The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1909.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2401, 16 January 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1909.

The services at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to-morrow will begin at 11 a.m. and at 7 p.m. At the latter service A.hr. G. Morico will preach on the subject, “Some Bible Pools.”

The Gisborne City Band will i>Tay a. programme of music from tlic‘ ‘Times” balcony in Peel Street this evening. A collection will be taken up in the street in aid' of the sufferers through the recent Sicilian earthquake.

Already interest is being taken in the question as to who will fill the M ayoral chair of Gisborne during the next term. Mr W. D. Lysnar intends to seek re-election, and in all probability other candidates will be in the field.

At Wesley Church to-morrow Mr. Kent will take the morning service. Rev. G. Griffin will preach in the evening on “A Good Bargain.” The Young People’s Bible Class meets in the afternoon. Mr. Griffin will hold service in the morning at Waimata.

At the (Baptist Tabernacle to-mor-row the Rev. IV. Lamb will .prcacli at the morning service on “The Church on the Rock,” and in the evening on “The Great Refusal.” The choir and orchestra will render several anthems, commencing at 6.30 p.m., and a vioiin solo will bo given.

Tlie biennial election of four elective members of the Gisborne Harbor Board, two representing the Borough of Gisborne, and two representing the Counties Harbor LVistricb, will b>ei held on Monday, February Btli. Nominations will be received up to noon on Monday, February Ist, at the Harbor Board Office.

A deputation from tlie Friendly Societies’ Conference waited upon the Turanganui Lodge of Druids on Thursday evening, and placed before the members the advantages of establishing a Friendly Societies’ dispensary. After hearing the various speakers, the lodge decided to support the proposal.

There was a large attendance at the sale of Irish linens held by Messrs Miller and Craig at their auction rooms yesterday afternoon, when good prices were realised. The salo will be continued at 1.30 this afternoon, and on Monday and Tuesday next, and the balance of the goods will be on view this morning.

The latest addition to the buildings of the town is tlie two-storey -brick structure being erected bv Messrs Black .Bros, lor Messrs Wade and Gray in Gladstone Road, near Derby Street. The ground floor will be occupied by The shop portion, and upstairs there will bo a spacious and roomy workshop.

Captain Martin, assistant-Harbor-mastcr, is in possession of a most interesting volume in the shape of tho signal book of tho barque Loohnagar, which was the first sailing vessel to take wool for Homo from this port. The book is dated 1864, and is in an excellent state of preservation. The Loohnagar went ashore in tho bay near Ttiahine, but was got off again without .damage.

The meeting of tho Executive of the Chamber of Commerce, which was to havo been held yesterday afternoon, lapsed for want of a quorum. The secretary (Mr. H. Traill) was called away to Rakauroa on business, and it -was found impossible to get- sulfievient members of the committee together to hold a meeting, although one or two important questions were set down for consideration.

Complaints have been made recently regarding the inconvenience caused to pedestrians in many of the suburban streets by the spray from the hose pipes in tho gardens. In many' cases tlie. wind, catching the light spray, drives it well over the footpath, and passers-by are compelled to make a 'considerable detour in order to pass with dry clothes. In addition, as tho water is sometimes flowing for hours on end,, the footpaths become very muddy and extremely unpleasant to walk upon. Mr. It. Hay, C.E.., engineer to the Borough Council, returned to Gisborne late on Thursday evening from a visit to the repair work to the pipe line at the Te Arai creek. Mr. May will report on the question of the deviation of the pipe line-—which the contractors state is necessary owing to tlie alteration in the configuration of the country—to the Borough Council. Mi*. Hay was disappointed to find that only a small staff of men were engaged on the repair work, and thinks that if a full staff was employed the work could he completed before the approach of winter. Mr. Hay will leave for the South tomorrow.

The annual muster parade of the Gisborne Rifles was held lastnight at the Garrison Hall, under Captain Beere. There was a good muster of the ;corps, but the finances of the company will bo materially .increased by the fine® which shall be imposed, according to the regulations, on the absentees. Final preparations were made "for the week-end encampment, to commence this' afternoon. Twen-ty-five men signified tlieir intention of attending' the camp, and 1 they will parade at tho Garrison Hall at 2 p.m. afterwards marching to the rendezvous near Tualiine Point. Field firing and various manoeuvres Will bo carried out this afternoon and evening and to-morrow, and the corps returns to town to-morrow night. A number of men who are unable to get away this afternoon well join their comrades at the camp to-night.

A telegram received Task ;■ evening from Dr.; Collins, who is at present touring tho .Dominion in his motoi car, is as follows : ; “Arrived in •. *Velkington without hitch. Visited Max-ton, Wanganui, FeUding, J. «t----morston North, Longburn, j’oxto.. ; Levin, Johnsomv.idle. Leavo by Alararoa for Lyttelton on Saturday night.

A local athlete will attempt a strenuous feat to-day. Mr. Ohas. terns, of Wainiii, was to start at 4 o'clock -this•morning in an effort to reach 10loga Bay on foot within six hours. The attempt will bo made as the result .of a wager. It is understood that a rest will be made at Pakarae ioi breakfast, and only tlie actual time occupied on. the road will be taken into account.

Twelve high-grade English bicycles arc to be sold by public auction tins aft;!, noon at’ Malcolm’s Mart,. Gladstone Road. They have been sent out as a trial shipment -from the makers' in Birmingham, who giro twelve months’ guarantee with oacn machine. They are of the very latest design with Eadie coaster hubs, two brakes, freewheels, 'and bright parts double iplated on copper. Instructions have been given to sell without reserve.

William Johnston, who, as stated in a cable message in the “Times” a few days ago, had been arrested at Hobart in connection with bankruptcy proceedings in New Zealand, carried on the business.of a rabbiter in the Oamaru district, and a few weeks ago left tho locality. Ho will be detuned at Hobart pending the arrival of Constable Cassidy, of Kurow, who on Sunday left by the Melbourne boat to escort Johnston back to New Zealand.

An exceedingly attractive display is being made by the Melbourne Cash, drapers and clothiers, just now, the special occasion being tho end-.of-seasou sale. The firm has purchased the entire stock of the Kaiapoi Underclothing Company, and this, together with its own large stock, makes a bright array of tempting bargains. The sales conducted by this firm have always been popular in the past, and it is expected that the double inducement of two sales in one presented on the present occasion will be greatly appreciated by tlie public.

Russians are coming here, but not with warships and big guns. Tlie Under-Secretary for Lands has been interviewed by a party of Russian gentlemen who are visiting tlie Dominion for the purpose of inquiring what lands are available to them for settlement purposes. The party nro making investigations on behalf of nine hundred families (comprising 2000 people), with a capital of between £50,000 land £60,000, which they desire to invest in land settlement in the colonies. A visit has boon paid to Manila, and the party are about to proceed to Australia.

The following passengers arrived in Gisborne bv Messrs J. Redstone and Son’s coaches yesterday: From Waipiro Bay, Mi.ss Dines and Mrs. Tubine; from Tokomaru, Miss Oates and Mr. Sharpin; from Tologa, Misses Wilcox and Faubert; from Pakarae, Mrs. Adair and child; from Tatapouri, Miss Ready; from Wairoa via Mo rare, Mr. and Mrs. W. King, Miss Marshall and Mr. Freddie; from Morero, Mrs. Goldsmith, Mrs. Bond, Mr. and Mrs. G. East, blisses Image (3), and Air. Atkins ;i'rom Tarewa, blisses Moore (2); from Wairoa via Tiniroto, Miss Stacy, Miss Torr, Mr. Jerram; from Tiniroto, Mr. "Wilson.

Tlie Hon. J. Barr, in his “Labor Notes” in tho ~ “Lyttelton Times,” says that trade in Christchurch is still far from satisfactory, nor are the prospects encouraging. It is years since as many carpenters and bricklayers were to be found idle. The slackness is not confined to the building trade, the majority of trades and industries being none too good. One of the worst is the furniture trade, which has been far from satisfactory for some considernblo time. The condition in Christchurch is similar to that in the principal centres throughout the Dominion. It is little consolation to those out of work to be told that New Zealand is more fortunate at the present time than almost any other part of the English-speaking world. “

The school teachers of New Zealand object to themselves and tlieir charges being used as pawns in a game, in which public men and those in power are prone to indulge, on- festive and other special occasions. They protest against the cadets being hauled out on any and every opportunity for purposes of display. One teacher in a debate at the New Zealand Educational Institute in Dunedin the other evening, touched the spot when he said that the cadet system was being exploited—-that it was being used as an advertisement for certain people who wanted that advertisement, instead of for the training and improvement of the boys themselves. He added that the continual pushing forward' of the cadets in public displays was having a bad effect on the boys, many of whom had developed swelled head. A resolution in favor of steps being taken to try to limit such displays was passed.

Mr Anthony Wilding, who cycled from Nelson to Christchurch after the recent tennis tournament, told a “Star” reporter that he was opposed strongly to tho proposed tennis separation of New Zealand and Austrar lia, oil the ground that neither country is strong enough to stand alone at the present time. Tho Davis Cup had been won. through combination, and a ■ separation should at least be postponed until the Gup had 1 been taken to sonic other country, lu that connection, .there was a- chance that the Cup might bo defended in New Zealand, either at Christchurch or Auckland. Brookes was quite willing to play here, but the Sydney _ people thought that they had n. claim in view of the fact that most of tho executive work had been done in that city. There were not many players; of outstanding merit amongst the younger men in Australia and New Zealand at the present time, Mr "Wilding added, but the same condition of nffairs prevailed all over tho world. A tennis player of the first rank took a long time to develop. Brown had shown distinct promise at the Nelson tournament, where the courts, by the way, had been as good as any to be found at "Wimbledon.

! During the narf two montl» coilaidcrablo S CMton to & SS'r t £ Sow bedrooms. The whole of tho interior of fhe- hotel has been renovated throughout, and tcdinS room has been re-decorated m . eftoc tivc stvlo. A new departure is the housing of • the staff in. a separate dwelling, thus providing six additional S for the accommodation of visiA]] the bedrooms have been re-funtished, and the British Empire Hotel will now be found thoroughly comfortable.

On Thursday evening, at Oust (Canterbury), a heavy thunderstorm came up with heavy ram and.-hail, ..u hich lasted till after ten o’clock. At W est Eyreton a thunderbolt fell within ino chains of tho railway station, close to tho Kaiapoi-Bennctts tram. Before reaching the ground it burst w ith a loud report, and spread a shower oi colored -sparks, some of winch set lire to a corse fence. Although it uas raining heavily at the time tho spectacle. was most impressive. The shock of tlio bursting shook the buildings all round. The fireman on. the engine was stunned, and the passengers greatly alarmed. No damage was done to the train.

The Governor of Victoria attended the Hanging Rock races the other day (sa-vs the “Sydney Morning Herald.”) A Vice-Regal enclosure was provided, and his Excellency sat in it for a time. But under the white gums the people were boiling billies and eating sandwiches, and the .spectacle. proved too much for his Excellency. who walked through a bevy of bookmakers and joined the general crowd. As he did so he expressed to one of the officials his intention of having somo tea brewed in a biily with tho first -party that would extend that hospitality to him. Other provision had -been made for the distinguished visitors, but the Governor declined to accept anything until lie had tasted hilly tea. His Excellency gave an -assurance to his entertainers that it was very good tea indeed.

Casual observation about Dunedin leads the “Otago Daily Times” to the impression that there arc a fair number of persons, particularly young men, out of employment. Enquiry at the Government Labor Bureau confirms this view, the position being that, as is usually the case, during the Christmas holidays, a number of country workers find their way into the town and remain there in the expectation of obtaining more congenial employment nearer home. It is, however, a rather difficult problem to place men locally, and the department is limited to sending -a certain number each week to the Gatlin’s River railway works. It therefore follows that there is a congestion of unemployed at the present moment, but it is hoped that in the course of a few days an improvement will be effected.

Mr A. S. Adams, of Dunedin, who is to act as counsel for the No-license party in the Ohinemuri local op lion poll petition case, has left -for Auckland. Ho will spend a week in Rotorua. The case is fixed for January 25, and the petition, which was lodged by the License party, alleges numerous irregularities at the local option poll. Great interest is being taken in the case iu Auckland, as Ohinemuri is the first important Auckland electorate to carry No-license. and the mining centre, Waihi, is in the electorate. It was rumored at the time of the local option poll that a number of Ohinemuri miners had voted in favor of No-license in -revenge for the action of the hotelkeepers in putting up the price of beer to 6d a pint. Since the poll tho price has been reduced to 3d.

An Auckland photographer lias received the following churmingly simple- letter from a little girl"in San Francisco : —‘"'Dear sir,—l was reading in the paper about the nice welcome you gave our fleet-. I have a brother who is a petty officer on the New Jersey, and he; sent a lot of postals and curious to my big sister and the girl next door, fio I'thought if there was u- kind person who goes in your store who can speak American would send some little curios made bv the natives or a postal to mo I waukl be very much obliged, and would send some American thing in exchange, i saw your name on my sister’s postals, so I thought you wouldn’t mind telling somebody. P.S. —Please do not think I am bold, because our. hotter was burned down in the big enrthquako and fire, and I haven't any more toys, so I would like to put some interesting things in my room. lam sending you four postals to soli in your store for your trouble. The lac© is for your little girl.”

Some time ago (the “North Otago Times” remarks) a piano-playing contest against time took place in Dunedin, but a piper at the Timaru names put up a record for piping that will astonish those who, like Jubal, “under their oxter squeeze the blether o’ a sheep.” A dispute with another piper at the games induced one of the disputants to enter a carriage next that of his opponent', and ho blew from Timaru to Dunedin (a distance of 230 miles).' Ho was going strong; when passing through Oamaru; in fact, he was going fairly strong all the road, so strong, indeed, that some of those in the carriage thought of getting off at Seacliff to request Dr Trilby King to extend liis beneficences to them. It is said —but w© are not inclined to credit the story —that the carriage was sent along to the Hillend infirmary to have the holts screwed up and the, windows and woodwork overhauled.