NEW BRIGHTON NOTES.

[by our own cobbespondbnt.]

" Boycott" has set in here as well as the large cities, with a vengeance. Our local blacksmith has had to shut up shop, owing to the Union stopping his supply of iron on account of his refusing to join them. He was doing a very good business here, and although his best customer, the Tram Company, were willing to pay Union prices, the Union ordered them to take the work away from the smith, so now if a tram horse loses a shoe he has to be brought to town to be re-shod. The local carrier has also been " boycotted." One day last week he called for a load in town, but the other carriers, who have joined the Union, would not let his customer load up, but, to get equal with, them, he now adheres to the carriers' tariff, which he finds far more profitable, as only the other day he brought two different people's goods down here, and charged both the Union tariff, viz., — Beven shillings.

The next to suffer is the butcher : he joined the Union and charged their prices for his meatß, but owing to the easy communication by train,., the residents buy their meat in town at a much less price.

There is a good demand at present here for farm and garden properties, and I have heard of some good sales taking place. Mr Curtis, the local land agent, Bold a property at £2000, and several sections varying from £20 to £120. I have also been informed of a sale of two sections in John street, about a quarter-acre each for .£33 each. The Eastbourne Company have had a run on their land during the last fortnight; this is no doubt owing to the proposed loan scheme, which, I hear, is. finding much favour among6t section* holders. Let mo here remind them that all must vote, as, by the Act, all who donot vote are recognised as against the scheme ; and out of the three hundred votes there are a considerable number of absentees. I am informed that the number to vote in favour must be one hundred and seventy. As it is not generally known which. streets are to be formed, I waited on Mr Hickman, the clerk to the Eoad Board, and he kindly Bupplicd me with the names of the streets, which I take the liberty of publishing. Beginning at the Government road, the proposed terminus of the North, tram, or seventy chains North of the hotel, thence along the esplanade to Jervois street, sixty chains South of the hotel, and the following streets : — Hawkes, Sparshott, Lucy, James, Sea View road, Wilson, High, Harriott, Union, George, Ann, Elizabeth Bligh, Victoria, John, Jervois, and the Eiver road.

If this loan is negotiated, it is expected that something like .£SOOO public money will be accounted for here during the coming summer; viz., .£2OOO on roads, .£IOOO already spent on school, and JE2OOO on our Pier. I hear the Pier Company have made excellent terms with Mr Duval, of Timatu, to build the pier for that amount, and as calls are being made on the shareholder?, there is very little doubt that this work will soon be pat in hand. I had almost forgotten to mention the steamer on the Avon, which will also assist this place. It must also be remembered that if the roads are formed, the owners of sections will, in all probability, build and fence, thus making additional work in the plaee. The debating class has been a great assistance here, enlivening the evenings this winter, besides bringing the residents into touch with one another. It is from this Society that the New Brighton Improvement Association started, but I am sorry to say a lot of proposed work has not yet been done. It is to be hoped that the Secretary will call a meefng early, when the residents can discuss the pros and cons of improvement. Our band is in full training 1 , and improving fast. I have attended some of their practices, and this summer we shall hear them to advantage, and not have to depend on one of the city bands for our music.