The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE NOV. 17, 1906.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1935, 17 November 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE NOV. 17, 1906.

Those of our readers who have paid much attention to the leading columns of this journal will remembor some facts therein detailed of the methods employed by a band of political partisans in Marlborough who have been running a poultry farm under the pro tentious name of tho New Zealand Egglaying Competition Association, and raking in a handsome yearly dividend per favor of a State subsidy. Probably as a result of what we said about tho matter the Government has announced that it wiil no longer grant subsidies to such undertakings by allowing its poultry experts to put in their full time in managing the concerns whilo being paid by the State, and that it will m future conduct its experiments upon the State experimental farms. This decision lies brought consterna« tion into the ranks of .the would'be philanthropists who pretend to have invested their money in the business of the association with the high sound ing name for tho giod of the colony and tho pure edification of oil. other egg producers but themselves. It is a voiy great pity to destroy such philanthropy woioh, if res ! , is extremely rare; but wo have done tne mischief, and somehow wo have experienced no pangs of regret in divorcing a couple of hundred pounds a yenv of the public money from the pockets of those gentlemen into some more legi ~ timate channel. On receipt of the news that the annual subsidy was to be stopped, the President of tho Association convened a meeting from which the press was excluded; but the “Marlborough Express” secured a report of the proceedings, from which it appears that the Association is to deputationise the Minister for Agricul ture with a request that ho should s, take over tho ten acres of stony riverbed land iu its possession to be used as an experimental State farm. It has not transpired what price the Government is to be asked to pay for this miserable section of land with its hen coops; but, knowing the gentlemen behind the venture, wo can safely say that their political influence can drag the Government a long way over to their side as has often been done before. It is true that the President of the Association wes secretary of the Opposition candidate’s committee at the last election, but the candidate was hopelessly beaten and tho secretary never shed a tear. He tried hard to suppress his normal buoyancy of spirits, but political defeats of that nature could never destroy his bubb' ling merriment, flow could he feel sad when his colleagues of “ the clique ” were jubilating over iHe success of the Hon. C. H. Mills, whoso committee knew exactly what the other committee were up to, and were prepared for every move ? If tho Opposition had succeeded, too, there was no chance of tho Government finding a poultry expert freo of cost to ruu their competition, so thore was not much to rogrei in his defeat after all. Commenting on the present move the “ Express,” a paper that supportod the Government candidate, says, | ' “ There is just a possibility that tho project may bo poisoned at its source” (that is tho project to induce tho Government to obtain another farm in the district) “ if prompt steps are not taken to check the manoeuvres of a cortaia small clique. Those people have been making a most unworthy return for Government favors mists k* ingly granted to them in tho past, and now that they find that the supply of public money is to be cut off they want to unload their burden on the j Stato. . . The offer is to bo made in a ‘ patriotic spirit’ specially prepared for the occasion, and the Minis-, ter is to bo permitted to believe that ! the owners of the land will not think of taking for it a penny more than it cost them.” And the paper further expresses the hope “ that Mr McNa'o will not taka advantage of this outburst of generosity.” Well, that is fairly plain speaking for a Government organ ; and its admission that a “small clique ” has benefited in the past out of the public chest in return for political intriguing, whatever rosy have been its value, is an admission that one would hardiy expect :;rcm such a source. Yet it gives a very clear indication of the depths of degradation to which politics have sunk in this colony, and we know that it ha 3 not exagg

evatod tho position in the slightest ogroo. Tho “ Ijxprnsu,” howovor, hould not bo too outepokon, for it anuot havo forgotton tho fato of a orrnor editor in that town who was ootod out of tho district for having old 1110 plain truth about othor woakicsses of tho lato Government and for ofusing to bo dominated by memkors if this idontieal “small clique,” and hat, too, at tho holiest of a ruombor if tho Governruont. Wo aro aeonsomod to hour this country called a ‘ froo ” one, but those who use tho orui cannot bo awaro of tho difficulty )f tolling tho truth or tho penalties hat tho telling of it inflict upon thoso who attempt it. Vot it will bo told, rad we congratulate our contemporary j'i its pluck in thus oxposing ono of tiro little political businesses that havo made polities what they aro in this country. Too atoamor Squall arrived at Auckland at O.iKJ last evening. As thu Baptist Tabornuolo to-morrow the Rov. D. Parry will preach iu tbo morning on " A Noblo Ambition,” aud in sbo evening bis subject will bo “ The Greatest Inducomout to do tbo Host Importunt Tbing.” At tho County Council mooting yesterday Or H. ltauway auid that tbo rangor should puy u visit to tho YVeiinaia Valley, as l-io would goi a good haul. Straying o-Utlo and horses weco doing a good doal u( damage ulong Ibis read. Tbo U.S S. Co. report that tbo annua! Sounds txaurtiun n filling up rapidly, including quite a numbor <of local ie;icouts. Tnu local btanon roporta tbo fallowing loot! bookings ; Mr and Mrs J, G. Black, Mias H. M. Bsaok, Mibb B. It. Black, Mias 0. Muromuoo, Misa and Mrs dsymour, Mias Jabnsen, Mr and Mrs F. Putuilo. Tbo exoursiou loaves Dunedin on January ICtb,

At Invercargill yesterday four lads, aged nine to fourteen, were before the .Juvenile Court on charges which include the passing of countcriit coin, attempted arson (three instances), and breaking and into two residences. The lads have confessed.

Mr Young, business manager of Charles Vorner’s Irish Drama Company, arrives in Gisborne to-morrow to complete arrangements for a season of four nights in Gisborne, commencing on tlio 28rd inst.

The cold snap on the night of King’s Birthday proved disastrous ill the southern portion of this district, and sheep shorn on that day were carried oil in large numbers. Among tbo losses were : lUr Jefferson, Nuhaka, 1000; A, Richardson, Tarewa, 200 ; G, Ormond, Mahia, 000 j E. Mclntyre, of Morcre store, 200. Last week some farmers commenced hay-making on tlic plain, but thereafter wintry weailior sot iu, and tlio commencement of summer seemed more like winter,

Mr Howes, the well-known inspirational speaker and clairvoyant, returns to Gisborne this morning alter an absence of nearly two years; Ho gives his first lecture in Townley’s Hall to-morrow night, under the auspices of tho Gisborne Spiritualist Society.

Oonsidorablo preparation was undertaken by the Floral Fate Committae for the event postponed till to-day. Unless the weather dears remarkably it will 'bo impossible for the fete to be bald to-day, and tho question arises, what is to be done with tho provisions prepared by toe various helpers in autic'patioa ? Mr Coiioy has tuiggesicd, in case of disappointment, shat it Monday or Tuesday is fiao the children be taken to the Domain, together with as mauy cisizens us cau arrange to go, aud tbs children givoa a free treat aud afiornoon’s outing. On Monday evening tho Rev. D. Parry will give another of his inimitable delineations of '• Diokensoniaa characters,” the particular work aeleoied for exposition and polyphonic i!lus;raiion being “ The Old Curiosity Shop,” Mr Parry, who is an acknowledged paßt master in tho art of mimicry, wnl give iifa-iika imperaonaiioas ci Liitlu Nell and her grandfather, Dick Swivoilor, Qjilp tho dwarf, Samson, and Sally Brass, Godiin and Short, and otticr mirsh-pcovokiog characters identified with " The Old Curiosity Shop." Tnere should be a crowded house. A meeting of the Friendly Societies’ delegates was hold last evening to arrange details for the social to be tendered to Mr Alfred Rice so express appreciation of his sorvioes and sympathy bun in his recent affliction. All the lodges were well ropi'csomed, and Mr Wade was elected chairman. Tuo Foresters intimated that tm-y would provide a table of refreshments, und other lodges wili probably follow suit. A committee was appointed to arrange a programme, consisting of P. SchwaDe, T. Holdawortb, J. Balou, R. Crawford, aud tho President, Tne programme will include a concert, to 10 p m,, and a dance. It was decided to usk the Uity Band to assist, and the meoting adjourned till Tuosduy evening next. The secretary of tho Poverty Bay Cricket Association has received a letter from tho secretary of tho Motu Cricket Oiub applying for affiliation to tho Association, and asking shat throe matches be arranged against the Gisborno olubs on December 18, 14, and 15. This is the third oountry oiub to affiliate with the Association this season, and it is hoped tho Association will be Btiil further strengthened by other olubs joining. Last season in Deoember the Motu olnb paid a visit similar to that now anticipated, and local players will not have forgotten the splendid games by the representatives from the bruoing highlands. This season the Motu ia oven stronger than last season, and local men will havo to look to their laurels if they wish to avoid defeat. Too woather seems determined to spoil all efforts of the Floral Fete Committee and supporters to bring off a successful gathering. Last night tho aooiai organised by Me3srß A. Wade and H. Miller took piaao at His Majesty’s Theatre. Between 50 and 60 oougles were present, and a moat e; j lyublo time was spent. Tne floor was iu fcxoeffent condition, and the musio supplied by Miss Rath Moore was ail that could be desired. Tho programme conuisiei of 16 dances, and tho sooial concluded shortly after midnight. The M.C.’s woro Messrs M. Craig, O. Hansen, J. A. Harding, B. Johnston, and R. Miller. An excellent supper was provided, The promoters ?/ere well backed up by the Floral Feie 'Jomm.ttee, who did all they oauld so msko iha social a success. Owing to the weather interfering with tho attendance, it is feared that the returns will litilo more ih'.u'i oover expenses,

Messrs Euro and Ambridge, of the Economic, announce a special shipment of boys’ and men’s summer clothing. Linos are quoted that should uumoaiatuly arrest tfio attention. The Education Department advertise for an editor for a school journal. Tho salary is £4OO a year.

At both morning and evening services on Sunday at Wesley Church tho Sunday School Anniversary mu3ic wili be repeated. Rev. C. Griffin’s subject at evening service will bo “ A Grand Battle Cry.” A special announcement in regard to men's clothing is made to-day by Mr B, Robertson.

A business announcement from Messrs H. J. Poacocke and Go. (lata of Auckland) appears in our fadvertia ing columns. They aro offering their fust shipment of seasoned kauri fo the public at prices which they claim will defy competition.