The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2016, 27 February 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27, 1907.

The Harbor Board lias decided upon tlio proper course in agreeing to secure the opinions of two engineers of some repute before proceeding with the work of construction of the outer harbor. It is a step which wisdom dictates in a matter that involves the expendture of three or four hundred thousand pounds, and although wo do not anticipate that the opinions thus obtained will differ in the main from the recommendations of Mr Marchant, it cannot be denied that “three heads are better than one,” and if tliero are any errors in detail that would be at all likely to affect the stability of the scheme, they will bo pointed out and avoided. On the broad principles of the scheme there will bo really nothing in dispute, because the engineering question as to whether or not a harbor can bo constructed will not be disputed, for no engineer will admit that it is impossible to construct a harbor almost anywhere. More particularly in a place that is fairly sheltered and affords a solid foundation. It is therefore a foregone conclusion that the scheme will bo snported by independent expert opinion except perhaps in some minor details, and therefore the Board need not wait for those opinions before putting other necessary preliminaries in training so that next session of Parlament will not be allowed to slip by without getting something done. -Time in most matters is the essence of success, and time in regard to this matter is not by any means unimportant. Eor that reason wo would have preferred to see the Board name its experts at once and instruct its Secretary to place himself in communication with them, for whoever may be chosen will necessarily take some time to furnish his report, and before that is available, unless ho is apprised of his work at once, the session may be over before the reports are forthcoming, and a whole year will be lost. Another reason for expediting matters in this respect is that the scheme has to bo submitted to the ratepayers for approval, and ample time should be given them to consider the pros and cons before being called upon to give a final decision, and all this is antecedent to the starting of the work if sanctioned. If those who are now becoming old men desire to see the work finished or nearing completion before they dio there is no time to be wasted, and the friends of the scheme as well as the Board would do well to keep that in view. It was a very pleasing thing to notice at the Board's meeting yesterday the J>erfect unanimity that prevailed in regard to the suggestion to take the first progressive step in the direction of placing indisputable facts before the ratepayers, and to find that every member of the Board recognises his duty, his right to defer to the expressed wish of the electors. That was of course only what was expected from the recently , elected members, but the nominated members were bound by no election pledges or legal ties, although a certain moral obligation rested upon them. It is doubly satisfying in the case of the latter, therefore, that they have deferred to tho wishes of the public, and the public, we feel sure, will pot fail to appreciate their

good services under the circumstances, and it would not bo going too fur to most heartily applaud their attitude on this occasion. They have shown tlio spirit that wo hope to see maintained; and whatever differences of opinion tboro may bo (for it cannot bo expected that unanimity will always provail) in regard to either the scliomo or its details, it will be a very great pity if anything but friendliness enters into the discussions.

Tlio Salvation Army Band will givo a musical oiiturtuinmont intlioPntutalii Hall oil Thursday night, commencing at 8 o’clock.

At the police court yesterday, a first offender, for drunkenness, was lined 5s anil costs 2s, or in default 21 hours’ hard labor. A Chinaman, Wong Cliee, was severely maltreated yesterday, and Alfred Bush, who was arrested on a cliargo of being the aggressor, will be brought before tlio Court this morning.

Tlio To Ran C.C. will bo represented by tlio following players lor their match with Common, Sliolton and Co. on Thursday, at the Domain : Gorman, Turner, Olson, Andrews, Wack (2), Cox, Cary, Übert, Maude, and Pirie.

The Turanga Church Fete will bo hold at Waoronga-a-hika to-morrow. The Gymkhana and sports occupy most of tlio time, and an interesting and enjoyablo day’s outing may bo expected. A grand vocal and instrumental concert will bo belli at 7.30 p.m., when a programme by tlio leadinglady and gentlemen amatours will be given. Mr. F. J. Wilson, architect, rccoivod the following tenders lor the orection of brick premises for Macky, Logan, Caldwell and Co. ; G. Smith £3150 (accepted), Webb and Sons £3105 10s, Mackrell and Colley £3250, J. Somervell £3401 10s, Black Bros. £3438, J, East £3531, Queenin and Boland £3525, Clayton Bros. £3613 13s 6d, C. Taylor £3632. Now Zealand ought to bo a bettor market than it is for its bright boys. One New Zealand specialist in New Zealand is better for New Zealand than two Now Zealand specialists in Canada, and any reasonable inducements that can be held out to our bright youths to return to the colony will repay it in the long run.—Wailii Telegraph. The business of the police court was delayed yesterday morning by a witness obviously the worse of liquor, and the court was adjourned till 3 p.m. for his recovery. On (resuming at that hour tlio Magistrate lectured the orring witness, saying that he was lucky in not being brought up for contempt of court. He was recommended to leave liquor alone in future.

The recommendations of the National League that tlio Premier should purchase “at less than cost, price,” a job lot of .303 rifles which the Imperial Government is discarding is fatuous. If one of the impure racos should ever send an army to invade us, it will not ho armed with the cast-off weapons of Britain, or even its own last year’s patent; it will carry up-to-date guns, and if we want to prevent the invader from crossing our doorstep, we must have something as good as he has got to fire with.—Blenheim Express.

A shooting accident occurred at Tarowa in the early morning oil tlio IStli lilt. The victim was Mr. J'anies Albort Williams, of Gisborne, aged 28, a single man. He was staying with Mr. R. W. Johnston. He was out in the busli and had shot a hawk. He was stepping over a large tree holding a double-barrelled gun by the barrel, and in using the gun as a support to jump off the tree one of the barrels exploded. It blew off tile thumb of his right hand. The charge in its passage caught the right side over the ribs. He managed to call Mr. Wilson to his aid, and was conveyed to the limise where first aid was applied. He was then taken 25 miles in to Nuhaka where Dr. Sommervillo met him on Tuesday. A vehicle was sent for from Wairoa and he arrived at the hospital hero on Thursday. Ho was immediately attended to by the surgeon, Dr. Swanseger, and is progressing favorably.—Wairoa Guardian.