The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 23, 1903.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1003, 23 September 1903, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 23, 1903.

LONDON MAEKET.

TO-DAY’S POLL.

It ia hardly necessary to give a reminder of the polling to-day on the loan proposal for a Waihirere watersupply scheme, and for drainage. The matter has been so well threshed out for months past that probably no opinion will be altered to-day. The main thing, the interests of both sides, will be to have a substantial vote of ratepayers, so that there will be no catch result of either side. What is required in the interests of the town is a clear, decisive answer on one side or the other. The opponents of Waihirere are put in the awkward position that they can only express their doubt as to the reliability of the source by voting against the proposals as a whole, and we regret to see that some advantage is being taken of that position by nasty insinuations, that they are against water and drainage altogether ; that in fact they are in favor of uncleanliness and pestilence. This is not only unfair, but it is absolutely mean. There has not been a single dissentient voice in the community in regard to the need of water and drainage ; all those who oppose Waihirere have distinctly declared themselves on that point. The opponents of the Waihirere source include many of our ablest townsmen, very old residents—who have had the advantage or disadvantage of bitter experience, and are therefore more cautious than ever in regard to any scheme which they conscientiously believe may saddle the place with another “ white elephant.” There can be no question that water and drainage is very badly needed in the town, and that the time has arrived when people must not too closely consider the question of cost; but those who believe that Waihirere will not give an adequatte supply are only acting honestly in recording their vote against the proposals. The people of the town are more to be considered than the sensitiveness of any particular engineer. The fact that a professional gentleman has been asked and paid for his advice does not make the people thereafter slavish followers of anything he may have suggested. They have the advantage of local knowledge, acquired in years as against an opinion formed after a short visit. if the Waihirere proposal is vetoed the responsibility will be upon the leading opponents to formulate some better scheme without delay. It is pleasing to note that such public interest is being taken in the question. The result of the poll will be awaited to-night with the keenest interest.

Under the heading of “ Commercial ” we give this morning Messrs Fitter and Sons’ concise report of the London Central Meat Market. The report is a simple statement of the position of the market, but it contains one feature that must be very gratifying to the people of this district. For the first time Gisborne has been given a place to itself in the fist of quotations, thus showing that it has won a distinctive name for itself on the Lon don market. Napier, which has latterly been showing a jealous tendency towards Gisborne, does not even figure on the fist. As we have in other ways been disturbing their peace of mind lately, a gentle reminder on this point is hereby given to further stir up the activities of the neighbor we are destined to soon outstrip in the race of progress. But joking aside, the fact

of Gisborne being placed in lino with Canterbury and Wellington in the list of Loudon quotations is very encouraging, for it is a certain evidence of solid progress. Jt is interesting to note that quotations for Wellington and Gisborne meat are the same.

Mr Barton, S.M., leaves to day, on bis Coast ciicuit.

11 Tom, Dick, and Harry ” at tbo Theatre Royal this evening.

There will be no rehearsal of the “lolanthe” chorus to night. A cheque for H7O 6s 9d, lost in town, is advertised for.

The recent rain, though insufficient, has been most beneficial to gardens and pastures.

The Salvation Army’s attractive Old English Fair continues until Saturday night.

The District Health Officer, Dr DeLisle, will be in Gisborne during the polling today.

The Napier Cricket Association has appointed Arthur Fenton, a Sydney ground bowler, as coach for the ensuing season. The regular monthly meeting of the Whataupoko Board will he held on Friday next, 25th inst., at 3 p.m.

An inset giving some reasons for voting against tho loan proposals appears in this issue.

By advertisement in another column Mr Townley urges the ratepayers to support the loan proposals. “Vote for Waihirere and Thomas’s vegetables to-day,” is the advice given in our advertising columns to-day. The Waihi Goldmining Company keeps up its fine record, 18,127 tons of oro valued at L 50,136 during the four weeks ended September 12tb. The polling closes at 7 to-night. The Returning Officer, Mr W. J. Quigley, anticipates being able to declare the result at a quarter to eight. At football yesterday the Auckland players defeated Hawke’s Bay by 20 to 3. The Aucklanders are expected to pass through Gisborne this morning. The “ lolanthe ” orchestra practises at 7,30 to-night in Mr Kennedy’s Hall, and chorus and principals at 7.30 to-morrow night in the same hall.

The Egmont Racing Club has accepted a tender of L 3480 for the erection of a new grand stand and offices. The stakes have been increased by LBS. There is a grim humorist at Nelson ; ho telegraphed regarding the flood : 11 The schools have been closed for tho day, as children were unable to travel through the almost waist deep water.” Owing to the length of tho bill to be given to night by the Hawtrey Comedy Company, tho performance will start at 7.45, “ Tom, Dick, and Harry ” being preceded by 11 A Highland Legacy.” At the Tirnaru Court yesterday John Loughlin, bookmaker, of Dunedin, was fined L 5 Is, on a charge of having used indecent language on the Tirnaru racecourse. Notice of appeal was given. Dunedin registry offices are protesting against a proposal by the Government to transfer the Wellington office to Dunedin, under the patronage of the Labor Department.

“ Waihirere dam and Poverty (without water) v. A Flowing River (purity, plenty, power, and progression ”) forms the subject of an important advertisement in regard to the loan proposals.

Tenders addressed to the Chairman of the Cook County Council will be received until noon on Friday, 2nd October, for contract 75, formation and clearing road, 156 chains, Mangatu river road. A special sale of dairy stock will bo held at the Waerenga-a-hika yards to-morrow, at 11.30 a.m. The present entries are 100 head of dairy cows and heifers. This will offer a splendid opportunity for the purchase of stock for dairying purposes. The low-lying portions of Nelson were flooded yesterday. Some of the stormwater pipes and culverts burst and considerable damage was done. The schools were closed, as the water in some parts was very deep. An important sale takes place at Patutahi at 1 this afternoon, when Messrs Williams and Kettle will dispose of the carting plant, horses, etc., of Mr G. Robb. There should be keen competition for this excellent plant. In a case before the Court yesterday, in which a defendant had unwittingly got himself into trouble for a technical breach of the law, able counsel explained that “ the defendant, in blind ignorance, with the help of the police at the helm, steered his barque upon the shoals.” The departure of the s.s. Talune for the South has been delayed this evening for the Hawtroy Theatrical Company. A launch will leave the wharf at 7 p.m. as usual for the convenience of ladies and children, also any others desirous of embarking at that hour, but all baggage must be sent off by tho 7 o’clock launch, and the last will leave the wharf at 11 p.m. with passengers only. Mr W. Douglas Lysnar desires us to explain that the reference at the meeting as to the Freezing Company’s offering to pay £6OO a year for 100,000 gallons of water, was on the authority of the Chairman of Directors of the Company, and that the statement was made at the conference of the local bodies and representatives of the Freezing Company on the subject of a water supply. The reference was not to the Chairman of the County Council. The following new connections with the Telephone Exchange have been made : 243, J. B. Kells, Whataupoko. 244, Miss M. Boattie, Whataupoko. 245, William Smith, Riverside road. 246, F, Parker! manager Bank of Now South Wales, private residence. 247, Dr Charles F. Scott, Ormond road, Whataupoko. A fine of Is and 7s costs was imposed yesterday by Mr Barton, S.M., in regard to a technical breach of the Act dealing with'the putting of babies out to nurse. The defendant had brought the case about by suing for the maintenance of a child left in the care of the household by a young married woman. Mr L. Rees appeared for the defence, and admitted that a technical breach of the Act had been committed.

A fine of fifty pounds was imposed at Invercargill yesterday in the case of Geo. Dempster, jun., for selling liquor within the Mataura no-license area. The defence was that the iiquor was purchased for a social to Dempster, who wa3 leaving the district, and that he had made no profit. The Magistrate (Mr McCarthy) said that defendant’s evidence was an insult to the

intelligence of a magistrate, and would not impose on the credulity of a sixth standard schoolgirl. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday MiBarton, S.M., recorded convictions (to be endorsed on the licenses) against M. Hogan, C. Neenan, and C. O'Connell, who had pleaded guilty to supplying travellers who had not arrived at the end of their

journey. Fineß of 103 were imposed, with 17s costs, and witnesses’ expenses 38s, the costs to be divided between the defendants. Messrs W. L. Bees and L. Rees appeared for the defence, and urged that the cases he dealt with under section 87 of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1832, which permitted of the cases being dismissed without punishment, but His Worship said he would not bo justified in so dealing with the cases. The point involved is an important one to hotelkeepers.

Mr J. Hill writes As one who has had many years’ experience in regard to waterworks in different parts of England, I should like to say a few words in regard to Waihirero. As a source for a water supply for Gisborne it is altogether inadequate. There is not sufficient water for household purposes alone, to say nothing of street watering, fires, gardens, and manufactures. Whilst we are about it let us have a proper supply, The natural source is tbe Waipaoa river, from which an illimitable supply could be run in by open race. I would undertake to lay on a supply for all purposes for £20,000. Instead of increasing rates tbe supply could be made to assist in reducing them. My experience has been gained in places where it is really difficult to obtain water. They would be only too glad to possess the faci lilies Gisborne has in that respect.