Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 73, 22 February 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

New Hands at Bicycles.—We note that several young Maoris latety turned their attention to riding bicycles, and a few of them have become quite expert at the performance. Others, on the contrary, are not exactly equal to the management of their iron steeds. Waiapu Races.—The following are the weights declared Hurdle Race — Maori (late Novice), list,; Bailor, lOat. 71b ; Matae, lOat. Waiapu Handicap—Blue Jacket, Bst. 51b.: Maori (late Novice), Bst. 51b.; Penguin, 9st, 71b. In addition to these two events, the programme comprises a Maiden Plate, of £l2 ; Hack race, £5 ; Stewards’ Purse, not less than £l2 ; and Forced Handicap, not less than £l2. The races are to be held on the 14th of March. A Blunder.—A paragraph, commenting on the skill displayed by Mr, Marshall in cutting a tumor from the neck of a thoroughbred colt, belonging to Mr. Dunlop, was wrongly placed under the Dunedin telegraph heading in our last issue. The skilful * vet.’ is on a professional visit to this district, and we apologise to him for the blunder made, at the same time expressing a hope that Mr, Dunlop will have much success in the Gisborne District with his stylishly-bred animal. Gisborne Institute.—The deputation appointed to interview the Library Committee, re the united working of the two bodies, met the gentlemen connected with the latter body on Wednesday evening, when the following resolution was passed :—“ That the Library Committee will be pleased to assist the new Institute in every way, and are willing to permit a new building to be erected on their land, the plan to be subject to the Committee’s approval, cost not to be less than £5O, on account of which it will admit the members to the Library, with all privileges thereto, for one year.” Bluster.—During the progress of a case before the R.M. Court yesterday afternoon his Worship had occasion to remark upon the manner in which the cross-examination of a witness was being conducted, at the same time characterising the style of procedure as “ very irritating.” Luckily this Old Bailey method of confusing witnesses by “ badgering ” is now almost a thing of the past, and a marked proof of our advanced civilisation.

The Coming Election. —A contributor to the Woodville Examiner, in a “ forecast of the result of the next general election,” gives the following :—“ For the East Coast, where Allan McDonald secured a victory over three other competitors at the last election, he will, if he stands again, by opposed by Mr. 9. Locke, the nominee of Mr. Bryce. But Mr. Locke will this time have to fight Rees, who should secure an easy victory over any Government dead-head.” Bad Working.—The telegraph wire was working badly last evening, the result, it was thought, of a post being down some few miles from Gisborne. Novel Entertainment. —As may be seen on reference to our advertising columns, a novel entertainment will be given in Parnell and Boylan’s Hall to-night by the Maori Haka Troupe. The performers consist of about a dozen active young Natives, and, according to the account of their entertainments in the Wairoa, they go through the hakas with much spirit and in capital time, and those in Gisborne who have never seen a haka ought not to miss the opportunity. An innovation is introduced which would make the hair of ancient Maoris stand on end (we presume to keep pace with modern ideas), but it is very laughable, being half haka and half Highland schottische, danced to a lively tune, in the course of which the performers actually set to partners. Tologa Bay Riding.—As will be seen by a notification in another column Captain T. W. Porter has withdrawn from the candidature for the representation of the above riding. Bale of Timber.-’The attendance at Mr. Hurrey’s sale of timber yesterday afternoon was very fair, and good prices were realised. As the new mills are now in full swing a fresh stock of superior wood will soon be yarded. Attempt to Ascend Mount Cook. — A Timaru correspondent of the Lyttelton Times states that Mr. G. B. Stewart returned there on Friday night, after making his third attempt to ascend Mount Cook. He succeeded in reaching an altitude of 10,700 feet, 1,700 feet higher than at his last attempt. He has no hope of reaching the top except by means of a tethered balloon or discharging a rocket. He will, however, make another attempt if he can organise a party.”

Failure or Crops.—“ The Advocate is sorry to hear that several farmers in the Sandon District will be heavy losers this year by the total or partial failure of their crops. In several instances the wheat will not pay for the cutting ; one farmer has a hundred acres, only a dozen of which will be fit to cut. Others will have to put up with a similar misfortune. On the other hand some of the wheat and oat crops look splendid.” Death of Balfe’s Sister.—“ The youngest and favorite sister of our distinguished native composer has passed away, and was interred in Glasnevin Cemetery on Wednesday, 4th December. With the exception of an occasional visit to her talented brother, Amelia Balfe (Mrs. N. Dodd) has all her life resided in Dublin. She followed the profession of music successfully as a vocalist and teacher of singing up to about 1879, was principal contralto in the Antient Concert Society when established by Mr. Joseph Robinson, and was a member of the choir in Westland Row Chapel for several years. An asthmatic affection—to which she has at last succumbed — obliged her to discontinue her calling. On each visit of Balfe to Dublin, Amelia was his first object of discovery. The next was “ The old fiddler,” as he familiarly entitled his old friend Levey, the result being in general some very pleasant evenings, at which the last new songs of the author of “The Bohemian Girl” made their first appearance—retiring, unobtrusive, and to a degree domestic. Amelia Dodd avoided public recognition to any extent, and she has passed away deeply regretted by her relatives and friends, and leaving a kind and affectionate husband—to whom she was for many years happily united—to deplore her loss. We may add that on the occasion of one of his visits Balfe composed the song ‘ The Blighted Flower’ expressly for Amelia, dedicating it to her, and presenting her with the profits, whieh were not inconsiderable.”

Fine Country. —An old Rangitikeian, at present residing in the Hawera district, writes to the Advocate as follows “ A short time since, being on a visit to New Plymouth, I met Mr, Carkeek and had a chat with him about the proposed Mokau route for the trunk railway. I obtained the following information from him, which will doubtless be interesting to many of your readers; —‘ A good deal of the country consists of cliffs 700 ft. high, mixed up with a lot of streams at the bottom of the ravines, with cliffs running up from them 200 ft. and 300 ft. To make a railway would require a succession of tunnels through the hills, and bridges and viaducts across the creeks. The ranges are covered with black birch, a wood as you know, almost useless. He only saw seven totara trees all the time he was cut. This is a contrast to Mr. Rochefort's splendid block of 20,000 acres. His idea is that the railway must go by the central route, the other being impracticable. It was because he held the opinions, and could not alter the country which the Almighty had made, that the people of Taranaki said he ought to be discharged. Now, Mr. Carkeek is one of the best surveyors in the colony, and quite equal to Mr. Rochefort for this particular purpose, go far as the land contiguous to the proposed line is concerned, he values it at—what do you think ?—one shilling for a million acres I It took him ten days with picked men to go fifteen miles. There is no doubt that the Taranaki and Auckland people are going to move Heaven and earth to get the Mokau route adopted, and the advocates of the central line will have to take advantage of everything in its favor.” Shipping Butter.—Our farmers, when shipping butter Home to England, might take a hint from what took placed in Lyttelton “ a many years ago.” In 1861 there was (says the Lyttelton Times) a great flood in our port; those of our readers who were in Canterbury then will remember the time the more easily, perhaps, if we say the flood in Lyttelton took place within a day or two of a great fire in Christchurch, The water poured down the gullies with tremendous force, carrying away houses, stores, and merchandise. Among others, a Mr. Renshaw’s store was swept down to the quay, and with it a number of kegs of Canterbury butter awaiting export. Some of these kegs were recovered, but many were lost. Several years elapsed, and a gang of workmen, under Mr. S. C. Farr, were excavating for the purpose of forming culverts from London Street across to the foot of Canterbury Street, when they came on to some unmistakeable debris of the flood, including a cask of Mr. Renshaw’s butter, which, on being sampled, was found to be perfectly good aud really excellent, and excepting for a coating of a bluish color it had acquired, no one could have distinguished it from the freshest and best obtainable ; and yet it had been buried four or five years. Is it possible that the even temperature and exclusion of air had preserved it? If so, can these conditions be obtained on any of our homeward-bound vessels, so as to facilitate the export of butter to the Home market?

The Man-of-War in Port.—The Press of the 13th inst. states that “ a very pleasant friendship has been established between the Royal Navy men of H.M.S. Espiegle and the Volunteer Naval Artillery at port during the stay of the visitor in Lyttelton waters. The other night the Volunteers entertained the Royal ‘ blues’ at a social, and this was reciprocated on Monday night by a really pleasant meeting got up by the officers of the Espiegle for the mutual enjoyment of the blue jackets of both services. Mr. Shepherd was asked to cater, and from the compliments that passed during the evening he was most successful in suiting the taste of his patrons, Oddfellows’ Hall, the scene of the festivities, never looked gayer, the man-of-war’s men having made a point of getting up the decorations. It unquestionably did look very inviting, as the captain of the Espeigle, Captain Bridge, came forward on the stage and addressed a few words of congratulation to his worthy crew’s guests. Captain Bridge, during his remarks, also paid the port of Lyttelton a high compliment, and expressed his very agreeable surprise at the great resources of this •thoroughly English province.’ After a few remarks from Lieutenant Edwards, N.L.V.A., the captain withdrew, and the dance programme for the evening was entered upon; one of the most truly enjoyable ImperialVolunteer gatherings ever held in Port, finishing up well into the small hours of the morning. H.M.S, Espiegle leaves, it is said, to-day.”

Public Want of Appreciation.—The Auckland Free Lance of a late date makes the following feeling remarks :—“ The young Ponsonby lads who made such a game, but un. successful, effort to save the late Professer Walker from a watery grave, have received another mark of affectionate gratitude from the sister of the deceased gentleman. Having lost a dearly-loved brother, her gentle heart seems to cling closely to those brave boys who risked their own lives in the attempt to save his, Though distant so far from her, our hearts beat with the strongest sympathy for one who feels so acutely the pang of bereavement, There is one feature in connection with this sad event that has struck me very forcibly, and I daresay many others have remarked it, The only public expressions of thanks and gratitude to the youngsters have been made by the friends of the man whose life was lost. Very strange.”