BANNERMAN AND CO.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 338, 12 February 1902, Page 2

BANNERMAN AND CO.

A speaker at the indignation meeting at Capetown voiced the sentiments of many loyal people when he corn hasted the unfairness of prosecuting persons in South Africa for sedition while men like Bannerman are allowed to insidiously encourage the Boers in -their work, if in Bannerman’s speeches there is much that is objectionable, there is a great deal more objectionable in tlie way Hie language is employed. A writer in a leading Home journal states that neither for its own sake nor for Great Britain’s sake will pro-Boers tolerate the truth. They say the thing that is not, they shout tlie thing Hat is pot, they manifold the thing Hint is not—they multiply it by powerful printing presses,- and strike it,* oil by steam. Where and when do tiiey learn Unis to dote upon falsehood ? In si me standard medical works there is a chapter on depraved appetite It tells of Patagonians who eat clay, and find it agree with them, of donkeys that will calmly feed on dried tobacco leaf, and father enjoy it, of yi-ung people who have a craving for coals, and who slyly cultivate the craving, of Anglo-Indians who have brought themselves to relish capsicums, of a Zulu chief who required for his own share eighteen pounds of beef per day, of Russians to whom whale oii and tallow candles, with or without vodki, do if present in unlimited

amounts afford a blissful dream of most luxurious fare—a dream so fascinating that English mariners in the Russian trade used to make it a point of watchful duty to lock up everything stealable, and put the paint-pots and oil-cans out of sight before their ships entered a Russian port. There are dipsomaniacs who drink methylated spirits, a few who take paraffin, or

who, if let loose in a chemist’s warehouse. will greedily quaff down the bitterest of tinctures for the sake of the alcohol that is ip them ; but sure-

ly the most depraved craving of all is the pro-Boer craving for lies. The appetite, depraved by a consuming impatience for fire-waters, soon takes away all liking for a more wholesome fare ; and so it is with the alarmingly developing appetite of pro-Boers for untruths. And' where this depraved taste is it is a diseased and a diseasing thing, producing as it does an irritability which is chronic. The sufferer who is copiously supplied with his favorite liquid fire soon becomes subject to illusions, yet if he Ire suddenly deprived of it he displays temper, and is by turns iidgetty and feuous. Poor fellow, he does not know what ails him. He accepts his hallucinations for realities, and Ins most wayward impulses for inspirations. It-is much the same with our pro-Boers. They'are disordered, fevered, inflamed with sheer fictions, but they do not know that they are fictions, and if perchance they do know they don’t care. Theirs is a sort of political delirium tremens, and, as the Derby meeting showed, they become a,-, burning hot under all attempts to damp them down as good lime does when sprinkle j with even the purest cold water.

To-c!a,y is the bakers’ last discount day. A declaration of insolvency has been iiled by Mr Arthur F. Cull, of Awapuni. To-day is the last day for payment of income-tax. After to-day 10 per cent, will be charged.

Captain Edwin telegraphed at 12.3 p.m; yesterday : —“ Moderate southerly winds > glass rise ; tides good.” The last launch for the .Mararoa will leave the wharf at 9 this evening, instead of 7 as previously advertised.

There was a very close cricket match at Hauiti on Saturday, Tolago defeating Tokomaru by two runs.

The steamer Mararoa, which arrives at Gisborne to day, left Auckland at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. A cycling accident happened yesterday whereby two cyclists came into collision. The ridc-rs received ti shaking, and one of the machines was considerably damaged. To-day being Ash Wednesday, services will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Holy Communion being partaken of in the morning. The usual morning and evening services will also be held.

Readers are reminded of the concert to be given in the Theatre Royal ibis evening by Mr Rangiuia, assisted by local and other talent. A good programme is to be presented, and there should be a large attendance at the concert.

The boiler of the borough tire engine was condemned yesterday, by the Inspector of Machinery, and throughout the night workmen were engaged in replacing the boiler by the best boiler for the purpose that was'obtainable locally. The Gisborne Rowing Club have picked

the following crews to represent them in their annual contests : Reps, and 10 stone : Harding (str), Farani (3), Sherritf (2), Bright (bow). Juniors: Williams (str), Hansen (3), Ngatai (2), G. Buscke (bow).

The annual Motu school picnic and sports, which were held recently at Mr Hanson’s grounds, Motu, were a great success, there being about 120 present. A very enjoyable time was spoilt by those present, the usual out-door games being indulged in with great vim. The Presbyterians in Timaru arc having a difficulty over a call to their charge, and au appeal has been made to the Timaru Presbytery against the manner in which they disposed of the proposed call to the Rov. R. Jackson. A petition is to be presented to the Presbytery, asking for a new charge in Timaru. The team to represent the East Coast

Mounted Rifles in the rifle match against H.M.S. Penguin on Saturday next will be

selected from the following, seven men being required : Quarter-Master Sergt. Evans, Sergt. Fairiie, Sergt. Morrison,

Corp. Hamilton, Corp. Zachariah, Troopers D. Beere, D. Parker, R. Parker, Reynolds, dymes, and L. Williams. Mr Murray, the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Hokitika, who has been transferred to Nelson, was prior to liis departure presented with an address, together with a handsome gold albert and greenstone pendant-from the men on his staff on the Christchurch road, and also an address from the men on the Ross road.

The weather report yesterday showed : Southerly and S.W. fresh breezes throughout the colony; overcast weather at Auckland, Napier, Westport, Gamaru, and Dunedin; at Timaru and Port Chalmers rain falling; Manukau rough bar, Cape Egmont moderate sea, and from Greymouth southwards moderate sea, Oastlepoint heavy, and Cape Campbell and Oamaru moderate.

A meeting of the Motu branch of the Farmers’ Union was held lately, Mr E. Thomson presiding. The branch decided to make another attempt to induce the Government to construct a telephone line from Karaka to Motu. The delegate who had attended the conference at Gisborne

gave in his report, and Mr J. H. Hutchinson was appointed to attend the nexl conference, to be held in a few weeks time.

The following-information is supplied by the Telegraph Department:—Perth advised : 11 Cable Company report Cocos Lino interrupted beyond Ridriques. We are diverting all European business via Darwin. African business is being held for the time. Will report later.” Eastern Extension Company advise: “ Pending further notice messages for South Africa must go via Darwin, at higher rates. Owing to cyclone at Mauritius cable unearthed.” ■ Perth cable advises “ All African work now being forwarded via Mauritius.” The Khedive arrived at Khartoum on December 3rd, and in the afternoon inspected the field of battle which preceded the capture of Omdurman. A realistic sham fight, representing the battle, was carried out with wonderful effect, Macdonald’s change of front, by which the Dervishes were finally routed, being splendidly depicted. A thousand former Dervishes represented the enemy, and their charges were marvellously impressive. The rapidly-changing scene was witnessed by many thousands of spectators.

The funeral of Hie late Mr Francis Hicks, which took place yesterday afternoon, was largely attended, Tlie

B. F. Rothwell officiated, hold :

mg a short service at the house, and again at the grave, where he delivered a brief address, in which lie dwelt upon Hie faith and patience manifested by the deceased, whom lie said lie had known for the last nine months, and he urged all to emulate the good example -set. Mr J. Peckover also spoke in a similar strain, and will speak further at next Sunday morning’s service in Wesley Church,

Holy Trinity Church.—To-day being Ash Wednesday, the services will be as follows: 8 a.m., Holy Communion; 11 a.m., Holy Communion and proper service; 7.30 p.m., Evening service.— Rev. W. Welsh.