Untitled

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 926, 26 June 1903, Page 2

The Westralia arrives from Auckland late this evening, and leaves again for the South.

A telegram received,from Dunedin last night stated that it had been snowing there all day. The Westralia lost one of tho blades of her propellor the day after she left Sydney, and on arrival in Auckland had to be docked to undergo repairs, hence the reason of her delay. At tho Harbor Board yesterday Mr Hepburn asked where the papa rock was the Aotea had touched; it should be taken out. —The Engineer said that it extended across the channel; a good deal of work had been done, and was being dono to it. The schooner Gisborne, which arrived from Auckland yesterday morniDg, made her run in the splendid time of 48 hours. Captain Pankow states that strong northwostorly winds were experienced all the way. The schooner Awauui was sighted off Waipiro on Wednesday morning, and the Aotea at Tolago in the afternoon. Tho schoqner returns to Moreury Bay when discharging operations are completed.

Nominations for the vacant seat on the Borough Council caused by the resignation of Mr R. N. Jonos were received yesterday by Mr .W. J. Quigley, returning officer, and were as follows : —Mr James East, nominated by Messrs O. Veale and H. J. Bushnell; Mr A. F. Kennedy, nominated by Messrs W. Morgan and W. J. Hennessy; Mr A. F. Matthows, nominated by Messrs W. H. Tucker and Geo. Humphreys ; Mr Allan Taylor, nominated by Messrs W. H. Clayton and George Markie. Tho election will be held on Wednesdaj’, July 8.

The question of the preferential tariff on the linos laid down by Mr Chamberlain was discussed by the Waimata Farmers’ Union yesterday, and the following Resolution was adopted on the motion of Mr Bilham, seconded by Mr Todd, “ This branch wishes to express its agreement with the general idea foreshadowed by Mr Chamberlain on the lines'of preferential tariff, throughout the Empire.”. The Secretary was instructed to forward a copy of the resolution to all the branches in the district.

At the Magissrate’s Court yesterday afternoon John Morris sued loapa bo Hau for £l2 18s, being balance plus interest of £ls lent to the defendant in May, 1901. A counter-claim was put in by loapa te Hau for the sum of £29 for work done for Morris. The evidenco in the first case was taken, and His Worship reserved judgment until the hearing of the counterclaim, which will be completed this morning. Mr Lincoln Bees appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr B. N. Jones for the defendant.

A now vagary of the dredge John Townley was noted at the Harbor Board

yesterday. Complaint having been mado as to the. steering, the Engineer said that Captain SolvanderV experience was that the dredge steered well when only half full, and not so well when fully loaded. Mr Harding said he thought the vessel ■ should steer better when fully loaded. The Engineer said the dredge had been doing very good work lately.' After some witticisms as to tbe giddiness of the vessel in becoming erratic on being fully loaded the subject was dropped. The public liko convenience when payment therefor is made collectively through a local body, It was explained at the Harbor Board yesterday that complaint was made at the new goods shed not being floored, as damage was done thereby to perishable goods. “ First they only wanted a roof,” said the Chairman; “ there would be no damage if they only used common sense.” Mr Sievwright said if flour was damaged it was serious. “ Why could they not put it in the other shed?” asked.the Chairman. “They will want us to put it in the stores for them nc-xt,” jocularly added Mr Cooper—and then it was agreed to have the flooring done.

Gisborne has had remarkable weather this week. Warm westerly winds set in, and at 2 on Wednesday the main road, from which men had been clearing mud a few days before, was hardly visible for the dense clouds of dust—the volumes were so thick that the town had the appearance of being enveloped in a dense fog, but which stung as it beat one in the face. The clouds of dust continued during the day; not so fierce, but sufficiently so to be very vexatious. At 2 on Thursday morning showers set in, clearing off again. At 2 p.m. a fierco rain squall sec in from the south-west, and continued for half an hour, during which the water in the bay was lashed into a state of fury.

A peculiar point was raised at the Harbor Board yesterday. The AuditorGeneral had disallowed rates on the Patutahi cemetery. The Secretary said there was no doubt such a reserve was exempt, but the Commissioner had not exempted it, and therefore he charged rates on the used portion; about thrse acres were used for a cemetery, and 23 acres for grazing purposes. Mr Harding thought that rates should bo obtainable from that portion used for purposes other than a cemetery. The Chairman said he thought the occupier should pay that. Mr Clark said that being a cemetery reserve it was exempt, of which the Secretary said there was no doubt under the Act. It was agreed to make the exemption.

The South African steamer Cornwall left for the South last evening, taking a largo cargo from this port. Messrs Williams and Kettle will offe r some first-class furniture at their mart tomorrow.

Mr A. F. Matthews has an important notice ;o the- Borough electors in this issue in repaid to the loan proposals. Special discounts are offered by the New Zealand Clothing Factory during the n-.xt two weeks.

A curio necklace, lost in Gladstone road, is advertised lor. An owner it. also wanted for a pair of shoes i'ouuu uu Saturday ia-t A four roomed house is offered for stile cn easy terms by Mr Hatnou und Smith.

They have also a number of choice town and country properties for sale aud lease.

A 16 feet seam of excellent coal bus ieen struck in a tunnel at Coal Creek, in ;be State coal mine. The tunnel is in LO-t chains. At their ruction mart to-morrow Messrs

Williams and Kettle, instructed by Mr C. F. Lewis, who is giving up the fancy goods business, will sell the whole of his varied stock. Every line will bj sold without reserve.

A hockey match was played on Victoria Domain yesterday afternoon between the City and West End Clubs. The game -resulted in a win for the former by five goals to two. Mr L. Maude acted as referee.

The champion poultry show opened at Timaru yesterday. The entries are- very numerous, nearly 900, and constitute a record for a Timaru show. The quality being well up to the standard of former years.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning an application for a pawnbroker’s license was received from Mr G. Goldsworthy. The application was granted on condition of his paying the prescribed fee of £lO.

The deputation from the Dunedin temperance workers to the Premier re the licensing legislation will include the ltev. \V. A. biuciair, Mrs J. A. D. Adams, Miss Adams, Messrs A. id. Adams, D. YVtiyte, D. 0. Cameron, ilnodes, C. Bcott, Martin and J. Neii.

The La Maseotte Quadrille Assembly’s daucc in the Academy of Music last evening was largely attended, and a good evening’s enjojment resulted. The floor was in excellent order,’ and the best of music was provided 1 by Mrs Fernandez. Supper was provided by the ladies. The barquentine River Hunter remained in the bay last night, the Harbormaster deeming it inadvisable' for an attempt to be made to bring her into the river. It is expected that the vessel will be berthed at the wharf this morning. The barquentine is drawing 10ft. 6in.

Mr Hancock, the American engineer whom the New Zealand Government has engaged to report on the question of obtaining electrical energy from the main rivers of the colony for manufacturing aud other purposes, will reach Wellington at the end of August or early in September. He will remaiu in the colony several months.

Before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., at the

Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Messrs Davys aud Third sought to recover from G. H. Humphreys the sum of £22, value of a buggy alleged to be the property of the plaintiffs,, or possession of the buggy and £lO damages. Mr E. N. Jones ap peared for plaintiffs and Mr E. J. Cnrisp for the defendant. After huai'iug lengthy evidence on either side JEiis Worship said that the statements were very conflicting,

probably through lapse of time aud memory. It wus impossible for him to give judgment for plaintiffs. It was to be regretted that the question.of the ouggy was not raised at the settlement of the partnership accounts. Plaintiffs must be nonsuited, with £2 2s costs.. At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr Barton, S.M., George K. Adrian, of Wairoa, who was charged with issuing valueless cheques, pleaded guilty in all the cases, as he wished to be dealt with summarily. His Worship said he was sorry to see a man of Adrian’s ability in such 'a position. Accused had pleaded guilty to charges which involved £B, aud the offences were committed on threo distinct dates. If there had only been a single offence he would probably have dealt with Adrian under the First Offender’s Probation Act, but there being different offences he was prohibited from doing so. The Act was only intended for persons brought under suddou temptation, and the prisoner had ample time to think over what he was doing. Drink was no donbt the cause of his trouble, but that could not be admitted as an excuse for crime. Accused was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Judgment -was delivered yesterday by Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., in the case of Alexander Williamson v. Nelson Bros., a claim for wages. The amount sued for was £5 16s sd, and in giving judgment for the plaintiff, His Worship said 1 : “ After looking carefully into tl)e law in this case. I have come to the conclusion that the contract relied upon by the defendant company is an illegal one, inasmuch as it provides for the retention by the employer of one week’s wages, which, in my opinion, is contrary to the spirit of the Truck Act, 1891, and amendments thereof. It is clear to me that the wages claimed have been earned by plaintiff, and that being so he is entitled to be p'aid them, and defendant is not entitled to m'ake any de-

ducliions therefrom. As to the question of defendant’s right to dismiss. the plaintiff, the evidence is that bad language was used to defendants’ foreman of works on one occasion only, and that up to that time plaintiff’s conduct had been very 5 good indeed. lam therefore of opi- • nion that there was not sufficient misconduct on the part of plaintiff to justify immediate dismissal. Judgment will therefore oe for plaintiff for the amount claimed, with costs 15s, and solicitor's fee, £1 155.” Mr R. N. Jones appeared for plaintiff, and Mr DeLautour for defendants.

A meeting of the Waimata branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Waimata Hall yesterday, there being a large attendance. Mr H. Kenway presided. On the motion of the Chairman, the following resolution was carried: “ That the levy of the X J rovincial Executive be hereby agreed to, but this branch suggests that the salary of any paid secretary shall not exceed £6O irrespective of any increase of the number of members.” Mr Martin proposed and Mr Watson seconded, “This branch considers that the Provincial Executive should pass no resolution without such resolution having been previously discussed by the branches.” After a considerable amount of discussion, Mr Todd moved an amendment, which was carried, “ That the Provincial Executive be requested, if possible, to let the branches know of any important business likely to arise, so that the branches may discuss them.” On the motion of Mr Todd, it

was decided to suggest to the Agricultural and Pastoral Society that any visiting Government experts should be given an opportunity of giving the A. and P. Society or the Farmers’ Union tbe benefit of their knowledge in the way of lectures. The secretary was instructed to write to the Colonial President for information in regard to light railways. Mr H. N. Lysnar tendered his resignation as hon. secretary of the branch on account of his approaching departure from the Waimata district. The Chairman, in moving the acceptance of his resignation, paid a high tribute to Mr Lysnar’s ability as secretary. Messrs A. McPhail, Todd and Bilham also spoke in terms of praise of the good work done by Mr Lysnar. Mr Mander also tendered his resignation as treasurer. Both resignations were received with regret. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr McPhail, Mr Thos. Todd was elected secretary and treasurer. A special meeting will be held shortly to consider the Stock Bill and other business,