AN INTERESTING LETTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 931, 2 July 1903, Page 2

AN INTERESTING LETTER.

,The Chairman of the Hector Macdonald Memorial Committee, alter acknowledging the letter of condolence sent to Lady Macdonald, gives some further information. “ The idea that Sir Hector was the victim of a conspiracy is entirely without foundation,” the writer states, and then he ventures the opinion that Sir Hector was suffering from brain disease, induced by exposure to the sun in the Soudan, and more recently in South Africa. The people who met him during his tour in New Zealand are not likely to accept this statement without question, unless as an acceptable way out of the difficulty of accounting for his tragic end and as a charitable way of dealing with the whole affair. The writer adds that Sir Hector was sometimes treated as he ought not to have been by snobbish officers, but he was particularly well able to stand that kind of treatment, and it did. not affect him as it would have affected a man of weaker intellect —the writer seems to have forgotten immediately what he had stated as to disease of the brain, which, if correct, would | make the strongest intellect weak. “From his superior officers in the army Sir Hector received great kindness,” the correspondent cheeringly remarks, though it was not generally supposed that his superior officers in the army had ever been otherwise than proper in their behavior towards him. Continuing, the writer states : “ Our committee are perfectly satisfied that an investigation would not now do any good, and we propose to devote the funds which we receive in the first place to the erection of a suitable monument in the Dean Cemetery. As to the selection of Dean Cemetery for his interment, it is right that you should know that it was associated in l-ady Macdonald’s mind in a particular way with her husband, as when he was quartered here it was his favorite walk on Sunday afternoons.” Referring to the financial position of Lady Macdonald, the writer states : “ Lady Macdonald has not been well left.. The pension she receives from the Government is only. £l2O, and the boy, gets twenty pounds from the compassionate fund. These allowances are fixed by Sir Hector’s' substantive rank in the British army which was only that of colonel. As Sir Hector allowed her three hundred pounds a year, the friends here say that it. was necessary that something should be done to provide funds to complete the boy’s education. He is as promising a lad as you could find. If we have/ surplus funds after putting up 'a tombstone, they will; probably go to do something for the hoy’s advancement if the funds otherwise specially raised Tor that are not sufficient.” The information contained in the letter has considerable interest , for the tliouands of admirers of the late oir I-lector Macdonald, although it will not satisfy the reasonable curiosity of a great many people as to what immediately preceded the sorrowful tragedy in Paris.

The forthcoming Steeplechase Meeting to bo held next week promises to be a great success. At the Police Court yesterday morning two first offenders, were convicted for drunkenness and discharged with a caution. Members of the Bowling Club are requested to note that all subscriptions must be paid by Saturday. Captain Edwin telegraphed at noon yesterday :—“ Moderate westerly winds ; glass fall; tides moderate; weather warmer.” Light variable winds were prevalent in the colony yesterday, and the weather was generally fine. A heavy Bwell was running off Capo Maria Van Dieman ; smooth Co moderate elsewhere.

During the present winter the sum of £IB,OOO will be spent in bushfelling within a radius of 18 miles of Whatatutu. There are between four and five hundred men engaged in the work. The flourishing township of Te Karaka is evidently attracting the attention of business men. We understand that a tobacconist shop, with a billiard room in conjunction, ia about to be atarced at that place.

Mr T. McGregor has concluded arrangments for the starting of a dairy factory at the Motu early in the spring. The factory will be fully as large as the, Kia-Ora factory, and will be equipped with the latest machinery. The examinations under the auspices of the New Zealand Accountants and Auditors’ Association (registered) for the admission of fellows, associates and students, will be held in Auckland and other oentres in October next. The scarcity of labor for maize picking is being severely felt this year (says the Opotiki Herald), and farmers in some cases are also in despair. The Natives seem determined to stick out for big money, and all the European labor available has already been taken up. Mr F. J. Oatridge, the well-known baker of Gladstone road, has disposed of his business to Mr W. Richardson, of Auckland, who entered into possession yesterday. Mr Richardson solicits a continuance of the support accorded to his predecessor.

- The funeral of little Sheila McClure, the •- youngest child of YV.' D. and Agnes Me- - Clure (who * died suddenly on Sunday j morning) took place at the Ormond Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, and was largely attended by the many friends of the s family. The service was conducted by 3 Rev. Mr Coote, assisted by Mr Tylee. > During the service the hymn, “ Safe in the - Arms of Jesus,” was sung. Tho blow was especially hard, now just coming as it does ’ on the eve of Mr McClure’s departure ’ from Waorenga a-hika. The following is : a list of names whom the family wish to specially thank for floral offerings, letters, sards, and telegrams of sympathy Mr and Mrs Marshall, Jennie and Patton, Mr and Mrs Petchell, Mr and Mrs Reid, Mr and Mrs Bartram, Mr and Mrs MoLeod, Mr and Mrs Barlow, Mr and Mrs Erskine,"

Eev. and Mrs Jennings, Mr and Mrs B, Johnston and family, Mr and Mrs Beatson, Mr and Mrs Nock, Nellie and Bessie, Mr and Mrs D. Cameron, 'Willie and David, Mr and Mrs Alex. Cameron, Mr and Mrs A. Mackenzie and family, Mr and Mrs C. O’Connell and girls, Mr and Mrs lidswell, Mr and Mrs Foote, Mr and Mrs Stewart, Mr and Mrs Paltridge, Mr and Mrs J. Cooper,' Mr and Mrs Pavitt, Mr and Mrs Lougher, Mr and Mrs Watton, Mr and Mrs Colebrook and family, 'Mr and Mrs Linklater, Mr and Mrs Torrie, Mrs Boniface, Mr and Mrs Barrow, Mr and Mrs Hyland and family, Mr and Mrs Newman and family, Mr and Mrs D. O’Connell, Mr and Mrs Hamon and family, Mr and Mrs Neenan, Mr and Mrs Miller, Mrs A. Somervell and family, Mrs Long, Mr and Mrs Courtenay and family, Mr and Mrs Barber and family, Mr and Mrs Troupe, Mr and Mrs Pritchard and family, Mr and Mrs J. Gordon and family, Mr and Mrs Smith and Ruby, Misses Steele, Radclifife, Adair, Black, Rose, Mary, and Aggie Erskine, James, Reid, Caldwell, Wilkinson, Thompson, Neil, Gilding, Brown, Ingleton, N. Stevenson, Cooper, Stevenson, Florrie and Mabel Hyland, Daisy and Lorna, Rev. Coote, Tylee and Spence, Messrs J. Adair, Piri, Stevenson, J. Cassidy, Noreross, and Witters, I

The nest stock sale at Maf&whero takes place on Thursday, July 16th. A dance will bo hold in the Whetu Hall, Awapuni, to night.

The Empire Skating Kink will bo open Shis afternoon.

The annual meeting of ratepayers in the Te Arai road district is to he held on Saturday. The annual meeting of ratepayers in the Patutahi road district will be held at 2 p.tn. on Monday. A general meeting of the Waiapu Temperance lleform Leaguo will bo held in the Masonic sample rooms on Monday evening.

The Maritana Assembly dance takes place in the Academy of Music this evening.

East Cape reported yesterday : —“ N.W. breeze ; barometer 30.34 ; thermometer 54; good tides; misty; smooth sea.” The handsome presents offered by C. Bosie and Co. aro proving a groat attraction to cash customers. A social is to be held at Patutahi tonight to celebrate the re-opening of the public hall after tho making of improvements.

The Waerengaahika stock sales conducted by Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. and Dalgety and Co. take place today.

Interest in the borough olection in creases as the polling day draws closer. The election takes place on Wednesday next.

It is proposed to establish a branch of the Farmers’ Union at Tuparoa, and a meeting for that purpose will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, 11th July.

Acceptances for the Gisborne Bacing Club’s Steeplechase Meeting close at nine o’clock to morrow night, and entries for the minor events on both days close at the same time.

' The Annual Ball, under the auspices of the East Coast Mounted Rifles is causing a good deal of interest in social circles. It is to be held on the 14th August. The Hon. Secretaries are Sergeant Major J. Hellier Evans and Quarter-Master Ser

geant H. Zachariah, who have the happy reputation of making a success of any gathering with which they are connected.

Mr Neil McLean, contractor for the Kaiteratahi bridge, arrived from the South yesterday, and will remain in Gisborne until the commencement of the work. Mr McLean is a prominent Now Zealand bowler, and has several times skipped the Wellington teams at the Northern Association’s tournaments.

On Monday evening next at 8 o’clock a public meetiog will be held in the Academy of Music, when the question of water and drainage and other important Borough matters will be brought under review. The attendance of the burgesses is earnestly requested, Crs Whinray and Lysnar will address the meeting, and the chair will be taken by Captain Tucker.

At the bowling green on Tuesday, the final of the handicap singles was played between Wallace and Seymour, and resulted in a victory for the former by 24 to 21. Seymour got away with a strong lead in the early stage of the game, and at one time had a lead of ten points. Wallace recovered in the latter part of tho game, and after a close contest the match ended , n his favor. It is astonishing the number of blunders creep into sporting news transmitted by telegraph. Last week several horses were omitted altogether from the list of the Gisborne Racing Club’s acceptances, telegraphed from Napier. Yesterday, the horses that ran first and second in one race at the Napier Park meetI ing were omitted. It will be interesting to discover how; these errors occur.

Any interesting and exciting game of hockey took place on the Domain yesterday, between the Kia Toa and Bangatira Hockey Clubs. For the first time this season, full teams from both clubs attended, Kia Toa playing twelve members to tho Bangatira’s eleven. A very fast game resulted, most of the members showing much improved form; the chief fault being in the following up. The game ended in a win for Kia l’oa, four goals being scored by thorn, Bangatira not scoring. Mr Wi Friday again acted as referree.

The advantage of being prepared was evidenced at the Appeal Court this week. The only appeal in readiness to proceed was that of Ritchie v. Hall, and it was therefore taken first and promptly disposed of, though judgment was reserved. It was the last day that Mr R. N. Jones (who appeared with Mr Skerrett) had for private practice, his official appointment dating from July first, and he would have been unable to appear in the case if it had not been taken on Tuesday.

The- Whatatutu Hotel affords excellent accommodation to travellers and, under the able management of Mr J. R. Quinn, should become one of the most popular in the district* The hotel is one of the most commodious in the district, and the appointments are first-class. Townspeople will find Whatatutu a very suitable place at which to spend a few days’ holiday, and Messrs Cassidy have an excellent coach service between that place and Kaitaratahi. Messrs J. Cassidy and Co., the Well-known Ormond butchers, have purchased a haif-acre allotment adjoining the Te Karaka Hotel, and intend erecting a shop and opening a branch of their business in that rising township. The price paid for the half-acre was £95. Messrs Cassidy and Co. are to be congratulated upon their enterprise. Another half-acre section, adjoining the one mentioned, has also been sold for £95.

Some practical joker was at work on Wednesday morning. A large advertising placard was placed on the belfry, almost at the top.- Besides containing many advertisements for local firms, the placard had a picture of a clock, and a man with a sledge hammer in hand about to strike it. Directly beneath was the inscription, “ Gisborne’s town clock—it will strike; John said so.” At the request of His Worship the Mayor the placard was removed before it had attracted much attention.

On Sunday morning last, at a township not forty miles from Gis- - borne, the following sight was witnessed : Sixteen pack-horses were being saddled up with stores to he despatched to bush camps; several settlers were vainly trying to get a few hundred sheep through the river crossing ; a large quantity of grassseed, which had been removed from the hall the previous evening so that a dance might he held, was being restored to its place ; the local blacksmith was attending to a horse that had cast a shoe ; and, to complete the picture, the visiting minister was waiting to hold service.

A! pretty wedding took place at the residence of Mr Matthew Morgan (Childers road) yesterday afternoon, the contracting parties being Miss Lily Morgan, eldest daughter of Mr Morgan, Borough Overseer, and Mr Samuel James Morgan, youngest son of Mr Richard Morgan, of Woodville. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. B. F. Rothwell. The bride looked charming in a dress of creme silk lustre, with cream satin trimmings, and the orthodox orange blossoms. She carried a beautiful shower-bouquet, and wore a pretty ■gold muff-chain, the gift of the bridegroom. The bride Was attended by her four sisters Misses Bertha, Louie, Winnie, and Grace Morgan—who were prettily 'attired in white hailstone muslin, with satin ribbon. Each wore a brooch, presented by the bridegroom. Mr James Henrv Morgan, the bride’s eldest brother, acted as best man. There were a large number of friends present, and at the conclusion of the ceremony they were entertained at afternoontea by Mr and Mrs Morgan. The happy couple were the recipients - of many handsome presents, including a very pretty biscuit-barrel from the .employees o£ the EorougU Council,

A meeting of the Committee of tho Karaka Bacing Club will be held to-night. Messrs Redstone and Sons notify that they will run coaches to the Pakirikiri liui to-day, leaving at 10 a.m. and 1.45 p.m.

On Tuesday Mr E. Thomson, of Tc, Karaka, took up a fine lot of cattle to Mr Tullocb’s property, at Mangat u.

A large number of visitors from the Coast aro expected in town next week, to be present at the Steeplechase Meeting, which is always a popular gathering throughout the district. Trout are very plentiful in the Utahina, Hot Lakes district, this year. At Dalbeth’s farm they can be seen in hundreds, making up stream to the spawning grounds.

A now hapuka ground has been dis covered about halfway botween Whakatane and Whale Island in seven fathoms of water. The Penguin men caught a fish on this ground weighing 1201 b. The Chief Commissioner of Police of Victoria has called on a senior constable at Ballarat to explain why he did not wear his uniform when attending a meeting addressed by Mr Tom Mann, the labor organiser.

There, was a large „ attendance at the skating rink last evening, when the opportunity was taken to present the prizes won at the recent carnival. The presentations .were made by Mr A. W. Adair. The directors of the Dawson River (Queensland) Anthracite Coal Company have let a contract to the Goldfields Diamond Drilling Company of West Australia to bore 2000 ft on the company’s property, it order to prospect it thoroughly. An analysis of the income tax returns shows that 70,000 Victorians earn more than 41125 a year each, and are thus liable to pay the tax. The Commissioners report that the State Treasurer’s estimate of 41370,000 from the tax is assured. At the heaaring in one of the Sydney Courts of a case wherein a wholesale order for some meat formed the subject matter of litigation, one party stated that he had refused to take delivery of it because it was bad—so bad, he explained, that it was not fit even for sausages.

The lolanthe Quadrille Assembly’s dance at the Academy of Music last evening was largely attended. The music, which was a special feature, was provided by Messrs James (piano), Vowles (violin), and Hoffland (cornet). Mr Dunfoy acted as M.C.

In response to numerous telegrams in regard to the town clock the Public Works Department have instructed the District Engineer to r hand the time-piece over to the local authorities, and to afford them every facility in the erection of it. This means that the clock will be erected at the cost of the Council.

Tho Mannmg (New South Wales) Cooperative Butter Factory’s turnover for the half-year was £111,708, an increase upon the corresponding period of last year of 4125,000. The output of butter was 1,910,1501 b. Suppliers were paid an average of per lb. Tho visitors to the Sydney Free Public Library last month showed a considerable increase over the previous month. The number of visitors to the reference library was 17,539, tho number of books lent from the lending library branch was 12,042, and the visits to the newspaper room totalled 33,615.

A serious accident occurred during shunting operations at the Woolloongaba (Queensland) railway sheds. A porter named Henry Hotton was takiDg the tarpaulins off some trucks when the driver, not noticing him, started the train. Hotton fell under the trucks, and one passed over his left leg, near the knee, smashing and almost severing it. , Owing to the numerous burglaries in Melbourne the police have had to make special arrangements to cope with the epidemic. Assaults and robberies are so numerous that several citizens applied for permission to carry revolvers. During the trial of a half-caste Maori at Horsham Police Court, Melbourne, for -lagrancy, he suddenly struck Constable Black, who was giving evidence, a violent blow that broke the constable’s nose. Accused, named Charles Gilbere, was sentenced to six months for vagrancy and to three months for the assault. At Granya, Yictoria, a boy named Gard, aged 13, secured a nitroglycerine cap. On his way to school, he struck a match on it, the cap explo-. ding with terrific force and shattering the boy’s hand. No medical assistance was available for ten hours, and as no ligatures were applied, the lad, when admitted to the Albury Hospital, was nearly pulseless, almost all the blood having flowed from his body.

A correspondent, writing from Wai manga to the Hotel Lakes Chronicle, on June 29th, says:—“Last evening Waimanga gave one of its grandest displays ; in fact, it was a record shot, estimated at over 1200 ft. There was no doubt it was an awesome eight, just between lights in the evening (half dusk), lasting nearly a minute, and shooting up a vast column of black water and stones ; some of the latter weighing over a ton. One stone fell on a plank seat, smashing it into splinters. Great excitement prevailed amongst the men working at the new accommodation house; although they bad seen many shots before, they never imagined such a display was possible.