The Telephone. WITH WHICH INCORPORATED THE POVERTY BAY STANDARD. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2. Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 299, 2 December 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. WITH WHICH INCORPORATED THE POVERTY BAY STANDARD. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2. Local and General.

Excelsiors.—The Excelsiors will meet tomorrow evening for dancing in Porter’s Hall at 7.30. Oil Springs.—The Thomas Russell is bringing down a lot of pipes for the Oil Springs. Physiognomy.—Prof. Hugo announces that he will lecture at Makaraka to-morrow evening. He will appear at Ormond to-night. Band.—The J Battery Band did something towards relieving the monotony of the Sports at Makaraka by playing a selection of music. Drunkenness.—Solomon Black and Alfred Pardean were each fined 20s. in default of payment forty-eight hours with hard labor for being drunk and in a public place whilst in charge of horses. Mrs. Woodsworth.—A telegram from Wellington says that Mrs. Frances Woodsworth, who was the only female survivor the Strathmore, wrecked at the Crozets, died on Saturday evening, aged 58. Ada Mantua.—The first prize in Ada’s consultation on the St. Andrew’s Handicap went to the Peninsula, near to Dunedin, the second to a tradesman in George street, Dunedin, and the third to Auckland.

Fishing.—We understand there is a boat on the way from Auckland which will be placed in the fishing trade, and in all probability another effort will be made to form a company. The boat is named the Euphemia, and is about twelve tons register. Obituary.—We much regret to learn of the sudden death of M-rs. Smith, the wife of Mr. I'ontague Smith, late of this town, which occurred on Saturday last. Her death appears to have been very sadden, as Mr. Smith only left for England, by the Ruapehu the Tueday previous to the sad occurrence. Licensing Court.—The quarterly sitting of the Gisborne Licensing Court should have been held yesterday, but owing to the holiday was adjourned till to-day. The Chairman, Mr. Lewis, was the only representative present, and by his directions the clerk further adjourned the meeting until noon on Saturday next. x Poisoned.'—A young child aged about three years died suddenly at Wharekaia on Sunday. The cause of death was supposed to be the eating of Tutu berries which are in abundance about that locality. Dr. Pollen was sent for and made an examination, and though there was no direct proof of poisoning by the berries, he appears satisfied from the symptoms before death that they were the cause.

Frozen Meat.—Nelson Bros., of Napier, are now advertising in the London papers that they will forward to any address in England a New Zealand sheep for 46s Bd. They reckon each carcase to be from 701 b to 801 b weight, and charge at the rate of 7d per lb, undertaking to return any money which may be overpaid if the sheep is less than 801 b weight. This is really a first-rate idea, and will do a great deal of good in popularising the frozen mutton.

Larceny.—At the R.M. Court this morning, Soloman Black was brought up charged with unlawfully stealing a piece of meat valued at 2s. the property of Mr. J. R. Scott, Hotelkeeper, on the 2nd day of December. The prisoner pleaded guilty to the charge stating that he had been locked up so long on the charge of drunkenness without anything to eat, that he was compelled to commit the offence complained of. Mr J. Cohen’s evidence fully substantiated the charge, and their Worships (Messrs Thompson and Graham) ordered the prisoner to undergo seven day’s imprisonment with hard labor.

Accident.—A boat accident occurred in the bay on Sunday last which might have proved fatal had not assistance been immediately at hand. A man well known by the name of “Bus," set sail around the harbor alone in the yatch Comet, and managed her very well until on. coming over the bar where the wind was blowing rather stiffly, and being unable to let the sails go quick enough, it capsized. Bus managed to extricate himself and hung on to the boat until another boat well manned arrived on the scene and brought him ashore. Bus was not injured in any way, the only damage done was to the yatch which was brought into the river yesterday morning. Hospital Concert.—The concert last night in aid of the Gisborne Hospital, in point of numbers.was a complete success, though the second portion of the progamme was really a farce and its performance should never have been attempted, as’spectacular phantasmagorias unless they can be performed to advantage, are now pretty well played out and answer very well to please a mob of youngsters, but when presented to such an audience as that of last evening, there is no wonder at the affair winding up as it did, in slight confusion and uproar. The fust part of the programme was very good, consisting not only of local, but also outside talent, and those present displayed their appreciation by much clapping and stamping, which generally brought an. encore. Messrs Morris and Long added materially to the evening’s entertainment, and did not fail by their comic songs to regularly bring the “ house down." During the interval between the first and second parts the Hospital committee presented the prizes won by the successful competitors at the sports during the day. Mr. McGuinnis took the best prize of the day, viz., a handsome cup valued at £lO 10s, and presented by Mr. M. G. Nasmith. A. Y. Ross received the cup given by Mr. S. Locke for winning the most events during the day. Sports.—The sports yesterday can hardly be called a success as far as attendance was concerned. The cause is generally attributed to the distance of the sports from town, but more so we think from the uninteresting character of the sports themselves. The fact is that the people who undertake to get up sports have yet to learn how to draw the public to them after they are got up. The primary object appears to be, not to amuse the people, but to grab their coin. Such a thing for instance as demanding entrance money from the Press both for admission to the so-called sports, and also to the concert in the evening, we venture to say was never heard of outside Poverty Bay. It appears to be forgotten that members of the Press are continually called upon to assist themselves down the broad road that leads to destruction by making statements intended to help along the various charities and other things in the place, besides putting themselves to inconvenience by attending every monkey show that is got up whether they like it or not. It is not much to ask in return that show people should forbear adding insult to injury by demanding admission money. It is not that the amount is of any moment, but the freedom of the press is one of the boasts of the nineteenth century, and therefore members of the fourth estate look upon it as not only their privilege, but their right to go where they are likely to find news without let or hindrance.