THE DREDGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 294, 19 December 1901, Page 2

THE DREDGE.

The monthly meetimg of the Harbor Board takes place this afternoon. There will be the usual report to make in rogard to the dredge. Its completion does not seem as far off as ever, but apparently it is still a good way off. It is time that tho patient Board made au eifoctive protest against the way they are being treated over the dredge. The contract is months overdue, and still Messrs Anderson and Co. are likely to be some time in completing the work. It is hard to understand why a firm with such a high reputation should keep tho work | hanging on in such a way. Month after mouth tiie promise or at least the hope has been given, that the dredge would be to hand. A couple of months ago the Board went so far as to appoint the staff to man it, but still there is no dredge to hand for them, to take charge of. The probability is that tho dredge will not be available until the short days and stormy weather have set in again. The Board should remember that the interests of the ratepayers must have first consideration, and it would be worth while at least ascertaining

what interest would have accrued on progress payments made if the work had been started at a recent date to enable it to be finished within the contract time. It must be admitted that there has been no delay in regard to progress payments. The firm has even shown a desire for the engineer to go down at special periods as an advance was becoming due. The position would be amusing if it were not so vexatious from -a 'business point cf view. It is a right and proper thing that the Eacriaeer should be sent down to inspect tiie work at different stages, but it secrus hardly fair that the builders

ot the dredge sboma nave such an astonishing period of tune from when the first progress payment was made II until the next payment became due. 11 Possibly if the Board had shown a !nt!.., r o-ic spint in the matter the firm j hustleu t!l ° Wol ' k along, t any rate the people of ttns iu strict liave much cause for complaint at the I way the Board has been treated in re- ’ tr > the dredge, and it would be k ,ai ,i l .' , T ,’ -erd to state that cornwell for the 80. , , , , . . , .1,, '--annot be mispiaint in terms that _ , understood. The same delay woul “ not be allowed ou the part of a loan, contractor for any class of work. We do not advise litigation with the Christchurch firm, but it would be as well to let that firm know the feelings of the ratepayers in the matter. When a work is promised it ought to be completed within some reasonable time.

turned : ui-o a-;. \..-:ciday. T:u; pruipmuiut iuc tile Co. wort to-lliglll appears in our advcausing columns. To-morrow is the last discount day for the payment of accounts due to the Gas Company.

The quarterly summoned meeting of tho Star of Gisborne Lodge of Oddfellows, A.C.. will be held at 8 to night. .Messrs Williams and Kettle hold their monthly stock sole a: the Matawhero yards to-day, Commencing at 11.50. a.in. There a- a line entry ot cattle. Li the report of the breaking-up ceremony in connection with MBs Alymer's school at Whataupoko the name of Master Charlie Birss. who took first prize for arithmetic, was omitted.

-V great holiday attraction on New Year's Day will be the sports at the Karaka. Tenders will be received up to noon on .Saturday for privileges in connection with the gathering. The Matron of the Hospital acknowledges with thanks a case of oranges from Captain Tucker, and six dozen of sodawater from bird. Lucas. Donations of fruit are always acceptable at the Hospital, and will be gratefully received.

A cycling and athletic carnival is to be held on Boxing Day on the Poverty Bay Cycling Club's grounds. Special arrangements may bo made for family tickets, which are obtainable from the committee. The first event starts at 11 a.m. At a farewell gathering at Napier on Tuesday evening a presentation was made to Mr C. E. Pox, who has given up the position of fourth master of the Napier Boys’ High School to enter upon missionary work.

At Dunedin last week George Thomas Sherwood was fined .fib, or in default a month’s imprisonment, for stealing, at Gisborne, clothes valued at LIU, the property of John Kruger. Prisoner was bound for Hobart, and had the clothes in his box, which also contained testimonials as to his good character. Replying to a presentation made to him on his giving up the position of second master of the Gisborne School. Mr Strong stated that most of the Gisborne School work was as good as any ho had ever seen, and was indeed a good deal better than that done in many schools. Ho spoke very highly of the capabilities of Mr Bull as a headmaster.

At Wellington a wharf laborer named Henry Smith has been remanded on a charge of arson. The evidence was to the Hlect that the accused had unpleasantness with his landlady and threatened to burn down her house; that he was seen to enter the empty house, shortly after which a lire broke out, and it was found that kerosene had been sprinkled about. Mr Dalrymple informs us that Mrs Barrington Waters, a brilliant pianist (pupil of Ko.valski), will give a recital in Gisborne about the end of January. Mrs Barrington Waters has given recitals in Sydney, Melbourne, and the principal New Zealand cities, and is very highlyspoken of as a thorough mistress of°her art. Lovers of high-class music in Gisborne may look forward to a genuine treat on this occasion.

At the mooting of the Hospital Trustees last evening, mention was made of tho fact that the institution was in need of several garden seats. The state of the overdraft did not admit of the Trustees going in lor this expenditure, and it was suggested that if the matter were made public residents might display their generosity by presenting a few seats to the institution. Wo commend the matter to our readers.

The following is the summary of the cargo by the barque Cloeh :—Shipped by Messrs Williams and Kettle, 157 2 bales; Warren and Co., 545 bales; Common, Shelton, and Co., 584 ; Bank of New Zealand, IAO7 ; Bennett and Shcrratt, 610 ; Dalgety and Co., Limited, 254 ; N.Z. Loan and M.A. Co., 1626; total, 6098 bales of wool.. Other shipments were 1(1 dumps of skins by Common, Shelton and Co., and 601 casks of tallow by Williams and Kefctle.

The Garden Fete in connection with Holy Trinity Church takes place this afternoon and evening. Tile arrangements are now complete, and a very pleasant time should be spent by those who patronise tho Fete. Tho object is a good one, and it is hoped to realize a substantial sum for the renovating of the Parsonage. A first-class programme lias been provided, and the gathering will give an excellent opportunity for those wishing to spend a pleasant half-liolidav and evening.

A telegram from Napier gives the following splendid results of the examinations: Andrew Picken, Matawhero, 526; Vida McClure, Waerenga-a-hika, 482 ; Annie Ileid, Waerenga-a-hika, 4(19; Ethel Ambridge, Gisborne, Cl 9 : ’ May'’ Kenny, Gisborne, 579 ; Lois Sheen, Gisborne, 616 : Una Cox, GDborne, 575 ; Muriel Humphrey, Gisborne, 572 ; Vera Cussen, Gisborne, 568. Scholarships have not yet been awarded. There is evidently one mistake, tlio name of a pupil who did not sit being included.

Among the picture almanacs to hand for next year are those of Messrs Common Shelton and Co. and Mr W. J. Cox. The former gives some excellent information to have placed on record, being the comparative returns of the produce of Gisborne district for the past twolvo years. The pictures are of pastoral and sporting scenes. The calendar from Mr W. J. Cox, grocer and provision merchant, gives scenic views of Capetown, Pretoria, Cairo, and Khartoum. In the centre there is a picture of Lord Roberts encircled by a iaural wreath in gold, with a crown above. There are also pictures of Lord Kitchener, Sir Redyers Puller, Mr Chamberlain, and Mr Cecil Rhodes.

The examination of gentlemen for “ first ■aid certificates took place on Tuesday evening. Messrs T. 1). Strong and T. H. Garrett secured a first class, and Messrs 0. H. W. Dixon and C. Sargisson passed. Before separating, the members asked the hon. secretary to write to Dr Welby f isher, thanking him for his efforts and kindness, and to Dr Cole for undertaking the examination. The result has been that 19 more people in Gisborne are competent to render “ first aid ” in any cases of accident or sudden tits, etc., that may happen within their reach. It is to be regretted that this most huiiiuue accomplishment has so few charms for our young men. L one-tenth of tiic time that is given to sport were given to ambulance practice, what a large number of our friends imeht oe able to save sutferiu.tr, or 1 lie itselt, v.iu-u a eudaeu emergency arose. The hn'.cH are most enthusiastic i,i ;..e work el the cutss, and want to go through the nursing course.

The monthly meeting of the Hospital Trustoi a was in id lust evening. Present: Mestm \V. Tinian (in the chain, Harding, .Johnston, V, juTCU, Tuohv, Joyce, and Dewing. The JJuiough Council wrote stating that Messrs Joyce and Johnston had been reappointed members of the Hospital Hoard, A similar communication was received from the Cook CountyCouncil notifying the Hoard of the election of Messrs Macfarlaue, J. W. Nolan, A. Tuohv, and John Warren. Mr Cyril .White wrote forwarding the sum of Lb 2s bd. Doing amount collected at the Wairaiiaia wool shtus on behalf pf the Hospital, i’he secretary said that this was the first amount received this season. A member I remarked that the hospital was likely to .all short in respect to donations from the wool-sheds this season, owing to the iow prices which were ruling. Another member replied that the men engaged in tiic ,:!:n ii:- were the only one- making anything out of the; wool, and perhaps they might be induced

j m conutMuie. measurer repot -.. ; shat the debtor balance that day amounted | to J&97 lbs 4d, and there were accounts ; to be presented totalling *l9O ns - s d, • District requisitions due amounted to L'i-io | 6s Sd. The monthly report showed that I nine patients had been admitted and ‘ twelve discharged during the month. I There were at present eighteen inmates at ! .he Hospital, The hon. secretary of the ■ ,i. 1 Association of New South Wales j niUlu ... . the Hospital Trustees at, .'.rote offering . , ftU art union j half-price- boons or tic... Hospital i thev were promoting. ille . ‘ | could, the writer stated, obtain subsidy on the amount received. Members conic not sec their way to entertain the idea, am i was decided to receive the commuuice.i lion.