Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3680, 15 November 1912, Page 4

Local and General.

A special general meeting of the Gisborne Bowling Club will be held on Thursday next, in the pavilion, at 8. p.m,, to pass the revised rules. A social will follow, at which the prizes won last season will be presented. The great Selig railroad sensation, “The Girl with the Lantern,” again created much enthusiasm at HI s Majesty’s Theatre last night. * hi.-> stirring adaptation of Elliott J lowers well-known story will he screened tonight for the last time.

“The Melbourne Cup, 1912'’ film will be screened at the Opera House for the last time this evening. Special arrangements have been made for hooking, the box plan being on view at Mr Bert Lucas’ tobacconist shop. The estimated European population of New Zealand! 0 n September 30 last is 1,040,277. This is an increase for the quarter of 5838, made up of excess of births over deaths, 4415; excess of arrivals over departures, 1423. —P.A.

The Presbyterian General Assembly last night resolved in favor of a 55 per cent, majority on the liquor question on both issues —-national prohibition and local no-license. Hitherto tlie Assembly had supported the bare majority, but 55 per cent, was now adopted because it would be easier to get from Parliament. —P.A. The weekly meeting of the Gisborne Temperance Association was held last evening, when some very interesting subjects were discussed. Among those who entered into the debates were Sisters Coleman and Brown, and Bros. Hastie, Hatten, Downers, Vowles, Spencer, Richardson, Anderson, Hill, and Mead. According to the recent census returns, out of 607.762 married men of the Bantu race, 516,607 have only one wife each, 69,846 have two wives, 14,538 have three wives. 4164 have four wives, and so on, until we a native gentleman who has no fewer than 46 wives. All that the statistics te'l us about this modern Solomon is that he is between 30 and 35 years of age, and lives in the Transvaal.

Evidence of youthful precocity was furnished at the monthly meeting of the Spring Creek Road Board (Marlborough) 7n the shape of a startling announcement that unless the board paid 2s 6d per 100 for birds’ eggs “22 Rapaura boys”, as they rather indefinitely signed themse’ves, would go out on “strike.” The apparent effects of such an appalling calamity did not, however, perturb the members of the board, and the effusion was merely read, amid laughter. The Mayor received a letter from the Secretary for Customs yesterday, stating that with reference to the petition signed on behalf of Ching Foo to the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives, he was directed by the Minister to state that it had been decided that Ching Foo could remain permanently in New Zealand. The bond entered into on his behalf had been cancelled. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, tho Hon. Captain Tucker and Mr. G. Mattheweon, Js.P., gave judgment for plaintiffs by default in the following cases:—Frank Lowndes (Mr. H. Bright) v John Meliis, a claim for the immediate payment of ,65 10s, with costs £1 3s 6d; Jas. J. Niven and Co.. Ltd. (Mr. F. W Nolan! v. John Fraser, claim for the immediate payment of os 6d. with costs os; Emily Wallis (Mr. Burnard) v. William Greene, laborer, claim for the immediate payment of £l2, with costs £1 10s 6d. At the meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly, the report of the committee on Church life and work was considered. The strength ef the church in the period 1906 —ioi 1 had increased by 15.26 per cent. The work of welcoming immigrants to the Dominion was touched upon, and a special section devoted to tho Church and Labor. This emphasised the l importance of the Church justifying itself in the eyes of the men concerned in the new movement of social discontent, and r;i'o’jimended that a spo-ial study should be made of economic- problems.-—P.A.

A serious shortage of timber is having a deterrent effect on the building trade in Gisborne, some jobs having had to be delayed as a result. It is the heavier classes of timber, smh as studs, joists, etc.’, that are mostly wanted. Gisborne at the present time is chiefly dependent on outside markets for her timber, and the demand during the present busy build-

ing season is too great for the sunnly. “Above Rakauron,” said a contractor in conversation with a “Times” reporter yesterday, “there are thousands of feet of timber waiting for the railway. It would not pay to cart it as far'as the train goes, and it- is only a matter of three miles above the present terminus.” The timber in question is principally Rimu, and the case illustrates one of the many benefits to ho gained by Gisborne as the arm of the inward railway is extended.

j A correspondent of “Le Revue” lias ! been studying London clubs, and has j discovered that there is a Six o'Clock | Club, which comprises only six members,’ who meet at 6 p.m. and keep each other company until 6 the following morning. There used to he an Everlasting Club, limited to 100 members, at least some of whom had always to be on the club premises, but this club was burned out. Other London clubs now dissolved include the Abduction Chib and the Kissing Club. But there is still a No Nose Club, composed of men who have lost their noses, and a Nose Club, all of whose members possess abnormally largo or eccentrically shaped noses. Another club still flourishing in London is the Uugly Faces, under the patronage of Aesop, and restricted to those conspicuous for their hidoousness. Possibly, too, there is a Leg Pulling Club, where the “Revue ’ contributor passed some time during his stay in London.

Mark Twain, on being asked by a friend which was his best hook, promptly replied “Mr hank book.” This also applies to every one of us. It is the very best friend wo 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.” The 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 less 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 Salvation Army Barracks.*

H. J. Grieve, Jeweller, is now doing business in new premises lately decupled by Miller and Craig.*

A Timaru P.A. telegram states that the formation of the queue ior Oscar Asche’s one-night performance began at 3.30 a.in. yesterday, and nearly ah the seats are 'hooked... A “Times” reporter was informed yesterday that the new chemical motor engine for the Gisborne I* ire Brigade would arrive at the end or the present month. It was coming by the steamer Indrapura and would be transhipped from Auckland. The Vidi. a steamer recently launched in New Jersey, has a glass bottom, through which passengers can see 100 feet into the depths of the ocean. It will cause a rare thrill when one or them sees a suffragette mermaid swimming up with a hammer in her handAmong the Musgum tribe ef the Khmerun. near Lake Chad, a German explorer reports that lie has discovered an unexpected luxury. As the nights are very cold in that part, the beds are built like stone coffin*, and! underneath a fire burns all night keeping the sleepc-r warm. Metal was arriving from the quarry at close intervals yesterday, and the Overseer (Mr. Darton), taking advantage of the fine day and the holiday afternoon, put in a busy time rolling, metalling, and tarring that portion of Gladstone Road at the Peel Street crossing, and also portion of the latter street on the “Times' office side The Wellington-’Frisco mail of October 11 arrived in London on 13ib inst.

Mr. W. Oates, sen., of Toko mure Bay, who is a candidate for a --‘'at or the Hawke’s Bay Education Board has been nominated by the Wiiatatutu, Tokomaru Bay, Te Puia, \\ aspire and Port Awanui School Committees and expects a good rnanv more nominations before entries close on tin 18th inst. Mr. Oates ha* always* taken a keen interest in the cause o education, arid for many years past has been a member of the Tokomari Bay School Committee.

Seven hundred engineers recent 1. met in Philadelphia to discuss problems the solution of which may mem a reduction in the number of death from industrial accidents throughou the world. American engineers ha-v pointed out that more than 35.00 workmen were killed each year in ir. dustrial accidents and 1,000,000 ir. Jured in the United States alone. The: declare that not all these deaths are injuries were due to defective mater ini. suc-h as the deaths in coal minehut insist there were too many fat ah ties from the collapse of structure and bridges, the breaking of stee rails, and from fires. The germ on the public drinkim cup. the germ on the roller towel, air the germ on the iniquitous fiv we an ail well acquainted with, hut Dr. Join •J. Muliowney. of the IF-ton Board r: Health, wishes to introduce to us another germ. This is the germ -the! lies in wait to slay us from a <■;; hey i soap. Dr. Muliowney does not refei merely to the bacteria left oi/the outside of the soap by those who use it He says:—“No animal soap should fct used in cleaning milk cans or other receptacles for food, for the greater oortion of such soaps are made fror the carcases of diseased animals wine ; have been condemned by the Government inspectors.”

Bones of a human giant have item discovered at Ellensburg. North-Wes Canada. The size of the thigh and of tier bones inch ato r> me" -t least ■ feet high, and his - hi- structure he mu-- V •• •* woi - over 2 stone. The skull is most remarkable the “Express” says, its massive siz and enormous brain space marking i out from other prehistoric- skulls ''While the forehead slooes clow--somewhat.” dir L. L. Sharp, chief o: the survey department, says.' “tin width between the ears and the dee well rounded space at the back of tin head are convincing testimony •>? big intelligence for a primitive man. Th bead has- no resemblance to the ->-• c’-vo squli. and I am convinced ihai tin’s >kn ? ! is of a prehistoric race oi people who inhabited this part of Anil-co-o time prior to the India-: control.”

Had Wellington not commanded thiH British at Waterloo, would there havoH oeen any prisoner at- St. Helena “ 9 Whether or not someone exists eompe-9 ; tent- to answer this momentous ques-9 ' tion, a story is told indicating tha:9 j Napoleon once came nearer than h.,9 knew to being relieved of bis enemy 9 . and future conqueror. When tin- 9 ! Anglo-Spanish army drove Joseph 80 -9 ; naparte from Madrid, attentions wen - 9 i showered upon the English command- 9 ! er, Lord Wellington, who, however. 9 took little pains to be cordial. Hi- 9 j coldness and his fancy to have hi. 9 portrait painted by Goya nearly caus- 9 ed the future hero of Waterloo to lose 9 bis life. The illustrious Spanish 9 painter was irascible to a degree, the H more so that he was completely deaf 9 When the great general made his ap 9 pearaneo in the studio, the painter’.' 9 son interpreted the Englishman's 9 wishes in deaf and dumb language to 9 his father. The artist worked assi- 9 duously, and when he thought the per - 9 trait- far enough advanced, placed, it H before the general. Unfortunately H the picture did not please the com- 9 mander, who' shrugged his shoulder-- 9 contemptuously, and said that In - 9 would not accept such a caricature a.' 9 a gift. General Alva declined t-o 9 translate this depreciatory remark : H but the artist had noticed the scorn- H ful gestures of the Englishman, and 9 the son in alarm saw his father turn 9 his eyes to the loaded pistols which always lay ready to hand on bis table. H 'Hie young man’s fear increased Wellington rose from his seat and put on Ins liat preparatory to departure. 9| Then Goya, enraged at the efiu’er’xHk contemptuous manner, seized the pis-B| tols, and the general clapped bis haiullß to bis sword. The scene might have ended in a tragedy had not Genera! Alva assured the irate Englishman that the artist was suffering from sudden mental aberration, and young Goya restrained liis father by ’force from using the deadly weapon. Great Towel Sale.—Owing to several cases of goods having come to hand that we are unable to find fixture room for we have decided to hoM a big towel sale for one week only. Over 150 dozen towels are to bo cleared our. in that time. See Melbourne Cash window for bargains.* The tremendous excitement caused by the sjfmvn! of the Great White Fleet Zealand waters some three years! still fresh in tLn mind An almost siirfuar _ in Gisborjfe tltts stylish.'' and alllthe prettfl spa ikies of gi?wnoss and sty|e somnaßi admired by exacting never before been seen in Gisborne.*

“Citizen’' complains of irregularity in the lighting of the electric street lamp near the Lowe Street footbridge. The annual meeting of the Gisborne Swimming Club will be held in Mr C. Morse's saloon at S o'clock this evening.

The Auckland “Herald” is informed that the trustees of the late Sir J. Logan Campbell have received a notification from Hon. A. L. Herdman (Minister for Stamp Duties) to the effect that their petition to the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives praying that the late Sir John Campbell’s estate might be relieved from payment of death duties so far as public and charitable bequests are concerned has been considered by the Government and Cabinet, after earnest consideration, regrets that it is unable to accede to the petition.—P.A.

The first three nights of the “Greek Slave” by the Napier amateurs showed £540 taken at the doors. The profit of the first three performances is to be given to the Borough Council and it is expected that a' cheque of over £IOO will be handed over. On the last night the Society will keep the proceeds to swell its own fund. The visit to Gisborne is practically assured. The piece is brilliant in staging. nntl the performance is excellent and well worthy of a professional company. Own Correspondent. The Wanganui Agricultural Society’s show concluded yesterday. The weather Was fine and about 12,000 people were present. The show has been in every way a record success. The Draught Champion Shield for entires was won by Ernest Short's Bevelenta. The Shield for mares was won by Mrs Ormond’s Lady Glen. The leaping competition was won by H. P. Tavlor’s Consul, Charles Clark’s Tlmuroa being second and N. M. Patterson’s Haere third.—P.A.

Tlio Thursday members of the D. and F. Companies of the local territorials paraded yesterday afternoon, there being a good attendance. The Companies were marched to the Kaiti range wliero rifle sighting, shooting, sight testing; distance judging and squad drill was carried out under the direction of Captain Skellv. Officer Commanding the Hawke’s Bay district. The Saturday members will parade to-morrow afternoon. The motor car, once used for pleasurable purposes only, is daily being called into service in many new and varied ways (says the Ashburton “Mail”). On Wednesday a man who was driving a cow, as an improvement on the old way of trudging along behind the animal, was sitting comfortably inside a motor car, with wind screen up and hood down. Any" flank movements on the part of the cow were promptly checked by a smart' turn of the wheel.

The Duke of Wellington, according to recently published memoirs, went more than once to an exhibition in London to see a representation of Napoleon on his death bed. If this is true, it shows an unlooked for degree of sentiment in the Iron Duke. If the cases had been reversed, and Napoleon had won at Waterloo, and' had outlived Wellington, one could hardly imagine the Emperor paying a like tribute of veneration to the English general.

Perhaps the most startling story about resuscitation after hanging is told of the famous anatomist, William Hunter, under whose hands the body of a man who had just been hanged revived while being dissected. This was not all, however, for the fellow insisted on considering Hunter wliat lawyers term “in loco parentis,” _as being the author of his renewed) existence. In this filial character he repeatedly applied for, and finally demanded, financial assistance. But, to Hunter’s great relief, lie one morning received a “recent subject from Newgate .... the same criminal

executed a second time for some fresh offence. The experiment of resuscitation was not again attempted.” The annual report on secondary schools in New' Zealand shows that owing to the rapid development of the free system only 13 in every LOO pupils pay fees in these schools. In 1903 there were 1600 free place pupils; now tell number has increased by more than 150 per cent. Including secondary schools, district high schools, technical day schools, and Maori secondary schools, 7699 children are now receiving free secondary education The report calls attention to an improvement in the : verago salaries of secondary teachers.

•Sarah Bernhardt was once the unconscious victim of an amusing mistake. When returning from one of her visits she chanced to encounter King George of Greece—who was waiting for an outgoing train—at the Gare du Nord, in Paris. The great actress was overwhelmed. “Sire,” she said to the King, “you honor me. J cannot sufficiently_ thank you for your courtesy in coming here to meet me.” His Majesty gracefully accepted the situation

“The Government seems to be anxious to secure for girl immigrants a habitation on their arrival, and I do not know where, that can be better given to them than by the Girls’ Friendly. Society,” remarked Bishop Crosslev during the course of an address delivered at the opening of the first New Zealand Representative Council of the Girls’ Friendly Society at Auckland. “It might he well to consider whether you will approach the Government in that connection, hut you must be very careful that in doing so you don’t tie_ your hands.” There are many curious cases of resuscitation after hanging, for instance that of Mine, do Balsham. who, in 1264, having been condemned to death for harboring thieves, was loft hanging on the gallows from 9 o’clock on Monday morning until sunrise on Thursday, but revived on being taken down. Henry 111. granted her a pardon. Another instance of the kind occurred at Oxford 1 in 1650. when Anna Green, a servant girl, hanged for child murder, revived when handed over to the doctors for dissection. Eager inquiries were made of her as to her sensations after suspension, hut she romembered nothing, saying that her revival was like awakening from a deep sleep. There is a case reportd of a man who walks about cheerfully now, and occasionally pulls out from his pocketbook his death certificate, duly signedl by the doctor some years ago. The doctor said ho was dead. He disagreed. - And his protest is the humorous presentation ot the death certificate when vou ask tor ins card.