The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, JANUARY 17, 1901 THE LAND BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 13, 17 January 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, JANUARY 17, 1901 THE LAND BOARD.

The people of this district are not of an importunate disposition; and they can suffer a good deal without saying much. But even the most patient must occasionally get irritated when they find that that patience is being taken advantage of. The district is being unfairly treated in not being provided with a local Land Board ; that injustice might - be borne with for a time, but we must utter a protest against the apparent antagonism shown by the existing Board. The plain truth appears to be that when the holding of a sitting of the Board at Gisborne can be avoided it is done. It is now three months since a meeting of the Board was held in Gisborne. An impression got abroad that a meeting was to be held next Saturday, but so far there has been no official intimation to that effect, and the indications are that it is intended to pass the district by. We would suggest to the Mayor and County Chairman that if the quarterly meeting is allowed to lapse, or is held without fair notice being given, a strong public protest should be made. It is time that an effort were made to check the tendency to over-ride the interests of this district. If we cannot obtain a local Land Board, an effort should be made.to obtain fuller representation on the present Board. Mr Matthewson has proved an able and vigilant representative on the present Board, but it is evident that he requires the assistance of a district colleague if we are to have anything like justice in this matter.

The attendance of members and intending members of the Star of Gisborne Lodge, No. 61,1.0.0. F., is directed to an advertisement in our columns.

The date of sailing of the Shaw, Savill and Co.’s steamer Delphic has been extended to the 31st inst., and the final port of departure will be Lyttelton instead of Wellington. At the meeting of the Foresters on Tuesday night, Bro. W. L. File was re-elected secretary, and Bro. H. J. Bushnell treasurer, it being the 34th term of office in each case.

Just as a last reminder we should mention that the nominations for the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s races, to be held on the 21st and 22nd inst., close to-morrow, 18th inst., wtth the secretary, Mr J. H. Aislabie, at the Turf Club room, Masonic Hotel. In the applications for land in the Tuatini (Tokomaru Bay) settlement, the following were successful: —Sections 1 to 4, lot 2, T. McLaughlin and Co.; sections 4 and 5, block 0, W. Oates; section 3, block 9, Frederick Seeker; section 7, block 9, G. Kelly. It is gratifying to note that among the cables received by us last night is a resume of one of Lord Kitchener’s messages, in which the General states that some of the Boers who invaded Cape Colony are trekking northwards towards Vaal Biver, and that some of the Cape rebels are surrendering. At Te Karaka on Tuesday afternoon anaccident happened to a man named David Millea. Ho was wrestling with a companion in a friendly manner, when he was thrown somewhat heavily, dislocating his ankle. Millea was brought into the district hospital, where he was attended by Dr. Craig. The approach of the dismasted ship Grace Harwar towards our shore yesterday created quite a sensation along the coast. Settlers and employees watched the barque slowly drawing near to the haven, Gisborne harbor, and glasses were in steady requisition until the steamer Fanny came alongside and took the sturdy old ship in tow. It is announced in our advertising columns that Mr Graham’s Ormond property, which has been advertised for sale on Saturday next, has been withdrawn from sale for the present, When this sale was first contemplated it had been stated by Ministers that the railway would be opened to Ormond in February. From enquiries to date there appears to be no hope of such being the case, and the property in question is therefore being held oil the market for the present. A boy named Douglas Caldwell, sixteen years of age, was admitted into the hospital last evening, suffering from a broken collarbone. He resides in the Tologa district, and when riding a horse at Maungatoetoe was thrown off. He was brought to town by Mr David Beid, manager of the Maungatoetoe station, and attended by Dr. Craig. The lad was taken to the Gisborne Hospital, and is making satisfactory progress towards recovery.

It is reported that Captain Tucker, who left here with a party of men for Campbell Island, reached the island in exactly a week from the date of leaving Gisborne. Captain Tucker took from the Bluff 1000 2-tooth ewes for the purpose of stocking the island, and landed all save thirteen, -which were lost on the voyage. He is very pleased with the island. The Eimu leaves for the isalnd from the Bluff on the 23rd with a second consignment of sheep, and Captain Tucker returns by her. The Maoris who went to Sydney are extremely grateful for the hospitality that has been extended to them. Batana stated that he and his brother chiefs would never forget the “great people across the waters,”-who have brought the stars to the earth. They could not describe their feelings in words. They had been taken by the hand everywhere, and introduced to illustrious personages of the native race. They would return to their native land, and tell their countrymen of the wonderful people, and their wonderful doings across the water, and tell them of the great feeling of kindness they had for the Maoris. On the front page of this morning’s Times interesting cablegrams are given, the war messages noting that after one engagement 72 Britishers were missing, and that in another engagement 17 Boers were killed with one shot. The cable brevities show that the wool sales opened briskly, but the rise reported, being in merino, does not quicken the commercial pulse of this district as would a rise in crossbreds. A report from London is given of the Loan and Mercantile Company’s annual meeting. On the fourth page New Zealancl telegrarns are given, including some comments on the Christchurch affair. The opinion of the Auckland papers on the recent fire is given. There has evidently been a rude awakening in the northern city. Mr V. Willeston, private secretary to the Hon. J. Carroll, yesterday received a Christmas card from the front which was forwarded

by a well-known and popular Gisbornite, Mr “ Ted” Bees, now serving with the New Zealand forces in South Africa. Mr Bees expresses the opinion that the war “ is not over yet by any means,” but hopes to renew acquaintance with friends “ next (that is this) year.” By the same mail Mr J. A. Shand, the New Zealand war correspondent, received cards containing seasonable greetings from Lieutenant-Colonel Bobin, who commands the New Zealanders, and Major Davies. The latter, who comes from Hawera, and commands the Fourth and Fifth New Zealanders, does not waste words. He says :

“All serene. Hope you well. Plenty of .fighting. Weather very hot. Bee you soon, 'old chap. No more at present. > Have one yourself. Kia ora! ” We thank Mr J. Whinray, qf ,the local Chamber of Commerce, for a photographic reproduction of the Chamber’s banner, representing the resources of New Zealand and, in a pictorial way, those of Gisborne, which Mr Whinray jocularly terms “ The land of the kumi.” The photo contains a view of Gisborne harbour, a prophetic illustration of a railway tapping Gisborne’s rich interior, bush and station life in all its stages, prominent being the horn of plenty and samples of the delicious fruit that the district can grow. The photogravures include Messrs Macfarlane, Townley, and a typical representation of the sender, while as representative of the part played by the Ministers who took part in the opening ceremony of the Karaka line the faces of the Hons. J. G.Ward, Hall-Jones, and J. Carroll are studded over the card.

The report of the case in which Mr Fisher, M.H.8., obtained a separation from his wife is painful reading. Mr Fisher stated that his wife in a state of drunkenness had repeatedly caused a scene, and had used an axe to smash in doors and windows. During some of her violent fits she had denuded him of his clothing, and he had been unable to retaliate in any way because he knew that a blow to her at such a time would probably prove fatal. His wife knew this, and had taunted him with the fact. It was painful to him to have publicly to see this case through, but he and his family recognised now that it was useless to keep on shielding his wife’s foibles, as they had been doing for many years past. In cross-examination Fisher admitted having sent a telegram saying that if Mrs Fisher returned he would murder her, but that was only a figure of speech. The separation order was made by consent, the husband to pay 15 s a week. At the banquet given in Sydney by Mr Witheford, M.H.8., Mr Carroll proposed the toast of f ‘ Officers and Men,” and said that their manly conduct throughout the campaign had been appreciated, not only by the British nation, but by their fellow colonists, who were proud to welcome them back to Australasian waterdT Captain Smith, as senior officer present, responded in an appropriate speech. In responding.to the toast of the “New Zealand Ministry,” Mr Carroll said every New Zealander who had come to Sydney felt much indebted for the unvarying kindness and courtesy shown by the people of Sydney. Their welcome had been magnificent, and the people of Sydney would live for ever in their hearts. He could not find words to express his feelings on the subject, but the magnificence of the reception accorded to the New Zealanders had left an impression which would never be effaced.