Murder at Wai-o-matatini.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1059, 8 April 1882, Page 2

Murder at Wai-o-matatini.

A Native policeman from Waiapn, arrived in town yesterday morning, with the intelligence that a Native named Te Rana, from Kakariki, had been killed at Wai-o-matatini, on the 4th instant, about 10 p.m., while fighting with another Native named Tamati. The man Tn ma* i was arrested at about 3 o’clock the following morning, and is in custody pending the result of the inquest. Sergeant Bullen started for the scene early yesterday morning.

The following tenders were received by Mr. W. P. Finneran, Architect, for taking down the walls and breaking up the same for re-use in concrete :—James Mcßride, £65 ; Allen Taylor, £170; C. D. Berry, £175 ; C. McDevitt, £230. For carting away debris C. McDevitt, £l9 ; J. Mcßride, £22 10s. Owing to an informality the tenders will not be decided on until to daj (Saturday )

In consequence of Easter Monday being a holiday, there will be no issue of the STANDARD on Tuesday morning.

*' Mr Bradlaugh has appealed to the House of Lords, asking it to support him in his efforts to obtain his seat in the House of Commons as member for Northampton. Mr S. M. Wilson, the popular proprietor of the Albion Club Hotel, advertises that his splendid five-horse Break will leave the hotel at 10 a.m. on Monday next for the Easter Encampment of Volunteers, at Roseland, and his other conveyances will continue to run every hour during the day.

Messrs Pitt and Bennett notify that in consequence of the inclement weather last Thursday their sale at Ormond is postponed till Thursday, the 13th inst., when they propose to offer for public competition a valuable lot of stock, comprising 250 Tupped Ewes, 180 Wethers (100 of which are fat), 100 Store Wethers, 20 head of Store Cattle, mixed sexes ; 6 head of good Beef, and a quantity of Hacks. The sale offers great inducement to buyers. The return match between the Publicans and Brewers takes place at Roseland on Wednesday next. Sam Stevenson’s break will leave the Masonic Hotel at 10.30 sharp, for conveyance of players and intending spectators The match promises to be an exciting one, as both sides are in great form, and the Brewers have their lost laurels to retrieve. After play a supper will be hud at Scott’s Hotel, where the inner man will be refreshed prior to returning.

The Tologa Bay Race Meeting takes place on Monday, and, if a dainty little programme can be accepted as any criterion, should prove a success. The rain which has fallen so heavily during the past few days, seems inclined to hold off a little, and so give those intending to be present at the meeting a fair chance of getting up the Coast without much inconvenience. The programme is an attractive one, and, wind and weather permitting, offers the lovers of sport a fair inducement to undertake the journey. Messrs. T. W. Carr and Sons notify that they have disposed of their business in Gisborne, together with the premises, to Messrs. Graham, Pitt and Bennett, who will carry on the newly purchased business in addition to their own of auctioneers, valuators, stock and station agents, etc. The amalgamation uf large businesses such as these form an important item in the progress of the district, and under management so well known and intimately respected, augur well for its advancement and well being. Wejwisli t tho new firm every success in their undertaking. At the Police Court, on Thursday, a curious piece of sharp practice was resorted to by a defendant in a case of a breach of the municipal bye laws, by riding on a footpath, and also by furious riding in Gladstone Road. The defendant, one Alfred Jeffreys,well aware of the view taken by the Resident Magistrate regarding these freaks, which are so often carried on in Gisborne to the imminent danger of life and limb, and knowing well that his fully would in all probability cost him a £5 note if adjudicated upon by Mr Price, had recourse to the expedient of serving that gentleman with a subpoena for the defence, thereby effectually procuring his absence from the Bench. That this was his only object was shown by the fact that Mr Price was not called upon to give evidence. The case was heard before his Worship the Mayor and Mr Murphy, who inflicted a fine of 10s. in each charge, with costs, amounting in all to £2 195., or about £4 less than the defendant would probably have had to disburse had the case been heard before Mr Price.

Wo quote the Hawke's JI ay TTer aid's account of the disqualification of Randwick, his owner, and jockey, at New Plymouth, it is as follows : —The scales’and weights used at the races were borrowed from a tradesman in town, the weights being rusty. The jockeys were all weighed out for the Handicap, Randwick whose jockey (Williams) was last on the scales, being supposed to carry 9st. lib. On weighing-in Williams went first to the scales, which were just as they were left by him, ami he again registered 9st. lib., and was passed by the stewards as correct. To everyone’s astonishment Larry’s jockey, who was next to weigh-in, proved to be 131bs. overweight, and all the rest seem to have carried the same additional impost. On the weights being examined it was found that the 1001 b. weight belonging to the machine had been taken away, and one 131bs. lighter substituted. All the jockeys except Williams appeared to have been weighed out with the proper weight, as thoir weight was correct. It was also shown that Williams knew his own weight to he Bst., while his saddle weighed only 41b, and he carried no leads. From this guilty knowledge of the change of weights was inferred, and it was decided to hold an inquiry, and to ask the assistance of the police.” The result of the inquiry was that Randwick and his owner should be disqualified for ever, and the jockey for two years.

The Fire Brigade assembled for practice on Wednesday evening last, at 7 o’clock. No. 2 engine, which has been undergoing extensive repairs, was inspected and reported on favorably. Despite the unfavorable weather, practice was unanimously voted, and the engine accordingly taken into the back premises of Mr. S. Stevenson, who, as usual, kindly placed his well at the disposal of the Brigade. All hands went manfully to work at the pumps, the engine working very satisfactorily. Not so the hose, hardly had the water attained any force when cracks opened up in all directions, until actually as much water was pouring through the cracks of the hose, as was coming through the nozzle. The worst length of hose was quickly shifted with slightly better results, but even these wore far from satisfactory. Do all they could, and they worked hard and well, the Brigade could not send the waler over Mr. Johnstone’s house in Lowc-street, although they could manage it on lower buildings, such as Mr. Stevenson’s stable. To be any efficient use in case of fire, the engine must be supplied with an entirely new set of hose—considering the age of the hose now in use, and the time it has been laving by without having water through or over it, the fact of its being useless is hardly to be wondered at. The wonder would more probably lay in its being found of any service at all. The Brigade are unanimous as to the necessity of new hose, but are troubled as to the source of their supply. It is their intention to apply to the Borough Council, at their next sitting, for a grant of the funds necessary to this object, whether their application will be granted is another pair of boots. We think that the Borough Council and Insurance Companies might combine to supply this and two or three other little deficiencies under which the Brigade still labor at a disadvantage. They require lanterns, oil, wicks, and several other minutice, the cost of which is in reality small, but as an item in the funds of the newly formed Brigade would appear formidable. We feel sure from the tone generally adopted by the various Insurance Companies that they will be willing to contribute in fair and proportionate sums to the reasonable wants of a Brigade of men so willing to do their service, and who have shewn very plainly that they mean work, and not talk. After the practice was over on Wednesday night, the internal economy of the Brigade came under discussion. Two members were st ruck off the roll for nonattendance at three consecutive parades, and one new member, who had been proposed at the previous meeting, was declared duly elected.