Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3441, 5 February 1912, Page 4

Local and General.

A meeting of the executive to make arrangements for the visit of I.is acellency the Governor will he held at the Borough Council Chambers at 1J o’clock this morning. The Cook County Council, at the suggestion of Cr. Fraser, decided on Saturday to have the curve in the road at the top of Tatapoun Hill ff ‘ v pointed out that only recently a nearly went over tne side. The Victoria brought about 200 passengers to Gisborne on Saturday moiningr- The launch wrs unable to cop* with the traffic, and about ft,t v igers had to remain r.. board till ,be went out again at 10 o c.ock. Mr H Watkins, of the Public York* staff, who has been transferred from Rakauroa to Wellington, wa.s last week presented with a go.d watch, as a mai k of appreciation from his rellow-woik< r-. Mr. W S* Turner made the presentation.

With reference to the petition against the validity of the Horouta Maori poll it is understood an appearance on belialf of six respondents was fiie-u at Port Awanui on Saturday. Ibe sealing of the petition is to begin at Port Awanui on Wednesday. Messrs Bartoi(Gisborne), McCarthy (Napier- and Dyer (Rotorua) will comprise the bench of magistrates to hold the inquiry. A number of thoroughbreds were offered at Messrs Williams and Kettle s horse bazaar on Saturday on behalf of Mr G. Carrington. A San Remo gelding was passed in without a bid. and a San Remo-Ladybird gelding was passed at £3. A bav two-year-old filly by Gazely—Ladybird was passed at 50 guineas. There were no bids for Booby, the dam of Paisano, and Chibouk, The dam of Scorch and Continuance.

Among the passengers from the South on Saturday was Mr. F. J. Shelton. London representative or the New Zealand Producers’ Association. Mr. Shelton is visiting New Zealand in order to confer with the Association regarding arrangements at Home. He was to have addressed the local farmers and sympathisers of the movement on Saturday larst. but- this had to be postponed. Mr. Shelton held a private conference with members of the local committee-

During his Late visit to Gisborne M r R. R. Martin, organiser for the Reform Party, was by no means idle. It is reported that advantage was taken of his visit to hold, a very, important and very enthusiastic meeting of .-uoporters of the Reform party. Although the meeting was not open to the press, it has transpired that one of the results will be that on no account will '< he Gisborne seat be allowed, to go uncontested so far as the Reform Party n concerned in the future. To this ei.d the initial steps in the direction of forming a large and thoroughly representative committee were taken.

While there appears to be a greatdeal of diversity of opinion as to whether Stevenson, George Gray, Reece or Inman is really the champion player of the world, local billiardists are unanimous that in Messrs Smith and Robinson’s billiard rooms, upstairs in Dunlop’s Buildings, Lowe street, are to lie found the truest and fastest tables in Gisborne.* Mr J. O’Grady waited on the Cook County Council on Saturday regarding the expenditure of a loan of £SOO on the Matakitoki road. He thought the money had not been spent on.the portion the loan was raised for. The Clerk pointed out That there was no loan. The Government had given a subsidy of £1 for £2 given by the Council, and the money had been spent where the Public Works Department’s Engineer had stipulated. The Council after consideration, agreed to ask the settlers to form a special rating district and form the road properly. The Council would then consider the advisableness of- taking over this portion of the road from the Tarulieru Road Board. The Council also decided to endeavor to obtain the £1 for £2 subsidy up to £SOO from the Government for this work.

Owing to continued ill-health, and acting on the advise of their medical man, Mr and Mrs J. H. Martin, for many years proprietor's of the Gisborne Hotel,* are leaving New Zealand with their family at an early date. The improvements made to the hotel, and the admirable manner in which it has been conducted, are too well-known to local people and visitors to need any comment, and the good wishes of its patrons and the public will go out to Mr and Mrs. Martin and their family in taking their departure from Gisborne for the Old Country. It. s understood that Mr and Mi's Martin w.th their family are leaving New Zealand this month*. The new proprietor. Mr G. B. Oman, is well-known locally as the former host of the British Enqv'e Hotel, and later as owner and licensee of the Wairoa Hotel. His former connection- with the Trade secured for him a great popularity, and it will uoubtless be renewed in no small measure or his re-entry into business at the -Gisborne Hotel to-day.

A pleasing little function took place at the Gisborne Bowling Club’s green on Saturday afternoon, when the players, on the invitation of the President (Mr W. Pet-tie) gathered in the pavilion at the close of play in order to farewell the Rev. Mr Roberts, who is leaving shortly for Dunedin. The President stated that all the members of the Club were sorry that Mr Roberts was leaving them. As a- member of the Club lie had proved himself a good sport, and had made himself popular with all. On behalf of the Club, he presented Mr Roberts with a pair of bowls, and, in doing so, expressed on behalf of members best wishes for his success in his future sphere of labors, and also the hope that he would make a name for himself on southern bowling greens'. Mr J. AY. Bright also voiced the regret which was felt at Air Roberts’ departure, and the esteem in which lie was held by members. In replying, Air Roberts thanked them for their present, and especially for the good wishes tliat. had been expressed. Ho would never forget Ids association with the Gisborne Bowling Club, which had throughout- been of the pleasantest.

To suit the convenience of the Hospital authorities, the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Anglican Church, which will be performed by His Excellency the Governor on Saturday next, will commence at 2.30 p.m., instead of 3 p.m. as previouslj’ announced.