The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 12, 1902. A GREAT CALAMITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 413, 12 May 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 12, 1902. A GREAT CALAMITY.

The awful calamity that has befallen the people of the Island of Martinique is so great that at first it can hardly be realised. In a few hours nearly forty thousand people were overwhelmed by the showers or stream of lava. The cable puts the mortality at from thirty-sis thousand to forty thousand, or about the total population of Hawke’s Bay ! “ Like a glimpse of hell,” is the description given by those who saw the overwhelming of St. Pierre, meaning of course that it was similar to what anyone might conceive hell to be like. The description in the Teues cables to-day given is short and simple, but the awful facts stand out ip a way that must thrill any reader—thirty to forty thousand people have perished ! That the people are not British is naturally consoling, but they are human beings, and the sympathy for them will be keenly felt by every British community, and throughout the world. The loss of life in so short a space of time will form one of the records of history.

Colonel Newall is to visit Gisborne on the 21st inst.

The fine new Gisborne Hotel was op red for business on Saturday. Early-door tickets for the Cjnquevalli season will be on sale at Miller’s to-day.

The management for the Cinquevalli season notify that there will be a complete change of programme to-morrow night.

A social evening in connection with the Ballance Juvenile Tent, 1.0. K., is to he held in Townley’s Hall to-night. Mr Barton, S.M., leaves for Wairoa to (ay, to conduct the Court sittings in that district. 'lenders close at noon to-day for the deLiery of beach metal for tne Kaiti Road Board. Messrs Dalgety and Co. report that the London wool sales continue linn, with higher prices. Tenders for cleaning drains on the Wlrtaupoko close to-morrow afternoon.

Applications for the position of clerk to the Whataupoko Road Board will be received until 3 to-morrow afternoon.

The special services at St Andrew's Church yesterday were of a most in - prtssive character. The Rev. Connie, of Hastings, occupied the pulpit both morning and evening. Our report is crowded out of this issue.

At the Cinquevalli matinee to be given to-morrow afternoon each and every artist will appear in the full programme exactly the same as at night, and the prices for adults will be the same as at night, and for children half-price to all parts of the house.

The Union Co.'s steamer Tarawera, which arrived in Auckland from Gisborne on Thursday last, was several hours late in making port. After rounding the East Cape on Wednesday evening tbeslemier fell in with a north-east gale and heavy sea, accompanied by thick rainy weather. It being impossible to pick up Cuvier Island light, Captain Beaumont vut the engines at reduced speed, and headed the steamer out to sea for several hours, when a break allowing the island to be picked up, the Tarawera was put on her course again and made port at one. p.m. The Tarawera made a good run from Auckland to this port yesterday, the voyage occupying a little over twenty-three hours.

The Makohine viaduct is now practically completed. The, viaduct is nearly 700 ft long and 275 ft high, and the works contain over 1400 tons of iron. All the ironwork has been made and put together at the workshops. Nearly all the sleepeis are laid in position, some being yet needed on the Ohingaiti side, and when these are secured the rails will be laid immediately. On Saturday last a truck was sent acrossthe viaduct on two planks laid for the purpose, as the laying of the rails has not yet been started. In the course of a few weeks, says the Hunterville Express, the permanent way should be finished to Mangaweka, but it is of opinion that perhaps the winter will be well advanced before tfie line is thrown open for ordinary traffic. It goes on to say :—“ There is no apparent reason why the line between Ohingaiti and Mangarveka should not be opened for passenger traffic, almost immediately. An engine and trucks are now running on that section of the line. The granting of fhe request would be a boon to settlers, whilst it should not involve any loss to the Department.