Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 244, 25 September 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

J Battery.—The usual monthly inspection will be held this evening at 7.30.

Hospital Ball —At the meeting of the Ball Committee held last evening arrangements for the ball were completed. The supply of viands promised is ample for all requirements, and everything promises success. Large and Townley.—This firm are now advertising a great clearing sale in order to facilitate a dissolution of partnership, and direct attention to the fact that they are now offering the whole of their extensive stock at extremely low rates. See new advertisement. Why.—The question is often asked why printer’s drink. Anyone desirous of ascertaining the cause would do well to visit the office of a daily paper, and see some of the writing that correspondents are in the habit of sending for insertion. Verb sap. A Share Dodge.—A rather .sharp piece of artful dodgery took place to-day at the R.M. Court on the part of a certain Native during the hearing of the charge of larceny against Anaru Wharekina. All the Native witnesses in the case had been ordered out of Court, and where thereby debarred from hearing the evidence against the accused, a proceeding which evidently upset their plans, but as a remedy they procured another friendly Native who took the evidence down as translated by Mr. Brooking into the Native language, and thus carried on a system of telegraphy, keeping the witnesses outside well posted up in the evidence being given against accused until discovered by the constable, when the delinquent was speedily ordered to quit. Rowing Club.—The opening of the rowing season will be held on Saturday. October 4th. The agent of the Union Steamship Company has kindly placed the steam launch Snarl; at the disposal of the Club to convey invited guests and the J Battery Band, which will follow the procession. All owners of boats are requested to take part in the proceedings, and if the weather proves fine a very enjoyable afternoon on the river is anticipated. The boats will start from the Club’s shed at 3 o’clock, and will pull down to the wharf, where the Snark will join them. After the usual course, has been pulled over, the ceremony will wind up with the presentation of cups to the Senior Fours, which were won by them last season. I

Cook County.—Tenders are being called by the County Council for works on the Gisborne-Wairoa Road. The Engineer will ’eave the Bridge Hotel at 7 a.m. Friday, 26th instant, to point out work to intending contractors.

Larceny. The case against Anaru Wharekina alias Harehare, occupied the attention of the Court until 2.30 this afternoon, a number of witnesses being examined, after which Mr. Whitcombe went through the evidence and argued for a dismissal, but his Worship considered himself justified in committing the prisoner for trial. In reply to his Worship, the accused made a lengthy statement, disputing the statement of witnesses that he had sold the horse in question, as he was not in town on the 28th, 29th, 30th, or 31st of July, He then went on to explain why he was not in town on those days, and further refuted the charge. He was committed to take his trial at the sittings of the Supreme Court in December next. Mr. Whitcombe said he would reserve his defence on behalf of the accused.

Band of Hope.—The monthly meeting of the Band of Hope and Gospel Temperance Mission, was held in the Presbyterian Church last night, and was largely attended. The chair was occupied by Mr. McAra, who opened the meeting with devotional exercises. A varied and interesting programme was presented to the audience, and met with hearty appreciation. Songs were given by Miss Ada Good “ Roses Underneath the Snow,” Master Earnest Langford, “ The Dear Little Shamrock,” Miss C. Teat, “ Alone,” Mrs. Osborne, “ Sweet Home,” and a duet “ Polaski’s Banner,” by Misses C. Sommerville and M. Hall. All acquitted themselves well, the songs being sweetly and correctly rendered. Recitations were given by Miss Sommervell, “ The Little Bow of Blue,’’ Miss A. Oatridge, “The Story of a Blue Ribbon Boy,” and Master Frank Teat, “ A Lump in His Throat.” These pieces were well received. Mr. McAra then introduced the Rev. J. J. Lewis, who delivered a capital address in which he vivdly described the evils of indulgence in strong drink, illustrating his subject by citing the case of a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, who for years had discharged his ministerial duties in the colonies with earnestness and efficiency, but who ultimately became a victim to the intoxicating cup and gradually drifted away, until he became a poor miserable wreck, and died a degraded drunkard. Mr. Lewis very forcibly illustrated the value of wearing the “ Bit of Blue,” the badge of the Blue Ribbon Army, and closed his earnest address by exhorting all to take the pledge. On the invitation of the Chairman a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded the reverend gentleman for his presence and address. Several of Sankey’s hymns were sung during the evening. It was intimated that there would be no collection, as the amount contributed at the previous meeting had been sufficient to meet expenses already incurred. At the close eight additional pledges were taken, and the meeting closed with the Benediction.