THE COMET. A PICNIC TRAGEDY. ROWING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2025, 9 March 1907, Page 3

THE COMET.

A PICNIC TRAGEDY.

ROWING.

EXCITING SCENES AT FIREWORKS DISPLAY. Recoived 1.10 a.m. March 9. MELBOURNE, March S. Twelve thousand people assembled at Willinmstown Gardens reservo to witness a fireworks display, had an exciting experience. A qutntity of fireworks was stored under the platform, around which the audience were standing. Someone excitedly shouted "The comet,” Almost simultaneously there was a succession of explosions and clouds of smoke. The scone was wild nnd exciting, overyono shouting "The comet.” The majority, including the band, fled. Others lay flat on the ground. Rockets and other fireworks started from under the platform, and chased terrorised people in all directions, whilst various colored fires added conviction to the belief that the earth was passing through the tail of Mattauece’s comet. One man hit by a rocket stick was rendered unconscious. Another had a boxer hat transfixed. A third rocket started fires in the house. Numbers of women fainted, children scroamed in terror, and some boys created a panic prematurely by firing some fireworks beneath tho platform.

SOUTH AFRICA. Recoived 9.3 S p.m. March S. PRETORIA, March S. Four hundred unemployed took part in a procession in Johannesburg, carrying on a banner a portrait of General Botha, inscribed, “Our Only Hope.” CAPETOWN, March 3. Advices from Durban border state that the natives predict difficulties m tho collection of poll-tax in Zululand and expect further trouble. COLONIAL CONFERENCE. RECIPROCAL TRADE. Received 9.38 p.m. March 8. LONDON, March 8. The Associated Chamber of Commerce urged the Government to so conduct negotiations at the Colonial Conference that reciprocal trading may bo promoted within tho Empire. Tho mover, Mr. Read, of the Belfast Chamber, maintained that tho colonies wished preference, and if refused Canada particularly would seek it elsewhere, thus leading in the disintegration of the Empire. Thero were a dozen dissentients from this view. The meeting also, by 40 to 38, adopted a resolution urging the Government to make the metric system compulsory.

the mail contract. AN OFFICIAL REPLY. Recoived 9.30 p.m. March 8. LONDON, March 8. Mr Beardmore, in an official statement, says ho retired from the mail syndicate by his own act, and not 1 because he was approached by other organisations. He joined the concern on the distinct understanding that the Commonwealth Government and Commonwealth capitalists would give substantial support. As it is not forthcoming, he and other members of the syndicate agreed to guarantee the preference and ordinary shares if the debentures amounted only to 66 per cent of the cost of, the ships, but no colonial support or guarantee being forthcoming, Air. Beardmore, after waiting half a year decided not to keep berths in his yards longer for the new vessels.

HAGUE CONFERENCE. BERLIN, March 7. The Berlin newspaper Tagliche Rundichan asserts that Russia arranged that herself, FranceT'Ge I '- rnany, and Austria-Hungary shall prevont thte Hague -conference discussing the question of limitation of armaments. A BIG GAMBLE. HOW HARRIMAN MADE MILLIONS. LONDON, March 7. The Daily Mail reports that on the eve of Air. Ha triman’s coup some two million Reading railway shares were flung away at panic prices stockholders’ losses .of the past two days aggregated 20,000,000 pounds sterling. The correspondent adds that it was essentially a rich man’s panic, the public remaining indifferent.

WRECK OF STEAMER. NEAV YORK, Alarch 7. The Great Northern Railway Company’s steamer Dakota, which went ashore at Cape Nushima Japan, overran a ledge of rock. The fore part of the vessel is submergec. Eighty guineas is being charged for reinsurance, to be paid m the event of the vessel becoming a total loss.

CONGO ATROCITIES, LONDON, Alarch 7. The National Council of the Evangelical Free Churches unanimously Sl.*. C°ngo and resolved not to rest until the evils disgracing humanity had ended.. It also urged the rejection of any scheme of Belgian annexatwn of the Congo, which would leave a vestige „f personal control in King Leopold s hands.

AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA. ST PETERSBURG, Alarch 7. A bomb destroyed the house of Prince Argutznsld, director of Goveminent high «hool« at W—■ » Prince was unhurt. Tho perpetrator of the crime escaped. ARAIED ROBBERS. Received 9.30 p.m. Alarch 8. ST. PETERSBURG, Alarch 8. Six armed men, disguised as students, held up officials at Moscow University, robbed a safe of £6OOO sterling, and escaped after killing a police inspector.

ZION CITY. VOLIV A’s""" LATEST MOVE. Received 1.10 a.in. March 9. MELBOURNE, March 8. It is reported that Voliva, overseer of Zion City, lor some years leader of the Zionists in Australia, has decided to abandon Zion City and found a colony in California on Socialist lines. Many Zionists, including numbers of Australian who went to Zion City, will throw in their lot with Voliva, '

TWO LADIES DROWNED WHILE TRYING TO SAVE A BOY. Press Association. WANGANUI, last night. A sad drowning accident occurred this afternoon. The children of Upo-konga-ro school, with parents and friends, went up the river to Kiriawhaike for a picnic. A boy got out of his depth, and ihvo ladies, Mrs. C. T. Gieson and Miss Kate Campbell, lost their lives in trying to rescue him. The bodies have been recovered. The boy was saved.

The following is the final selection of representative crews by the Poverty Bay Rowing Club: Seniors: M. McLeod (str), P. Willoughby, J. Webb, G. Henderson. Junior: W. McGuffie (str), J. Nicholas, J. Stuart, G. Morgan. Ten stone: C. Clark, A. McConnell, F. Seymour,, C. Sommerville.