Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3552, 18 June 1912, Page 4

Local and General.

The lighter Fearnought, which sank in the harbor on Sunday, remains unmoved. A start to raise her will be made in a- day or two.

The quarterly meeting of the Court William Gladstone, A.0.F., will be held in the Masonic Hall, Childer’s Road, at 8 o’clock this evening. A meeting of ratepayers is called for this evening at Whinray’s Hall to consider the Borough- Council’s reply to the reolutions passed at a recent meeting. The chair will be taken at 8 o’clock. At the Poverty Bay Rowing Club's clubhouse to-night, an assembly will be held. The club’s previous dances this season have been a great success, beyond expectations, and an equally enjoyable evening is looked forward to to-night. Who made the discovery of kauri gum ?• This point was touched upon by Mr. R. M\Xab in the course of a lecture t-o the Wellington Philosophical Society. While searching in Paris lie came across the record of a French ship’s voyage, which ship was probably at Doubtless Bay in 1709, when Captain Cook passed by. This record made what seemed to be the first reference to kauri gum, which wardescribed as being “similar to resin, round in shape, of a yeliowisli color; light, and inflammable.”

His Honor Mr Justice Sim, when asked yesterday to make an order under a certain section of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act making a private agreement into an award of the Court, remarked that the section was in euch a muddle that he did not think It- would be wise to make the order. The law draughtsman apparently bad not made himself familiar with the preceding Act.

Mr J ianglands. one of the contractors for the breakwater extension, informed a Times reporter yesterday that he was ready to go on with the work of putting down the blocks for the extension of the breakwater. He thought the work would take about 10 ononths to complete. The old locomotive for hauling the blocks—which has been standing at the town end of tlie breakwater for some time—was being got ready preparatory to being put into commission again.

Mr Johnston, who acted as special delegate for tlie Poverty Bay Rugby Union at the annual meeting of the N.Z. Rugby Union, gave a verbal report concerning the business transacted at tlie meeting of the local union last evening. He said that be had no hesitation in saying that in future the chairman of the local union should attend these meetings. Apart Bun the social side, it was an education, and was far better than all-the correspondence the Union might do. 'I lie committee decided to keep the matter in view.

Mr J. A. McCullough, employees’ representative of the Arbitration Court, was entertained by Unionists, under the auspices of the Trades and Labor Council, at AVootton’s Rooms last evening, there being an attendance of close on 100. Mr. J. C. E. Turner, president, was in the cliair, and the evening passed oft most pleasantly, a toast list being judiciously punctuated with songs and recitations. Mr D. W. Coleman proposed “The Labor Movement,” and Messrs Gill Inglis, J. H. Hall and G. Bartlett responded. “Our Guest” was proposed by the chairman; “Trades Unionism,” by Mr A. S. Richards and responded to by Mr A . H. Anderson; “The Trades Council,” by Mr. R.. Clark and responded to by the chairman. Items were contributed by Messrs Rowell, T. O. Archibald, and Fryer.

From the very start they put into their business that steady, consistent work and perseverance that always tells in the long run, and never deviating from their first principle of selling at the very lowest possible price for cash only, the business firm of Melbourne Cash lias gone on increasing bv leaps and bounds' and is now in the foremost rank cf Gisborne drapers.*

The modern business man Ims to lie ever on the alert to take advantage of special opportunities and to buy in the l>est markets, so that he can give to his customers the - best value .obtainable in the town. G- 11 esio and Co. have just secured -a splendid lot of choice Wide End Ties in good designs and colors, and they are all to go at Is each, or two ties for Is 9d.*

! For the first time for some days, the police cells were empty yesterday. A New Plymouth P. A. wire states that the Okato Butter Factory was completely destroyed by fire early last night. It is understood that it is insured, but no insurances were available.

The Coroner (Mr W. A- Barton, iS’.-M .), did not deem it necessary to hold an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of William Jose oil Owen, who died suddenly either late on Saturday night last or early on Sunday morning. The Whangarei P.A. agent wires: The Premier concluded his northern tour to-night by addressing a large audience at the Drill Hall on the lines of liis recent remarks elsewhere. He expressed the firm conviction that if he had the opportunity of appealing to the country they wouldSgo back with a majority of eight or ten. The plumbing examinations for the City of London and Guilds certificate were held in the Technical School on Friday (theoretical) and Saturday (practical), Mr* W. W. Stewart supervising. There were five candidates. It will be some time before the results are known, as the particulars have to be forwarded to London. The musical public of Gisborne will l>e pleased to learn that the Gisborne Liedertafel has decided to hold its first concert this season on July 9. Mr John Prouse, the well-known Wellington bass, has been engaged as vocalist, and an Auckland instrumentalist will also appear. The Liedertafel lias a very fine programme under i preparation, and the concert should - i prove a musical treat. | “Borough Councils can pay wages j other people cannot afford to pay be- ! cause they are not paying with their j own money,” remarked Mr Justice I Sim at the Arbitration Court yesier- | Jay when it was pointed out to him | that the local Council was the first ito increase laborers’ wages. Mr A. H. Anderson, who appeared for the I'nion. said he would not like to take the responsibility of that statement. His Honor: “I say that is so. When it comes to a question of dealing with their own money then they are very careful.”

A further meeting of the committee in charge of arrangements for the Garrison ball, to be held on Thursday. August 1. was held last evening, and the" reports from the several subcommittees indicated that arrangements were well advanced and that every effort was being made to insure a complete success. Particular attention is being paid to the floor, which will be prepared by a special process. The decorations will be of an elaborate nature, and ample lounge accommodation will be provided. As well, liberal space .vill be set aside for nondancers.* All things considered, the ball promises to be a popular and successful fixture.