The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 19, 1901. THE BUDGET.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 190, 19 August 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 19, 1901. THE BUDGET.

The Financial Statement delivered on Friday night was of great length, and put the finances of the colony before readers in a clear and simple way, The satirical touch at the commencement of the Statement was hardly in keeping with the dignified position of the Colonial Treasurer, whoshnild “joke wi’ difficulty,” but perhaps it was excusable. Why newspapers should seek to get up a financial scare in New Zealand is hard to conceive. The writers apparently do not realise the seriousness of such unpatriotic conduct. It might, if successful, mean a blow to what is so often termed “Soddonism,” but it would mean a very serious blow to the colony in which all would be involved. That the uneasiness created was having a marked effect was apparent by the way in which goods were being taken from bond owing to the fear of additional taxation ; but the effect was by no means confined to that stage. The readiness with which the opportunitj' was seized to cable Home alarmist statements was proved last week. The prompt delivery of the Statement must certainly help to chock the mischief caused in that way. There is to be no increase of taxation, and a prosperous future is indicated, but the Colonial Treasurer wisely preaches the gospel of caution. Mr Seddon is to be congratulated on the way the Statement sets forth the stato of affairs. The fact that the revenue exceeds the estimates counts for little, because by making a moderate estimate such a result can usually be achieved. The worst feature of the position is that the permanent charges are ■ on the increase, and a grave warning in that respect is given by the Statement. During the past year the revenue has been buoyant, and if it keeps up so well the future of the colony is very hopeful. One of the features of policy indicated is a State coal mine, but the people had already been prepared for some such step by previous declarations. The Statement of course shows the usual jugglery of figures: a smart financier can put them in quite a different light to that in which some appear. But taken as a whole the Statement is a masterly production and an honest endeavor to lucidly set forth the finances in a way in which they can be readily understood.

A basket social is to be held at Makauri on Thursday evening. A special meeting of the Patutahi lload Board is convened for Monday next. The first meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of W. 0. Sheet takes place this morning. Gisborne people will be pleased to note that Manson scored three tries in the inter-colonial football match on Saturday. The s.s. Bjina left Calcutta on 4th August for Auckland, via Singapore. She is due there about the first week in September, and has 40 tons for this port. The attention of stock-owners is directed to an advertisement in this issue with regard to cheap grazing for forty or fifty head of cattle on a coastal property close to town. The Druids hold a social evening at Ormond to-morrow week, August 27th. The gathering promises to be a great success, and judging by the demand for tickets the function will be quite as successful as the one held at Patutahi in •June iast. A cablegram received from New York on Saturday states : —Dr Gatling, of gun fame, has invented a motor plough, which he claims will enable one man to plough thirty acres daily. A company has been formed at St. Louis to exploit the invention.

The conference to have been held at the County Council Chambers on Saturday afternoon, did not take place. The Chairman of the Patutahi Road Board (Mr Owen Gallagher) and members attended, but there were no representatives from the proposed new road district. | Mr Kempner had a live!” f xt) erience last evening. He was riding along on his well-known creamy pony, when a vehicle without lights came from the opposite direction. Mr Kempner quickly pulled his pony to the side, but in doing so got it into the ditch. He fortunately sprang clear without sustaining any injury, but let the pony go. It is now advertised for The meetings of the Salvation Army yesterday were largely attended, the open air service in the evening being one of the largest held in Gisborne for some years past. On Thursday evening next a special meeting will be held in the Barracks, when the members of the junior corps will be in charge. A capital programme is in course of preparation, and a most enjoyable evening is promised. Lieut. Hill leaves for Tolago Bay this morning, and will be absent for about a fortnight,

Some choice town sections are offered for sale by tender, being the properties of Mr J. Erskiue. Tenders close on Saturday, August 31.

Tenders were opened on Saturday by the To Arai Road Board for the formation of 103 chains of Te Arai road. Mr Hyde’s tender was accepted at .£235. The Hon. IV. llollestou, who has been in failing health for soldo time past, has come up to Wellington for a change and medical novice. Capt. Sharp, of the Salvation Army, acknowledges with thanks the sum of £$ 5s towards the Army rescue work being the surplus from the recent social given to the returned troopers.

The Government is now negotiating for another small loan with the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Company. The negotiations have got the length of the Treasury offering to accept debentures up to almost any amount available at four per cent., the interest to be paid in Melbourne, The factory of the Thames Valley Dairying Company is to bo erected on Mr J. Phillips’ land, Paeroa, near the Ohinomuri river. A plant is to bo set up for the manufacture of butter and cheese. The Omahu creamery is to be put in hand at once, the material being already on the ground. A Xow Plymouth firm has offered to advance Odd per lb on the output of butter. Mr Richard Bach writes :—“ Sir, —The Miss Bach who was married on Thursday last is the daughter of Richard Bach, but the existence of the latter was apparently ignored in the usual notice given. It may be incidentally mentioned in connection with the event that Captain Thomson had flags flying, whilst Mr Matthew Hall, of Matawhero, also displayed bunting. Thorc was also an omission that Mr Leonard Maude acted as best man.” The London Oil Syndicate has leased the sole rights of Mr Job. Osborne’s patent boring plant to bore for water, gas, or oil in Poverty Bay. Mr T. Smith, so wellknown as Mr Osborne’s manager, and who has met with considerable success in boring for artesian water in this district, has severed his connection with Mr Osborne, and accepted the position of master borer for the London Oil Syndicate. A start will be made with an oil bore at an early date, the necessary plant having already arrived in the district. Messrs Dalgoty and Co., Limited, report having held their monthly sale of sheep and cattle at Stortford Lodge, Hawke’s Bay, on Tuesday, when they offered a good yarding of prime beef, and about 350 sheep. Competition was slack for fat sheep, but for beef was very keen, one pen of heavy weight bullocks realising T 9 7s Od, the highest price for many years. Wo obtained the following prices : Fat wethers, from 14s to 14s Gd ; fat owes, up to 12s; hoggets, Ss ; prime fat bullocks, up to T 9 7s 6d; fat cows, not quite finished off, up to T 6. The fact that the Waihi, having on board Dr Williams, made a special second trip out to the steamer To Anau yesterday afternoon gave rise to a good deal of speculation, and many surmises were made. The fact was that a through passenger was suffering from a minor complaint, and desired to consult with a doctor, and I)r Williams went out. The reason for the special trip of the Waihi was to take out a box to bring in the stud horse Swordfish, referred to in our Auckland telegrams. The horse was landed in fine condition, there being a great many admirers to view the noble animal, and Mr Gainc Carrington having him in his own charge. At Wesley Church last night the congregation was large, when the Rev. B. F. Rothwell’s subject was “ The Now Woman.” He endeavored to show that she was not new, but that there were now manifestations of her power. This was a fruit of the Gospel, and woman owed her exalted position to-day to the lofty respect shown her by Jesus Christ. Examples were quoted to show that from the refuse and moral dustheap of the world now men and women were made. The sermon was well illustrated, eloquently delivered, and listened to with rapt attention. The singing was hearty and powerful, the choir being assisted by the usual brass instruments.

There was a large attendance of members at the Men’s Sunday Mutual yesterday afternoon. Mr E. H. Buckingham presided, and members gave a short oratorical review of the books read by thorn during the past fortnight. The following were the books and their reviewers:—“The Story of Egypt,” Mr A. Georgeson; “ Charles Dickens,” Mr J. Gcorgeson; “ The Story of Africa” and “The Story of India,” Mr J. D. Kelly; “ The Life of Nelson,” Mr J. K. Macdonald ; “ Lord Lawrence,” Mr Nicholas; “Joseph Chamberlain” and “General Grant,” Mr M. G. Nasmith, jun.; “ Lord Rosebery,” Mr Vincent; “John Bright,” Mr C. Peterson; “ Gladstone,” Mr F. Brown; “Joseph Chamberlain,” Mr Grundy; “ Livingstone,” Mr Blair. The Society is doing good work, and the speakers are showing considerable improvement since the Society was founded. The library in connection with the Society contains an excellent variety of the best books, and young men would do well to join the Society, and thus be able to obtain good reading matter.