The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 2, 1901.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 96, 2 May 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 2, 1901.

NATIONAL MATTERS. By the last mail, the London, correspondent of the N.Z. Herald give s some details of the state of things when the Tientsin incident was fresh in the minds. “ It is no exaggeration to say that during the past ton days a sense of uneasiness, depression, and despondency has brooded over the nation.” Thus the writer commences his letter, and then proceeds: “The Russian commander at Tientsin ordered the British commander and his men off a railway-siding, which they were laying on ground conceded by the Chinese Government, but which Russia alleged to have been previously ceded to her. The British commander ordered his men to resist by armed force if necessary. The Russian commander declared he would turn them off by force if they did not both retire and apologise. Thus a deadlock was reached, which completely 1 wipes the eye ’ of that in Sheridan’s * Critic,’ and, of course, the ultra-Jingo papers declared that England could not submit to such treatment, but must fight so long as she had a ship or man left. Yet, in the end, the outcome was a fizzle ! The military commanders referred back to their principals, who ordered both to withdraw, and leave the question to be settled in Europe. But there is no denying the fact that, what with exaggeration of facts in some American journals, the reckless ultra - Jingoism of certain British papers, and the unpatriotic antiBritishism of others, an incident, trifling in itself, and admittedly. due to a mere misunderstanding, arising out cf the amiable Chinese way of setting rival Powers by the ears through granting to both a concession of the same area, was very nearly converted into a cusjis belli. It was not until last evening that the Minister for Foreign Affairs was able to announce in the House of Lords that the Rjissian Government had initiated conciliatory measures, and that each side had consented tf} withdraw its troops from the disputed spot, so that the matter might be settled, amicably at headquarters.” But the moat peculiar part of the affair, it is pointed out, is that even this announcement could not be made, it seems, without a muddle. Naturally, the House of Commons was keenly anxious for information touching ibd fl international crisis.'’ But Balfour, as chief representative of the Govern^ 4 ia . dared not only that he .. d B 0 mation to give, but also that he u~ absolutely no knowledge on the subject. So also said Lord Cranborne, who represents the Foreign Office in that House. Yet in the other Chamber, not two minutes’ walk distant, Lord Lansdowne had given full particulars, speaking at considerable length, and had added that the information had been received that morning. -Where then were Mr Balfour and Lord Cranborne that they were left in ignorance on so urgent a matter, and left to face the House of Commons still in a state of utter ignorance? Evidently, Lord Lansdowne had not thought it worth while to communicate to his second in command —who is also the eldest son of his chief, the Premier —nor had Lord Salisbury deemed it necessary to to tell hia nephew, who is also Leader of the House of Commons, news of such momentous import! Of course, continues the writer, the courteous and conciliatory 1 attitude of Russia is simply a phase of her traditional policy —to get all she can j never to fight if she can help it; to

claim more than she expects to get, so as to merit credit for conciliation in yielding what she did not expect to get, while thus securing something. We may rely upon it, Russia will come out of this Chinese problem with more than the lion’s share of the spoil. That has always been a foregone conclusion. The worst of it is that our own Ministers do not seem to have arrived at a clear understanding as to what they want, or what England ought to insist upon as the “ irreducible minimum,” and so Russia, who knows most distinctly what she wants —and means to have —always catches us at a disadvantage, as she has done at every point so far. And then the danger is that sooner or later a British Government will feel that it must put its foot down firmly at last, but Russia will not realise that England is in earnest until the limit of safety has been passed, and then —inevitable war, just as everything happened in the early fifties, when Nicholas I. was Tsar, and Lord Abereeen was the weak t and vacillating peace-at-any-price Premier, One can only hope that history will not repeat itself, but so long as the present Ministerial attitude of utter irresolution and shiftless Micawberism remains chronic, it is impossible to foresee what any day may bring forth.

The installation of Mayor takes place next Wednesday. The football season opens at Gisborne on Saturday afternoon.

The cantata “ Under the Palms is to be given at Patutahi this evening by the Matawhero choir.

The East Coast Mounted Rifles hold a mounted parade at two o’clock this afternoon.

A splendid view of the comet is now obtainable, in the western sky soon after the sun goes down. Messrs. Common, Shelton, and Co. announce their “ first grand display ” of winter drapery and clothing. Mr W. Oman, poundkeeper at Karaka, has a notice in this issue regarding a number of houses impounded. Captain Edwin wired at noon yesterday :‘ “ Moderate southerly winds; glass rise; poor tides ; indications for frost tonight.” A gang of 26 men have been put on the railway-line from the 11-mile post. • The permanent way has been completed as far as Parihimanihi road, near Ormond. To the Editor Times : Sir, —Is there, or should there bo, a supervision re tobacco sold retail, 141-oz representing the full pound.—l am, etc., Smoker. The stationery business which Mr J. Sigley has carried on for some years past has beon disposed of to Mrs A. Somervell, who should receive a substantial share of public patronage.

The so-called “ moderate increase in rates,” of which the Times so often warned the public, has proved in the case of a policy held by Mr Whinray to be an increase of nearly 50 per cent. Mr James McKee’s annual stock-taking sale of groceries and hardware is now on. All goods will be sold at wholesale prices, for cash, during the sale. Large supplies of sportmen’s requisites are just to hand.

Carterton milk suppliers are of opinion that all cow-houses and yards used by them should be under Government inspection, as in the case of those who sell milk to private consumers. Messrs Williams and Kettle have a change of advertisement in this issue to which attention is directed. A full assortment of sporting material is just to hand ; also several shipments of bushfelling requisites.

According to an Australian oxchango the committee in charge of the decorations in connection with the Duke of York’s visit to Molbourne is seriously considering whether it will paint the city pavement flags red, white, and blue 1 Messrs Geoffrey McLean, F. Pattullo, J. C. E. Price, J. I). Burgess, A. M. Lewis, J. E. Foster, and J. W. Brown have been nominated for seats on the Waikohu Road Board. An election for the return of five of the candidates will be held on Saturday next.

At Gisborne during the March quarter 1184 money orders for .£4057 were issued, and 396 for 411493 were paid. In the Post Office Savings Bank 290 accounts were opened and 219 closed, 1723 deposits, 0f'£20,300, being made and 1079 withdrawals, of £19,190, being made. The postal revenue at Gisborne during the March quarter amounted to £668 14s 3d, and telegraph revenue to £BBI Bs’ lid. There were 13,630 ordinary, 807 urgent* and 1758 press telegrams dealt with, and 5282 bureau communications, or a total of 21,477 messages, in addition to which there were also 1587 Government telegrams.

Mr E. J. Chrisp, solicitor, has been instructed by several Makauri residents to lodge a protest with the Education Board against the recent School .Committee election at that place, on the grounds that Mr McGregor, who was elected as a committee-man, and subsequently chosen to be chairman, is not a resident of the School district within the meaning of the Act.

Attention is directed to the advertisement of the Little Dust Pan in Gladstone road. Toys and novelties of every description are to be obtained at most reasonable prices, whilst a great variety of articles, suitable for presents, are always in stock. Mr G. A. Maxwell, the proprietor, is agent in Gisborne for the Massey Harris bicycles, and he invites inspection of same. Mr Thomas A. Coleman has been apappointed district agent of the Phoenix Assurance Company, ona of the most popular of fire offices. The company does a large proportion of the insurance business in the colony, and is generally recognised as one of tho most liberal to have dealings with. They are fortunate in securing such an able manager as Mr Coleman for the Poverty Bay district, and we feel sure that the business of the Company will prosper under his direction.

The'treasurer of the Gisborne Hospital acknowledges with thanks having received from the St. Patrick’s Sports Committee "(per Mfiggrs E. Williams and J. 81. Cuumiing}' the sum of .£2O 1 is, being the amount of nominations arid acceptances for the Hospital' Handicap Pace. The treasurer has'also received £2 2s from Mr Vin Cent Tyke and £1 Is from Mr -J. Sheridan, being respectively the first and second prizes’'fl>r the race won by those gentlemen; and gonerdusly donated by them lo the hQ3pU.il, Mr Charles Gray, who was formerly County Chairman states in regard to the wheel tax: — ‘J J consider the bye-laws passed by the City Council regulating the width of tyres to be a distinctly retrograde movement, arid to be classed with the proposal to put turnpike gates on the roads. Tfy*»nq the summer months, when most of the carting is done, it makes little if any difference fn [ho wear and tear of ine f'd n ds whether the width of tyres is 2Hn or 4in, while the narrow tyre is much easier draught. In a country district like this our aim should be to make communication between the country and town as cheap as possible. These new bye-laws go distinctly in an opposite direction.” ’ The final games of the domino tournament for Mr Harris’ trophy were played at the Nativos’ Association- Club Booms last night. W. Andrew defeated J. Lucas. The game between W. Andrew and H. Lewis was the final game of the tournament, and much interest was taken in the match by the members of the club. W. Andrew won the first and third games of the match, while H. Lewis won the second and fourth games. The final game of the match was played amid great excitement, and after a very interesting game W. Andrew was declared the winner of the tournament. Entries for a progressive euchre tournament are now being taken at the club rooms, and it is intended to have a series of tournaments during the winter evenings. Anyone wishing to join the Association can do so by leaving their name with the Secretary or any member of the club, the subscription being 5s a quarter or 10s 6d a year.