The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 21, 1903.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1001, 21 September 1903, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 21, 1903.

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE.

M. DE WITTE. Intrigue, so our cables have informed us, has led to the downfall of Russian Finance Minister, M. De Witte. His career has been a phenomenal one, and from occupying the position of a railway porter he rose to be the purse-bearer of the Emperor of all the Russians. A strong man, impatient of cobwebby traditions, and a demon for hard work, he was resolute to make a name in Russian history. Imagine a Russian Joseph Chamberlain and you have He Witte. The man was a dynamo of energy, who had all his life been charging storage batteries with ideas. In the sluggish circles of the Tchinovnik, great and small, he inspired a sort of holy terror. He was the hope of the new school. The man of science and of energy, the men recruited from the lowest ranks, if but capable enough, saw in him the most conspicuous example of the fact that in Russa the career is open to all the talents, and that the son of the peasant may sit at the Council Chamber with Tsars. He was Finance Minister at the timo when the financial and economical necessities of the Empire took precedence even of its policy. Russia was smitten like all lands with agricultural depression. She is the greatest farm in the world, and farming was just then in extremis. Seldom had a Finance Minister to face a graver economic crisis than that which confronted De Witte. But he was unappalled. He balanced his budget, and increased his balances. Whether it is because dull men distrust clever men —the fool always is sure the smart man is a rogue—or whatever may be the cause, He Witte was regarded as a dangerous and not even trustworthy man. He was believed to be a bit of a plunger, like the Herman Emperor, and his enemies say that his word was not to be too much relied upon.

The Hibernian Lodge intend holding a eoeiai on October 15th in the Academy of Music. Mr W. F. Cedervvall, manager of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ frozen Meat Co., returned from Auckland by the Tarawera yesterday. At a meeting of the Waiapu Licensing Bench, held on Saturday, an application was granted for a temporary trausfer from Jame.s Smith to Thomas James Wright, Sea View Hotei, Awanui.

At the annual meeting of the Poverty Bay Public Schools Amateur Athletic Associatiou, held on Saturday, officers were elected, and it was decided to hold sports in Victoria Domain on December 3rd.

Mr Phillip Burch, who has been connected with the tailoring trade in this district for many years, has taken over the Poverty Bay Tailoring Depot, in the building next Dr. Cole’s, in Gladstone road, and solicits a share of public patronage. Customers will have a splendid stock of first-class tweeds from which to make a choice, and they can rely upon obtaining an excellent suit. The steamer Nautilus, purchased in Auckland by the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Company for the lightering service, left Auckland on Friday evening last, and was in shelter under Cape Runaway when the Tarawera passed yesterday afternoon. The steamer should reach here this morning. The Nautilus was purchased from tho Devonport Ferry Co., and is a very handy little steamer, the gross tonnage being 47 tons and net 29. The dimensions of the boat are : Length 63ft, beam 14ft, and draught sft 6in. The Nautilus is fitted with compound surface condensed engines, and is in charge of Captain Sopwitb. The Company have also let a contract for the quick delivery of two barges, ;

Judge Gill arrived from Auckland yesterday on route for Tupar.j.i. To-day is the hist discount day for Gas Company accounts. Mr J. A. Harding returned from Auckland yesterday. His Honor Mr Justice Cooper left for Wellington las; evening. Dr Scott, who holds a high reputation in the medical profession, has decided to take up practice in Gisborne. The Huwtrey Comedy Company arrived by Che Waikaro yesterday morning, aud will stage “The Message from Mars” at the Theatre Royal this evening. A puhiic meeting at Hawera favored expenditure on improvements to the head works of the water system, estimated to cost £3OOO. Thomas Hopewell, a middle-aged man, employed at Bailey Bros.’ tannery, Burnside. was killed by a train on Friday morning. The Rev. 0. Fitzgerald arrived from Waipiro by the Herald yesterday, and left for Wellington by the Tarawera last evening.

Mr F. W. Nolan, son of Mr J. W. Nolan, Gisborne, who was secretary to Judge Conolly, was a through passenger for Wellington, to take up his duties with Judge Chapman.

Our readers are reminded of the public meeting to be held in the Academy of Music this evening to consider the loan proposals. Short addresses will be delivered, and questions invited. While driving a waggon across the Tukituki, near the Waipawa, the horses got in a hole, and two were drowned. The driver, J. Lyons, had his body crushed against a bridge in attempting to rescue them.

At Wellington on Saturday 14 charge 8 of burglary against the men King and Gray were heard. King pleaded guilty to 13 charges, and was committed for sentence. Gray, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial. As illustrating the trials incidental to the life of clergymen in the Taranaki country districts, it may be mentioned that on a recent Sunday, which was a wet day, one divine covered a distance of 40 miles and preached to —four people.

“ Soapy Tern ” was taken to Auckland by the steumer yesterday. A good deal of sympathy is fait for the poor, misguided man. It is said that an old disappointment in love led to hid forsaking his trade and falling into unclean ways. The thoroughbred stallion Gunpowder will stand this season at Tolago Bay. Gunpowder is by Catesby, dam Lady Crescent, and is of excellent temper and sound constitution. Full particulars in regard to service can be obtained from Mr Robort McNeil, of Tolago Bay. A young man named Daniel O’Connell was killed on Friday on the Morea road, Taranaki, by the limb of a tree, which was falling, striking him. Death was instantaneous. Doeoased was a native of Ireland, and had been in the colony six years, and has relatives in the Auckland province. The London Post Office has agreed to an extension of the postal note system between Great Britain and the colonies, under which small sums from Gd to £1 Is may be transmitted at a minimum poundage, varying probably from Id to 3d, as against Gd at present levied on money orders not exceeding £l. This comes into force on January 1 next. Messrs Williams and Kettle will continue the unreserved clearing salo of new soason’s drapery, crockery, boots and shoes at their auction mart to-morrow, at 11 a.m. Ladies desirous of obtaining bargains in fashionable new season’s costumes, general drapery, crockery, boots and shoes should avail themselves of this grand opportunity. To-day the goods are on private sale. On Saturday a deputation from the Gisborne branch of the Farmers’ Union waited on the Executive with the object of getting a settlement of differences. Mr Lysnar suggested that the matter bo referred for the final decision of the Colonial Executive. Mr Wallis explained that the matter was already in the hands of that body, and it was decided to supply the doputation with a copy of the correspondence.

During the time Cruciform haa been galloping at Randwick she has given the Sydney-siders good reason to extol her smartness in getting over the grass. The Sydney Mail, in referring to her training work, says:—The New Zealand crack, Cruciform, has put up gallops that rather staggered the regulars, and instituted new records for training gallops over a milo and a mile and a-quarter. On each occasion she went on the course proper, outside the hurdles —10yds out —and carried a light weight. Subsequently the New Zealand mare ran a mile in 1.45 J, which clips the records for the distance—made in bygone days by Bungebah, Paris, and Marvel. On another morning she ran a mile and aquarter in 2.12, and the last mile of the journey was left astern in 1.45. On neither occasion was the beautiful daughter of St. Leger ridden out to the bitter end. At a meeting of the Executive of the Poverty Bay Farmers’ Union, a letter was received from Mr O’Ryan, asking the Executive to endeavor to got the Government to hand over for expenditure by the County Council the amounts surcharged on the sale of Crown lands for the purpose of road construction. Some lands lately offered for selection in this district had 5s per acre added to the upset values, with the object of expending the fund created by this addition in the construction of roads to the land offered. Several sections had been taken up at the enhanced price. Thus lands valued at 17s 6d were taken up at 23s Gd. Tho writer pointed out that the settlers did not appear to have faith in the methods frequently adopted by the Government in executing public works. They believed that the money would bo spent to much better advantage by the local body.—The Secretary was instructed to send a copy of the letter to the Minister of Lands.

An application has boen lodged with the clerk of awards at Auckland (Mr E. Goring Thomas) by the Poverty Bay Freezing Works Industrial Union of Works for reference of an industrial dispute to the Conciliation Board, tho employers cited being the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Company and Nelson Bros. The demands embrace an eight hours day, and the wages asked for are as under : Slaughtermon Tl os per 100 freezing sheep or lambs; T 1 per 100 leg of mutton sheep; 16s 8d per 100 potters; 4d each for rams ; 2s 6d for each freexing bullock ; 2s each for potters; pigs Is each : and calves as at present. Yardsmen 7s 6d per day, in addition to horse feed; an allowance of 10s per week. Cooling, floor hands and gut-runners, 7s 6d per day; boning, 10s ; fathouse workers, 7a 6d ; manure and blood-crushing workers, 8s 6d ; fellmongers, 8s ; and their general labourers, 7s 6d; preserving works’ tinsmiths, 9s ; other preserving hands, 7s 6d. Loading out and tallymen, 6d per 100 ; shootmen, 4d per 100; chamber hands, 8s per day; casual labour other than loading out, Is 3d per hour. Second engineer, 12s per day ; third, 10s; greasers on main engines, 9s ; other engineroom greasers, Ss; firemen, 9s; noilercloaners, Is Gi per hour; general laborers, 7s 6d per day. Engineers, firemen, and greasers to work seven days per week. One trimmer at 7s Gd per day, to be provided where the coal consumption exceeds two tons per eight hours. Coopers’ wages, 10s per day ; their assistants, 8s ; carpenters, | 10s ; blacksmiths, 10s ; their assistants, 7s 6d ; night-watchman, 1)3 3s petseven nights of 12 hours and no other work. Bagroom to be exempt. The union asks to have boys limited to one to every 25 men, and that unspecified general laborers be paid 7s 6d per day. Overtime to be paid for at time and a quarter rates. No learner to be employed on the slaughtering board unles he can do six sheep per hour ; and the apprentices to be limited to one to every six slaughtermen, and to receive the minimum wage. Fines to be abolished. Reasonable spells to be allowed for heated men to cool before entering the freezing chamber, and at other times as at present at intervals of two hours where possible. Infirm men to come under special rates, and preference, to be given to unionists.