On the fourth page will be found sporting news and our Waipawa corres pondent's letter, At the time of writing the weather promises to be fine for the half holiday I to-day. The attractions for holiday makers are the Napier Paik races and the Caledonian sports gathering at Hastings. No doubt both will be well patronised. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr Tnrnbnll, R.M., Hugh M'Gonne, an elderly man, pleaded gnilty to a charge of being drank in a pnblic place, and was discharged with a caution Henry Cooper, a seaman be longing to one of the ships in the bay, was similarly charged and similarly dealt with. A remarkable instance of decrease in the price of land was made known lately during the public examination at the Cambridge Bankruptcy Court, of Mr Grimwood Cooke, a large sheep breeder. He purchased a farm at Shndy-Camps in 1874 for £9200. It was mortgaged for over £6000. and Mr Cooke only realised recently £2200. Owners of dogs will probably be glad to know that a constable is making a honse to house visitation in the borongh, with a view to discovering all about the canines of the district, for purposes of the tax. The latter is now due, and should be paid at the police office, bo that those who do not wish to be summoned will do well to take the hint. Weather permitting, the Garrison Band will play the following programme in the rotunda, Clive-square, this evening:— Qnick march, "Little Nell" (T. H. Wright); schottisehe, " Merry Moments" (Carl Albert) ; quadrille, "Rob Roy" (T. H, Wright) ; selection, " Songs of Eng land" (W. Soholes); valse, "Piplta" (Bneallossi) ; polka, "At Home" (Carl Albert); quadrille, "The Yeoman" (J. Roblnsoa) ; "God Save the Queen." The United and Connty Cricket Clnbs' first elevens will ireet on Saturday nest at Farndon. The following is the United team :— Cato, Gaddam, Hawke, Howard, : Hughes, IjOgan, Lndbrook, Marshall, Lusk, Peacock, and Percy. A drag will leave town at 1.15 o'clock to convey players to the pround. As the United will have their (strongest team, and the Connty are expected to have ono fully equal to it, about the h,est game of the season may he expected.' Our Hastings correspondent writes nnder yesterday's date :— The indefatig. 