Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3986, 17 July 1913, Page 4

Local and General.

Run 98. Tutainoe S.D.. 2740 acres, Waiapu County, lias been set apart for leasing as a small grazing run. “Broken Ways,’’ the thrilling story by the A. 13. Company, which was received with such enthusiasm at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, will be repeated by Pat-lie Pictures this evening. 'Four applications for the position of Borough Engineer came to hand by the mail yesterday. This makes the total-21, eleven of which are from outside the Dominion. 'The applications will be dealt with in committee by the full Council this afternoon.

Chicken pox has been declared an infectious disease within the meaning of the Public Health Act. ' A case has been reported to the health authorities in Gisborne, the patient being a child who resides in. Fitzherbert Street. “What are you?” said Mr Barton, S.M., to a witness in a case at Wairoa the other day. “A Presbyterian,” promptly responded the witness, amid laughter. “It does not matter, for the purpose of this inquiry, what you are in religion,” vouchsafed the Magistrate.

A Whnngarei resident had a startling experience while quietly engaged at working in his garden. Without any warning a rifle bullet suddenly whizzed past his head, and on hurriedly investigating the cause lie saw his next-door neighbor regarding him with an amiable expression, and proceeding to load the pea rifle. Then the police were hurriedly summoned, when two medical men certified that he was suffering from acute mania. The unfortunate man was subsquently committed to the Medical Hospital.

The population of the Solomon Islands at present is.over 200,000, including 400 white residents. The Rev J. F. Goldie. Methodist minister in the group, who is visiting Auckland, informed an Auckland reporter that successful work is being done amongst the natives by a white staff of 13, including mission sisters, and about 40 native ministers from Fiji and Tonga. There are 48 Methodist churches in the mission’s eastern portion of the group (New Georgia), and about 7000 attend service every Sunday. Day schools have also been established by the mission, with an average daily attendance of about 900. ' The natives are taught industries and agriculture, and a number are now growing copra on former waste lands. The headquarters of the mission are at Roviana, and there are stations’ at Simbo, Vella La Vella, CJioiseul, and On tong Java.

The Commissioner' <S£ Crown Lands (Mr K: T. Sadd), and Messrs Wright and Hyde, members of the Hawke’s Bay Land Board, were shown over the powerhouse and tramway service yesterday by the Mayor, and took, a keen interest in the running of the storage battery cars. When the Hotise met yesterday seven days’ leave' of absence was granted to Dr. Te Itangihiroa (Northern Maori). The following Bills were read a first time: Christchurch Electrical Empowering. Bill (Mr Davey); Police Offences Amendment Bill (Mr Herdman). —P.A.

Whataupoko was connected, up with the borough sewerage system yesterday. The speciaL steel sewer, 1-500 ft. in length, connecting with the outfall sewer at Kaiti, has been laid' on the gravitation system. Twelve installations were ready -for inspection yesterday, and many others, are being put in.. • The names of Messrs C. G. Bloore, C. F.. Busckc,. W. L.. Claytoa, H. E. Dodd. H. M. Finn, W. H. Irvine, J. H. Jones, G. K. Pasley, W. I. 1-et-chell. and J. Sheridan appear in the last Gazette among the list of sharebrokers who are licensed to carry on business in the Dominion for the current year..

An unknown footballer is due shortly to experience a. rude shock, foi in his overcoat pocket repose the artificial teeth of a brother player. Before commencing, a match at tile Domain last Thursday a member of St. Pats team hastily removed his teeth and stuffed them into (as he thought) Ins overcoat pocket, but now finds that lie made a mistake as regards the coat. There have been, no reports so far ot the teeth having bitten anyone. The Lancashire and Y orkshire Society held a very successful function last night. It took the-form of a social and dance at the Masonic Hall. The Hall was crowded and a larger Hall will have to lie taken in future. Members rolled up from as far as Je Arai and Murewai. Owing to the courtesy of the Cosmopolitan Club the next two meetings will be held there. There were about 80 couples present last night, and all seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. That practical instruction in cookery is being imparted at the Gisborne School was demonstrated afternoon, when the girls of Standaicis V and VI. entertained a large number at afternoon-tea. A tempting array of wholesome and well-cooked dain les. all prepared bv the girls, was placed before the guests. The duality of the eatables reflected credit alike on the instructress and the pupils. Among those present were the local membei-j of the Hawke’s Bay Education ooard and the Commissioner of Crown Bands (Mr R. T. Sadd).,

It is understood that a-number of business people in the toil end of the town are about to institute a petition for a sub-post-office at that portion of the borough. It is claimed that those doing business in this locality should he allowed this much and the moving snirit in the matter says that similar conveniences are allowod m places Smaller than Gisborne. It is further stated that on mail days the chief Post Office is invariably crowded, and that the admirable staff employed have more to do than might he reasonably expected of them.

Last winter a ewe fell over tiie hie papa cliff overlooking the Mangawcka Recreation Ground. The animal was cauoht on a ledge after falling a considerable distance, and managed to exist on the face „f the cliff /says the 5 • Whangarei Advocate”). The ewe subsequently gave birth to a lamb ancr both animals are apparently thriving on the steep face. How thev manage to obtain foothold on f the clni is sinprising; but they move about wit-i .treat freedom, and are apparently content with their precarious lot. Jhe onlv feed accessible to them is a patch of stunted scrub on a ledge here aim there and a patch or two ot grass.

A voung man named Harold J. Millar was brought before Mr V • A. Barton, S.DL. yesterday, on a charge tlmt, on Julv 5, he did obtain from .James Martin the sum of £ls by cans of a false pretence (to wit. issuing a valueless cheque). Mr r. \\ ■ Nolan appeared for accused who pleaded guilty and was remanded to appear on the 23rd. Detective McLeod, in stating the case, said the accused went to Mr Martin and asked him to cash a cheque. Mr Martin demurred. and accused referred him to a certain well-known gentleman. Mi Martin took this as sufficient guarantee, did not consult the gentleman in question, but cashed the cheque.

At 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday, a man apparently under the influence of liquor, begged either Is or a night, s lodging from a number of people ni Gladstone Road and liecame abusive to those who refused bis request. Finally, as a tradesman and liis wife were leaving their shop, he accosted and made use of unprintablv filthy language. Detective McLeod and Constable Henderson were near at hand, and straightway arrested the offender. As a result a man named John Nash, and carrying a number of aliases, was arraigned before Mr Bartoil yesterday on a charge of having used' obscene language. Detective McLeod handed in an extensive “list” and His Worship sentenced accused to one month’s imprisonment.

A visitor from a certain southern mining district tells a story illustrative of how increases in wages gained by the workers are “passed on/' with considerable additions, to the general public (says the Auckland “Star”). The men employed in certain mines obtained, per medium of an "award,” a rise of one penny per ton in the hewing rate. Forthwith the mineowners circularised the merchants who took tlje product of their pits to the effect that, in consequence of the increase in the cost of production they were compelled to advance the price of coal by one and sixpence a ton. The merchants, in turn, informed the dealers that they were obliged, on account of the increased burden which had been laid upon tlie mining industry by the award, to raise their prices by-three shillings a ton. The dealers, for their part, promptly informed householders that the exactions of Labor forced them to charge six' shillings per ton more than they had previously demanded.

• Speaking to a “Gisborne Times” reporter yesterday Dir T. E. Toueycliife touched upon tile question as to whether authority should bo given by Parliament to the Borough Council to lease_to. the Fire Board or anybody else any portion of the reserve vested "in it at the end of Peel Street and Palmerston Road. Dir Toneychffc pointed out that this was the only freehold property hold by the borough in. the business portion of the town, and it would ha unwise to lease it for perhaps a long period of time. As the town progressed, it would be necessary to provide larger municipal buildings and a municipal theatre,. and this reserve would then come m very handy. If it were leased to the Five Board and they put permanent buildings upon it, it would he found to be a very difficult matter to get them out again. The Borough authorities.should look ahead, and if they did, this the, - ) wo"’cl see that it was unwise to part with the only piece of freehold they, have in the heart of the town.

“War to the knife” describes exactly the feeling in the Balkan States at the present time. Great slaughtering is also going on in cur very midst—even in this quiet town of Gisborne—and Melbourne Cash are responsible for it. 'The way they have been and still are cutting down prices has been something shocking; but on the other hand those shopping there are having a good time.*

In; passing sentence on a prisoner at, the Supreme Court at New Plymouth;. Mr i Just ice Edwards gave some advice to a class of. youth in Stratford which might very taken to heart young, men in other towns in. NewZealand. “There seems to be in Stratford,” said his Honor, “a gang of : young, men who get together, drink, and keep late hours, getting, into mifi- • chief.. It is a shocking thing to see : New Zealanders taking the course ■ they, appear to be taking.. My adviceto them is to keep better hours, and if they cannot take liquor in moderation, to leave it alone altogether.” The ravages of. time, are exemplified when the roll of the present House of Representatives is compared with a return of members for September,. 1905, which, is before us. In the less than eight years that have intervened twenty-one of the eighty members have died, five have gone to the Legislative Council, and twenty-nine have been removed or have retired from active politics,, these, of course, including Sir William Hall-Jones and Mr 9 . Mackenzie. Of the members of. 1900 there are still twenty-five representing constituencies, Sir \Y. G. Buchanan, the father of the House, completing Ins thirty-first year of. service oil. May 18 th.

At the send-off to a constable at Westport the other night, a young lady present was asked to make a few. remarks appropriate to the occasion, and cheerfully accepted the invitation A good deal, she stated, had been said abdut the Constable’s winning way with the ladies, but though sue thought she herself was rather goodlooking and had very winning ways, she had been unable to make an impression on the young ga.iant. She was pleased, however, to learn that though she had failed, another of Westport’s beauties had been more successful, and that the constable would be shortly, applying to the Commissioner for leave to return to play a particularly important part lii a avery happy event. Meantime she would not despair, as she understood a very handsome member ot the force was still heart-whole and fancy free.

A paper was washed ashore at the Steeples the other day from a boat hound from Westport to Greymcuth, and containing the information that an open season for seals had. been declared. One of the seals, more cunning than his fellows, picked up the paper (says a local journal), and after duly noting its contents and scenting danger ahead, called a meeting cf the clan to discuss the situation and take such steps as might be necessary in the case of emergency. And well it was that they did so, for barely had they decided on their plan cf action before a scout seal arrived with the information that several boat loads of sports had put. off from Westpo.t and were making vigorous headway for the Steeples. The- seals decamped and the sports found on arrival a little later that honors were against then,. Not a seal was in sight, but a strange sound like a laughing chorus come leaping over the waters.

A story of an 'ambitious scheme which failed was disclosed in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court, in the reserved judgment which was delivered in a civil case. The plaintiff claimed the sum of £'l9 IQs. for professional services rendered in his capacity of an architect. "'J his is the case,” commented his' Worship, “of a man who began to make preparations for building a house before lie had ascertained where the means were to come from. He bought a section for £‘lso in his wife's name, and paid £5 thereon, leaving a balance of £145. He was in debt to the extent of £6O. and had no means of his own. He was relying on the Advances to Settlers Department to advance him sufficient to release his liability on the section, to pay his debts, and to build his bourse. He appears to have had some vague idea of second and third mortgages to pull liini through. Needless to tell, his scheme fell through, and lie now denies liability to the architect on the ground that the whole concern was a speculation between them, and that no fees were to be charged for plans and specifications. Ido not credit the defendant's statement.” Judgment was accordingly given for the plaintiff for tlie amount claimed, with costs.

’ It was reported (says the "Press”) to the police on Saturday by the manager in Christchurch for Hayward’s" Enterprises (Ltd.) that the film "Les Miserabies” had been stolen during the early part of Saturday morning from the operating room of His Dlaiestv’s Theatre. The film is 6000 ft in length, and is worth a considerable amount, so some anxiety was caused by its strange disappearance. It is stated that the person who took the film took it off the spool in the operating room, and also interfered with the'eleetrical fittings. The film turned up mysteriously at the outside of the rear ‘of His Majesty’s Theatre, and was found on Saturday afternoon by a small boy who was fossicking about. It was undamaged, but it had been unwound, as it was found to bo turned round the wrong way. It is assumed that the film was taken with the idea of selling it, but that the person who took it, on turning the matter oyer in his mind, came to the conclusion that any attempt to dispose of the film would be most dangerous to himself.

The members of the Whangarei County Council are in a dilemma as the result of a. “tagged” balancesheet, the Auditor-General talcing exception to an amount alleged to have been' wrongly expended. Part of it was in connection with the entertainment of Lord Islington and the Hon. T. Mackenzie on the occasion of their respective visits to W’hangarei. _ The local body received a forcible reminder at a recent meeting of the liability unwittingly incurred when the Auditor-General wrote stating that lie was unable to accept the pleas put forward by the Council in extenuation of its action in regard to unauthorised expenditure, and demanding a refund of the moneys illegally paid. Unless that money was forthcoming within 2S days the members would be surcharged jointly and severally as provided by the law. It was decided to secure legal- advice on the subject, and hopes are expressed by some of the members that there is yet some other way out of the difficulty that has arisen. No matter where you buy glasses, you’ll pay all they’re worth. For satisfactory work you can tie pend on A. \Y. J. Mann, Chemist-Optician.*