The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE JUNE 24, 1902.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 453, 24 June 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE JUNE 24, 1902.

HARBOR MATTERS.

Anyone who doubts the need for further wharf accommodation would do well to take a stroll down there this morning, and ho will then see sufficient to satisfy himself that it is absolutely necessary that further berthing room for vessels should be provided. Last evening the Harbormaster was at bis wits’ end to provide accommodation for the vessels arriving, and a berth for the Aotea at the town wharf could only be obtained by putting the Waihi abreast of the schooner Awanui. Had the steamer ■ Fanny arrived from Napier in the evening instoad of in the morning there would have been no berth for her; and the same difficulty will again occur when the Waihi has to tender the southern and northorn boats to-morrow. Unless one of the sailing vessels at present at the wharf makes room for the launch, the passengers will have to be embarked and disembarked over tho deck of a schooner, and for the credit of the port this should if possible be avoided. In all ports in the colony facilities for embarking passengers are deemed of more importance than the discharging of cargo, and we hope to see such arrangements made as will prevent any inconvenience to visitors. Not only was the town wharf crowded last evening, but every available berth on the other side of the river was taken up, and Gisborne’s -new dredge could not find a resting place. The Harbor Board are sanguine with regard to the harbor improvements at present under way, and if these predictions are realised, as we sincerely hope they will bo, there is all the moro need for adequate berthing accommodation, as the number of vessels coming here is bound to increase. Another matter that we desire to draw tho attention of the Board to is the necessity of providing better lighting at tho wharf. Strangers arriving at night are likely to form a very unfavorable impression of the place when they look upon tho long and dreary line of wharf, illuminated with only one gas jet. Iu the darkness there is ever tho chance of some unfortunate individual breaking a limb over some of the lopse timber which is always lying about, and for the sake ,of saving themselves another expensive civil action, the Board might at least see that there are half adozen lamps on the wharf. It must also be remombered that many seamen sleep on board the vessels, and have to find their way thither at night. As we previously stated, first impressions of a port are everything, and we, therefore, hope that the Harbor Board at their meeting to-day will rise to the occasion, and celebrate Coronation Day by seeing that the Gisborne wharf is one of the bestlighted in the colony. Half-a-dozen lamps placed along the wharf would be an ornament by day and an illumination by night, and we feel sure the expenditure would meet with the approval of every ratepayer in the district. The need of a sheltor-shod wo have -frequently pointed out, and we understand that the Board have under consideration the erection of a suitable building. The necessity of extra wharf accommodation, better lighting, and additional storage-sheds, as well as the erection of a shelter-shed, aro matters that might well occupy the attention of the members of the Harbor Board at their meeting to-day. More time should not bo wasted in discussing tho question of a site for a band rotunda for Gisborne when there are matters of such vital importance in regard to the harbor that require consideration. Cr Lysnar remarked at the Council meeting the other evening that the question of a band rotunda had received more attention and discussion by the Council than did the borough loan proposals, which involved the sum of 4180,000, and wo trust that the Harbor Board will not allow the rotunda to overshadow the works that they have in hand as well as others that require their immediate attention. The site of the band rotunda can well be left to the electors to decide, but matters pertaining to the harbor require all the energies that members of tho Board can bring to bear upon them.

■ Captain Edwin wired at noon yesterday :—•' Gale from between north-east and north and west aftor 16 hours from now; glass fall; sea heavy outside ; tides good ; -much rain.”

In honor of the Coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII., His Holiness Popo Leo XIII. has granted a dispensation for Friday and Saturday next, to all Catholics in the British Empire, from the law of fasting and abstinence. Yesterday a north-easterly gale was blowing at Auckland,, and the sea was heavy. - In Auckland the weather was gloomy. Light north-easterly winds prevailed thence to Christchurch, where the wind was light south-west. The weather generally was overcast, with rain at Taupo, Westport, and Dunedin. The sea was heavy on the West Coast and smooth on the East.

The wharf presented a very busy appearance yesterday, and the total tonnage of sailing vessels in port must have been considerable. At the town wharf the scow Alert and schooners Awanui, Waiapu, and Gisborne were discharging their inward cargoes, whilst on the Kaiti side the scow Bravo was discharging coal for the Gisborne Freezing Works. The lighters Good Templar, Titi, and Venus were also beiDg loaded at the Kaiti wharf. At the town wharf, in addition to the vessels mentioned, there were also the steamers Waihi and Fanny, the latter having arrived from Napier early in the morning. The Tawera, Fearnaught, Noko, Beatrice, and Miranda w r ere also in view, together with a number of smaller craft. The ketch Clematis was at anchor in the bay, and in the afternoon the Aotea put in an appearance, so altogether the shipping in port totalled up to a respectable amount,

A notice to returned troopers in regard :o the Coronation parade appears in another column. Fireworks, Hags, sky rockets, and Chinese lanterns can be obtained at the Beehive. The Coronation Celebrations Committee met last evening, when the final arrangements were made for the gathering O 1 Thursday. The attention of our readers is directed to Mr James McKee’s special advertisement, which householders will find it to their interests to peruse. Owing to Coronation celebrations, the quarterly meeting of carpenters and joiners will be heid on Monday next, at 7.30 p.m. A meeting <*f journeymen painters will be held to-night in the Wesleyau schoolroom, for the purpose of forming a Painters and Decorators’ Union. A full attendance is requested. ltcdstono and Son’s coach will leave Gisborne for Wkatututu at 10 a.m. tomorrow, returning from Whatatutu for Gisborne on the return trip at 3.80 p.m. the same day. A grand social is to be held in the Ormond Public Hall on Coronation night. The committee are working hard to assure the success of the gathering, and hope to sec a record gathering. On and after Ist July the Union Steamship Company’s s.s, Kotomahana will leave Lyttelton one hour earlier than usual, viz., 9 p.m., owing to an alteration in the railway time-table between Dunedin and Lyttelton.

Arrangements have been made for additional reserved seating accommodation in the Theatre Royal for Wednesday night for the monster City Band entertainment, and early application should be made at Messrs Chrisp aud Son’s by those anxious to secure seats.

j iTho Cadet Corps appeared in their new uniforms last evening for tho first time, and attracted considerable attention, their smart and soldierly appearance being the subject of pleasing comment. The youths were put through their drill by Mr Krctchmer, and the excellence of their performance was highly creditable, and showed that they had been carefully instructed.

“ The Sunbeam, the Purest and Best Quality of Tea Obtainable ” is the subject of a special inset appearing in to-day’s Times. The advertisement is of an artistic nature, and reflects great credit upon Messrs Nelson, Moate, and Co., from whom it emanates. It is claimed for the Sunbeam brand that it is of a specially high grade, and is praised by all who use it. We recommend our readers to give it a trial. Afternoon tea is a luxury indulged in by most people, and the advertisement in regard to the Alexandra Tea Rooms, to be opened in the Albion Club Rooms tomorrow, should be read with interest. The proprietresses, Misses Telford and Old, have had the apartments mentioned handsomely furnished, and they intend that the rooms shall be equally up-to-dato as tho in the larger centres. Breakfast and luncheon will be provided, and orders will be taken for cakes, etc. Judging by the booking for tho City Band entertainment to-morrow evening tho public appreciate the services that the band have rendered, and are anxious to show their recognition of such efforts in a practical manner. If there is any institution more than another in the town that is entitled to support from the public it is the two fino bands that Gisborne can boast of. During the last two or three years tho bands have turned out in all weathers to celebrate British victories and farewell contingent after contingent, and yot on no occasion have wo hoard a single word of complaint from tho members. On tho contrary, they have always cheerfully complied with tho calls mado upon them. Tho least that the public can do in return is to roll up in strong forco tomorrow evening, so that the Theatre may be crowded.