TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2015, 26 February 1907, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Press Association. OAMARU, yesterday. Continued rain showers will have the effect of further hardening prices in the local stock market; in fact, so far as sheep are concerned, although there is a greater demand than ever, there is now a temporary abatement of all transactions, and everywhere more hopeful signs of prosperity. Farmers are not now endeavouring with fevered haste to rid themselves of stock. A cairn erected to the memory of the late Thos. Baydone was unveiled on Saturday. The cairn is built of white stone in the form of an obelisk on Sebastopol Hill, on the Totara estate, and is a conspicuous landmark. Mr. AVylie, the president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, introduced Mr John Roberts, C.M.G., who was the principal speaker,, and who referred to the good work done for the frozen meat industry by Mr. Tliosas Brydone, who as general manager for the New Zealand anil Australian Land Company, was instrumental in setting in train the movement' that had resulted so beneficially to the pastoral and the farming community. There was a large attendance at the cemetery. DUNEDIN, yesterday.

Thomas Allan, working at the Mosgiel quarry, was crushed by a fall of stono, sustaining fatal injuries. Deceased was aged 29, single, and lived with his parents at Mosgiel. The Minister for Labor disapproves of the proposal for the creation of a second Arbitration Court. The present will in a short’ time clear off all arrears, and ho says that thereafter it is intended the Arbitration Court shall hold quarterly sittings in each ol our centres of population, taking the surrounding districts as they go along. In the Supreme Court Jane ,Dunsmuir, aged 16 years, was acquitted of the theft of a diamond brooch. AUCKLAND, yesterday.

Replying to a protest against Mr. Fulton, chief fibre expert, being allowed to go to St. Helena for one year, Mr. McNab said the objection to tho introduction of flax to StHelcna was somewhat remarkable, as he believed that- the whole island was about tlie size of Wellington harbor. The industry could only be on a small scale there, and all the machinery would have to lie go] from New Zealand. Commenting upon thp objection to take seeds and roots, lie oh, served it would take years to find out what varieties would bo most suitable, It was at present merely an experiment’ by tlio Imperial Government, and the varieties sent over might not be suitable. During tlie period of experimentation New Zealand would he developing and perfecting the industry. .AVilliam Godifrey, a settler of AVaitakerei, was thrown from his horse on Saturday and died in the hospital this morning. Ho was married recently, and was aged 32. His spino was fractured.

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER, CHRISTCHURCH, last night.

At tho Police Court, yesterday, Eliza Davies, charged with manslaughter of an adopted infant, Douglas Allen Campbell, by failing to supply the child with the necessaries of life and medical attention, was committed to the Supremo Court for trial. Bail was allowed.

ESCAPED PRISONERS. WELLINGTON, last night

Two prisoners, Robert Burko aud Alfred Driscoll, escaped on Saturday from the gaol works at Shelly Bay. Tho men aro still at large. It is reported that they' have been seen hanging about the wharves.

THE TIunNEL FATALITIES. WELLINGTON, last night,

The inquiry concerning the deaths of Barrett, Harrington, and Elo, who wore killod by a fall of earth in Kilbirnio tunnel on Friday night, was continued to-day and this evoning, before the District Coroner. An engineer was present on behalf of the Public Works Department. Evidence was given by men who hud worked in the tunnel concerning the methods adopted when putting in timbers, and in taking them away. They all agreed that every care was taken, though one said that somo of tho bars were lighter than lie had seen used in similar works in England. When the king post was taken from tho timbers early in tlio. evening everything seemed secure. An inspector of works for the corporation said that while ho considered tho timbers used ns a whole was strong enough, he had about 10 weeks ago pointed out that timbor which was then being utilised at the scene of accident was not strong enough, and stronger timber was secured. There was bad earth at this particular spot. In his opinion the accident occurred through tho side lengths between the sills being taken out without other supports being put in before the sills were removed. The sills were not let into the earth at each side sufficiently to prevent a lateral movement. Air Alaguiro, contractor, said that his foremen controlled the details of the work, and were given anything they, asked for. If they liaii wanted Oregon logs for timbering they could have had them.

Later.—At the inquest regarding the Kilbirnie tragedy, tho city engineer said that every precaution had been taken on the works. The cause of the accident, he thought, was tho removal of the horizontal spreader securing the traverse timbering. Air Hay, engineer to the Public Works Department, agreed with this theory. In his opinion the timber used was weak. The jury returned a verdet that death was accidental, adding a rider that there was not sufficient expert supervision exercised on the works during night shifts.

LABOR PARTY AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. DUNEDIN, last night. The municipal platform of the Dunedin branch of the Political Labor League is as follows: (1) That a minimum wage of 8s per day be paid for all unskilled labor; (2) establishment of a municipal milk supply; ( Establishment of municipal markets for the sale of fruit, vegetables, fish, and other necessaries of life; (4) All work undertaken by municipalities to be executed by the Council without the. intervention of a contractor, and trade union wages to be paid; (5) All committee meetings to be held during the evening; (6) That the Council sot up a special committee to which any aggrieved employee shall have the right to appeal; (7) That the Council fram a by-law instituting a systematic official canvass of the whole city every 6 years; (8) That the Council establish public baths in a central position; (9) Aloderhisation of public sanitary conveniences for both sexes; (10) That all municipal positions be publicly advertised before appointments are made; (1 That Councillors be paid for their services.

EGG-LAYING. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The statement for the week ending February 22nd shows that 748 eggs were laid by the birds in the utility poultry club’s second egg-laying competition at Lincoln College, making the total to date 50,314. The best totals for the week" were M. Blanch, silver wyandottes, 30 ; G. Fairbrotlier, silver wyandot'tes, 26; E. J. Toovey, white wyandottes, 23; AV. A. Nixon, white leghorns, 23. The highest totals to date are M. Blanche, 978; J. Aston, silver wyandottes, 820; F. O’Brien, silver wyandottes, 785. THE EXHIBITION. (By Telegraph Special Service.) CHRISTCHURCH, last night. Heavy showers in the afternoon and evening militated against a large attendance at the Exhibition to-day. The new population of tlie pa who were to have given their first performance were debarred from doing so by the weather. They will be divided into three teams, which will take it in turns to give displays of pois and hakas on ordinary days, a combped performance being given every Thursday and Saturday. Three cases of preserved fruit bottled at the Exhibition model cannery together with a case of samples of New Zealand fruit preserved in formalin, have been sent from tlie Agricultural Departments Court to the forthcoming Dublin Exhibition. There still remains a large and varied' collection of preserved fruit in the Court, which no doubt will be augmented largely during the next few weeks, as Mr Jaquos, Government Canning Expert, will resume his interesting canning demonstratons oil AVednesday, and give them much more frequently than in the past.

Ferns and other plants in the fernery are flourishing exceedingly, the higher temperature of the enclosed space and constant moisture making many of them thrive much faster than in tlieir natural haunts. Tlie fernery is one of the chief dolights of visitors.

Tho climax of the beautiful series of flower shows which have been a feature of the Exhibition will take place on March stli and 6th, when fruit and dahlias will be the principal exhibits. Special efforts are being made to make this show eclipse all its predecessors. Entries for the district court display competitions close on the 28th inst. Judging of tlie courts will take place during the third week in March. It is understood that the football scheme in connection with the Ex r hibition, to which tlie New Zealand Rugby Union expressed inability to assent, iviis simply a proposal that interprovincial matches should be plpyed at Easter on tlie Exhibition sports ground. Tlie Exhibition authorities are now communicating with the Canterbury Rugby Union, stating that they intend to cir.cularise the, senior teams throughout the colony, and invite them to compete at a football tournament to be held on the sports ground on Saturday, April 6th, to Saturday, April 13tli (inclusive). A special medal will be given to every competitor of the most successful team. The Canterbury Rugby Union will be asked to assist in the control of the tournament, and the matter will probably be discussed at a meeting of tlie committee of tlio Union to-night. Tlio following sales from the British fine arts section have been made to the Adelaide Art Gallery:—Oil—“The Bride,” by D, J. Cameron, cat-

aloguo price, .Cl 57; “Tho Piekyurd Winter,” by G. Clansoll, £150; “lho Foam Sprito,” by Herbert Draper, .U 62 10s; “Water Meadows in Spring,” by Mark Fisher, £160; “A Slimmer Idyll,” by E. A. Ilornel, £320; “Sunrise ill Cambrona Glacier,” by Ralph Peacock, £SOO. Water Colours —“St. George,” by Henry E. Crockett, £42; “You and I,” by AV. L. Loo Hankoy, £55; “A Gleam of Light,” by Gifford 11. Songstoy, £3l 10s; “Tigress watching Python,” by John M. Swan, £150; “A Dance of Wood Nymphs,” by J. 11. Woguolin, £SO; “Romance,” by James Paterson, £75; “Sculpture— Youth—has Relief,” by AV. Ronnohls Stephens, £125. Black and AA’hito drawings, by Walter Crano, Stuart G. Davis, Lord Leighton, Seymour Lucas, Raven Hill Sambourno, Fred. Pegrani, and F. 11. Townsend, ranging from £4 to £32 I ts. “Arts and Crafts,” two drawings by AVnltor Crano, £52 10s; articles in silver, copper, and ivory, including silver cross, to a total value of £143 10s. On.AVediiesdap next will take place the next free display of London fireworks. Tho first display of Japanese daylight fireworks seen south of tho Equator will bo given on Saturday afternoon.

Tho Bosses o’ th’ Barn Band will commonco a return season on Thursday.

CRICKET. Press Association. NAPIER, yesterday. The AI.C.C. and Hawke’s Bay cricket match was resumed this morning, and soon concluded, Hawke’s Bay being disposed of for 160, leaving the visitors victorious by an innings and 80 runs. Lusk mado 65 not out, having shown capital form. Harrison took four wickets for 61, Curwen three for 47, Torrens two for 28, Fox one for 17. THE TEST MATCH.

CHRISTCHURCH, last night-

The Hon. Secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Council has received advice that the English team for the first test match commencing here on. Thursday will be :—DeTrafford, Johnson, Harrison, Burns, Douglas, Page, Branston, Hayward, Torrens, Fox, aud May.

THE SEA OF RIPPLING WATER. (By E. M. Dunlop, in N. Z. Herald.) There is no part of our beautiful country which presents a greater contrast botween the conditions of our present happy, prosperous times and the distractions and disturbances of former years than that which surrounds the lovely star-shaped lake named AVaikaremoana, or tho Sea of Rippling Waters. The romance which invests this exquisite region must ever increase with the lapse of years as the attention of visitors is attracted thither. Situated as Lake AVaikaremoana is as an elevation of over 2000 feet above the sea levol, the atmosphere surrounding it is absolutely pure; There is no oxtreme cold as sometimes in the region of the Southern lakes, yet tho night is always cool and generally clear. It is a fit abiding place for a Sybarite wlio cares not to endure any discomfort. Eternal calm and sweet peace seem to brood over tho scene; there is no suggestion of alarm, no smoking fumarolo, steaming pool, or spouting geyser threatens change; no noxious reptile or dangerous beast lurks in the dense forest ;no savage war cry disturbs the silence of the night. Tho lovely wooded promontories cast deep shadows into the calm silvery water, which reflects every lealy bough and bending fern. Yet not many years back this Star Lake was the scene of gruesome conflict. Sounds of desperate war echoed t the skies, and there was agony and fear and dread, and deeds of desperate valour wore performed ; and there was cruelty and wrong and liprrqr indescribable.

I chanced an hour ago to glance once again at the pages of Kingsley’s old book “Hereward the AVake,” and I read of the burning of the reeds at Ely by the command of Hereward, under the guidance of liis witch wife, Torfrida. AVilliam tlie Norman was directing the advance of liis troops to the assault of Ely across a causeway built over the logs. Hereward fired tho reeds, which were dry after long drought, and the attacking party perished in smoke and flame.

Just such a scene was enacted in modern times upon the shore of this beautiful and. peaceful Star Lake. The rebel Maoris were entrenched on the elevated slopes of Onepoto, the southern point of the lake, in tho year 1865. The pa was long besieged by Europeans, and by friendly natives under Kopata, the great chief of the Urewera tribes. For many months, nay, for years, the whole country around the lake was a eseene of constant warfare. The entrenchments at Onepoto could only be attacked by water, and tlie European forces, under Colonel Herrick, built canoes and boats for the purpose. But small success crowned the efforts of tlie attacking parties, ant] the siege was wearisome and protracted. A favorable wind blowing, Kopata and the friendly natives crept round to windward and fired the fern. The unfortunate Maoris in tho pa were caught as in a trap. Below them lay the waters of the lake, where the enemy awaited those who might attempt to escape ill that direction. They struggled through smoke and flame, and those who escaped a fiery death were either shot down by the guns of Kopata or lost in the wilds ot the forest and fern-covered country side, probably suffering a lingering death by starvation. Their skeletons, bones, and skulls are sometimes found to'this dfiy in caves on the ledges of tlio cliffs,. The coach conveying passengers by tho AVairoa road just comes in sight of the lako at Onepoto, the scene of this dire event. The victory thus gained, however-, was at the time bailed will rejoicing, as putting an end to the conditions of warfare which bad long existed. Kopata, for liis services to the British, received much praise and many rewards, including a sword of lioijor from tlie Queen.

In the present day, however, few traces of warfare remain in the region of tlio Sea of Rippling AA’aters, although spots are pointed out where tragic incidents occurred.

Peaceful tourists are now attracted by the fishing, as trout aro plentiful and attain an immense size in

the temperate waters of the mountain lake and the numerous streams which find a home in the lipsom or flow tlienee to water ‘ the ; forest-clad slopes. It is a region of cascades and waterfalls, which thunder from the heights or gently fall with murmuring sound over many a bnsh-fringed water-course. One of the most beautiful falls is the ' Mokau, which streams from a great height down into a deep forest-shaded river bed. The cliff over which the Mokau falls is about one hundred feet high and the water in its descent forms a fan of foam and mist, Behind the fall there are caves in the rocks, and as the water in its flight is thrown far out from its course it is possible for persons to stand behind the flow and gaze through the misty or rainbowtinted veil.

The, URiin outlet from the lake forms another beautiful sight, the water rushing in a series of cascades through a narrow rocky gorge.

The forest round about the shores of AVaikaremoana possesses a great charm, 4»s if is in a great measure still undisturbed by man’s rude assaults. One finds there the original vegetation which presents so much interest to the naturalist, and rewards his careful study. Here are

great 'pines of immonso ago covered with long streamers of hoary moss; tho stroamlot tiuklos or tho mountain torrent rushes between the vast bed sol' fern and moss, and the tree fern and the Nikau reign undisturbed in the forest shades. Nativo birds, too, unmolested, flutter among the greenery and give forth their tuneful notes as though no redo destroyer could lurk in tlioir delightful haunts. As a matter of fact, birds and animal life are protected by Government an duo destruction is permitted. AVnikaromoanu is easily reached from AVniroa, and also from Gisborne, whonco tho journey is perhaps a two days’ lido.

Tliore is over in our Maori regions somo danger of confusion of names ami localities. Thus tliore are many places boaring the namo of AVairou or Long AVntor. Tho township from which our Sea of Rippling AVators is reached lies on the northerly coast of Hawke’s Bay. Tho namo of AVaikaro also is applied to many different places, and is tho Maori name for AVliite Island, tho peculiar volcanic vent in tlio Bay of Plenty.