Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 35, 9 January 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Nabsow Esoate.—While feeling his way along in the dark one night recently, a gentleman nearly fell over a horse that was reclining close to the sidewalk in one of the dark streets of Gisborne. The question, therefore, arises, would the Borough Council be “ liable for damages," supposing that the said horse got up and kicked the said man, while there was no light in the said street ? According to Mr. Bees’ legal view of things, the Borough Council must be guilty of a fraud in not doing right by placing lamps in the streets I

Hobsb-bbukino.—Mr. Sample’s system of breaking horses is coming into very much use in the Marlborough district (says the Patea Mail), and numbers of settlers avail themselves of his valuable method. Recently, Mr. Morton, of Waverley, had no less than four men in the yard breaking in a drove of horses for the Auckland market, and the' number of horses they put through was astonishing. Although they were wilder than the proverbial March hares, the animals soon became as docile as possible after a little* “ tuition,” and were ridden round the yard fifteen minutes after handling.

Habes.—Some idea may be formed of the destructive nature of hares when so plentiful as they are near Hamilton from the follow, ing:—Mr. R. F. Claude, of Papatoetoe, had two acres of an apple orchard planted last season on his Claudeland’s property, near the East Hamilton railway-station. The hares have completely eaten down the young trees, and Mr. Claude, who is determined not to bo beaten, is about to enclose the orchard with hare and rabbit proof wire netting.

Disease rtf Cattle amd Sheep.—" There is, it seems, a disease in young cattle and sheep peculiar to Tauranga and Opotiki. Mr* R, 0. Jordan, in a letter, says i—The disease you mention as prevalent in Tauranga amongst young sheep and cattle, more especially the former, is one that has hitherto puzzled all Hook-owners in this district, inasmuch as out of a large number that have been examined post mortem nothing definite has been ascertained as to the actual cause of death. The vital organs in almost all eases exhibit nothing unnatural. Efforts are being made this season to arrive at some conclusion. Professor Thomas, of Auckland, has promised, with the assistance of an Auckland vet, to make microscopical examination, if one or two subjects are forwarded to him. Last week Dr. Ginders examined a lamb that was effected with the disease,—the only result was that he ascertained that the lamb was suffering from severe inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nostrils. This might be caused by the animal inhaling some particular pollen."— N, Z, Herald,

Sensible Advice.—" Mr. Buddenklau, the retiring Mayor of Christchurch,! treated the unemployed to some very sensible advice the other day upon their requesting him to telegraph to the Government their refusal to accept work at 4s. fid. per day. He told them he was sorry they had come to such a determination, and said that ‘ all classes were suffering. Many tradesmen were not earning more than the sum which they turned up their noses at. Men of property were not only not making money, but actually losing what they had looked upon as a provision for their old age. He thought, therefore, that the unemployed ought to take what they could get and make the best of it. He himself had begun his colonial career as a labourer, with only 305., at a time when wages were as low as they are now; and he had got on because he had made up his mind to bear what could not be prevented, and to fight his own way.' The men gave him three cheers for his candid, outspoken remarks, but refused to take the advice so kindly given. Such men deserve no assistance whatever, and their foolish action must tend to destroy sympathy for those who are really in distress and are worthy of being helped.” Rust.—From the Bruce Herald we learn that “ the recent unseasonably wet weather is playing sad havoc with many of the crops on the Tokomairiro Plains. Rust has made its appearance in some parts, and we are informed that some of the corn crops, at Waihola Gorge especially, are well-nigh ruined by its ravages. The district has for a long time enjoyed almost an immunity from this scourge, and it is with much regret that we hear of its appearance.” Refutation.—We gladly give the following from the Napier Daily Telegraph :—“ The Wairarapa papers were, I believe, the first to discover that a number of settlers are about to leave the Hawke’s Bay province for America* Other papers then took it up, and I see it has reached Christchurch, and has been made the subject of a leading article, much to the discredit of the fair name of Hawke’s Bay. In reply to these correspondence has arisen, which explains, or attempts to explain, the cause of their alleged emigration. It says the settlers are dissatisfied with their land, that they have no roads, die., &o, Now, being curious to find out the real state of things in Norsewood, I made enquiries of one of the leading business men there, and he says the whole rumour is unfounded. He says the Boandinaviaus are far too wide awake to leave their holdings, and has not heard any dissatisfaction expressed. Now, I think that every paper that has helped to spread this report should, in fairness to the bush settlements in general, either prove it to be a true one, or take the first opportunity of contradicting it.”