The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 11, 1901. AN IMPORTANT ACT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 9, 11 January 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 11, 1901. AN IMPORTANT ACT.

The Public Works Act Amendment Act, 1900, is a statute of 26 sections, and came into force on the 20th October, last year. It forms part of and must be read together with the Public Works Act, 1894. The main part of the Act is to remedy defects that were discovered in the working of the principal Act. But section 20 is altogether new, and very important to this and every other district. The section provides that in every case where the owner of land, after the 20th October, 1900, subdivides his land into allotments for the purpose of disposing of the same, either by sale or lease, it shall be his duty to see that each such allotment has a frontage to a public road or street, and no new road laid off shall be less than 66ft in width. If in a county or road district such road if not within three miles of a borough must be formed and connected with an existing road. If in a borough; or within three miles of one, such new road shall be formed and metalled, and the owner must form such drains and footpaths as may be agreed upon with the local authority. The District Land Registrar shall refuse to register any sale or lease of such allotments until he is satisfied that the owner has complied with the foregoing provisions. Now that so many properties are being cut up for sale the effect of this Act will be considerable. There is no question that in the past private owners have not bestowed sufficient care in giving outlets to subdivisions. So long as they could show an outlet on paper and get rid of the allotments that is all they cared about, and the heavy cost of the formation of these impracticable roads has helped in no small degree to bring our local bodies to the impecunious state that they are now in. When a private owner is forced to make the roads to his sub divisions he will bestow greater care on the location of such roads. We will have better roads, and our local bodies will be relieved of an enormous expenditure. The only thing we regret is that this Act was not in force twenty years ago. However, better late than never, though it must be admitted that to bring it into force at this stage will probably be a hardship in individual cases. Some of the other sections of this Act wiU be the subject pf another article 1

A man named Frederick Hammond was arrested by Constable McLeod last evening on on a charge of vagrancy. The visiting bowlers will be entertained this evening at a smoke concert, to be held in the sample rooms of the Masonic Hotel. A telegram from Dunedin, received late last night, states: “Respecting the telegram from Marlborough, regarding; [the missing man as being a brother of Captain Mclntosh, of the ill-fated IVairarapa, the late captain’s brother states that he had no nephews.”

Interesting cables from Australia and New Zealand telegrams will be found on our first page. On our fourth page a detailed report of yesterday’s play at tho Northern Bowling Association’smeeting, commercial cables, and Christchurch telegrams appear. The work of filling in the bank side of the new wharf is being steadily proceeded with. The new Board will have to listen to an outcry for the further extension of the wharf, with a landing place well up the river for the passengers from the steamers. Several large stingarees have been caught on the coast of late, and the other day some Maoris fishing from an open boat, had a difficult task to land a very large one. Crayfish too are plentiful and some very good hauls of this edible shell fish have of late been made.

At the Stipendiary Magistrate’s Court yesterday Mr Barton, the Magistrate, gave judgment for plaintiff in the following cases J. McKee v. J. Michael Owen, claim £3 19s 2d, with costs 10s (Mr Lysnar): Gisborne. Harbour Board v. Christina Gordon, claim £ll3s Od for rates, with costs 14s (Mr L. Bees). The Christchurch Press referring to Gisborne’s export trade expresses the opinion that the capital of Poverty Bay occupies a high, and in every sense'of the word, satisfactory position, showing plainly to New Zealand that her progress is based upon substantial and permanent industries. We have received from the Department of Agriculture (Division of Biology and Pomology) the eighth report of the Government biologist, Mr T. W. Kirk. Tho reports of the fruit experts and phylloxera inspectors, and several interesting illustrations, are included in the pamphlet. The estates of the following deceased persons of Gisborne, after payment of debts and funeral and testamentary expenses, have been certified by the Stamp Office for assessment of duty at the nett value stated : —Robert McCulloch, £231 3s 3d; George Houghton, £2435 10s lid; Edward M. Dawing, £1253 Is 7d; George Bowley, £159 9s 7d.

The large carrying crane on the breakwater, which at one time was used in connection with the construction of Gisborne’s “white elephant,” as some people unkindly term it, is depreciating in value daily through rust. Surely a few pounds judiciously expended now would prevent the loss of a much larger amount should at any time the machinery be disposed of. In the course of his trip south Mr T. Morrison met several former Gisborne residents. Mr D. E. Smith, who had a business in Gisborne some years ago, has now two fine boot shops, splendidly stocked, in Christchurch ; they are managed by members of his family, under Mr Smith’s supervision. Another former Gisbornite met by Mr Morrison was Mr L. Steele, who is contracting at New Plymouth.

There was great interest shown in the cribbage tournament at the Natives’ Association rooms last night the following being the results of games played in the second round: — P. Maher and J. Blair beat G. Maxted and W. Andrew, H. Webb and W. Attwood beat T. Hood and C. Taylor, F. Maher and E. Henzler beat L. Lathan and J. Pool, C. Burdett and Alf. Pool beat E. Davidson and F. Pettie. In the third round F. Maher and E. Henzler bear H. Webb and W. Attwood. With reference to the Tahora No-. 2 block, sections of which are to be sold at public auction by Messrs Wyllie and Mason on the 26th ins’t, it may be explained that the block lies about forty-five miles west of Gisborne, there being three modes of access. Some of the sections are situated on the Koranga Stream, and are entirely forest-clad; others are situated on the Mutuera River, while the remainder are situated on the Ruakituri River, and the Koranga, Mutuera, Hangaroa, and Ruakituri Watersheds.

New Year’s Eve in Waipiro, writes our correspondent, was kept up in good style. The hands on one of the leading stations in the district went to Mr Wallis’ house and serenaded the occupants with an improvised band, consisting of mouth organs, tin whistles, tin kettles, and other instruments of torture. The utmost good order was obj served and several enjoyable vocal selections and speeches appropriate to the occasion were given. Mr Wallis received the compliment in the way in which it was tendered, and entertained the serenaders in his usual hospitable style. When the pakehas left the Natives from the pah at Waipiro assembled and danced a Maori haka, and were afterwards entertained by Mr Wallis. The whole proceedings passed off pleasantly. A rather curious position arose at the Court recently. A subpoena had been taken out and served on a person of a similar name to that in the subpoena. The individual served duly appeared, and on being told that he was not wanted very properly desired to know to whom he had to look for expenses. As it was really no one’s fault, the Magistrate could not make an order against anyone, but offered, as the gentleman had been working for the Government, to state the circumstances to his employers, and he would no doubt be paid. It then turned out that he had just previously been knocked off Government work. Plaintiff and defendant very reasonably offered to share the expenses. Had not that way out of the difficulty been seen, the witness would have been still pondering over the ways of law courts. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Gisborne Hospital was held last night at the office of the secretary, Mr T. A. Coleman. The main business was the election of treasurer. Mr J. A. Harding, who has occupied the position for many years past, was again proposed, and unanimously elected. In replying, Mr Harding said that of the public positions he held in the town, he valued none more highly than that connected with the hospital; he was proud to occupy that position, and while the subscribers placed confidence in him he would willingly take the office. He went on to speak in eulogistic terms of the secretary and staff of the institution ; and said he considered the hospital was a credit to the district, and he would always be pleased to do his best for the institution, His remarks were received with applause.

Notwithstanding the fact that the weather was anything but favorable last evening, there was a large attendance at the Theatre Royal at the grand myriorama entertainment given by Mr H. C. Haselden, one of the visiting bowlers, and all present were highly delighted with the evening’s programme. The entertainment consisted of a representation of Mrs Walton’s charming story, “ Christie’s Old Organ,” illustrated with some beautiful colored pictures; an acoount of a tour amongst the principal cathedrals of England; and concluded with a very amusing story entitled “ Hookey-Beak the Raven.” In the first part of the programme Miss Heany gave an excellent rendering of “Home Sweet Home,” and during the interval greatly pleased the audience with her singing of “ The Better Land.” The proceeds of the entertainment are to go towards the funds of the Sunday Schools of Gisborne. The Elingamite arrived from Sydney and Auckland last evening, bringing the following passengers:—lnward : Mesdames Law and girl, Knight and child, Roderick, Bloomfield, and Anderson; Misses Wildish and Bloomfield; Messrs Dennety, Gooseman, Small, Armstrong, Jenkins, Bigg, Mackey, Robinson, Clarkson, Simon, Morris (2), Morrison, Alexander, Brett, Nelson, Rae, Hopper (2), Marad, Bloomfield, Christenson, Brown, Watson, Boole, Temlins, Gardiner, McCann, Roderick, Lampre, Fletcher (2), Bell, Paul, Haisman, Stuart, Lowndes (2), Ifwerson, Smith, Anderson, and Tearu. Outward: Mesdames Collison, Davidson, Chapman, Power, and Hoeroa; Misses Colebrook, Attwood, Bicknell, Stephenson and child, and Barker (2); Messrs Frostick, Oliver, Faulkner, Davidson, Toms, Cullen, Gibson, Mason, Cato, Casper, Barker (2), Middleton, Young, Hone, Peter, McDonald, Doyle, Smith, McClure (2), Casp, Jenkins, Bloomfield, Ramsay, and'Bartiman,

Among the New Zealand recipients of Imperial commission just gazetted, and mentioned in the Turns telegraphic despatches, are the names of Lieut. R. W. Collins and R. Witheford.® 1 The former is a son of Lieut.Colonel Collins, of Wellington, and was shot in the wrist at the fightingat Ottoshoop, near Mafeking; while the latter is a son of Mr J. Witheford, one of Auckland’s representatives in the New Zealand Parliament.

Mr William Bailey, the enterprising proprietor of the Tatapouri Hotel, intends shortly to make several important improvements to his hostelry. It is intended to have the whole building lifted two feet, and placed on substantial wooden foundations, as during the winter the water flowing down the declivity on which the house is built is calculated to rot the timber. Bath rooms are to be added, and other improvements effected, the proprietor intending to make his hotel an up-to-date one.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr Barton, S.M., the case of Ross v. Wilson was resumed. Wm. Nichol deposed that defendant came to complainant’s house last Sunday in an excited condition, and asked Ross why he had turned the cattle in on his crops. Complainant told Wilson to go away, and Wilson replied that Ross was a bad man for having turned the cattle in on the orops. AVilson asked Ross to come out on the road, but the latter did not accept the invitation. Mr Rees submitted that there was not a tittle of evidence to prove that complainant was really afraid of defendant, who bore a good character. The defendant had been greatly annoyed by the action of complainant, and bad certainly used some strong language, but had not doue anything sufficient to warrant his being bound over to keep the peace. After evidence His Worship, in dismissing the application, said he did not consider it necessary to bind defendant over to keep the peace, and he trusted the men would in future live in a more neighborly manner.