Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 44, 19 January 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Fiiodcce Cihcct.ab.-~-Wo acknowledge the receipt of the circular of '• The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Cpmpany, Limited,” and note that 103,551 bales of wool had arrived at Home, and 1.33,836 bales were catalogued up to December 6. As many as 14,592 bales out of the number were from New Zealand, and 23,546 were catalogued by the Company. " Shortly after the close of the third series on lhe 3rd October, unmistakoable’evidences were afforded of a revival in the demand for coarse wools in the Home manufacturing districts, and as domestic wools advanced Id, per lb., this favorable reaction was ere long reflected in tlie values of kindred Colonial descriptions. Some business by private treaty eventuated at rates showing jd. to Id. per lb. appreciation on Seirteinber rates. As the time for the commencement of the fourth series drew nigh, sellers felt less desire to operate unJess at a tangible advance on previous auction rates.

A quieter tone in the market for English wool induced greater caution of the part of buyers, the result being that immediately before the opening of the fourth series no transactions of moment were recorded by private treaty, On this footing buyers met sellers on 20th November, and some disappointment on the part of the latter was not unnaturally displayed, that prices on a par with private contract rates were not either freely paid or .tangibly exceeded. In order to make the opening day’s sales attractive and representative, two of the leading brokers arranged to divide between them the first and second days’ sales, thus securing for the first day a share of the offerings of each. Although by these means the catalogue of 'the 20 th November embraced some 9,811 bales, including a portion of new clip, they failed to elicit from the Foreign section any very animated competition, the burden of the buying falling on the Home trade, who purchased freely. Save for good shafty merino, whether scoured or grdasy, and coarse cross-breds, which went in favor of sellers, no change could be quoted on September rates. As the sales progressed while Home buyers by no means relaxed their efforts, Foreign operators displayed greater freedom in bidding, especially for wools of the new clip, which were represented by some 30,000 bales. Though, as regards strength and soundness of staple, it is generally superior to that of the previous year, it is not lighter in condition. Some flocks, though less earthy, are more fatty and burry. These remarks apply more especially to South Australian, Riverina, and Victorian * wools. Those grown in other parts of New South Wales and in Queensland, though lighter in : condition, bear evidence of a more adverse 1 season, being defective alike in length and 1 strength of staple.” ( E Wesleyan Service.—The subject the Bev. t Pinfold will discuss to-morrow is “ Eternal r Punishment.” 0

Pabseli. and Bcyms’s Hall.—The Hibernicon and Comedy Company gave another entertainment last night to a numerous and appreciative audience. They give their final entertainment to-night, when there will be an entire new change of programme, a special feature of which will be a selection of English, Irish, and Scotch songs, to be varied by dancing and recitations.

Fihe at Pabtutahi,—-The inquiry into the origin of the fire at Mr. Stevens’ will be held to-day, before James Booth, Esq., at the schoolhouse, Patutahi.

1 ovebty Bay Tvev Club.—The following are the amounts paid away to the several owners of winners in the late meeting at Waerenga-a-hika: —M, H. Smith, £190; Martin, £188; W. Douglas, £lOO 15s; J. Harding, £57; J. Carroll, £33 ; T. Carroll, £24; G, L. Sunderland, £l4 15s; Garrett, £l4 15s; D. Page, £9 10s; Newman, £4 15s; total, £6Bl 10s.

Gas CoMrANY.—We would remind those of our readers interested in the Gisborne Gas Company that the first general meeting of members will bo held at the Company’s office, Lowe Street Chambers, at half-past seven o’clock this evening. The business is of importance, inasmuch as the meeting will have to elect a full board of directors and two auditors. Those who have not already paid up to the call (the second), due on the *2oth ultimo, should at once interview the Secretary and negotiate a settlement, or they will not be entitled to take part in the proceedings.

Boat Back.—. The race for Junior Fours in connection with the Gisborne Bowing Club will take place to-day at 2 o’clock. The following are the names of the respective crews No. 1. : E. A. Pavitt (stroke); R, Bullen, 3; Gibbs, 2; Mouat, bow. No. 2 : E. H, Pavitt (stroke, in place of W, O. Sheet) ; Jamieson, 3; Vennett, 2; T. B, O’Meara, bow. No. 3 ; Jackson, (stroke); Martin, 3; Sage, 2; and Isles bow. The course will te from the bend in the Waimata river above Mr. E.iHarris' residence, finishing at the wharf. The prize is to be four very superior cups purchased by Mr. Murchie from subscriptions received by him from a number of gentlemen representing commercial houses doing business in Gisboone and ia well worth rowing for. The race for Senior Fours is fixed for this day week, the prize being four similar cups to those above mentioned, presented by Mr. T. J. Dickson, of the Argyil Hotel, who is deserving of the thanks of the Club for his handsome gift. Mr. Boylan will act as starter and Mr. T. J. Dickson as judge. The final heat for the junior fours will be rowed on Monday next at 1 p.m.

The Fbatebnity.—The major part of the sporting fraternity who had honored us with a Visit in order to attend our race-meeting took their departure yesterday evening, per steamer, for the South.

Sale or Jewelleby. — The attendance at Mr. C. Smith’s sale of jewellery yesterday afternoon was good, and fair prices were realised. The remainder will be disposed of to-day at 11 a.m. Dentistby.—Dr. Sinclair, the eminent den. tist, will arrive in Gisborne shortly See advertisement. Another Convert.—lt is stated that Dr' Scott, of Waiapu, well known on the East Coast for the last twenty-five years as a consistent water-drinker, has joined the Blue Ribbon Army. Lord Coleridge at New York.—Lord Coleridge had a splendid reception by the Niew York Bar Association. The Academy Hall in which it was given, was thronged by a brilliant crowd, representing the most distinguished American society, and numbering about 2,500. Chief Justice Boger, of the Ngw York Court of Appeals, presided at the reception, and he and Mr. Evarts gave the welcoming addresses. Lord Coleridge, in reply, expressed his gratitude ,for the honor conferred upon him and the country ha repreminted. He wished that they received a worthier representative of the English Bar, which he felt that he only imperfectly represented. His lordship then rehearsed in a pleasant conversational manner the incidents of his tour. A splendid programme of music was performed. His lordship was subsequently entertained at supper.

The Immigration Question.—The Wanga. ratta Despatch writes "At the last meeting of the North Ovens Shire Council, previous to the commencement of business, several members indulged in a few remarks anent the question of immigration, and two or three prominent councillors expressed their dieap. pointment, amounting almost to disgust, at the fact that although the voice of almost every local body out of Melbourne has prayed Parliament for a return to a system of assisted emigration, neither Mr. Service nor Mr. Berry seems at all inclined to accede to the request of the majority in the matter. It was remarked, and with truth, that although the appeals of the semi-loafers, styling themselves the metropolitan unemployed, are almost invariably effective, and money spent lavishly to " make” work for them, the wants of the farming community are in many instances ignored. It was further remarked by an intelligent councillor that if many of the mis-named unemployed of Melbourne were offered £1 per diem, and food, to work in the harvest field, it would not drag them out of the city, and this is by no means overdrawing the picture. This proves the immediate need of importing farm labor, and we trust the subject will be kept on the business paper of every council in the colony (as Councillor Parfitt puts it) until the taxpayers in country districts get the ear of those in power, as they have a right to expect.”

The Leadership in Parliament. — The Timaru Herald says:—" What sort of leader, ship has Parliament met with under Major Atkinson and his politics ? Literally, no leadership at all. What sort of politics has he taught them ? Big polities ? No—miserable lobby intrigues and eommittee-room oaucauses. Public questions instead of being debated in the House for the information of the public, and decided on their merits, have been settled beforehand by the whips, compromised by private arrangement with the various local sections, or else postponed until the dying hours of the session, and then disposed of without discussion by sheer force of voting. The public money has been flagrantly! employed to influence parties; the freedom of elections has been interfered with; and even the pure course of justice has been mingled with the muddy current of political chicane. The members themselves speak of the whole business with disgust and shame; and even the supporters of the Ministry do not spare them for their utter neglect of their duty towards the House. Their conduct ean be described and explained in a single sentence. They have habitually and systema--ically subordinated all other consideration whatsoever to the contemptible one of retaining iflice as long as possible.

- A Maktinst Sergeant.—The drill-instruc-tor of an old English Regiment—one of the old stamp of martinet sergeants—who was the terror of every recruit, and the remorseless tyrant of the awkward squad, was putting a tiring party through the funeral exercise. Having opened the ranks, so as to admit the passage of the supposed cortege between them, the instructor ordered the men to 11 rest on their arms reversed." Then, by the way of practical explanation, he walked slowly down the lane formed by the two ranks, saying, as he moved, “ Now I am the corpse 1, Pay attention I” Having reached the end of the party he turned round, regarding them steadily with a scrutinising eye for a moment or two, and then remarked in a solemn tone of voice: " Your 'ands is right, and your ’cads is right, but you 'aven't that look of regret you ought to ’ave.”