GISBORNE UP-TO-DATE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 903, 29 May 1903, Page 2

GISBORNE UP-TO-DATE.

SHOULD LOCAL OFFICIALS WEAR UNIFORMS.

“ Tis the golden glitter that makes them twitter,” runs the popular song. A light hearted member of the Harbor Board hummed this tune yesterday afternoon, when members waxed facetious on a subject that has been handed down to tradition in Carlyle’s Sartor Resartus. The Chairman incidentally mentioned that the Harbormaster had suggested that it was advisable for him (the Harbormaster, not tho Chairman) to wear a distinctive uniform, so that his authority would be acknowledged on the wharf when assisting to keep a crowd back, and on other occasions. He was willing to pay a share of the cost, and thought the Board might also pay a share. The question was raised as to whether

uniforms were worn by Harbormasters in other places. Captain Tucker said that he bad seen many officials in gorgeous array in places that he had visited, hut he had always thought that they had to do with railways, or something of that sort. Ho had never dreamed that they were harbor officials. Air Whinray said he bad some unique apparel, and he would gladly present the Harbormaster with an outfit.

This offer was being taken seriously, hut the Motu champion smiled, and then the incongruity of the offer struck the members. “It would certainly,” said Air Whinray, “ prove a striking costume to have at the wharf,” and then members had visions of a uniform that would put the famous Chamber of Commerce banner in the shade, and which the genial Harbormaster would set off to advantage. Captain Tuckc-r suggested that the diving suit would make a distinctive dress for wearing on the wharf, but the Chairman said that the Captain was getting too funny. Air Whinray hinted that tho Board's share might be to find the buttons for the uniform, the Chairman adding that they might accept Air Wninray’s offer if he would provide silver buttons.

After some more facetious remarks, Air Harding said that, joking aside, he thought the suggestion a good one, and be moved that it be given effect to. Air Whinray interposed with a jocular remark that the members should have some distinctive uniform, so that their authority would bo known, but the members sec-mingly having in mind that they would shortly he called upon to do some doubtful engineering work, did not take kindly to the suggestion that they should l make themselves so prominent. Eventually it was agreed to refer the matter to the Works Committee, but in the meantime Captain Tucker raised the question, which he claimed to be very important, that the Board must decide as to the pattern of the uniform. i