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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1177, 17 October 1882, Page 2

Owing to pressure on our space and time the usual report of the proceedings in the R. M. Court, is unavoidably crowded out. Particulars will appear in our issue of tomorrrow.

Mi* McCunniehic’s and Mr Gough’s employees intend to shortly give an amateur variety entertainment, and have, we are given to understand, already secured the fxromised assistance of several of our leading ocal amateurs. A correspondent writes to us asking if it is true that the hides shipped by Messrs Garrett Bros., include several of the skins of the recently poisoned dogs. After patient enquiry we have been assured this is not so, and although dog skin leather is most desirable for dress boots, the firm assert that they have kid and calf skin boots not to be equalled in the Bay.—(Advt). The reporters’ table in the Resident Magistrate’s Court is placed in a most unfortunate position so far as hearing correctly is concerned, and if the witness, although in the witness-box, chooses to speak even in a moderate tone it is perfectly painful sometimes to sit ut the table and endeavour to catch an answer which is being given by a witness who is placed scarcely a yard away. The reason for this may be that the voice of the witnes is thrown in an opposite direction and, therefore, away from the ears of the reporters, so that it is very difficult to catch .the exact words, sometimes not even the sense of what the witness says. That the accoustic properties of the Court House are bad no one can deny, and yesterday when tho District Court sat in this room, it was almost a matter of impossibility to hear exactly what took place when his Honor gave his decision, or when the Clerk announced what the costs were. AVo think this state of things might be altered by a readjustment of the Court furniture and the position of the reporters’ table.

We would particularly call the attention of Mr McDonald’s supporters to the advertisement which appears in another column, in reference to the complimentary banquet, to be given to “our member/’ Mr J. H. Griffin as secretary deserves praise for the manner in which he has worked up the excitement in connection with the coming event, as do also the other members of the committee. Certainly the affair promises to be one of the most successful ever yet held in Gisborne. We are anxious to learn whether the New Zealand Land Settlement Company intend to complete the partially arranged purchase of the Whataupoko Block from Mr Barker, previous to the day apppointed for sale. It would be better perhaps if the company further postponed the day fixed upon in order that they may have time to perfect their title. It seems to us that there is a want of management in their affairs which would not reflect much credit upon any lad over 14 years of age. The natives are highly dissatisfied with the way they have been treated and we doubt very much whether the public entertain a more kindly feeling in the matter. It seems very silly. We don’t know what Mr Percival thinks of it, but we can guess. Owing to the lateness of our going to press we failed to call attention to the U. S.S. Co. ’s time table whichhas been slightly altered. A perusal of the advertisement in i this evening s issue will, however, give the | necessary information.

A most dastardly act was perpetrated yesterday morning by some one, by which Mr H. Cannon of the Royal Hotel nearly lost a much valued slut. The owner offers elsewhere a substantial reward which we have no doubt will be liberally bestowed if Mr Cannon discovers the culprit. The Union Company have made a reduction in their scale of fares between this port and Auckland. The saloon fare for a single trip has been altered from £4 to £3 sg, and the return fares from £6 8s to £5 10s. The reductions in she steerage passages is in the same ratio. From Gisborne to A Veilington the fare has been reduced from £4 10s to £4 as. It may seem to be but a small concession, but people have often to be grateful for little kindnesses. Captain Andrews, our obliging harbormaster and pilot, has supplied ns with the following» —0.50 p.m.: watch barometer; bad weather approaching between N. W, and S, W.; glass falling ve;*y sppn ; indication bad. Mr H. J. Clarke, acting as a Royal Commissioner, was engaged during to-day, in investigating the petition of Mr E. F. Ij arris in relation to several apportionments in con nection with the Patutahi block. Mr Locke appeared in opposition.

Mr Herbert, of Tapanui, Otago, having lately purchased the Puningu block, advertises for 1.50 bush fallers to go to work at once, be they Maori or white man, as he is anxious to knock the bush down before the rainy season comes on again. Mr Herbert is anxious to get the road to his property completed as soon as possible, and expresses his willingness to supplement the Cook County Council funds for this object iu the proportion of £1 to every £2 expended by that body. This is too good an offer to be thrown lightly aside. We only wish we could see a few more capitalists of Mr Herbert’s calibre coming into the district. We want a lot of new blood here ; and we must be careful not to let pie-crust promises be instrumental in shutting ready money out of the district)

cases tried before Mr Dacdonald in the I »i rict Court, held here yesterday. We have neither time nor space to do so to-day, but 1 will give the cases referred to our very best • attention and endeavor to place the circum- : stances before our readers as they really are, without bias or prejudice. They are curious, I and are full of utterly contradictory statements, and we hesitate to rush into criticism ' of them without careful and mature deliberation. We shall give them every considera- ! tion and publish the facts at length. On Monday night next, at the office of the I Building Society, £2OO is to be ballotted for, and this fact clearly proves the excellent | management of this institution. By the way, we should like to hear some | more about those libel actions. AVe are not i over good Maori scholars, and the insertion of these Maori names in affidavits gives us a good deal of trouble. AVe were hard at work yesterday preparing a list of witnesses, which list comprises some very distinguished members of society—both European and Maori - and, we need hardly say, of both sexes. Curiously enough we learn that the counsel for the opposite side recommend the plaintiffs to take medical advice as to their sanity before proceeding with their action. Anyhow, sane or insane, we are prepared for them, and if the other people will only stand on one side they’ll see such a jolly row as will do their hearts good. AA’e interviewed the Carpenter who laid those flooring-boards to-day, and are perfectly satisfied with the result of our interview. Libel is such a funny thing—and so amusing ! It’s an excellent study for articled clerks. As a matter of light reading, for instance, we don’t know a more humorous work than “ Precedents of Pleadings,” by Bullen and Leake, from page 301 to 311. Why, it’s enough to make one split one’s sides with laughter. It’s infinitely preferable to the “Comic Almanac,” and thoroughly throws “ Punch ” into the shade. Just fancy anyone telling you that defamatory matter must be false. Why the idea of such a thing is enough to amuse one for a week, and then the allegations as to special damages, Jehosaphat, “wot larx