representatives praying that legislative action may be taken with a view to giving to two thirds of the inhabitants of any town or district, a right of veto as to whether licenses shall or shall not be issued to houses in which to dispense liquors &c. The rev. gentleman did well in explaining his connection with a politico-religious transaction, to refer his congregation to the prime movers in the Petition as it was, it appears, at the request of Archdeacon Williams that a most inappropriate occasion was selected in which to enlist the sympathies of people as against their better judgment. The settlers in the Province of Auckland already possess the privilege prayed for in the Petition ; and the congregation evidently coqglder that the rest of the Colony is able to look after itself, without being burdened with an expression of opinion to the contrary, for the pulpit exhortation seemed to have no effect on them. We do not blame Mr. Root for obliging a fellow laborer in granting him a favor; but, we honestly think, he has been made, what we should call a “ cat’s paw ” of, were we writing upon matters less sublime. The Archdeacon knows, as well as any man living, that he could not get a colonial congregation himself to do his bidding in such an off-hand manner; and one “ new to the manner born ” was not likely to give much assistance to the promotion of a cause, on the merits of which, most persons entertain very strong and opposing opinions. Clergymen should best know, of course, what subjects are most calculated to promote religious thoughts in the minds of their hearers; but, viewing this matter in a personal light, we can simply express our disagreement with the introduction of political matters into the pulpit, and, although the Petition was presented with the best possible intention, we think it suffered through the process; while the thoughts of the congregation were invited abruptly back to earth from the heaved to which they had been so eloquently invited. We understand that very few signed the Petition.

Major Pm has received orders to proceed forthwith to take command of the Wairoa post, rendered vacant by the deal h of Major Cummi ng; whether the change is permanent or temporary is not yet known. Captain Richardson takes command of the Force here during Major Pitt’s absence.

Resident Magistrate’s Court.—Ar^on. — On Monday last an extra sitting of the Court was held to hear the complaint of a native against Thomas Gilmore, for having wilfully set tire to his (the native’s) whare. The complainant handed in a written statement to the effect t hat he wished to withdraw the charge, as he had since learnt that Gilmore had no malicious intent in committing the act of which he was accused. Gilmore offering to replace the goods destroyed, the case was dismissed.

Theft. —lt isour painful duty to announce the apprehension of Constable Donahue on Saturday last, on a charge of stealing. It appears that Mr. Clayton had missed some timber from the premises in course of erection for Messrs. Robjohns and Teat, and ultimately traced it to Donahue’s possession. He at first denied having come by it in any but a legitimate way, but on the charge being pressed against him he confessed to the theft, in the hope of getting the matter hushed up. Pending an investigation by the Constabulary authorities we defer entering furi her upon a matter which we record with very gre it regret. Excelsior Variety Troupe.— On Saturday night last this favorite Troupe were well received for the fourth time by a small, but highly delighted audience. Mdlle. Laura also appeared for the second time on the trapeze, and gave evidence of great improvement having been effected at the interim rehearsals. Mr. Mure and the Franconi brothers introduced some new feats on the treble trapeze, which established them as complete masters of the profession. There is, although partaking of the same character, a pleasing variety—as the name of the Troupe import s—in their performances ; which, if merely considered as exhibitors of high muscular development, cannot fail to be admired. Ned Mason, who is, perhaps, one of the best stop and big shoo dancers of the day, added muchly to the success of the entertainment in his happy rendering of his nigger comicalities. We inadvertently omitted to mention a pleasing interlude which formed part of the performance of last Thursday evening. Mr. Greer, a resident amongst us, is a tolerably goop amateur ventriloquist, and caused much merriment by a dialogue he maintained with his friend Pat whom he carried about in a box. The Troupe will perform again this evening.