Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 89, 18 March 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Napier Spouting.—Our readers will look in vain for yesterdays sporting telegrams as for some unexplained reason no Napier wires came through. Vital Statistics.—The Registrar Generals report on the vital statistics of the sixteen principal towns of New Zealand, during the month of February, gives the total number of births at 467, and deaths at 174. Of the above deaths, males contributed 94 ; females, 80.

Accident.--As Constable Famer was riding out to the Kaiteratahi races yesterday morning his horse fell and severely shook him. He was conveyed home, and will be unfit to resume duty for some time.

Petition. — Those settlers who are interested in the Patutahi drain and Waimata hill road are requested, without delay, to call at the County Council Office and attach their names to the petitition lying there for signature, and which will shortly be forwarded to Government.

Cause List.—The following is the cause list of civil cases set down for hearing to- ; —Allanach v. Robinson, Gillies v. McFarlane, Brassey and Fraser v. H. Mangakahia, Nicholas and Co., v. Tera Hauko, same y. Kami Tera, same v. Tuapo, same v. Rewai Taipiti, Brown and Smail v. Bolton, Brassey and Fraser v. Austin, Paviour v. Bond, same v. Benson, same v. Bolton, Brooke v. Beverage, Adair v. Breingan, and Discount Co. v. D. Fraser.

Harbor Board.—The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above Board will take place to-night at the Borough Chambers, Lowe Street.

Pound Fees.—Having occasion, the other day, to visit the pound, we cast our eyes up to the board with with a view of ascertaining what the fees were. But we might as well have gazed into space, as the face of the board presented about the same appearance as partially obliterated wall paper. There has been several disputes re impounding, and it is a matter for surprise that none of the defendants have taken exception on the above strong grounds.

The Coming Battle.—Referring to the coming elections Labor says “ Mr. Locke, I am told, will win the East Coast seat this year if he stands, and no disaster overtakes him.” The same journal strongly impresses its readers with the fact that “ The more value we place on our votes, the more money we shall earn, and the better clothed and fed will be our families.”

Grabs Seed.—A description of the grasscleaning machine recently invented by Mr. Oxenham, appeared a short time ago. Since then the inventor has made many further improvements with the result of turning out the seed in a very superior condition, and at the same time effecting a further saving of labor. The sample of rye grass seed, now before us, and which has been dealt with by this machine, leaves little further to be desired, and we congratulate Mr. Oxenham upon attaining a degree of perfection which is sure to bring that reward which his application, and perserverance, so rightly deserves. One other matter, in connection with the machine, is well worthy of attention—the whole is of local manufacture and construction. The castings were by Messrs. Wall and Parker, and the turning, &c., by Brow-i and Smail.

The Luminous Beacons.—Some time ago we called the attention of the Harbor Board to the advantages which would arise from the application of a coat of luminous paint to our beacons, whereupon Cr. Kenny moved the Board on the point, and for several months those who had business on the waters by night had to thank that gentleman for his attention to their needs. The paint was found to answer admirably for the time, but like all things in this changeful world it was subject to decay and destruction, and the beacons have again reverted to their dim obscurity. Although the Board is at present in pecuniary difficulties, yet the cost of a coat of luminous paint would not increase their overdraft very materially. We would venture to again call Cr. Ker ty’s attention to the matter.

Re Matawhero B Block.—This case came before the Supreme Court, Wellington, last Wednesday, before His Honor Chief Justice Richmond, in Banco, and was a deed which was executed in 1871 by Kate Wylie (now Gannon) and her husband. Mr. Booth was a Commissioner under the Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1870. This Act was repealed by the Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1884, and Mr. Booth was re-ap-pointed under this Act. The -above deed was never certified to by a commissioner under the repealed Act; but in 1884 Mr. Booth made the asual certificate. Mr. Edwards argued that the Act of 1884 was not retrospective, and could only apply to deeds executed after the passing of the Act, and a certificate to a deed macle before the passing of the Act was a nullity, and beyond the jurisdiction of the Commissioner. Mr. Bell urged that there must be many deeds made immediately before the passing of the Act. If Mr. Edwards’ contention was right, these could not be certified to under the Act of 1870 because it was repealed, nor under the Act of 1884, because it was not retrospective. They would be invalid in toto. Such a contention could not be supported; there must be some way of validating these deeds. The Court took time to consider.

A Repentant Speculator.—The repentance which is known to exists in many quarters re the “North Gisborne” speculation found vent in the person of Mrs. Bell in a letter addressed to the County Council. She begged that body not to rate her according to her ‘‘reckless bidding.” Many feelingly sympathise with her.

The Waihora.—We are compelled to note the unusually expeditious manner in which the Waihora was tendered on Saturday evening. Almost before the steamer’s anchor was down the Snark cast off from the wharf with the whole of the outward passengers on board, and before 6.30 the whole of them were landed. Thus, although the steamer was very late, yet the agent managed to get all his outward passengers on board and the inward ones on shore before dark—a very commendable performance.

“ Twa Hours at Hame.”—Mr. Kennedy and family will shortly arrive in Gisborne and will open in Parnell and Boylan’s Hall on Tuesday the 25th inst.

To Builders.—The Loan aud Mercantile Agency call for tenders for the erection of large warehouses and offices. Plans and specification can be seen at the Company’s office.

Contracts.—Mr. Houlden was the successful tenderer (£558 10s.) for the erection of an eight-roomed house at Makaraka for Mr. W. C. Walsh. Mr. Quigley is they architect. Dr. J. F. Innes.-—We beg to call the attention of our readers to the fact that the gentleman has taken up his abode in the house lately occupied by Mr. T. Adams, in Childers Street, where his hours for consultation are 9 to 10.30 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.

County Tenders.—The County Engineer calls for tenders for the following works :— B 14, painting and tarring Waipaoa Bridge ; B 19, taking up and stacking iron rails on the Ormond Beach ; B 24, fascining 2j£ chains of Pakirikiri Ferry approach. Tenders must be in by noon on’the 21st instant.

News Agency.—An advertising and nows agency has been opened in Auckland by Mr. W. S. Pulford, and we have little doubt but what that gentleman’s intimate and practical knowledge of the requirements of this special line will secure him that amount of success which he deserves, and we wish him.

Silkworms.—Mr. Federlie, the gentleman who is engaged in endeavoring to promote the culture of the silkworm and mulberry tree in these colonics, has arrived in Auckland from Christchurch. He finds that both the trees and tlie worms thrive freely in the latter place, notwithstanding the sudden changes in temperature to which the place is liable.

Tobacco - growing. —ln another column appears a notification from the New Zealand Tobacco Growing and Manufacturing Company, expressing their wish to communicate with farmers and others who are willing to grow tobacco. Seeds of the very best description, both Havana and American, together with all requisite information, will be forwarded free upon application. In the face of these proffered facilities most likely a number of our small holders and settlers will try an experiment which, should it be successful, must prove highly remunerative to the cultivator, and beneficial to the whole district.