PUBLISHED EVERY .MORNING. GISBORNE, OCTOBER 5, 1903.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1013, 5 October 1903, Page 2

PUBLISHED EVERY .MORNING. GISBORNE, OCTOBER 5, 1903.

BRITISH POLITICS. The cablegrams day by day, tend to show that Mr Chamberlain is steadily gaining ground. Although Mr Balfour is seeking to give the lead along a middle course, his sympathies are unmistakably with Mr .Chamberlain. In dealing with the story “ yet to be told,” the Napier Telegraph has an interesting article, from which we quote fully. It is (states the writer) rather amusing to find the London Standard confessing that it does not know all the details of the split in the British Cabinet. This journal represents that section in the Cabinet which made the split inevitable, and assisted to a considerable extent in preparing the public mind for a portion at least of what transpired in accordance with the Standard’s inspired predictions. It was that journal which first intimated that the resignations of Lord George Ha- ! milton and Mr Ritchie were probable It is hardly going too far to assume that it prophesied after it knew. In plain words, the party represented by the Standard engineered their •little scheme, and when the time was ripe that journal had a lead in announcing what was to happen. But it seems that there was countermining. The Standard knew what Lord George Hamilton and Mr Ritchie had made up their minds to do, hut- did not know what Mr Chamberlain was planning. It may be suggested that he knew perfectly well the little “ surprise ” the other two members of the Cabinet were preparing for their colleagues, and that

these kept their own counsel, and prepared another for the section re- K presented by the Standard. It thus happened that on a given date, when I Lord George Hamilton 'and Mr Ritchie were ready to carry out their arrangements, they did not know that Mr Chamberlain either had re- ° signed or was going to resign. . Why 1 that should be made a grievance does not appear on the surface. They were entitled to resign ; he was entitled to resign. They, say they resigned because they found themselves unable to subscribe to views which by, this time they had concluded were favored by the Premier., That being ■ the case, what need of saying more? ‘ If Mr Chamberlain decides to resign because he also holds views which he thinks are not held by a majority | of the Cabinet, what is there in that ' to cause chagrin to Lord George Hamilton and Mr Ritchie ? Nothing, that we can see, unless these were disappointed because they had prepared a coup which did not succeed. They, doubtless conceived the notion that it would be rather good business to pose as conscientious objectors, and thus by their action make Mr Chamberlain’s position in the Cabinet still more uncomfortable than it had been with Mr Ritchie to lead a cabal against the Secretary for the Colonies. On a date which the Standard is good enough to name those two gentlemen had decided to leave the Cabinet, the journal in their confidence had announced the probability of their resignations,and these were either in the hands of the ■Premier or on their way to him. Hence to find their posing anticipated, and the news that Mr Chamberlain had himself resigned made public as a fact before their resignations were out of the region of journalistic prediction, .was doubtless a trifle aggravating. This is probably the substance of the story “yet i to be told.” There may be an addition, however. It may transpire yet that Mr Ritchie and Lord George Hamilton have been utilised as instruments by Mr Goschen, another conscientious objector ” to a, tax on corn, ire at the same time being the author of the 2s per quarter tax on that commodity, imposed .when, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, be

was short of ready, money, in consequence of the Transvaal war. Indeed, it would not surprise us to find that what intriguing there has been originated with Lord Gosclien, and that the comical indignation of the Standard at bottom represents the chagrin he feels at recognising that he lias been out-manoeuvred by Mr Chamberlain. We can imagine the latter chortling as he thinks in leaving the Cabinet he waited until Lord George Hamilton and Mr Ritchie had so far committed themselves to resigning that they could not retrace their steps, and then managed to “ get home ” first. This, too, in spite of Lord Goschen, who from the facts seems to have made up his mind that although he had resigned, and Mr Ritchie had taken His place, he would yet dominate the Cabinet from outside.; The whole business has its comical side, and not the least laughable of it is the unconcealed annoyance of the Standard and those who control it at being out-generalled all through the development of the plot. As for their contention that they object to food taxation (a cry they have borrowed from Sir William Vernon I-larcourt), it is controvertible by, undeniable facts. They and the I-larcourt section have always until now ced calmly enough in the taxation of food} Man does not live by bread alone, and man in Britain pays much in taxation upon other forms of sustenance.,

Shareholders in the Co-operative Building Society are notified of a general meeting for the disposal of two appropriations, amounting to £6OO.

Mr Benjamin Bolt desires to sincerely thank his many friends for their kind expressions of sympathy and condolonce in his recent bereavement, and for the many wreaths that were sent by numorous sympathisers. ( As indicating the extraordinary length of twilight in England, Mr R. C. Bishop states that when in the Old Country recently he played a game of bowls near Gloucester, and the game did not conclude till 10 p.m.

New furniture can bo obtained at Goldsworthy’s Corner “ at startling prices.” The proprietor notifies that shipments arrive weekly from all parts of New Zealand, consisting of all kinds of rattan ware, furniture, and household goods. A local preacher at Eltham, holding forth on the apathy displayed generally towards religion, said his experience in Taranaki had brought this fact home forcibly to him. People throughout the district were too intent on milking cows to find time to come to church.

The Bailway Department has informed the Ohinomuri County Council that the Ivarangahake section of tho Waihi-Paeroa railway would be opened for goods traffic about the beginning of October and for all classes of traffic in December. The information has given a good deal of satisfaction in the districts concerned.

The annual meeting of the Kia-Ora Cooperative Dairying Company will be held in the Makauri schoolroom on Tuesday, the 20th inst., when it will be neoessary to elect two directors in place of two that retire, but are eligible for re-election. Nomi- ! nations for the office of directors close with Mr T. A. Coleman (secretary) on Friday next. Mr Geo. Schmidt, proprietor of the Bepongaere lemon grove, has an important announcement in another column. He points out that while the public of Gisborne are waiting for a water scheme it must bo evident that in order to ward off typhoid fever they will require to use lemons in large quantities. The Bepongaere lemons are the finest in the district, and our readers are recommended to purchase a trial lot,

Writing of “ The Lady Slavey,” the piece with which the Sheridan Company open their Gisborne season on Monday next, the Wanganui Herald says :—“ The musio of ‘Tho Lady Slavey’ is exceedingly pretty and tuneful, the choruses being well sung by a bevy of charming young ladies. A special word of praise is due to the nine ballerinas, whQ3e danoiDg was much above anything we have previously seen here. The scenery and costumes were very handsome, and altogether the performance provod to be one of tbe most enjoyable yet given in Wanganui.”

A telegram from Stratford on Saturday stated: On Thursday afternoon a fight occurred at Toko between two men named T. O’Shea and L. Hutton. Some hours after tbe fight O'Shea took bad, and was conveypd to the hospital, where he became uneonscious. Hutton was arrested yesterday, but was liberated on bail this morning. O’Shea died of concussion and laceration of the brain.

I A cablegram from Sydney, dated October 2, states:-The new steamer Karori, I for the Union S S. Company, has arrived from West Hartlepool. She steamed tho whole journey without calling at any port, averaging 81- knots. On September 12 she ! ran into a severe gale, lasting several days. Seas swept the decks and smashed the wheel-box and the starboard lifeboat platform. Being in light trim she pounded heavily for three days, and had to run before the storm, constantly using oil bags with good effect. It is stated os a result of the rough usage that sho is leaking slightly forward,

Messrs Hannon and Smith notify a fresh list of properties offering for salo or lease. Business premises will be closed on Thursday, Cook Day. The Turf Club privileges are to he 'disposed of on Thursday.

Show and race privileges are to be sold on Wednesday, by Messrs Williams and Kettle.

A general meeting of the Gisborne Cycling and Athletic Club is to be held to-night. Tenders for contracts 75, 76, and

77 close with the County Chairman, at noon on Friday. 16th inst-.

Tenders close at noon to-day with Messrs Common, Shelton and Co., for carting about 400 bales of wool from Mangatokerau to Tolago.

The quarter for private dressmaking classes commences on Thursday. Particulars may be obtained from Miss Lunn (over Teat and Friar’s). Mr T. G. Lawless has to let a sevenroomed dwelling, occupied by Mr Ferguson, in Gladstone road. Possession can be obtained about the 19th instant.

Arrangements for the opening run of the cycling season are to be made at the Club meeting to-niglit. The run is to take place on Thursday— Cook Day,. Tenders are invited by the Cook County Council for improving the approaches to Lavenham bridge ; for formation and clearing 156 chains of Mangatu river road ; for supplying horses to the road machine. Messrs Eure and Ambridge have a •special announcement iu this issue. The firm has opened up a splendid assortment of straw hats, and in men’s and boys’ clothing exceptionally good value is being given. An old lady named Ellen Jack, aged 65

years, died rather suddenly at her residence, Ivaraka street, Newton, on Friday afternoon. Deceased resided by herself, and was found dead in bed by a son who went to visit her early iu the evening The circumstances were reported to the police. It is believed that death was due to natural causes. Mr Arthur T. Close, son of Mr J. Close, of Ngahaia, has recently purchased,through Messrs Wakelin and Crane, of Whaogarei, Mr T. C. Williams’ Pakaraka estate, consisting of 4000 acres. This estate was the first land farmod in New Zealand, and has been in the possession of the Williams family since the old mission days. Mr Close intends to go in for high-class stock farming.

A Cambridge correspondent states that on Tuesday afternoon a severe accident happened to the son of Mr Frank O’Toole, saddler. The boy, with several others, was playing on a tank at the public school, when he was pushed off, the fall resulting in a compound fracture of the elbow. The little fellow was attended by Dr Roberts, but it will be some considerable time before he will regain the full use of the limb. At a Committee meeting of tho Charitable Aid Board on Saturday morning, Messrs Harding, Hepburn, Johnston, and Kennedy being present, tenders wore received for furnishing the Old Men’s Homo, as follows :—A. G. Wheeler, £273 ; W. O. Skeet, £169; G. Goldsworthy, £165; F. Stafford, £l6O ; E. G. Reynolds, £l4B 4s 7d. Mr Reynolds’ tender was accepted. For extra additions and alterations to the Home it was agreed to give Mr Stafford £SO, and that tho fenoing to be done by day labor. The two old cottages were sold for £2O.

At Messrs Common, Shelton and Co.’s offices on Saturday, presentations were made to two members of the staff, who aro entering into other positions. Mr J. C. Aickin, who has beoain the firm’s service for about four years, and has obtained a better appointment with the Gisborne Freezing Company, was presented with a silver hot-water bottle, with a silver plate inscription attached. Mr Allen Coleman, who is about to take up a position in his father’s office, was presented with a gold albert. Mr W. B. Common made the presentations, with a few well-chosen remarks. He said that in their respective positions they had proved themselves oapable, diligent, and trustworthy, and he regretted losing their services, but congratulated them on having received better appointments, adding that he was sure that they would be successful in whatever line of business they were engaged. Mr Percy Bayly, of Auckland, will take the place vacated by Mr Aickin, while Mr Coleman’s withdrawal will give a step up to the juniors.

Mr L. Williams, Secretary of tho Bugby Union, in response to the toast of “ Sports and Pastimes,” at the dinner on Thursday evening, stated that : “ This is the first year that the Bugby Union have been financially successful. At the end of the year they hope to have a credit balance of £SO or £6O. It is the intention of the Union to topdress the Domain with soil and also to provide seating accommodation, and, further more, they will try to erect a pavilion. (Applause.) Mr Skeet has been kind enough to offer that, if the Union find the timber, he will have the seats erected. When the Domain was taken over in 1901 by the Union there was £IOO debt, which tho Union had paid off, besides other money spent in improvements. They had to pay £ls a year for their lease of the Domain, and £2O a year was spent in advertising, hence the reason of their credit balance being curtailed. Footballers should not growl at the takings for matches played not being expended in the interest of the travelling team.” “ Taurarua ” sends the following truo story to the Auckland Herald : —“ The old Maori chief has almost become as extinct as the dodo and the moa. One fine old specimen of the race, who resided at the Kaipara, met with his death a few years sinco, in what might almost be termed a ludicrous manner, if anything ludicrous can bo connected with death. The old gentleman had caught a cold, accompanied by a slight inflammation of the ohest. The district doctor prescribed a blister, which was spread on a piece of chamois leather, and sent to him by the hand of a Maori. Whether the Maori misunderstood the doctor, or the old chief misunderstood the Maori, is not known, but the poor old fellow thought it was to be taken inwardly, and accordingly munched up tho whole concern. Tho Maori stomach might have digested the leather, but the cautharides proved too much for him. So he departed to join his ancestors in the Maori spirit land.”