The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE JANUARY 7, 1901. TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 5, 7 January 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE JANUARY 7, 1901. TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

Dubds'g the last twelve months representatives of some of the leading commercial institutions of New Zealand have visited Durban, and Pietermaritzburg in Natal, and Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and East London in Cape Colony, with tho object of obtaining information as to the possibility of opening up trade, and establishing permanent relations between New Zealand and South Africa. What the result of their investigations has • been will only be communicated to their

principals, but we may rest assure that the reports in many instance will be distinctly favorable. We know that favorable steamer charters are difficult to secure,- and that while the result of some purely experimental shipments have been decidedly satisfactory others have resulted in failure. The small shipments made of preserved meats from the colonies resulted disastrously to the shippers. Tinned rabbit, preserved tongues, and boiled rabbit (tinned) gave a very'fair return, -but minced meat in skins, German sausages, polonies, etc, proved a disastrous shipment and the primary cause of these shipments generally not proving remunerative. The few shipments of live stock—bullocks and sheep, the latter about 60lb weight—made by New Zealanders resulted satisfactorily, while at the prices paid by the military authorities even frozen meat paid handsomely. But the want of cold storage accommodation proved a great drawback. There were few, if any, connecting links between the coastal ports and the northern cities of the Orange Free State and Transvaal Republics. Noting this, the great De Beers Company (who have a monopoly of the diamondiferous area of Kimberley) lost no time in preparing to remedy the evil. The authorities were consulted, and their attention drawn to the want, and the enormous possibilities of the trade. Consent was readily given, and at the present time the cold storage department of the De Beers Company have their representatives in Natal, Cape Colony, Orange River Colony and Transvaal examining sites suitable for the, erection of cold storage plants; while other emissaries were despatched to Australia and New Zealand to prosecute separate enquiries. These representatives are still in the Australasian colonies, and we trust that Gisborne —which is certain to rank as one of the most important exporting centres of the colony, so far as frozen meat is concerned—will not be overlooked, and our resources and capabilities noted. That such an important organisation as the De Beers intend expending, thousands of pounds in extending their present cold storage plants and establishing others, is to us sufficient testimony as to the importance to New Zealand of such a step, and gives ample evidence of the fact that the matter is well worthy of the careful consideration of the commercial institutions of our colony, and of the particular district of which we are so justly proud.

It is expected that the ship Taranaki will get away about the beginning of next week.

There were close on 250 passengers on the steamer Zealandia on Saturday evening, and the accommodation was taxed. It speaks well for the officers of the vessel that notwithstanding the large crowd on board they were able to satisfy the demands of all, and the trip was generally admitted to have been a most enjoyable one. Some of the visitors who witnessed the test riding of those who offered themselves as candidates for inclusion in the Sixth New Zealand Contingent, express the opinion that the jumping test was unnecessarily severe, particularly as very little fence or ditch jumping is done by our troops in South Africa. Some of the men rejected were vastly superior to thousands of Imperial mounted infantry now at the front.

On the trip of the Zealandia from Napier to Gisborne on Saturday evening a most successful concert was held. Items of an instrumental and vocal kind were contributed by several ladies .and gentlemen, and an exceedingly, pleasant evening was spent, it being a typical fine weather sailor’s trip. Patriotic selections were rendered, the choruses going with an excellent swing. There is still no sign of the barque Grace Harwar, now over three weeks out from Otago Heads for this port. She has not been seen by any steamer on the coast during the last week, and some anxiety is felt for her safety. A vessel answering her description, and under full sail, was. seen off Tolago Bay, out to the East, on Wednesday week last, and it is presumed that she has been blown out to sea and becalmed. Mariners report that there has been very little wind on the coast during the last week.

The Gisborne cricketers returned from Napier by the Zealandia yesterday morning, having made a very pleasant sojourn at that place. They were accorded a very hearty send-off from the Napier crioketers on leaving the wharf there. They won their most important match, and Gisborne has reason to be pleased with the growing interest taken in the game. Mr A. Rees was unanimously chosen as captain of the team, and acquitted himself entirely to the satisfaction of the members.

During the -journey from Wellington to Napier by the express on Saturday a boy fell off the train on the Napier side of Kaikoura. He had been repeatedly cautioned during the day by the guard and passengers of the risk he was running in swinging on and off the platform, but nothing but bitter experience apparently was sufficient to teach him of the the dangerous nature of the practice. The train was going down an incline when he fell off, and was not brought to a standstill for a very considerable distance, when the anxious father alighted and proceeded to ascertain the extent ef his son’s injuries. Fortunately the lad fell clear of the train, but the shock given to the passengers was very noticeable. We have no means of saying up to the time of our report to what extent the lad was injured, as the train did not wait, on account of another train proceeding up the line a few minutes later.

A special meeting of the County Council was.held on Saturday and was attended by Messrs Macfarlane (chairman), Tombleson, King, Graham, and Jex Blake. The new engineer, Mr D. J. Fraser, wa3 present and was introduced to members. Discussion took place with regard to a number of works in the county, and it was decided that Mr Fraser should first attend and inspect the quarry, then visit the coast district, returning down the Waimata, passing completed works en route, and attending to others as might be required, and then if the time between that and the meeting allowed, inspect Devery’s Kaiteratahi River Works. Specifications are after that to be got out for the co-operative work in the Tiniroto, Puatae, Wairoa, Hurewai, and Mahia districts. Councillors will assist the engineer in his inspection of the various ridings. Confirmation of the special order setting up the Hangaroa road district was made.

We are not aware who was responsible for the arrangements in connection with the launches put on for the contingent demonstration on Saturday night. It was certainly a surprise to learn at the wharf that the Press representatives were to be blocked from accompanying the contingent out by the Tuna. The Tiiies representative, was informed that he could go out by the Waihi if he liked, but that only the committee, band, and contingent were to be allowed to go by the Tuna. It stands to reason that the public generally could not be accommodated on a small boat like the Tuna, but it does seem odd that the Press representatives should be invited to hear the speech-making of members of the committee, and then be blocked at the very point where some words of interest might be noted from the members of the contingent. To bar the way to the Press representatives means the lightening of their labors, but was it a fair way to treat the members of the contingent and the public whom the pressmen represent ? “ Those are my instructions,” was the reply given to our representative when he asked if there was any speoial reason. It would now be. interesting to know by whom tbs instructions wejegiyeß,

Twenty horses were shipped for-the war by the Waihora on Saturday night.

Over a-hundred passengers landed at Gisborne from the Zealandia yesterday morning.

A cable from Sydney states that the Mokoia sailed on Saturday for New Zealand. A number of new books have just been received by Mr Thomas Adams, who has a change of advertisement in another column. A letter from South Africa states that “ the boys, are erecting tombstones over the graves of Lieutenant Berry and Trooper Scott,” Several New Zealand telegraph operators have left this colony for the Transvaal and obtained lucrative appointments. Gisborne is to add its quota to the list. Messrs Hussey, Ludbrook, and Gibson won bats presented by Mr Moeller for competition in connection with the Gisborne-Hawke’sßay cricket matches.

Messrs Webb and Son commence the preliminary work to-day for the erection of the new post-offioe. The trees will be cut down to-day, and the corner will look bare for a time.

The anchor lost from the ship Taranaki was recovered last week. The grappling for it had been done close to the plaoe where the anchor was lying, but there was a good deal of trouble before it was located.

A report of the send-off to the looal contingent appears on the first page of to-day’s Times. On the fourth page will be found cablegrams and cricket, including.' notes on the visit of the Gisborne crioketers to Napier. The visiting bowlers were yesterday taken for a drive into the country and greatly enjoyed the outing, although it would have been more pleasant if the temperature had been cooler and the roads less dusty.

Of the thirteen horses that have oried content for the Wellington Cup six are liable to be re-handioapped, having won over the stipulated amount. Only two of the non-acoep-tors would have been subject to re-handioap.

The funeral of the late Mrs V. Barker took place at Makaraka yesterday afternoon, and notwithstanding the fact that it was of a private nature there was a large attendance. The Bev. Canon Webb conducted the burial service.

With regard to our leader of Friday morning last regarding the appointment of a representative to the Legislative Council, we are informed that the Liberal Association took action in the matter some time ago, and suggested the name of Mr W. L. Bees as a suitable representative. At a meeting of the Gisborne School Committee a resolution was adopted, on the motion of Mr Bright, “ That the Committee express to Mr DeLatour (a member of the Committee) its heartfelt sympathy at the loss he and his family have sustained by the death of (Mrs Vincent Barker).”

On Saturday afternoon Sergeant Norman Leslie, who was to depart with the contingent, was the recipient of a handsome parting gift from the firm in whose employ he had been, Messrs Primrose and Leslie. The gift was an order to obtain the best pair of field-glasses that could be purchased in Wellington. The local representatives of the Sixth New Zealand Contingent left for Wellington per Waihora on Saturday evening. When in camp at the Empire city they will be put through further tests, but as the local trials were pronounced to be very stiff it is not likely that any of our men will be rejected. As an indication of the growing importance of the port of Gisborne it might be mentioned that a lady landed at the wharf yesterday morning believing that she had reached Auckland. The enormous number of passengers landing from the steamer probably contributed to this delusion. There was great merriment among the crowd assembled at the wharf when they heard the lady’s statement and saw her return to the Zealandia.

We beg to call the attention of the public and those about to join the new Lodge of Oddfellows to the alteration in the advertisement. The opening is to take place to-night at 7.30 sharp instead of Tuesday, as previously advertised. The District Grand Master and his officers arrived on Saturday by the Waihora for the purpose of performing the initiation and installation ceremonies. We wish the “ Star of Gisborne ” Lodge a prosperous career.

At the Holy Trinity Church last evening Mr Arthur Towsey, of Auokland, presided at the organ and greatly pleased the congregation with his playing. The solos “Comfort Ye ” and “ Every Valley,” taken from the “ Messiah,” were sung by Mr Barlow in an excellent manner, and the chorus “ Glory to God ” was sung by the choir. There was a large congregation, the sermon being preached by Bev. Canon Webb.

A young„man named Frederick Francis, belonging to Gisborne, met wish a nasty accident whilst out cycling yesterday. In company with a number of members of the Poverty Bay Cycling Club, he was riding down the incline in the Waerenga-o-kuri district, known as Gentle Annie, when the machine took charge and finally precipitated him over the embankment. He was picked up by his companions, when it was found that his arm was broken. Francis was driven into town by Mr H. Warren, of Matawhero, and was attended by Dr. Craig. There was a special sitting of the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday. Two speedy summonses were brought against young men who were leaving the district. The amounts were paid. An application was made for a warrant of arrest against Michael Jennings on a claim by James Erskine for £8 3s 6d, an affidavit being made that defendant was about to leave the colony. Mr Jennings was brought before the Court, and denied that he owed any money to plaintiff (for whom Mr Jones appeared). The case was then adjourned until Tuesday for formal proof, the defendant giving security for his appearance. The Mayor of Napier, at a cost of £6 18s, cabled Christmas greetings to the troops in South Africa. The Mayor said he thought Napier was the only town in the oolony that had the forethought to send such a message. Cr Plowman said other boroughs had more sense, as It was a waste of money. Cr Bro.wn said he would pay half the cost if there was any objection to the expense. The Mayor said the money would not come from the ratepayers’ pockets, but would be drawn from the war fund, it was decided that the cablegram and Lord Kitchener’s reply of thanks be framed and hung up in the Council Chambers as a memento of the occasion. A contributor writes as -follows :—The Whataupoko Brass Band have now been some six years in existence. It commenced with nine members, and practised more or less under the canopy of the Heavens until a room was secured. The organisation experienced 'Various vicissitudes, but overcoming these energetic measures were taken through the secretary (Mr Humphreys), and in 1898 the band attended the contest at Napier, not as contestants, but in order to obtain some requisite knowledge. This being recognised, an effort, and a successful one, was made by the members to secure up-to-date instruments and the lastest music. Incidentally it may be mentioned that the members personally subscribed a deposit of £IOO for a oomplete set of Besson’s best instruments (class A) and costing £350. The conductorship will in the future be in Mr McKellop’s hands. He holds high credentials from the best bands in the South. Mr Aston had an opportunity of visiting the Old Country in connection with other bands, but he prefers to remain and give his assistance to his old corps in the forthcoming contests to be held at Wanganui next March. Special j attention will be given to a programme shortly to be submitted, and with Mr | MoKellop as conductor and Mr Aston as leading cornet soloist, there is a treat in store. The band has secured a sound footing, and by its willingness to contribute in every way its services, deserve the support whioh it will undoubtedly receive from an appreciating public,