Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 57, 4 February 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Customs Beturns.—The following is the Customs returns of revenue collected at the Port of Poverty Bay from the Ist to the IBst of January, 1884, both days inclusive:— Spirits, £334 15s. lid.; tobacco, £llO 155.; wines, £3O 18s. 5d.; ale, beer, &c. (in bottle), £l3 14s. 6d.; tea, £26 12s. Bd.; sugar, &c,, £B7 ss. 3d; goods by weight, £l6 13s, lOd.; goods ad valorem, £5O 15s. ; other duties, 10s. ; beer duty, £76 9s. Cd.; pilotage, £lO 18s.; B.W. duty, £100; licenses, £2; Fish Protection Act, £1; Seamen and Shipping Act, J6s. Total, £866 3s. Id. New Rowing Club.—A new rowing club has been formed under the name of the Roseland Rowing Club. Mr. W. H. Harris is the captain, and Mr. D. Murchie secretary and treasurer. Tologa Native Lands Court.—" The s.s. Rosina, with a number of passengers, including Judge Brookfield and staff and Captain T. W. Porter, <£c-, left last night for the Coast, Maori Church. —An inspection of the Maori Church at the Haiti is anything but gratifying—the roof is in a rotten state, with large holes in the top of it, and the whole structure has a dirty appearance, The burial-1 ground, too, is in an uncared-for state, — several of the fencings of the graves have fallen down through decay, and weeds and long grass cover the sacred plot* Surely some effort should be made by those interested to get the church and its surroundings put in decent order, j

Crown Lands Guide. —We acknowledge the receipt from the Government printer of a copy of the “ Crown Lands Guide,” No. 6, whieh contains a large amount of well-com-piled information. It is a pamphlet of 107 pages, in a paper cover, and has a wellexecuted colored map of both the North and Middle Islands,

Book Post Packages. —lt has often been a matter for remark on the peculiarly heterogeneous articles which are sometimes sent by post. Nevertheless we must confess to having been somewhat astonished on our attention being called to a large box, measuring about 15 inches by 24 by 6, containing apples and which formed a portion of the mails per Wairarapa on Saturday.

Tologa Riding. — A vacancy having occurred in the representation of the above Riding, through the resignation of Mr. J. L. Allanach, nominations for the office will be received at the Court-house, Tologa, until noon on Thursday, February 23rd.

Burning Off.—A very unpleasant sensation was experienced on Sunday morning by the residents on the Waikanae, who witnessed a roaring fire raging within a few paces of the powder magazine. Fortunately the scrub burned itself out before reaching the place, but it nevertheless plainly demonstrated the necessity which exists for clearing the whole of the grass away in a reasonable circle from the immediate neighbourhood of the magazine. Should this not be done at once the results of a match thoughtlessly or wilfully cast down to windward while the grass is in such an inflammable condition as at present might be fraught with the most disastrous results to those in the immediate neighbourhood of the place.

Correction.—Thz printer’s “ devil ” has been at work again, for in our last R.M. Court, in the case of Cox v. Biddle, it was stated that judgment was given for £5OO, instead of £5.

Honor Conferred.—We congratulate the ex-Premier on the order of St. Michael and St. George having been conferred on him. May he live long to enjoy the distinction.

Stabbing Case.—We hear it announced that a stabbing case took place out at Mr. P. Bond’s on Saturday last* We cannot vouch for the authenticity of the report, but understand it is the same “ foreigner ” who was charged with “ threatening” some time ago.

Cricket.—At a meeting of the members of the Cricket Club, held at the Albion Club Hotel on Saturday night, a resolution was passed authorising the secretary to write to Napier accepting their challenge, and asking them to fix a date in March for playing the match. We trust our local team will recognise the necessity which exists for energetic practice, if they wish to uphold the honor of our town. We have just been vanquished on water, and it now rests with our cricketers as to whether or not we are to be plucked on land.

Special Investment,—An inducement is offered fur the purchase of the good-will of a fine pastoral run of 7,<800 acres in the Mahia District, as the terms are exceedingly easy,— See advt.

T.e Aroha News.—The correspondent of the .V, Z, Herald, writing on the 30th nit., says;—“ At the inquest held this morning on the body of James Rawlson, killed on the hill on Monday, a verdict of ‘ Accidental Death ’ was recorded, The funeral was largely attended.—Great satisfaction is felt by all parties that the strike has come to an end, and that operations on the mines have been resumed once more.—The weather is unsettled again, very heavy showers having fallen during to-day.”

Bush Fires.—“ During the past ten days (says the Clarence Examiner) bush fires of unusual extent, and of a most destructive nature, have been burning along the country between Grafton and New England. The bush was so dry that, once on fire, the whole country-side was certain to be swept by the flames. A party travelling in a buggy from Armidale to Grafton during the week had the greatest difficulty in traversing the country, having to avoid the formed road for some miles on account of culverts being burned away, On Tuesday the fires had reached St, Cloud’s Creek, on the Armidale Boad, and to the right and left as far as the eye could see. From there to Grafton the country was black and smoking, whilst trees were falling in all directions. Along one lengthy cutting on the ascent to the table-land, about seven miles from the Nymboida, four culverts were destroyed, and others were reported to be burning on Tuesday; these disasters completely suspending traffic along the main road, and compelling people travelling to use the old road, a most atrocious track, In all directions fences have been destroyed, and in many instances the greatest difficulty was experienced in saving homes.”