The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, APRIL 6, 1901. THE CONVENTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 77, 6 April 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, APRIL 6, 1901. THE CONVENTION.

Oub cablegrams show that Russia is not to have it all her own way in rogard to

the Manchurian Convention. The trouble with China having become less serious or less urgent, Japan is tailing up a firm stand with her old rival. At first China hesitated, but by our cablegrams this morning it will be seen that China has declared that she cannot sign the convention ; she has thrown the responsibility on the Powers, and stated that the friendship of all the others cannot be forsaken for one. The action of Russia will now be awaited with some interest. The Japauese arc ready to join with their old enemy to thwart Russia, an alliance that would prove very strong. As Russia is not yet prepared to fight, there is not likely to be much come out of the trouble at present.

The Times will notjie published on Easter Monday.

A number of communications await “ Stranger,” at the Times office. Notices with regard to tho Gisborne pound appear in this issue.

Mr W. E. Richardson, of Waimata Valley, notifies that there is a stray horse on his estato.

The Omapere will not leave for the Coastal ports and Auckland until Monday.

The ship Grace Harwar sailed for London yesterday afternoon, taking the largest cargo ever sent from this port.

The Mararoa from tho South leaves Napier this morning, and is due hero early this afternoon.

A capital programme has been prepared for the entertainment to be given by the Mormon elders in the Academy of Music on Tuesday'. Changes of advertisement for WBirch’s cash boot depot, Gladstone road, and D. T. Hughes, grocer, Gladstone road, will appear in our next issue.

After a week of most disagreeable weather there was a beautiful day yesterday, and at an early hour this morning the weather was still fine.

Messrs Primrose and Leslie are at present opening up their shipments of golfing requisites, and players arc invited to inspect tho same. The season opens to-day and promises to be a great success.

The programme for the Waerenga-a-hika concert to be held on Monday evening, appears in this issue. It is of an attractive character, and should draw a crowded house.

The condensation of our report of the meeting of the Gisborne School Committee resulted in Mr Ambridgc’s remarks being given in a way that was open to misinterpretation iu regard to what was done in reference to scholarship examinations.

The Matawhcro salcyards have boon much improved during the last fortnight. A considerable quantity of gravel has been spread, and the y'ards have generally been put in good order, the improvements being much appreciated by the set tiers.

Mr A. G. Wheeler, undertaker ai

embalmcr, has a notice in this issue with regard to a change of premises. His now shop is in Derby street, ..between Childers road and Gladstone road. He lias had over eighteen years’ experience in the business in which he is engaged, and should get a fair share of support.

The stock sales hold by Messrs Williams and Kettle and the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, on Thursday, at Matawhero, were largely attended, and good business was reported by both firms, almost every line being cleared. The stock y'arded was of good quality', and the prices ruling at the previous sales were well maintained. An excellent lunch was provided by Mr J. H. Aislabie.

Considerable interest is being taken in the football match between the Gisborne representatives and a native team, which is to be played at Tucker’s Paddock this afternoon at three o’clock. The natives are said to have a very strong team, whilst the Gisborne representatives are a really fine lot of players. The following will represent the local men: Full-back, Symes ; three-quarters, Baker, Porter, Kirk, and File ; five-eighth, Glennie; half, O’Connell ; forwards, Colebourne, Duggan, Bees Jones, Davitt, Taylor, Boderick, Peacock, and Harley. Emergencies : Nicol, Steele, Quinn, Gillespie, Burns, and Black.

Those commodious and centrally situated dining-roooms, “ The Universal,” haye been taken over by two capable manageresses, Mesdamos Cramp and Stevenson, who are both well and favorably known in Gisborne. Mrs Cramp has held positions as chief cook in leading houses in New Zealand, and latterly was at the Masonic Hotel, Gisborne. Mrs Stevenson has been in business for herself in Gisborne, and their names are a guarantee that the “ Universal ” will, under their control, maintain a high reputation, and that those who go there will bo well satisfied. A special feature of the business is to be the providing of suppers. Ladies and gentlemen can step in from any hour between 8 p.m. and midnight, and obtain a hot supper, there being a liberal bill of fare to choose from. Mesdames Cramp and Stevenson are to be congratulated on their enterprise, and their business venture should have the hearty support of residents and travellers.

On Easter Monday the people of Gisborne are to be given a treat in the way of native dancing, at Tucker’s paddock. It will indeed be a class of dancing never before wituessed in Gisborne in so far as quality is concerned. The poi-dancers, who arc Ngatiporou school girls from along the coast, received special permission to comp down to attend the gathering at Murewai, to give their beautiful exhibition of poi dances. At that gathering they won the prize, excelling the dancing of the famous Ngatiraukawa poi-dancers whoso dancing was such a special feature of the Christchurch exhibition festivities. It is acknowledged by competent judges that these girls are unequalled in the colony for dancing. In addition to the poi dances there will be an exhibition of liakas by the loyal Ngatiporou tribe, who are famed as the grandest exponents of the stirring war dances known in the colony. Half of the proceeds of the gathering will be devoted to the laudable object of establishing a Native Girls’,College at Auckland, an institution -which should be of great value to the natives of this district.

It was stated at the Board of Conciliation that a large percentage of the men engaged in the slaughtering trade were crippled and suffered from crooked fingers, damaged legs, and other injuries. The clerk of the Belfast 'works said ho had frequently to dress the wounds sustained by the men. “ Such wounds,” he significantly added, “ are more numerous on Mondays and after holidays.” Another witness was asked if the risk of slaughtering was as great as had been stated. “ I am sure of it,” ho promptly replied; “ I wouldn’t like to tell you alb I know, but I’ll mention a few.” And he then detailed what seemed a lengthy and formidable list of casualties. The same witness strongly refuted the suggestion that wounds were often caused by shaky hands. It was, he said, impossible for a man to slaughter when unsteady. “ I am going to knock off—my head is too fat,” was an expression he had often heard, and showed, in witness’s opinion, that the work could not be done except by a steady hand and a clear head, and even then the risk was great. Against this it was urged by the representatives of the meat companies that the risk in proportion to the number of men employed was infinitesimal,

Tenders are invited for repairing the Kaiti road. The New Zealand Convention of Mormons commenced at the Murewai yesterday, the proceedings during the day being mainly devoted to the religious services of the “ Latter Day Saints.” Addresses wore given by the elders, the services being largely attended by Maoris, and being given in the Maori language. Solos and choruses were given by the Maoris, assisted by the pakelia Mormons. A great many people visited the camp out of curiosity, and were hospitably received by the Mormons ; they were made welcome at the services, and those who cared to partake of food were willingly given it. The singing at the services was very good.

The keenest look - out has lately failed to descry the notorious shark “ Kruger,” which for years has been prominent at Sponge Bay, Tuahine, and has evaded all efforts at capture. Tho syndicate which had taken the matter in hand has dissolved partnership, but the tackle is still in reserve, and it is hoped next season to make a more successful attempt to land the horrible monster. “Kruger” has been about off and on for fifteen years; he has been made the excuse for a great many jolly picnics by jolly people, who will hope that his disappearance is only temporary, for they had made so sure of having him on exhibition. Their desire is to prove their word that “ Kruger ” is really as large as they say, but men not used to telling fish stories declare that he is not quite 20 feet in length. Before his disappearance, one grand attempt at capture was made. “Kruger” was twice hooked, and there was great excitement and tremendous splashing, but tho end was that “ Kruger ” dragged his would-be captors up to their waists in the surf, and then set off to sea with all tho rich bait. If he reappears, he is to be renamed, and will bo sought for under tho stylo of De Wet.