The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MOUSING. GISBORNE, JUNE 10, 1902. OUR JAPANESE ALLIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 438, 10 June 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MOUSING. GISBORNE, JUNE 10, 1902. OUR JAPANESE ALLIES.

The recent arrival of two Japanese men-of-war at Auckland brings forcibly to the mind the remarkable character of the Japanese as a lighting nation. A friend has forwarded us an article, which appeared in a leading journal 'in England, the object being to show Uie Japanese in their true colors as soldiers. In view of the belief that a war between Russia and Japan "is becoming more than ever likely, the article is of great 1 interest, and is given in a con- | densed form. The writer proceeds It is easily to fail into the error that the Japanese is only a play soldier without the body or backbone of the Occidental. Such was my own nrst impression when I saw a Japanese and a Russian transport disembarking troops at the same time at Tongku. The Japanesse looked as if they had just come out of the barracks from parade. Their white breeches and leggings were spotless ; their kits as shipshape as a vessel entering port after a long voyage. They marched off to the station with proper military precision, they boarded the train under the direction of their officers like so many automatons. There was no shouting, no misunderstanding of orders and consequent confusion ; the officers gave their directions -as quietly as if they were in a drawing room. Rut the Mikado’r men were so small that they seemed soldiers only in miniature. One of the slouching Cossacks, in his ‘dirty shirt and dirty white cap and great clodding boots, looked big enough to pick up a Japanese private and' shake him as a great Dane would shake a toy spaniel. the Russians were rough and ready, lieefy and easy go ng ; the Japanese business-like— just a little too busmess- • him, I thought. Relying upon the wisdom of experience, European and American, I looked forward with interest to seeing the Japanese in the field. 1 could not escape the idea that While they had all the form and outward show,- they were only play soldiers who had followed European drill books to the letter. “Tlow long will your breeches be white little men ?” the American and the European wondered. “When it comes to the dust and 'the fighting, won t you be as bedraggled as a lawn gown m a rainstorm Alas for the prophets ! the Japs’ breeches were still white when they leached Pelan, after having done mosl of the work. When other soldiers were too tired to wiggle as they sought the the U m-w, a M after a day '* “arch, the Mikado’s little man sat with his bare legs dangling in the water while be smilmgly washed his breeches. We soon ceased to lie ashamed of ourselves oil account of his industry and to regard it as superhuman. At Pekin as iomafI'’ 1 '’ JIG WaS “ still tbe cheerful an oma tom working like clockwork with hukushima as the mainspring. In “ an “fianics the Germans ill comrom u \ “ al ' m} ' Wilicli llas changed r iin j- . y liie unplic l obedience of many‘to fh p unii r will, . U y u Vlli of o,ie goes with a democracy i u the Japanese army scarcely comprehensible to the Wesmwd 1 ?' 1 ha ' e S6en a Cal,ta “ CUfl [olw Of his men soundly on the ears tie Lie r nnV tood rtgicl with his fitIf he tni°h Ile seam his trousers. to c k the punishment meekly he n HP 1 a" 15 /’ a military mauail(f m,iL r n d to.hold his head erect, and not to allow it to give in under the blows. The lesson administered, he saluted, and went about his wor stiffly Yet the next day that sam pavate migiit when off duty beg a ci garette of that- same captain, and no only-would the captain give it, but h I would chat on friendly terms abou their last victory. The same famili arity in any other kingdom or empir m the world,, as a British officer said would mean the end of discipline. Ii the Japanese army, however, the pri vate, in the matter of duty, was stil the automatom who moved or though only when the officer pressed the outton. The explanation lies entirely ir the one word “Samurai.” Both mar and his superior belong to the Samurai, or fighting class, which. regards itself as superior to all other classes, as the Spanish grandee to the Spanish beggar. Therein lay their community of pride and community of interest. Yet the private knew wiiat his place was and what the officer’s place was. Back of all is an unreasoning patriot- ! ism, which makes the Mikado a god and love of country ’ a religion. At Tientsin, after 22 out of 54 gunners had been wounded or killed in action, the men of the Japanese battery went on as automatically with their work as before, as if the buzzing of bullets was only the buzzing of flies. At Tientsin, too, when the-fuse in the mine which was to open the great gate of the walled city—thus admitting the allied wmy— failed, a Japanese private of engineers, on his own initiative, ran forward and lighted the powder itself. Hi-s remains were buried in the debris, but he had served the Mikado and made himself a hero in his native towir His

mother, with every Japanese mother, wouid rather—even as tiie Spartan mother—see her son return upon his shield than without it. Such was the spirit and the method oi the Japanese army as seen on the pattern work campaign to Pekin. What it might do in a mighty campaign against the Russians remains .to be seen''

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council will be held to night. At the W.C.T. G. room?, hot soup will be obtainable after 11 each morning. A meet of the hounds is to take place on the Waikanae this afternoon. The Borough Assessment Court has been fixed for June 30th. Mr Barton, S.M., leaves to morrow on his Bust Coast circuit. When the ketch Clematis passed WhiteIsland an unusual volume of steam was seen to be issuing from the island. On Sunday four fine bulls were landed at Waipiro, from the Omapere, for Matahiia station. Tne monthly meeting of the Charitable Aid Board will be held to-night after the Council meeting,

Ihc box-plan for the W.C.T.U. Coronation concert has been opened at Messts Chrisp and Son’s. By the scow Ngaru, Messrs Dalgety and Co. are shipping 120 sacks of potatoes for Kaipara. A shipment of oysters, smoked sebnapper, and mullet, has been received by M. E. Bull, shop next Excelsior Boot Depot. The Omapere was at Te Araroa yesterday, but being unable to work there, has presumably gone on to Auckland. The Hockey fixture for Thursday is City and West End, and this match completes the first round of the season. Captain Edwin wired yesterday : “ Gale from between north-east and east and south-east; glass fall; sea heavy; Heavy rain ; tides high.” Mr G. Barton has been in communica-

tion with an Auckland firm of electricians, and has arranged for an electric light display to be given in Gladstone road on Coronation night. The whole of the passenger accommodation on the Waikarc, which leaves Auckland for the Coronation festivities at Fiji, on June 18th, has been booked. Several local applications for berths have had to be refused. A meeting of the Loyal Gisborne Lodge, So. 6087, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held in the Lodgo room last evening, Bro. A. Kirk, Noble Grand, presiding, when ofiicors for the ensuing term were nominated. THree new members were proposed. The Boers look upon Lord Kitchener as an honorable enemy, a brave man who had a duty to perform, and that was to fight them, and which he did in a manly, soldierly way, was not unnecesarily cruel, but who played the game of war iu a way Co compel their admiration.—Thames Star.

The Boer war isj a thing of the past, ;ays the Christchurch Truth, and the Empire is strengthened instead of weak euod by it. She will have added might .n the councils of the nations. Her pres oige stands higher than it did before. She ls able to achieve tho true object of all war—to advance the peace of the world. Nominations for tho following events for the Steeplechase Meeting will be received by the Secretary, Mr M. G. Na smith, to-morrow (Wednesday) evening: First and Second Hurdles, Ladies’ Brace let, Flying, Trial Steeples, Winter Oats, Hunters’ Steeples, Hunters’ Flat, Park Stakes, Te Hapara, . Tally-ho Steeples, and Final Handicap. The Decoration Committee for the Coronation celebrations scored one on the General Committee last night, and after the sum of Jl2O had been voted, it was stated that Messrs Ivlackrell and Colley had agreed to erect the wood-work of the arch, free of charge, and another firm had consent to supply the wire-netting. With other promised assistance, and the sum ol £2O mentioned, the Decoration Committee hope to make a good show. A very interesting football match was flayed last Saturday morning on Victoria Domain between teams representing the tVaerenga a-hika Native College and the Gisborne School. Simon captained the College fifteen, and McGregor skippered the School team. The College boys proved themselves superior, and won by 12 points to 3. For the winners, Simon, Walker, and Watinei were the best, while East played by far the best game for the School. After the match, tho visitors were invited to the School, whero luncheon had been prepafed for them. At the meeting of the Kaiti Road Board .yesterday it was stated that the proposed work on the Esplanade road would cost £2O. The road being partly within the Borough, it was resolved that the Clerk apply to the Borough Council to assist in the work. Necessary work on Rutene road and Wainui road was ordered to be done. It was resolved that the Overseer be instructed to clear any culverts which were blocking in Rutene road, and that Messrs Kennedy and Evans, Lysnar, R. Little, and Brosnahan be notified that proper crossings were needed at their properties. Work on Darwin road, at an estimated cost of *£B, was ordered to be done. Other works recommended were held over. A number of residents were requested to lop overhanging trees. The question of a town clock has been relegated to the distant future (says the Hastings correspondent of the Hawke’s Bay Herald). The temptation to invest in it seemed attractive at first, the Government practically offering to pay half. This meant that it was not to cost more than £4OO. But enquiries made showed that .£4OO would not be nearly sufficient. The generous present of a clock to Napier by the late Sir Donald McLean has been quoted as an example. The original cost to Sir Donald was ;£2OO, and added to this was the cost of fixing, etc., probably £SO. But in Napier there was a position prm vided at the post office. At Hastings a special tower would have to be built, and the lowest estimate for a suitable tower and clock would be ;6800, double the money available, The hint thrown out by His Worship the Mayor that large numbers should attend church on thanksgiving Sunday, seems to have been pretty generally acted upon. Wesley Church was also well attended. In the morning the ohurch was decorated with flags. The Rov. B. F. Rothwell preached an appropriate sermon which was much appreciated, besides giving an address to the children on “ The Union Jack.” Miss Randerson’s solo was much appreciated. In the evening Mr Rothwell’s address to the young people on “ Roller Skating ” was racy and impressive, and was listened to with close attention. The number of young people pre-

; sent was a gratifying feature of the ser- “ vice, The rev. gentleman expressed him- ■ self as being in favor of the pastime, with 1 reasonable restrictions as to hours and - companions. The choir led the singing, - which was most hearty at each service. - Messrs Burrows and East aro to be coni gratulated on their success as conductor , and organist. Mr Rothwell does not i frown on a ripplo of quiet laughter, and - there were several of them on Sunday [ evening. A case under the Probation Act was heard before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., yesterday, a man named Bernard Anderson, who was arrested at Awanui, being charged with failing to comply with section 2,3, and 5 of the First Offenders Probation Act. The Probation Officer stated that the accused attended at the Gisborne gaol and received the license provided by the First Offenders Probation Act, 1886, and was given permission to reside at Makarori station, five miles from Gisborne, on the coast, that permission being endorsed on the face of the license. One of the conditions was that the accused should report himself personally to the Probation Officer at the Gisborne gaol on the 11th of each month until the term of probation expired. The place of residence could have been altered if he had : applied for it. Accused was arrested by Constable Kelly about 30 miles inland 1 from Port Awanui, about 115 miles from ‘ where accused had permission to reside. ; Sergeant Siddells stated that accused was " working at a bush camp at the time of his i arrest. Accused stated that ho did not ■* understand what the probation was. He thought he could, go where he liked so long as he did not leave the country. The workmen had told him he could go where he liked. His Worship said he had no ® other course but to commit accused to the next sittings of the Supreme Court, when he would be dealt with in the manner fr provided by the First Offenders Probation S Act of 1886. He had no power to deal ti with the oase, which must come before the si Supreme Court. T

A special change of advertisement is given to-day by i\lr Harold Kane. The all-pervading game of ping-pong' his been introduced iu.o the W.C-.T.U. rooms. Parents are notified that the coiupulson clauses of the School Attendance Act are to be enforced by the Cfisborne School Committee. Mr C. Hawkins, draper, lias a new advertisement in to-day’s issue, calling attention to a fresh supply of goods he has obtained at wholesale ware-

housemen’s clearing prices. The Transvaal is a fine fresh field for some great colonial statesman to exercise his talents in. Possibly Mr Seddon would be such a man. It might be that be would do best service to the Empire as Administrator of the new colonics. It is probable he will be given the chance.— Christchurch Truth. A meeting of the Loyal Gisborne Juvenile Lodge was held last evening,, the chair being taken by Bro. A. W. Kirk, Deputy Superintendent. Arrangements in connection with the social to be held among the boys next Monday night were made. Officers for the various positions for ensuing term wero proposed, and three new members were initiated. The settling of the North New Zealand Grand National Meeting was as follows : J. Prosser £6OO, T. Wylie £565, E. Page £325, J. Chaafe £290, L. D. and N. A. Nathan £235, J. Lynch £225, M. Deebel £l5O, R. Hannon £l5O, D. Edwards £125, W. Best £lls, E. B. Boss £IOO, E. O’Borke £IOO, J. George, W. Barr, J. Roulston, Mesdames Lennardand Baynes £9O each, smaller amounts bringing the total up to £4OOO. A splendid rehearsal of the carnival part of the Monster City Band entertainment was held last evening in the Gisborne Bowing Club’s shed. The Band

continue their practices in future in the Holy Trinity schoolroom, having engaged the larger building, the schoolroom being much better than the old band-shed. The box-plan opens at Chrisp and Son’s Music Warehouse to morrow morning at 10 o’clock. As this is a first-class evening’s entertainment for a most worthy object, a bumper house is expected. We would call the public’s attention to the benefit of booking seats early.. There is very little prospect of a member of the Ministry, excepting Mr Carroll, being present at the opening of the Gis-borne-Karaka railway on Coronation Day. The Minister of Public Works, Mr HallJones, has written thanking the Committee for the invitation, but regretting that he is unable to avail himself of it owing to having made a prior engagement in the South. A reply lias also been received from Mr Mills regretting bis inability to attend, owing to having promised to be in Blenheim on that day. Both gentlemen wished the Committee every success in their efforts to make the occasion a memorable one. not only for the district but for the whoio colony, At the Mutual Improvement Society last night the annual election of officers was held, and resulted as follows : President, Mr B. N. Jones; Vice-Presidents, Messrs Innes and Peckover; secretary, Mr J. B. East; editor of journal, Mr W. Gaudin; Committee, Blrs Baty, Misses Jones and Poswillo, and Messrs Gittos, Smith, Armstrong, and Larson. Mrsjßaty was appointed pianiste, and Mr Gittos conductor of the orchestra. The journal was read. This contained contributions on “ Ping-pong,” for and against ; “Women’s Bights,” objecting to women taking too prominent a part in politics ; “How to Improve the Mutual,” giving various suggestions ; a clever poem making a play on names, and “ Boring for Oil,” giving a history of the use of the industry in America, and hoping for good results in this district. A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring secretary, Mr ’ Driller, and to the assistant secretary, ■ Mr Quigley, who is about to leave for ! Wanganui,

“ Mercutio,” in the Auckland Herald, tells a good story of the late Mr Albert Crowther, who was one of the most skilful coach-drivers who ever handled the ribbons in this colony. Countless stories are told of the feats he performed as a Jehu round about Auckland. On one occasion, it fell to his lot to drive the members of a visiting AVellington football team to the top of Mount Eden. While making the ascent, the Wellington men related numerous stories of the drives they had taken round about tha Empire City, and spoke admiringly of the skill of the drivers in negotiating the stiff hills there. After the party had .reached the summit and gazed their fill on the beautiful panorama before them, a start was made with the descent. Crowther touched the leaders with the whip, and brought them along at a good sharp bat. When they reached the bottom, the only two on the coach were the driver and Bob Whiteside, who couldn’t get out. As the passengers silently retook their places in the waiting coach, Crowther asked, with the most innocent expression in the world : »Is that anything like Wellington form ?” The large attendance at the Empire Skating Bink last evening, despite the inclemeney of the weather, was a further proof of how the fascinating pastime has caught on in Gisborne. When the rink first opened “ spills ” were the order of the day, and the gallant efforts of the beginners afforded immense amusement to the onlookers, but already the true poetry of motion is being imported into the movements of the regular attendants, and onlookers, though occasionally amused by the struggles of a tyro, are afforded genuine pleasure by the graceful glide of the numerous accomplished skaters. A

pleasing fenture of last night’s session was the fancy and trick skating of Mr Alf. Skipworth, and the hearty applause of his somersault act testified amply to the appreciation of his marvellous performance. Quite a large number of ladies were present last night, and many made their initial appearance, but from their graceful movements one would have thought that roller skating had never died out in Poverty Bay. A gentleman from the South assured our representative that the graceful' movements of the lady skaters compared more than favorablo with the efforts of the best of the Christchurch ladies, whilst the attention and tuition bestowed on lady skaters by the gentlemen present bore unmistakable testimony to the chivalry of the sex in this district.

At the meeting of the Coronation Celebration Committee last evening, there was a representative attendance, and the Mayor presided. The tender of Mrs Erskine for the privileges was accepted. Discussion took place with regard to providing refreshments for the children, and it was agreed that arrangements should be made with the caterer to provide for the children at a certain amount per head. The Decoration Committee was voted the sum of £2O out of the general funds in order to assist them in tho carrying out of the programme submitted at the previous meeting. The Patutahi School Committee wrote, stating that they could not undertake the conveyance of the children to and from Gisborne, and had left the parents of the children to make their own arrangements in regard to looking after them whilst they were in Gisborne. Tho Rev. Welsh wrote, stating that he had arranged to hold service at the Holy Trinity Church at the hour suggested by the Committee. Mr Pettie furnished a report on behalf of the Traffic Committee, and also apologised for the absence of Mr Cratnond. Mr Pettie laid before the meeting information that he bad collected in regard to the probable length of time it would take to run the :rain to and from the racecourse. He jointed out that each trip wonld take hreequarters of an hour, and if 4000 perions were to be carried to the Park they vould want more rolling stock. It was 1 lointed out that there would be four eararriages available and a large number of rucks. A sub-committee was appointed o confer with the Traffic Committee, and cake final arrangements with the Railwav lepartment.