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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 106, 19 November 1873, Page 2

Earthquake.—A tolerably severe shock of earthquake was experienced in the Bay on Saturday morning last about 2 a.rn. Bush License. —We learn that Mr. Bell’s application for a Bush License, for his premises at Scott’s crossing has been refused. Turf Meeting.—Members of the Poverty Bay Turf Club are invited by the Secretary to meet at the Argyll Hotel, Gisborne, on Saturday next at 8 p.m., to arrange programme for the 1874 meeting and other business. East Coast Mails. —In future the overland mail from Waiapu and the East Cape, will arrive at 10 a.m. on each alternate Tuesday, closing on the same day at 4 p.m. This alteration is made to catch the mail by the Rangatira which arrives the same day. We are requested by Messrs. Graham & Co., to state that the ship Woodville is taken oft' the berth for Poverty Bay ; and that the sole cause for her not fulfilling her engagements is owing to the fact of there being neither Harbor master nor Pilot at this port to take charge of the vessel. EcLiPSE.-To-morrow,according to the almanacs, a partial eclipse of the sun will take place, visible in New Zealand. It should be seen in Poverty Bay, according to rough calculation, about 1 p.m. Dog Nuisance. —The settlers at Ormond are complaining at the remissness of the Road Board in not carrying the “Dog Nuisance Act” into practical operation in that township. They suffer it appears very much from the destruction caused by dogs, but there is no one there charged with the proper authority to register them, or if so it is not done.

Church Meeting. —We are requested to notify that the meeting called for Friday evening next, has been altered to Thursday, to-morrow, evening at the Court House. Electioneering Deceptions.—As an iuetance of the unreliableness of an election mob, ml of what little dependence can be placed on the mere fact of indiscriminate numbers holding up their hands at a public meeting, forming a criterion of the actual feeling of the electors, we note the following Thames Telegraphic intelligence to the Bay of Plenty Times, “ Mr. Dargaville had a very successful meeting at the Thames (prior to the election) nearly 2000 persons were present, who passed an almost unanimous vote of confidence, there being only 18 hands held up against.” On turning to the poll notes we find that 313 only voted for Mr. Dargaville, and that only 1.297 electors recorded their votes for the three candidates ! We much fear that this is another political trick of which we hear so many complaints against the telegraph agents. Petroleum Oil Company.—A little stir has been caused lately in the operation of this company’s shares, consequent, we opine, on the

National Punch.—We have received the first number of a new comic journal bearing this name. It is published in Auckland at the price of sixpence and is what may be termed creditable for a colonial (or more properly speaking an Auckland) production. Me don’t mean this in an offensive sense ; but the Northern metropolis has always failed in this kind of art ; and it would seem that the artist who draughted the title page of the National had a misgiving as to its probable duration. Mr. Vogel appears on one side with his companion on the table, apparently deeply engaged in the indirect claims arising out of the failure of the San Francisco Mail Contract, while on the other a recumbent native is studying the Flour and Sugar Policy as enunciated in the Waka Maori. These, if national now will certainly not be so in years to come, when Mr. Punch will find it necessary to “change his front,” if, in the mean time he does not “ give up the ghost.” The cartoons are both “ witty and wise ” and we wish the “ undertakers ” every success.

Di ir’CT Post Office.—The settlers living on the banxs of the Big river are taking steps towards establishing a local Post Office at Karawa. This is a want that has been felt for a long time es; cially to residents on the south side of the Waipaoa, and we are glad to find that action has been taken. A combined movement should be made in the district generally for an increase of postal accommodation. The country districts are being steadily settled. Houses are springing up in all directions, and the population is sensibly increased. It, therefore, follow’s that the inconveniences arising from a want of postal communication. have increased also. A branch office is required at Makaraka, for the service of a large body of settlers there and at Matawhero. Tologa Bay can as reasonably ask for a little attention in this direction, and with the addition of at least a weekly mail. The extra expense would be out of all proportion to the benefit to be derived, as the Waiapu mailman need not in such case come further south than the Bay, and it is but an instalment of justice to which the coast settlers are undeniably entitled. recently received intelligence of the probable early receipt of the plant and working gear with which to commence operations. Numerous enquiries for shares have lately been made, and we believe have been taken up, which will have a good effect in determining the amount of confidence reposed in the undertaking by the bona fide settlers of the district. We shall chronicle the arrival of the Lady Agnes at Dunedin, her first port from New York, so soon as advised, an event which, according to her date of sailing cannot be far distant.

Captain Skeet.—The Bay of Plenty Times of the Bth instant, pays the following tribute of respect to an old settler.—“ The steamer this morning takes away an old settler from our midst, one who for upwards of seven years has been associated with public matters in Tauranga. Captain Skeet came here in 1866 as District Surveyor, and held that appointment till the last military settler had received his land, when the district survey office was closed. Since that time Captain Skeet has taken a lively interest in all matters affecting the well-being of the district. Although Captain Skeet unsuccessfully contested the election for a seat in the House of Representatives, he was a favorite candidate for the Provincial Council, but retired just previous to entering Government service. As a professional man, Captain Skeet takes a high place, but he has proved himself to be able in another capacity. During the native troubles in 1867, Captain Skeet, then of t he Auckland Volunteer Engineers, led a port ion of his company into the field, and all who served with him speak highly of his pluck. From the first starting of the Bay of Plenty Times till entering Government employ Captain Skeet has been a constant contributor to our columns, and his various articles, under the title of “ In the Street,” have afforded, no doubt, much interest to our readers. By his Kindness, urbanity, and constant good humour, he has made himself a general favorite, and though we rejoice that he has received a Government appointment, we shall feel that Tauranga has lost one of its cleverest and most useful men. Captain Skeet proceeds at once to Patea, but at some future time we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming him back to Tauranga.”