The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 19, 1902.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 699, 19 December 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 19, 1902.

MR SEDDON’S NATIVE POLICY. In a recent issue the Wairarapa Daily Times has something to say in regard to the statement ruado at a Maori gathering at Wanganui, that no previous Premier had done so much for the Maori as Mr Seddon had done. The latter himself .stated that certainly no provious Premier of the colony, or Government, had endeavored to bring the native race into a greater measure of peace and prosperity. '• This is perhaps a little rough on former Premiers,” remarks our contemporary, “ but it is quite true that no Premier has been so popular with tho Maori race as Mr Seddon, although there are great names in the past which certainly did not fail, as far as endeavor went, in their efforts to benefit tho natives. Even the shade of Sir George Grey might well reproach Mr Seddon for his claim of supremacy of endeavor ; and who, familiar with past history, can ignore tho eminent services to the native race of men like Sir Donald McLean —‘ The Friend of the Maoris ’—and John Bryce, whoso personal courage solved a native difficulty of the first magnitude. Aro the statesmen of today greater than their forerunners, upon whom rested the groat difficulty of reconciling tho native race ? We do not believe this, for the present Administration enters into the fruit of the great labors of their predecessors, and have only to keep the Maori fat aad Jazy with a twentieth century sugar and blanket policy. IVe have always held that tho truest friends of the Maori are those who teach him the dignity of labor, and tho valuo of selfdependonce. It is a far easier task, and a more grateful task to coddle aftor the manner of the present Administration, but this does not carry with it the proon/l rloi-ftlnnniniit of n. linhln rnc.fl.

guess and development oi a 11001 c race. The salvation of the Maori as a race mnst come from within—not from without; and material comforts from the hands of a friendly Government (all Governments are friendly by the way) retards rather than promotes the future of tne Maori. The present Administration owes much of its popularity with the Maori to the Hon. Jas. Carroll, who understands them thoroughly ; at the same time the Premier deserves credit for choosing as his associate such an ideal Native Minister. It is for the good of the colony that the lands of the Natives, which they do not care to

utilise and improve, should pass into European occupation. The methods of the present Administration to bring this about have been decidedly slow in the past, and it is consoling *o know that they are likely to be more speedy in the future. If five millions of acres of Native land are at the disposal of the Government, why borrow more millions in the London money market for the resumption of private estates Mr Seddou's claim that he has done more for the Native race than any of his predecessors does not say much for those who came before him, for we do not see that Mr Seddon has greatly benefited them. He has certainly treated them to an occasional trip to Botorua at the cost of the country, and flattered his own vanity by having a number of their chosen warriors to attend him as a body-guard on the occasion of his famous Coronation

trip. Hu has also provided them with an old age pension. It is true that Mr Sc-ddon has been more generous to the Natives than anyone tvho preceded him, but in every instance it was done at the experf'-.of the country, often without its approval, We cannot see that much credit can be claimed by Mr Seddon in these matters. When one comes to consider the present complicated state of Native land affairs throughout the colony, one can well ask oneself the question, What have Mr Seddon and his colleagues done to improve matters ? And echo answers, indeed ? The present Ad-

uiihistraiiou has been tiokerii.e: with ihe ; Xiuivc* land Jaws 1* >: tho hts-i t-n-vcii y-. ir<. j . and have got things i:r. » >:;e . a J mud i c that the Natives d i.u; .p.-.vs s; , : i mu ical y i:- v. •re !.. y ;m . . I-e Native Nli: Lu-r is :.j dcuu; ixc.-i , Iy r,. , mar v..: .i . native, i n--t shown me .-a stutc.-mauiike aoi.itv in j dealing with their affairs. Jlc inis been ; j in a position for the las: nine years oi 1 < w-ir.g able to pass any U-,dilation that he ' desire 1 which wou 1 tend to niue uvate tic condition oi tiie .Maoris and uuf.d.i the tangle into which thcii affairs have 1 become involved, but can it be said that he lias been succest' ti ■ In <nr opinio:! r. i- inch time th:n. bet'. Mr S. lion a Iris e ;Anglic, the N tiv. r. get work a: 1 did son.. licit c. t . i i--i.t tiie -eti'- uent of . iff -f !. •....< n.i :• e J ..-.s', v . Ist. and til V j wv.'.M the i i not only lijui the i.ati..>, 1...: i a rii : people and ptess of the colony. Tr.trc is j one thing that can truly be said of the Premier, and that is that he can be awarded the palm as a champion for tinging his own praises, lie will require, however, to get on some safer ground than that of his native policy before lie can expect to make much of an impression on the people of the East Coast. Owing to pressure on our space, a number of local and athletic reports are t .rowdcd out of tliis issue. The City Band will play a number of selections at tiie Horticultural Society’s Show at the Theatre Loyal this evening. Mr Mclntyre, the present contractor, is die successful tenderer for the mail ser-

vice from Gisborne to Napier, via Tint- • roto. The Gish: erne wooibrokers’ sale will be ] held to-day. A number ol outside buyers arrived from Napier and Auckland on Wednesday to attend the sale. Mr D. A. McLeod completed iiis wharf extension contract yesterday afternoon. The contractor is to he complimented on the excellent work done. Afternoon tea and other refreshments will he provided at the Horticultural Society’s Show to day by Misses Cull and Rutherford, of the Geisha tea rooms. The Chairman of the Harbor Board stated at the meet ing yesterday that when they had taken another layer of 9ft off the papa rock there was no question that the Otnapere could ho brought in. The South Conterbury Dairy Company is progressing very sutiot'uctoriiy. Ail the creameries nave now reached paying point, and tho small farmers of South Canterbury are well pleased with the returns they get from the factory. The Harbor Board yesterday passed the amount for its contribution ol LOU to the Coronation Band Rotunda. " It’s all right now,” said Captain Tucker, when informed that tho work was being proceeded with.

A social as a farewell to Mr Crawford) who is leaving To Anti to take up his residence in Gisborne, will be held at To Arai to-night. O’Reilly’s brake leaves town at half-past six.

11.8., tho New Zealand Clothing Factory, extend hearty season’s greetings to their many clients, and at the same tune take the opportunity of reminding tiie public not to miss visiting the firm's establishment. Special bargains are offered in footwear, clothing, and mercery.

In tho absence of the advertised teams on the Domain yesterday afternoon, scratch teams were picked on tho ground by Bhmmer (West End) and Lang (City), and after considerable timo was spent in hunting up material, a pleasant game took place, resulting, after a very close finish, At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Messrs li. Lewis and V. Tyke, ■Justices, judgment for plaintiff by deiault

was given in the case of Saudlunt and Stevenson (Mr Jones) v. J. A. Harvey, claim AS Bs lUd, costs S?i 9s Gd, less A'6 8s lOd paid on uccuunt.,

A very successful show is anticipated to-day in connection with the Horticultural Society’s summer exhibition. Great interest is being taken by intending exhibitors and others, and there is sure to be a very largo* attendance. Excellent arrangements have been made both for this afternoon and evening.

A very old resident of Gisborne, Mr James Hume, died in the Hospital on Wednesday night. Tho funeral leaves tho Hospital at 9 o'clock this afternoon. Tho deceased, who was aged 68, was a son of the late Mr John Hume, a magistrate at Peebles, Scotland. He came to Gisborne in 1169.

A social is to be held in tho Tarulicru Reading-rooms on New Year’s Eve, in aid of tho library fund. The affair promises to be a great success. Double tickets can he procured for Is, and extra ladies' tickets at Is each. Dancing commences at 8 o’clock. A brake wiil leave the firebell tower at 7.99, tho return fare being one shilling.

In connection with the Northern Bowling Association tournament, to be held at Palmerston North next mouth, Mr lan Siuison has selected tho following team : Messrs Coilinge, Martin, Massey, and Simson (skip). It is probable that a suburban team will be sent to the tournament. Mr Ponsford lias expressed his willingness to play, and offorts are being made to form a strong rink. Four hundred and twenty-six entries have been received for tiie Horticultural Society’s Show, to be hold to-day in the Theatre Royal. The increase is i.rincipally noticeable in tho cut flowers and artclasses, there being as many as fourteen entries for oil paintings in flowers. Exhibits must be sent to the hail by half past ten this morning, and tue Show will oo opened at two o’clock.

'Trippers to Wellington at Christmas time will have tile opportunity of witnessing Mr Win. Anderson's puwerlui dramatic company (from the Palace Theatre, Sydney), which opens there on Boxing Night. The repertoire includes " Ye Marinas of England,” " Tho Worst Woman in London,” and other strong melodramas, Mr Harry Plimmer is the leading man of this fine company.

South-westerly winds prevailed yesterday morning around Auckland to New Plymouth, at Nelson and Westport, and from Oauaaru southward. Westerly and north-westerly winds elsewhere were reported. An increasing sea was running at Tiritiri, and moderate at Tuuranga, Castlepoint, Cape Campbell, Farewell Spit, Ournaru, and Bluff. Heavy seas were reported at Mauukau Heads, New Plymouth, Wanganui, and Greytnouth. “ The town wiil be shut up for two days next week, and two days the week after,” said the Chairman of the Harbor Board at the meeting yesterday afternoon, and then he asked what should bo done for holidays for the- Board’s employees. He suggested that instead ot the two days being observed in each week, it would be better to include the Saturday in Christmas week, and only have one day’s holiday in the following week, as this would save time in the lighting up of the boiler, The

suggestion was agreed to. A correspondent, writing from Tuparoa, in the current number of the Weekly Press, says :—“ It is surprising that Hr E. Pi. Ludbrook has never been given a trial in a New Zealand team. This player has exceptional defence, and has batted exceedingly well in representative cricket, and was for a number of years one of Hawke’s Bay’s most reliable batsman. Since taking to the country, he seems able to keep in tip-top form, and has an average of just 50 for the Poverty Bay representative team for eight innings while on tour against Hawke’s Bay and Clubs. The following are Ludbrook's last ten innings in representative cricket, and speak for themselves 15 not out, Hawke's Bay v. Auckland ; 42, Hawke’s Bay v. Auckland ; 63, Hawke’s Bay v. Wellington ; 19, Hawke’s Bay v. Wellington ; 0, Otago v. Southland ; 24, Otago v. Southland ; 0, Poverty Bay v. Hawke's Bay ;

94, Poverty Bay v. Hawke’s Bay ; 67, Poverty Bay v. Hawke’s Bay ; 73, Poverty Bay v. Hawke’s Bay. Total, 402, giving an average of 44 >3 per innings. Ludbrook is evidently in good form this year, having started this season with 102 not out, showing good sound batting throughout.” We endorse the writer's opinion of this batsman, and fee! sure that he would strengthen the All New Zealand team, 63 no batsman in the colony has sounder defence,

..v v-p.uV'J v _• l i:>v ii fresh S'AV. i, i.:.. ok;-. -H. mo.Liate sea. '.v - ' 1 .list Ji.-count uny for L- C : 111.. .■ . nuts. U i. -tr 11 .Oil in i. ■ . :■ i .. or;ii: oi aTICu. C. -:i ;• Andii gs me in circuliition in Mi: .■ i :i—. nt time, and one or two :i-i.»«.-nj..:i Ft :i victimised. County mol \Wt i-.ml meet in the -ei.io; “ '■:• : t iij.w:kk':i on Victorin IL-.m-.m t morrow. At JViih Hi-.-, Frc.ic; i-- . tote, who rode i •i iv ji.i.'i , di .vi, .• d i.i.ie i iicr, was s;nt j to gaol for It! nnrr.h;., J.vt: y ho the only port ; in no . . it 'i it —enter cun s" - . i . t . t .v njatd a senttr:" r ■: o: ii.O", ; iin ■■ t, ;. t:ii Al io ii dairy factory at Xgaputruru, W&irar.ipa distiic;. About -Jut) cows have already been promised. A mealing of i .0 !':• ivi ioiuil Committee of ti:e Wary.: Temperance Reform League wiil lie held in the Jiorough Council Cuamliers at 7.30 tiiis evening. Hie Hustings Co operative Meat Compuny, started with a capita! of .£'2oo. is to he wound up. inning the two years of its existence a loss of X‘2ol) was incurred. A spread meeting of the Tvruberu Hoad Board to confirm the resolution striking a special rate wiil be held at 12.1.3 to day. Temlots will close at 1U a.m. on Monday mowing for reformation work on the Mahia road for tile Cook County Council. Bupplk rs to the Kin-Ora daily are request.- i to send in their applications for shares in the Kia-Ora Co-operative I >.drying Company, Lt h, not later than Saturday.

i.o.ei iinwke’s team e.i English cricketers commence the first match of their New /. aland tour on the Auckland Domain to-day, when they engage the' Auckland representative eleven. Captain Edwin wired yesterday : “ Galo from between north west and west and south alter JO hours from now. Glass fall, but rising after that time. Sea heavy outside. Tides good, weather cold." Usually local bodies have trouble in getting in their rates, but the Harbor Board yesterday had the pleasure of making a refund of about XU of rates that had been paid by two people for one property.

At the Harbor Hoard meeting yesterday it was staled that two (Itay. hud broken through the planking of the old wharf, and it, was decided that the Engineer should prepare a report as to necessary repairs. One thousand barrels of beer —bG.OOO gall us—were despatched from Burton by Bass and Co. for the King’s dinner to the poor. The beer was valued at about JEUOOO, weighed 230 tons, and was conveyed to London in sumo 00 railway trucks.

Au effort is being made to establish a New Zealand fanners’ co operative distributing company at Wellington with a capital cf X3U,UUU in shares ol ill each. Tire object is to found and conduct a produce uepot for the salo therein of farm, orchard and gurdou produce of all kinds. Writes a correspondent to tho West Coast Times :—That no tnoro owners of dogs in Kuimra are going to register their annuals, until they liud out whether the Borough Council can really enforce payment of the registration l'eo. Already a few are thinking of raising the cry, “ We want uur money back.”

A curious psychological effect of a dog bite is reported from New York. A boy of 12, most exemplary in character, was bitten in the face by a vicious dog. The bite healed, but the boy’s nature changed. Since the bite lie has developed roving habits and a bad character. Nothing his parents could do cured him, so at last- a poiicc magistrate was applied to. The fact that the taxpayers of Victoria arc paying about ,£2OO a day for the maintenance of neglected children is attracting a great deal of attention. The net expenditure of the department for neglected children and reformatories for the year 1001, was £GO,IiGB Is Id, but the estimate for tile previous year is over £72,000. ft is recognised in ollicial circles that the expenditure in the branch is out of all reason, even if it is not illegal, and a feeling is growing in that State in favor of an enquiry by the Government as to whether the idea of using tbo .State us a foster mother lias not been carried too far. Owing to pressure of business, and so that be may be nearer the Masonic .Stables, the proprietor, Air \V. J-\ .Sinclair, has decided to give tip house keeping, and the whole of his furniture and household effects will be sold by Messrs Wyllic and Mason, at their auction mart, at eleven o'clock to-mor-row. The furniture is quite new, and the sale affords a splendid opportunity to those furnishing to obtain lirst-elass articles. A number of articles suitable for Christmas presents will be soid, and also a Sykes .hydrometer, the latter being quite new. The furniture will be on view at Messrs Wyllie and Mason’s mart after one o’clock this afternoon.

As tbo prohibitionists have not as yet clout- anything in tiio way of providing reading or club rooms, “ coffee palaces,” or any place at Newtown for young and old men to go to of an evening (writes a correspondent of the Now Zealand Times), I suggest that they should now buy one of the hotels that will have to close in July and open it as a first-class coffee palace and refreshment rooms, with good supplies of papers and periodicals, billiards, chess and other games. Wellington is one of the dullest cities of an evening 1 have ever been in ; nowhere to go to except the theatre or music huii—or sit under the verandahs. It is worth a trial for those who profess to do good. A Wellington correspondent writes to the Lyttelton Times:—lt is noticed by frequent Court cases throughout the colony that the Government is taking steps to make the Oid Age Tensions Act respected, as it- should be. In every portion of the colony pensioners have been fined double the amount of the pension they have unlawfully obtained by making misleading statements respecting the value of their property or income. 11l such cases cancellation of the pension certificates follows as a matter of course. Four pensioners have been imprisoned for making wilfully false statements, and thereby procuring a pension to which by laiv they were not entitled. In Christchurch last week a pension was ea .celled right out because the pensioner could not be deemed to have been leading a moral life, as required by Section 8 of the original Act of 1898. This is as it should bo if the Act is to remain among the statutes of the colony. It is apparent that under the new system an accurate valuation of ail property is obtainable, and all transfers of property also, hence action is being taken. The Government intends to rigidly insist on the provisions of the Act being complied with.

Venezuela is a typical South American .Republic which enjoys fighting as a national industry, and revolutions as a recreation. When the people of the Republic are not fighting amongst themselves, they are making war against some foreign Power. When there is a campaign cf this kind they unite as brothers ; but directly the foreign trouble ceases they again become Kilkenny cats. Just now they are out oi the luj. kenny cat stage, and are having a slap at England and Germany. Of course, this is most ridiculous, because either of these great Powers could exterminate Vene- | zuela in one act; but the Venezuelans I believe that the United States won't let either Germany or England interfere with them. There is some sense in this; but Uncle Sam won't, on the other hand, permit Venezuela to play foolish pranks with great Powers. The United S.ates would certainly object to either England or Germany annexing Venezuela, but i: ;

has sense enough to exercise a sort of police supervision over the Republics on the American Continent, and to insist upon their good behaviour. At present tlio English and Germans are blockading the port of Venezuela, and this will probably soon bring President Castro to his , senses. The sea trade is the trade of the country, and when this is suspended, Caraeeas wiii simply starve. Caraeeas will get another lesson, and the arduous task of civilising the country will be advanced another stage,—'Wairarapa Times.