The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOVEMBER 1, 1901. CHURCH AND LIQUOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 252, 1 November 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOVEMBER 1, 1901. CHURCH AND LIQUOR.

It must have been with fi sense of iudignation aud pain that thoughtful people real the telegram published yesterday morning, to the effect that the Anglican Synod of Otago had de-

cide! upon a crusade in favor of sua ching the liquor trade from the lianas of retailers aiul making the Government tho head oi a publichousQ system. There is a good deal to be said iu favor of State control in a move direct, manner than it already exists, and the subject is an interesting one for argument, but it is a positive disgrace that a (Jhurch should place itself at tho head of a movement for the converting of the State into a nublic-houso landlord. The Synod does not content itself with an expression of opinion, hut has actually

set about the formation of a League with the object of installing the State as publican, and branches of tho League founded by tho Synod are to bo formed throughout tiio colony! The wonder is that no one urged that the (Synod should take control of the trade. It would then bo able to give effect to its pious views, and justify its mixing up of religion with liquor. Wo can understand the position or a prohibitionist or of a moderate, but we fail to see anything but what is disgraceful and shocking in the conduct of a Church Synod which lias taken upon itself to organise a combination for the sweeping away of tho rights or privileges of the publican so that the State itself may have a monopoly of the liquor traffic. Surely a Synod can iiud some better scope for the exorcise of its energies than in becoming the leader iu au advocacy of the .-tato as a liquor monopolist.

Tho vital statistics for fhc month of October were as follows: Births -0, deaths 7, marriages 8.

At Auckland yesterday a handsome new oil launch for Herr Soil', Governor of Samoa, was launched by Mr 11. Logan. Capt. Edwin wired yesterday: “ Northeast to east and south-east gale: glass fall : high tides- ; heavy sea ; much rain.”

At a meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday, it was decided that the Engineer's office should be connected with the telephone exchange. Steps are being taken to get the Holiday Committee to reconsider their decision in regard to the clay to bo observed for celebrating the King’s birthday, and Saturday will most likely be decided upon.

A case of considerable interest to farmers is set down for hearing at the Magistrate’s Court to-day. It will involve the question of liability for drains made upon one property and affecting others. Welcome rain fell yesterday. It interfered with tho bowling, cricket and other holiday fixtures, but the rain came just when needed, and will have the effect of providing the wherewithal for future hours of play.

The time for receiving entries for the Military sports, under the auspices of the East Coast Mounted liillcs, has been extended until eight o’clock to-morrow evening. The success of the sports is already assured over IOS entries having been received up to yesterday. Members of the Harbor Board yesterday had the pleasure of welcoming Mr .(. Whinray back to his scat on the Board, that energetic member having so far recovered from Ins recent indisposition that be was able to resume his position at the Board.

An instance of how people meet was exempliiicdyesterday when a trio—Messrs Blair, Bbieriaw, and Pcngelley—all from Adelaide, in South Australia, fell in contact with one another. Their knowledge of each other goes back almost to childhood, and though separated from the place of their infancy, none of the gentlemen look as though the world had used them badly.

Residents of Tola-go Bay are desirous of better representation with regard to Justices of the Peace. Before an inquest on the body of the young man Pry could be held a Justice of the Peace had to be obtained from Gisborne, and much delay was thereby caused. There is one Justice in the Tolago district, Mr A. Beeves, but he was absent at the time. The Tolago district is growing in importance, and its claims should be considered by the Government when the next appointment of Justices are made.

On some of the Union Company's bu sts an additional terror is added to that of soa-siekness. Part of the bill of fare on some steamers is printed in French, and it is amusing to see people in a doubtful frame of mind as to whether or not they ! will retain their scats at the table, stu- ; diously regarding tile lines in French. An experienced traveller was heard to declare that the lines were put in the French language, not because of the poverty of the English language, but bc-cause the “chef” I had not prepared a big serving of these particular lines, and people not knowing what was being offered passed by the dishes to which the French names had been given. A compliment of a high character was paid by the Harbor Board yesterday to Captain Cummings, who had applied for the position of master of the dredge. Members referred in a satisfied way to Captain Cummings’ qualifications. The Chairman was about to read the testimonials. "We don’t want to hear them,” said Mr Cooper, with impatience ; “we have all known Captain Cummings for some years, and that is the best testimonial we can have in regard to him.” Members agreed, and the appointment was made unanimously. In the case of Mr Mitchell, members were also highly satisfied, and a first-class testimonial was read from Mr J. 11. Jones, engineer at the Gisborne Freezing Works,

i The Mffiis:.':- o: Linus his jeon adI vised by the Sj.i.-itor-Geueral that there 1 :s o limit u the time within w’nieh a I perpetual lease-holder utav acquire the ! freehold. “ It means that the Board loses an ini vestment of X'2ooo for a fixed term at 5 ! per cent," said the Chairman of the Har- ! bor Board yesterday afternoon, in referj cr.ee to the mass of technicalities set up so I that the Borough Council had to abandon is intention to borrow money from the ; Hoard. Lie heavy rain yesterday proven toil ' the tirst of tue series of Thursday chain- ! piouship cricket matches being played. To-morrow afternoon, a commencement ! will be made at tl o'clock on Victoria i Domain with the Saturday inter-club ; competition, when Unite.l plays County 1 and City meets West End. ! At the Lull bor Board meeting yesterday, j the following trtwr was real from Mr , I'i.iingiiam. United Slates Consul at ‘ Vuciikm.i : '* f thank wm* Board for its .. ■. kitij.-s re late i.i President. .Such sympathetic tnessa ;es as Itave come to me front till kinds a:ui comic.'.or. ei pcopk. Itave been most touching- but none more so than yours.'' On Saturday, November but living's Birthday i. the Gisborne post office will be closed. ' AH mails tor despatch on that day will be made tit 7.-10 the preceding evening. The post oiiiee win be obeli o >

Friday, the Sth inst., from 7 to S p.m. for delivery of correspondence only. The telegraph oiiiee will be open on Saturday from a.in. to -1 p.m.. and from 7 p.m. to midnight. The telephone bureau will be open as usual. All local country offices will observe a close holiday ill all branches.

The troops under King Menelik of Abyssinia are accustomed to live for months together on handfuls of flour and dried peas. They are possessed of groat powers ol endurance, ami are said to be unequalled at close quarters and charges. They are volunteers mainly recruited from the tillers of tile soil. Their pay is small, but they receive in addition their clothing.

food, and travelling expenses. They have no barracks. A certain number are billetted in each village, and the cost of their keep is deducted from the taxes. There was an enthusiastic gathering at the Salvation Army barracks last night, when the special feature of the meeting was the announcement of the total received from self-denial contributions. A target of X 207 5s had boon set, and Captain Sharp had she pleasure of announcing that the total contributions (net) were .1210. The sale of gifts was very successful. The largest donation made to the fund by ono iudividul was X'lo. The donations from the soldiers themselves were exceedingly good, The band challenged Levin to a contest as to which would raise the largest sum. information as to the result at Levin has not yet been received, but the amount raised by the Gisborne baud was .£24 2s.

A telegram received from Wellington yesterday states : —The New Zealand Amateur Bowing Association held its annual meeting last night. Mr i.L D. Bell was elected President, and Messrs G. 11. Betluine (Wellington) and T. ID. Ivestevcn (Christchurch l vice-ITcsidents, and N. Galbraith (Wellington) secretary and treasurer. .V motion by Mr Marks, representative of Waitemata Club, for an alteration of the constitution by instituting local control, was lost. Twenty-two clubs voted for it and fifteen against, but the constitution required a two-thirds majority. Mr Marks gave notice to renew the motion at next meeting. It was decided by 24 to 12 that the next championship regatta he held at Wellington rather than Wanganui.