PERSONAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2029, 14 March 1907, Page 2

PERSONAL

Mr. Barton, S.M., is expected back in Gisborne from his trip up the coast on Saturday. Judge Jones leaves for Cambridge by the northern steamer on Saturday morning, to bold a sitting of the Native Appellate Court, in conjunction with Judge Rawson, tho subject of enquiry being the now famous Maungntautnri block, which lias been tlio subject of dispute for a great many years, and which has been referred to tlio Appellate Court by a special Act of Parliament. The first two boys from Poverty Bay to join the training ship Amakcura (John Campbell, of Gistorne, and R. Holden, of Tolaga'Bay), proceeded south by the Wimmera last niglit.

Mr. G. AV. Moricc, wlio left yesterday morning for "Wellington, to continue his studies at Victoria College, was tendered a farewell “social” in -oi Amirenn'-omiuay- Bctiool by the members of St. Andrews’ Christian Endeavour Society. Presentations were also made on behalf of the Society and the Y.M.C.A. Sir Robert Stout and Mr. A. T. Ngata, M.11.R., left for Napier by the AVimmera last evening. The Hon. C. DeTrafford, captain of the M.C.C. cricket team, leaves New Zealand to-morrow for Japan (via Australia) where he and Lady De Trafford will spend a fortnight, on route for. England. Mr. and Mrs. T. AA r . Leys and Miss Leys, who have left Auckland on an extended visit to Europe, join the Tongariro at Wellington and proceed to London direct. Before leaving Auckland Mr. Leys was entortained at dinner by the members of the literary staff of the Star. The London correspondent of the N.Z. Herald, under date February 1, has the following items of interest:— Mr? Gilruth has returned from Scotland, Ho has been visiting Smithfield and other leading markets, but in a few days’ time he will go over to Paris, where, at the Pasteur Institute, ho hopes to learn all that is latest in bacteriological science.—l hear that the sacred song, written

and 'composed by Mr. George "Woollard, from the last words uttered by the late Mr. Seddon —“I am Sailing for God’s Own Country To-night”— has been brought out in greatly improved style from the original early edition, the publisher being Charles H. Kelly, of Paternoster flow, London. Copies, in its new form, are boing sent out to the colony, where they will shortly bo available for sale. Already more than 2000 copies have been disposed of in this country, and the demand for it is expected to continue. The present issue is attractively got up, and the fact is

mentioned that a copy of the song has been accepted by His Majesty the King.—Mr. James Brogden, a son of the founder of the Llynn and Ogmore railway, died on Saturday last in his 75th year. In the seventies Mr. James Brogden went to New Zealand to carry out an important railway and* irrigation contract, which the firm had undertaken, and he remained there for several years.—Dr. J. Murray Moore (late of Auckland), has settled down at Priory House, Leamington Spa. After having lived in Liverpool for some years, Dr. and Mrs. Moore have quitted that place in favor of Leamington, chiefly ' on account of its milder climate, as their younger son, Mr. John Moore, who was born in Auckland, is not very strong, and requires a mild winter, —Among students who have recently entered the Coates College, at Edinburgh, to study for the ministry, is Mr. J. J. Cowan (Auckland).' Some months have passed since Mr. Cowan arrived in England, whither he came to study the higher branches of the engineering profesJon. 1

understand that ho has now abandoned this work in order to study for the Church. —The Eight Hon. Sir John Gorst, M.P., has returned to London, and has expressed himself as delighted with his recent visit to New Zealand, and particularly at the progress which the colony has made of late years. Sir John was much struck with the eifects of the labor legislation, and he says that a great amount of misapprehension exists in ' this country on the subject. On Ins arrival in London, Sir John visited Mr W. P. Beeves, and to him, as representative in Loudon of the colony, ho expressed his warm thanks for the rocej>tion which had been accorded him in Now Zealand. Mr. A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.K., arrived in Gisborne evening. and left again for Napier last evening.

Advice received yesterday afternoon states that the health of the Veil. Archdeacon Williams, of Napier, is much the same as at last report, but there is still considerable anxiety amongst his friends. Air. _ George Hutchinson arrived from Auckland yesterday.

NATIVE LANDS COMMISSION. SITTINGS IN GISBORNE. The Native Lands Commission, consisting of Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, and Mr A. T. Ngata, M.11.R., opened a sitting at the Courthouso yesterday morning. The local Bar was well represented. The Chief Justice, in opening the sitting, said they had decided to sit in Gisborne as there wore natives living in the district who could give evidonce in reference to the Nuliaka block. Thcso natives had not put in an appearance, so that it would bo necessary to adjourn until 2 p.m., and if they did not appear then the matter would have to bo left over. In answer to Mr AV. L. Roes His Honor said the Commission would hardly be back in Gisborne much before May—ho doubted if they could finish all the work in

the AVanganui and Auckland districts by then. It was oxpectod that the work of the Commission would bo finished by the time Parliament sat in June. On the morrow certain work had to be done in Napier, and the Commission was due in Wanganui next week, so that it was impossible for them to stay longer in Gisborne on the present occasion.

In the afternoon the Commission investigated the application of Parekapa Taeapa to lease the Tutuotekaha block No. 4, 1085 acres. Applicant was one of the owners of the land. Evidence relative to the block had previously been taken at AA’airoa and Nuliaka. Mr A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.R., appeared on behalf of the natives concerned.

A large number of natives interested in the land were examined and agreed to the lease, which is for 21 years at a rental of 5 per cent, of the capital value of the

land. His Honor said the written consent of those owners who had not appeared that day would have to he procured and forwarded on to the Commission, when the matter would be considered.

Mr Fraser suggested that it be made very clear to the applicant that lie would be in the position of a European tenant and would have i pay taxes, keep down noxious weeds, etc. The Commission then adjourned.