The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 10, 1901. THE INVASION OF CAPE . COLONY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 8, 10 January 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 10, 1901. THE INVASION OF CAPE . COLONY.

Our cables announce the fact that tlje Boers continue to work southwards in Cape Colony, and have approached to within 250 miles of Capetown—much nearer the capital than at any time since the inception of the campaign. Even in October of 1899, more than a year ago, the Boers had only reached Naaupoort, which is not far from the boundary of Cape and Orange River colonies, when the forces under General French were hurriedly despatched to check the advance. Now the invaders are many hundred miles south of the point mentioned, and prompt and effective measures require to be taken to prevent the progress of this irregular band, the members of which are doubtless doing all they can to induce the Cape Dutch to give them something more than the moral support so far tendered. The invasion, we are satisfied, will result in failure ; but unless effective measures for the'suppression of these marauding bands ’ are not promptly taken the irreeonciliables will accept our complaisance as a sign of weakness, and thus the difficulty will be accentuated. In the Paarl and Stellenbosch districts, where we are pleased to note martial law now obtains a very bitter feeling exists against the British administration of the annexed territories of the Transvaal and Orange River colony. Feeling at one time ran so high that when our men were repulsed at Magersfontein, Stormberg, and Spionkop, the children attending the Dutch-schools were granted holidays and allowed to wear the Yierkleur of the Dutch Republic, while news of our successes at Ladysmith, Mafeking, Kimberley, and Paardeburg, and the fall of the capitals, were received in sullen silence and with frowns. And this in a British colony governed by a so-called British Parliament! We have a large Dutch population, filled with bitterness at the loss of relations and friends, to combat in Cape Colony, and until all seditious influence and harmful intrigue are effectually stamped out by the adoption of stern measures the danger of a general rising of the Dutch population of Cape Colony will ever be present. Leniency has signally failed. There is ample excuse, if any be required, for the adoption of harsh measures to secure the object sought—the complete victory of the British forces in South Africa.

There is only one case of typhoid fever in the Hospital. A welcome sprinkle of rain fell last night, and cooled the atmosphere.

Our cables state that the London Times says that British trade is on the down grade. The annual meeting of Hospital subscribers takes place to-night. The visiting bowlers are loud In their praises of the Gisborne greens, which they say play true and are very picturesquely situated.

Late last night the local telegraph department advised us that communication with South America had been temporarily interruptec beyond Santa Elena via Galveston. A report was current that a man had falie 11 off the breakwater and was nearly drownedUpon inquiry at the police station we learn that the whole story was a canard.

During the Auckland Racing Season Detective Henderson, who arrived at Gisborne the other day, did good work on behalf of his department, and kept a close watch on the Southern spielers and suspect A Wellington telegram, received last night, states that an Assyrian named Remih Heirog was charged at the Magistrate’s Court with having wilfully set fire yesterday to the premises of Massed Geor, a compatriot. Accused was remanded’till next Monday. The reason why the firebell did not ring out to announce the birth of the new century was that the tongue came out at the critioal moment. So the nightwatchman reports. It was lucky that the occasion was merely the birth of the century—which could take care of itself—and not the outbreak of a fire.

The Matron of the Hospital acknowledges with thanks the following giftsto the institution: —Two cases of lemons from Messrs Barron Bros.; lemons from Mr L. T. Symes, books and periodicals from Mesdames Craig and Symeß, a pair of turkeys from Mr J. Robertson, of Waiapu, and a lamb and a quantity of vegetables from Mr S. Lodge. An instance of how produce that should properly be credited to this port goes into our neighbor’s lists of ■ exports was given last night. The Omapere, working along the coast, brought in 1100 bales of wool, but of the total about 900 bales were taken on to Napier, to be transhipped to the Hawke’s Bay, which is shortly to leave for the Home market.

By the overturning of a buggy at Kaiteratahi on Tuesday a travelling practitioner named Gardner received injuries to his face and body. No bones were broken. Dr Williams attended to the sufferer. A lad who had previously occupied a seat in the vehicle fortunately did not proceed as far as the hill, and was conveniently about when the accident occurred.

It is stated that Mr R. J. Flett, of Christohuroh, intends opening various branches throughout the colony for the sale of sunflower seeds (including African), to which industry he has paid a considerable amount of attention during the past three years. He maintains that the cultivation of the seed can be made very profitable. Mr Flett, we understand, intends carrying out extensive experiments at Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.

The attention of our readers is directed to the myrioramic entertainment to be given in the Theatre Royal this evening by Mr Haselden, secretary of the Auokland Sunday School Union. A capital programme has been prepared, and there should be a large, attendance. A number of voaal selections will be given, including “ Home, Sweet Home,” which will be sung by Miss Heany. The proceeds will be distributed among the Sunday schools of Gisborne. On the next trip of the Westralia from Wellington to Melbourne it is intended (weather permitting) that she will call at Milford Sound, and as no extra charge is to be made beyond the ordinary passage money to Melbourne it affords a rare opportunity to anyone wishing to see this wonderland. As there is likely to be a large number of passengers, it is advisable that anyone intending taking passago should book early. The sailing dates are—from Wellington, Thursday, 31st January, and Bluff, sth February. A meeting of the Gisborne Rowing Club was held last evening in the Masonic Hotel, Mr A. Robinson (captain) presiding. Messrs R. Robinson, J. Lee, and Siddells were appointed a selection oommittee to pick the representatives for Napier. With regard to the trophies presented by the president, Mr F. Kennedy, the meeting appointed Messrs Barclay, A. D. Sherriff, Royds, R. D. B. Robinson, A. E. Colebourn, and J. Lee as strokes for the various erews, and the members named will select their erews on Friday evening next. The contests for the trophies promise to be most exciting. The meeting of the Hospital Trustees to have been held last night lapsed for want of a quorum, the members present being Messrs Joyce, Macfarlane, and Harding. The Treasurer (Mr Harding) reported a credit balanoe of £l4 18s 4d, and accounts amounting to £l3B Is were passed for payment. The sum of £35 2s was received in fees during the month, and £lllss fid in subscriptions. The monthly report showed that there were ten patients in the Hospital at the time of the previous meeting, 19 had since been admitted and 14 discharged, leaving 15 remaining at date. Messrs Harding and Johnston were appointed visiting committee for the month.

At a meeting to bo held at the Patutahi Hall this evening, Mr Pond, the English representative of the Crown separator, will show a separator in operation. The Crown separator has won the gold medal at St. Petersburg against 24 competitors, also obtaining the highest awards both at Prague and Brussels, and at the Agricultural Exhibition at Maidstone beat the Alpha de Laval, Melotte, Alexandria, eto., separators, for the lowest percentage of fat in the separated milks. It was also awarded the Grand Prix at the Paris Exhibition. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company have been appointed local agents, and to-day Mr Pond may be consulted there. At the meeting of tho Hospital Trustees last evening a letter was read from the manager of the Ocean Acoident and Guarantee Corporation, Ltd., in reference to a letter written by their agent, and which appeared in the Telephone some weeks ago under the heading “ Hospital Charges,” which he said had not his authority, and should not have been placed there. 'He enclosed a copy of a letter he had written to the representative of the company in Gisborne. In this communication the manager stated that whilst fully appreciating the zeal which had caused him to write the article, he was afraid that it was anything but a judicious move on the agent’s part. The writer continued:— “ The information given by you in that letter is, as far as it goes, quite true, but of course our policies only cover for certain accidents and certain fevers. We have no desire to set ourselves in opposition to the Hospital, but rather, are only too pleased to acknowledge thankfully the great good they are to the community and the assistance they are to us by the manner in which they attend to our unfortunate clients who meet with accidents and take advantage of the care given at the Hospital. That the fact of taking out an insurance with us enables them to make.some small return to the Hospital for this care and attention is quite another matter, but is certainly not to bo held out as an inducement to them to remove their financial support from that institution.” Mr Joyce stated that the writer of the letter to the paper was perhaps injudicious, but it had been done with the best of motives. He did not think that there was any ill intention. There being no quorum, the matter wag not discussed.