The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2000, 8 February 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1907.

It would seem as though a determined attempt is to be made by tlie Campbell-Bannerman Administration to reform the House of Lords, and if that is so wo may expect some interesting situations to occur for which there will bo no parallel in the History of the British Constitution. It will be a bold move if it is undertaken, for ever.vono knows the tenacity with which the poimlation England cling-,’ to the ancient traditions c* tJiat counfry ’ a ! ld llo ' v pr ®' cedents have > timc tmd I}S “S C gal : vanised themselves semi-aacred law, and traditions have becof.' lo breakable gospels, while the “glorious and free” Constitution of the country has been crystallised in the hearts and thoughts of the people into a sparkling diadem representing purity, liberty, and justice, and always adolescent though hoary with age —always shedding its benign influence upon the people, yet still imperishable and undiminislied. Imagine then the horror of those who still cherish these thoughts when it is proposed to pluck from that diadem the one radiant gem that is supposed to have been set there to represent the continuity of honor and to guard the stability of the Constitution itself, and say if you will that to attack it is not a bold step indeed. But will the step be taken ? Possibly it will in the distant future; but not immediately because to attempt it now would he to court certain failure of the attempt, and the indications that it will be taken at all are gathered from inference rather than from aii3’ direct official statement on the point by Cabinet Ministers. True, the Member for South Shields, Sr. Y. S. Robson, has openly advocated “a strong non-kereditary element in the House of Lords,” and Lord Newton, we are told, “is drafting a Bill to include ex-Ministers and others who have served the State,” and to make provision for “the election of a number of Peers by delegation similar to Scottish and Irish Peers.” This step in itself, supposing that the intended reform goes no further, means

a tremendous departure Irom existing customs that have boon in vogue since tho days of llonry VI., and woro inaugurated ns fur back as tho time of Edward 111., for it was during that time that tho hereditary rights woro established and the several grades of Poors, such as Barons, Earls, Viscounts, Dukes, and Marquesses were created. To upset all this now by a simplo Bill doing away with tho hereditary principle, and conferring tho high honor upon men who have “earned their spurs” (so to speak), in opposition to tho enormous infliionco, intorests, and prejudices that have grown up during all tlicso continues and accununulatod into a fixed system, is a task that seoms almost impossible of attainment. And yet, when wo eomo to consider the powers opposed to its continuance when once the country becomes convinced of its necessity or a<jvisabloness, it does not seem milch a Inigo task aftor all; but tho whole success of the proposal depends upon tho fooling of tho country, and wo have seen no pronounced indication yot that would lead to the supposition that tho country as a whole would support it. However, when tho attempt is made British politics wilt lmvo become more interesting for the Colonial reader than over they have been before, and the event will be waited with more than passing concern.

Tondors are invited for the purchase of a splendid building site on Kaiti. Mr. J. G. Cox, dental surgeon, announces that be lias removed to promises over Teat and Friar’s buildings. . A horse, with saddle and bridle on, was found straying on tho Ivaiti road last night, and the ownor is notified by advertisement. Yesterday, at the Gisborne Racing Club’s meeting, a petition to tile House of Representatives in favor of tho tbtalisator, received many, signatures.l Four inebriates wore lodged in the police cells last night. One will be charged to-day with refusing to leave licensed promises yesterday afternoon. Mr. A. T. Ngata, M.H.R., will probably arrive in Gisborne tomorrow on bis way South, to take his place on tho Native Land Commission.

Another Hangaroa property has been disposed of. Mr. Veitcli, lato of Nuliaka, having purchased Mr. Garcia’s property through the agency of Mr. Lissant Clayton. Mr. T. E. Donne, Superintendent of tho Tourist and Health Resorts Department, is visiting this neighborhood for the purpose of inspecting a suggested route to the Lakes and Rotorua by the opening up of tlio Haugaroa-Waikaremoana road. A very unfortunate and painful accident occurred on January 28th at Samabula, Fiji, to a little girl two years of age, the daughter of Mr and Mrs G. Muno, whereby the child lost an eye. Ail Indian servant charged an ordinary bottle with soda and acid, and shook it in front of the child, with the result, that the bottle exploded in the child’s face, and part of the glass, besides cutting her i'aeo severely, destroyed an eye.

The Indian immigrant steamer Fazilka arrived at Suva from Calcutta on January 29 with 888 coolie passengers. During the voyage four births and nine deaths (eight males and one female) took placo. The captain reports that on January 24, while off tho north of Now Caledonia, the Fazilka encountered a severe hurricane. Two boats and all the awnings and gear 'wore blown away. The lowest reading of the glass was 29.50. Tho Wellington Free Lance thus describes one of our Legislative Councillors: —“Of the other appointees, Captain Tucker, of Gisborne, lias a striking personality. He is long and spare, and a pair of hawk-like eyes look out over a prominent nose and clipped white beard, from under a broad-brimmed felt liat or, perhaps, an old Panama. He is active, debonair, and picturesque, despite his white liair, knows tlie Maori right through, an cl is one of Gisborne’s leading citizens.”

Some sensation was occasioned prior to the opening of the Supreme Court sessions at Auckland by three or four excited ladies, wllo had evidently been awaiting the arrival of one of the persons committed tor trial. When lie appeared on the scene they immediately assailed him, and commenced to very frankly tell him their, opinion of him, and the opinion was not tho best ill the world. Tho man surveyed them for a moment or so, and then fainted, and dropped on one of the grass plots. When lie was brought round, the ladies were kept at a safe distance. •

The Auckland Herald’s Whangarei correspondent telegraphed : A young man named Allwood had a narrow escape from drowning in tho harbor a day or two ago. Ho was sailing a 16ft open boat when a heavy squall struck the craft, and heeling her over, tho boat capsizing before Allwood had time to slack away the main sheet. Fortunately he managed to grasp the keel and hang on. although buffeted about by tho heavy seas raised by a strong southeasterly wind. Allwood was in the water over half an hour before being sighted by the occupants of tho launch Rita. The Rita went fullspeed to the rescue, but by the time the crew picked Allwood up he was in a benumbed and exhausted condition, and it is questionable whether he would havo been able to hold on much longer

According to the New York Sun, the possibility of international trouble arising from smuggling through the air is now being discussed in London. It is, contended that there is nothing to prevent smugglers in future from using aeroplanes and other flying machines for the purpose of evading customs officers except by establishing a service” of preventive fliers ,which would catch offenders on the wing. This opens exciting prospects for the adventurous. The existing anti-smuggling laws ol Great Britain at any rate are so worded that they would confer on customs officers the power to challenge, chase, and search such machines and seize any. dutiable goods as well as the machines and the persons engaged in air smuggling. It is pointed out that, taking everything into consideration, such contraband trade would necessarily be on a large scale and would induce many to take the risk of consequences. After jurors had been sworn in at the Supreme Court at Auckland, there was the usual batch of those who preferred different forms of the oath, and one very scrupulous individual caused some interest bv refusing to take the form of oath which included the words “Our Sovereign Lord-the King.” - This objection had never been hoard of before, and ushers were sent flying for musty tomes which might contain a precedent. The learned Judge gravely studied the books, then the Court crier’s much-used copy of the different forms, and lately the conscientious juror, who blushed a little at the scrutiny of all eyes, but remained jimp, aiid then, just when every- • --l« expected to see the juror com- , 1 under nil sorts of pains and mantled, tr ; ih} yitli the time penalties, not +.] le of the Court, the .luu B SOl.Veu - difficulty by smilingly 1 - omission of the word “Lord,” and thus the oath read “Our Sovereign the King.” That pleased the juror, and everyone was satisfied.

A little girl of twelve, giving the the name of Hazel Agnes Roberts, provided a conundrum for the Auckland police. She was found sleeping in a ferry boat, and given shelter in the jiolice station: Efforts were made to ascertain her parents, hut nearly a week lias passed without information from anyone who know.*, the child. Slio gave the name of Mrs Ruff, as an aunt, who lived at Devonport, and also said that she was known to a Mrs Rivers of Grey street. These persons, if they exist, could not he found by the police, who doubted the story of the girl, which pa ns that she came over from Sydney nine months ago, and, had been living with tlie ladies mentioned, her father, whom she said lived in Wailii, paying os per week for her maintenance. The girl has now been restored to the bosom of her family. It appears that she left lier home in Wellington street, in consequence of a threatened whipping for some childish folly, knd being afraid to return, related all sorts of fairy stories to the ponce. -Lne police at last, in desperation, sought publicity in the press, and tlie paragraph catching the eye of the girl 3 father, he called at the police station that afternoon and took her home. The foundation of lifelong dl-lic-aith may bo laid for J'oung girls by. failure to keep tlieir health and stiength up to normal. Stearns Wine is best for them because it- is n true tonic.—Advt.