The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, OCTOBER 17, 1902.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 547, 17 October 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, OCTOBER 17, 1902.

THE COMING ELECTION. Throughout the colony there appears to be little interest taken in regard to the general election to be held next month, and in several electorates there is every prospect of a walk over resulting. Referring to the lethargy of the electors on this question the Christchurch Press states:—" Probably never before in the history of New Zealand has there been a general election in which so little interest has been taken by the public as that which is to be held sotno time during the course of next month. In ourhpiuion thi g is a very grave mistake. The electors, t 0 use the memorable phrase of the Princo of Wales, must “ wake up,” unless they are prepared to see the interests of this colony sutler, und suffer seriously, as the result of their inaction. The point which seems to be very imperfectly understood at present is the duty of the electors to return a strong Opposition, as well as a Ministry to carry on the government of the country. We say, candidly, that' we do not at present sec any liklihood of the Seddon Ministry being displaced as the result of the coming appeal to the country. We do say, however, that unless the electors see to it, that a 6trong and capable Opposition is returned, to criticise the actions of the Government, and to keep their extravagence and nepotism in check, they will be simply inviting disaster. It is a mere truism that representative government cannot be carried on with safety or effect without the steadying influence of a responsible Opposition, Without suoh a steadying influence there is the danger that the party muchino will start to “ race,” and we shall indeed be lucky if it does not simply " take charge” of the engine room, and end in a general smashup. As a matter of fact, the “racing ” process has already begun. There has been an appalling acceleration in the rate at which the public money is being spent, and the public credit is being exhausted. As wo showed yesterday, in six years our annual expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund has increased from 114,798,708 to £6,0815,500, or a rolativo increase of some 29 per cent. Our expenditure of borrowed money has increased in the same time from £566,248 to H 1,993,052, or an increase of some two hundred and fifty per cent! What is perhaps even more disquieting is the fact that Parliament has allowed the present Government to taao away its constitutional powers of controlling the expenditure. At the bidding of the Seddon Government it has even manacled the Auditor-General and reduced his olliee to a mero formality. Ho is a man-of-war without guns, The Government can indulge in tho most reckless expenditure in open defiance of every Act on the Statuto Book, and the Auditor-General can do no more than idly protest- Is this a state of things that ought to bfl allowed to continue in any country where the people profess to rule ? We soy, emphatically, it is not. We are bound to warn the electors in tho most solemn manner, however, that unless they return men ot the next oloetion whom they can trust .to check this monstrous abuse of power, it will not only continue, but it will grow even worse. In view of the prospect before us indifference becomes not only a fault but a crime. It is emphatically the duty of New Zealand to "Wake up 1”

Messrs Dalgcty and Co. roceived tho following cable : “ For good descriptions of tallow prices are unchanged ; medium and inferior descriptions fid to Is higher.'’ On Saturday evening Mr J. C. Woodward, of Patutabi, received the sad intelligence of the death of his father at Christchurch.

It is proposed to form a racing club at Te Karaka, and a meeting is to bo held tthepe for the purpose on Saturday evening next.

Applications for [ground spaco at the A. and P. Show must bo in the hands of the secretary to-morrow, when entries also close.

One of Mr Maseey’s tables was on the bowling green yesterday, and a good many of those present engaged in a game of table bowls. The game promises to beeomo a favorite winter pastime. Properties in the district still continue to change hands daily, and all around a healthy tone seems to prevail. Tho latest sale made by Mr A. L. DeLautour is Mr Akrayd’s fine property at Whataupoko, which has paseed into the hands of Mr M. B. Mander, at a satisfactory figure. Mr DeLautcur is to be congratulated on the large number of sales of town and suburban properties that he has recently made.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday Mr W- A. Barton, S.M., presided. Judgment went by default in the case of L. S. Hughes (Mr Barker) v, Thomas Ritchie, of Motu, claim £6 2s, costs £1 3s fid. In the case of Margaret S. Nesbitt v. Louisa Davey, defendant was ordered to give up possession of a cottage in Childers road within seven days. In tho caso of Robert Harper v. Eliza Dickerson, His Worship gave judgment for plaintiff for 17s oil, costs ie.

Mrs C. P. Davies will hold her annual sale in aid of the Maori and Melanesian Missions on December 4th, and she notifies that contributions will be tbankfully reeeived. Tbe gatherings held by Mrs Davies in the past have always attracted a good deal of attention, and we hope to seo the coming one even more successful. The objects to which the proceeds of the sale are to be devoted is one that should commend itself to all church people, and we trust that it will meet with the success it deserves.

The lucky man in the ballot at Napier yesterday for tbe Hangaroa run was Mr Stubbs, of Gisborne. It is almost the only section in that district which is scheduled as “ first-class.” Tbe Government surveyors consider it a magnificentsection. The area is 4807 acres, and carries splendid milling timber, which may possibly be got to market. It is curious that last week Mr Stubbs drew the £3OO free loan in tbe Co operative BaiidiDg Society ballot, drawn in the name of Clark. Misfortunes are not tbe only things that never come singly.

The I’olypathic Medical Instiuie of 1 Wellington have sent, one of their staff to (Fsboriie, by particular reruns in many letters received, and lie v. 11 be located in Gisborne until next Tuesday. He has looms at the .“lhion Cluh Hotel, wheie nee eonsuliations will be given, so that ’those sffl.cteu with chronic and other diseases may have an opportunity of testing the new and rapid system of healing hy poiypatby, for which this institution is so popular. It is ais” their intention to make professional visits every three months in the future.

The Gisbcrne Borough Council invite tenders for the supply and delivery of 300 feet of shingle for llill road.

The privileges for the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s meeting will be sold at noon on Saturday next. Trooper Charlie Parker, who has been for some time in the Auckland hospital, returned homo last Wednesday. He is still in a very weak state.

A meeting of the general committee of the Gisoorne Beautifying Association will be held in the Borough Council Chambers this evening at 8 o'clock. Preparations for tho Fishing Village Fair to be held in the Theatre on Thurs day and Friday next are proceeding apace, and the gathering promises to be a most attractive one.

Following are the latest additions to the Telephone Exchange list 142, Oates, S.

Clare, stock agent, Te Puriri, Mukuraka ; 215 Cederwell, W. I’., privuto residence, Whataupoko.

By advertisement in another column Mr Joseph Henry Bennett is requested to communicate with his Nelson friends immediately. A shooting affray took place in George street, Sdney, on the night of September 30tb, when a young man named Bert Kelly was woundod by a revolver bullet in the back.

The total Eclipse of the Moon may be obsorved this evening. It will be invisible in New Zealand, except for about an hour after the Moon rises. Moon rises at 7.35 p.m., and Eclipse ends at 8.50 p.m. Tenders aro invited by Mr It. N. Jones, solicitor, for the purchase of Sections 20 and 27, Custom-houso street, Gisborne, each containing t rood (with the Academy of Music standing thereon). Particulars and conditions may be seen at Mr Jones' olliee. Tenders close on tbe 31st iust.

Yesterday afternoon tho Gisborne Rifles commenced their class-tiring at tbe Haiti Rifle Range. A large number of members of the corps turned up, and notwithstanding the many alterations in the regulations, good shooting was mado. One of the members was successful in scoring within one of the possible, at a small bull's-eye, the distauce being 200yds. Tho sympathies of the public are enlisted on behalf of Mr Charles R. Fielder, a recent arrival from Auckland, who unfortunately lost his eyesight through illness. Subscriptions are being gathered with a view of enabling Mr Fielder to obtain tho advice and services of an eyespccialist, and we aro sure that residents will do what they can to assist. Mr C. Bannerman, the noted Australian cricketer, has arrived in Christchurch to take up his duties as coach to the Christ’s College players. Bannerman, who has of late years done a good deal of coaching in New South Wales and Queensland, has expressed the opinion that the Canterbury Cricket Association is taking a step in tbe right direction in securing tho services of the Sydney player Meßeth, who is admittedly one of tho best allround left-hand bowlers on the other side. At the Patutahi school one afternoon receutly a pleasant ceremony took plaee at the Patutahi schooi, when a presentation of a silver teapot was made to Mr James Atkins on tho occasion of his birthday. Mr Atkins has for many years been very liberal with prizes of all sorts for the children of the school, and it coming to the knowledge of the children that his birthday was on the 10th inst., it was decided to make him a present on that occasion. In two days tho money was subscribed, and a very handsome teapot was obtained. The presentation was made by Miss Sarah Bryson, senior pupil of the school, and was accompanied by a short address, acknowledging the keen active interest Mr Atkins had taken in the school during tho past fifteen years. Their picnics and prize givings had been enriched by his genorosity. Mr Atkins, who was greatly surprised and ploasod, suitably replied, among other remarks mentioning that this was the first occasion on which he had ever kept his birthday, and ho was quite certain he would never foiget it. Ho concluded by inviting all tbe children to his house on the Saturday, an invitation received amidst loud ohoers. O.n Saturday about 90 children spent tho afternoon at Mr Atkins’, the time being happily spent in games, rounders, etc. After toa, when justice had been done to the good things provided, the toast of long life and prosperity to Mr Atkins’ eldest son was drunk in champagne cider, and a most enjoyable afternoon was brought to a close.