The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1907

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2056, 17 April 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1907

It is evident enough that there will bo a keen duel fought over the possession of the Mayoral chair at tho forthcoming election, and that the candidates will bo confined to tho present occupant and Mr. W. D. Lysnar. Under the circumstances the ratepayers should have an easy task to make a choice for both candidates are well known, and in comparing their public services and personal fitness for the position no one can say that “honors arc easy.” Mr. Townley has served tho borough faithfully for many years, and although some may say that he has not always shown onough of tho progressive spirit in the past, ho has made up c for all past sins in his present progressive programme. There are ‘ but two large questions to he considered in tho municipal pro- “ gramme at the present time, and on both of these Mr. Townley lias expressed himself in plain terms in liis published address appearing in another column. These questions are the outer harbor and the drain--1 age scheme. In regard to the first he has hesitated until he was con- ' vinced that to place the Enabling Bill before the House of Represen--7 tatives during the next session was the right thing to do, and has now unequivocally expressed himself in favor of it. We congratulate him upon this declaration, and upon having adopted the views we put ’ forward a few days ago that it is expedient to put the Bill through without a year’s delay. For all that, ho was quite justified in withholding liis support for two reasons, first, until Mr. Rees’s scheme had been removed from the arena, and second, until lie was satisfied that the plans in possession of the Board wore sufficient to support the passage of the Bill without the necessity for introducing an Amending Bill at a later stage. Mr. Townley is now convinced on those points and no longer hesitates to throw in his lot with the aims of the Outer Harbor League whose support ought thus to be easily secured. His hesitation in not readily accepting the views of the League in toto has left the impression on some minds that he was not a wholesouled supporter of the outer harbor, and tha attitude lias already prejudiced him somewhat in the eyes of a few of the most ardent advocates ; but it says much for Mr. Townley’s honesty as a public man to have declined to fall in with the requests of a couple of pressing and persuasive deputations before he was convinced that ho could conscientiously adopt their views, knowing at tho same time that to reject them meant the loss of very considerable support and possibly defeat at the election. Contrast that action with that of liis opponent who was elected on the Harbor Board on the expressed understanding that he would further tho outer Harbor scheme in every way, and then that his first action as a member should ho ono of obstruction which, if persisted, in by other members of the Board, would mean indefinite and prolonged delay in the carrying out of the scheme that ho was elected to advance. Not only that, but lie is one of the strongest advocates for expenditure on tlie river hanks that is absolutely unnecessary if the outer harbor is to be constructed, and a distinct departure from tho sound policy of curtailing expenditure within the river until the outer scheme is either discarded by tho ratepayers, or carried out with earnestness and vigor. When these two things are contrasted it will be seen which of tlio two candidates is the surer advocate to he relied on. We make 1 no secret of the fact that we have no faith in Mr. Lysnar’s professions when we compare his public 1 actions with them, and he cannot claim that he has so far fulfilled 1 his election pledges oh the Harbor 1 Board. On tho contrary, his ac- ( tTons, so far, have been those of an > out and out oppositionist or he * would never have urged the expon- 1 diture on the Kaiti wharf for one 1 thing, nor would he have thought of sending Mr. Wilson round the bay ] in search of another harbor site. c These were the only chances he has

had so far of showing his opposition to the outer harbor scheme and Jie has not failed to, take fullest advantage of them. . What then can be the value of his professions

lin favor of the scheme. The elecI tion is likely to turn largely upon I these points and if the advocates I of the outer harbor are honest to I themselves and the cause they have I espoused they will not hesitate to return Mr. Townley for another I term unless a third candidate comes forward who could reasonably claim a strong support. Our present Mayor is convinced that a drainage scheme must follow the completion of the water supply, and in that view there ought to he no two opin- ! ions, for, as Mr. Townley truly says, “Gisborne must keep up with tho times, and the drainage question must bo faced.” Those sentences embrace the whole matter of municipal government, and tho advocates for progress cannot find anything in them to cavil at. No candidate can go further in that direction without arousing a suspicion of recklessness and extravagance which would not he in the interests of the ratepayers, but Mr. Townley will never be accused of

that if his past career is to be a guide to his future actions. He has been identified with the water works business that is : now approaching completion, and his connection with that alone would warrant his return on the present occasion, and it would he a graceful net on the part of the burgesses to return him just once more so that as Mayor Jje may see it cconipleted. AA’batever may be the re-

mlt, wo trust that the election will bo conducted in an amicable spirit, and that opponents on both sides may shako hands without qualms of conscience when the battle is fought and won.

Tho stoamer Maori was leaving early this morning for Napier. Tho weekly stock snlos at Matawlioro will bo held to-morrow. Tho entertainment committee of tho Gisborne Rifles meets this evening. Mr. J- Townley has on address to the Borough electors in another column. Nominations for tho forthcoming Borough Council elections close at noon to-morrow. Mails despatched from Wellington via Naples on Btli March arrived in London on 14tli April. A mooting of tlio creditors of A. C. Linwood will moot at tho office of tho Official Assignee at 2.30 o’clock til’s afternoon. At tho mooting of the Gisborne Football Loaguo (Australian rules), held on Monday evening, Mr. J. B. Loydon was elected a vice-president. Mr. W. D. Lysnar, a candidate for tlio Mayoralty, will address Borough electors at His Majesty’s theatre on Monday night. Should sufficient jiujiils offer,classes in cookery, wood-carving, and woodwork (both trade and amateur) will be started at tho Technical School to-morrow night. A juror arrived late at tlio inquest yesterday, concerning the death of Honare Hawlio, was as'ked by the Coroner to give an explanation. Tho juror apologised, and stated his delay was due to illness. Tho explanation was accojited.

Mr. H. E. Hill has boon appointed agent in Gisborne for the New Zealand Government Accident Insurance Department, and will esteem it a. favor to recoivo communications in regard, to accident insurance rates. A general meeting of the shareholders of the Gisborne Oil Company will be hold on Friday, tho 19tli inst, at 7.30 p.m. at tlio Gisborne Farmers’ Union Club rooms, when a report will be received from tlie directors as to tho present position of the company.

Tlioso who organised tho iouiitain fund picnic and social hold on Easter Monday arc to be congratulated on the result, the amount raised (net) being £42 10s. Tlio fountain, which is being supplied by Messrs McNab and Mason, of Auckland, is on the way out from Aberdeen.

As the young man who puts out tlie Wliataupoko street lights was oil his rounds botween 12 and 1 this morning a man ordered him not to put out the light near Mr. Skillicoru’s residence. The lad took no notice, but as he put out the light the man ran after him and chased him for some distance.

Three persons charged with drunkenness were dealt with at the Police Court yesterday morning. Cecil Trewliy was fined ss, 2s costs, and a prohibition order was made out against him. Janies Collingwood for a second offence was fined 10s, and Charles Adams, who failed to appear before the Court on Monday morning, charged with a similar offence, was fined £l, 2s costs, or four days’ imprisonment. At tho sitting of the Tai-Raivhiti ■District Maori Land Board, helo yesterday, the lease of Puninga 6 from Anaru Taipiha and others to Will. Currie (for whom Mr. Coleman appeared) was provisionally approved up to August sth. It was decided to recommend that the application of Ellen Keefer, who asks that the restrictions against the sale of Rotokautuku 6D. should be removed, bo granted. The subject of Rev. F. Isitt’s lecture on Friday evening next is announced to be “At Close Quarters.” The reference is evidently to the importance of tlie struggle, from a no-license point of, view, at tlie coming olection. This may bo taken as some excuse for that party’s early activity this time. On tlie previous evening the local League hold a social in the Presbyterian Schoolroom, to which they give a general invitation to sympathisers.

The New Zealand Times says that last week a dispute occurred at Rotorua through the Wellington Central Mision Band taking possession of tlie rotunda at a time when the Rotorua Band intended to give a performance. On the following evening tlie Melbourne Meistersingers wore to give a concert, and were forestalled by tlio visitors, who insisted on their rights. Apparently conflicting permits had been issued by the local authorities and the Tourist Department.

The Kaiti-City Football Club hold a monster social in His Majesty’s Theatre to-morrow evening. Tlie gathering promises to bo one of tlie biggest successes yet achieved by the club,, and it is expected that there will be 130 couples present. The lady supporters of the club are providing an excellent supper, and in this department the social promises to excel itself. Those in search of an enjoyable evening can be confidently recommended to attend to-morrow evening’s function.

A rumor having got abroad to the effept that when Henare Hawlio, who was fatally injured by the railway accident near To Karaka, was being brought to the Hospital, it was with great difficulty that the services of a doctor were secured, and that deceased was not attended for five hours after his admission to the institution, both Dr. Coker and Dr. Morrison referred to the subject in their evidence at the inquest yesterday morning, stating that alnnW immediate attention was given: TinCoroner (Mr. Barton) interposed, remarking that the jury could li.u take any notice of rumors.

Sentence was delivered by M

Barton, S.M., yesterday morning, on AA’illiam Charles AVhitfield. charged with stealing a case of beer

from Messrs. Common, Shelton and Co.’s. —Air. Bright, counsel for accused, stated that lie was a first offender, and that the Probation Act might be applied to him. He was n man with a family dependent upon him for suport, and this one and only failing was drink. Otherwise, ho bore a good character. — His Worship, however, held a different opinion, and said the evidence against accused was most conclusive. The theft was premeditated, and most deliberate. It was

lot a case of sudden temptation ; he

had plenty of time to think over what he was doing. The statement made to Mr. McLean was true, and the other evidence utterly false. Tliero was not the slightest doubt that the most deliberate perjury was committed, destroying any chance he may have had of the benefit of tho Probation Act. It was not light that probation should be granted where perjury had been committed. Accused would bo sentenced to three calendar months’ imprisonment with hard labor in Napier gaol. AA’illiam Cottam, of Snape street, Blackburn, went to bed on a Sunday night leaving a good fire in the kitchen grate. About midnight he was roused by his fox-terrier barking and scratching at the bedroom door. On going downstairs he found the kitchen

full of smoke and: tho cupboard and other woodwork ~»ablaze, evidently caused by sparks ff'om tho grate. As the result of tho dog’s action Air. Cottam considers that the lives oi

himsolf, his wife, and two children had been saved.

HOCKEY. A very successful soason for liockoy is anticipated during the ensuing months. Tlioro aro at present three hoclcoy districts in Gisborne, and as this soliomo has not been found altogether satisfactory, ft is proposed to abolish the districts altogether and to form sojiarato clubs affiliated with tho Association. It is expected there will bo five clubs, including Old City, To Rail, Kia Kalia, Trinity Young Men’s Club and probably Common-Sholton’s.

It is also expected that teams representing Auckland and Napier will visit Gisborne about tlio middle ol tlie season, and it is probable that a local loam will pay 11 return visit to Napier. Tlio question of the ground will bo brought before the Rugby Union on Friday niglit. Tlio Hockey Association is already privileged to uso tlie Victoria Domain, but on many occasions there will be two games in progross simultaneously, and additional arrangements will have to be made. So far the ladies’ club has been distinct from tlio gentlemen’s clubs, but this season it is proposed that the ladies work under tho one association. Tlioir playing days arc Tuesday and Friday. Sinco last season 9 good number of now players have arrived ill the district,- and their attendance is desired at the meeting, to be held to-night.