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Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 262, 14 November 1901, Page 4

The old age pension scheme (says a contemporary) has created a new profession in Now South Wales, to wit, the corroborator, who for a small consideration s.vears as to the length of residence in the country of any applicant desiring his services.

Mr Joseph Taylor, of Puoonga coal fame, whose proposals for the establishment of the iron industry in New Zealand, attracted some attention two years ago, has now put forward a scheme to make Nelson the premier port of New Zealand. He has issued a pamphlet, in which he details his scheme in roseate language. He asserts there is really no place in the colony so favorably situated as Nelson. The Auckland Observer states :—Auckland .will shortly lose as a citizen Mr Malcolm Niccol, who lias for years given the people the benefit of his services on local public bodies, and who has identified himself with a number of social movements in the community.’ Under the terms of his appointment as Grand Secretary to the N.Z. Freemasons, be will take up his residence in Wellington next June, and two years later will move on to Christchurch. Local Freemasonry will severely miss Mr Niccol, who has been one of its staunchest pillars, while the Harbour Board and other local bodies will also suffer by his departure.

An interesting instance of forethought of the early settlors who went in for tree planting has been brought under the notice of the Temuka Leader, The year following the ’63 iiood Mr Woff'enden planted on a seetion on Geraldine Load (since acquired by Mr Kelman) some blue gums. That these have grown apace is evidenced by the fact that one felled recently yields 1070 feet of sawn timber. Several sawraillers in the district are fairly steadily engaged in converting well grown pinus insignis into marketable sawn timber. A good deal of this is being utilised for building material, and in its proper sizes this timber makes excellent butter boxes.

Mr S. Weetruan, Chief Surveyor, Lands and Survey Department, for the Canterbury district, who is retiring on pension, etc., began his connection with the public service in 1865, in Southland. He was there until 1865, when the financial collapse of that province took place. Then went to Auckland, and joined the Inspector of Survey Department in June of 1866. In that way he came under the Civil Service Act of 185 S, as the Act of 1866 was not passed until October of the latter year. He remained in the Auckland district until he was appointed jo Gisborne. Subsequently he was Chief Surveyor for Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Marlborough, and Canterbury.