Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3664, 28 October 1912, Page 4

Local and General.

There are at present IS children in the children's creche.

The Gisborne Operatic Society's picnic will be held at Wainui beach today, if line. A dance will be held this evening should the elements not be favorable.

A man was prohibited on Saturday, on the application of the police, and another man denied that he was “wasting his substance and mis-spending his estate” through drink, and as the applicant did not appear, the request for an order was dismissed.

Inquiries made by a “Times” reporter on Saturday elicited the information that trade had been particularly brisk in Gisborne during Carnival week, and that a record must have been established. The numerous visitors to town helped, of course, to fill the coffers of the tradesmen, but it was noticeable that local people bought fairly freely, and the most pleasing feature was that the retailers—drapers, for instance—found that purchasers bought articles of the better quality. There could bo no better indication of prosperity .

The Wanganui Hospital Board’s health inspector, in his report to the Board on Thursday regarding recent-ly-reported deaths among the Maoris of tho Ohakune and Raetihi district, stated that his investigations did not lead to any- evidence of infectious disease amongst the Natives. • The trouble was tho dissatisfaction fe’t by Europeans because the Maoris did not have to obtain a certificate of death when one took place, and their consequent fear that Maori children, coming from localities where infectious diseases might exist, could attend school without anyone being aware of the conditions at their homes, and thus spread the disease among white children. Any oases of diphtheria arising, added the inspector, might reasonably be supposed to be caused by exceptionally bad sanitary conditions of the districts referred to.

A fine specimen of lamb was slaughtered at the Stratford Abattoirs last week. The weight of the iamb, which was bred by Air. Sparks, of Xgaire, turned the scale at 451 b. A number of South Island sheepbuyers are at present in the Wajrarapa in search of stock. The correspondent of the “Press” states that a mob of 3000 wethers was purchased at an average price of 18s, for shipment to Christchurch, and another draft of 1200 mixed sheep is being sent to Tiinaru.

An important case will come before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M.. to-morrow, when Mr H. M. Bayly (Mr Coleman) will claim compensation from the Hospital Board (Air Nolan), in respect of land taken for the purposes of the new hospital site. The amount involved is £2,560, the items being: 2 acres 2 roods 9 3-10 perches at £725 per acre, £1850; land stated to be injuriously affected bv the taking ox such land, £7lO. Messrs G. Grant and C. Buscke will he assessors for the defendant and claimant respectively. The Napier municipal theatre, says our correspondent, will be opened on November 12 by the Napier Operatic Company, in “The Greek Slave.” Special sc&nerv has been painted locally, and is a credit to the artists. A special souvenir progi'amme will be issued to all persons attending. The profits of the show are to be handed over to the Borough Council, but as the niece is ! casting £4OO to produce, the Council \ is not looking forward to its overj draft of £15,000 being wiped off. ! A four-year-old child of Air and ! Airs Lehey, Greymouth, had a narj row escape of losing the sight cf her i left eve on Saturday week (says the j Grevmouth “Evening Star”). It ap- ! pears the child was playing with a I younger sister and had the misfor-

tune to fall upon a pair of buttonhole scissors, the points of which became embedded immediately above md below the ball of the eye. Beyond a little discoloration of the eye, however, the child lias practically recovered from what might easily have resulted in the total loss or sight, and her escape from more serious consequences seems to have been a miracle.

Mineral gas, apparently of the same description as thjit found at IVaipatiki, near Weber, was discovered at Akitio a few days ago in the most unexpected manner, says the “Dannevirke News.”. Experimental borings for ascertaining the nature of the foundation for bridge building purpose liad been made. One of these was in midstream. M idle in the vicinity of it one of the workmen struck a" match and an area some two or three feet in size burst into flames ou top of the water, showing that there was evidently a strong escape of gas coming from the earth up through the water. The escape is considered to have been pretty strong as the bore remained open for some days;. while the following day the gas was also again in evidence. The gas was burning altogether for a period of two or three hours. Tire new General Booth, in an interview, gives this remarkable statement: —“Sonic years ago I took a census of the homes of a thousand unmarried woman Salvation soldiers in one of our great cities, choosing the names at random from the roll. And I found that only 114 out of the thousand had any room in which, they could read, or • pray, or meditate alone. All the others were absolutely without a chance of privacy.. I admit that that represents a terrible problem. and that tne nation must take it up. But it is wonderful how the soul can rise above all mere circumstances. One thing, at any rate, I know, that vou can’t make men and women good by improving their materia] condition. And goodness is what matters.”

j Concerning Taranaki petroleum, j this month's Labor Journal reports: i The supply of oil continues about the ■ same, and preparations are -being I made to put down extra bores in difi ferent localities, with a view to thori oughly testing the country. An ef- | fort is being made to secure o acres | of the prison reserve from the Govj eminent for the purpose of erecting a refinery. The work in connection with the erection and equipment of the refinery would provide employment for a large number of workers, and would cost, it is estimated, something like £130,000. No very pronounced advancement can be expected until a refinery is in operation. ! There is over 500,000 gallons of crude j oil in stock at the bores now ready for treatment; a greatly increased ! supply at the present moment would i prove an inconvenience, as the stor- | age capacity is about fully taken up.

The sheep, bullock and pig which were the subject of the guessing com- ; petition at the A. and P. Show were slaughtered on Saturday. The bullock weighed 812} lbs, and Mr TV. G. Cuthbert. BaUaneo Street, who guessed 812$ lbs, .was first. Mr H. R. Shanks (Waingake) and Mr R. Coop (Opoutama) each estimated the weight at 811 lhs, and TV. Gowland (Glenroy). who guessed 81-1 lhs. divide second and third prizes. There was also one unsigned ticket with Sll lbs, and this was informal. Among the other guesses were: J. F. TVaohsmann. A. TV. Forsyth and F. Read 815 lbs, TV. Roderick and C. Breingan 810 lhs, R. Fiskon 809 lhs. and D. Scott 81(3 lbs. The sheep weighed 413 lbs. and Messrs E. R. Murphy (Tokomaru) and T. Atkins (Pat Utah if tied for first with the exact weight. Annie Jerram (Patutahi) was only half a pound out. As showing the idea of weight some ]>eoole have, one ticket pnt in was 119 lhs. and another 793 lbs. The pig turned the scale at 109} lhs, which Mr C. Francis (Whataupoko) guessed exactly. Messrs Whiting (Manut-uke) and TV. Gowland (Glenroy) were half a pound out, their estimates being 110 lbs.

There have been many attractions this week but judging by the crowds passing in and out the hub of the ladies-' interest has been the big display in Melbourne Cash showroom. Oh, those lovely hats, those stylish dresses so remarked at the show. No need to ask where they came from. Pay a visit to Melbourne Cash—the big assortment and low prices will surprise you.*

Mark Twain, on being asked by a friend which was bis best book,, promptly replied “My bank book.” Tliis also applies to every one of us. It is the very best friend me have and every one should do their best to have a good banking account. This can best be done by dealing at “The People’s Emporium.” Tire goods there are of good quality, and as they have, been bought for cash can be sold at a very low rate, in some cases lew than the ordinary wholesale price. Think this out, and by dealing at “The People’s Emporium” increase your banking account. Don’t forget the address, 207 Gladstone Road, opposite Salvatic-n Army Barracks.*

l’lay commences on the Turanganui Bowling Green at 10 a.m. to-clay.

The passenger lists by the week-end steamers north and south were lengthy owing to the large number of people in Gisborne for the show and races.

The Arbitration Court will sit this morning to hear the Tailors’ dispute, and to-morrow the Freezers’ dispute will be taken.

A sharp spell of exceedingly bad weather is reported from Southern stations. Christchurch and Wellington particularly were affected. Two prisoners were escorted to Napier on last night’s steamer by Constable Hainsworth.

MeSsrs Williams and Kettle, Ltd., will hold a stock sale at Te Karaka to-morrow at 11.30 a.m., for which they invite entries.

The following revenue was received by the local Customshouse last week: Customs duties £475 os lid, beer duty £56 Is, light dues 3s lOd. shipping fees I Os, other receipts (sale of oysters) lb; total £532 11s 9d.

A female teacher has sent in her resignation to the Wanganui Education Board because she objects to teaching “such a flat, stale,'and unprofitable subject as geography.”

Air W. A. Barton presided at Court on Saturday, when a further batch of inebriates was dealt with. A first offender was fined Ss and costs (2s) or 48 hours’ impirsonment and second offenders were dealt with as follow': Robert Murray, £1 Ss and costs (2s) or 4 days; Patrick Green, £1 and costs (2s), or 4 days; Walter Alfred Southcomb. £1 and costs (2s) or 4 days’.

A man yesterday morning proclaimed that he had power to walk on the water, and proceeded to negotiate the Turanganui until he became “silted up” by the mud of the stream. Further peculiar actions brought the man under the care of the police, his trouble having been brought about through too close an intimacy with Bacchus, ft is said that lie came to town to burst tip a big cheque.

The ill-fated are often heard to wish for the “luck of a Chinaman,” and such a possession would he valuable if the fortune of the smiling" Celestial who spent two days at the Gisborne races can be taken as a criterion. He visited the totalisator window for the two big dividends of the second day, each time gleefully tucking notes int-o the pockets of Ins nether garments. Last night, lie cancelled his steerage passage south and procured a saloon fare, so ns to live up to his quicldygot wealth. John will soon regain the amount of.his poll-tax if the lucky star stays with him for his future raceda vs.

A Canadian exchange says of the New Zealand at present in the Dominion:—“The New Zealand Cadets seemed to make a fine impression both on His Royal Higness and on the crowd, hut the Toronto nttblic school lads, ljuicli smaller than the boys from over the seas, made a remarkably good showing, and marched with spirit and precision, carrying their Ross rifles in quite a jaunty style.” But listen to this, you passive resisters:—“The ha re-kneed New Zealanders made a great hit by reason of their splendid physique and almost perfect marching.”

It is stated that in several parts of Poverty Bay, school children—both girls and boys—are being severely handicapped in their school studies on account of the daily duties they are called upon to perform on the farm, mostly in the shape of milking, Hie point cropped up in a truancy case before the Court recently, and a “Times” reporter was informed on Saturday of cases somewhat similar. At a certain school there were two Jads—bright,' willing boys—who were positively unable to do themselves justices owing to the sleepiness which generally overtook them in the early afternoon. One had to milk five and the other six cows, both morning and evening, and this entailed early rising and much undue physical exertion. The lads, in order to perform this duty, must rise with the lark and labor ti’l after sundown.