Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 84, 6 March 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

11-M. Court Business.—There are two cases under the Dog Licensing Act set down for hearing to-day. Turf Club.—The deputation of the Poverty Bay Turf Club authorised to make terms with the Land Company re the new course on Matawhero B Block, have succeeded in securing the lease for twenty-one years, at 7) per cent, per annum on the amount of purchase-money (£2 per acre), with a purchasing clause. Wharf Approaches.—Numerous complaints have been heard about the heavy nature of the new road leading to the wharf; and yet, in spite of the necessity which exists forworking the road down to a hard surface, we noticed a carman employed yesterday sledging heavy iron pipes from the wharf, and thereby literally ploughing the newlylaid shingle up. We think it but right to call the engineer’s attention to the matter, with a view of preventing any further damage.

The Fire-bell.—To tell our readers that the fire-bell rang last night would be equal to informing them of the fact that “ Queen Ann was dead.” At the same time we may convey a little information on the subject by stating that the tongue of the bell was found to work with every facility and freedom, but that by some means the pin connecting the same worked loose, and the clapper fell out, which put a summary stop to the ringing. The slight defect was speedily rectified.

J Battery.—The members of this Battery will hold a meeting in the orderly-room tonight, for the discussion and transaction of important business in connection with the corps. A full attendance is requested.

Clearance Sale.—Mr. G. R. Moore will commence his annual clearance sale on Saturday, Bth March.

Empire Stables.—Mr. George Burnand, the lessee of the British Empire stables, has, with a view of affording his customers further facilities/ opened a new thoroughfare from Peel Street through to Bright Street. This will, no doubt, be fully appreciated by his patrons.

Harvest in Southland Districts.—The Otago Daily Tinies reports :—“ Harvesting has now commenced in most of the Southern districts, though there are still a large number of green fields to be met with. The crops are everywhere looking remarkably well, and if the weather holds good till they are properly housed, the harvest is likely to be the most bountiful experienced by our farmers for a number of years past. It is just possible, however, on account of the lateness of the season, that a good deal of the grain will not be got in in the very best condition.”

Bad Wheat.—“ We are informed (says the Lyttelton Times) that recent deliveries of this season’s wheat are arriving in bad condition* There can be no doubt that the grain- has been threshed too soon after being cut, and it would be well for farmers to allow ample time to elapse before threshing their wheat, as, unless it is quite dry and hard, it will not be fit to stand the voyage to England.”

A Brave Girl.—“ The daughter of a selector at Yearong Creek, near Wagga (N.S.W.), was badly burned on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 17, through the back room of the house catching fire. While her clothes were burning, she made eight journeys to the creek to fetch water, and ultimately she succeeded in subduing the fire. The girl then swooned away, and it is feared she will lose her life.”

Love of Drink,—The N. Z. Herald is responsible for the following “ The Albertlanders, who for nearly a quarter of a century have consistently opposed the liquor traffic being introduced into Alberland, have again given fresh proof of their devotion to the cause of temperance by returning the temperance ticket for the Licensing Committee by a majority of 10 to 1. It is stated one result of ’ the election will be the closing of the Mangawai Hotel—the Mangawai having been added to the Port Albert Licensing district. A curious incident was related by Mr* Goldie during his address at the Temperance Demonstration on Anniversary Day, in reference to the Port Albert district. He stated that a gentleman had brought his wife, who was of intemperate habits, to his (Mr. Goldie’s) residence to take the pledge as a Good Templar. She did so, and twenty-four hours afterwards was found drunk, some of the hotelkeepers having sold her liquor. The husband took her to Port Albert, as there was no public-house there, in order to remove her from temptation, and during her stay there she conducted herself rightly. His business again required a visit to Auckland, and the result was her lapse into intemperance, through the facilities given for procuring drink. Utterly despairing of reclaiming her, the gentleman took his wife to Sydney, handed her over to the care of her friends, and left for England.”

Love for the Mysterious.—The following story, told by the London Life, serves to illustrate the love of the French people for the mysterious :—“ A short time ago a Parisian doctor set up an establishment in the Faubourg Montmartre. He assumed a highsounding name, furnished his house in a weird and fantastic fashion, engaged solemnlooking and taciturn servants, and announced that he could only see patients after the hour of midnight or in the grey dawn of the morning. The effect was electrical. Every weak-minded person with maladies real or imaginary flocked to the new medico, who soon began to reap a golden harvest. At last the suspicions of the police were aroused. The Commissary paid him a professional visit, and asked to see his diplomas. To his surprise he found out that not only had the suspected individual taken good degrees, but that he had graduated with the highest honours at the Paris University. Just as he was taking his departure, however, the doctor entreated him not to let anyone know of his high qualifications. The Commissary, with some surprise, asked why he desired to conceal so much intellectual light under a bushel. ‘ Why,’ replied the other, ‘ if my patients only knew that I was a mere doctor, my practice would vanish like the

Never Done Work.—“ The Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales the other day said, ‘ There was a class of working men who worked from sixteen to seventeen hours a day, and yet were not considered working men because they did not work with their hands !’ There are many of whom this can be said in New Zealand as well as in New South Wales. The work of those who write for the Press is like a woman’s—never done.”