GENERAL ITEMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1448, 8 May 1905, Page 3

GENERAL ITEMS.

Says fcho Taihapo Nows : —“ Since fcho completion and the openiug of the railway at Taihapo, little or no interest has boon taken by fcho residents of this town in the extension of fcho lino. It will doubtless bo of interest to our Mataroa settlers to learn tho progress that railway construction is making north of Taihape. The rails have been laid up to the small tunnel, about two miles from Taipape. The lining of this tunnel is expected to bo completed about the end of the present month. The filling a little to the north is expected to be finished about tho seme time, when the laying of rails will be extended to the mouth of the Mataroa tunnel. It is confidently oxpec&ed that the locomotive will bo able to reach tho mouth of the Mataroa tunnel by the end of June. Here a halt will have to be made for quite 12 months before the iron horso will be able to pass on to Mataroa. The Public Works Department are showing earnestness in their desire to push on the construction of this greas national work. There must now be fully 500, men employed on fcho line between Taihapo and Waiouru.”

A Jiumorous touch is given to the reporting of meetings at Grcymo.u 1 ti. .This is how one speaker; at a meeting of municipal candidates was reported The Chairman, with more than ordinary animation in his voice, called upon Mr Daniel fcJlieedy to breast' the tape- Old Brian Boru sprang from his seat like a two-year-old, shook his coat, and skipped up to the footlights with all the martial air of an Irish King. The prolonged cheering and hearty greeting proclaiming the old ’un as lirm a favorite as over. ‘‘Boys,” says he, •‘•I b,eg your pardon, I moan, Misthcr (Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, Ifm here before y,au again to-night, and don’t you think for a moment that the old ’pin is nearly dione yet, for I’ll see a good many of the young .’jins out.' ( ” .Good on you, Brian ; that’s .true,' anfd we’ll put you, in again, in spite of them-’’.) Well, ■ boys, I'm not going to say we haven't made mistakes, because its rneself that knows we have, and I’m prepared to take my share of the blame » and I’m not going to blame • others, like some of them have'done. ,(The auidionce cheered this senti‘mont to the eohio,) We’ve done good work, and do you think that I m . one of those that want to increase your rates '! Got me. fc»ure, I’m cue Of the biggest ratepayers in town, and I don't 3 , in my old age, want more money to be taken out of my nooket than I can help. (“ That's right, Dan ; sure you re the man for Galway. Bcdad, we’ll put the old main at the top of the poll,’’ came omiPihaticaUy from the back or the hail.) Dan. smiled, and said. Sure, boys,, only that I’ve got mv hat pH, I’d take it off to you. Now, touching that gas business I d like to see a bigger reduction, but sure I don’t want to see a reduction that will mean increasing the rates. v right, too,cxcfcaiiiiiiexl <i voice near, "the stage, amidst. loud cheering- 1 ) Now, my time’s about up, and Mr Speaker, will be calling mo to order if I hang on hero longer, so 1 can’t say mutch more. Just put a few, of those crosses opposite my name to-morrow, and I’ll promise you you won’t be for it at the end of two years. ((And they, gave him 586 crosses.) Dan then retired to his seat amidst very, hearty, applause, having made - P Winning address.