AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 151, 8 July 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

BE WAKE OF PICKPOCKETS. (Special to Times.) Auckland, last night. Among those drifting to Gisborne ar~ a number of light-fingerod gentry, who ' ave been shadowed too closely to operate successfully since their recent arrival in Auckland. When this spoiling fraternity put their heads together they will be found to be very clever people; so, my Gisborne readers, beware. HAIR TRIGGER. Tho defeat of the Gisborne-owned horse Hairtriggor in the hurdle race on the opening day of tho Napier Park Meeting came as a great surprise to Auckland backers, who looked upon the son of Crackshot as a good thing for that race. SIR .JOSEPH. In the course of his speech in the debate on the Addross-in-Reply, according to a special wire, Sir Joseph Ward said that exception had boon taken to his (Sir Joseph’s) wearing a Court uniform, and taking a title. No man, ho said, occupying a responsible position who went to the Old Country', and was invited to important functions, could refuse to accept them, as to do so would bo a reflection on his own country, and ho could not go to them unless he wore the uniform to which Captain Russell had taken exception. What was more, one of Captain Russell’s own party in the Atkinson Government wore the same uniform from time to time, and no comment was made. That gentleman was Sir Frederick Whitaker.

Mr Atkinson : “ Didn't you take tho uniform on to the American warship Brooklyn '? ” Sir Joseph Ward : 11 No, I did not.” Mr Massey : “ I think the Premier took it to tho Islands.” (Laughter.) “ A uniform,” continued Sir Joseph, “ did not change a man’s nature.” With regard to his titlo, ho had received congratulations from thousands of people all over the colony, but of course if any objected to it they had a right to their opinions. Ho had never spoken against men taking titular distinctions, and ho considered that- if a man in a responsible position who had earned a title did not accept it when offered, he would be acting the part of, ho was going to say, a snob. If people imagined that a title was going to make any change in his opinions, or brush him aside politically on that account, they made a very serious mistake, both as regards public opinion and his own disposition. (Cheers.) The House must sympathise with tho lion, member for Hawke’s Bay (Capt. Russell) on his not being qualified to wear tho Windsor uniform. Capt. Russell: lam qualified. I could wear it to-morrow. Sir JosepWard: Then tho hon. member must be ashamed to show his legs. (Laughter.) THE MESSAGE FROM THE KING. The Governor to-day received a message from King Edward VII., expressing his thanks to New Zealand Parliament and people for tho loyal and generous manner in which they had received the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The message is to bo presented to tho House on Monday. WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES ?

Mr Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works, arrived here on Friday night from Rotorua. lie loft for Wellington to-day, via tho West Coast. He is accompanied by Mrs and Miss Hall-Jones. Tho Minister informed mo that thero was no truth

in tiny rumor that he had resigned his portfolio, “ unless,” he added, with a laugh, “I am hypnotised.” lie thinks the incorrect report must have arisen through a recent statement of his in the South that he must take a spell before the work of the session began. Mr RaliJones has been troubled considerably with rheumatism of late, and lie found the spout batli at Whakarewarcwa a great relief. MAIN TBUNK RAILWAY. Work on the Main Trunk railway line, Mr Hall-Jones informs me, is progressing very well. The Minister says that ho sees no reason at all why his statement made last year regarding the completion of the line should not be fulfilled, and he fully expects, in accordance with his estimate of the time then given, to see trains running direct from Auckland and Wellington in four years from the date of last session.