The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 7, 1902. A GRAVE SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 496, 7 August 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 7, 1902. A GRAVE SCANDAL.

A good deal has been hoard lately as to the treatment of troopers on the Britannic, and also in regard to the but a more painful sensation must bo caused by the cablegram this morning in regard to the Drayton Grange. During the voyage from Albany to Melbourne fivo troopers died of pneumonia. There has lately been shewn a tendency to try and cloak the conduct of the transport department of the War Office, but why the force of criticism should not be thrown upon them wo cannot understand. Some one ought to be hanged for the way the colonial troopers are being sent back to their homes, and it is time that there was some plain talk in the matter. Over two thousand soldiers were packed on the Drjiyton Grange. “Life on board her,” states one writer, who had a previous knowledge of the vessel, “ must under such conditions have been a veritable hell.” And anyone who knows anything of the Drayton Grange will bear out that statement. Seeing what has happened in the ease of tnat vessel, wo may well believe all that has been said in regard to troopships that- have recently arrived in New Zealand. No doubt an attempt will bo made to ascribe the deaths on the Drayton Grange to any other cause but the real one, but the wonder is that under such disgraceful conditions the death-list lias.not been greater.

There will bo no publication of the Times on Saturday next (Coronation Day). judge Batbam arrived from the South yesterday. Bedstone's brake will leave town for Ormond at 0.10 to-morrow evening. Sergeant-Major Tuck arrived from Napier yesterday to be present at the inspection parade this afternoon. Mr T. G. Lawless has sold the Makauri property of Air H. Raymond, the purchaser being Mr A. Gordon, ol Poututu. Messrs Stubbs and Co. advertise a handy dairy farm for sale, near Gisborne, and only Lc; an acre. This should attract bona fide buyers. The tender of Mr Haisman, jun., for erecting the factory buildings fur the Wairoa Dairy Factory has boon accepted, and the tender of Messrs Niven and Co. for th<j machinery. 1 0 another column will be found an aclveriisemeii! ottering for sale an oid established oil color, and wall paper merchant’s business, situated in one of the most thriving towns in Canterbury. Particulars may be obtained at the office of this paper. Wo arc advised that a substantial reduction in freight on produce has been arranged by the Shaw, Savili, and Albion Co.’s steamers, particulars of which will bo quoted to shippers by the local agents, Daigoty and Co., and Common, Shelton and Co., Ltd.

Lieutenant Herd, of the Wellington Garrison Band, states that no members of the New Zealand Representative Brass Band, proposed for a tour of Australia and England next year, have yet been selected. Over a hundred applications have been received from all parts of the colony-, but the players will not bo selected till the end of the year. Prior to stock-taking, Mr It, Robertson announces special cash prices for a period of two weeks. Great reductions are being made iri men’s all-wool trousers and Kaiapoi tweed trousers, which uro offered at under cost price, as Mr ltobertson must clear the way for his season's goods. A special advertisement in regard to the above will appear to-morrow. The priority of place in Saturday’s procession as far as the Friendly Societies are concerned was settled last evening bydrawing, and tbo result was as follows : liechabites, Hibernian Society, Druids, Foresters, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, and American Order of Oddfellows. His Worship the Mayor will act as Marshal. “ The best processi on that we have ever had in Gisborne,” was the prophecy ventured by one gentleman at the Coronation Committee meeting last evening, and from what we can learn in regard to the decorations wc are of opinion that they also will be of a high order of merit—if they do not altogether eclipse all previous efforts in this direction. The public of Gisborne will have an opportunity on Saturday of judging what three or four energetic people can do. “Is there no report from the Aquatic Committee ? ” was a question asked at the meeting of the Coronation Committee last evening. The Mayor: Wo hope to have a considerable number of boats nicely decorated, and everything possible is being done to insure a good display. Mr Robinson, the Harbormaster, and the Union Company are giving boats, and the members of the Poverty Bay and Gisborne Rowing Clubs have promised to turn out in full force. The many friends of Mr Lockie Gannon will be pleased to learn that he has been appointed draughtsman to the Auckland Harbor Board. An Auckland journal states :—“ The billet is a good one, carrying Lttco a year, and it says a deal for the smartness of Lockie that at the age of twenty-one he has shown he has ability that has singled him out from a large field of competitors. Lockie is a son of Mr M. f. Gannon, the well-known Native in-

* terpreter. and is a whale at rowing. He ,- 3 of the best men turned out by the West ITnd Rowing Club, and they have turned out 2™* S“ od or ”- 5 -" a Sir Edmund wording to the London Chronicle, an “*«»*“« present for the King, a from the timbers of Captain LOSL s tarnous exploring ship, the Endeavo.", v/w - c ? was wrecked off the coast of New Zc-ala. ' The late Captain Fairchild, the commander of the Now Zealand Government steamer Hinemoa, was fortunate enough to find some of her timbeis in excellent preservation. One piece came into the possession of Captain Chuck, of the Australian Ritles, who has kept an honored relic for many years until the happy thought occurred to him of converting it into a walking-stick as a Coronation present to the King.

Although there was a poor attendance at the meeting of the Coronation Celebration Committee last evening, there was no lack of enthusiasm in the proceedings, and from what we can gather the public can look for a great surprise on Saturday. In the first place the decorations are to be on a more elaborate and extensive scale, and several new ideas are to be introduced which will considerably enhance the general effect. The procession is also to be much more spectacular in character, and promises to be the best of the kind seen in Gisborne. Quite an army of workers, including members of the volunteer corps, Fire Brigade, and the general public have volunteered their services for Friday afternoon and evening, and it is hoped to make a ready good display for the Saturday,

The Poverty Bay Ham Ciab meet toMr W. D. Lysc-ur advertises for a reliable shephard. Mrs F. r\ Duncan advertises Minorca and Lungshan eggs for sale. Poison for fowls has been laid on the property oi Mrs Darbiii, oi Gladstone Road. A general meeting of parishioners of Holy T-iittty C.Yuuui win be held toMessrs Kennedy ;md Evans have 400 toils el coal ex idrurou o.uu Oumpcrc for mac iroui toe snip's si.it at a cheap rate. The opportunity should be taken advantage oi by householders. Mr R. Seymour has presented the promoters of t ; i-e ping-pong tournament with a gold brooch of ping-pong design, for competition. Tnc-1 :;>j iiy Is on view in Mr Seymour's window.