The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 25, 1903.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1005, 25 September 1903, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVER Y MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 25, 1903.

THE InAYAL GUNS. The controversy that is proceeding in regard to the amount of execution done by tho naval guns at Ladysmith is not calculated to instil confidence in the public mind. By our cablegrams it will be observed that the Times declares that soldiers state the naval guns did much less actual execution than the two obsolete howitzers from Port Elizabeth. In that case Sir Arch. Hunter must have been fully justified in the opinion he gave before the Elgin Commission, and instead of the Rear-Admiral who dubbed him a “numbskull” being entitled to an apology, a sharp reprimand on that officer would be in keeping with the fitness of things. Still, it is not a cheering thing to have our beliefs

shattered in this way. We had been led from reports to have such a high opinion of the work done by the naval guns at Ladysmith that it comes as a rude shock to hear of the execution being placed at much less value than

that of obsolete howitzers. Such an exposure as that apparently made is not comforting, but it is well that the matter should be threshed out in time of peace, so that the nation will not again be found in such a state of unpreparedness in time of war. The Elgin Commission lias stirred up things in such a way as to be most irritating to some people who would have preferred matters to have lain dormant; but for the security of the nation a shaking up was badly needed, and it is to be hoped that the disclosures will lead to such reforms being effected as will place the nation’s defence on the soundest footing.

The telegraph wire broke down shortly before 11 last night, the current being cut off just as the main portion of the Times budget bad been put on for transmission. The operator stood by the wires until nearly daylight, but communication was not restored. At eleven o’clock this morning an unreserved clearing sale of groceries, ironmongery, etc., will be held at Hr D. M. Orr’s store. In order to allow country visitors an opportunity to visit “ Ye Olde English Fayre ” to-morrow evening, the train f' o r Kaiteratahi will not leave town until ten o’clock. A grand show of cauliflowers and other vegetables has been made at 11 Ye Olde English Fayre ” by Mr Thomas, and householders would do well to secure some of them for their Sunday’s dinner. Mails which left Auckland, via ’Frisco on August 21, arrived in London, September 21. Melbourne mails of August 19th, via Naples, arrived in London, September 21st. Mr Hickford, who some time ago interested himself in the starting of the dairying industry, is now taking an active part in the timber industry and tramway line. By last mail lie received important despatches bearing on this industry, and as he is busy moving in the matter we may expect within (a few weeks a public announcement of great importance both to Gisborne town and Motu districts.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning Messrs Townley and Sheridan, J.P.s, presided. Judgment went by default in the following undefended cases :—Commissioner of Taxes v. Thomas Trumper, claim £4 17s 2d, costs 5s ; Kennedy and Evans (Mr W. D. Lysuar) v. William Oman, claim £1 ss, costs ss. In the case of Griffin and Sons v. George Edwards, to be hoard at Nelson, evidence was given by defendant. Mr A. Coleman appeared for plaintiffs and Mr Blair for defendant. Sympathisers in the good work that the Salvation Army is doing in our midst are recommended to mark their sympathy in a practical manner by visiting “Ye Olde English Fayre ” at the Acadomy of Music. At considerable trouble and expense the Army have undertaken the present exhibition, but the attendance of tho public, probably on account of so many counter attractions, has not been so large as was anticipated. The fair will bo open this evening and to-morrow, and the charge for admission has been reduced to sixpence. Mr Charles Edwards, L. Mus. T.C.L., examiner of Trinity College, London, arrived from Auckland by the Talune on. Wednesday afternoon, and immediately on arrival proceeded to St. Mary’s Convent schoolroom to conduct the practical examination. The following Convent pupils passed most successfully: Senior division, pianoforte: Misses Florence Somervell, Victoria Bridges, and Katie Currie. Intermediate division, solo singing : Miss Eileen Law. Intermediate division, violin : Miss Dora Booth. Intermediate division, pianoforte: Misses Amy Solvander and Linda Nicholson. Junior division, pianoforte : Miss Kathleen Martin (honors).

Sometime ago a number of journals made complimentary references to a Motu settler, who has packed on his back, without a track, three tons of material to his holding, a distance of two miles. We might mention that the same settler can now he seen shouldering sawn timber to his holding for the erection of a dwelling-house. How this settler gets through the standing bush with 24 feet of timber on his back is marvellous. The person referred to is Mr Arthur Hickford, who hails from the Manawatu district, and was the first pioneer settler in the famous Rongotea, Palmerston North.

Court William Gladstone, No. 6030 A.0.F., held their usual quarterly meeting on Tuosday last at the Court room, Masonic Hall, Chief Ranger Bro. Armstrong presiding. The attendance was satisfactory considering counter attractions, and several important matters dealt with. One candidate was duly initiated, and four new members were proposed. It was decided to hold a meeting shortly to consider amendments to the rules of the Society to be brought up at the triennial meeting of the District officers to be held at Palmerston in December, and to elect a delegate to represent the local Court. During tho evening songs were ably rendered by Bros. Robinson and Vincent, and a capital recitation by Bro. Armstrong, Chief Ranger. The state of the river was mentioned at the Harbor Board yesterday. The Harbormaster stated that tho river was much worse than ho had ever seen it. The Chairman said that they would soon get over that; the heavy sea had been washing largo quantities of stuff about, but when the winds changed the river would soon clear out again. Mr Hepburn considered the condition of the river was remarkably good after tho extraordinarily heavy sea they had. Captain Cummings thought that when they got tho westerly winds to stir up the sand again there would soon be an improvement. The soundings were really a foot less than given, the tide having fallen a foot below zero —his soundings were based on tho zero gauge.

Tenders for supplies were received by the Harbor Board yesterday, and were referred to the Overseer to report as to the lowest, which is to be accepted. The tenders for coal were also allowed to stand over. Messrs Kennedy and Evans tendered at 45s for Westport coal, 41s Newcastle ; Clayton Bros., Westport 455, Newcastle 395, Hikurangi 30s. The former charged a shilling per ton oxtra for delivery at Kaiti wharf. Discussion took place as to whether the Board should not import its own coal, members being of the opinion that it could be obtained much more cheaply. The Chairman said he thought by obtaining one hundred tons it could be obtained for about 32s per ton.

With very deep regret we have to record the death of a much-esteemed, kindhearted lady who had long been resident in this district. We refer to Madam DeCosta, who, after a few months’ illness from which a temporary recovery had been made, passed away- early yesterday morning, at the age of 58. The deceased lady, who leaves a grown-up family of seven sons and one daughter, arrived in the coly in 1862, and made her home in Greymoutb, her husband, the late Mr Ralph DeCosta, being a merchant there. Ou his death the widow removed to Lyttelton, and in 1881 Madam DeCosta and family took up their residence in Gisborne, where she purchased the Turanganui Hotel and conducted it for a number of years. The deceased took a keen interest in public affairs,and was of a bright and kindly disposition. Her death will be deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends, and much sympathy is felt for the family, especially for Miss DeCosta, who devotedly attended to her mother. Arrangements have been made for the interment to take place at Makaraka Cemetery, and the funeral will leave the deceased’s le,te residence at 230 ou Sunday afternoon. As a mark of respect flags were flying at halfmast yesterday from the business houses and shipping, and the shops had mourning ehufcter3 up.

Sittings of Minoreasand Indian Runner ggs are advertised for sale.

A meeting of the Te Karnka Raping Club will bs held at the Te Karaka Hotel to-morrow evening.

The charge of admission to 11 Ye Olde English Fayre ” at toe Academy of Music has been reduced to sixpence.

Captain Edwin wired yesterday : Gale from between south and south-east and east, glass rise, tides high, sea heavy. Se-igt. Si iciells Ic-ft for the Coast yesterday to be in attendance at the quartetly sittings o! the Magistrate’s Court at Tolttgo Bay and Port Awanui. The Geisha tea rooms, which have been closed during the week to allow of repairs and renovation wi.l bo re-opened tomorrow morning.

A man named John Tlayrynen, a prisoner in the Bundaberg (Queensland) watchhouse, charged with being of unsound mind, committed suicide by strangling himself with a strap.

The East Coast Mounted Rifles held their quarterly inspection parade yesterday afternoon at the Park racecourse, there being a fairly good muster. In the evening a dismounted parade was held at the Drillsbcd.

Another Ohiwa property has (says the Opotiki Guardian) changed hands, Mr T. N. Brocas having disposed of his place at Walnut, known as No. 5 cun, containing ISO 3 acres, to Mr Carswell, of Nubaka, a brother of Mrs Thomas Thompson, of Opotiki.

The sale of live stock and plant, on account of Messrs J. and J. McFarlane, by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, has been altered from the Matawhero saleyard to Mr McFarlane’s farm, near Matawhero. As Messrs Williams and Kettle are selling dairy cattle and plant on account of the trustees of the late P. McParlane at same time and place, the sale will commence at 11.30, instead of 1 o'clock, as previously advertised, and luncheon will be provided.

“ Sanitas ” writes :—“ The state of the water-tables in the main streets calls for some attention from the Borough overseor. They have not boen cleaned out for some weeks or months, and in tho vicinity of Lowe street aud the lower part of Gladstone road especially, the water has been allowed to lie until it has become stagnant and unsightly. Pending the formation of the opposition’s loan proposals, would it not be as well for the Council to make every effort to keep the town cloau, so that visitors may not form too unfavorable an impression of our town and its inhabitants.”

When the question of the Kaiti wharf extension was brought up at the Harbor Board yesterday, Mr Whinray expressed the opinion that the wharf should not be kept so much along tho line of roadway ; ho would like to see the wharf more in a straight lino. The Chairman said that question had already been settled, and he went on to point out that no one could foretell the requirements of Gisborne in the future. He cited Manchester and East Melbourne to show how rapidly the pnblie needs had grown. No one, he said, could tell how soon they would need all the spaeo they eouid get in the Turanganui river. The captain of the steamer Aotea informed him that if they gave 20 feet depth of water in the river he would bring his vossel m and load meat from the freezing works.