The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY HORNING. GISBORNE, FEB 23, 1906. JAPANESE ESPIONAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1681, 23 February 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY HORNING. GISBORNE, FEB 23, 1906. JAPANESE ESPIONAGE.

The recently exploded disclosures as to the Japanese having secured plans of Sydney fortifications has brought out some interesting information. The Telegraph states that the gunners at the Victoria Barracks, Sydney, were not at all surprised when they were told that plans of the harbor defences had been found in the luggage of the Japanese merchants. “ What they do not know is not worth knowing,’’ said one soldier. “ They know more about us than some of our own people do.” The Telegraph-says that residents of Northern Queensland talk about the Japanese espionage; that is. practised thore. “They represent;that Salvation * soldiers - and members of cinematograph concert companies which have come to Australia from Japan, keep their eyes very wide open during their travels, and invariably carry pocket-books with them, in which they make careful notes upon almost every conceivable subject, from the cost of a dinner to the depth. of Water in small and obscure bays and harbors on. the coast. Similar Inquisitiveness displayed in European countries would be speedily resented, but not so in British countries.” Members of the Koyal Australian Artillery-relate an interesting and instructive incident which took place in Victoria,' during the visit of Admiral Kamimura’s squadron to Australia a few years ago. When the squadron was leaving Port Phillip, some of the gunners hastened to the Heads to see the ships fight their way through the turbulent waters of the channel, when the Japanese Admiral suddenly put his helm hard over and brought his fleet skilfully through some very treacherous waters into a deep' patch far removed from the path of ships. Though this particular spot was right under the most powerful guns of the forts, it was the only stretch of water within range, in which vessels could not be touched by these guns. Admiral Kamimura, evidently knowing the locality thoroughly, formed up his squadron for battle in what is known as the “ Dead Water,” and had his ships cleared for action. Then followed an hour’s brisk instructional drill, during which “ the Australian officers, watching with their field-glasses, wore able to notice the freedom and accuracy with which the Japanese guns were trained upon vulnerable points. They knew full well, and so did the visitors, that had the guns been there for use, the shore batteries could not have fired a single effective . round in reply. Such was Japanese knowledge of Port Phillip defences three years ago, and if they had particulars of arcs of fire so accurately then, there is no telling what they may kayo now.”

" The Rose of Riviera” at HU Majesty's to-night. Tho Malawhero sli.ok sales wl'l be held to-day.

It is repotted that tbo National Bank will shortly open a branoh in Gisborne.

Mails lor Nnpior, Wellington, and Ssuth oloso at 2 p.m.-to day per s;s. Fanny. A general meeting of tbo Polo Association wi’l bo bell in tbo Msssnio Hotel on Saturday ovening ot 8 o’clock. The viotims of the drowning oooidont at Like E'hsmera wore formerly icsilonts of this distriot, bo'.ng related'to Mr F. Rtid, Mote.

The following unclaimed letters from placos beyond tbo colony aro lying ot the Gisborne Post Office For F,.E Barton, H. S. Edward?, E. Floriogao, H. A. Glenin, and W. Ray (2). The ketch Sir Henry sailed for Atrokland last ovening, and the auxiliary eohooner Eaeo sailed for East Coast port) and Auckland.

Tenders will be received up to 9 45 a.m. on Saturday for: the supply aod delivery cf shingle for oonorete foundation of Cook memorial. Specific rtiona may be seen at this offico.

At the Dunedin races yesterday £5625

10s was put through tbo totaliaator, £3lO more than last year. At the Woodville races £6582 was put through, makiog £13,491 for tbo meeting, £137 increase on last .year’s total, At the Polioe Court yertarday, a young woman named Mary Ann -Gamble was fined £3 for drunkenness, aod £5 for procuring liquor while under prohibition, the a'ternative in the latter ease being six weeks’imprisonment, aod seven days in the first ease.

A fishing boat was swamped near the end of the breakwater yesterday morning, and Mr Schofield, his two boys and another man wore precipitated into the water. Fortunately help was near at hand, the Nautilus having. tbs scow Tramp in tow. The soow’s boat picked up the men and bpyß, and conveyed them' to the breakwater. The Polo Tournament will be continued I to-day, commencing at noon. Waipori I play Maogabeia 11., and Marigabeia I. play Mangatu in the handicap cup, add Poverty Bay I and 11. moot in the senior oup competition. To morrow play will be commenced at 2 p.m;, when, the winners of the Poverty Bay matoh play Mangaheia I. for the senior cup. This should be a splendid game. Waipiro 11. play the winner of Waipiro I. and Mangaheia 11. '

Mr W. Mbbod, of the Auckland firm of. MoNab and Mason, monumental masons, has arrived'in Gisborne on business in connection with the proposed Captain Cook memorial.. The foundations of the monument will be started next week.. The monument itself will reach,Gisborne due: ing the next few weeks, and everything should beoompleted by the, end of April. The members of the Cook Odmmittee are invited to meet Mr Mason sit four o’clock this afternoon on the Ka'ti beaob, when the sits will be pegged eff and flagged. - Efforts will be made by the oommittee to have the beach rpad widened and portions of the beach re* served.

The Tolago Bay Lightering Company are in possession of . their hew lighter, which has been christened “ flauiti.” It is a most suitable boat for the trade and reflects great credit the builders, Messrs Logan Bros., of Auckland. The Hauti has twin screws, and a ten horse power oil engine, draws only two feet of water, and has a carrying capacity for 25 tons. The vessel is about the size of the old Snark, and much the same model. , It is pleasing to see the lightering trade of Tolago Bay so well catered for. The Uawa river is at present in a very bad state, and only vessels of a light draught can negotiate it.

An agreement is about to be .entered into between, the directors of the Uawa Dairy Company and some of the leaseholders, Messrs Shaw and Someryille, under which the flat land of the Mangaheia No. 2 block will be“cut up intoareas suitable for dairy farmers, 'tne Company on their part undertaking to put up a factory. Mr Carroll has also been urged to take immediate steps to get. the Government to cut up other properties in the district, including portions of one or two native blocks. It is to be hoped that settlers on the Coast will do their utmost to promote the dairying industry amongst them as it would be a great thing for their district.

A meeting of the Gisborne School Committee was held last evening in connection with the annual picnic. It was decided to hold the picnic on the Bth of March at the ’ Victoria Domain, commencing at' noon, • The children fall in at. the scoool, and will march to the ground in Jcompany with thoir teachers. Only children' with their teachers will; be admitted free. It was agreed to have a number of circulars drafted, asking parents to assist in any possible way. The pupils of St. Mary’s and Mangapapa schools are to be asked to attend with their teachers. The secretary was instructed to write to the City and Rifle Bands, asking them to kindly assist by attending. All necessary arrangements have been made for the catering, and also for procuring prizes. The Holiday Committee will be requested to extend the holiday from 12 o’clock. Messrs Wildish, Nield, and McKeagrie were appointed a committee to canvass for subscriptions.

At the Magistrate's Court yeeterdaj judgaunt by default was granted in the following : oivil oases : —James Whinray (Mr S oek) v Oharles C-rtton, olaim L 24 9i 71, costs L2 14s; Ju'ius A. A. Caesar (Mr Burke) v F.aok McDonald, olaim L 18.75, costs L2 4s 6J ; War. J. Heanessy (Mr Bright) v May Mo tin, claim L2 2s 61 and costs 10s ; Gee. Smith (Mr T. Alston Coleman) v Wm. Fox, claim L 3 10s, oosta 10s j Mary Aon Stevens (Mr Burke) v Chas. Lynch, claim LB 4s 9J, and costs LI 2?; same v Patrick Malone, claim L 7 14a 83, costs LI 5r 6J; same v. Henry Hyde, seD., claim L 4 11s 4d, and co.-ts 17s; Hallenstein Bros. (Mr Burke) v Robert Allen, claim L 3 13s, and oosts 10s ; same v Jas, Hislop, claim L2 sa, costs 10s; James Whinray v George Bank?', claim. L 6 7s, and oosts 9*. By consent, M. A. Stevens (Mr Bu kt) vJ. J. Cassidy, c’a ! m L 5 6s 9d, and co3ts LI 3s 6d. Judgment went by default in the cases John Topping (Mr Finn) v Wm. Oswald Skeet, claim L 34 18s 61, and costs L2 14?, and Rupert Fonlds (Mr Finn) v tame, olaim L 29 18s 3J, and costs L2 14s. Counsel for both plaintiffs applied for an o der under Beotion 10 of tfe Workmea’s Wages Ac 1 , 1903, which was granted.