Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 138, 22 May 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

R.M. Court.—There was no business at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day. The Orpheus.—The schooner Orpheus was towed out of the river yesterday by the Snark, to proceed northward, but the south-easterly gale coming up, forced her to return inside the river again, where she is at present lying, waiting till the state of the weather improves, when she will again start.

Mails.—Mails for Tauranga, per Omapere, will close to-morrow (Friday) night, at 7 p.m., and for Napier and Wellington per Southern Cross, on Saturday night, at 7 p.m.

Trust Commissioner’s Court.—The case Ngakaroa No. 1. A, deed of transfer from Perihi Tutkohi to W. Maude, was further adjourned until Captain Porter’s return from Napier.

Licensing Committees. —The annual list of applicants for the renewal of hotel licenses, transfers, &c., in the Borough of Gisborne Licensing district, will come on for hearing on Wednesday the 4th June.

Correction.—ln an article headed “ South Pacific Petroleum C 0.,” which appeared in our issue of yesterday there appeared two mistakes. The word “ impossible ” should read “possible” and “put” should read “pull.”

The Soudan. — Active preparations are being made for the despatch of troops, and the British Government are now inviting tenders for engines to propel the river launches which will be used to convey the troops up the Nile.

The Australian Cricketers,—Tho Australian team have retrieved their laurels which were somewhat dimmed by the overwhelming defeat which they met with at the hands of the Oxford team. In the last match with Surrey at Kennington Oval they successfully disposed of their antagonists, with eight wickets to spare. U.S.S. Service.—The Omapere left Oamaru on Tuesday night. She will get in at Napier to-morrow, and will leave there about 5 o’clock the same day for this port, arriving early the following morning. After a short stay she will proceed North as far as Auckland, calling in at Tauranga on her way up. The Rotomahana and Te Anau will arrive here to-morrow and Sunday respectively, the former from Auckland, the latter from South. The Southern Cross arrived in Auckland at seven o’clock this morning.

Intercolonial Football. — The Intercolonial football team leaves Wellington by steamer to day en route for Australia. Auckland will be represented by T. O’Connor, J. Locky, and G. Carter, forwards; and T. Ryan and J. Warbrick, backs. The management of the trip provides blue jerseys, but the team will require to find their own stockings and blue knickers. Narrow Escape.—We hear of a narrow escape from drowning which occurred in the lake of water which was formed at Sigley’s corner last night. It appears that, owing to the darkness of the night, and an entire absence of light, a young lady inadvertantly stepped off the bank into the lagoon. Her cries attracted the attention of some gentlemen who immediately ran to her rescue, and succeeded in bringing her to terra firma in a most exhausted state.

Lecture.—The lecture to be delivered by Mr. Bowron in McFarlane’s Hall on Wednesday night last, to show the benefits to be derived in having a cheese and bacon factory, did not eventuate on account of the boisterous weather which proved an impediment to the attendance of the public. Mr. Murchie, the secretary, adjourned the lecture till this afternoon at three o’clock, as we believe, Mr. Bowron wishes to take his departure by tomorrow’s boat for south, but up to the present we have not heard whether it has taken place or not. Since the above was written we are informed that at the meeting this afternoon, only three or four people rolled up, when Mr. Bowron said as it was impossible to lecture now, he would return in about two months, when he hoped to be able to lecture over the cheese-vat instead of at the Hall.

Gas Company.—A meeting of the directors of the Gas Company was held yesterday afternoon to consider the question of laying the mains and pipes along the streets. A resolution was passed to the effect that the work be gone on with at once, as they had already received permission from the Borough Council before the Company was formed for the carrying on of that work. The meeting considered the idea of the Council refusing permission at once, as preposterous. Such delay as they require would cause a break in the work, and all the hands would have to be “ sacked.” The work is now being proceeded with, and the pipes are nearly up to Palmerston Road.

The Gale.—About three o’clock yesterday afternoon the wind veered round to the S.E., and evident indications of a gale was apparent. Sundry gusts of wind sent the loose leaves whirling up in a most remarkable manner, which was quickly followed by heavy showers of rain. Towards dark the full force of the gale burst over the Bay, and it continued blowing very heavy during the whole night, accompanied by dense downpours of water. As the day broke the weather cleared up, and towards eight o’clock the sun burst forth, and nature again resumed her tranquil aspect. We hear of several instances of slight damage having been occasioned by the wind, such as trees being blown down and outhouses overturned, but nothing more serious seems to have occurred.

Sir George Grey.—The following we take from a Napier Telegraph correspondent :— In a conversation I had with Sir George Grey re a harbor for Napier, he told me that he had been educated for an engineer, and took a great interest in the construction of harbors, having in the course of his career become familiar with the subject, and further added that, if the plans, &c., of the proposed harbor were forwarded to him he would go thoroughly into them, and should they appear practicable lend all the support in his power as he was fully convinced of the necessity for one or two good harbors on the East Coast of this Island.

Mr. Gudgeon’s Work.—This gentleman has completed his second volume, which is now ready for publication, giving an account of the doings of the Maoris from the year 1820 to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. In it he describes the aborigines of New Zealand and the noted toas, or great fighting men ; their migrations, traditions, and superstitions; their belief in*the tapu and makutu; the raids of the Ngapuhi, Waikato, and Ngatiawa; the attack on Pukerangiora, the defence of Te Namo, the destruction of Ngatiwhare, the fight of Moturoa, down to the last of the old tribal fights, and finishes by a short biography of the former inhabitants of the Auckland peninsula and of the great chief, Te Waharoa. The greater part of this interesting work has been gathered from the old Maori chiefs still living, and will be another scrap added to the history of these warlike people, much wanted to complete the slight knowledge we have of their early doings.

The Effects of Deafness.—lt was in a country church, and the vicar, before morning service, told the curate to give out a notice about baptisms, and another about some new hymn-books. In reading the notices the curate reversed their order, and gave them as follows : “ For the future, Hymns Ancient and Modern will be used in tnis church.” “ There will be a baptism of infants held in this church on Sunday next.”

“ All parents wishing to have their children baptised must send in their names to the vicar before Wednesday.” The vicar, who was somewhat deaf, heard the curate’s voice cease, but did not observe that the order of the notices had been reversed, so he rose and said : “ And I should further like to mention that those who wish to procure some of the latter can obtain them on applying at the Vicarage for one shilling, or with extra strong backs for eighteen-pence.”