The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 1, 1901. REOENT FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 121, 1 June 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 1, 1901. REOENT FIRES.

There must have been a throb of sympathy throughout oach community yesterday when the news was published of the fatalities by the fire in Auckland. Only on the previous day there had been report of a serious fire in Wellington. In neither case was the fire of great seriousness in regard to damage, though great hardship would be caused to individuals, but the circumstances are very distressing. For Mr and Mrs Johnston and the relatives of those whose lives have been lost there must bo a feeling of deep sympathy. * What a pathetic spectacle it must have been when the three little Johnston’s met such an untimely end. A few hours before the children would have been playing about, the parents little thinking that they were so soon to be bereft of their dear ones. Miss Wallace’s death was a tragic affair. Found huddling with others in a narrow passage way she was rescued, only to succumb later on to the injuries received from the 30 feet fall. It seems strange that in an hotel of the importance of the Grand, one of the leading houses in the colony, there should have been such scant facilities for escape from fire ; but no doubt that will be dealt with later on when an enquiry is held.

Some letters from correspondents arc unavoidably held over. Captain Edwin reported yesterday : “ Indications easterly winds ; glass fall; tides increasing,” The Hon. J. Carroll and his secretary, Mr Harman, leave for Auckland by the Mararoa this morning. Yesterday afternoon the Hon. J. Carroll, accompanied by tho Mayor and Councillor Harding, went for a ride in the railway trucks. During the week the special services at St. Andrew’s Church have been interesting and profitable, and last night the service was very largely attended. The members of the Lodgo Abercorn, No. 76, N.Z.C., hold a welcome meeting next Tuesday night to Bro. E. A. Rees, who has just returned from South Africa. Two interesting football matches are set down for this afternoon. The senior cup content will be Huia v. Haiti, while the junior cup contest will be Huia v. West End. At the Cook County Council meeting yesterday, the County Clerk (who is captain of the Gisborne Rifles), was granted leave of absence to take part in the reception to tho Duke at Wellington. The local Manchester Unity of Oddfellows intend holding a social evening in Mr Craig’s building on Tuesday night. Wo understand that a presentation will be made during the evening to one of the officers of tho Lodge. Tho Australian Widows’ Fund Life Assurance Society has purchased tho freehold in Custom House Quay, Wellington, whore it has been located since the New Zealand branch was opened. It is intended to erect commodious offices on this central site.

The juvenile Rechabitcs are having a social gathering noxt Thursday night in their Tent room. One of tho features of the evening will be the presentation o£ the district prize to the member who introduced the largest number of members into the Tent during the past year. Owing to,the holidays (on account of the Royal visitors), which arc likely to interfere with tho Westralia’s time-table dates of sailing, it has been decided for her to leave Sydney on the 14th Juno, and she will leave Wellington on the 19th for Melbourne, via Bluff, which will be one day ahead of time table-dates. In tho shop of Messrs Sandlant Bros, yesterday, there was on view a waistcoat of most peculiar design—like “Joseph’s coat ” of many colors. This vestment, it is understood, is to be worn by Hakepene Rangi, who will visit Auckland to receive tho Yorks. Certainly, as a work of art, tho garmeut should (if he himself does not) attract very special attention. The Rev. Thomas Macdonald will conduct all the services at St. Andrew’s Church to-morrow (Sunday), and they are sure to be very largely attended. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be dispensed at the morning’s service. The Rev.-Mr Macdonald is to occupy the pulpit at St. Andrew’s at both services tomorrow, and the mission will be continued on Monday and Tuesday evenings. It was something like old times in Gisborne yesterday, thero being two or three hundred Natives about town, some being in readiness to leave for the North this morning. Tarred footpaths ave not suited to the Maoris’ habit of free expectoration, and last night the pavements in some parts were in a shocking condition owing to having been expectorated upon so much during the day.

Among the suggestions offered to the Hon. “J. Carroll for the entertainment of the Duke is that His Royal Highness should be given a four days’ trip to tho primeval forests of the Motu. The suggestion, which emanates from a leading townsman, was commended to Mr Carroll’s notice last night. Mr Carroll thinks that the the trip would delight the Duke, but he held out no hope of its being arranged.

Mr Cuthbert Morse yesterday received a telegram from Dr Inglis, surgeon of the Auckland Hospital, to the effect that the injuries which his sister, Miss Morse, sustained when escaping from tho Grand Hotel fire at are a fractured shoulder and severe bruising, and she is also suffering from the shock. She is jaaking fair progress towards recovery. Miss Morse was not a barmaid, as stated in some press messages, but acted in a managerial capacity for Mrs Johnston. Miss Morse had arranged to leave Auckland to-day for Gisborne, and was to have brought with her for a holiday 1 one or ngo’-e of the children who were burnt to death. Her own intention was to have been present at the wedding of a friend in Gisborne.

By the Taieri this morning, 125 Natives leave for Auckland en route to Rotorua, for tho Royal celebrations. A telegram received yesterday afternoon throws doubt on the previous message- as to Mr Ayres. No further information came to hand last night. A telegram was received yesterday from the Secretary of the Education Board, enquiring how many of the Gisborne school cadets would be able to attend the Royal celebrations at Christchurch. The lads will be given a free .trip, and provisions and lodging. L - At the Police Court yesterday, Edward McMahon was charged on the information of John McDowell with using threatening and obscene language, that was liable to cause a breach of the peace. Defendant was bound over to keep the peace, and to find sureties of £-15 —himself £25, and two sureties of £lO each. Mr Jones appeared for the prosecution. At the meeting of butchers on Wednesday evening Mr Maynard made a strong point of the value of the insido fat of beasts killed. Yesterday there was on view at his shop the fat taken from a heifor which weighed 6601 b, and the inside fat, wit l 'jut the kidney fat, weighed no less than 961 b, the value of which, Mr Maynard said, from his last returns, was £l.

A meeting of the Fi.ie Insurance Tariff Committeo was hold last night, to deal further with_the_mafcter of the increased

insurance rates. There were present V Messrs Morgan (in the chair), Shelton, Whinray, Pettio, Ambridge, Orr, Lunn, Robinson, and Townley. It was reported that only three replies had been received from the Chambers of Commerce to whom communications had been addressed, and none of tho three offered assistance in the matter. Considerable discussion took 'place on the position of affairs, and on the motion of Mr Shelton, seconded by -Mr Ambridge, it was resolved to write to the Invercargill League (which some years ago had taken a very active part in tho question of insurance) to ascertain what steps it was now taking, and if it was willing to co-Opevate in further action now. Mr Whinray strongly urged that steps should at once be taken in the direction of municipal fire insurance. On the motion of Mr Whinray, seconded by the Chan-man, it was resolved, “ That this committee report to the Chamber of Commerce that tho efforts to get reduced rates of insurance have had no effect, and recommend that steps be taken to get Municipal Fire Insurance adopted.” Turanga Church Services, Sunday next— Waerenga-a-hika (with Holy Communion) 11, Makaraka (with. Holy Communion) 3, Ormond 7. —Canon Fox. Roman Catholic Church Services, Sunday next: Gisborne, Mass 8 and 11 a.m., Vespers 7 p.m.; Makau’ri, Mass 9 a.m.; Patutahi, Mass 11 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Church Services, Sunday next—Rev. Thomas Macdonald will conduct all the services on Sunday. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be dispensed at the morning’s service.

Wesley Church Services, Sunday next—--11 a.m., “ The God of the Hills, not the God of the Valleys”; 7 p.m., “ Bread and Water,” solo by Mr Buckingham.—Preacher, Rev. B. F. Rothwell.