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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 990, 25 October 1881, Page 2

Tenders are advertised for the right to cut grass seed on the unsold sections at Patutahi. Messrs. A. Graham and Co. call attention to their large stock of wines and spirits, bottled ale and stout. For further particulars see advertisement. The election of Cook County Councillors foJ the Tolago, Te Arai, and Waipu Ridings will shortly take place, as will he seen by advertisement, published in another column. The Gaming and Lotteries Bill, it will interest many to know, comes into force on November Ist, not upon January Ist as was generally believed would be the case. It is stated (says the Observer) that the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon has been persuaded to remain in Auckland for the fiext 18 months, and during that time to accept the pastorate of the Wellesley-street Baptist Church. Mr. J. S. Cooper has lately very much improved the Waerenga-a-hika course. He has taken advantage of the recent fine weather to have it top-dressed, and put in order so as to render it a most desirable place at which to hold meetings. The backers of Director will regret to learn that Denny Kelly, his trainer, has had a disagreement with Mr. W. Walsh, and has left the latters employ. This is to be regretted as he thoroughly understood the animal, and the horse knew him which makes a lot of ■difference. We are informed that an entertainment under the auspices of the Early Closing Association will take place on Wednesday evening, the 2nd of November, in aid of the Poverty Bay Hospital. The Committee are working assiduously in the matter, and promise that a thorough good programme will be put on the boards.

A young man named Rhodes, a cadet on Mr. McKenzie’s statton, met with an accident at the Albion Club stables, which it is feared will terminate fatally. He was mounting his horse, and had hardly got seated when the animal bucked and threw him violently on his back. He did not complain much at the time, and in fact was well enough to be driven home. It was subsequently discovered that a blood-vessel had burst on his brain, and that no hopes could be eniertained for his recovery. The sufferer is, we understand, reInted to Mr. Helyar, late of Ormond. A constable ill Wellington a few davs ago found a man in the street who was evidently suffering from a fit. The sufferer was conveyed to his home, and, on the police knocking, his wife appeared at an upper window, upbraided the police for disturbing her, and told them to take her husband to the hospital. This the police had to do, as the wife would not come down stairs.

Among other interesting items connected with the Auckland Crown Lands Board, we notice the following concerning G-isborne :— Elizabeth O’Dowd asked leave to transfer her interest in her deferred payment section at Ormond, to Mr. Alfred Austin. She had fenced in and improved the selection.—The District Land Officer recommended the application as a bona fide one, and stated that Mr. Austin would make a good permanent settler. The application was granted. A cablegram from London informs us that Sir Arthur G-ordon is to visit England next spring. It is puzzling to think of a Governor, who, in the discharge of certain foreign official duties, leaves the colony which he is supposed to govern during the sitting of Parliament, and who, during his term of office, takes a trip to England. The Wellington Post, however, throws a new light on the subject by a statement that Sir Arthur Gordon will not return to New Zealand, and that “ higher honors are in store for him.” What these may be we do not care to guess ; but they must be for his Fijian administration, as they have not been earned in New Zealand. “ Next spring,” we suppose, means about May so that we shall have to get another Governor by the meeting of the new Parliament.

The Secretary of the t’ost Office and Telegraph Department has addressed a circular to all the Chief Postmasters of the Colony, for the purpose of regulating the hours for opening and closing private-box lobbies on Sundays and holidays. The circular is as follows :— “ From and after the 2nd proximo, the private letter-boxes at your office must remain open, and be accessible to the public, on Sundays and holidays, between the hours of 10 a.m., and 5.30 p.m. As this circular is issued for the purpose of establishing uniformity of hours throughout the Colony, Chief Postmasters must adhere to the closing time specified ; but during delivery of a British mail they may extend the hours if thought desirable. Chief Postmasters will please notify the public and the Postmasters of their district to whom these instructions may apply.” There is a good story told of President Hayes in connection with some appointments made to fill the vacancies in the United States Army. A gentleman who is distinguished in social life was extremely anxious to have the son of a warm frirnd designated for one of the vacancies. He called upon the President and made known his request. “ You see, Mr. President,” said he, in advocating the young man’s claim, “ his father is a distinguished exarmy officer, and his great-grandfather was a gallant soldier in the army, and his great-great-grandfather was an officer in the navy during the Revolutionary War.” These points were pressed with force upon the attention of the President. All of a sudden the President said, “ and this young man’s father, greatgrandfather, and even a more remote grandfather, have all been officers of the United States ?” “ Yes,” camejjjje reply. “ Well,” replied the President, merry chuckle, you think it that some one - that family ?”