The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 1, 1902. TWO MINUTES LATE!

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 516, 1 September 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 1, 1902. TWO MINUTES LATE!

Gisborne is to (lav the proud possessor . uf as line a new ' Post ami Telegraph : Office as, comparatively speaking, exists in Now Zealand. Its construction is not quite completed, but, when finished, we believe that it will be pronounced to lie a 1 great credit to the contractors (Messrs Webb and Son), and all who have had to do with the work. J3ut here we would like to ask what is the internal manage liient uf that building to be ? Is it to be run for tire benefit of the public, or on the lines of which there was an experience yesterday, by which, through a disgraceful piece'of “ red-tapeism,” the whole of

the people of the colony were debarred from knowing whether the steamer Tuviuni had got upon the rocks, or, as happily was the case, was in safe tow for the South ?: The other day a leading comincrcinl man complained through the Times of the long periods the public were kept waiting at the Tost Oi'lico counter. It was stated that a busy man was sometimes kept waiting nearly forty minutes before it came to his turn to be attended to. But there are no delays like this when it is a matter of shutting out the public promptly to the second. Ordinarily we would have no complaint against punctuality in that respect. It is only right that, except in special cases, the strict hours of closing should be maintained, but there are exceptions when red tape should be allowed to give way to reason. Here wo may narrate what happened yesterday. The last press message sent throughout the colony on Saturday gave the information from Pakarao that the helpless vessel appeared to be drugging her anchor. That information would naturally cause the gravest anxiety to the friends of all on board the vessel. At about noon yesterday the Omapere was observed towing the Tuviuni towards the roadstead. The local manager (Mr Cramond) promptly had the Waihi in readiness, and of course the press representatives made all haste to take advantage of the opportunity to let the public have full particulars of how things stood. Representatives of both the Gisborne papers went out, also as representatives of the Press Association and special representatives of tho New Zealand Herald and other leading papers of tho colony. The Press representatives were unable to get back to town till much later than was expected, and as it was, the agent of tho company got the Waihi to make a special trip in, so that the Press representatives might get a chance of being in time for tho telegraph office. The launch reached tho wharf just before halfpast six. The Press representatives, with telegrams already written out, raced for the telegraph office, which was reached by at least two of them before the doors had been closed, This was four minutes after time. An arrangement had already been made on behalf of tho Union Company to keep the office open until six o’clock. A request was made on behalf of tho Press Association to take a message of two hundred woril3 for all the morning papers in tho colony. Tho application was refused. Then a request was made that a messaco of only four words should be taken on behalf of the Association, to let tho people of tho colony know that tho steamer l'aviuni was safe; again refusal was given. A request was then made to be allowed to use tho telephone to ring up tho Chief Postmaster. A lackadasical answer was given that they were not quite sure which telephone it was. An offer was made to pay any extra fco to have the office kept open fot two minutes for a press message to let tho anxious friends know about tho Tuviuni. A reply was given that Napier would not take any messages, and that the other offices wero cut off. A member of the Times staff stated that this’ was untrue, as not a cingle message had yetcome to hand for the Trims. An effort was then mado to get a message through from somo of those on board to allay tho anxiety of their friends. Again a refusal was made. A representative of the Press Association then went to private residence of tho Chief Postmaster, and pointed out to him that in a’case of this sort, when there was so much anxiety throughout tho colony, the staff should at least' take tho trouble to try and get through a fc.v words as to the safoty of the vessel. Mr Sampson agreed that in an urgent case of the kind an effort should bo made, and he offered to tako tho responsibility of so far going beyond the regulations as to try and and Jiavo this done, but tho reply from the operator then was, that tho other stations in the colony wore then clear. As a matter of fact inward messages for tho Times wero not delivered until an hour later. The special representative of the New Zealand Herald took tho precaution to get, a signed refusal, which read as follows : “ Refused at 5.35 p.m.” Napier, upon whom the blame was thrust, has to be thanked for efforts to expedite messages. Being baffled at tho Gisborne offico the New Zealand Herald correspondent endeavored to obtain communication by telephone, which he ultimately succeeded in doing. The voice would not carry to Auckland, but tho Napier operator kindly received the message and repeated it to Auckland. Later on a short Press Association message was transmitted on the telegraph office being open for cable duty, but on the understanding that, besides paying the Sunday rates the sender is liable to be fined 7s 6d each for the stations opened. The public will the better uncierst.,nd what this means when it is explained that all the stations had to he open in the ordinary course for the receipt of cables. We are ever reluctant to criticise a department with which the press has so much business to do, and from the officials of which we invariably receive every courtesy, but in a matter like this, where there are so many anxious relatives concerned, our duty to the public requires plain speaking.

The American Vaudeville Stars concluded their season on Saturday night. The Gisborne Freezing Works resume operations on September 10th. if sufficient inducement offers.

A company has been formed to start the trawling industry for the supply of fish throughout Taranaki, The first vessel is being built in Auckland, and is expected to start in two months. The directorate of the Woodville meat company has been increased to seventeen. Two committees of directors were formed to deal with the offer of the Wellington Company. A small levy was made to meet current expenses. It was decided to establish a fat stock market at some convenient centre, and members of the association pledge themselves to send stock there.

The Acting-Premier states that he has seen Judge Edwards in reference to the sentence imposed upon Moore for writing a letter threatening the life of Sir Joseph Ward. He gathered from the Judge that he was willing to recommend a remission of the sentence, conditional on Moore leaving the colony. Sir Joseph Ward is now consulting with the Solicitor-General on the matter.

At the request of several of our dairy farmers and others in Hawke’s Bay, Mr S. Bolton, chairman, and J. D. Anderson, managing director of the North Island Mild Cure Bacon Co., Ltd., Woodville, are now in that district with a view to starting operations for the curing and export of pork under the Morepork patent cure to the African and London markets. The Woodville Company have the largest and most up-to-date factory south of the line, and since starting operations three years back the company have demonstrated that there is money in pork, with an unlimited market, provided the pork is finished and cured to meet the requirements of the trade.

is announced. Too Poverty Bay Road Board meets on Saturday next. Last nigh: Mr B. If. Taylor repeated his lecture on the wreck of the Wuirarapa, the Theatre being well filled. A letter horn Mr -.Even Gallagher in regard to the i’.itutahi quarry will appear to-morrow. schooner Awuinii, l--t\ing for Mercury Bay this evening, win call at coastal ports. A special advertisement in regard to the Gladstone House boarding establishment, which lias been taken over by Mrs 11. Warren, wilt appear in to morrow's issue.

Latest quotations of tHe Bunker’s Hill shares are buyers 4s 4. sellers 45 6J. There are buyers of Bank of New Zealaud shales at 64s and sellers at 655.

The Government intend to exempt cheques drawn by Friendly Societies for members' sick pay from the penny stamp duty.

Dr. Workman and Mr Coriett, who arrived by the Tutauekai yesterday, proceed to Nuhaka springs on behalf of the Tourist Department.

Members of the Parliamentary party and visiting pressmen were very indignant last night when they heard how jthe telegrams re the Taviuni had been blocked at the telegraph office. “ The first snag struck in Gisborne,” was the remark of one gentleman. There was a very good congregation at Wesley Church on Sunday morning, and an excellent sermon from the Rev. \V. 3. Elliott on '•lncreasing Light." In the evening a full church faced the preacher, and had/a rare treat in the eloquent sermon on Barnabas as a typical good man. The singing was, as usual, excellent, and the collections, for the Home Mission Fund, above tho average. Mr Elliott is an eloquent and able speaker, and there ought to be a large house at- the Theatre this evening to hear his lecture. Tho match on Thursday last between Mangamahaki and Majestic, which occasioned considerable comment, resulted in another “go ” on Saturday morning, when the pair met on somewhat different terms, the latter being conceded a stone in a mile race. Noble rode Mangamahaki and George Jones had the mount on Majestic. For the first couple of furlongs the pair raced together, when Mangamahaki forged ahead and never left tho issue in doubt, winning by a hundred yards. The result came us a surprise, many people fancying the brown gelding’s chance, and prophesying he could not by any possibility lose.

The atinual mooting of tho Gisborne Co operative Building Society will be held to-night. The following directors’ report will be presented by tho Chairman, Mr L. T. Symcs : —“ Your Board of Directors have pleasure in presenting herewith the third annual report and balance-sheet for the year ending 17th July, 1902. During the year the No, 1 issue lias been filled and a substantial number of shares have

been applied for issue No. 2, which we hope to have in operation shortly. Tho year’s working has resulted in a profit of JGOOO Is -Id, which is equal to 12s per share, making a total profit of LI 7s lid per share for the past three years, and available for distribution at the termination of the first issue, which must be considered a highly satisfactory result by the members. Twenty six loans have been granted during tlie year or are in course of completion, amounting to L3OOO, making a total to date of THoOO. Your directors have carefully considered flic rules during the pastyear, and submit certain amendments and alterations which they consider will tend towards tho better working of tho Society. During tho year Messrs Ranger and Robinson resigned, and tho vacancies on the directorate were filled by the directors appointing Messrs F. A. Ford and J. Georgcson. Messrs F. Harris, T. B. Sweet, and L. T. Symcs retire by rotation, and Messrs Ford and Georgcson must also retire under tlie rules. Aii of the retiring directors are eligible and offer themselves for re-election, together with Mr C. 11. Ambridgo, who is also nominated. The retiring auditors, Messrs D. C. Hawkins and E. D. B. Robinson, are eligible, and offei themselves for ro-election.”