Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 294, 25 November 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Cricket. — The Smokers v. Nonsmokers’ match added £5OO to the Cricketers’ Fund, an old-established charity. Betting.—Sydney Smith says To bet and lose is folly, but to bet and win is to take a man’s money because he is a bigger fool than you are.” Backing an Opinion.—A French wit remarks that there is many a man who is prepared to take his solemn oath as to the truth of the story, but declines to stake a dollar on it. Advance.—The powder magazine at Mount Cook Barracks, which in days gone by was as carefully guarded as the entrance to Her Majesty’s Palace, has been converted into a commodious workshop by the prison authorities. Wesleyan.—An anonymous benefactor has presented the Wesleyan Conference of London with a reference library of 30,000 volumes. It is reported that the Wesleyans in the British capital have gained 3,000 members within the last year.

Barbed Wire.—A Glasgow Magistrate has awarded a claim of 15s. for damages done to the clothing of two young ladies through coming into contact with a barbed-wire fence. The Sheriff made a personal examination of the fence, and said it appeared that it was a Yankee notion, but ne did not think that was a recommendation for having such a class of fence in a public street. Semi-Lunatic.—ln the R.M. Court last week a lamentable episode occurred when a young girl was brought up charged with lunacy, and upon being dismissed as being thoroughly sane expressed her intentions of sooner committing suicide than yield to the solicitations of her parents and friends to go to her home. Upon the face of this one would most likely conclude that the home influence was anything but desirable, but the young lady herself plainly showed, yesterday, that the task of guiding her must be a somewhat difficult one, and that the parents will have their utmost patience taxed in providing for her welfare and safe conduct. A young , lady riding recklessly about Gisborne streets, thrashing her horse, and otherwise attracting public attention, must be somewhat difficult to control.

Excelsiors.—The Excelsior’s meet tomorrow evening for dancing at Porter’s Hall, at 7.80. Nobbs.—By special request Prof. Hugo has consented to deliver a lecture on noses tomorrow evening. Rowing Club.—A general meeting of the members of the Gisborne Rowing Club will take place to-night at the Masonic Hotel. Drunkenness.—A man named Jacob Tomahawk was fined ss, in default of payment twenty-four hours’ imprisonment for being drunk in a public place. Gas Fete.—The amount taken at the Gas fete on Saturday night was £2O Is Id, this with the takings of the previous night, £9 IGs, and also that of last night about £9 10s, makes a total of £39 7s Id, exclusive of the expenses which will probably not be more than £l3 or £l4. Bricks.—Bricks made of cork now constitute one of the new German industries. The usual size is ten by four and three-forths and two and a half inches. They are prepared from small corks, refuse and cement, and have not only been used for certain building purposes on account of their lightness and isolating properties but are also employed as a covering for boilers in preventing the radiation of heat,

Cheese and Bacon Factory,—A meeting of the directors of the Cheese and Bacon Factory was held at Makaraka last night, 9. Locke, Esq., in the chair. The appointment of a manager was finally agreed upon; also the purchase of an engine and boiler. The work at the factory is being pushed on with all possible speed, and the factory will be ready to receive milk in a fortnight. Settlers intending to send milk should make application to the secretary for the necessary milk cans at once. Shareholders who have not ns yet paid their calls are reminded that interest will be charged after the 18th November last. Opposition.—The New Zealand Shipping Company is likely to have some formidable opposition in the meat freezing trade. Circulars are now being distributed in Wairarapa district to the effect that the Dunedin Freezing Company has received an offer of a fast steamer for six consecutive trips carrying 35,000 sheep each voyage at a freight which would mean to the shipper 1 6-Bth per lb and 5 per cent, primage per sheep a.q compared with the freight of 2d per lb, and 10 per cent, primage hitherto paid on a 721 b sheep. Both the New Zealand Shipping and Shaw-Savill companies have now reduced their rates to IJd per lb. Ormond Sports.—Mr. H. McKay, secretary to the Gisborne Hospital has received the following letter from Mr. Roberson, the secretary of the Ormond branch of the Working Men’s Political Association :—“ I am directed to inform you of the intention of the members of the Ormond branch of the Working Men’s Political Association to hold a series of sports on New Year’s Day at Ormond, the proceeds to be given to the hospital, and request you to obtain the sanction of the Hospital Committee to the same. An early reply to this note will oblige.” We understand that the Hospital Committee have agreed to accept the kind offer and the secretary of the association will be notified to that effect. Last year the sports given at Ormond in aid of the hospital were very successful* about £2O being realized.

Court.—There were about fourteen civil cases adjourned this morning, principally owing to the claims being beyond the jurisdiction of the J. P.’s, Messrs. Tucker and Graham. The following cases were disposed of :— A. Cass v. A. F. Hardy: claim, £6 os. Bd.; judgment by default, with costs, 17s. A. Cass v. J. W. Brown; claim, £9 10s.; judgment by default, with costs, 305.; A. J. Cooper, v. E. Marshall; claim £3 Bs.; judgment by default, with costs. H. Lewis v. E. Marshall; claim, 195.; judgment by default. A. Cass v. Henry McDonald; claim, £1 7s. 2d.; judgment for plaintiff with costs, 10s. J. Burke v. J. Harries ; claim on judgment summons; no appearance of plaintiff, case struck out. J. Sears v .Wi Hauronga; claim £lB, for splitting 12,000 posts at the Karaka; after hearing Mr. Rees for the defendant, their Worships nonsuited the plaintiff, with costs.

N. Z. Niagara.—Mr. Rochfort, during his explorations for a route for the North Island Main Trunk Line, came upon an exceedingly beautiful natural feature. It is thus described: —“ At 130 miles up the Pipipietea river occurs the Matakerapua fall,probably not previously seen by any European and very few natives. It is an object of great interest. The whole river, some 90 feet wide, shoots over a precipice GO feet deep, springing clear from its bed in an unbroken transparent arch, through which ferns and growth beneath can be seen as through a window. Ou one side there is a sort of cave hollowed in the rock, which is colored red and yellow with iron oxide, The banks of the river above and below are lined with ferns, which hang over the river cliff and add to the beauty of the scene. Below the fall the river falls rapidly, and swirls and eddies in heavy rapids for about 100 chains, while above it fora long distance the water is still, deep, and lake-like. Gas Fete.—About 150 persons attended the Gas fete last evening. Several alterations and improvements were made since Saturday. Above the entrance door was an illuminator with the word “ gas ” and a crown on the top surrounded by a neat border worked on it by Mr. Sigley, which looked exceedingly pretty, and was much admired. An instrumental and vocal entertainment commenced about nine o’clock, during which Mr. J, T. Crawford officiated at the piano. The following was the programme, which was performed without a hitch and evoked much applause Song, “ Maid of Athens,” Mr. Edwards; song, “ The Minstrel Boy,” Madame Stewart ; comic song (with encore), Mr. W. Parnell; instrumental duet on the clarionette, Mr. Woodmass and son ; song, Mr. P. O’Meara ; song, “ The Gallants of England,” Mr. Bennett; song, Madame Stewart; song, “ The Tar’s Farewell,” Mr. Goldsmith. Mr. Bourke then announced that the room would be cleared and those who wished to trip the “light fantastic” could do so to the music of the band. The room was accordingly cleared, but as no one stood up to the first dance, the band gave “ God save the Queen,” and retired.