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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 29, 2 January 1884, Page 2

No Telegrams. —We presume that the telegraph offices were not open last night, as no telegrams reached us. The operatives at the telegraph offices are? certainly, entitled to a holiday as well as other people, and we 1 think our readers will pardon the absence in this issue of any wire messages, Borough Council.—The usual fortnightly meeting of this body will be held to-night, New Year’s Day,"-Yesterday, being New Year's Day } was generally observed as a holiday, A large number of pleasure-seekers spent the day up the river, where the return picnic Was given to the bachelors', others were seen wending their way over the Kaiti Hills, where a few families found a pleasant retreat; others of more energetic disposition went out to the Ormond Sports; whilst a few found congenial enjoyment at the Karaka Races.

A Maori Rumpus,—Shortly after 12 o’clock on New Year’s morn, some Maori grasscutters knocked at Mr, Dinahan’s door, Royal Oak Hotel, Matawhero, but, it being after hours, the premises were not opened ; whereupon a number of the unsophisticated creatures applied their shoulders to the door and succeeded in bursting it open. Weeing the dark boys were bent on mischief, Mr. Dinahan hastily cleared all the glasses off the counter, ran into the back part of the house, and shortly after returned with a stick, jumping on the counter and belaboring the pates of his unwelcome guests to such an extent that they were glad to beat a retreat, when the door was again secured. On finding themselves thus defeated, the sweet children of Nature broke every window in the front of the house and then decamped. Going into the bar in the morning, Mr. Dinahan found that he had lost a cask of beer that had stood in the front of the dispensing-room, and which must have been rolled out during his absence in search of a weapon of defence. The empty barrel was found shortly afterwards in an adjoining paddock. Previous to their visit to Mr, Dinahan’s, the sportive characters had. favored Mr. Murchey with a call, but that gentleman, seeing they were bent on mischief, got rid of his unwelcome customers by taking them over to “ Sam’s ” and shouting a large jug of beer. Such is life, dear boys, in this sunny clime !

Telephone fob Gisborne.— Some people may consider it a little premature to introduce telephonic communication into Gisborne; nevertheless, the application of the instruments in the public and private offices here---especially during unpleasant weather—would prove a great boon to many of our businessmen. We have it, on the calculation of a legal friend, that a sufficient number of contributors towards the expense of working the telephone in this town could be readily secured, and fail to see why a request should not be made to the authorities to put the necessary work in hand. Probably, a few of the leading men of Gisborne could be induced to take the initiative in this matter,

Want ov Light,—Of course we must admit that the Borough Council of Gisborne is an enlightened body, in spite of the fact that it appears to have an objection to see a glimmer cast on the dark streets and by-ways of this town at night. There are a few miserable monuments of previous “ greatness,” in the form of a lamp-poet here and there in the borough, and we would ask, Why are they not utilised of a dark night ? Is the Council waiting for the gasworks to become an accomplished fact, or is it a sad state of impecuniosity that deprives the ratepayers of such little protection against a tethered horse after dark as an oil-lamp would afford? Will no spirited councillor move in the want of light case? Want of Animation.—ln most Colonial boroughs there is generally some slight animation during a holiday—even when the attractions are out of town; but in Gisborne, yesterday, there was a striking contrast to the general order of things. Shortly after the breakfast hour, some little bustle eventuated in town through pleasure-seekers, on horseback or in conveyances, making their way to the country, many of them apparently being on the road to the Sports; but in the afternoon Gladstone Road presented a most inanimate appearance, the only living creatures visible within a range of half-a-mile being two or three little children sporting their time away on a side-path, and a Maori or two reclining at ease on the grass off the main road. It is a long time since such a want of animation could be recorded in Gisborne as we were dismally cognisant of yesterday. Mokau Co.il. —Tha Taranaki 4eics mentions that “ Mr. Joshua Jones has commenced operations on the coal-fields lying on the southern bank of the Mokau River. The ‘ Hannah Mokau ’ was very successfully piloted thirty miles up the river by Te Wetere. The little steamer, it is stated, went alongside the pit, and very soon had twenty tons of coal aboard. This cargo having been secured as a sample, the steamer went down the river again, and, successfully crossing the bar, steamed for the Manukau, where the sample was landed and conveyed to Auckland. We are glad to hear that the Mokau coal is being operated upon, and trust that shipments will soon be frequent, and the output large. The s.s. Irishman from Mokau via Waitara, with a cargo of twenty tons from the mine now being worked by Messrs. Stockman and E. M. Smith, arrived at the breakwater on Monday, and, after discharging her cargo, returned to the Waitara. Samples of this cargo have been on exhibition in town for the past fortnight, and a very high opinion has been formed of it by those who are qualified to give an opinion, and who have seen it in the grate. All who desire to see the opening of the Mokau country will sincerely wish both parties unqualified success in their enter-

Lakk Wakatii’ Agricultural Items,—The ( L. IK. Ml saya t—“ It would nln ] oBt Wear J that the weather experienced during the late < season has been sent for the purpose of show- < ing what the district is capable of producing ’ with a proper supply of moisture. Every* where the benefit of the rain is seen in the healthy and strong appearance of th? crops. However, temperate and modest people are beginning to wish for a little more sunshine and a little less rain—not that the rain does any harm, for the natural system of drainage of the district is sucii that, unless the downpour causes floods and land-slips, it quickly runs off without doing any injury. Nevertheless, so many clouded and wet days are keeping the already late crops still longer back. It may be accepted that wheat wants no more rain—at least not in parts whore it is moderately thick, and this happens to be the rule throughout the district, It is a noticeable fact that little barley has been 1 grown this year in this district, the reason of which is difficult to conceive. Wakaiipu bailey has been always in demand and brought highly-payable prices, and we should also bear in mind this crop is less subject to fluctuations in price than either oats or wheat. The present high price of oaten chaff and the figure at which this article has been ruling ever since last winter, is no

doubt the cause of so much land being laid in oats. Whether or not this has been Overdone remains to be seen. At present |U' h grain is very scarce, and it is questionable whether the local stock on hand will not have to be supplemented by importation from Southland.

The Steam Launch Canterbury.—“ Yesterday morning Agar and Roberts’ new steel twin-screw steam-launch glided into the harbor for the first time as beautifully and easily off the ways as ‘ rolling off a log,’ to use an Americanism, Mies Maggie Agar, at the given signal, breaking the proverbial bottle on the bows and christening her ‘ The Canterbury,’ Since the last notice of this new venture of Messrs. Agar and Roberts was published, the steamer had passed through the hands of the painters, who had finished their work in good style, which so intensified the really fine lines and graceful proportions of the Canterbury as justified the glowing expressions of admiration and praise of the crowd of spectators who witnessed the launching operations. A work of commendation is due to Mr. Peter Louttit, the master shipwright, for the successful manner in which the launching was performed. The new boat was taken in tow by the s.s. Lyttelton and towed round to the breastwork to receive her boiler and engines. Some particulars of her build, measurement, &c., were published the other day ; a fuller account is reserved for her trial trip.”—Prm, Dec. 22.

A Distinguished Traveller.—The Wairarapa, Daily reports that “a distinguished traveller, Mr. James Ashbury, formerly M.P. for Brighton, visited Masterton on the 20th ult. Mr. Ashbury was the fortunate Englishman who a dozen years ago beat James Gordon Bennett in the celebrated trans. Atlantic yacht-race. Mr. Ashbury has just made a tour of the Australasian Colonies and gives a decided preference to New Zealand—so much so that he is anxious to invest money in the purchase of an estate in this Colony.”

Cruel Practice.—“ A correspondent writing to the Tiniaru Herald calls attention to the cruel practice among fishermen, both amateur and professional, of allowing the fish they catch to die instead of killing them by bleeding. If it were known that a butcher turned his sheep into mutton or his oxen into beef by the process of smothering, his meat would be unfit for consumption and he would be prosecuted for cruelty to animals, and yet this is precisely the manner in which fishermen universally treat their fish. To bleed fish is a very simple and easy matter. It is only necessary to cut or break the gills, which can ba readily done with the thumb and finger while extracting the hook. There is no doubt that the chief reason why fish so soon decompose is because the blood is nearly always left to congeal in their veins. By attention to this apparently trival matter cruelty is avoided, the flavor of the fish is improved, and it will keep fresh and sweet very much longer than if left to die a lingering and painful death with the blood congealing in its veins.”

Cultivation of Nettles.—“ Great attention has been bestowed in Germany within the last two years upon the cultivation of the common nettle. Prom it an immense number of articles are made, and there is scarcely a branch of textile industry in which it cannot be used. The growing of nettles has become part of the business of every small farmer. The crop never fails, no weather affects it, and it requires planting only once in every ten or fifteen years. The labor of cultivation is small, and as it needs but three or four inches of earth, many a piece of unprofitable land, and even old quarries and gravelpits are thus turned to account. A manufacturer in Dresden has succeeded in obtaining from it the finest thread known to the trade, so fine that 10,000 metres of it (or rather more than sixty miles of length) weighed only two and a-half pounds.”— British Trade Journal.

Use of Electric Light in a Church.— Public Opinion of November 3rd says:—“The first instance of the use of the electric light in an established place of worship was supplied recently, when St. Matthew's Church, Brixton road, was illuminated by electricity. The system in use is the Fyfe-Main, the inventor of which has established an extensive lighting station in the vicinity of Brixton Station. To light the edifice four arc and sixty small incandescent lamps were brought into requisition. The former were placed in the roof, while the smaller lights were distributed over the lower parts of the building. The result was very satisfactory, the church being suffused by a fine softened light, which burnt with great steadiness. The inventor claims for his system that it can be used in large public buildings at a fifth of the cost of gas for the amount of light given. The light will be permanently used in St. Matthew’s Church.”

Vivid Lightning.—“ The Ranyiora Standard of the 26th ult. is responsible for the following ;—“The remarkable vividness of the lightning on Sunday night was quite the theme of conversation on Monday. Two of the flashes seemed as if they lasted nearly a minute, and the heavy thunder-claps which succeeded fairly shook old wooden buildings. To people who were suddenly awoke from sleep the noise of the storm sounded dreadful, and no wonder timid females were frightened, for such flashes of lightning are not often seen in New Zealand.”

Won’t do to Flood the Market.—The London correspondent of the Melbourne AryUs writes“ While disposed to view the frozen meat trade favorably, the most experienced salesmen discountenance the idea that an unlimited market can be found for Australian and New Zealand mutton. They consider that for some time to come 2000 sheep a week could be absorbed all the year round at prices which, though much below those obtained for English and Scotch mutton, would prove remunerative. If large supplies are sent, they may be disposed of,-but the price will suffer.’’

Going in fi.'K Economy. -The Wellington Harbor Board is, it appear*! economy, if we may judge by the following extract from flic N. Z. Tim gti the 27th ult. :—“ At tha meeting of the Harbor Board the following motions, of which notice has been given, will be brought down By Mr. Duthie (1). ‘ That, with a view to economy and greater efficiaicy, it is desirable that all clerical and office duties be combined under one secretary; that the services of a collector be dispensed with ; that the control ana management of the wharf be vested in one wharfinger, and that the duty of harbormaster be amalgamated with those of chief pilot. (2) ‘ That the board now resolves itself into a committee to consider how the alterations, as by last resolution, can be best effected.’ By Mr. Lancaster, “ That the secretary, be instructed to prepare a return showing the amount paid to the engineer since his appo.'ntment as engineer to the Board up to da e.”

Wil Augury.—ln a leading article on the I annexation resolutions at the Sydney Convention the Aye says What we regret in th« feeling that is now displayed at Sydney is tht evil augury for the future. If Queenslaid and New South Wales wish to exclude ihi islands other than New Guinea from the dicussions, because New Zealand is more in erested in them than the continental coonies that of itself points to the exclusion ofNew Zealand from federal union at some fuure date. The evident concert of Queenslaid and New South Wales is also suspicious. Itlooks as if there might be a natural divisi»n hereafter on this continent, like that of N<rth and South, er of East and West, in Anerica. New South Wales and Queensland hwc a character of their own, which is unli te that of the western colonies.” Lively Proceedings. — The Wairarapa Diily of the 21st ult., reports that “matters aw getting a little lively on the Opaki xailwiy contract. The wages of the employees aie in arrear, and they have made a futile efort to pay themselves by seizing the horses oi their employers. The agent of the Government, however, stepped in and informed them that under the conditions of contract all the plant and horses were already appropriated by the State. Last night Mr. Peperell arranged to meet the navvies in Masterton. The men were there and the master was not. The men, at a late hour, passed through the town yelling * We’ll hang Peperell on a sour apple tree 1’ and other suggestive melodies.”