The Telephone. WITH WHICH INCORPORATED THE POVERTY BAY STANDARD. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29. Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 272, 29 October 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. WITH WHICH INCORPORATED THE POVERTY BAY STANDARD. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29. Local and General.

Crime.—Reports show that crime is de-, creasing in the Colony. Mails.—Mails for Napier and Wellington per Southern Cross will close to-morrow afternoon (Thursday) at 3 p.m. U. A.O.D.—A Juvenile Lodge in connection with the Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge, was opened on Tuesday night. This is the first Juvenile Druids’ Lodge established in this colony. . The Trunk Line. — According to the Minister of Public Works, the central trunk line adopted by the House, connecting Wellington with Auckland by rail, should be opened in three years time, The cost will be a little under £1,300,000. Prorogation.—A letter signed by forty members of the House of Representatives has been sent to the Premier, asking that an effort be made to prorogue Parliament. It is expected to be prorogued about, the 4th of November.

Advertising.—A wealthy London merchant is reported as having said—“ I always feel happy when I am advertising, for then I know that, waking or sleeping, I have a strong though silent orator working for me; one who never tires, never sleeps, never makes mistakes, and who is certain to enter the households, from which, if at all, my trade must come. Benefit.—We are pleased to learn that the long promised entertainment for the benefit of the widow and family of the late J. R. Taylor is to be given on Tuesday evening next. As the leading amateur talent of the place will gladly respond to a call on an occasion like this, an excellent programme may be anticipated. Improvement Society.—At the usual weekly meeting of the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society held last evening, a very interesting paper was read by Mr, J. A. Slack, entitled Photography, the handmaid of science and art. The esayist gave a resume of the rapid development of photography, its usefulness and the benefits it conferred in scientific experiments, and also drew attention to several photographic pictures which had been considered great works of art and as such had realized for the owners great sums of money. How little (remarked the esayist in conclusion) did the inventor of the sensitive slate think that within the space of 40 years it was destined to play such an important part in science and art. A dehate followed. There was a good attendance of members present. Meeting.—The first meeting of creditors in the estate of W. H, Flood was held yesterday morning. Mr. Day appeared for Mr. Rees, for the debtor. Proof of debts to the amount of £9 ss. 9d. were put in. The debtor made a short statement, proving himself to be totally insolvent, having only a small permanent income of £4O per annum, which he received from the Church, besides one or two small sums which he managed at times to bring in by teaching music and tuning pia.ios, whilst his liabilities exceeded something like £126. He kept no account books. The Assignee considered that to all intents and purposes there were no real assets, and he could not then do any more in the matter until it went before the Court. r Mr, Adair hoped the Assignee would make a strong recommendation when it did go to the Court. The meeting then adjourned.

Public Bathing. — From the numerous complaints made with respect to the public bathing carried on in the Taruheru and Waimata Rivers, at all hours of the day, we have no alternative but to specially direct the attention of the police to the matter. Bathers seem to forget that population is rapidly increasing in the vicinity referred to. Common decency should not be outraged to suit the convenience of those who cannot or will not bathe at the early hours of the morning. In Napier bathing on the beach after seven in the morning is a serious offence against the borough byJaws. So long as the evil complained of is allowed to pass unchecked, so long will it continue to exist. If, after this notification, the efforts of the police and the Borough Council are powerless to abate the nuisance, we will publish the names of offending bathers free. Verbum sat sapienti. The Poplars.—Strangers visiting Gisborne at the summer season of the year, never fail to admire the beauty given to our streets by the poplars and other trees in full leaf growing on either side. These trees have been planted with much care, especially those near the principal hotels. It is therefore, really pitiable to see the destruction that is going on. The trees are being ruthlessly denuded of their bark, while the civic authorities are apparently careless of what is being done. Unless steps are taken to protect the trees from being barked, decay must poon follow, and the rays of the hot summer sun will beat unshielded upon Gladstone road. Opposite Messrs. Graham, Pitt and Bennett’s the trees there have had a coating of tar applied to them. This is an excellent and inexpensive preservative against the animals tearing off the bark. ]?erhap»-the Borough' Council will see its way to act in this matter.

Physiognomy.—Professor Hugo delivered his third lecture last evening to a much larger and far more appreciative audience than on any previous occasion, the subject being “ Lines and Wrinkles of the Face.” The lecturer gave a very accurate explanation and meaning of the various wrinkles generally to be observed in the human face. A wrinkled face was indicative of far more intelligence, independence, honesty, and reliability, than a clean smooth face, which was only good to gaze upon by its prettiness, and in most cases a physiognomist would term such a face as “ very bad,” whilst on the other hand in the ugly wrinkled face he would always see there depicted traits of something noble. Nice looking smooth-faced peoplp were generally dependent on other people, of a melancholy tendency, were frivolous and wore all the colors of the rainbow, but the plain and bright were found to be careless and shabby in their attire. Again wrinkles might be symptoms of good or bad actions. The bad wrinkles were traces that could be only eliminated by causing certain evil propensites to become inactive. Wrinkled faces were also by far more powerful than the smooth faces, and he advised the ladies present not to be led away, and if they wished for real and trusty guardians, they should marry those men whose faces could not be seen for wrinkles, or perhaps that was going too far, but they should seek those with firm set features because in time they would get the wrinkles. The Professor caused intense merriment and laughter by telling the characters of those who had sufficient courage to go before him. A number of ladies were on the stage last evening. The subject for this evening is “ Signs of Love in the Face,”

Volunteer Force. —A parliamentary paper on the volunteer force of the colony has been printed and circulated. The strength was as follows on 31st December last: —Cavalry 379, naval artillery 530, artillery 634, garrison rifles 1621, country corps 1168, total 4332, of whom 3394 were estimated as efficient.

Parliamentary Union.—The debate on Monday evening last on the second reading of the “ Native Land Resumption Bill 1884,” was fairly well conducted. The novelty of the position was naturally felt by the speakers, still sufficient evidence was given that the members with practice will develops into good debaters. Although a mimic Parliament, a sense of earnestness showed itself. In listening to Mr. Kenny’s remarks on the Treaty’ of Waitangi and international law, one felt, apart from the actual subject of debate that an important question was being well handled in a manner commensurate with its importance. The Opposition lacked organization, although they plainly mean fighting. During-Mr. Graham’s address there was a palpable “ no surrender ” feeling manifested. Captain Porter’s vigorous onslaught on the Treasury benches brought the hon. the Minister of Mines (Mr. W. F. Crawford), to his legs. The Government evidently felt that it was no use putting forward a light weight. With commendable sagacity and good fortune to boot, they pitched upon the honorable gentleman referred to, who acquitted himself to great advantage. It is rumoured that a Middle Party is being formed, which is likely to harass both Opposition and Government. The next meeting will take place on Friday week.