Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3966, 24 June 1913, Page 4

Local and General.

Steps are being taken to resuscitate the Liberal Association m Christ church.—-P.A.

The Mayor desires to acknowledge the following contributions to the Owen fund: —Mr 1' - Harris hi lb, oil R Cauiton 10, Mr J. Peckover 10s.

“Free passes have been the bane of our existence,” remarked Mr G. IdHot nt meeting of the Aucklana i->x a free pass, and everybody who «ots something wants nothing.

By Saturday’s boat, a case containing ’ a wedding cake was brough ashore in a parlous condition. be e-ilco was consigned to some ipcai Maoris. It had evidently received rough handling and had, by the lo v of it, fed several persons and rna . rats for days.

The following offenders for/bunkenness were dealt with by Mi B-irton ■ S.M., yesterday: iMariK Heeney, 28s and costs (2), or 4days , Donald Murray, 28s and costs (j), or I days’; David Morton, 10s and costs (2s), or 48 hours.

J A. Nicol, contractor for the new bridge over the NVaimata River, is to be complimented upon the expedition which has been shown in the n of construction so fai. rhe last pie shoud he driven to-day, and the stiuc turo will he sufficiently advanced to allow of the sewerage pipes being cat ried across this week.

By special request Borneo Gardiner wilt" make his farewell appearance tonight in “Dawn,” with the up-to-date plant of the Opera House I atrons mav expect something good in the lifting effects. Mr Gardiner leaves Gisborne on Wednesday for his tour around the world.

After his address to the electors of Wellington East on Monday evening, Dr. Newman. M.P., was asked by a member of the audience whether he would leave the party ir the government did not do the light tiling by hotel and restaurant employees. The member for Wellington East replied that he had never been what was known as a strong party man. tie voted against the party last year and would do so again.

\t the social at Milt-cn to Mr. Massey and Mr. Allan and the Otago members of Parliament, the Hon .J. . Paul said he hoped, at tue end Ci tue present session, to have the opportunity of stating from the public platform that a great reform had been accomplished, and that the nom.iie? system in apoointing members to the Legislative Council had seen its last days, and that the people of the Dominion would have a direct voice in b?mg represented in the Upper House.

A Wanganui resident. Mr John Handley, presented to_ Captain Halsey, of the battleship New Zealand, a cannon ha’l which was recovered from the wreck of the Guide, a merchant ship that traded between Australia and Nelson, and met her fate in the very early days on Pepin Island, near the" cable' station at Wakapuaka. The relic was given to Mr Handley by Julia Martin. New Zealand’s “Grace Darling,” who was born and buried on the island.

The ' rabbit-poisoning camp recently at Tokaanu, has now been removed by the Government to the foot of the Tongariro mountain. W hilst at the former place the work in hand was carried out very efficiently. A Tokaanu correspondent reports that there is now hardly a rabbit to Ire seen there, whereas previously the district was over-run with them. The change is much appreciated, and it is hoped that it will give a fresh lease o? life to the land and verdue hitherto affected.

The special committee appointed by the Beautifying Association to deal with the subject of framing rules met yesterday afternoon, there being present Messrs G. Grant (president), R. Stone Florance, T. E. Toneyclifte. the Venerable Archdeacon Williams, and H. E. Hill (secretary). The committee deliberated for over an hour and succeeded in drafting a set of rules, calculated to meet the requirements of the Society, the rules of the old Gisborne Society being taken as a basis, with a copy of those in operation in Blenheim, kindly supplied by Mr Fiorance. The drafted rules will be submitted to Friday’s meeting of the executive.

A conference between the Borough Council and representatives of the various sports in the district is to be held at an early date regarding the encing of the Childers’ Road Reserve. The fencing of the ground is imperative to enable sports bodies to make a charge for admission. The Council a short time back called for tenders for the work, but these were considerably above the estimate. The Council are prepared to find the money for the major portion of the work, providing the sports bodies contribute the balance. It is anticipated that the various athletic clubs will back up the Council’s generous action in the matter.

“I object to Maoris receiving charitable aid,” said Dr F. W. Mackenzie at the meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board on Thursday. ‘‘lt is not only wrong to the contributors, but It is' derogatory to the race. They are not a subject race to us; they have been provided for by the Government, and indigent Maoris have a special fund set apart for them for relief.” For these reasons Dr Mackenzie urged that is was was not right either that Maoris should l>e made contributors to charitable aid funds or that they should be made recipients of charitable aid. The chairman said that an application had been made to the Government on this matter some time ago, but no satisfactory reply had been received as to how the arrangements we made. Dr Mackenzie: There is the Civil List, sir. The chairman undertook that the Government would ho approached again.

While Mr. Armstrong, of Ncw Brighton, was strolling" along the beach the other morning, he observed a georgeously-colorcd fish come ashore. It was a most- brilliant red, surpassing in beauty anything he had previously seen in the way of fishes. It was immediately recognised by Mr. Edgar R. Waite, the Curator, as a species described by the late Captain Hutton, and of which two examples only were previously known. Air Waite regretted that he was unable to supplv’anv popular name, for the fish was so rare that it had not received any. common cognomen. Scientifically it was known as Plagiogeuoion rubiginesus. the first name alluding to a structural character and the second to tho ruddy color. Mi. Armstrong was pleased to have preserved such a raritv, and handed Ins treasure over to Mr. Waite, who will have a cast made of it for the collection of fishes in the New Zealand room. • <—

. The great sale at Melbourne Cash is now in full swing. There are sales and sales, but this has always been the popular shopping event of Gisborne on account of its genuineness, the big reductions throughout, and the many bargains that can always be picked up there. There are exceptional bargains this time, and a bi*» rush already.*

It is reported that 13.227 electors will be* struck off the Auckland roll by reason of their failure to vote at the recent elections. - The non-commissioned officers connected with the Defences Forces are said to be taking advantage of the opportunity offered them to qualify bv examination for commissions. The Mayor of Christchurch announced the other night that the Government hydro-electric engineer had assured him that the current from the Lake Coleridge works would he turned on at 3.30 p.m. on April 30 next year. A speaker atrtlic* Casein Company’s luncheon in New Plymouth stated that his company, which had taken up casein manufacturing, was paying out 11 per cent, more to suppliers than would he the case were the company making only cheese or butter. During tli 2 hearing of a case at the Hastings court a native witness said she paid 37s for a tie. This drew forth the remark from the magistrate that such luxuries were beyond the ordinary Civil servant, and were only within the reach of the Maori aristocracy. Motor-cars continue to be imported into the Dominion almost as fast as the oversea liners can cope with them. At Wellington there are frequently landed a score at a time. On Friday last there was one lot of about 20 oil the Queen’s wharf. At one time Marseilles had a monopoly of the trade in tiles so far as New Zealand was concerned, but owing to a temporary scarcity in stocks several shipments have lately arrived at Wellington from Sydney. Works for their manufacture are established in New South Wales. The export of blue ccd from Wellington to Australia has assumed fairly large proportions. A large consignment was shipped by the Wil'ochra on Friday for Sydney. The Chatham Islands I idling Company alone .forwarded 550 cases of frozen I fish, all of which were caught on the line'at the company’s station of gaSpeaking at the social to the P.ima Minister and Mr. Allen at Milton, the Hon. J. A. Mil’ar said lie hoped to be able to be of further service to the Dominion before the time came for him to retire from public life. He believed the present Parliament v, as just as anxious as any other to leave the country in a better state thru i: found it. There is every probability that be- , fore long an agreement will be brought about between deck officers and engineers of vessels trading in Australasian waters, which should prove of advantage to the interests |of both. Good progress ,has ~0 far been made in the negotiations between the Wellington branch of the Institute cf Marine Engineers and the New Zealand, section of the Merchant Service Guild cf Australasia. The negotiations are being carried out with a view to mutual protection a::d advancement of both branches o: the service. The half-caste, James Rukutai, who has been isolated at the Point Chevalier infectious diseases hospital for the last two weeks, sulfering from acute cliicken-pox, was discharged from ,the institution on Friday. The patient has now fully recovered from,ins illness. Other eases of chicken-pox (though cf a much milder description), aer reported from various quarters. I but on the whole the general health of the city at- present is reported v the district health officers to be good. - „ A somewhat strange situation exists in connection with the ji'C-*^Oer»liij> of the Auckland Harbor Hoard, in that the Government has no representative thereon. It is now over *hree months since Mr J. Kneen. tire previous nominee cf the Government, resigned, yet no fresh appointment has been made to fill the vacancy, although several names have been mentioned for the position. The fact is creating seme comment, and it is looked upon as curious that tht Government should continue thus to disfranchise itself on so important a body. It may be news to some people that the dogfish is now used as food in England, says the Dunedin •Star. ' Mr T. Anderson, who paid a vis;: to the Old Country in the early part of the year, says that at least 100, b '-ats run out of Plymouth to take dogfish with hook and line, and between their takings and the hauls of the trawlers vast quantities of dogfish get to London and oilier- cities, and their find their way to the fried shops. Before leaving the seaside the dogfish is beheaded and skinned, and. !!••:« made unrecognisable, be passes to the coni sumerunder all sorts of name . Mere it not for this suplpy the shops could not be kept going. It is observed by the "Trade Review” that the total number of motor cars imported into the Dominion last year was 2340, and of motor cy its 2665. The total value, including P-nts and materials, was £777,2.-?. Of the cai-s, 982 came from the "Tinted States. 697 from the United Kingdom, ar.d 533 from Canada. The Mother C- entry gets a better share of the cycle trade, 2523 cycles being of British make, and only 190 American. Only , one-fourth of the total value was subject to duty, and the duty paid amounted to £37,916. There is apparently still a good demand for the ordinary bicycle, as the year's imports numbered 10.510 machines, of a total value, including parts and materials. of £175,971. Parliament Bui’diug is at present a hive of workmen—carpenters, painters, plumbers, electricians, telephone linesmen, cleaners, furnishers, etc.— preparing the building for the, political drama, on which the curtain will rise on Thursday. Certain changes in the location of Ministerial quarters within the building have taken p’nv. and offices new distributed among other buildings will shortly be cone titrated (says the “N.Z. Time.-"'. 'lhe offices of the Minister of Justice have been removed to two rooms formerly occupied, by the late Speaker. Sir Arthur Guinness, who had a suite on the top floor of Parliament Building. The room hitherto occupied by the Hen. A. L. Herdnian on this floor will probably be utilised as a dining-room for the now Speaker. Busy preparations are being made with the Prime Minister’s rooms on the ground floor, and extensive areas of carpet are bring relaid in passages and stairways. An aroma of wet paint and varnish permeats the bui’ding.

That there is apparently something in Mr W. D. Lvsnar’s contention that the municipalities of the Dominion are paying more for the raising of then* loans than is necessary is proved by the following resolution passed at a recent meeting of the Mastertoa Bor* opgh Council:—-‘‘‘That considering the difficulties now being experienced in raising loans for municipal requirements on the London and local money markets,-this council is of opinion that it- is advisable that some such company as the one suggested should he formed to assist in the raising of New Zealand loans on the London money market, and if Messrs Birch, Crisp and Co. should establish sucli a company, this council undertakes that, as far as possible, it will raise all its future permanent loans through that company, prviding that the company are prepared to raise same at or below current rates.” Tiro resolution was passed after considering a circular from Air Lysnar, in w-hich he advocated the formation of a company in London to raise the whole of- the municipal loans required in the Dominion.

After yesterday’s small amount of Court business, the Courthouse was closed for the rest of the day, the Prince of Wales’ Birthday being'gaSetied a Court holiday.

“There is a scarcity of clergy in England,” said the Itev. H. Mason, of Otahuhu, to an Auckland reporter. Bishop Crossley had asked him on leaving for the Old Country to use his utmost endeavors to bring clergy to New Zealand. He did his best, but succeeded in persuading only one clergyman to come out.

Sneak thieves or burglars are paying particular attention to gas meters in Waihi. Last week* several local business people had their premises visited, and one man had two of his meters opened, coin being extracted to the extent of over £3» Another lost 22s Id, a third 12s Id, and others somewhat similar amounts. Each person has to make good to the municipal gas works the amount of damage done, thus sustaining a double loss.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Napier Harbor Board the chairman said that Mr Brown had stated that he proposed to get certain alterations placed in the Harbor Empowering Bill when it was before the House so that the people could have tlie option of declaring for either a breakwater or an inner harbor. Mr. Brown said such was still his intention. It was decided to ask Mr. Campbell, M.P., to take charge of the bill.

The proverbial storm in a teacup has ben. raging around about municipal affairs at Tauranga. The Mayor at the last meeting of the Borough Council delivered himself thus: ‘T will no longer submit to the dirt and mud thvoWn at me in this town.” All .the trouble seems to have been caused by some remarks regarding blackberries and a wharf transaction. The local paper takes the Mayor to task for acting in an ‘.‘undignified manner, and listening to street-corner gossip.”

A monster wild pig was shot on Brookdale station last week by Messrs. J. R. Tate and F. Dawson (says the Kaikoura “Star”). Ever since Mr A. W. Rutherford, juti., has been in possession of the run the tracks of the huge animal have been seen (always in the vicinity of one spot), but it was not sighted until Messrs Tate and Dawson happened on it, and after a short but. sharp chase brought_ it to earth. The .pig was in the pink of condition and turned the scales at 4151 b.

“Domestic workers are still in great deman.; many employers would be satisfied if they could secure the services of young girls to assist generally. T n such cases neither cooking nor washing would be required of them, and the wages offered would range from 10s to 15s per week. AH applicants, however, appear to prefer factory work.” These remarks are made by tlie officer in charge of the Women’s Employment Bureau in Wellington in the course of her monthly report. She says that during May she received 164 applications from employers and only 79 from workers. Sixty-six domestic workers were sought for and only 26 offered themselves.

The Unity Congress Committee has in view ci the congress drawn up proposals for a new scheme of defence in New Zealand. Tlie Committee is totally opposed to compulsory military training, hut recognises the necessity for some form of defence, and advoctes citizen forces and voluntary service. While no details have as yet heen prepared, it is suggested that all service shall be paid for. It is proposed that the huge expense this would entail shall be met by an increase in the land tax of twopence in the pound.

When 511-. W. H. D. Bell was crossexamining Mr. J. Payne, a defendant in the case Picture Supplies Go. t. Thompson and Payne, at the -Napier Supreme Court, lie said “You allege that the combine was squeezing you.” Mr Payne: “Yes.” Mr. Bell: “Yet you were anxious to obtain these exclusive films and so ‘squeeze’ Masterton?” His Honor: ‘Won cannot ‘squeeze’ Masterton any drier than it is.” And the Court laughed loudly until called to order by that magic word “Silence.”

Some anxiety was expressed among .shipowners early in the year regarding the Government’s intentions in demanding the equipment of passenger steamers with wireless apparatus. A deputation representing the New Zealand Shipowners’ Federation interviewed the Minister for Marine in Auckland in February, and was assured by Mr. Fisher that before regulations dealing with the matter were finally approved they would be submitted to shipowners for their consideration. Information was received last week that the drafting of the regulations will shortly be completed, and that in fulfilment of Iris promise the Minister will submit liis proposals to shipowners for tlieir consideration before they are brought into operation.

The prospective installation of automatic telephones in a number of New Zealand towns and cities, including M’elli ngton, raises a question as to whether the innovation, will interfere with the use of the small private exchanges which are used in numerous business buildings, factories and similar establishments. An officer of the Post and Telegraph Department informed a “Dominion” reporter, who made inquiries on the subject, that the introduction of automatic telephones would not complicate to any material extent the use of private exchanges. Where a small number of automatic telephones are installed it will be possible to retain the present small exchanges of the manual type. In point of fact, a combination of the manual and automatic switchboards is at present being operated in the central exchange at Wellington. On the other hand, where private exchanges serve such a considerable number ot wires as to require constant attendance, it will probably pay to install automatic exchanges. The first cost of a small automatic machine exchange is faiiiv heavy, but where it is installed the wages of an attendant are saved. In the United States public exchanges, serving hundreds ot subscribers, are left unattended, in ;full operation, duriftg tlie night.

Many interesting reminiscences bearing upon the career of the late Captain Kennedy are being recalled. As showing how far back it is since the deceased first was associated l'ltn shipping in the Coast, Mr I rank Harris told a “Gisborne Times” reporter yesterday that in 1858 Captain Kennedy was a member of the crew ot a ■schooner trading between "Wellington and Napier.. It was only a matter of a, few months ago since the deceased told him that he remembered Ins (Mr Harris’s) mother being a passenger on a voyage "between the two ports m the year mentioned. Upon that particular occasion, Mr Harris, who was then a very small mite, accompanied his mother on the passage. The trip was one Captain Kennedy had said that he would remember as long as he lived. It occupied three weeksand in the course of the voyage the -small steamer put into one of the small bays in order that a child.which had succumbed might bo buried ashore. . Before the passage ended the supply of water ran out, but as if so happened, the cargo included a quantity of rum, ale, etc. “One would have been astonished, ’ Captain Kennedy had added jocularly, “at the large collective thirst that developed when it became known that those on board would have to fall back on the stronger form of liquid refreshment that portion of the cargo would have to provide for tlns»remainder of the journey!” For Children’s Hacking Cough at night, Woods’ Groat Peppermint, *Cure, -Is 6d. ‘ 2s 6d.*

According to Mr Myers, M.P., the northern members of Parliament should: combine to obtain a pledge from the Government to vigorously prosecute the East Coast railway.

It is understood that the public schools in the town will close sufficiently early this afternoon to enable the pupils to attend the matinee performance of “Puss in Boots” at His Majesty’s Theatre.

The Beautifying Association, which aspires, to such laudable tilings in the interests of tlie town, is deserving of the very warm support which is being accorded the movement. By advertisement in this issue, the Society invites suggestions, as to reforms that might well be carried out and solicits financial support. Such suggestions which will be particularly acceptable if accompanied by ■subscriptions, may he forwarded to the secretary, Mr H. E. Hill.

There .was a fair attendance at the Baptist Tabernacle last evening, when Rev. Alf. North, New Zealand organiser for the. Baptist Union, gave a characteristically entertaining address on the subject of “Home and Foreign Missions.” He dealt with the good work which was being done in New Zealand by the outposts stationed in the hack-country in different parts. Proceeding, he dwelt on the reform of the tyrannical conditions which prevailed in India, particularly as concerned the reselling and education of the child-widows, which had been accomplished by the advent of the missionary. The Rev. Mr North, will speak' at the Tabernacle again tonight. Pleased to refer you to many wearers of his glasses, who swear by butnotr at the work of A. W. J. Mann, Chemist-Optician,*