Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. Tuesday, January 24, 1882.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1027, 24 January 1882, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. Tuesday, January 24, 1882.

We are glad to learn that Mr D. Johnston, Jnnr., of 11. M. Customs, is rapidly recovering from hie severe illness, and we trust to set 1 ■ itn, ere lung, at his aid post, audiu his usual health.

Tenders are called by Mr W. F. Crawford for the erection of a dwelling-house on section IU2. Plans and specifications may be seen at the brewery, Aberdeen-road. Tenders will close on Wednesday, the Ist of February, at 4 p.m.

At the annual meeting of householders held laet night, the following gentlemen were elected to form the school committee for the ensuing twelve months : —Messrs. D. Johnson, A. Y. Ross, bigley, Lewis, Murchie, J. E. Harries, and Hepburn. Mr F. J. Piesse was appointed secretary.

Before his Honor Judge Kenny, in the District Court yesterday morning, at 10 o’clock, the criminal business was gone into, the first case being that of Te Rua. for perjury. The jury returned a verdict of “ Not Guilty,” and the prisoner was discharged. The jury was then informed that their services would not be required until 10 this morning.

Mr Allan McDonald’s horses Foul Play* The Squire, and Bads worth, arrived by the Oreti from Auckland on Friday last in charge of W. Profitt the trainer. Mr McDonald has also imported three brood mares with foals at foot by Musket, Javelin, and Mute. All of the animals left on Saturday night last for Mr McDonald’s farm at Waerenga-a-hika. Among the sporting fraternity in this community much interest was displayed in the addition made to our local supply of horse flesh.

That well-known hostelry the Gisborne hotel, has passed into the able hands of Mr A. Allanach. Vast improvements have taken place in thia commodious building of late, and much expense has been incurred in putting it into thorough repair, and refurnishing the different apartments. The commercial, public, and private rooms have had special attention expended upon them, in order that every convenience and comfort may be secured to the travelling public. Lovers of billiards will be able to gratify their tastes. A gift tournament will take place on Tuesday evening next, play commencing to-morrow (Wednesday) evening, at 8 o’clock sharp. The prizes presented by S. Locke, Esq., to the winning crew of the Trial Fours at the late Hospital Fete, are now’ on view at Mr Good’s establishment. They consist of five solid silver Maltese Crosses with the following inscription on the obverse side :—“ G.R.C. Trial Fours. Nov. 30, 1881.” On the other side of each appears the name of the recipient, viz., —E. A. Pavitt, stroke ; T. Halbert, 2nd ; O. Hansen, 3rd ; W. A. O’Meara, bow ; F. J. - O’Meara, cox. The crosses display excellent workmanship, and are creditably executed. They are intended to be worn suspended to the watch chain.

Professor Fraser is still attracting a large amount of attention at the Masonic Hail. The hall will be open to-morrow and Thursday evenings. Many persons Lave, during the past week, availed themselves of the opportunity offered of a phrenological examination being taken of their heads. This talented lecturer delivered an able physiological address last night, at the usual place, entitled the “Living Temple.” From the outset it was seen that the Professor was thoroughly at home with the subject. Numerous charts and diagrams were made use of during the lecture. A very good attendance was witnessed and the lecture was of an highly instructive charocter.

Mother Shipton’s alleged prophecy, that “ The world to an end shall come, in eighteen hundred and eighty-one,” has been the direct cause of the death, at London, of a girl named Kate Weedon, aged 10 years. It appeared that the deceased child had been reading Mother Shipton’s prophecies, and had become very much alarmed at the prediction that the world would come to an end last year. She frequently cried and talked about it. One day, towards the close of the year, she went to school in her usual health, and on her return was weeping bitterly and speaking of the approaching end of the world. Her mother told her it was all nonsense, but this had not the least effect upon her, and when she went to bed at half-past ten she was still crying and wringing her hands, saying that she knew the end of the world would come in the night. At about 3.30 on the following morning, the mother was awakened by hearing her cry, and upon going to her bed-room found the child in a fit. A docter was immediately sent for, but his services were of no avail and the child died two hours later.

Mr Hall, coach-builder has turned out of his shop in Peel-street a really excellent piece of workmanship in the shape of a buggy. The whole of the work has been passed through his shop and is worthy of note as containing two or three important improvements in the art of coach-building. It has a “ lock bolt” on to what is technically known as the “ fifth wheel.” The advantage of this lock bolt is very great. It obviates all chance of a capsize in turning a corner, the bolt acting as a check to the wheel before the latter can come in contact with the body of the buggy. Owing to the transom through which the king-bolt passes being double plated, a large amount of additional strength is secure?!. The shafts are coupled with patent hinge, with indiarubber lining to prevent noise. The whole weight does not we are informed exceed two hundred pounds, and the price is £35, a sum a long way below the ordinary rate charged for buggies imported, and of far inferior workmanship. The style of buggy made by Mr Hall is admirably adapted for tne roads in this district, and doubtless the local industry will be well patronised. A cruel practical joke is reported to have been played upon a youth who recently visited some country relations in the Wagga Wagga district. He was taken out opossum-shooting py some of his young friends, who had previously arranged that one of their number should climb a tree and personate a ghost by covering himself with a sheet. Suddenly the alarm was given, and the conspirators decamped in alarm, but soon recovering their courage, they persuaded their young guest to fire at the ghost, having previously taken the precaution to see that his gun was only loaded with powder. The ghost decending from the tree approached the party, and so terrified the lad that he became insensible, aud was fully six weeks before he regained his customarv health.