The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, MAY 8. Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 126, 8 May 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, MAY 8. Local and General.

The North Township.—Our enterprising, but somewhat easily gulled contemporary, in its anxiety to champion the Land Company, makes a recklessly unfair statement, and has thereby done us an injustice, in a paragraph which appeared in last night’s issue. Instead of charging them with “ a reckless attempt to injure” us, or asserting that “it is inexcusable on the part of any newspaper to make such false statements,” or, falling back upon the stereotyped assertion that “ the statements must be their own refutation,” we prefer to say that their statements are evidently more the result of an entire want of knowledge concerning the matter in question, than any wilful attempt to pervert facts. In answer to their assertion that “ the allegations made are without foundation,” we only repeat that our allegations are made on too solid a foundation, and are too well authenticated to be shaken by such a broad denial as that contained in the paragraph above alluded to. Our assertions were distinct and truthful, and well known to be so by those interested, and who had “ satisfied themselves upon the point.” Our disingenious contemporary says “ the sections are released from all claim.” Now it necessarily follows that had there not originally been this claim upon them they could not have been released. To be more explicit than our Jesuitical opponent we will explain that when we penned the lines complained of the land was in exactly the same position as described, and has only been released this present week by a further issue of bills. If our contemporary is so valiant for the truth why not have stated this fact instead of trying to lead the public to the supposition that the titles were never encumbered at all. However unpalatable it may be we shall never hesitate to tell the truth when the public interests demand it.

The Prevailing Disease.—The “ tightness of the chest ” with which our corporate body is at present afflicted undoubtedly calls for the most skilful treatment at the hands of those who are entrusted with its care, and the well-timed remarks of Councillor Townley should find a ready echo in the minds of all those who have the future welfare and prosperity of our town at heart. Instances of great temptation will occasionally arise in the same manner in which the case in point did on Tuesday night, nevertheless it is the duty of councillors one and all, to persistently oppose any attempt at expenditure beyond and outside the liberal estimate already provided for the current year. It may be all very well to point out the urgent necessity which exists for carrying out the work, the smallness of the cost, &e., but whilst the “ tightness of the chest ” continues, absolute rest and inaction must be prescribed. Last year our expenditure exceeded our income by some £570, and instead of retrenchment we have made provision for a further expenditure which will increase our indebtness to somewhere about £1,700 by the end of the current year, even providing we do not go one shilling beyond the estimates. Added to this it must be remembered that the present rate of five per cent, is the maximum allowed limit, and that no other sources of revenue can be looked to beyond the gradual increase which takes place annually, lArder these circumstances it is self evident that, Yjnless solid and substantial reasons can be advanced to the contrary, the most determined opposition should be shown to any project jlthich necessitates further expenditure, '

Failures.—Several heavy bank failures are announced to have occurred in New York. Costal.—The s.s. Rosina left for the Coast yesterday, and will return shortly. U.S.S. Service. — The Wairarapa and Ringarooma will arrive here on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The former is from Auckland, and the latter from South. Catholic Church.—Wo beg to call the attention of our Catholic friends to the notice in another column of the services on Sunday . next by Father Riordan, who is returning next steamer. Wesleyan Church.—ln another column will be found a lengthened report of the discourse held in the Wesleyan Church on Sunday evening last, which has been held over on account of pressure on our space, preferring to take this course rather than abridge the same.

New County By-law. —After to-day, the following by-law will be made a special order of the County Council. “ No. 7. —That all horses, cattle, or vehicles, shall be taken or driven across any bridge under the control of this Council, at a walking pace only. Any person guilty of a breach of this by-law shall be liable to a penalty of £5 for each offence.” Hinemoa.—The Government steamer Hinemoa, dropped anchor in the Bay early this morning, with Mr. Mrs. and Miss Robertson from Portland Island. Captain Bendall was also a passenger by her. She left shortly after arrival for Tauranga. Tologa Land Court. — The Tologa Bay Land Court has been adjourned until the 6th November.

Accident. —An accident happened this afternoon . whereby Cecil Lewis received a good shaking. He was riding a bicycle when a dog ran in front and capsized the machine, bringing the rider to earth with considerable violence.

Tariff Bill.—Congress has rejected the new Tariff Bill, by which it was sought to reduce the Customs duty on wool and woollen goods 20 per cent.

The Gas Works.—On visiting these works yesterday we found that rapid prog: ess ha t been made. The corrugated building which will contain the boiler and retorts is nearly completed, whilst the brickwork for the latter is only awaiting the arrival of the ironwork to have the finishing touch put to them. A gang of men were employed sinking a well, which has already reached the depth of 45 feet; the lower 35 feet being through a strata of heavy blue clay. Very little sign of water was apparent at that depth. The foundation for the retort has been completed, and everything is being pushed on with such energy that when the plant arrives it will be in place and at work in the course of a week or two. Tire machinery and manufactured plant is expected to arrive here, per direct steamer, shortly, and we may confidently expect to have gas long before the winter has passed.

Gisborne Benevolent Society.—The committee of the above society met in the Courthouse yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs. Nolan and Pollen ; Misses Williams and Booth and Revs. Spence and McAra. The hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. McAra, reported on the several eases receiving aid from the society, and regularly visited by the ladies’ committee. Each case was carefully considered, and, if needful, help was at once agreed to ; one or two cases were doubtful, and the relieving committee, Mrs. Pollen and Miss A\ illiams, were asked to investigate. The treasurer reported that the sum or £8 10s., being subsidy for last quarter, had been received from the Government and lodged in the bank to the credit of the society. Since last meeting the society had sent “ old Chapman,” the destitute fisherman, to Auckland, where he had friends. Accounts amounting to £9 4s. 3d., being the expenditure for the last two months, were passe’d for payment. I

Marriage.—The House of Commons have passed, by a substantial majority, a resolution in favor of legalising marriage with a deceased wife’s sister, Maori Language.—Wc strongly advise any one who is anxious to acquire a thorough knowledge of the above, to Lake advantage of the opportunity afforded them of doing so, Mr. J. G. Baker, Licensed Interpreter, having, as will be seen by reference to our advertising columns, at the solicitation of numerous friends, started an evening class at his residence, Carnarvon Street. Athletic Performance. —Recently in the gymnasium of the New York Athletic Club, from a board floor, Mr. W. Ford undertook to beat the American amateur record at three standing long jumps and standing hop, step, and jump. He took six attempts at the jumping, but failed to beat the record, 32ft. 4ins., by Larkin, on June 17, 1878. His longest distance was 31ft. 7.1 ins. He was successful in boating the standing hop, step and jump record, clearing in his first attempt, 28ft. 3.jins, which is two inches better than the previous record. Subsequently Ford made five attempts, three of which were measured, viz,, 29ft. Sins. 29ft. Sins., and 30ft, Sins , but in these trials he was allowed to start from both feet, instead of one foot. The 80ft. Bin. performance, however, is the best ever made by an amateur with the two-feet start.

New Scale of Fees,—A new scale of fees under the Licensing Act, appears in the present issue of the Gazette. The increase is very large in some cases, such as application for license has been increased from 3s. to 10s., whilst the granting of license is raised from ss. to 10s., renewal, from 2s to 55., application for open additional bar, from Is, to ss. An entirely new item appears in the list, as application for conditional license, 10s. ; and grant of certificate for same, 10s. This imposes a fee of £l, where no charge whatever was previously made, and will have the effect of, to a large extent, putting a stop to applications for refreshment bars for those paltry race meetings, such as those about to be held on the 24th inst. Few people will see any objection to this mode of increasing the revenue, especially when it is remembered that previous to the last two years publicans had to pay £4O per annum for their license. Under the new Act of 1882 it has been reduced to £25, and the new scale will only have the effect of taking a little extra fees, in the shape of stamps, from those who, in the majority of cases, can well afford to pay the same. Texas Desperadoes.—A tragedy occurred at the Vaudeville theatre on the night of the 12th March, involving the death of Ben Thompson and King Fisher, the two most noted and desperate characters in Texas, and dangerously wounding of Joe Foster. The jury found that the killing was justifiable and done in self defence. There was no direct testimony as to who did the shooting; but the evidence went to show that Foster, one of the proprietors had, refused to shake hands with Thompson, who was drunk, and had a year before killed Foster’s partner. Thompson immediately slapped Foster with his right hand, and with his left hand drew a pistol. Special-policman Coy, grabbed Thompson’s weapon as it was fired at Foster, and Thompson endeavored to wrest it away, and in the scuffle all three fell, and the shooting became general. It is known that Fisher and Thompson quarrelled on the train to San Antonio, and that Foster, the man assaulted by Thompson, was a particular friend to Fisher. The latter’s pistol was found belted around him undischarged. Foster’s condition is precarious. His leg was amputated below the knee, and it is feared a second hemorrhage will ensue. King Fisher was a native of Texas, 28 years of age. He was married and had children. He had been one of the wildest spirits on the frontier until within the last few years. Thompson was born in England, served as a Confederate soldier, and was a guerilla captain for Maximilian in Mexico. He leaves a wife and two children.