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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 20, 11 December 1883, Page 2

The opening of the Supreme Court in Gisborne yesterday was quite an event. At an early hour in the morning, several parties of Natives congregated in the principal streets, while many on horseback rode about the town, A good muster of pakehas also gathered in different places, and the scenes presented were of a picturesque character. The amount of work brought under the Judge’s notice should not only convince him of the necessity of holding periodical sittings of his Court in Gisborne, but that a suitable building for the purpose is really necessary. Mr. Morgan, of the Gisborne Public School, rep >rtB that, since Saturday last, some malicious person entered his school-room and tore up a Urge map of New Zealand, which one of his scholars had nearly finished, after having been three weeks on the artistic work. The boy who drew the map is a great favorite in the school, and no reason can be assigned for the perpetration of the handiwork of a mean sneak. No other damage was done in lhe school-room. It appears that it. is the custom to have open a side-door for the sweepers to t nter, an 1 the perpetrator of the cowardly act is, no doubt, fully acquainted with that fact, us well as with the daily proceedings in the school. u

The first case to be taken in the Supreme Court to-day will be Regina v. Parekowhai, for larceny as a bailee. The bills against Nokowhare, for assault with intent, and Hale, for maliciously killing a lamb, were thrown out.

The Turanganui Masonic Lodge will meet to-morrow evening, for the conferring of degrees.

James Alexander and a native were fined five shillings and twenty shillings respectively for drunkenness, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, yesterday morning. The Native Lands Court, before Judge Brookfield, was occupied the whole day in hearing evidence as to the claim in the Papawahanhanga Block,

We are requested to call attention to an advertisement in another column respecting the Champion Copper Company, full particulars of which can be obtained from Mr H. E. Johnston, Wharf, Gisborne, On the common jury being called in the Supreme Court, all the gentlemen answered with the exception of W. Good, J. Boland, and A. Budd, the two former being excused on medical certificate, and the latter hud not been served.

For some unexplained reason the case of Rees t*. Kerr, for alleged libel, has been, on the application of Mr Kenny, adjourned till the next sitting of tne Supreme Court—much to the disgust, we understand, of the defendant and his friends.

A large target has been erected on the Whataupoko Block by the J Battery for purpose of practising with the big gun. The ranges have yet to be marked out. We expect good practice gone into, as lately the members have been thoroughly instructed and drilled into the use of the gun by Sergeant-Major Hyde.

Attention is drawn to an advertisement in another column, notifying the time for the ordinance firing of J Battery, and we desire to call attention to the danger of persons passing over the Whataupoko Block, near Mr. Gannon’s house, during the artillery practices. The target can be seen from the eastern part of Peel Street. The Napier Telegraph of Dec. 3rd states that it is reported that Allan M’Donald recently wrote to Ormond offering to resign his spat in the House if Ormond would take it, but the latter declined.” It would seem that legislative honors are bearing heavily upon the indefatigable representative of the East Uoast.

News from the grain growing districts of the South Island is generally of a very favorable character. Notwithstanding the ungeniul character of the spring and the recent floods, growing crops are said to be looking exceedingly well, and to promise an abundant yield. New Zealand mutton, says a Home paper, when it reaches this country in good condition, is fully equul to the best English mutton ; and those who may be tempted to try the “ marble meat,” if they are fortunate in obtaining a good cut, are not unlikely to repeat the experiment. The following are the winners and the amounts of prizes won at the eompetit on fur Government prizes by the J Buttery on ■Saturday mat: U. Hansen (6o), £3; A. Nash (03), £2; I’. Morrison, No. 1 (62), £1 us ; Cupt. VViulet* (61), 200 rounds urn munition; stark (u 9 L/s6d; i'neiwad (uS), luO rounds of ammunition. Ordnance firing for Government prizes will take place next duturday ut JL pm.

We acknowledge the receipt of the “ New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Ageucy company’s” circular for December. VV ith respect to wool it«Bajs : —“Since our lust issue, under date Ist November, considerable interest lias attached to the Colonnu sales in London, which opened on 20th November, and are progressing under good competition at a slight enhancement in value, shearing is proceeding throughout the Colony under less satisfactory conditions than flock-masters could wish, owing to the continuance of broken weather.”

“Many townspeople have been rather concerned since about half-past two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, in consequence of hearing a sound more line that of the report of a heavy gun ut a distance than anything else, lhe noise appears to have been heard more or less distinctly throughout the Wakatipu,- but more distinctly at the Arrow, and various have been the surmises—the impression at the latter place being that it was the report of a heavy blast at the contract works of the Macetowu road. The latest account is that it was the explosion of a thunderbolt or some other substance, which fell on the farm of Mr. Morrisby, on the Crown Terrace. There is probably much truth in this, as about the time in question several persons here witnessed a bright fiery meteor descend in the east and a few minutes afterwards heard the noise mentioned.”— Lake Wakatipu Mail, 30th ult.

We extract the following mining news from the Lake Wakatip Mail of the 30th ult. “ Reports to hand from the Macetown reefs continue favorable. The yield of gold in the aggregate may not come up quite to that of last year, but there is every probability of it being more equally distributed. The Keep-it-Dark has now a goodlooking reef, fully 3ft. wide, between two solid walls and showing gold freely. This fact removes the doubt that once existed as to there being a regularly-defined lode in this mine. The Premier Company have finished crushing a considerable quantity of stone at the Maryborough battery. The Gladstone, who has been crushing at the Public Battery for some time past, will cease crushing for a time, to enable the All Nations to put about 200 tons through the mill. Ihe contractors who are engaged in driving a cross tunnel in the United have made capital progress, and expect to strike the reef soon. lam also happy to hear that matters in the Homeward Bound look more promising than they have done for a long time. This plucky Company deserves great praise and success for the courageous manner in which they persevered under so many reverse difficulties.”

Drowsiness, billiousness, pains and aches, and ague, cured with Hop Bitters.

Hop Bitters gives good digestion, active liver, good citculation, and buoyant spirits. Read larger.

The Lake County Press of the 29th ult. says “ Once more Carl Hein is tackling his gigantic task of digging into the “ bowels of the earth,” beneath the Arrow River. After spending the winter in road-making our persevering fiiend is making extensive preparations for a hard season’s work in his tremendous claim. He intends getting his present tunnel in at such a level as to bottom the deep wash, and it is likely he may then “strike it." At any rate he deserves to do it, and we wish him every success.”

“ With reference to disease amongst the rabbits on Mr. C. C. Boyes’ property, the gentleman named informs us that some of the animals have been examined by Dr. Douglas, who pronounces the disease to be undoubtedly tuberculosis, attacking both lungs and liver—especially the latter. The disease is infectious, and it is said that any animal attacked is bound to succumb and die. The settlers in the Arrow district have been unusually active lately, aud many seem to have decided on taking concerted aud energetic steps to exterminate the rabbit pest, by artificial process of fumigation. Here, however, an unexpected friend has turned up, and we should advise the settlers generally to lose no time, before the plague dies out, to procure some of the doomed rabbits from Mr. Boyes, who will, no doubt, be happy to supply them as far as possible."— Lake Wakatip Mail,

“ A good haul was made at the breakwater yesterday of about 200 perch, in fine condition, and weighing from half-a-pound toune-and-a-half pounds each. We do not know how far this netting may be in contravention of the Fish Protection Act, 1877, but do not think—in the absence of any provision for same—that the material interests of the State are injuriously affected in the case under notice, as the porch are getting very plentiful in the Lake.”— Lake Wakatip Mail.

" Henare Tomoana, M.H.R., was present (says the Napier Daily Telegraph) at a Maori meeting at Grey town laiely, and in his address advised his Maori friends not to make foolish bargains with regard to land, or spend their money recklessly. The Government, he said, was considering what was best, to be done for the native race, and he referred to the law just passed to prevent Europeans from leasing land or buying it before the title has been ascertained, us well as to other measures for their good.”

The Garden contributor of the Otago Witness makes the following interesting remarks on the forwardness of the season in the vicinity of Dunedin. We may mention, on the other hand, that accounts from the country districts arc, as a rule, tinted with anything but a roseate hue, the season being in the majority oi cases described as a ratuei backward one : —“ The present season may indeed be termed a floral apuug. Aithougn we have had a good d»iul of cold and biasty weather, and 1 think more than the average rainfall, yet everything seems to grow well. The spring flowers have been very gay ; from the time that the snowdrop first showed its tmy welcome flowers up to tne present we had a continuous blow of flowers. First the crocuses, hyacinths, and tulips, then the wallflowers and primroses, have been must uunndunt, and have flowered better Ibis season man lu any other within my recollection, in fact, all spring flowers have yielded n mure continuous display of bluum than 1 Can remember in any previous season.”

A correspondent to the Daily Telegrapn. (Napier) repairs uo luliuvvs ; —“ Last Week 1 viniLcd tne imp gardens ui AVlessrs. Urinunu and luuuer. Ine appearance ui thia uert lucai industry is every uuug tile most suugurne cuuid uuoiru. Ane rmuiarr uf the present season has been much mure tnuu Urv

average, and I am glad Lu say it has nm. ulleCiud the appeuiuuce ui lire young bine. A little Wurinth and sunshine to operate os a pruaruuK lu upeu uut Lhe proper ties ut vegebublun in thio Valuable sun is all blrut is re-

quired Lu riiuKe this year s puilug bend under Lireir weight ui iuxiage. inis industry will pray a niust luipuibaub part in Lhe expor ts ui Hawke s Bay at uu distant date. It is lhe ruLeuLiun ui Air. Tunner Lu plum abuut ten acres neXL seasuu in hups ul Lire best kliru, the sets fur winch he is imparting iiuiu .England, Tills wifi make, wuii what is prauLcd, abuut LweuLy-twu acres. 1 hear ul utner settlers whu intend to gu in fur Lius industry, and i du nut wunder at it when it is taken JuLo consideration the amount uf wealth that an acre will produce when in full working order. VV Ith guud sulf and guud management uu acre uf plants will average one ton ut hups, and at is. 6d, pci* lb. gives £l66per acre, lhe working expenses is ÜbOUb X4U an acre, duppuse there are 50U acres under crop, the output of this would be £166 per acre, or cause a total of £B4,UUO Lu be in circulation. Some of your renders may think tins a glowing account. 1 can assure them there was a great number ui hup gardens in Nelsun lust year, and their output was uver £3OO per acre. Now what will 500 acres uf the same land return fur grazing purposes ? About £3 per acre, or a tutal ui £l5OO. A very wide difference. Ido not advocate putting all uur eggs in one basket. A little warning to those who intend to fallow the industry will not be out of place. First, before picking cuimueuces a proper kiln should be erected ; secund, a thorough practical man should superintend the picking and drying (or curing, us it is termed) during the various stages. The success recently depends on the curing, as very often the bast grown hops are spoiled fur the want of proper treatment. I may say one practical man can superintend several gardens in the same district. Mr. Tanner has taken the right step to make the hop venture a success ; has secured the services of a first-class practical man of English and colonial experience. lam sure it is the wish of every settler that Mr. Tanner’s pluck and energy will be well rewarded. As the season advances I will report progress.”

In The N. Z. Gaseite of the 29th ult., we notice that, under the heading of “ Local Rates," it is set forth that “ when goods are landed ex ship, and taken into shed and redelivered to other ships, they will be charged 3s. per ton, according to ship’s manifest, or by weight or measurement, at the option of the department, including one week’s storage, after which storage will be charged fur.”

The Napier Daily Telegraph reports that “ a movement is on foot at Woodville to separate from Waipawa and form a new country, to consist of the Danevirke, Kumeroa, and Woodville ridings, and, if poiyfble, to get the Pahiatua riding to cut itself off from the county of Wairarapa West. A public meeting was held on-the subject at Woodville last Saturday, at which resolu* tions affirming the desirability of separation from Waipawa was carried unanimously, lhe several Road Boards within the pro* posed new county have been appointed the committee to take the necessary steps to give effect to the resolutions."

From the New Zealand Times of the 6th instant we learn that “for not stamping a receipted account with a penny duty-stamp, Hency Flockton, furniture dealer, was yes* torday summoned to the Resident Magis* trate’s Court. It appeared to be an ordinary case of oversight by an assistent. The defendant denied being present when the receipt was given to James Turner and his wife, but Turner swore that Flockton handed the receipt to his wife. There had been a dispute as to the articles purchased being delivered, and in this way the receipt was incidentally shown to Mr. James, Clerk of the Court, who impounded it, and the police then prosecuted Floxton for defraud* ing the revenue. Mr. Edwards appeared for the defence, and submitted that there was no clear evidence connecting Mr. Floo* ton with the receipt. The Magistrates thought the evidence was clear against him and fined him 20s. and costs."

The New Zealand Times of Friday last says : —“ The weather certainly remains extremely changeable, and there appears to be not the slightest certainty as to what it will be even for a few hours. During the last three days there has been a southerly wind every mnrning, while during the day a very stiff nor’-wester has prevailed. At 7 o’clock yesterday evening a thick bank of clouds suddenly made its appearance in the south, and for a time the sky looked very threaten* ing. The wind, which was blowing very freshly for a time, however, fell away to a very light breeze, and the clouds rose to a considerable height. The sky remained overcast. Settlers, and especially sheep* farmers, will be glad indeed when they have some indication of settled summer weather. “ The Blue Spur Tailings Comany’s claim is (says the Otago Daiiy Times of the 30th ult.) at present well worth a visit. Those who have not seen the magnitude of the workings can form but little idea of the enormous quantity of stuff that the Company are now putting through their sluice-boxes, and of the immense hydraulic power they nave at their command. The Company are rapidly approaching the ground at the head uf Gabriels, where rich gold was taken out in the early days of the field, and old Blue opur miners and residents entertain the opinion that when the proper spot Is reached there will be handsome returns, At the present time a quantity of fine gold is being saved from the blankets which have recently been added to the sluice-boxes. After a run ui about 16 hours this week the manager took fruin these blankets of fine gold, which had nut been obtainable. The coarser guid is aiso being obtained in greater quantity Fur the past 12 mouths there has been taken uut of the claim gold to the value of about £3OOO, aud this has shown a satisfactory profit on the working. When it is remem* uered that this has been the result of wurk* ing ground which it was supposed would not pay tu sluice, but which it was necessary to remove, shareholders may be congratulated on having satisfactory prospects before theni,”