The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 15, 1901. THE DUKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 133, 15 June 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 15, 1901. THE DUKE.

Those of us who have not the good fortune to flit away on a holiday tour to see the Duke and Duchess, and to enjoy the festivities connected therewith, may get a sort of consolation by philosophising on the boredom that must bo the lot of the exalted personage who has to submit to so much formality when he perhaps would really like to see our beautiful and interesting country. When in Australia the pleasantest time the Duke had was at the bush picnic, but even that must be spoiled by a silver teapot being substituted for the “ billy ” in which the tea is usually made. Wo hear a good deal about the novelty of the Maori welcome that is taking place, and about how everything was to bo in the old native fashion—a statement which may well make people smile. The worst of it is, too, that this kind oi thing, having the kindly countenance of the Duko and Duchess, may give the Maoris the idea that they are more appreciated in their imitations of ancient ways of Maoridom than in their pursuit of the peaceful avocations of industry. As it is the average Maori is not too fond of work, though some are splendid exceptions, and there is a danger that when all the excitement is over he will take to it still less kindly. But to return to tho subject of the Duko and the lot that he has to put up with. A radical journal pleads his cause in a satirical way, and as if speaking for the Duke : “ Hero I’m supposed to be out on a holiday. Where’s tho holiday ? I’m slaving from morning till night: I don’t get a minute’s decent rest —not a minute! People complain I look bored; how can I help looking bored ? I am bored. So would you be if you had to keep eternally grinning and bowing at people you never met in your life before, and never want to meet again—for fear they’ll say something disrespectful of the monarchy if you let your mouth fix for a moment. How would you like to have to shake 1000 mixed hands one after the other ?—with the knowledge that there were 1000 more waiting in the next place, and in the next ? How would you like to be jostled and stared at and breathed over as if you were a wild beast in a circus, instead of a tame duko in a temper ? You wouldn’t stand it for ono instant. But I’ve got to stand it—l can’t get away from it—if I try to get away from it there's a row at home at once ; they say I’m knocking the bottom out of the monarchy.” Continuing he is made to speak somewhat in this fashion : —“ If your notabilities were a manly lot of fellows, and had the sense to come along and pass the time o’ day in a manly way, I wouldn’t mind so much. But this continual adulation is the most sickening thing about the Dukeprofession. Ido hate servile flattery. I tell you the only really pleasant moment I had in Australia was the time I shot that snake.” Then the radical journal takes an ingenious but rude way of deriding those'who have been fawning on Boyalty. “ There’s a poet, Byron or somebody, who says he wishes womankind had" all ono lovely mouth, so that a fellow could kiss them all at once from north to south. Well, when that snake crawled past, I wished all the dignitaries in Australia were that ono snake, [so that I might finish them off together. I gave that snake both barrels; I’d have given him a dozen barrels if I’d had them. I couldn't tell the others what I thought of them, for fear of damaging the monarchy ; but the snake knows ; I was safe in telling the snake.” Then as to the fuss! “ You think it pleases me to be fussed and flummeried over with flags and illuminations and bands and speeches, do you ? Say, did you ever see a farmers’ show ? Did you ever look up a long building and see exhibit after exhibit of potatoes—hundreds of exhibits of potatoes ? You might take an interest in one lot of potatoes, or -in two or three lots,' but if you had to go up' the whole interminable row, and profess a separate and particular interest in ail the lots, wouldn’t you get ghastly sick and tired of potatoes ? Well, that’s me.-i always get potatoes. Potatoes yesterday, potatoes to-day, potatoes to-morcow—po-tatoes all over Australia, and more potatoes in Maoriland. Banner and coloredlamps and O.M.Cf.'s bent double —all potatoes. See here; 1 loathe potatoes ! So would you. But when you’ve had enough potatoes, you can go away; I can’t—l’m bound to the wheel, and I’ve got to go round with it. If I hint that I'd like pumpkins for a change, there’s a yell at once : 1 Oh,' no ; you musn’t 1 Think of the Monarchy !’ What do you think I’ve seen of Australia —the country and the people ? Practically nothing.' iG'u 7S 2! wa )' 3 bad a on. I never see your cities in then- shirtsleeves, Always the same crowds and flags and processions! How can I tell what you really are ? Look here! the best evening I’ve had in your country was one night when I shammed sick and got away from the lot.” The Duke would certainly not talk as the writer would have him do, but it is probable that he often thinks that way. When Mr Whinray suggested a trip to the Motu it was regarded as a joke, and yet it is likely that such a trip would be enjoyed by His Eoyal Higness if he could for the time being cast aside the conventionalities that bind him to stiff formalities. WHat more enjoyable trip could be given him than a detour of Poverty Bay ? It could be made without any great loss of time ; there would be none of the boredom that is so self-evident in the cities, and the Eoyal party would have the advantage of viewing's spot of great historic interest. As it is the. Duke and Duchess are to view New Zealand but are not to be permitted even to see the white cliffs sighted by “ Young Nick,” from Captain Cook’s ship.

Captain Edwin reported yesterday:— 11 Moderate -westerly winds; glass rise; tides moderate; weather cloudy.” A party of Wairoa settlers left on Saturday on a camping tour to Eotorua. They expect to return via Opotiki. The Native Land Court opens in Gisborne on Monday, His Honor Judge Batharn presiding. The principal business will be confirmations.

The Rev. B. F. Kothwell’s subject at the Wesley Church to-morrow evening will be “A .Big Stir Amongst the Skeletons,” postponed last Sunday on account of the weather.

The second of Mrs W. Grey’s series of winter dances was held last evening in the Academy of Music, upwards of twenty-five couples being present. The floor was in splendid order, and dancing was carried on with spirit until midnight. Wairoa is having weather similar to that experienced in Gisborne. So mild has been the season so far that various trees and plants—usually bare at this time of the time—are still fully clothed in green, whilst others are already bursting into leaf.

Last week the trip of the monkey at- the Nuhaka Bridge fell within two feet of Mr Ollivier, but no one was hurt. Only four piles require driving, and if the weather holds good the bridge will be finished in three months. It will be a splendid bridge when completed, and capable of carrying railway traffic.—Guardian. A meeting of the New Zealand Natives’ Association Ball Committee was held last evening. Mr D. Hepburn presided, and upwards of twenty-five members were present. It was decided to hold a plain and fancy dress ball on July 25th, and a strong committee was appointed to make all arrangements. The affair promises to be a groat success. The ratepayers of Whataupoko and Haiti aro invited to meet at the Theatre

Royal on Wednesday evening next for the purpose of considering and discussing the question of portions of the districts mentioned being merged in the Borough. The matter is one of vital importance to the town and suburbs, and it is to be hoped that there will be a large and representative attendance at the meeting.

The arrangements in connection with the Druids’ seventeenth anniversary social, to be held in-the Theatre lloyal on Tuesday, July 9th (first night of steeplechase meeting), are already in a very forward state,, and the Committee are sparing neither time nor expense to make this year’s gathering eclipse any similar function yet held in .the district. Tickets may now be procured from the Secretary, or any member of the’Committee.

Mr Neil Walker’s woolshed at Ohinepaka has boen'burned down, the fact having been discovered on Sunday morning. The whole of the contents, comprising 12 bales of wool, wool-press, chaff-cutter, and stock of chaff, 150 skins, and a quantity of station apparatus were also destroyed. The insurance amounts to Tl5O, but Mr Walker estimates his loss at Tl5O over that amount. No cause can be given for the fire.—Guardian.

The Christchurch Press explains that the reason why a number of Chambers of Commerce withheld their support from the proposal of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce to urge the adoption of State Fire Insurance was on the ground that the question being of great importance it should be deferred until the formation of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce was completed, 'the associated body to then deal with the question. Surely this is merely a shelving of the question. The Boyal celebrations this week are having an unsteadying effect on the community generally. Here is an instance taken from an exchange which talks much about sensational items :. “ The Government steamer Danger Signal was on view

at Tinwald and Cookson’s stables, Ash-

burton, last Tuesday, and was greatly admired by the farmers of the district.” The intelligent linotype operator evidently refers to the Government stallion recently imported from England. The Star of Gisborne Lodge, No. 61, of

the 1.0.0. F. of New Zealand, American Constitution, held an emergency meeting this week at the Lo'dge-room, Childers road, when several brothers were advanced from the initiatory to the Scarlet degree. Bro. J. H. Colebourne, N.G., conducted

the impressive ceremonies, ably assisted by Bro. A. G. Wheeler, P.G. The election of officers takes place next Thursday evening. Candidates for initiation aro asked to come early and bring their medical certificates from Dr Hughes, the Lodge surgeon, of whoso services the members speak very highly.

An effort will be made by Mr G. Kemp, of the local telegraph staff, to communicate by means of a system of wireless telegraphy with the steamer Ophir as that vessel passes Poverty Bay to-morrow afternoon. The instrument will be placed in position at the flagstaff, and will bo manipulated by Mr Kemp. The Ophir is supposed to leave Auckland at half-past seven this evening, and if she gets away well to time should be off the Bay between three and four o’clock. There will no doubt be some little delay in leaving Auckland, and in that case the steamer would hardly pass before dusk. The darkness will not, however, interfere with the message being sent. We trust that those in charge of the instruments on the Ophir will be on the look-out, and that Mr Kemp will be successful in his efforts to communicate with the steamer. The Wairoa Guardian states that it is impossible to ride through from Wairoa to Kofcorua via Waikaremoana, as there is no track for horses from Hopururuahino to Papatotara, and the ground is full of ruts, stumps, and steep places. From Wairoa to Hopuruahine the distance is easily got over, and from Papatotara to Galatea, as the clearings commence at Papatotara, and there is a pack for a few miles and then a dray road. Horses not used to the country would get their legs brokeu, and only horses bred in the Urewera country could do the journey, and then they would have'to be driven, as it is

impossible to ride from the places mentioned, which are eleven miles apart. The Urewera horses have the climbing proclivities of cats, they walk on logs, up steep hillsides, and go through almost inaccessible places. In winter they take entirely to the bush to get out of the snow and look for feecl.

In regard to the parcel of jewellery taken from Mr W. Good’s shop yesterday, we are pleased to learn that the property has been recovered or restitution made. The parcel contained thirteen gold wedi ding brings qnd a sovereign case. The elderly man who was seen to take the parcel from ' the shop was sought out by Mr Good. The man, after some conversation, admitted that ho had taken the parcel, but explained that he had done so in mistake for one which he himself was to get from the shop. Oil finding that he had taken the rings, the man, according to his own story, became frightened, and rearing to return the jewellery, concealed it beneath an outhouse near Peel street. He showed Mr Good where he had thrown the articles, and they were all recovered except three rings and the sovereign case. The rings had been brought into the shop from the work-room. Quite a large crowd of people gathered when the search for the rings was being made. Mr Good states that he is satisfied the man had no felonious intent.

Mr Lawrence Hallam, of the Motu, in a letter to his father (who resides at Gisborne), gives an account of the robbery committed by the natives. They took about £5 worth of clothing and saddlery, and some silver which was in a purse. “I went to Opotiki,” writes Mr Hallam, “ and with the aid of Constable O’Beilfy, caught the natives and had them brought before the Court.” The charge was heard before Colonel Boberts, S.M., and is thus reported by the Opotiki Herald : “Two natives, Wai Kapu Ratanui and Te Ra Tunui, were charged, on the information of Constable Q’Beilly, with the theft of certain articles belonging to a settler at Motu. Mr H. E. Elliott appeared for the defence. After committing the theft they were overtsken at Papamoa, and were made to return the greater number of the articles stolen. The Bench inflicted a fine of 40s and £3 3s 3d costs on the younger native, Tunui, and a fine of £5 and £3 3s 3d costs against the elder native, to be paid within 24 hours, or in default one month's and three months’ imprisonment respectively."

The Cook Couuty Council invite tenders for reforming aud metalling portions of Waimata road.

The steamer Weka whioh arrives from Napier this afternoon, will bring a Southern mail.

The annual me'f eg of the Gisborne Poultry Fauciers Club will be held on Thursday eveniu g next.

“An Evening with Longfellow” will be the attraction at the Mutual Improvement Society on Monday evening.

Miss Emily Beeves, the well-known musician, of Auckland, is to bo married shortly to Mr Sutherland, of Fiji. An election for the return of five members to the AVaipaoa Boad Board will be held on Saturday, July 6tli, nominations closing on Wednesday, 26th inst. “ Whistle,” in the Gisborne Times, aud “ Spectator,” in the Napier Telegraph, are advocating the abolition of wing forwards in football, because they tend to make the play tight and prevent passing. What has our old friend —“ Off-side ” Mac—to say on the other side ?—Frco Lance.

Mr T. Greonhow, of Palmerston North, w'ho recently imported the Shire horses Boro’ Drayman and Bolingbroke 11. from England, is interesting himself in the compilation of a Shire horse stud book for New Zealand. Mr Greenhow considers that in view of his own and the Government’s importations, and of the fact that thoroughbred Shire mares in foal will be landod in the colony at an early date, a stud-book is absolutely necessary, more especially as English authorities refuse to insert in the English book tho progeny of expatriated animals. It is probable the matter will be taken up by the Manaw’atu A. and P. Association, on receipt of the information which Mr Greenhow expects from England.

Messrs Williams and Kettle yesterday received a telegram from Mr Thomas Byrne, who is at Wairoa, stating that he would not be able to get his cattle through in time for the Matawhero sale on tho 20th. Messrs Williams and Kettle have therefore withdrawn them from that sale. We believe tho cattle aro a first-class lot, aud Mr Byrne has received tempting offers for them all along the road, but having arranged that they should be sold here, and believing them to be a class of young stock wanted in this district, Mr Byrne resisted all offers, and is bringing them through. Messrs Williams and Kettle (Limited) are arranging for a special sale at the Matawhero Yards on Thursday, June 27th (one W’eek later), and will probably offer at the same time tho plant, teams, etc., belonging to Mr P. Rogers, of Patutahi. Grey Street Hall—Mr. Deck will conduot the meeting to-morrow (Sunday) night, at 7.30. Subject, “ The Boyal Visitor.” Turanga Church Services, Sunday next— Karaka (with Holy Communion) 11, Ormond (with Holy Communion) 3, Waerenga-a-hika 7.—Canon Fox.

Roman Catholic Church Services, Sunday next—Gisborne : Mass 8 and 11 a.m., Vespers 7 p.m. Patutahi: Mass 9 a.m. Waerenga-a-bika: Mass 11 a.m.—Rev. W. J. O’Connor.

Wesley Church Services, Sunday next—--11 a.m., Mr Buckingham ; subject, “ Struggle for Success ” ; 7 p.m., Bey. B. F. Rothwell; subject, “ A Big Stir Amongst the Skeletons ”; Waimata, 11 a.m.—Rev. B. F. Rothwell.