The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 12 1903.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 362, 12 March 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 12 1903.

BRITISH REVERSE. The details we give in our cablegrams this morning of the disaster to the force under Lord Methuen show that the' first brief message did not in an/ way exaggerate the news. It may he taken, for granted that the reports are in the mildest form. They are ft om tlie despatches of Lord Kitchener, by whose advice there has been several days delay in the publication of the news to hand. Lord Methuen may now he ranked as an utterly discredited general, though Lord Roberts and others may seek to soften tlie resentment. After the Vondonop disaster only a short time previously, it, would have been thought that our men would not have been caugiit so easily. Theie has evidently been a reckless disregard of the whereabouts of the enemy, or there would not have been (much chance of a tiiree-sidert attack. A most regrettable feature of the altuir is the way that some of the Irish members jeered when tidings of the reverse were gtven to tiie House of Commons.

WHO SPEAKS TRUTH ? The affair as between the Hon. Mr Duncan and the Tuapeka Times grows more interesting. When Mr Duncan made Ms positive denial, and referred to the casual remark to a “ stranger,” lie seemed to be the injured party, though such a long time elapsed before he made his denial. Now things .seem to f be taking another turn. A telegram ’from Dunedin states that Mr Duncan’s so-called 11 stranger ” was the editor of that journal,' and he so announced himself to the Minister before entering into conversation with him on the question of land settlement in Tuapeka. We are further informed that a Mr Robert Cotton, of Waipori, was present, and heard this conversation, and is prepared to testify to the accuracy of the statement that the Minister was aware from the outset that he was speaking to a press representative. The ’times goes on to make these rather strong comments ; “As regards Mr Duncan’s denial ol his statements reflecting on the Supreme Court Judges, lie is, unfortunately for himself, in a very ugly position. Had it been merely a question of accurate statement as between the Minister and the editor of this paper, the matter might not unreasonably be regarded as the outcome of a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the Minister's words, but yet it may be said that no one who was present could by any possibility mistake or misinterpret the statement the Minister made, as it was made with a deliberation that indicated it had received some mental -nursing, and was no mere impression or opinion of the moment.” The journal then goes 0" to strengthen its own position in this way : 11 But supposing the representative iutd misunderstood or misinterpreted Mr Duncan’s statement, it would hardly have been possible that the other two gentlemen present could have fallen into' the same mistake. Mr James Bennett, M.H.R., and Mr Robert Cotton were present during the interview, and on the editor of this paper meeting Mr Bennett an hour or so afterwards lie called Mr Bennett’s

attention to the extraordinary nature oi the statement made by Mr Duncan with reference to tiie Supreme Court judges, and Mr Dennett at once agreed that it was an astounding statement. On Monday we called Mr Cotton's atii _ .1 ..» -4 lio TV T inictor

tention to the denials of the Minister of Lands’ op this matter, and that gentleman at once replied that the Minister had made the statement attributed to him by the l’uapeka 1 imes —and added that there could be no possible mistake about it. It is hardlv necessary for us to say anything'more on the matter. We hate, as was incumbent on us, furnished m. dependent and reliable testimony m support of the statement mane by us. . We have offered proofs tor our statement all along the line. 1 lie Minister of Lands lias nothing to offei beyond'a series of wholesale denials. \fter all though it would he entertaining perhaps to bear further on the subject, it is very satisfactory to know that the Minister disclaims haring anv desire to attack Die Supreme Court 'Judges. Curiosity would make us desire to know who is telling the truth and who is perverting it, but whether or not the Minister made the statements alleged, it is pleasing to know that he withdraws any thing m the form of aspersions. I

RUSSIA AND ENGLAND. Our cablegrams this morning refer to an assurance given in a round about way by Russia that she desires a friendly understanding with Great Britain, and would even countersign the Anglo-.Japane.sc treaty if asked. As it happens Russia is weil-known of old. She would promise anything will) an air of friendship, but those

promises would only be to aid her in grabbing a larger share of the earth. When lying will serve Russia has never been known to show fight. Tlie signing of tlie Anglo-Japanese treaty would not prevent her committing a breach of it the moment it suited her purpose. If was only a ew days ago that a definite declaration was made that Russia would retain her hold in Manchuria until the Chinese had been coerced into signing an agreement making Russia a present of valuable privileges to which she :ias 110 claim. A would he a grand thing for tlie nations if Russia were mi earnest in her pacific overtures,, but all experience proves otherwise. Fire Brigade meets for practice this evening. At a sale of racing stock at Melbourne, Kaimata, winner ol the big Steeplechase, was sold to Mr S. Miller for 2UO guineas, At St. Patrick’s Social to-morrow evening the gallery of the Theatre Royal will be opened to spectators. Captain Edwin telegraphed as follows yesterday : —“ Moderate southerly wind ; glass rise ; tides good ; considerable sea on Coast.”

Business premises will close at noon to-morrow on account of the St. Patrick’s Sports, which are to be held at the Park Company’s ground. It has been decided to open a branch of the Australasian Hibernian Benefit Society in Gisborne, on Monday (St. Patrick’s Day) evening next, provided that delegates from Auckland are able to attend. Entries for the Waipiro raeos close with the Secretary, Mr A.. P. Durant, on Saturday next. To-morrow’s mail is the last opportunity for owners to enter horses for these races. The meeting promises to be a groat success.

The new proprietor of the Masonic Stables, Mr W. F. Sinclair, is having a ladies’ waiting-room fitted up at the stables, and the work will be completed by this evening, the room being available to-morrow.

Yesterday Auckland experienced a light S.E. wind with fine weather ; Napier, N.E.E. breeze, blue sky ; New Plymouth, S.W., overcast ; Wellington, fresh northerly breeze, blue sky ; Christchurch, N.E., blue sky ; Dunedin, S.W., fine weather ; Invercargill, fresh S.W. breeze, gloomy. Wairoa reported N.W. light, bad bar, heavy sea. The St. Patrick’s Sports Committee met at the Masonic Hotel last evening. Two hundred and five nominations were received for the Hospital Fund Race, and the handicaps made for that' and the Trotting Race, for which there are 19 entries. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and all arrangements made for the forthcoming sports, which promise to be a great success.

An opportunity to townspeople to attend the Tolago Bay races on Monday next is afforded by Mr W. F. Sinclair, the popular proprietor of the Masonic stables. Should sufficient inducement offer, a brake and four will leave the Masonic

Hotel on Sunday next, March 16th, at 1 p.ru. for Tolago, returning on Tuesday morning early. The brake will stay at Pakarae on Sunday night, and return to Pakarae on Monday night after the last race. Intending passengers are requested to book before 10 p.m. on Friday at the Masonic Stables. A conveyance will also leave the Masonic Stables for Tolago Bay at 6 a.m. sharp on Saturday next. Court William Gladstone, No. 6030,

A.0.F., held their usual meeting last night at tbo Court-room, Masonic Hall, Bro. G. Wildish, P.C.11., presiding. One

new . member was duly initiated. Dro. \V. Edwards, Chief Ranger, who is leaving for England to-day, was presented with a handsome P.U.R. neek ribbon, and

iiis name ordered to be placed on the respect board. Bro. G. Wildish, P.C.R., who has worthily filled the chair on several occasions, was also presented with a very handsome P.C.U. sash, as a token of respect and esteem. Bro. Geo. Williams was duly elected to fill the office of Chief Ranger for the remainder of the term, and was invested and installed by Bro. G. Wildish, P.G.R., Sub.-Chief Ranger. Bro. C. F. Lewis and other brethren are arranging to have some evening at an early date to be devoted to short debates, lectures, etc., when it is hoped the members will attend in good force.

The Rev. F. Bennett, who is to deliver a lecture on Friday evening next on tho subject of “Tho social, sanitary, and intellectual aspect of the young Maori party’s programme,” is an excellent speaker, and has a good grasp of all matters connected with the native race. In tho course of a few minutes’ address at the Academy of Music lust evening he won the entire sympathy of the audience, and his lecture on Friday should attract a crowded attendance. Himself a native oe has their welfare at heart, and is anxious to do all that he can to ameliorate their condition. He has already obtained tho sum of AJoOO towards the establishment of a school for the instruction of Maori girls, and us this district carries the largest native population in the colony, he looks tor interest in and support accorded to the movement. On Sunday morning next ho will preach at Holy Trinity Church, and deal with the religious work among the Maoris from the earliest days 50 the present time. Those who know something about horses are very sultry in their comments about some of the mounts purchased for he Ninth Contingent, says the Observer, and yet the selection was not in any way limited, because scores of splendid horses have boon rejected, and it is declared that out of one cupilul lot of 300 from the Waikato, only seven were chosen. Many people are wondering the why and wherefore, and more especially after they have been to tho camp and have seen the purchases. But the complaints arc not peculiar to the Ninth. It is said in the South that the horses secured for the Eighth were, as a whole, the worst lot of mounts that has ever been sent away from the colony, and it will not be much consolation to the taxpayers and the men who have to ride them to learn that thenaverage cost was between .£lB and ifl-J. Half of them would not have brought .£lO apiece at any Saturday sale in Christchurch, and the other half would have been dear as a job lot at £ls apiece. Out of a shipment of 40 from the North Island, a sporting lieutenant could not find one on which he would trust himself.

“ They’re not fit to pull an hospital hearse,” was the report he brought to the officer in command'of his squadron.

A very pleasant social, tendered by the lady Recbabites of Gisborne to .Miss Dora O’Connor, prior to her departure for Ireland, was held in Whinray’s Hall last night. The evening was spent in dancing, games, songs, and recitations, the dance music being kindly provided by Misses Armour, M. Birrell, and Mr Stephenson. Songs were given by Messrs P. Doyle and Melville, and recitations by Miss O’Connor and Mr Ebeling. During an interval refreshments were handed round by a committee of young ladies. After supper had been disposed of, Bro. A. Georgeson, on behalf of the Star of New Zealand Tent, presented Miss O’Connor with a travelling ease. He referred to the interest she had taken in the Tent, and asked her acceptance of the gift as a slight token of the esteem she was held in by the meuiuers of the Tent. Mr E. Ebeling modestly replied on Miss O’Connor’s behalf, and the party broke up with the singing of Auld Lang Syne, and a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who bad assisted in making the evening a mccess. Miss O'Connor leaves by the Mararoa this evening and joins the Home j boat ut Sydney.