The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2003, 12 February 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1907.

The results of tho Harbor Board election to hand at time of writing, though not complete, leave no doubt of the return of tho two candidates pledged to support the outer harbor scheme being placed before the ratepayers in tho form of a proposal at ; tho earliest date. This was what we j anticipated, and it shows without any room for doubt that an overwhelming majority of the ratepayers throughout the length and breadth of the harbor district arc getting tired of tho obsolete shipping facilities that are provided at) this port, and arc in favor of a more comprehensive and up-to-date scheme being put in hand. For this reason we are more than pleased at the result; but at the same time we most deeply regret the defeat of Mr. Gray, who, we feel certain, would have turned this defeat into ,a victory if he had even at the last moment expressed his willingness to have the outer harbor scheme placed before the ratepayers. This would have submitted him to no reproach for inconsistency, because be had already intimated that he was in favor of the scheme if it could he shown that it could be carried out without adding further burdens to the ratepayers and users of the harbor, and lie would have suffered no loss of prestige if lie had simply added to that statement that he was willing to allow the ratepayers to decide that question for themselves. [-1 is defeat, therefore, is due merely ±o tho error of not having thus far taken tho ratepayers into his confidence, for we have been assured by many of them that tlieir sympathies, like our own, were with him personally, end their votes would have been on bis side also if lie had done what we have suggested. However, the voting, as wo have said, gives the new Board the very clearest indication as to its future attitude in regard to the outer harbor, for it 1 is not reasonable to think that the election was fought and won on personal grounds at all. Xf it had been ;-]ie result would not have been what it is/' and tlio clear cut issue before tho ratepayers was the one consideration. The country settlers have come to realise that the time has come when in the interests of the district and themselves individually, it is necessary to do something to improve oifr shipping facilities, and their mandate of yesterday leaves no

room for tlio opinion that they are any longer satisfied -with the idea that a serviceable harbor can be constructed within tho river hank's, or that the trade of the district can best be served by a mosquito Hoot and a lighter sorvico so long as it is possible to construct a safe harbor in closo proximity to tho town. That being so, the now Board need not hesitate to proceed with the legal preliminaries in putting tho definite proposals before the ratepayers, and asking tlioir sanction to tho first necessary loan for tho construction ol the ontor harbor. When that question comes te be discussed (and it cannot of course bo done until after Parliament has sanctioned the proceedings by special legislation) no very great difficulty need be anticipated in being in a position to place such facts and figures boforo those who take mi ultra careful view ol tho question that the harbor can be constructed without financial loss to those who have to hear the burden ol its primary cost. Meantime the Board have other considerations to attend to in their treatment of the imfer harbor, and any proposal to spend a solitary “colonial robert” upon „it) that is not necessary to keep it in its present state of repair should be most strenuously opposed. Gisborne and its surrounding country does not require two harbors, nor do the ratepayers want to bo saddled with tho cost of tho construction of ail inner harbor if an outer one is to he proceeded with. All that tho Board will be justified in doing, therefore, with the river port will be to maintain its fullest efficiency with the least possible expenditure until the ratepayers reject the larger scheme (if such a thing should happen) or tho work of construction on the beach is sufficiently advanced to draw the trade from the fiver. AV it'll that end in view, all that is necessary is to dredge alongside tho present wlmrf tot he bridge for extra wharf accommodation, and such other places ns aro necessary; but tV> think of building further wharves on the Kaiti side is unpardonable in the face of yesterday’s vote. Indeed, the very suggestion of such a thing is either an admission of doubt that tho outer scheme will over be successful, or, what is w r orso, that the Board does not really intend to proceed with the outer scheme at all. Although the four elected members have made the construction of tho Kaiti wharf part of their programme it is difficult to understand the reasons they have given for it, viz., “to conserve the Board’s funds for an outer harbor” and to reclaim land suitable for a depot in connection with tho same work ; but in neither case can a connection lie established. How it is possible to assume that unnecessary expenditure can mean conservation of funds is tho problem which will require some explanation, and as to the reclamation for depot stores, it will bo at onco scon that the Engineer’s report completely upsets that view, for the stores if built at all will be built upon the beach in close proximity to the harbor or upon the Board’s five-acre plot on the other side of the river beside the railway line. In any case, tho thing should not bo thought of at the present stage, and if the Board as a whole is desirous of showing its sincerity about conserving the funds it will let this matter rest where it is for a while.

The Charitable Aid Board meets at 7 to-night. The monthly meeting of the Hospital Trustees will be held at the Hospital to-night. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council will be held at 7.30 this evening. Tenders are invited by the Borough Council for redecking a portion of Tarulieru bridge. Tenders close at noon on the 19th inst. Tenders arc invited for the purchase of the fine suburban property of Mr Edward Ling, Ormond road, AA r hataupoko. The property contains 3 roods 11 perches, subdivided into three sections. Tenders close on the 20th February at the office of Mr Clias. Busckc, Good’s buildings. Mr. Geoffrey Maclean, manager of Bloomfield Bros., Te Hau-o-te-Atua, advertises for sale 22 year-old Hereford bulls, 74 0-tooth Lincoln rams (bred bv Messrs Hugh Campbell and Tanner j Hawke’s Bay); also 2000 cull lambs and 500 cull ewes.

At tho conclusion of tho business at the meeting of the Loyal Gisborne Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., last evening, tho visiting members from various lodges entertained tho members of tho local lodge at a social evening. Songs wore rendered by Bros. Chisholm, Hill, and Kershaw, and recitations by Bros. Sim, Hynes, and Smith. Mrs Scliwabe gave every satisfaction as accompanist and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for her services. In thanking the visitors on behalf of the local members, Bro. Ambridgo said that it was an occasion unique in the history ol the lodge that the visitors were in sufficient force to provide such a pleasing entertainment. Refreshments were handed round during the evening. Bro. Stanton, who organised the proceedings, is to be congratulated on the success attending his efforts. A really enjoyable evenin" was brought to a closo by tile singing of “Auld Lang Sync.

A tho Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. G. Matthcwson and V. Pike Florence Barnes, a well-dress-ed woman, was charged with being drunk in Lowo street, and she was also charged with being a rogue and a vagabond. The police evidence was tliat°tlio accused was going about drinking, sleeping out, and leading an immoral life. There were previous convictions against her. bhe asked permission to bo sworn, in order to give evidence in her own behalf. This privilege was granted her, and s'ic slated i-hat she cams to Gisboiim on Wednesday, with £4 10s 9d in her pocket. She was followed by mon, who caused her grcikt annoyance. In reply to questions by tho police, the accused said she did not remember being at the Catholic Church and being a nuisance there, bhe had some drink. She was extremely nervous. and a little drink ovei cainc her. She had worked for her living at Napier, and since coming to Gishomo siio went to look sifter si place. It was not true that she was then in a state of delirium tremens. Mr. Matthcwson said the case was a painful one. They wished to protect licr from herself. " On tho charge of drunkenness she was convicted and discharged. Oh the second charge she was convicted, and would be sent to gaol for five weeks with hard labor. If she would take his (Mr. Matthcwson’s) advice when she came out or prison she would apply for a prohibition order against herself.

Local cricketers are looking eagerly forward to the match, Hawke’s Bay v. M.C.C., which takes place shortly at Napier. In previous matches against the English cricketers, Hawke’s Bay has strengthened its team by including the pick of the local players. The local selection to suggest the names of players worthy of representing the district against the Englishmen, and their task will by no means be an easy one. A great number of new players has donned the flannels this sea-, son, and there has been a marked improvement in all departments of the game. In picking a representative eleven, the selectors would leave a second eleven of almost equal merit. The task of picking five or six of the best players, although not so onerous, is an unenviable one, and the selectors would do well to look into the averages of the players before making their final selection. The following players have strong claims for inclusion-V\. Gibson, H. Robinson, It. Or. Halkimore and Campbell (Motu). Hie first two are a fine opening pan* of batsmen. Gibson is steady with a splendid defence, while Robinson is a fine, free, forceful player. He has good defence, and plays y’cll all round the wicket, being particularly strong on the leg. Hallamore is one of the finest wicket-keepers Hawke s Bay has turned out ,and is a good scoring batsman. Campbell is a bowler of more than average merit, and a good bat and field. Gibson is a splendid out field,, and Robinson in any part of the field is a brilliant man. Other players who have claims on the selectors are:—J. '* ack, H. Sharp, Dr. Collins, Gorman, 0 Kara, and Cato. Any one of the above players is well worthy of upholding the honor of his Association, whether playing against an English eleven. or in an inter - Association match,

Yesterday morning Mr. Barton, S.M., loft Gisborne to'hold a court ut AVairoa. Sergeant AVilliams, whose condition of health has boon very serious, took n turn for tho hotter last niglit. Mr. Alfred East, soil of Mr. Janies East, lias gained the .D. certificate at AVollington Victoria College.

The adjourned mooting of tho Harbor Board, to further consider the report of the Tariff Revision Committee will bo held at 2 p.m. to-day. About 260 cords of firewood is offered for sale by tender. Tho wood is at Mr .J. A. Caesar’s Riverside property. Particulars may bo obtained from Williams and Kettle, Ltd. A meeting of tho committee of the Gisborne Debating Society was bold last evening, when it was arranged to inaugurate tho real business of -the Society by a conversazione to bo held in the Masonic Hall, Childers road, on Thursday, March 7th. A first-class musical programme is assured, and a sub-committee was set up to arrange for refreshments. Tho attendance is to bo limited to members and their friends, each member being entitled to two complimentary tickets. The reports of subcommittees gave every promise most successful gathering, and six new members were elected, •bringing the roll up to forty-one. At tho ceremony of opening tho Gisborne Times now premises, special reference was made by the Hon. Capt. Tucker to tho initiation of journalism in Gisborne by Mr. H. E. Webb, and a toast to that gentleman and family was proposed by Mr. G. Elliot and duly honored. In response thereto, the following letter has been received by Captain Tucker from Mr. H. E. AVebb, Sydney:—“l am pleased to find that I have some friends, and well-meaning strangers to me, ill Gisborne. To one or more of these I am indebted for a 24th December last copy of its Tunis newspaper, containing report of another stago in its advancement, and, I trust, prosperity. AA’liat moves my pen now is tho reading of that report; and, inter alia, reference, during festivities, to myself and family, in connection with the founding of the Press estate_ in the now very prosperous province of Poverty Bay. The complimentary terms employed, and tho very generous feeling prompting them—more especially by yourself—urge mo to acknowledge both as promptly and warmly as time and circumstance will permit, and gratitude demand. Please convey to Mr. Elliot firstly —of course quite a stranger to me—our united thanks for tho toast proposed ; and, secondly, on tho most convenient occasion, our duo appreciation of the felicitous manner vouchsafed to its reception. To yourself, my “boys” (two only now left to me) join with me in more warmly; acknowledging the compli,) incut embodied in so spontaneous a resurrection—minus a crucifixion—of a past, during tho short but eventful years of which we had many proofs of your genial good wishes and timely.—though unnoticed—assistance. AVo are exceedingly pleased to hear of the progress and prosperity of your town and district; and wo trust that your own good fortune will keep pace with, or go ahead of, both. AVo also congratulate you on your political elevation to the “House of Lords,” and lot. me personally boar testimony to the fact; of the appointment being one calculated to bring credit on all concerned. AJ’ith many good wishes for a continuity of good things to you all.”