Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 101, 7 April 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Inquest.—At the inquest held before Mr. Booth, at Waerenga-a-hika, on Saturday last, into the cause of the fire of Sullivan’s house, a verdict of “ accidental fire” was returned. Wesleyan Church.—We hear it announced that Mr. Doleman has collected £l2 towards the parsonage fund. The annual balancesheet submitted to the late meeting showed a deficit of a little over £3. Mr. Pinfold left per the Te Anau yesterday morning for Auckland, en route for Coromandel. Bace Meetings.—We notice another of those meetings advertised which tend more than anything else to bring racing into disrepute in this district, and we cannot help expressing our surprise at seeing some gentlemens names attached to a programme which is evidently framed more with a view to hotel business, than any real love of sport. R.M. Court.—At the Besident Magistrates Court this morning, Hori was further remanded till the 12th inst, an ten o’clock. Sergeant Bullen stated that both Drs. Pollen and Innes had examined the accused, and both agreed that he was insane, but the latter doctor had not yet been registered, and was not yet qualified, therefore he applied for a further remand till the 12th. Civil Service Examination.— Messrs. G. Johnston, A. Y. Boss and O. Goldsmith went up for the Civil Service Examination this morning before the Collector of Customs. We wish our young friends better success than their efforts met with last time.

English Mails.—The Southern Cross leaves Auckland to-morrow, and will bring our San Francisco mail. Mails for South.—We beg to call the attention of our readers to an alteration in the time of closing the Southern mail this week, which, in consequence of next Friday being Good Friday, will be made up at 7 p.m. Thursday night. Cook County Building Society (Permanent). —Having surmounted the legal difficulties of settling Rules &c., this society does not mean to be idle, and a meeting of Directors to settle preliminary business is called for to-morrow at 3 p.m. Charles Read.—Telegrams to hand convey the information that this well-known novelist and dramatist is dying. The Harbor Grants.—These grants have arrived at last and, contrary to the expectations of many and the hopes of a few, embrace the whole of the foreshore within the town boundary without any restrictions whatever—a circumstance which redounds greatly to the credit of the Board. Sir George Grey.—A petition has been forwarded to Sir George Grey by his adherents in the Bay, asking him to call in on his way to or from Christchurch, with a view of giving a public address. County Rates.—The amount of rates paid by that part of Cook County extending from here to Matakaoa and comprising Tologa and Waiapu Ridingsis: European, £1,360 Ils, and Native Crown rates, £6OO. Sale of Blood Stock.—A sale of thoroughbred yearlings two-year olds and mares, the property of the New Zealand Stud and Pedigree Company, will be held at Auckland on Wednesday the 16th inst. The catalogue comprises nine yearlings, five two-year-olds, and six mares. Sheep Dip.—The agents of Thomas’ Carbolised Sheep Dip, advise having just received another shipment of this noted dip in 151 b. tins, and 100 drums. See advertisement in another column. Fire at Tokomaru.—The truth of the adage that you must go from home to hear news was again exemplified by the arrival of a gentleman (Mr. Wilson) by the last Northern boat, as agent for the North British Insurance Company (Auckland branch), who came down to investigate the circumstances of a reported fire at Mr. Warner’s house at Tokomaru and which was insured in the above company for £2OO. No news of the occurrence had reached our officials. The Next Ministry.—The Wanganui Herald says:—“The next Ministry will probably have Mr. Ormond for its chief, and Mr. Wakefield for Native Minister, with a policy like the following :—Restoration of the pre-emptive right over Native lands, Freetrade, and no more colonial borrowing. Oil Shares.—We hear that a gentleman representing the interests of the Christchurch shareholders has come up with a view of attending the sale of shares to be held by Mr. Carlaw Smith to-morrow. This should be a hint to shareholders to hold on.

Peculiar Verdict.—The following verdict was given by a “ Crowner’s ” jury at Wairoa the other day. “ That the deceased died from hanging, but how, or by what means he came to his death, no evidence doth appear.” A Fearful Warning.—A picked eleven of lawyers from Liverpool played a match with a picked* eleven of lawyers from Manchester. The day was beautifully fine, and large company had assembled to see which set of lawyers had had the most practice. With the first ball of the second over, however, a dispute arose, and the twenty-two lawyers gathered round the umpire to argue the point. The argument continued with no sign of abatement till five o’clock in the evening, at which time the umpire died. Great astonishment is felt that he held out so long as he did.

Tawhiao’s Embarkation.—The Herald says that Tawhiao and a large number of Maories went on board the Tarawera at five o’clock, the hour at which she was advertised to sail. The steamer, however, did not leave till eight o’clock. A considerable number of Europeans visited the ship to bid the voyagers good-bye. In addition to Tawhiao, Te Wheoro, Patara, and Topia, a native named Hori Ropiha, of Taupo, also went. They were all decorated with the blue ribbon, which were attached by neat silver buckles, made in Auckland to the order of Mr. C. O. Davis. Amongst those who bade the natives good-bye at the last were Father Waite? McDonald and Mr. Mcßeth. Patara said they would have liked to have taken Mr. Mcßeth with them, but they had not funds enough. His Excellency the Governor sent a large and handsome map to show them the route of travel, and they were much gratified at this mark of attention. Shortly before the vessel was to leave the natives all assembled on the poop, and held a religious service, which was led by the two Wanganui Chiefs—Topiha and Ropia. Tawhiao asked Mr. Davis to pay a visit occasionally to his people at Whatiwhatihoe, to see that everything was going on well. The natives who were on board then took an affectionate farewell of their relatives who were going on to England, and the Tarawera went on her voyage.

The Ruling Passion.—A somewhat peculiar instance of the “ ruling passion” has just been discovered at the Melbourne Gaol. It will bo remembered (says the Argus) that some time ago a law clerk named Isaac Ogle absconded from the colony, after having falsified the books of him employer, Mr. Moffett, solicitor, Collins-street west, and misappropriated nearly £2,000. He was traced to Brighton, England, where he was arrested, and was brought back to Victoria on an extradition warrant by Senior-constable Clarke, and on being tried he received a sentence .of two years’ imprisonment, and was incarcerated in the Melbourne gaol. Shortly after his admission Ogle, because of his ability as an accountant, was promoted to the position of clerk, and it now appears that as soon as ever he became acquainted with his duties he at once proceeded to falsify the books and disorganise the discipline of the institution by altering the terms of imprisonment of several prisoners. In one case which has been discovered, Ogle appears to have falsified the figures in no less than twelve of the books kept in the office, by which a prisoner named Coates had his sentence reduced some ten days. The falsification was carried out in a most sytematic manner, and for artistic penmanship it reflected most creditably upon the offender. On the cases being discovered Ogle was brought before Mr. Panton, the visiting justice, who sentenced him to three days’ imprisonment and deprived him of the usual reinissin made to prisoners of good behaviour. Since the offence Ogle has been returned to the prison ward, where he will have to work out the remainder of his sentence.