Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 180, 11 July 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Band of Hope.—A meeting of the Presbyterian Band of Hope will take place tonight, at the Church. J Battery.—At the weekly meeting of the J Battery last night, it was decided to hold a Church parade on Sunday morning next. We hope to see the members roll up in good numbers.

The Gisborne.—The schooner Gisborne, Captain Skinner, arrived here from Auckland with a general cargo of coal, sugar, timber, &c. this morning.

Mr. Locke.—ln another column will be found a list of the places and dates upon which Mr. Locke intends addressing the electors, The last one will be given at McFarlane’s Hall, on the 21st instant.

Public Library.—The annual general meeting of the subscribers to the above will be held in the Library rooms, Lowe-street, this evening, at 8 p.m. The “Sacred Trust.” — Mr. Rees has opened the campaign at Wairoa where he again impressed upon his hearers the responsibility which devolved upon those who exercised the “ sacred trust ” of a vote, which should be given to the man who is likely to do the most good. Of course that man is himself (?). U.S.S. Service.—The Ringarooma arrived here to-day from Auckland, about half-past eleven, making a very quick passage. The Southern Cross will probably get here to-mor-row night or early on Sunday morning from Napier and Wellington. The Arawata will arrive on Sunday morning from South. R.M. Court.—The Court has been occupied all day with civil business. In the case of Goldsmith v. Bloomfield and Wyllie, claim £47 odd, on a judgment summons, his Worship decided in favor of the plaintiff, and ordered that the amount should be paid on the Ist September 1884. The case of S. DeCosta v. H. Cantie, claim £6 17s. 2d. for board and lodging, while the defendant was staying at his hotel at Tologa Bay during the sitting of the Native Land Court, is still proceeding. Mr. Brassey appears for the plaintiff, and Mr. Finn for the defendant. Hospital Meeting.—The following are the names of those who attended the annual Hospital meeting, on Wednesday evening last Messrs. E. K. Brown, Nolan, McKay, Matthewson, A. Graham, Adair, Dr. Pollen, Chrisp, Bishop, Friar, Arch. Williams, Rev. Riordian, Finneran, Joyce, Lewis, Piesse, Adene Laurence, Baldwin, and Skeet. The following is the result of the voting for committeemen : —Graham, 19 ; Matthewson, 16; Booth 16; W. Adair, 14; K.K.Brown, 14; Nolan, 13 ; McKay, 13; Skeet, 10; Dr. Innis, 8; Baldwin 8.

High Living.—lf we may judge by a paragraph in the London Daily Telegraph, the ideas entertained in England of the “high living” in this Colony are rather remarkable. Writing on the subject of Colonial mutton the Telegraph says ;—“ This commodity in the Australian Colonies and New Zealand has been regarded as little else than a waste product until the frozen meat shipments to England were organised. In the abundance of game, wildfowl, and more dainty meats the colonists never were accustomed to utilise any other portion of the sheep except the leg themselves, the whole of the remainder being boiled for the sake of the fat.” The Monckton Case.—The well merited remarks which fell from his Honor Chief Justice Richmond, whilst passing sentence upon the prisoner Monckton, on Tuesday last, will find a ready echo in the breasts of all. It is seldom that such a degree of disgusting profligacy is brought to public view as that shown to underlie the comparatively venal offence with which this man has been charged, and it is a matter for sincere regret that the law has not made provision for fully meeting such cases, and of authorising the relegation of such degraded members of society to a suitable durance for a period more in proportion to their deserts. It is such incorirgible scoundrels as this who sap the very roots and moral foundations of society, and the sequestration of such is an imperative necessity if we wish to prevent the evil effects of such contaminating influences. At the same time let us hope that two years’ enforced honest labor, regular hours, and a sufficiently frugal diet, will not be without effect in working some degree of moral change even in this hardened profligate. Football Club.—A special general meeting of the members of the Football Club was held last night, at the Masonic hotel. The attendance was very meagre, there being just sufficient present to form a quorum. Mr. Whitcombe, the secretary, was in the chair, and explained that the object of the meeting was to decide as to whether the club should be wound up for the present season or not. A motion was then carried, proposed by E. Sage, that the club be not wound up for the present season. It was also decided that a match should be played on Saturday next, Pakehas v. Maoris, and that the committee interview the natives and pakehas, and endeavor to get them to roll up on the day in question. Discussion now arose as to the advisability of sending a team to Napier, but nothing was definitely decided on. The chairman said the next question they had to consider was the election of another secretary. He could not attend to tho duties of that office, as he had not the time at his disposal. After an extremely wearisome debate, it was agreed that the secretary hold over his resignation for one week, in order that the committee might appoint one in his place. This concluded the business.

Total Abstinence Society.—A very successful meeting was held last evening in the Wesleyan Church, in connection with the Total Abstinence Society and Band of Hope. There wa. a largo attendance. Alter devotional exercises, the Rev. G, W. J. Spence (President), gave a short inaugural address, in which he showqd that man being God’s property, every Christian was bound to interfere to prevent the human faculties from being impaired, or the body from being abused. The widespread damage done by strong drink was forceably illustrated by the recital of four tragedies, which occurred in Auckland quite recently, in the brief space of one week. At a later stage of the meeting, Mr. Tharatt gave a telling speech on “ Will it pay?” in which the advantages of total abstinence were pointed out financially, physically, and religiously. Recitations were capitally given by Mr. Searle, “ What makes the man?”; Mr Slack, “The poor man and the friend ”; Hannah Madder, “A Band of Hope”; Hepsibah Madder, “Love your little brother.” Mr. Goldsmith (conductor), sang two suitable songs in good taste, and Miss McDonald, one. Mr. Hughes accompanied throughout in his usual efficient style. An opportunity was gave for enrollment of members, when 43 names were placed upon the register, Altogether the proceedings were interesting and the results highly gratifying. A still more successful meeting is anticipated a month hence. A “ Liberal ” Resolution.—A meeting of the so-called “ Working Man’s Political Association ” took place last night, and by its first action proved the wisdom and discretion exercised on a previous occasion by eliminating the misnomer “ Liberal ” from its title. With a view of carrying out our public duties, both to the “ Association ” and to our subscribers, we duly put in an appearance at the meeting, aad were at once informed that the members had passed a resolution “that the Press be excluded,” but that a digest of the proceedings would be furnished for publication on the morrow. According to this it is evident that the reporters presence can only be objected to on the grounds of his truthful reports being objectionable. The Associations proceedings evidently will not bear the strong light of publicity, and they, no doubt, prefer to give their own version. The action scarcely needs comment, and can have no other effect than that of militating solely against themselves. We can only express our surprise that such a preposterously narrow minded proposition was ever moved, let alone carried. The following has been handed to us for publication “At a meeting of the Working Men’s Political Association held last evening, there were a large number of members in attendance. The reports from the sub-committee were highly satisfactory, and a number of Country names were added to those already enrolled. After other business had been gone through, it was unanimously resolved, ‘ That this Association express its heartfelt thanks to Mr. Gannon for the manner in which he has acted towards the Liberal party in this district,’ and also, ‘ That this Association passes a vote, wishing Mr. Gannon every success at the Bay of Islands,’ and, ‘ That these resolutions be wired to his supporters.’ ”