PERSONAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1031, 26 October 1903, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Mr W. F. Richardson and Miss Richardson returned to Gisborne on Saturday morning, after a visit to the Old Country. In the course of a chat with a Times representative, Mr Richardson, who is a shrewd observer, gave some interesting information concerning the state of agriculture in England, and the tale he has to tell is a cheerless one. The farming interest in England is at a very low ebb, and the position of the farmers is depressing. Land which Mr Richardson himself farmed at 17s (id an acre is now Jet at the lesser rate of ten shillings, and eycn with that substantial reduction ■the land is now being farmed at _ a loss. Each year more land is going out of occupation by farmers, whose ■ prospects seem to grow worse in-sl-ead of improving. Taking the • state of things existing in England, as compared with the colony, he had no choice hut to strongly advise all ■ farmers who spoke to him ou the subject, that they would do well to make straight for New Zealand, the advice holding good if they had only .sufficient to pay their passage money and still more forcibly if thty had sufficient capital to enable them to get a start on the land. In regard to the question of fiscal reform, Mr Richardson says the people were Just getting warmed up to the subject before he left for New Zealand. It was too early then to form any conclusive opinion as to what the next general election would bring forth, hut the probabilities are that Mr Chamberlain’s .policy will triumph in the long run. The troubles of the agriculturists have been accentuated by a succession of bad seasons, and the manufacturing interests are keenly exercised at the increasing foreign competition—by nations that put on prohibitive tariffs for their own purposes. Mr Richardson had a pleasant trip, hut expresses himself highly pleased to reach home again. "TTn Saturday morning Mr G. M. Whito, representing the Whito oil engine, and Mr A. G. Hutchinson, representative of the Wolseley sheep-sbearing machines, arrived in Gisborne to make preparations for exhibits at tho Show. Judges Johnson and Jones, with their assistants, leave by Sinclair’s mail coach this morning for Tolago Bay to open tho Appellate Court there, We hear that the Coast roads aroynow in good condition, and after the Carnival week there are likely to be several parties made up to visit tho Coast and Waipiro Hot Springs, Mr Ludbrook and a party from Waipiro are on thoir way down by E.C.C. Co.’s special coach for the Show week, and should reach town to-night. Mrs E. R. Murphy and party, from Waiau, arrived by E.C.C. Co.’s special on Saturday afternoon. Mr Herries has given notice to ask the Minister for Public Works whether he will tnako arrangements for visiting tho Bay of Flonty district during tho recess, with a view of seeing for himself tho requirements of the district with regard to railways and roads. “ The time of the House has never been wasted as it has boon this session,” declared Mr Massey. “Who is responsible ?” “ Tho Leader of tho Opposition,” smartly interjected tho Premier. “No,” said Mr Massey, “it is 'the Premier of the colony, and the colony knows it.” “It seems to me,” replied the Premier, “ that the business of tho country cannot go on unless I’m bore. When I’m away you are like so many schoolboys.” Mr P. M. Hansen, managing director of the Auckland Electric Company, is in Wellington, with the object of urging an amendment of the Tramways Act so as to enable the company to increase the width of its cars to Bft, as the present width of 7ft 6in, the maximum limit now fixed by the New Zealand Tramways Act, is found inadequate. News has reached Suva from’ Apia of

the death of Mr J. Davies, an old-time resident of Samoa, and one who was full of the early experiences of Samoan history, Mr Davies was the last postmaster under the Tripartite Powers. Mr J. F. Montague, to whom the credit is due for the formation of the Auckland Shakespere Society, has been presented by the members with a gold sovereign purse, suitably inscribed, as a mark of their appreciation of his valuable worjj. His Excellency Sir Henry Jackson, the Governor of Fiji, embarked on board. H.M.e. Pylades on the 13th instant, in his capacity of High Commissioner of the Western Pacific. From the Solomon [ Islands Sir Henry will proceed to Brisbane, and from thence to Fiji. His Excellency will, in all probability, be back in Suva within four weeks, The secretary to the High Commissioner (Mr M. King) proceeded with His Excellency, A very handsome gift has beßn made to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Auckland, by Mrs Morrisby, in memory of her late husband, Mr A. H. Morrisby, in the shape of a large brass eagle lectern of vory beautiful de. sign. The lectern, which stands about 6ft in height, is a very great ornament to the Cathedral.