The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 5, 1901 THE FEDERAL FARCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 54, 5 March 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 5, 1901 THE FEDERAL FARCE.

A good deal of complaint is heard on all sides as to the expense entailed by the Federal Commission now touring the colony, and judging by the -work of the Commission so far there is certainly good ground for the complaint. In theory the idea of a Commission, perhaps, seemed a good one, in practice it has proved an utter farce, and a very costly one, too. The evidence so far obtained has in the main been worthless. Men who have had special interests on either side have spoken from their special point of view; that might be fair enough, but. their opinions are of little value unless backed up by facts and figures tending to convince people of the force of the evidence. Summed up, the Commission can fairly be termed a very costly picnic, which the taxpayers have to be bear. The money would have been far better spent in employing working men in the making of roads and bridges, or in other works of a reproductive character. Of course, in saying this there is no implication against the members of the commission. They are doing their part well under the method adopted, and it is probable that no other set of men would have done better. But the fact remains, their best is a miserable failure, and that the commission is not likely to serve any more useful purful purpose than to focus attention on the subject of federation. That is a good thing to achieve, but the expense of doing it is too great.

The Abcrcorn Masonic Lodge meet this evening.

The worst joke to date about Do Wet is that he is a long veldt want. An ordinary meeting of the Borough Council takes place to-niglit.

Borough residents entitled to a vote should make sure that their names are on the roll of voters.

There were some magnificent races on the river last night, every one providing an exciting finish. A sensational divorce case is likely to engross the attention of Wellington people at an early date. Messrs Clayton Bros, and Kennedy and Evans have advertisements in this issue with regard to the price of timber. A meeting of the St. Patrick’s Sports Committee will be hold at the Masonic Hotel to-morrow evening at 8 o’clock. Captain Edwin wired at noon yesterday: “Strong westerly winds after 20 hours from now; glass fall; tides increase.”

Messrs Wyllie and Mason will hold a sale of drapery at their mart on Saturday, when the whole of Messrs McMaster and Shalders’ stock will be sold.

Great interest is being gradually aroused in the forthcoming municipal election. The election takes place next month, all the Councillors retiring. Tenders are invited by advertisement in another column for felling five miles of fence line at the Motu. Specifications can be seen at the Times Office. The following is a list of unclaimed letters at the Post Office, Gisborne: — P. R. Baker, James Cookery, R. Stuart, Geo. Henderson, T. McGuire, L. Whittall, and D.B.

The visiting cyclists are warm in their praise of Gisborne’s cycle track. The sports on Thursday arc likely to attract a very large crowd of people. The sports will be novel to Gisborne, and should

prove very interesting. Mr Barton, S.M., does not leave for the Coast until next week. He leaves Gisborne on Wednesday, the 13th, and holds Court at Tolago on the 14tli, and on the 15th, if necessary. Then he goes on to Awanui, where he holds a sitting of the Court on the Tuesday, and, if necessary, on the following day. Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. will hold their next stock sale at the Waerenga-a-hika yards on Thursday, 14th inst., when over 6000 sheep and 800 head of cattle will be offered. A number of draught horses will be offered on account of Mr JP. Barker. The sale will be conducted by Mr J. B. Kells.

There is a treat in store for Church people in Gisborne. Bishop Wilson, of Melanesia, is to preach at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, the 17tli inst. His Lordship, who is well known as a very eloquent preacher, will be staying in Gisborne for a few days, and it is hoped he will give one of his extremely interesting illustrated lectures in the Theatre.

Berne notifies the British administration to announce that Bedford Mac Neil’s telegraphic mining code of 1899 has been deposited at Aden for Cape Colony. This code can be employed in addition to those already notified for and from Cape Colony, Natal, Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, British East Africa, and German East Africa. This is how an owner of a beaten horse expressed himself at Hawcra on Thursday: between stewards, handicappers, judges, spielers, and guessers a man lias no chance nowadays.” It may be added that sometimes the pubpc have a poor chance for their money with liorseowners, who are always supposed to race for sport and not gain, Sport is the basis of racing.—Sporting Review.

The first election under the Maori Councils Act will be held in Gisborne today. The polling- booth will be at the Magistrate’s Court, and Mr Brooking has been appointed to supervise the election. Every native over the age of 21 has the right to vote, and each person can nominate twelve candidates, There is no limit to the number of nominations, but the twelve that receive the greatest number of nominations are declared-elected.

The 53rd annual meeting of the Auckland District of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, took place at Auckland on “Wednesday. There were 51 jdapnties present, among the number being Bro, N, G. Nasmith (juii.), P.G., M. McLeod, P.G., and G, Goldsmith, G.M., representing the Loyal Gisborne Lodge. A lai-ge amount of business was transacted, the meeting taking from 3 p.m. till 12.30 a,m. Ajj an instance of the expense and risks sheep-br,coders are at, Mr Alex. McKenzie, who had so long giyen stud sheep breeding his special attenfiojj, purchased a Romney ram without seeing' ii front a well-known breeder in Palmerston North for 20 guineas, f.o.b. for Napier. On arrival, Mr McKenzie was so dissatisfied with the sheep that, although he was bouud to pay for him, he declined to use the sheep, and sold him at the Matawhero Yards on for H2. In conversation with JVff Murrell, general manager of the Huddart-Parker Steamship Company on Saturday, a representative of this paper was informed that one of the directors of the company was proceeding to England to arrange for the building of a second steamer like the Zealandia to take the place of the Elingamite. Mr Murrell expressed pleasure at the sup! port accorded by Gisborne to the HuddartParker Company, this port comparing most favorobly with other places in the colony.

In England, Canada, and America, where eighty per cent, of the bicycles are made, there lias been a big fall in the price of machines, and at last the public arc in a position to secure a wheel at a fair price. Sir W. Miller advertises a startling reduction, in the price of-that well-known and reliable wheel the “ Crescent.” These machines are 1901 models, are fitted with Dunlop tyres, Westwood steel rims, and dust-proof bearings, and are guaranteed to be equal to any of the higher priced machines now on the market.- . . ‘

Our cablegrams state that the New Zealand horse Advance put up a record for a mile on the tan.

| JSo far there has been no mention of any other candidates for the mayoralty beyond the present Mayor, Mr Townley.

Mr A. N. Scotter’s many Gisborne friends will be pleased on reading the report of the Wesleyan [Conference in this morning’s Times. Mormons are hovering around Gisborne in search of proselytes, and their literature is innocently accepted and read in many homes. Owners are wanted for two black and tan sheep dogs, advertised in this issue. A black foal lost on Thursday last is advertised for.

The forthcoming St. Patrick’s Social is creating a great deal of interest, as in former years, and there is no doubt that it will, as heretofore, be one of the main social gatherings of the year.

An item of interest to householders is Messrs Clayton Bros.’ advertisement regarding the price of Newcastle coal, ex Aratapu, which is being sold at reduced rates at the ship’s side. New Zealand’s champion racehorse. Advance, was insured for PSOOO for the trip to Australia. Most insurance companies would take much time to think before they would insure a human life to that amount.

The shipments per the steamer Aotea by Messrs Common, Shelton, and Co. last evening included 40 cases of honey. It is pleasing to see that more attention is being paid to this useful industry in this district, for it is one that should be found most profitable to farmers. At the Borough Council meeting tonight the matter of renewing the loan from the Harbor Board will be decided. As money has been going up in price, the Council cannot do better under the circumstances than arrange with the Board for the renewal of the loan. Mr T. G. Lawless, land and estate agent, advertises a number of choice town and suburban properties, which are well worthy of the attention of investors. Ho has also several investments to offer in the hotel line. Mr Lawless is the district representative of the Australian Widows Fund Life Assurance Society, and has brought that company into the front rank of insurance companies in this district. In attaining this result he has been capably assisted by Mr Herbert J. Burns, the energetic and affable travelling representative of the company. “ Banjo ” Paterson has composed’ a jingling poem, entitled the “ Maori’s Wool.” It is copyrighted, but the last verse may .be given. It shows how an innocent-looking Maori interviewed a

bank manager—not at Gisborne—with the idea of soiling the Maori’s wool. The

manager would not buy, but made an advance, whereat the chief was in great joy, and— He “haka’d” most effectively; then, with an airy grace, Rubbed noses with the Manager, and vanished into space. But when the - Wool-return came back, ah, me, what sighs and groans ! For every bale of Maori wool was loaded up with stones ! - Yes, thumping great New Zealand rocks among the wool they found ; On every rock the Bank had lent just just seven pence a pound. And now the Bold Bank Manager, with trouble on his brow, Is searching vainly for the Chief from Rooti-ili-au.

The following interesting items are from the Sporting and Dramatic Review :—“ The Auckland Yacht Club’s official uniform made a great impression in Christchurch when the crow of the yacht Rainbow visited that city. The story goes that the crew in full-dress presented themselves at the gates at Lancaster Park and swaggered in, saying that they did not require passes. The man at the entrance was staggered, but recovered his presence of mind enough to say: “Oh yes, Bandsmen always go in free.”—Oh! that uniform. On another occasion the A.Y.C. togs were mistaken for a tram conductor’s uniform. At the Port Nicholson Yacht Club’s races on Saturday, the yacht Waitangi easily defeated the Auckland boat Rainbow over a 13-mile course in a one reef breeze. Starting 2min. ssoc. after Rainbow, Waitangi finished 2min. 41see. in front, and as the latter was in receipt of lOmin. time allowance, she therefore won by 14min. 46see.”