The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 26, 1902.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 455, 26 June 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 26, 1902.

THE RAILWAY.; Though people have to-day been debarred by the illness of His Majesty the King from taking part in a-, great national demonstration that would give pleasure to all, and their rejoicing has necessarily g ven place to a feeling of deepest sympathy for the ailing monarch, there is a very pleasant and important duty to be performed in this district to-day.- The opening of the first section of the Gisborne-Karaka Railway marks a most important epoch in the history of this district, and the ceremony to-day is of great consequence to Gisborne, not so much on account of what has been done as in anticipation of what is in store for the district. If we had no thought of an early further extension of the line the work done would certainlyi not be likely to arouse any enthusiasm—rather would it call for censure. But this is properly regarded,as the coping stone of a work of groat magnitude,- not an unEtofiiabla undertaking, as noma pea-

iimists would have us believe, but a line that will pay handsomely as soon t as it lias reached the Motu, and which will at least justify itself when it has ( only been taken as lar as the Karaka. 1 The line has certainly not proceeded at the pace that we, in our ardent desire to see the rich resources of the district speedily developed, have urged, 'ihere is still ground for grumbling,as would no doubt be the case under any circumstances ; in fact, we find that in the political world there must be incessant pressing of our claims if we ever hope to - have them attended to. But having done our share of, shall we say, pestering the Government, it gives us great pleasure to join in to-day’s congratulations, and to give testimony as to the splendid manner in which the work has been carried out. It is in every respect a work of which the Department and the colony, as well as

.he district, may well feel proud. If the whole of the work is carried out as satisfactorily as that already done—and there is every reason to believe that such will be the case—then Gisborne, though,so late in having its urgent needs attended to, will be able to cla m to be possessed of one of the best little works in the colony._ It will be amusing to-day to reflect on the history of the work. When it was first mooted there were those who endeavored to throw a damper on the whole scheme, and who gave it forth that the line, if tn>;en in hand, would not pay for axle grease. A gentleman who toon a strong hand in effectively suppressing such nonsensical assertions i will not be with the party to-day, though we have no doubt,that all would like to see him present. We refer to Mr James Macfarlane, who is at present away from the colony. He did much to iift the desire for railway communicatian from the range of petty localism, and he throughout heartily co-operated with those who were pushing on the railway movement, it is to he hoped that to-day’s ceremony will only be a forerunner of a complete network of lines opening up thousands of acres of the finest country in the world.. That is saying a great deal, but it is not an exaggeration. There is one thing we would like to see done to-day, when the many thousands of people are astembled, and that is that a resolution moved by the Mayor, should lie carried unanimously, thanking Mr Carroll and. the Government for what has been done so far, bub strongly urging the speedy extension of the line.

The Ninth Contingent is at Capetown, returning all well. The I-linemoa Quadrille Assembly meet this evening. We are informed that the first train for Ormond leaves the Gisborne station at half past seven this morning. It leaves Ormond on the return trip at 9 o’clock. A trial of the Post-office illuminations was made last night. They were very satisfactory. Orders have beon received that thoy are not to be exhibited to-night, but Mr Oarroil has askod the Department to illuminate oh account of the ceremony of opening the railway. The coon songs which are now ail the rago in Australia and America are to be seen in great variety U the London Piano and Music House. The firm is also receiving a very large shipment of pianos next week, wkicn certainly makes its siojk equal to that of any house in the colony.

Mr Campbell, Deputy .Valuer-General arrives in Gisborne on Saturday for the opening of the Assessment Court on Monday. Mr P. Sheridan, head of the Native Lands Department, is on a v sit to Gisborne upon matters coimected with his department^ The Gisborne post and telegraph office will be closed to the public from 10 a.m. to ,1 p.m. to-day in fionor of the opening of the railway. Messages were received yesterday from all parts of the colony announcing the postponement of Coronation celebrations, excepting that partaking of charity. • , .Miss Gallagher, a sister of the postmistress at Tolago Bay, having been appointed to a position in the Telegraph. Department, will be stationed at .Westport. Owing to tlie postponement of Uie Coronation celebrations, the Tarawera now leaves Dunedin on Friday, 27th, time-table date, instead of Saturday, as previously notified.. The s.s. .Waihora leaves Dunedin at 4 lum. .to-day., Napier at 5 tomorrow, and arr ves here early on Saturday, and leaves for Sydney at 10 a.m.

Mr Gill, an ex-Judge of the Native Land Court, and for many years connected with the Native Lands Furchase Department, has been appointed to succeed Mr Barton, S.IVL, as Chairman of the Maori Lands Administration Board for this district. The Zealandia Quadrille Assembly held a very successful dance in the Academy of Music last evening, about forty couples being present. The floor vtas in splendid order, and reflected great credit on the caretaker, Mr G. i<\ Henderson,, whilst the best of music was supplied by Mrs Fernandez. Mr Barton, the Federal Premier, declares that in the event of emergency Australians would be prepared to do much more than heretofore Mr. Barton said the King’s illness is grievous and.- pathetic at a time of general rejoicing, and will cause a wave of emotion throughout the world. » The Dunedin Jdtar thut puts in a plea for Mr McNab, member for Ma-

uuira “it is quite on the cards that after the election’ of a new Parliament there will be re-construction of the Cabinet, in which case the honorable gentleman, might fairly, be expected to be entrusted with a portfolio, probably that of Minister for Lands, for which he is specially qualified.

At the Empire League luncheon Mr Settdon said that the lost British trade ought to be attracted back to British channels. New Zealand’s oiler of preference without asking a return represented three per cent upon five mil-

lions’ worth of This was not unimportant if devoted to strengthening the Navy. He declared freetrade throughout the Empire was impossible owing to financial considerations^ The many friends of Mr Herbert Aston, third son of Mr .V. S. Aston, of Whataupoko, will regret to learn oi his death, which took place early yesterday, morning. Deceased, who was only twenty-five years of age, has been ailing since November last, and for the last three weeks has been unable to , get about-. Mr Aston was a member of the Rifles’ Band, and will be accorded a military funeral. Much sympathy is felt for his parents in .their bereavement.

In discussing the question oi printing and advertising at the meeting of the Waiapu County Council yesterday. Cr A, B. Williams favored the Council's work being given to the Gisborne Times, for the reason that- that paper had the largest circulation throughout the coastal district-, being delivered in all townships a day in advance ol any other paper. Mr Williams also spoke in terms of praise of the reports of the Council meetings furnished in the Times. Cr Hindmarsh said that the paper was the most popular with the settlers on the Coast, as its subscribers were able'to obtain all the latest news. He complimented the proprietors upon the amount of attention they were bestowing upon the East Coast district,

The Lowe street footbridge is closed to traffic pending repairs. By special request the City Band entertainment is to be repeated this evening. A notice in regard- to Mr J. Craig-s dining rooms appears in another column. An intercessory service will lie held at St. Andrew’s schoolroom this morning at 8.30. At the Coronation Hotel to-day, lunch will be served at one o’clock and dinner at 0 p.m. The inconvenient time-table arrangements for fhe railway are unsatisfactory to both country and townspeople. Members of all denominations are invited to attend the intercessory services to be held at St. Andrew’s school room this morning. Messrs Shanks Bros., of Matawhero, have eight draught horses for sale, also a number of agricultural implements. Yesterday Mr George, from tiie Lower Ilutt, arrived to assume the duties of guard of the ballast train in use by the Public Works Department,