The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 10, 1903. FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 827, 16 February 1903, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 10, 1903. FARMERS’ UNION.

Judging from the meeting of the Gisborne branch of the Farmers’ Union held on Saturday, it would seem that there is a prubuhiiuy ->f ine iucal branch being wound-up on account of tiie little interest taken in its welfare by (be members. Such a step would, we are sure, be nothing short of a calamity, and we sincerely trust that the members of the committee of the branch will come forward aud prevent such a course being taken. What we would suggest to the committee is that some efforts should be made to amalgamate the several existing branches in the district. The weak point in the Union is that there are too many branches. At the outset it was deemed advisable to form separate branches of the Union in several places throughout the district, and the result lias proved a dismal failure. What one branch has sought to accomplish the other has undone, and the last state of the farmers has in consequence often been worse than the lirst. By forming so many branches the farmers have caused a diversion of their weight and importance, and the meetings held by each branch have been practically of little use. What is required now is for the several branches to be amalgamated and arrangements mado for the holding of regular meetings at different places in the district. The formation of an East Coast Farmers’ Union which would hold monthly meetings would, we think, lead to a much more satisfactory state of affairs. The Union could meet at Tokomaru one month, Gisborne the next, and Te Karaka the third, or at other places as arranged, and in this way the whole district could bo covered. Such gatherings could also be made of a social character, and would give settlers a chance of meeting and exchanging ideas. We strongly deprecate the remarks made at the meeting on Saturday with regard to the position of any particular member of the Gisborne branch or the part taken by him in regard to the affairs of the Union. Blaming any one member for a lack of interest in the affairs of the Union does not excuse the others for the lethargy that they have displayed, and it would be very much better if each member would get his shoulder in close contact with tbo wheel and do his share of the work. There is only one way of having a flourishing Union in the district, and that is by the concentration of power. By forming one strong association, fewer meetings would be held, and there would be a much larger attendance. The discussions of the Union would also carry more weight and would command and retain public interest. At the present time, there is great loss of power by the division, and the sooner an amalgamation of tho branches is brought about the better it will be for all concerned. Tho Farmers’ Union has already done an immense amount of good throughout the colon; 7 , but, great as has been its achievements, they are as nothing compared to what may be done in the future, and we hope to see the Gisborne Union well to the front in regard to every reform that is sought.

Mr Barton, S.M., leavos for Wairoa today to hold the quarterly sittings of the Magistrate’s Court there.

Tho Harbor Board met on Saturday to receive applications for tho position of weighbridge-keeper. There were 23 applications, and Mr David Dawson was appointed to tho position. Mr Furby, Inspector of Telegraphs, arrived on Saturday for the purpose of superintending the removal of the telephone exchange from its present quarters to the new post office.

An interesting polo match was playod on Saturday between teams representing tho Mangaheia and Poverty Bay clubs, resulting in a victory for the former by six goals to three. On Friday the auxiliary schooner Aotoa was floated out of the Auckland dock, and berthed at the Queen street wharf to load for East Coast ports. The schooner leaves Auckland for this port to-morrow. On Saturday Messrs Evans’ Bros.’ property at Te Karaka, consisting of 193 acres 3 roods 20 perches, was sold at auction by Messrs Williams and Kettlo, and realised £l2 per acre, the purchaser being Mr John King, harbor engineer. Major Wiuter has convened a meeting for this evening to consider in what form the anniversary of the Bothasbcrg engagomont shall be comuiomoratod. Members of the Seventh or other contingents are specially invited to attend.

At the last meeting of the Poverty Bay Rowing Club the following crews were picked to row in the champion trial fours, to be rowed in about three weeks’ time : R. Donkin (str), K. McLeod, O. Sommervill, G. Peterson; 11. Taylor (str;, M. McLeod, A. Pritchard, G. Roderick ; A. Pool (str), C. Priestley, F. Clark, F. McKinley ; J. Webb (str), A. W. Kirk, F. Tate, W. Pritchard ; J. W. Smith (str), F. Fox, W. Parker, S. Roderick ; Archie Kirk (str), J. Smith, J. Hay, C. Hepburn.

There was a good muster at the Volunteer parade at Wesley Church on Sunday morning. Popular Sankey’s hymns were sung and heartily joined in by the soldiers. The choir sang “Exalt Him” in a spirited manner. In the evening, the church was quite full and the service most enjoyable and inspiring. Miss Hunt’s solo was much appreciated, and the anthem, “ Lo, My Shepherd is Divine,” was given in a very creditable manner by the choir, which still maintains its efficiency, under Mr C. J. East, who presided at the organ. The sermons both morning and evening were preached by the Rev. B. F. Rotbwell, and were of that original and stirring character which keeps the congregation wide awake. The Russian barque Concordia, which was successfully floated and towed to Helensville, has not suffered any material damage to her hull, she having rested on a bed of sand on the beach since she was stranded. The vessel was purchased at auction by Messrs Stewart Bros., of Helensville, on behalf of themselves and other parties, for £"200. Since she was purchased, her owners have been hard at work arranging matters for her floating, and, taking advantage of the spring tides now prevailing, and everything being in readiness, she was got off at high water on Friday morning. The barque will go round to Auckland shortly for docking and general [overhaul, and, as she is a steel vessel, and only a few years old, her new owners should make a good thing out of their speculation.

Some smart work was done by the schooner Waiapu (Captain Martin) last week. From noon on Thursday until Friday night, 364 bales of wool were loaded at Pakarae, from the stations of Messrs Murphy, Seymour, Campbell, H. Williams, and Seymour. Captain Martin states that there is no truth jn a report circulated that there was a mishap to his small boat; the weather, be adds, was beautifully calm, as was shown by his record loading. The wool is to be discharged at .Gisborne, and to-night the schooner will probably go across to Boat Harbor for wool. When in that locality' on the 6th the schooner had a remarkable experience. While riding at anchor she was. struck by a whirlwind, which came suddenly with a terrific roar. The vessel snapped her anchor chain, a new one, The captain, being aroused by the roar, ran to the deck, and headed the vessel on a fair run to’ Gisborne, When Nick’s Head had nearly been reached the storm yusd blown over, and the schooner then beat fc n ':» the anchorage, and was able to load the CargG Without any loss of time. The fifteen fathom 0 i dwin and anchor lost were recently obtained In tVflCalftfl?!

There are two artisans and 65 laborers employed on the Gisborne Karaka railway iine.

Mr .J. C. Parker left for the Argentine yesterday, and afterwards proceeds to England. Messrs J. Peekovor and Co,, land and financial agents, have a change of advertisement in this issue. Tenders close at 10 this morning at the office of Mr L. DeLautour for the erection of a nine-roomed house near Whaugara.

Farmers in the Waterton district arc considering the advisability of purchasing the building oi the Wateitoo Hotel, which is in the no-iiceuse district oi Ashburton, and converting it into a tlourmill after June 3Uth.

A distressing fatality occurred at Boiwarra, New South Wales, when Mrs Reynolds was found by her husband in an unconscious state in her house from burns. The unfortunate lady expired shortly afterwards, without being able to give any explanation. Her husband had been absent from the house for a few hours, to watch over his orchard, and was shocked by the discovery. In the Napier Supreme Court, in the civil action Anaru Papounamu v. tho School Commissioners oi Hawke’s Bay and Solicitor General, a claim to have a Crown grant of 900 acres at Moeangiangi declared null and void was struck out on Saturday, there being no appearance of plaintiff. Costs were allowed on the middle scale.

For torturing their little daughter aged five by forcing bad food down her throat with a spoon handle, making her kneel on sharp coal, or stand with outstretched anus when weights were tied to her fingers, a man aud his wife have been sentenced to live and three months’ imprisonment respectively at Vienna.

A 6ft shark was lazily disporting itself in the surf this morning to welcome bathers bent on their morning dip in the briny (says the Napier Daily Telegraph). His presence, however, did not deter many from following their usual custom. Subsequently a rific was obtained and two or three shots fired at tile stranger, but apparently without effect. While fishing on the Norlhcote wharf, Auckland, on Friday foronoon, a lad named Carpenter Arthur, 12 years of ago, overbalanced and fell into the water. A strong tide was running at the time, and carried the little fellow among the stringers under the wharf. He succeeded in grasping one of these, and puiied'himseif out of the water.

A lamp-trimmer named James Millo r had a thrilling experience at Flindor 8 street station, Melbourne, the othor night. He slipped and fell between the rails just behind a train that had commenced to back. He forced himself as close on to the sleepers as possible, expecting every second that the fire-box on the slowly coming engine would smash his head to pulp. It just cleared him, however, with a bit of a squeeze, and ha jumped joyfully up unhurt. In the journal of tho Department of Labor, of Feb. lOtb, tho following information is given of the Gisborne labor market:- Building trades are brisk In all lines, several suburban and country residences being in course of erection. Retail trade in general is quiet. Shearing has been in fuil swing during the last month, but is now drawing near completion. Both freezing works have been kept actively going. Harvesting operations have been favored with good weather, though the crops are reported to be below the average, owing to the long spell of dry weather. Unskilled labor, not many applicants for work. Any demand has been fully met by local hands. Local bodies have undertaken several road works during the month. “ Never Despair ” will be produced at the Theatre Royal this evening by the Taylor-Carrington Company. Referring to Mr Charlie Taylor’s portrayal of the character of Iloratio Spriggins, tho Wairarapa Age saysMr Tayior has scored many successes here, but last night ho eclipsed himself, and tho audience simply “rose at him” as the ovening wore on. His quaint mannerisms wore irresistible, and his groat gag, ,l clevah, but not quite cievah enough,” kept the house in continued hilarity. Sticking to tho arch-villain Desmond Adair, closer than a brother, he always managed to bob serenely up just in time to nip some villany in the bud. and he did it all in a manner which made a straight face a physical impossibility. In the third act, which showed tho silent Thames by night, and tho historic Houses of Parliament, he was particularly effective, his rescue of Harry Brierley and his sweetheart taking the house by storm.

Affairs in connection with the Gisborne branch of the Farmers' Union have apparently got into a bad way when it is suggested that the Union should be wound up. At the meeting held on Saturday, attended by eight members, Mr Birrell severely criticised the way in which the branch was run. He statod that as secretary of the Union ho had ropoatedly called meetings, but could not get a quorum. A meeting was called a fortnight ago, and there were three iuiportout tesolutiens to bring before it, but although a few members gathered together the president did not turn up. Mr Alacfarlane bad been advised of that meeting, and the speaker thought he showed great want of courtesy in not sending a note that he could not bo present. He was very sorry to make that reflection on the president. It was certain that something must be done to make the Farmers’ Union a livelier body than it was at present, else failure would result in the future. At present he did not see any other prospect for the Farmers’ Union. Messrs Bell, Harris, and Ross followed in the same strain, and after a lenghthy discussion it was decided to further consider the position of the Union at a meeting to bo held on Saturday, Feb. 28th, when a decision will be come to as to the future of the Gisborne blanch.

The glorious weather that prevailed yesterday had the offect of attracting a crowd of visitors to the “At Home” given by the members of the Gisborne Rifle Corps and the Gisborne Cadets, and the scene at the camp during the day \yas a most animated one. Excellent arrangements were made by the corps for the entertainment of their guests, and the latter spent a most enjoyable time. At the church parade yesterday morning both corps mustered in good force, the Gisborne Rifles being under Captain Warren and Lieut. Lewis, and the Cadets, numbering forty-one, under Capt. Krotchmer and Lieuts. Graham and Doyle. The Rifles Band was in attendance, and played apppropriate selections. At the camp in the morning a prize was given to the Cadets by the captain for the best and cleanest tent, and 'the boys showed great tact in the way they decorated their tents. The prize was won by Sergt. Buttle's tent, whilst Corpl. Bean’s tent was a good secoud. In the afternoon the Rifles Band was in attendance, and gave a number of selections. This morning the corps strike tents. Sergt.-Major Finn left by last night’s boat, and before his departure he spoke very favorably of both corps, particularly the Cadets, who,he said, behaved themselves remarkably well. During his stay he never found occasion to speak to or caution any of the boys, and their behaviour pleased him better than any other corps he had inspected.