Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 135, 19 May 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Gas Fittings.—Mr. Sigley is prepared to execute all orders for gas fittings. See advt.

Billiards.— The billiard match at the Masonic Hotel takes place to-night, when a sharp contest is anticipated.

Music.—The newest dance music for the season and latest music just received at Mr. Snyder Brown’s, next Telephone office. The River.—Mr. Rosie’s scheme is now in active operation, and the rake is being drawn backwards and forwards by three horses. Some idea of the result may be known by to-morrow.

T.C. Court.—There was no Trust Commissioners’ Court to-day, on account of the Trust Commissioners being occupied at the Resident Magistrate’s Court in hearing the charge against Epiha Parau for forgery. Volunteer Ball.—Some misapprehension having arisen as to the Volunteer Ball having been postponed, we are authorized to state that no alteration has been made in the date for holding the same, and the Ball will take place on Friday, the 23rd inst.

U.S.S. Service.—The Waihora dropped anchor in the Bay early yesterday morning from Southern Ports, and after six hours stay steamed North. The Southern Cross will arrive here from South to-morrow. Sales.—Messrs. C. Smith and Co. notify that they will sell by auction, all Mr. D. Dinan’s household furniture on Thursday next at Matawhero. The particulars of the articles for sale may be seen in the advertisement.

Correction.—ln our Saturday’s issue we quoted a paragraph from the N. Z. Herald, as having eminated from the Press Association agent of this town. It has been pointed out to us that the paragraph in dispute is the production of the Herald's special correspondent, and not the association agent—a distinction without any wide difference. Shipping.—The schooner Waiapu sailed for Auckland via the Coast yesterday morning with a general cargo. The cutter Lizzie, having discharged her cargo, left on Saturday afternoon for Taiaroa for the purpose of getting another load of timber for the Loan and Mercantile Company’s building. The schooner Orpheus is at present alongside the wharf discharging. Larrikinism.—This scourge seems to be rapidly gaining ground amongst us. Recently it has been found that gates have been removed from their hinges, and in some instances destroyed, and in others “ planted ” in out of the way places. Now we hear of doors, windows, and rails being daubed with tar. We are pleased to be enabled to state that the police are taking all available steps to rectify this state of affairs, and expect shortly to see an example made.

An Unlooked-for Danger.—A new source of danger has arisen in the shape of the metal depots along the side of the roads. Yesterday evening, as three gentlemen were riding along the Ormond Road in the dusk, they were met by an equestrian just opposite one of the metal heaps, and the horse shying cannoned with that of Mr. Egerton Ward’s, bringing both him and his beast to the ground. Both were considerably injured, Mr. Ward sustaining a severe scalp wound and other bruises.

Our Persistent Candidate.—The N. Z. Herald commenting on the present position of affairs, and Mr. Rees’ refusal to withdraw from the contest, says:—“At a meeting of the principal residents, held yesterday morning, the opinion prevailed that all the candidates should retire and allow him (Sir Julius Vogel) a walk-over. To this proposal two of them, Messrs. Locke and Gannon, who were present, gracefully gave their consent on the condition that Mr. Rees also retired

and we understand that he has expressed his intention not to withdraw his candidature. . The issue then is narrowed down to mere personal considerations.”

The Resignation.—The following notification appears in the current Gazette “In compliance with the provisions of the 61st section of ‘ The Regulation of Elections Act, 1881,’ I hereby notify that Allan McDonald, Esq., has resigned his seat in the House of Representatives for the Electoral District of the East Coast, and that his letter of resignation was received by me on the 3rd day of May, 1881, and that the said seat is vacant by reason of such resignation. Dated at Onehunga, the 3rd day of May, 188-I.—G. M. O’Rorke, Kt., Speaker.”

A Human Fiend. —A savage murder was perpetrated in Tarragona, Spain, on the Ist instant, by a shoemaker named Jose Perez. 19 years of age. lie attacked four women—Fiorentina Matheu, aged 80; Joscpha Mallol, her daughter; the step-daughter of the latter, aged 17; and a servant. Joscpha Mallol kept a tobacco shop, her mother and step-daughter residing with her. Early in the morning Perez entered the shop armed

with a dagger, and savagely attacked and stabbed the four women one after the other. Fiorentina Matheu and the girl were killed on the spot, and the other two are not expected to survive. The murderer made off, but was subsequently captured. Robbery is the supposed motive for the crime.

Naturalists.—lt is not generally known that Gisborne is in possession of a very fine collection of Australian Ornithological specimens. Any one interested in such matters will meet with an agreeable surprise by visiting ‘he exhibition situate on the banks of the river by the Whataupoko bridge, where Mr. Hansen will show them upwards of 200 fine specimens of birds, reptiles, <fcc. The vampire bat, the flying squirrel, the carpet snake, the frilled lizzard, the guana, and many other specimens of the greatest interest will be found together with birds of great rarity and beauty of plumage, and in such variety as to gladden the heart of any naturalist.

The Waka Maori.—The last issue of this useful and widely circulated paper is fully up to the former average. This number contains a County Council advertisement enumerating the various Native blocks subject to taxation, together with the amount of rates due upon the same. This, we understand, has caused considerable alarm among the Natives, who plead entire ignorance of such a claim and also object to the method of valuation adopted. This only tends to show the necessity which exists for making such measures widely known.

Awful Fire.—One Sunday morning, at 11 o’clock, a fire broke out on the premises occupied by the Germano-Israelite school, Constantinople. The flames, which were first seen in the basement of the building, spread with such rapidity as to prevent most of the children from effecting their escape by the ordinary means of egress. Many were thrown or leaped out of the windows of the upper floors into blankets which were held in the street, and in the course of their descent several were more or less seriously injured. Nineteen charred bodies were found in the ruins. The directress of the school, seized with fright, threw herself out of the window into the street, and was killed on the spot.