Untitled

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 119, 7 January 1874, Page 2

Franconi Brothers. — A performance will be given in the Music Hall, on Saturday evening next, supported by a host of local talent, amongst whom is Jolley Nash, reported to be a celebrity of some note. Mr. H. Steele notifies by card advertisement in to-day’s issue that he still carries on his old trade as a cabinet maker, upholsterer, and undertaker, on his premises at the Wharf Road, Gisborne.

Poverty Bay Races.—We have been requested to state that through the liberality of Captain Read, the forthcoming Races will be held in his paddock at Matawhero. Race Course.—Tenders are required to be sent in to Mr. Hall by Saturday next for clearing the Race Course and erecting Hurdles, Poles, &c.

Post Office.—We learn that a branch of the Gisborne Post Office has been removed to the Messrs. Boylan’s Store in the Gladstoneroad. Delivery commenced on Monday last.

Poverty Bay Herald.—We have to acknowledge receipt of No. 1 of our local contemporary the Poverty Bay Herald. As the Herald has a trumpeter on its own staff, we are saved from doing, what would otherwise be a very agreeable duty. Gisborne Bakery.—We are glad to observe that Mr. H. Fisher contemplates making extensive additions to his Bakery in Gisborne, including a shop for the display of confectionery, a branch of the business which he purposes entering into somewhat largely.

Poverty Bay Mounted Rifle Volunteers. — The members of this Troop are ordered to assemble for the Annual Weekly Drill at Turoa on Monday the 2nd February. The place chosen is a good one, centrally situated for all, and offers many facilities for camp movements.

R.M.’s Court.—On Monday last a man named Scott was charged before W K. Nesbitt, Esq , R.M., with having violently assaulted one Peter McHale. Prisoner was remanded until Monday the 12th instant, as the injuries inflicted upon complainant, prevented his appearing in Court to give evidence. Postage Stamps.—A new issue of postage stamps of the value of 1d, 2d, 3d, 4d, 6d, and 1s, are now being made. The halfpenny newspaper stamp remains unchanged. Postage on letters posted in the Colony for Australia and Tasmania is now reduced from 3d to 2d per half-ounce. An Extra Compliment of the Season. —lt is the opinion (certainly not a new one) of the Poverty Bay Herald that “outsiders form their opinions to a very large extent indeed of the condition of a settlement from the sort of newspapers it supports.” We acknowledge our contemporary’s unwitting allusion to ourselves with a becoming modesty.

Waikanae Bridge.—Last year, we think it was, a proposal was made to build a footbridge over the Waikanae stream for the use of pedestrians. It was brought before the Road Board in a semi-official way, but, as it was likely to meet with some opposition, the question was shelved. We are authorized to state the general feeling on this matter now as being decidedly in favor of it, and that the inhabitants are prepared to subscribe liberally towards the undertaking, provided the Board will supplement their efforts with a grant in aid. We trust the Board will see its way to the furthering of this most useful work, as both from the fact of the pursuit of recreation being pleasant, and the study of health a duty, such a means of securing both suggests itself with much force at this season of the year, when a compulsory residence in the town renders life almost unendurable, especially to ladies who care not to leave their houses to be either baked on the heated sands, or dusted over like preparations for the oven.

PETROLEUM COMPANY.—We are indebted to to our contemporary for the following:—“At a meetingof the Directors of the Poverty Bay Petroleum Company (Limited), held at their office on Saturday, the 3rd inst., the following resolutions were passed. That a call of 5s per share be made, payable at the office of the Company on or before the 24th January, 1874. Tenders for sawing and delivering timber were received from C. Wilson and Co., £220; Oliver Goldsmith, £1 10s per 100 feet (£180); R. Cooper and Hugh Campbell, £l 9s 6d per 100 feet (£177); W. King, £150. Mr. King’s tender was accepted, timber to be on the ground by the 16th February. The resignation of J. Cuff, Esq., Solicitor to the Company, was accepted.’ [We fail to see the resolutions referred to. —Ed. S.] District Court.—At the Napier Sittings of the District Court at Napier on Monday last, Thomas Ellis, who had been committed by Dr. Nesbitt, R.M. at Gisborne, on a charge of obtaining goods from Mr. Teat under false pretences, was tried and acquitted. The learned gentleman dispensing district law in that province, administered, we believe, a mild reproof to the committing Magistrate for having sent the prisoner to Napier when the Sittings at Gisborne are so near at hand. The prudence of remanding the case for trial at the local sittings here, was discussed at the time in the R.M.’s Court, but the imprudence of bringing a case before a Court that has no jury to try it, was so glaring that the idea was abandoned.

Road Board.—The Board met on Monday last to consider objections made to the Assessment Roll for the current year. There were very few objections, made all of which were allowed except one. There were none possessing any particular point of interest. The tender of Messrs. Graham and Co. to supply metal to the Road Board at 6s. per cubic yard was deferred for further consideration. The Engineer was instructed to report on the cost and practicability of laying a tramway from the hills at the back of Waerenga-a-hika to the main road, for the purpose of procuring some of the metal there which is said to be of a very superior description. The labors of the Board were not concluded until an advanced hour of the evening. Bathing.—We could write at some length on the necessities personal cleanliness imposes on all to take periodical ablutions -diurnal, we might say, at this time of year—to say nothing of the pleasure consequent on a due attention to the laws of health. But we do not think it is necessary. Our object now is to draw attention to the great want, (shared in by the community, generally) that exists for a secure place in which to bathe—safe from sharks and sheltered from public view. Our duty is also to warn all bathers that there is no security against these sea monsters in the lower part of the river, they having been frequently seen as far up as the junction. Any public spirited individual taking the matter in hand would find the erection of public baths in Gisborne a profitable speculation.

Miraculous Escape.—At noon on Monday last, a very painful accident occurred from which two persons escaped, comparatively speaking, in a marvellous way. Mr. Berry, the contractor for the new building in course of erection, fronting Captain Read’s store, was engaged with a young man in his employ,— named Leslie Steele, a nephew of Mr. H. Steele —on the scaffolding facing the Gladstone-road, when without the slightest warning the scaffolding, which was but little more than tacked together, came down like a pack of cards, precipitating the two unfortunates to the ground from a height of over 20 feet. Immediate assistance was at hand, and stimulants and cold water being freely applied convalescence was soon restored. Mr. Berry was severely bruised and shaken, but although in great bodily pain preferred being on the move to rest. Dr. Nesbitt was quickly on the spot, and pronounced that young Steele had his wrist fractured, but as far as examination could be hurriedly made, no more bones were broken. He has partially recovered, but much shaken internally.

It is with great pleasure the Committee of the Gisborne Library announce the arrival of a further supply of the latest new books. This, added to the already well-selected catalogue should (and we hope will) induce a support worthy of the Institution and energy displayed by its present management. The regulations and charges have been so arranged to meet the requirements of a reading public that the efforts made it is sincerely hoped will not be lost; but, in the anticipation of the growth of the district, the Committee have obtained the present shipment, throwing themselves upon a generous public to come forward and aid an indisputably good cause. The funds at the present time are not as good as the Poverty Bay district should be proud of; but as new arrivals of a superior reading type have augmented our numbers, it is to be hoped they will come forward as subscribers, and reap the benefit of our Reading Room and Library. The Committee are also expecting a still further supply of books, &c., from the General and Provincial Governments, so that upon their early start with the new year it is for the public to make it a prosperous one.— (Communicated.)