THE DUKE’S VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 4, 5 January 1901, Page 2

THE DUKE’S VISIT.

The cablegrams published in this morning’s Times indicate pretty clearly that the Duke and Duchess of York desire to meet the leading people among the Maoris, and that being so it is unlikely that they will omit Gisborne in their round of calls. We have some reluctance in advising that steps be taken to secure such a visit, as it means a large expense that would need to be first taken account of. But it would be unfair that the people should be taken unawares, and the Borough Council should at once seek further information pn the subject. _ It might so happen that a good native aquatic display could be arranged to take place in the. Turanganui river atid inner harbor, and there} could

perhaps be other novel forms of Maori entertainment that would please the Royal visitors more than all the mad extravagances that could be devised by ardent loyalists.

Interesting telegraphic matter dealing with the 'Frisco mail service and the Boer War will be found on page one, and bowling notes on page four. The vital statistics for the month of December were: Births 16, deaths 0, marriages 4, and for the year, births 280, deaths 88, marriages 58. It is rumored that a charge is pending against some well-known citizens of this town for misconduct at a country hotel on New Year's Eve.

A dense pall of smoke hung over the town yesterday and made the atmosphere heavy, the cause beihg the burning o2 of bush to make room for stock.

A telegram from the Bluff, received by us last evening, states that the steamer Rimu had sailed for Campbell Island with 1000 specially selected sheep, shipped by Captain Tucker, of Gisborne. The selected men of the Gisborne portion of the sixth New Zealand contingent were taken for a drive in a drag yesterday afternoon. They visited the country and had a most enjoyable time. Frequent complaints have lately been made with regard to men and boys bathing in the sea and in the river without proper bathing costumes. Those patronising the beach would do well to note this fact.

In another column Mr F. -J. Shelton announces his candidature as a representative of the County on the Gisborne Harbor Board, and details his views upon matters of interest to our readers.

During the last few days something approaching a heat wave has passed ovc-r Gisborne. The weather particularly on Thursday and yesterday, was exceptionally hot, but withal, pleasant. In Gisborne on one day the thermometer gave the highest reading of any other part of the colony.

Messrs Maxted and Co. are to be congratulated on a record put up by them last week. An eight-roomed house was erected by them in the short space of six days, without any previous preparation having been made. The cottage was erected for Mr Campbell' the proprietor of the Turanganui Hotel, who should be proud of the smart work accomplished by Messrs Maxted and Co.

For the first time on record there were no deaths registered in Gisborne during the month of December. The yearly return shows that there were 88 deaths in the Cook County during the twelve months ending December 31st, but strange to say from November 26th to December 31st there was not one death registered. This fact speaks volumes for the health of the district, especially at this time of the year, when there is generally a good deal of sickness about.

A number of the members of the local contingent waited upon us last evening in regard to a paragraph that appeared in the evening journal stating that they had been taken for a drive out in the country by the well-known war correspondent, Mr Banjo Paterson. They felt much disappointed that Mr Paterson did not avail himself of their invitation. In regard to the matter a Times representative waited upon Mr Paterson, who stated that he did not organise the party, but would have liked to have accompanied the party had not his business engagements intervened.

An important sale of land will be held In the Theatre Royal on Saturday, 19th inst., by Messrs Common, Shelton, and Co. It includes about three hundred acres of Mr W. Graham’s Marshlands property, near Ormond, which will be offered in lots ranging from one to twenty-five acres. The land is very rich, well drained, and fenced, and will be offered on most advantageous terms. Properties in other favored localities will also be oSered. The sale affords a rare opportunity to intending settlers. Messrs Common, Shelton, and Co. also advertise a number of properties for sale privately. Dealing with the question of shipping live stock from New Zealand to South Africa, the experience of a Southern (New Zealand) stock raiser may be worth citing. He shipped 200 head of bullocks and something like 3000 sheep to Durban. Upon the arrival of the cavgo at Natal’s port it was commandeered by the military authorities, and the representative of the shipper informed that the price would be fixed by arbitration, the shipper to pay stevedoring charges. The local stevedoring charges amounted to 2s 6d per head for bullocks and 6d per head for sheep. The New Zealander declined to accept these terms, had gangways made, men employed, and landed his stook on Durban wharf. The price paid by the military authorities was 32s Od per head for sheep ranging from 55 to Gslbs, and £2S 10s per head for bullocks. This of course paid the shipper handsomely. But now these prices cannot be obtained. Quite a gloom was cast over the town yesterday afternoon when the announcement was made of the death of Mrs Vincent Barker, which took place at her residence, Haiti, about midday. Mrs Barker was the second daughter of Mr and Mrs C. A. DeLautour and a sister of Mrs Dr Hughes. She was generally beloved by all with whom she came in contact, her kindly, disposition and gentle manner making her a great favorite. Her sudden death came as a great shock to her many friends, and we are sure that every resident in the district will heartily sympathise with the sorrowing husband and members of her family in their sad bereavement. Mrs Barker had from girlhood resided in Gisborne, and for many years took a great interest in Sunday school and other good works, being a great helper, and her assistance, given in a quiet and unassuming way, was always much valued by her co-workers. It is sad to think that one so much beloved should be cut off at so early an age. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to the grief-stricken husband and relatives of deceased. The funeral will take -place on Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, but we understand will be of a private nature. At the Poverty Bay Club last night Mr “Banjo” Paterson was entertained at supper by the members. Mr Macfarlane presided, and the invited guests were Messrs J. A. Shand and V. Willeston. The toast of “ The Army and Navy ” was proposed by Mr F. Parker, and responded to by Captain Child, on behalf of the navy, and Mr V. A. Pyke, the son ol the Southern veteran, Mr Vincent Pyke, who spoke on behalf of the navy and army respectively. The toast of,the guest of the evening was proposed by the Chairman, to which Mr Paterson made appropriate response, That of the visitors was entrusted to Mr j. W. Bright, and replied to by Messrs J. A. Shand and V; Willeston, The toast of the medical profession was proposed, and responded to by Dr Craig, whilst that of the Press was duly honored. An extra toast, that of “The Waimata Settlers,” was proposed, and responded to by Messrs Bellerby, Branson, and Omerod. The-supper was a recherche one, and was thoroughly enjoyed by those present. The attendance on the part of the waiters was first-class, and everything else was in keeping. The evening’s enjoyment was added to by the recitations of Messrs J. W. Bright and A. F. Kennedy, who were applauded again and again, whilst Mr Paterson gave one of his original poems. A sale inset is published this morning.