The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 27, 1901.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 49, 27 February 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 27, 1901.

The result of the election petition yesterday and the subsequent proceedings at the Harbor Board involve some very nice legal points. First, what is the result of the Magistrate’s decision that the election was void-? He, of course, intended that the Boroug portion of it should be void, but there are those who argue that the whole election, both for Borough and County, is affected. They base their contention on the ground that the Harbor’s Act contemplates one election for the elective numbers of the Harbor Board, although held under different franchises, and that what would affect one portion of that election must affect the whole. It is a nice point. Next, Captain Tucker took his seat yesterday as a sitting member on the ground that he continues to sit until his successor was elected. There was an election on the 11th, Messrs Pettie and Whinray being returned. This election, of course, was declared void yesterday. The regulation of Local Elections Act says that under such circumstances, there shall be an extraordinary vacancy as from the date when the poll was declared void. Now, who is the sitting member or members ? Did not Captain Tucker go out on the eleventh instant ? Again Mr Chrisp resigned his position on the Board yesterday. But could he resign if Messrs Pettie and Whinray were elected? We leave the matter in our readers’ hands.

A meeting of the general committee of the Beautifying Association will be held in the Borough- Council Chambers this evening, at eight o’olock. A representative deputation of citizens waited on Mr T,_ Steele yesterday, and at their request he has decided to accept nomination for one of the vacancies on the Harbor Board. To the Editor,-—Sir, As a ratepayer, it would be interesting to myself and others to know who will be responsible for the fiasco in connection with the recent election.—l am, etc., Enquirer.

A telegram from Auckland states. that news had been received from Kaipara Heads that on Monday while the schooner Lady St. Aubin was beating in sho ran ashore on the North Spit. She is not likely to get off. The crew are safe. At the meeting of the Holiday Committee yesterday, it was decided to grant the applications of the Poverty Bay Cycling Club and St. Patrick’s committees, that the shops should close at noon on Thursday, March 7th, and Thursday, March 14th.

At the meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday correspondence was read in regard to the new dredge, which has been so long in the course of construction.. It was resolved that the Engineer (Mr King) make an early visit to Christchurch for the purpose of passing the work done for the third progress payment. The attention of our readers is directed to the advertisement of the Little Dust Pan, Gladstone Road, recently taken over by Mr J. A. Maxwell. The premises have been renovated throughout, and the proprietor has just opened a large shipment of toys, stationery, fancy goods, and glassware, which are offered at most reasonable prices. There is an endless variety in stock of articles suitable for presents, whilst all the latest novelties can be procured, Mr Maxwell has the sole agency in this district for the Canada Cycle Motor Car Company, who are manufacturers of the famous Massey-Harris bicycles. A number of these machines can be seen at the Dust Pan. All the latest models are stocked, and intending purchasers of bicycles would do well to inspect these machines.

An application was made to the Harbor Board yesterday by the employees on tho river improvement works for a more complete system of accident insurance, including such risks as typhoid fever. The men offered to refund the cost of premiums. Mr Clark said ho thought it hardly came within the province of the Board, which had to have one class of accident insurance at its own cost, while the men themselves could make any such arrangement as it was suggested the Board should make ; if a man left the Board’s employ they could not make him pay the premium.' The Chairman said it could only be done by freewill; they could not compel -payment. It was decided to refer the matter to the Finance Committee for further consideration. ..

With regard to. the damage done to the Taruhenv bridge by one of Messrs Melson Bros.’ barges, it has been found that one of the piles which support the end of the swing has been broken, and several others have been knocked out of position about nine inches. It will, therefore, be necessary for the swing to be open during the execution of repairs, which is expected to be at least a two-days' job. Messrs poison Bros, are to do the work, and are making arrangements for it to proceed to-day, though it is hardly likely that they will have all then- gear' in position and be ready for work until tomorrow morning. Traffic is therefore not likely to be interfered with to-day, but to-morrow, and possibly Friday, residents of Whautoupoko must make special arrangements for butcher and baker to call, and when they want to come into town must either hire a boat or go round by the footbridge. Yesterday the bridge was tested with a heavy load of stone, and it was found to bear the weight satisfactorily, though there was the usual accompaniment of jolting, ■.

The Hawke’s Bay sawmillera have decided to raise the price of timber 6d per 100 ft, the increase to take effect in Hawke's Bay from March Ist and on timber for export from April Ist. It was also decided to object against this district being included in the award Of the Conciliation Board, neither employers pop employees iiST’ n ? expressed a desire for the award, - -• The report of the Chief Inspector of Stock for Queensland states that the .iheep in the colony show a marked immunity fromdisease, and that the cattle are not suffering to as great nn extent as heretofore... Tuberculosis is not nearly so prevalent as was feared by alasmists, while the tick trouble seem? to be at last decreasing.