The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, NOV. 16, 1906.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1934, 16 November 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, NOV. 16, 1906.

No one has a right to object to the free expression of opinion by anyone on UDy question that concerns the public interest and no one but a bigot will object to the free use of language even in mat’ers of doctrine, for it must bo recognised by nil sensiblo people that diversity of opinion must always exist in connection with religious belief, and that the odlv means of silencing people who hold strong opmiors on these things is to remove their tongues. Apart from the barbarity of that operation, it would not be either useful or wise to attempt to Biler.ce the expression of opinions with ■which one cannot agree. As a matter of fact tkero is always a distinct advantage to bo gained 10 the cause or truth and right thinking by wild expressions of opinion and unsupported assertion on the part of unthinking people who cannot take a sober view of things, or by those whoso extreme ono sidelines? impels them to adopt an exaggerated form of diction. This is so for the reason that contrasts in speech as in other things are fro quently necessary to display a correct conception of the reality. In that respect tho speech delivered by Dr Gibb on tho Bible-in-schools quo.tion a few days ago before the Presbyterian Assembly at Dunedin i - a distinct advantage to the causa of secular education. Dr Gibb never intended his words to have that effect; but his rabid enthusiasm in tho cause of denominationalism in our public schools can have no other effect upon the minds of those who have scanned his words with calmer vision. . When a clergyman quarrels with his own Church and accuses it of cant and insincerity his caso must be a hopeless one . indeed, and there is no plainer way of sayiDg that his Church as a whole does not approve of denominationalism, although it might have been said by even a Dr Gibb in a more polite way and with less offansivoness to his fellow religionists. Notwithstanding his enthusiasm he ought to have remembered that they, like himself, have the right to their opinions and that the clerical garb which he wears gives him no legal charter to browbeat them by the use of illconditioned words into adopting his opinions. But that is always the method of the argumentative person who has no better argument to employ on his side of the question, .and everyone but an unreasoning partisan would long ago have been convinced of tho futility of his task. But Dr Gibb is more of' a fighter than an expounder of Christian doctrine, as is evidenced by his attack upon his own people and his definition of our secular system of education that has secured almost unanimous approval for a third of a century as “ a pagan form of education. ’’ Such expressions are not creditable to a minister of the Gospel, who must know that there is not a tinge of paganism in the whole system, and the use of such an expression is not in strict accordance with truth. Yet wo impute to Or Gibb no des-ro to speak untruthfully, for the business of agifca tion in the cause of denominationalism has to .him become a second calling which justifies the use of any weapon In the days of tho second Kamssea there is said to have existed a usurous Jew named Tobit, wnoso business became to him a religion, and ha employed angels to collect his interest so that it should not be profaned by common hands. Dr Gibb also honestly believes that he has the angels on Bis side in this agitation to kavo the Bibio taught in our schools by the teachers i of the State, and he now. openly | suggests that his co-religionists are not angels because they will not support him. “Surely,” ho says, “it could not be that the Church of Christ was going to let this thiug go by default,” but Dr Gibb is so oblivious of the real position that he does not ! appear to know that the Churches have lei it go by default for three decades almost, and that the opportunity to teach religion in the schools which the present Act permits has never been availed of to any extent. Some years ago in Nelson the school committee set apart the half-hour permitted by law for that purpose, and. a separate room was apportioned to the use of the Sunday school teachers and ministers who desired to givo such instruction. Tho children attended voluntarily, and the head teacher informed the writer that the children often sat there until time was up without a minister or instructor putting in an appearance, so the plan was discontinued. In the face of that fact who can say that the lack of religious education is the fault

of tlio system or of the law that governs it i ' Indeed wo aro not awaro that I)r Gibb himself luia over t-ri-ul (hat plan, and, it ho, why not, it ho is blunting with anxiety to have hi« religion tnoro widoly dissonai'intod in tho minds of the young '! Tim fast is, howovor, that neither Jm nor tho fow otliors who aro agitating for pure dunomiuafionaiism dosiro to havo the work cast upon their own hands. They want it duiuj by proxy withoiß troubling thorn, arul ynfc ho concludes bin impassioned njqotil to tho Astiombly by saying that “ tiio ist-ato must allord ininistnra a real oppoitunity of going into the schools ami teaching the children tho Word of God,” to which wo may truthfully reply that ministers evidently don’t want to go in o tho schools for that purpose, uud it is m» business of tho State to compel, thorn to do so any moro tiiau it is to iustruc! tho touchers to impart inshi tuition of that class in a way that tho teachers could not conscientiously approve • but tho doors, as far as tho ministers aro concerned, cannot bo opened widor.

Tho County Council moots to day. The postponed 11 >ral fete, which was to havo taken place yostorday, was again put off owiug to the wet weather, iho conunitteo decided to hold it tomorrow afternoon if tho woathor permits.

Tho wot weather provontod a commencement being made yesterday in tho loading of tho steamer Turakina, but it was exprcted that operations would bo comuioncod early this moming.

Mr BartoD, S.M., is expected to return from Wairoa to night or to-mor-row morning, Mr Basil Jones contests the Hasting’s Borough Council seat with Mr A. A. George, who was unseated in consequence of the recent libel action. There are only tho two candidates, and the election takes place on Monday next.

Mr J. W. Hording, of Raukawa, To Auto, writes to the Hawke’s Bay Herald: —The following shearing record for nine shearers on Tuesday last may be of interest to your readers ; Baihauia 332, Kaianga 273, Srniler 278, iiarmor 2G7, Gisborne 251, Tubi 27G, George 239, Bill 233, Cooper 245 ; total, 2391. Average per man, 226. Jhe time woiked was the usual shearing day of nine hours, that is, from 5 a.m. to 5 p m , with three hours off for meals and smoke oh ! ”

A Waipawa syndicate have purchased the G9O acres lately leased by Mr Logan and the property of the late :: r Purves Russell, Waipukurau. The syndicate intend to cut the land up for settlement purposes.

A contractor named Jack Anderson, of Norsswood, who is working on Messrs Ratkbone’a Tourere station, Hawko’s Bay, met with a serious accident on Monday. While falling some bush, his axe caught iu a vine, and glanced off on to the left arm, severing the artery near the biceps Much blood was lost, but his mates managed to stop the bleeding, and took him to Mr Geddes’ hotel, at Makotuku, where he was attended by Dr Zimpel. On the following day ha went to tho Uannevirke Hospital. There aro some self-reliant people down Waipukurau way. The correspondent of tho H.B. Herald reports that at a meeting of the Road Board a lotter was received from James Harvey, stating that as tho Waipawa Coituty Council had refused to contribute towards tho cost of the Ngatiape extension road, Mr Rathbone and him self would make up the extra £2OO required.

Gordon Ohritensen, a throe-year-old child, son of Mr and Mrs Christensen, residents of Matamau, near Danuevirke, died at half past 10 o’clock on Friday night, as a result of burns received in the morning, it appears that the father left for his work at 6 a.m. on Friday, leaving the child playing about in a flannelette nightdress. The mother put an egg in a saucepan on the lire for tho child after tho father loft, but had occasion to go outside. She heard screams, ran back and found the child enveloped in flames. Dr Macallan did all that was possible, but the child succumbed to tho terrible burns received.

There was joy at Woodville on the

night of King’s Birthday : “ About half-past nine at night the sound of the band playing a lively match made people listen all over the place, and then it dawned on them that the rifle company’s team had brought home the Coleman Shield from Waipawa, and the townsfolk turned out to cheer them. The members of the corps are in high glee at their win, and the town is very proud of it, and also of Sergeant .Nicholson’s winning the champion belt. It was eight years on Saturday since they brought it home before, and on that day Colonel Stevenson, who then commanded the company, was presented with a little sou, who was called Coleman in honor of the event.”

In the civil list yesterday in the Magistrate’s Court a number of oases were adjourned. In the ease A. H. Giilman (Mr He ) ogatas! Honaro Ksrokors, there being a:j appearance of defendant verdie! was giveu for amount claimed £5 6j 33, tcgurher wUh £1 16i 6d costs. Three judgment summonses were Bet down, but being out of jurisdiction of Justices, wore postponed.

Before Captain Tucker and Mr W, Akroyd, J.s’P., yesterday, application to take evidence in the case of Daniel Stewart v. Charles Alexander Frazer, claim of i;8 15s incurred at Balclutha was heard. Defendant Frazer, who is a carpenter, said lie had some dealings with plantiff, Stewart about twenty-three years ago, but nothing since. About eight years ago when he left tho other Island ho received a claim for T 8 upon an order held by plaintiff which ho (defendant) was supposed to have signed. The signature on

the order was not his, and he had understood that plaintiff Stewart had refused to accept same on being informed that tho order was not signed by defendant. This money Stewart was now suing him for. Defendant was allowed 13s costs, and tho Bench advised defendant that it was open for him to take advantage of tho statute of limitations, and put at end to tho matter,

A record run of 10 hours from Westport to Wellington was accomplished on Saturday morning by the Union Company’s steamer Arahura. Bad weather on the west eoaot necessitated the delay of the Arahura, and it was decided to despatch the vessel direct from Westport to Wellington to pick up her time-table running. The vessel left Westport at 3 pm, on Friday, and arrived at Wellington at 7 a.m. on Saturday, although not expected to put in an appearance till about 10 a.in. Southwesterly winds wore experienced to Farewell Spit, thence strong south-easterly winds till arrival.

LvA wink throe occupants of a yacht had a v.iiy unpleasant experience (writes tha N.Z. H- raid's K ttikasi correspondent), Mr J, Carter, accompanied by hia brother Beit c and a Mr Burns, left tho Talisman Hotel far the Ka.ikaii Domain, at the bead’. It was blowing a 6iiff brorza from the west, and tho tide was running out at the heads with soma 40ft of water, Tho occupants of she yacht unfortunately took tho cut‘r channel, and bitiveon the wind and tha tide were in danger of bring ear iod out to eco. However, to prevent this, they taa the yacht diagonally across the pairance, landing hot on the recks under tha beads as a place to which there is access from tho shore, and they escaped with nothirg worse then a good wetting, , hough the yacht was stove in,

Wlio’h tho Jonah ? Everybody wants to know. The Floral Koto committee evidently think tho name was at fault, so they have altered it to tho Floral Carnival It is hoped the Carnival will have boltor luck than the Fete.

There wero no police cases at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, or Wednesday. A- civil ease occupied the Court tho whole of yesterday morning, before Captain Tucker and Mr. W. Akroyd, J.’sP. Tho dispute was about an antediluvian shed, originally standing over tho boundary of two sections, which one of tho witnesses said had “evidently seen Noah.” Later on the Ueuch introduced Samson, who “ might have shoved tho shed over.” Altogether nine persons were engaged in “ pulling the shed to pieces” for about two hours in the Court, not to speak of two Justices, two pressmen, and two officers of the Court —in all 15 people, One witness said he would not have the shed ns a gift. The result was a X'l verdict and some bricks to he returned or another ill, besides x2 Ms costs.

Yesterday’s forecast: “ Mixing winds to gale from between north-east and north and west; glass will fail soon ; tides good ; sea moderate; rain probable.’’—Captain Edwin.

A correspondent writing to tho Wellington “ I’ost ” says : The late Mr Seddon used to say, ‘ Keep the cradles lull, but he never had to keep a family on 8s a day. There is a row of seven old soven roomed houses in this city all occupied by working men who have lately received notice to pay XI a week for thorn, Four years ago the rent was IBs a week;- How is a working man going to keep a family on the 28s which ho would have left (supposing he is getting X2 8s a week) after paying tho rent V ”

An enormous shark was recently captured by the natives at Tehaka, Bay of Plenty, after a desperate light. The natives, who were engaged in towing into the bay a whale they had captured, found the shark following them and making great efforts to get at the whale. Finding tho shark getting into very close proximity to the boats, a harpoon was thrown, which fastened into the spark’s side. When the “ iron ” was felt by the great fish he made a tremendous effort with his jaws to rid himself of.the trouble, but without avail. The boats, then made common cause and surrounded the shark, and after a most exciting light, during which the whale spears were brought into requisition, the monster was Idled and landed on the beach. Tho contest had lasted nearly two hours. Tho shark when measured on the beach was-32ft long, and the teeth varied from Bin long, 2.jin wide, down to a small sixo, all being of the iiat type, with a saw edge.

The Floral Carnival has been postponed to Saturday. Tho Cricket Association have once more come forward most generously to the help of the School Committee and placed the Domain at their disposal, postponing the match, Wanderers v. United.

The Gisborne visitors to Wairoa this week, including tlie worthy S.M., had the pleasure of attending a striking dramatic performance, “ Hand in Giove,” by the enthusiastic amateurs. The visitors were astonished at the dramatic talent possessed in Wairoa, and will long remember the occasion.

A number of eases for non-attendance of children at school were brought before Mr Barton, S.M., at Wairoa this week. It was agreed that the case against James Finueane should be taken as a test. Defendant was lined os and costs, and given such a stern lecture from the Bench as to the injustice done to children through such parental neglect that it should be a warning to all parents in the Wairoa district who do not see that their children go to school regularly.

Mr J. G. Wilson, President of the Farmers’ Union, has addressed a circular to all branches appealing for helpors to take the platform in opposition to the Ministerial campaign on the Laud Bill, and pointing out that much of the talk in favor of the Bill will be done at the public expense, while the Union in opposing it will have to pay the whole expense of so doing. The Union is, therefore, open to receive monetary assistance to defray this expense, and the Advisory Board will direct the campaign, so that the public may hoar both sides of the question. The circular expresses tho belief that i£ that is properly done tho result need not be feared.

At the Poverty Bay Cricket Association meeting last night it was decided to grant the Moral Fete committee the use of the Victoria Domain on Saturday afternoon next. The granting of the use of the ground was not carried without opposition, members of the association pointing out that it will be impossible to adaere to their programme if any Saturdays are given up, but they fully recognised the bad luck the Floral Fete committee had had met with in getting impossible weather for their previous fixtures on the 9th and 16th. Any further applications to tho Cricket Association of a similar nature would be refused,

Mr E. J. Clirisp, Miss Clirisp, and Mr Gaudin returned from Wairoa last night after a drive through heavy rain, The party report having experienced heavy weather sixteen miles from Gisborne, and that considerable mortality' has been caused among sheep. It is stated that in one portion of the district of twelve thousand sheep fully two thousand have died.

Mails for Napier, Wellington, and South per Turakina close at 4 p.m. tosday.

It is the intention of a party of Councillors and oitizsns to visit the waterworks at Te Arai next Sunday if the weather permits.

Messrs W. Webb and Son, builders, announce elsewhere that they are prepared to ereot cottages or buildings in briok at exactly the same bjßt as for wooden structures. The firm’s argument for brick is that it is fire-proof, dampproof, oooler in summer, warmer in winter, and everlasting in wear. Estimates are given gratis, and they claim their work from an artistic and architectural point of view is of unusually high standard. Those who favor briok buildings would do well to consult Messrs Webb and Son,

Tho executive of the Poverty Bay distriot branoh of the Farmers’ Union have telegraphed ooodoleuoes to the widow of the late Mr Ktrkbride, M.H.R., who was first president of the Auckland branch of tho Union, and always took an active interest iu-its work.

A number of sympathisers with the Fioral Fuse Committee arc organising a dii’jeo far to-night in His Majesty’s Theatre in their aid. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns.

Among tho' oases brought before Mr Burton at Wairoa thi- week Was one against a youth who had taken possession of a bicycle, va.uod at £l7 10.-. Tue youth, in seeking to excuse himself, told u remarkable tale, in whtca two matewere mixed up as abe tors or culprits lu chief. With a mats he had gone to the races; they s»w aud admired tha bicycle. “ My mote,” explained tho saiart-lookmg youth, 11 said tuko iho bicycle, but I said no, or we would get into trouble.” “ Yes,

you have gas into trouble all right,” eaia the Magistrate, for the bicycle had been takm all tho same. The youth aud his male went to Walt sremoana, but craftily left the bioyclo somewhere else. They scut another mate to get the property, end ho brought it on to Waikaremoaoa. Mate No. 1 went ell to PulmoratoD, and in the meantime he began to got norvous, foariDg ho would get iDto trouble over the matter. To allay such anxiety his mate Bent him a file, teiliDg him to file the number out, and that would be all right, because ha bad done tho same thing himrolf in Wanganui. Accused did file the number out, bus got into the hands of the polios just the same. His Worship remanded accused for the probatioo officer’s report. •* I havo never been in a Court before in my life,” drimatioally declared the oovetous eyo’isS. At the Baptist Tabernacle on Mono’ay night tho Rev. D. Parry will give a delineation of D okeos’ celebrated story 11 The Old Curiosity Shop.” This should prove a great attraction, Mr Parry being an entertainer of exceptional ability,