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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1232, 23 December 1882, Page 2

By the steamer yesterday the Bank of New Zealand received £BOO in silver coin. This should materially assist all who are in business, as latterly it has been only by favor that small change could be obtained. By an advertisement elsewhere it will be seen that on Christmas Day the Rev. J. Hill will conduct divine services at the Holy Trinity Church, morning and evening.

The weather and the fact of Christmas Day falling on a Monday appear to have prevented the butchers from making their annual show. However the quality of the meat exhibited this morning was excellent, if the quantity was not quite so large as under more favorable circumstances it would undoubtedly have been. The dreas rehearsal of the burlesque of •• Aladdin,” at Messrs Parnell and Boylan’s Hall, went off very well last evening. Considering how short a time some of the performers have had to persect themselves in their parts, there were comparatively few hitches. The singing is very good, while the costumes are everything that could be desired. “ Aladdin ” ought to secure a full house on both nights, Boxing night more especially. From a rehearsal only it would be iuvidious to criticise the merits of the performance; the whole face of the matter being altered in the play by the presence of adjuncts which are not produced in rehearsal. We hope Mr Thornton’s energetic enterprise will meet with an adequate return at the hands of the public.

On Boxing Day Mr S. M. Wilson purposes running his five-horse brake to the Racecourse at Waerenga-a-hika. He also announces that he has open and close carriages, buggies, wagonettes, and saddle horses for hire.

We see fn some of the New Zealand papers, a report that the French frigate Minerve, in going into New York Harbor and exchanging salutes with Castle William killed two of her men, and seriously injured three more by the premature explosion of a re-load charge. Curiously enough we took up a New York paper just now, and while not finding a word about the Minerve doing this, we find a paragraph stating that two of the gunners in Castle tVilliani had been killed and three most seriously injured by the premature explosion of a re-load whilst returning the salute of the French frigate Minerve. Whether both accidents happened or whether only one, and it has got mixed, we don’t know ; but it appears odd. It is only through careless sponging, or the vent not being properly served in reloading that such an accident can occur. It is odd that the same accident to the same number of men should happen so nearly simultaneously.

At the conclusion of the Borough Council meeting last evening, the members sat as the Harbor Board. The meeting was called specially to receive a deputation from some gentlemen who were desirous of obtaining the old punt, which could be utilised for birthing premises in the Taruheru river, and Messrs J. Somervell and J. Harris were introduced to the Board by Mr Tutchen. The two gentlemen explained that they had been deputed to ask permission to make use of the old punt which was at present lying idle. A bathing place, if arranged, would be a boon to the whole community. At present persons living in sight of the river were constantly annoyed through men without bathing dresses on, disporting themselves in the river. After some discussion it was agreed to hand over the punt for the purpose suggested. The deputation thanked the Board and withdrew.

We are in receipt of the second number of "Picturesque New Zealand,” which is really far superior to the first one sent us. The lithographs are excellent and the desscriptive articles in a bold, vigorous, and yet charmingly pleasing manner. Neither Mr Rawlins, the artist, nor Mr C. O. Montrose, the Editor, appear to be any stone unturned to render that their venture may prove successful. Messrs Carlaw Smith and Co. report that the prices realised at their poultry sale today averaged—Fowls, 3s fid a pair; geese, 6s. We have received from the officers of the Postal and Telegraph Department a very pretty little reminder of Christmas in a card conveying to the Standard the compliments of the season. We need hardly say that their kindly thoughts are reciprocated most fully by us, and that to one and all of them, from the highest to the lowest, we heartily wish them “A Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year." It is proposed that a grand "haka” shall be held on Xmas Day by the Maoris who are cutting grass seed, on the race-course at Waerenga-a-hika. The time appointed is 3.30 p.m., in order to give visitors from town a chance of witnessing it. A meeting of creditors in the estate of Mr J. R. Davies was held in Mr George Johnstone’s office this afternoon, Mr Johnstone in the chair- Mr Croft proposed, “ That the estate be realised,” but the motion was not seconded. Mr G. McAuley moved, and Mr J. Thompson seconded, “That the bankruptcy be annulled, Mr Davies promising to pay all debts in twelvemonths.” Carried. The second stage of the firing for the Cup was proceeding this afternoon as we went to press. The total earnings of the people of Great Britain inceased from £961,000,000 in 1870 to £1,156,009,000, 1880 which equals nearly £6 per head oft he entire population. The official returns of persons apprehended by the police in England and Wales during the official year as confirmed drunkards give the number 37,940. Of these 27,878 were males, and 10,062 females. The programme for the Christy Minstrel entertainment on New Year’s night, is published in another column, and is certainly a most attractive one. Active preparations have been made, and the rehearsals well attended. The first part consists of an introductory overture by the Band, an opening chorus by the company, and songs by Messrs H. Towsey, J. Pierce (comic), McElwaine, F. Finlay, J. Cohen (comic), and W. Edwards. The finale being “ Scenes in the Circus ” by the company. The second part is an “olla podrida,” which includes some very choice ballads, a silver belt jig, a stump oration by Mr J. Cohen, touching on local subjects, and an amusing farce entitled “ The Quarrelsome Servants. ” In the arrangement the manager has carefully mixed up music, melody, and merriment, so that all tastes will be pleased, A select dance will follow the performance, to which holders of front seat tickets will be admitted. We fully expect to see a bumper house, not alone because this sort of entertainment is always popular, but because the individual performers are each possessed of talent.