Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 60, 7 February 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

More Light.—Those who “go down in great ships,” and have business on the waters, will be pleased to hear* that an additional lamp is to be erected on the wharf. At the same time, the full benefits resulting from this commendable action are somewhat nullified by the fact that no provision has at present been made as to the lighting and maintaining of the same.

Marriage.—Yesterday afternoon a marriage was celebrated at Holy Trinity Church by the Rev. J. Hill, between Mr. R. W. Ballantine, of the Survey Office, son of Mr, Ballantine, surveyor, and Miss A. M. Morrjn, daughter of Mr. .1. S. Morrin, of Auckland, and niece of Mr. W. Maude, of our town.

Southern Cross,—The Southern Cross is expected in the Bay this morning shortly after nine o’clock a.m. She brings 118 tons of cargo, and, should the weather prove favorable, will remain until to-morrow.

Amusing Scene—Our Fire Brigade had quite a new experience in their line last night. Spectators were amused at seeing several members of the same paddling and diving like ducks in the river, where they had been ordered to clear the mud away from the mouth of the supply pipes, in order to allow access to the water.

Fire Brigade—A “ wet practice” of the Brigade took place last night, Deputy-Super-intendent Townley in charge, Shortly after 7 o’clock the order was given to run out two 200 feet of hose, which were connected to both branches, and coupled on Co another single hose, which extended up Reel Street as far as the Police Station. Steam was up nearly as quick as the hose could be run out and pumping commenced, but after a short space of time the pumps sucked. On lowering a light into the well it was seen that only a small stream of water was coming in. The engine was stopped for a considerable time and again started slowly, but with the same result. After considerable delay an examination was made at the river end of the supply-pipe, when it was found that a large bank of mud-deposit had so accumulated at the mouth of the pipe as to block up the same within about three inches of the top. By the time this had been rectified the tide had turned, and after a very disagreeable experience tile engine was again set to work, and found to fulfil all needful requirements. With a view of preventing a recurrence of a like nature, which otherwise might happen at a very inopportune moment, DeputySuperintendent Townley has directed that a weekly inspection of the pipes be made, so as to keep them in thorough, working order at all times.

Wharf Shelter. —A motion, having for its object the selection of a site for the erection of a waiting-room on or near the wharf, was defeated at the last meeting of the Board, members being of opinion that the Union Company were the parties most concerned as to the comfort of their passengers.

Mails. —Mails for Auckland, per Southern Cross, will close this (Thursday) morning, at 10 o’clock sharp.

A. G. Croll. —As Mh A. G. Croll will be taking his departure hence to England about the end of this month, he requests, in another column, that all outstanding accounts may be settled at once. If not, he will be compelled to take legal proceedings for the recovery of the same.

Damage to Water-works. —From the N. Z, Timex t we find that “ the damage done to the Wainuiomata Water-works turns out to be of a most serious character. If we are rightly informed, there will be a delay of between three and four months in the repairing of the dam, and the cost which Mr. Baird, the City Engineer, at first estimated at £1,500, is now reckoned by the Councillors who visited the spot as likely to cost between £3,000 and £4,000. There is no doubt that the storm was so severe that its force could not previously have been anticipated. But, if our reporter’s statement is correct, the storm itself is not so much answerable for the damage as the bad material used as concrete, that employed having scarcely any cement in it, and crumbling into dust almost immediately on being pressed. What apparently makes the poor quality of the material the more certain is that in Sinclair’s contract, close at hand, the concrete is still as hard as rock, We trust that a most searching inquiry will be made by the Mayor and the City Council into the causes of this wreckage of the work, This is absolutely required in the interest of the ratepayers. Mr. Blackett, the consulting engineer, will visit the spot at the early part of next week, and report on the damage done, and, from his known ability and carefulness as an engineer, we have every confidence that the real facts of the case will be brought to light. Mr. Baird, we understand, asserts that he did not pass the work as complete, but we are informed that all but £lOO of the amount of the contract has been already paid, It is to be hoped that the sureties are substantial men, for if they are not there will be another added to the heavy losses of the citizens during the last year or two from non-fulfilment of contract and insufficient security being taken.”

Education Act,—As instancing the peculiar manner in which certain laws occasionally affect individual members of a community, we might point to the complaint of Mr. Wilson, laid before the Harbor Board on Tuesday evening last, to the effect that the ferryman had refused to convey his daughter, aged sixteen, across the river on her way to the Government Sehool. Although the law is, undoubtedly, on the ferryman’s side, most people will wish it were otherwise, and that every facility should be given for continuing study as long as needful.

Very like a Whale.—The following is a startler “A shark 31ft, long, and 20ft. in circumference, with a mouth 4ft. long, and with a weight of five tons, is now exhibiting in Melbourne, It took two lorries to convey the monster,” We should like to know exactly what that “ shark is exhibiting.”

More Wonders. — “ An astounding discovery is reported by an American correspondent in the Allgemeine Zeitung. He states that in the virgin forests of Sonora, a province of Western Mexico, near Magdalena, a pyramid has been found measuring 4,350 feet at its base, and rising to the height of 750 feet ! A carriage-road winds about this enormous structure from base to summit. The face consists of granite blocks carefully cut and and perfectly fitted together. Not far distant stands a hill which, we are told, is honeycombed with cells of various sizes, all cut out of the solid rock. They are without windows, several are on the same level, and the walls are adorned with fantastic shapes and symbols.”

Introduction of Ferrets.—From the Lake Wakatip Mail we glean that “ Mr. F. Evans, of Frankton, being convinced, like many other settlers, that the present means employed for exterminating the rabbits has proved a failure, has decided on introducing one of their natural enemies—the ferret—a number of which he has just procured. He states that this method has been found admirably successful by Mr. Bullen on his lun at Marlborough, where another 3,000 ferrets have been introduced. Mr. Evans also intends to enclose his land on the upper side of the Frankton road with a rabbitproof fence; and will be joined by Mr. F. M‘Bride in similarly enclosing land on the lower side of the road, for the purpose of test ing the efficacy of ferrets in exterminating the pest.”

Young Women’s Mutual Help Association. —The following is .from the Napier Telegraph of the 2nd inst. :—“ A meeting, confined L« females, was held at St. John’s schoolroom last evening, for the purpose of inaugurating a ‘ Young Women’s Mutual Help Association.’ There was a crowded attendance, Mrs. Hutchinson occupying the chair. After devotional exercises, that lady called upon Miss Herbert to explain the objects of the proposed association. Miss Herbert said the objects of the association were to benefit working-girls and young women of the district, and to offer friendly help and counsel to strangers arriving in the town. As in similar associations elsewhere in England and the colony, there would be honorary and ordinary members ; the Work would include Bible and secular classes, social gatherings, and a lending library. If the organisation proved a success its sphere of operations would be enlarged in time by adding a lodging-house with refreshment and reading-rooms. A vote of thanks, on the motion of Mrs. Spencer, was accorded to Miss Herbart for her interesting address, Mrs, Cornford, one of the secretaries, read a letter from the Bishop of the Diocese, offering £5 as the nucleus of a fund for library purposes. The offer was accepted with thanks. Mrs, Spencer urged those present who were able to at once contribute books to the library, so that reading matter could be provided from the commencement. A large number came forward at the close and enrolled themselves as members. We may mention that Mrs. Balfour is treasurer, and will gladly afford every information to intending members.”

Christchurch Musical Society.—The of the 31st ult. says :—“ The annual general meeting of this society was held on Tuesday in the Odd Fellows’ Chambers. The President (Hon. E, C. J. Stevens) read the report of the Committee, which showed that there were 102 performing members who had paid their subscriptions, and 155 non-performing members, 4!) more than in the previous year. The present indebtedness of the society was £lOO Ss. fid. It was hoped that a good musical library would gradually be formed, for such a thing would be well worth the outlay. The works procured for the coming year were Smart’s ‘ Bride of Duncannon,’ Gade’s ‘ Crusaders,’ Mendelsohn’s ‘ Walpurgis Night,’ Handel’s ‘ Theodora,’ and Schubert’s ‘ Miriam’s Song.’ The Society had given four concerts during the year, at which the attendance had been good, and sometimes large, and. the Committee would fain hope that a growing interest in the Society was being created in the minds of the public.” Large Attendance at School. —The Napier Telegraph of the 28th ultimo says:—“ The attendance at the Napier district school was to-day the largest since the opening of the school five years ago. Six hundred and fifty were present, including one hundred new scholars who attended for the first time this morning. They filled gaps in all classes, from the infant department upwards to the sixth standard.”