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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2623, 4 October 1909, Page 4

The Waimata Road Board invites tenders, to close on October 23,. lor carting and breaking metal and road repairs and formation. The film entitled “Where is My Wandering Boy To-night/’ to be presented at the Pathe Pictures to-night, is said to be the finest dramatic study ever presented in picture form, and nightly moves the house to tears. Mr.,Thos. A. Farley, who died at the Gisborne Hospital on' Saturday was at one time 1 in the employ of the “Gisborne Times” Co., but had recently been with the Westport Coal Co. He was about 51 years of age, and was well-known in mining circles. He leaves three sons, resident in Auckland. His funeral is to take place this afternoon. Twenty tons of cordite have been landed in Wellington to the order of the New Zealand Defence Department (says the “Dominion”). This is intended for the supply of ammunition for the 6-inch guns. A considerable portion of this “sudden death” essence is destined for the ammunition room at Fort Dorset, Seatoun. The shipment should have arrived gome time ago, and was actually on the water, stowed m the hold of the Whakatane But when that vessel collided in the English Channel and wa s taken back to port, the cordite had to be sent back to the factory to be carefully examined. It It was afterwards found to be in excellent condition.

Airs. G. McKenzie, general secretary in New Zealand for the Ramabai Mission, Mukti, India, addressed the members of the Girls’ Senior _ and Junior Bible Classes in connection with fet. Andrew’s Church in the Cook County Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. She told her hearers of the terrible conditions under which women struggle in India, and the often pitiable state of the child widows, and explained the work and objects of Pandita Ramabai s Mission. To-morrow night Mrs McKenzie will give a lantern at the church. On Thursday and Friday a sale of Oriental work in aid of the mission funds will be held in Winn ray s Hall.

Farmers in the Rongahere district, Otago, are very bitter over the serious are sustaining through the ravage s of deer. The “Clutha Leader states that these animals have now become very numerous on the Blue Mountains, aiid owing to scarcity of feed are going on the farming land in increasing numbers. One settler declares that lie has several acres of young grass which lie wishes to keep for seed, and that he has not the slightest chance of saving a particle of it unless he employs a man with a gun all day and part of the night to watch it from now right on till harvest time. Another settler had ten or twelve acres of turnips, which the deer demolished to such an extent that they were not worth turning sheep on to when winter came. The matter ha s been brought before the Otago Acclimatisation' Society, winch, it is°stated, disclaims any responsibility, notwthstanding the fact that it derives a revenue of several hundreds a year from the issue of shooting licenses. Hugh Shannon, a Wellington brickmaker, had the narrowest escape from an untimely death last week that he is ever likely' to have. The “Dominion states- that lie was crossing Courtenay Place, opposite the Egmont Hotel, when he absent-mindedly turned in the middle of the tram track to whistle Ins dog. Before lie knew where he was lie found himself bowled over by a car proceeding eastward. Fortunately the motorman had noticed the man on the track just in time'. He opened Ins sand-box, and jammed the brakes on hard, pulling the car up m its own length, but even then it was too late to prevent the car knocking the man down, and pushing him along under the apron for a yard or two. Onlookers expected that the man was lulled, or at any rate seriouslv injured. Shannon was considerably dazed when lifted out from beneath the car, but beyond a few cuts about the face, which looked as if it, had been grazed along the wood-blocks, he lacked any injury of moment. Praise is due to the inotoi man for his action in pulling the cai up so promptly. /

The fc\. 0 D n f u f "noon 00 "! invites llbhcatio from toaThursda, W?, ’ t jj]] a number of P<> sl " & o' - Used’in thife i«suo. The TnaWn o Jghtj after(Mr. Town e/ p ; n g e ymour and Mr. house with M/“jested the clockwork Rees Jones, , ... + j ie ] aro p. mechanism connected with the Ja ™* . The following BedrtSU to leave Gisborne & and Sons’ coaches tins mormng Mrl M CT^a r un); Mrl Weir McCulloch (Wa.pare); Mr. Gay" (WaMro); Miss Morgan (lokomaru); Mrs. Cotterill (Hiki). Mr. A. F. Wootton whose was to have assist'' < . at!£Jay, S iSd'mentioned tic fact “CTfor Timaru, Mr Craigie, wlai inspected tile Government training ship Amplmra during a recent visit*. Wellington, states that h hiJcinline impressed with the wonderful on board, and was convinced that the captain was doing a very fine • - training lads-in tins way. Ihe pity was tl.lt he had not a larger ahm so that he could deal with more of them. In reply to a question the with delight a suggestion that their boat should go to Timaru, and Mr Craigie is now in communication with the Government m an endeavor to get both the Amokura a 5« Pioneer at Timaru on Labor Day t take part in the military manoeuvres f.n be held there on that occasion.

In expressing regret that the'New Zealand Government has not yet subsidised any of the societies for the ± revention of Cruelty to Animals m hew Zealand the committee of the Canterbury society (in the course of th© annual report) remarked): The fact that this society has been in existence ior tlie last 37 years, and lias during that time, dealt with thousands of cruelty cases (some of which were not one whit less callous than those occurring in other British possessions), ought to draw a little practical sympathy from our legislators. It is not a pleasant reflection on the advanced legislation m this Dominion to think that it is the only one that does not subsidise any orgauistaion for the prevention of cruelty’ to animals.” The hope is expressed that the Government will be prevailed upon to subsidise cruelty prevention societies.

Mr. A. Parnell has refined a couple of samples of petroleum from the Gisborne Oil Co.’s bore at Waitangi, and the result of the second of these tests is to he seen at his sliO" to-day. in the form of eleven samples of the products obtained. These range from petrol of the highest class, given off at a temperature of 180 degrees, to petroleum jelly.. Tifking the products in the order in which they are given off, there are two samples of petrol, two of mineral spirit, four of mineral oil, two of lubricating oil, and one of jelly. The sixth in order is the kerosene of commerce. and very good kerosene it appears to be. as colorless as water, and burning in a lamp with a bright, white fine. The petrol also appears to be excellent. Indeed the same may be said of all the products, which show that the quality of the oil in the Waitangi bore is all that can be wished for. It appears as if the recently erected hall at Matawhero was not erected before its time. Ever since its institution, the building has been well patronised, and this month shows no exception. Already the hall lias been booked for the Btli inst-., when a football social is to be held, having the peculiar object of raising funds t-o form a crickot”club. On the 15th inst. the Kanui Hockey Club (Bushmere ladies’) give a social to their friends, while the Matawhero Presbyterian Church have mentioned a date for their annual soiree. The Y T mmg Men’s Catholic Club have acceded to a request to produce their mock breach of promise case to a Matawhero audience during this month, and on Show Night a basket social is to he held. The Usual fortnightly assemblies, which have occupied the hall since its opening, are also to be continued during the month, and the Matawhero folk have thus a good bill-of-fare in evening amusement for this month, at anv rate.

A letter bearing many marks and signs of travel has just reached the fold of the “Evening Rpst,” Wellington, for which it was destined at the outset but was misleadingly addressed. It began its pilgrimage in the middle of May, and has had a trip through Canada. It went near to dissolution in several Dead Letter offices, but survived all the perils that await communications addressed thus: “The Editor. ‘Evening Post, 5 Willis Street, Montreal.” The correspondent was in Wellington at the time, but liis much-tra-velled letter states that he was a recent arrival from Canada, hence the slip cf “Montreal.” The missive, which was concerned with the Dreadnought question, duly went to Montreal, and a worried official stamped upon it “No such street in Montreal.” Away it went to Toronto, and conscientious mailmen tried in vain to find Willis Street there, but discovered it not. After a rest in the letter cemotery, the pilgrim was pushed into Ottawa, and finally somebody there had an inspiration to send the' wanderer back to New Zealand, and the four months’ travels were completed by a safe arrival in Wellington. The following telegram was received by Mrs. Parker, manageress of the Masonic Hotel, on the attainment of her 21st year in that position, from the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward): — “Might I be permitted to join with your many friends in adding my congratulations to,theirs upon the'eventful day that you are celebrating <and to wish you many ha—v returns of the day.—J. G. Ward.” The following message was received from the Hon. J Carroll, Native Minister:— “Warmest congratulations on the 21st anniversary of your connection with the Masonic, Yours is an exceptional and splendid record of work veil and faithfully done and one of which you and yours may be justly proud, in the long period that 'your service covers you. have drawn to your side many warm friends from all sections of the community and particularly the travelling public ’ who have life-long feelings of gratitude in theiy hearts for spontaneous and thoughtful acts of kindness on your part. Looking back to my schooldays I think of the friendship between us’ You will miss as much as I do the faces of many of those who enjoyed those early days together but is i s a great consolation to feel that as our ranks thin out- those of us who are-left draw oloser to one another in mutual esteem Kia ora to all assembled .there to do von w r ell deserved honor, and warmest regards to yourself.—J.- Carroll.”

The annual meeting of the Gisborne City Band will be held at the Cosmojtoiitan Club at 8 p.m. to-morrow. An advertisement giving some details of the progress and position of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, which this year celebrates it s diamond jubilee, is published in tins issue. The committee of the Hospital Sonal are indebted to Mrs. Pritchard, Messrs Vita Brothers, and Mr. J. Dodds for playing the extras at the children’s ball on Hriday. The Gisborne Customs receipts last week were as follows; —Customs dutie-** £llsO 16s sd, beer duty £33 14s 6d : <* light dues £33 Os 2d, shipping fees 8.4 9d, other receipts 4s; total, £l2lß 3s - lOd. A large) number of members of the Poverty Bay Rowing Club mustered on Saturday afternoon for the purpose of carrying on the erection of the club’s new shed. The walls are completed, and the rafters are in position. It j s expected that the roof will be covered in by next Wednesday night, and that the shed will be ready for use early next week. A special general meeting of the club will be held at the Cosmopolitan Club at 8 p.rn. on Monday next for selection of crews and general business.

Under examination in tho Bankruptcy Court at Melbourne last week, a Civil Servant stated that a portion of his debt s had been incurred through having to pay interest on money lent by usurers. The lowest interest charged him was 60 per cent., arid he had paid as high as 240 per cent., the average being about 120 per cent. His salary was £l7O per annum, and he had a wife to maintain, besides paying £3 or £5 a month to money-lenders. It was easy for Civil Servants in permanent positions to borrow money, and borrowing was done very’ extensively in the service. The Official Receiver said that something should be done to secure legislation on the lines adopted in England and other countries concerning the interest charged by moneylenders. Many and varied are the tricks of the opium-smuggler, and curious and ingenious are the subterfuges resorted to with a view of eluding the vigilance of the Customs officials. In the Central Criminal Court in Sydney last week a Chinese witness told a story of a scheme that was intended to completely baffle the authorities. A launch, he* alleged, was to be built and taken outside the Heads, ostensibly for the ~ purpose of fishing, hut really to meet a steamer on its way down the coast. Accomplices on board were to throw overboard the opium. This would be secured by the party in the launch, and later on brought up the harbor. If suspicions were aroused they would take half of it to the authorities, and, telling a plausible tale, claim the reward. If they landed the opium safely the whole profit would be divided. The exodus of bullocks from Southland is commented upon in Christchurch, says the Ensign, one large dealer stating that it wag primarily due to *the fact that dairying had been f given a great impetus in the Southland part of the island during the past two years, and. with the prices that had ruled for rat and forward bullocks, farmers had come to the definite conclusion that it was infinitely more profitable to milk cows that brought in a yearly revenue of £ll each than to • devote feed to the rearing of calves, as they had been in the habit of doing for many years past. In support of his statement regarding the expansion ef the dairying industry in Southland, Mr Twentyman - Hodgson said that he had undisputable proof that no fewer than 1200 milch cows of approved breeds had been railed from Canterbury to Southland during the past six weeks.

Mr. Lock, a Nelson resident, in an account pubished in the “Colonist” of his trip to Europe, says that he travelled from New York to a German port in a steamer that earned 600 German passengers. “When in the North Sea, and almost in German waters,” he says, “1 witnessed an extraordinary sight, namely, the British fieet, or as many warships as Britain could get together at one time. There were miles of them, for it was nearly two hours before we passed them all. For a time I counted them, but long beiore the last one was reached I lost the count. All the passengers aboard our steamer, as far as I could learn, were Germans, and tlfey swelled with pride as we were passing the magnificent battleships, for they fuliy believed it was the German navy manoeuvring, and nothing could dissuade them from it. But about midnight a Marconigram was received on our steamer stating that it was the British fleet, and next morning there was absolutely no conversation about this great sight.”

A meeting of the Labor Day Celebration Committee was held on Saturday evening, Mr. W. Duncan presiding, when further arrangements for the procession and sports wore made. Favorable reports were made as to the various unions’ displays in the procession, and it was also reported that a number of tradespeople intended _ making displays. The friendly societies were likewise joining in. A letter was received from the Rugby Fnion, allowing the committee the free use of the grounds on certain conditions, which were agreed to. Gatekeepers, ground stewards. liandicappexs. judges, and starters were appointed. A programme of events was drawn u" and a sub-com-mittee was appointed to allot prizes, the response to a canvass for prizes having been a splendid one. A lot- of detail matters wore dealt with, and the committee resolved to meet again tomorrow evening to receive the prize-list as drawn up by the sub-committee and transact other business. It is expected that the programme of events will be published in a day or two. A difficulty which crops up at the end of the oyster season has again (says the Bluff correspondent of the “Otago Daily Times”) to he faced. On the previous occasion assurance was given that thfc m- tor would be attended to. Beyorj that nothing has been done, and tuis season the trouble again appears. Sub-section 2, clause -IP. of “The Fisheries Amendment Act, 1908,” enacts that “every person commits an offence against this section who in New Zealand buys, sells, exposes for sale, or has in his possession anv fish taken beyond New Zealand waters, • • • 1 the taking of such fish would be a breach of the Act, or who, during any close season for oysters, buys, sells, exposes for sale, or has in his Possesion in New Zealand any oyster wherever taken, provided that defendant shall not he deemed to have committed an offence against this section if he satisfies the Couyt that the fish or oyst#rs wew preserved in tins or otherwise cured out of New Zealand.” The effect of this is to stamp out a very P ro ' raising trade in the tinning of ovsters, which has 'established itself at the Bluff. To : meet the ■ requirements oi this arbitrary enactment all stocks have to be cleared out by the intercolonial steamers this month, and during the ensuing six months the trade will not be allowed to handle an oyster S ot within New Zealai i waters.