The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 20, 1901. FIRE INSURANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 162, 20 July 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 20, 1901. FIRE INSURANCE.

The extraordinary reason given by the Auckland manager of the South British Insurance Company, as to why the insurance tariff was increased, is worth bearing in mind by the victims of the impost. The increase has only been made, we are told, for the purpose of arousing public opinion to the necessity of first-class water supplies and thoroughly up-to-date fire appliances So far no offer has been heard of from the companies to devote the increased revenue to the purpose they claim to have in view. They seemed more impatient to foist on the extra rate than they are. to encourage tho improvements of which Mr Ivirker speaks. That gentleman must know well that the rates have been increased on properties that can never be brought within the range of an efficient water supply. They had to pay dear for that reason at the outset, and on the last increase they were made to pay more dearly still. In view of the statement made by Mr Kirker—which, strange to say, is uttered . just when aState° Fire Insurance Bill is before Parliament—it would bo well for the local committee or the Borough Council to send a letter enquiring how much of the revenue derived from increased tariffs the combination will refund towards the obtaining of an efficient water supply for Gisborne. We do not suppose that much benefit will be obtained by asking such a question, but it is just as well to let the companies know that the public are not inclined to silently endure the arbitrary action in raising the tariff. Mr Kirker might how it was that, instead of a warning being given to the public of what the companies desired, the increases were decided upon in a mysterious way, rumprs of the decision being at first met with statements that amounted almost to a donial.

Old age pension claims were dealt with

yesterday bv Mr Barton, S.M. The Gisborne Lodge of Oddfellows has £350 to lend at a low rate of interest.

Messrs J. Peckover and Co., have a change of advertisement in this issue. Mr J. Craig wants to purchase turkeys, ducks, and fowls, in any quantity, as soon as possible.

A. reward is offered by Mr Lowland Hill for the recovery of a red bullock lost from Patutahi slaughter yards on July 6.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday Edward Carlton Whitlock was fined .to and costs 9s for cruelty in over-driving two horses.

Captain Edwin reported at 11.’35 yesterday : “ South to south-west and west .-.ale ; glass rise ; more rain ; weather colder : tides moderate.”

A choice assortment of fruit trees, etc.

from Messrs Bull and Son’s gardens, is to be sold to day by Messrs Wyllic and Mason. *

Mr E. 11. Buckingham is to give a popular pictorial entertainment, with limelight views, in tho Wesley Schoolroom to-night.

At the inquest at Napier on John Prior, the jury found that deceased was accidentally drowned whilst endeavoring to cross the Waitangi river.

A military Church parade is to take place to-morrow morning, and a special service in connection with the return of the troopers from the war will bo conducted by the Lev. Canon Webb. The scow Surprise, which loft Mokau for New Plymouth nino days ago, and about which some anxiety was felt, reached port at noon yesterday. She had been blown out to sea. The Mayor and Captain Winter go out to the Zealandia this morning to officially welcome tho returning troopers. There will be no organised demonstration as arranged for on Thursday. Our Wellington correspondent reports that petitions were presented to the House yesterday from Captain Tucker and Messrs Frasor and Jackson, asking that

tho decrees of tho Validation Court bo given effect to.

Tho steamer To Anau, which loft Gisborne for Auckland on Thursday morning, experienced very rough weather. She did not arrive at Auckland until a-quarter to seven last evening. The steamer had eight horses on board.

An interesting and profitable service may bo expected at Wesley Church on Sunday evening. The choir, under Mr Buckingham, is giving a good account of itself, and the soloists, Messrs Barlow and Buckingham, arc established favorites. A social to tho returning troopers is to bo held on Monday evening at tho Thoatro Loyal. The affair, which promises to be a great success, is in the hands of a committeo, consisting of Messrs Morrison, Gaudin, and Lewis. Tickets are obtainable from members of tho committee and from local booksellers. We again remind our readers of the special meetings conducted at the Salvation Army by Major Evans, who is accompanied by Adjutant Ilatehor and Ensign Burton. Music, vocal and instrumental, will he rendered. The programme may bo seen in our advertising columns of to-day. Hawke’s Bay Land Board meets at Gisborne this morning, at ten o’clock, when several important matters will be dealt with, including tho hearing of several settlers, who have been called on to show cause why their holdings should not bo forfeited for non-compliance with conditions, residential or otherwise. An inset regarding tho special sale at Mark Way House appears in to-day’s Times. Attention is particularly directed to the linos offered in tho way of clothing and mercery samples of Ivaiapoi Woollen Company manufacture, which are being offered at half-price on account of being slightly damaged. Many other attractive lines are also offered. Mr Do Lough, who has boon on tho literary staff of our local contemporary, leaves for tho South to-morrow, to enter upon an engagement in Wellington. During his term of service in Gisborne Mr Do l/ough has proved a capable journalist, and has mado many friends in professional and social circles. The Wairoa Guardian states that Mr J. V. Macdonald, of’Wairoa. is to join tho staff of our local contemporary, and express a hope that he will not loso sight of tho interests of that district. Mr E. W. Paslcy, who has boon in charge of the local branch of tho Customs Department for tho past six and a-half years, will retire from tho service at. the end of tho present month. Mr Paslcy entered the Department in Nelson in 1864. After his retirement Mr Paslcy will proceed to Nelson, whore ho intends to take up his residence permanently. His successor has not yet been mentioned. Mr Tasley has mado many friends since ho has boon in Gisborne, to whom it will be a matter of much regret that he is leaving tho district. The Gisborne Daily Times has been appointed tho official organ of tho Patutahi Load Board, and all advertisements in connection with that body will be inserted in our columns. The Times is to be found in almost every home from the East Capo to Wairoa, and has the special advantage over other papers that it catches tho morning mails and coaches, the paper being delivered on the day of issue over forty miles into tho country, whilst the coast mails distribute at various places on the coast the same day’s paper. Wideawake advertisers should make a note of this.

Sheep farmers will find it to their interest to inspect the Rcnboy automatic brand for which Mr D. C. Hawkins lias the Gisborne agency. It is a simple, handy contrivance, for which superiority is claimed in regard to cleanliness, quickness, and handiness. It can bo carried about over a station without any trouble, and it is said that by its use sheep can be branded in half the time required by the old methods. The interior of the handle forms a duet, from which a specially prepared oil flows for branding purposes, absorbent letters being saturated so that the sheep, woolpack, etc., is branded after the manner of an ink marker. The case of the Whataupoko Road Board v. Alice Lewis was continued at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M. Mr L. Rees appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr R. N. .Tones for the defendant. Mr Rees, replying to the arguments raised by Mr Jones, contended that the two years’ limit did not apply to special rates, that the Board receiving their valuation roll from iiie Government had not power to alter it, and therefore the rate was rightly made on the present value, and also that the signature to the demand being printed was sufHeiont. lie quoted various authorities. The Magistrate said that the case was a most important one, and he would reserve judgment until his return from Wairoa. A very pleasant dance took place last evening at McFarlane’s Hall, under the auspices of the Gisborne Ladies’ Hockey Club. There were about 70 couples present. The floor was in beautiful order. The music was splendid, being supplied by Mrs Fernandez, who gave a choice selection, while the time was perfect. An excellent supper was provided by the ladies, the tables being prettily set off in the colors of il;o Club, red and white. The programmes were artistically printed with the colors of the Club, being the work of Mr Slack, of the Times office. At the conclusion of the dance the gentlemen gave three hearty cheers for the ladies who had so well carried out the arrangements, with an extra ono for the popular captain, Miss Heaney. The annual match between the town and country clubs takes place at Te Arai this afternoon.

Wesley Church Services, to-morrow (Sunday). —H a.m., Mr Buckingham, “Three Young Christian Heroes”; 7 p.m.. Rev. B. F. Bothwell, “The Life of Christ,” illustrated by appropriate hymns and solos. Grey Street Hall, to-morrow (Sunday)— Subject. “Important Triplets—Justification, gasification, and Evangelisation; or Life, Walk, and Work.” St. Andrew's Church Services, to-morrow (Sunday). —Morning. 11; subject, “Too Late.” Evening, 7 ; subject, for young men, “A Tragedy of the Football Field; Smitten Down In the Midst of the Struggle.” Members of Football Cffbs specialty invited.