The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 22, 1901. BAD NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 45, 22 February 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 22, 1901. BAD NEWS

Anything affecting the price of produce is of material importance to this district, and the downward tendency in the price of frozen meat cannot be viewed otherwise than with regret. In this morning’s issue wo publish a message received by Messrs Nelson Bros., stating that there is a further heavy fall in the price of frozen mut' a. This, taken with the low price of w ’o-l, will be very unwelcome news to the disk'd, for even . the slightest fall has a vo ry miterial effect when the total is so great'. It is to be hoped that the fall will only be a temporary one, and that there may speedily be a rise in the price.

A miserable feature about yesterday’s demonstration was the cheering. There was not one really good cheer given. This vias not for lack of enthusiasm, and may be set down to modesty. ’ ' “ Disappointed ” writes: “ Sir, —The sponsors for arrangements yesterday in connection with the visit of the Indian Contingent should receive the proverbial medal for absolute inaptitude. As the work could not be prepared in time the ceremony of placing the foundation stone of the new Post-office, to have been carried out yesterday, had to be postponed indefintely.

The Maoris of this district did not think a great deal of the Indian soldiers. One voluble Maori lady said : “ Not so good the Maori ; they can’t help it, poor fellow; they what God made them.” The Indian troops were highly pleased with the arrangements made yesterday for their visit to the races, and they were not slow to express their appreciation to a representative of the Tunes. A Christchurch telegram states that John Scott Myers, treasurer of the Independent Liboral Labor Association, sued Mr Seddon, as President of the Liberal Federation of New Zealand, for 19s 6d, the cost of an advertisement, Mr Beetham gave judgment for the defendant.

TheTeArai school concert and dance will be held this evening. The following ladies and gentlemen have kindly consented to contribute items to the programme : Misses Stewart, O’Connor, and Tucker ; Messrs Allan, Woodward, Sam, son, T. H. Evans, Weir (Auckland), Robb and Numbey. A conveyance leaves Des Barres’ stables at 6.30 p.m. At the Police Coijrt yesterday, a first offender charged with drunkenness, who did not appear, was fined Bs, and costs 2s. John McCarthy, for hindering Sergeant Siddels whilst in the execution of his duty, was fined 20s, and costs 2s, or two days’ hard labour in Gisborne gaol, end for being guilty of disorderly behaviour while drunk was fined a similar amount, with costs 4s.

Some comment was made last night on the fact that there was no band to play a farewell to the Indian troops. It should be explained that the City Band was not to blame in the matter, and, in fact, has a grievance against somebody. The band was instructed to be at th.e Recreation Ground at 6 p.m., and was accordingly there ; then word came that they were to be at the fire bell at 6, an impossibility at that stage. The bandsmen were naturally annoyed at the way they had been treated.

It has been suggested that the incident which befell Capt. Hargreaves of the Zealandia on Wednesday has been misapplied, and that' the fact of" the schooner dipping its ensign up and down was done out of honor and respect, the schooner mistaking the Zealandia for the vessel that was conveying the Indian troops to Gisborne. The gentleman who submits this view is well acquainted with the captain of the schooner indicated, and does not think he would be guilty of any discourtesy such as the writer of "the paragraph would imply. At the bowling green yesterday afternoon a number of interesting matches were played,"including the following:— Nicholas, Massey, Ferris, Ponsford (skip) 18, v. Batham, Lewis, Matthewsou, Coleman (skip) 16; Thomson, Rosie, Ambridge, Humphreys (skip) 21, v. 0. Adair, F. Pettie, Sidebottom, McGowan (skip) 26; Robertson, Wallace, Adair, Witty (skip) 30, v. Orr, Gibbs, McMaster, Thomson (skip) 10. Tho final in' the Colts" Match' was played between Massey (four points) and Morgan (fifteen points), and after a koenly contested game the latter won by 39 to 10. . In the Handicap Singles, Sidebottom secured a meritorious victory over Price, whom ho defeated by 26 to 15.