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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 209, 30 September 1874, Page 2

To Subscribers.—We beg to notify that the present number concludes the current quarter of the Standard. Rifle Match.—lt is on the tapis that the Gisborne Rifle Volunteers are about to send a friendly challenge to a Rifle Company in Australia, who hare expressed a desire to fire against their New Zealand confreres. The particulars are not yet decided on.

Church of England. — The erection of the building for the Church of England is now being proceeded with, a portion of the framework was up on Saturday last: and it is expected that it will be sufficiently advanced to hold service in it by the end of the year. New Timber Yard.—Mr. W. King, the ever-enterprising Saw-miller of Makauri, is again on the move in the right direction. An advertisement appears this morning notifying that on and after the Ist of October he will open a Timber Yard, in Gisborne, under the management of Mr. Howard Strong. Native School.—The Turanganui Native School is now left without either scholars or teacher. We learn that the number of children attending school had fallen off so considerably, that the Government decided on removing Mr. Goldsmith from the post, although in his notice to quit, he was given to understand, that no fault was to be found with him. We presume, however, that it is not intended to shut up.the school altogether. Artesian- Well.—The Road Board, at a meeting on Saturday last, decided to subsidize an effort about to be made to sink a trial artesian well at Mr. Higgins’ Shelbourne Hotel, at Makaraka. We understand that the project is well supported by the residents in that locality, and by travellers generally. We sincerely trust that it will be a success : that it will be a great boon no one can deny ; and our only wonder is that the townspeople have not taken the initiative long ago in the same direction.

Volunteer Regulations. —We understand that one of the new regulations will have a very important bearingon the life blood of Volunteer Corps in future. The minimum strength is stated emphatically to be thirty, and any Corps falling below that, number will be disbanded. It is well, therefore, that all, particularly town residents, who con do so. should join the ranks of what should be a far more agreeable and popular arm of the service than the Militia.

Billiard Tournament.—lt is announced by alteration in advertisement, that the billiard contest will be played at Brodie’s Argyll Hotel table, instead of the Albion table as previously notified. Subscribers are also informed that entrance foes must be paid to Mr. Brouie at the Argyll Hotel not later than Saturday next. The requisite number having been entered, drawing will take place at 8 o’clock on that evening and play commence on the following Monday. It is necessary, therefore, that each one should be at his post.

Ormond Garrick Club.—We learn, with great pleasure, that the members of the Ormond Garrick-Ciub, contemplate commencing the season’s performances about the middle of the ensuing month. A sterling Drama and a capital Farce are in active preparation, both of which will, we are sure, be put on the boards in every way worthy of the reputation this talented company has achieved. Its vitality is wonderful; it has lost some of its leading hands lately by removal and resignation, but still it comes well to the front on demand. Me wish our friends a pleasant and prosperous e ison.

Gisborne Band. —- Arrangements, we believe, are being made for the incorporation of the Gisborne Band with Captain Winter's Company of Foot Rifles. If no other plan can be hit upon to keep the Band alive, we suppose it hud better be so ; but in that case it should be understood that it will be essentially a Military Band, and liable, as such, to play on ail Military occasions where music is necessary, and not exclusively for the Company to which the members may be attached. The public, who subscribed for the instruments, have a voice in this mutter, through the Band Trustees, and it is to be hoped that whatever is done will be carried out in a way best cal.-nlated to realize the wishes of the subscribers.

Gisborne Rifle is given that arrangements have been concluded for the free ferrying, ammunition and marking at the butts to all the members of this Corps who are desirous of ball-practice. Divine Services.—The Rev. Mr. Murphy will (D.V.) hold Divine Service next Sunday at Ormond in the morning, at 11 o’clock, and at Gisborne iu the evening. The Rev. W. Hevingham Root will also hold Divine Service at Gisborne, in the morning at 11 a.m., and at Matawhero, at 2.30 p.m.

Opotiki Rifle Match.—Fresh overtures we hear, have been made by Captain Hardy in re the long-pending contest between his troop and the Bay of Plenty Mounted Volunteers. A communication was again sent to them by the last mail to tile effect that the Poverty Bay men should either fire against the score already sent down, us the result of the Opotiki shooting, or the troops should fire again simultaneously, a day to be fixed so soon as a favorable reply be received, and the original conditions on which the misunderstanding occurred, have been accepted. We hope this dispute will now be amicably settled.

Patutahi Grass.—Mr. W. 8. Greene sold, according to announcement, in the Court House on Saturday last the right of pasturage on the Patutahi Block, for the five months ending on the Ist March next. Tnere was a large attendance, but few bidders. The conditions were one third cash at the fall of the hammer, and the remaining two thirds in promissory notes at three and six months. The large block, containing some 50,000 acres started with £lOO bid and was ultimately knocked down to Messrs. Graham and Co., for £435. The 600 acre piece, known as Tapatohotoho, passed to the credit of Mr. R. Cooper for £llO. An unexpected sum of £545 will thus be placed to credit of the funds of the Road Board, and, at this season will be most accentable.

Pilfering.—We have been requested by several inland settlers to call attention to the fact that petty depredations are on the increase in the country districts ; some of them not unattended with malice, or vindictiveness. What between cattle shooting, sheepwid horse stealing and hen-roost robberies, a very lively little game is being carried on. The latest we have heard of is from Mr. Cameron, who states that on returning home the other evening he came across throe sheep which lay helpless and bleeding on the ground,evidently having been worried by dogs. He left them with the intention of sending for them next morning, which ho did, but to his great surprise found they bad disappeared. Mr. Cameron is positive that the sheep could not have taken themselves off, as they were nearly dead when he left them. It is to be hoped that an example will be made of some eligible specimen of moral frailty, on an early occasion.