The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING THUKSDAY, MAY 23, 1907. ISOLATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2087, 23 May 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING THUKSDAY, MAY 23, 1907. ISOLATION.

The position of affairs generally in Poverty Bay has roceived a good deal of attention on Tuesday in tlio course of the various functions at which tho Governor was present; and in view of tho fact that a. new section of railway had boon opened, railway matters were porliaps more freely discussed than any other topic. The Mayor speaking at To Karaka said tho railway must bo pushed on if the district is to progress; and at tho Mayoral dinner Mr. DoLautour gave it as liis opinion that roads were urgently needed for the same purpose. These two works should both be proceeded with; but it is problematical whether they are most needed for internal or through communication. During the past week striking proof has beoh given of tho ease with which Gisborne can be isolated from the rest of the colony. The /town missed a mail from the South because the Victoria could not be tendered, and if the gale then prevailing had lasted a few hours more it is possible the mail from Auckland would also have been missed. Following on this came the Governor’s rough journey overland from Napier, over raging torrents and landslips. To cap all came the announcement on Tuesday evening that the telephone line was ’ down. If one contemplates impassable roads, an unworkable harbor, and the possibility of telegraphic communication being cut off, one can conjure up a picture of .-unenviable isolation, the realisation of which is by no means improbable. In recounting these disadvantages under which Gisborne and Poverty Bay generally labor, it is not intended to cry down the district;/but the recountal is made to bring before citizens tho need that exists for improvement. Nobody denies that roads and railways should be pushed on; but it must be allowed that all works have their allotted places in the scheme of things, and it is always well to make sure that the cart is not put before the horse —that what is a cause should not be regarded- as an effect. The point is: Those local residents who were privileged to speak at Tuesday’s functions entirely overlooked the proposed outer harbori There was a deal of agitation about the harbor a short time ago, but the fires of the zeal Mien inspiring our leading citizens seem to nave died out completely with alarming suddenness. It seems reasonable that the efforts-of 'be concentrated on pushing on the work of building the outer harbor, for the best internal communication will avail nothing if produce is liable to be held up in store- at the gathering point at the whim of the wanton wind. It is idle to say that the harbor will come when tho district is developed. On that-assumption the residents of Gisborne fifty years hence would be without a harbor, for the erection of a safe harbor for ocean-going boats is perhaps the only thing that will force on tho development of the back country, by malting it worth while to do so.

The on tiro crodifc for tho success ot the Governor’s motor tour yesterday aftornoon, is duo. to Miv a Barkor and his brothers, who kindb aided Mr. Townloy in Ins arrangements. The greatest thanks are owing Mrs. Barkor for her hospitality and tho committoo thank her for hor generosity.

An intorosting experiment was recently made with tho object of ascertaining how far H.M.S. Dreadnought would carry hor “way" upon her engines being suddenly rovorsod and put full speed astern. At the time tho battleship was steaming at tho rato of 20 knots an hour. It took one. minute to reverse tho engines, and three minutos to stop the vessel, she having carried her “way” over a distance of 1027 yards.

A road race will bo hold on Friday afternoon, woather_ permitting, fiom tho Whataupoko Bridge to Makauri, returning via Makaraka, and concluding at Grey-stroot. Tho prizes are as follow: —First prize, gold medal, presented by Mr. A. P. Hailfoy, socond, gold and silver medal, prosentod by Messrs. AVade and Giey; third, gold and silvejij medal; presented by Mr. Geo. Colebrook. the fastest unplaced rider receives a gold modal, presented by Mr. H. Anderson.

Mr. Leadlcy, speaking at Bangiora, said that the Hon. Mr. iMoNab did not explain the main object of the Bund Bill until coming up from Tennika in the train, the other day. He told a reporter plump and plain that its object was to cheapen land. lie said: “The Land Bill has got to go through if tho people want to get land. It is the dearness of land that is causing the trouble. That is why the Bill is before tho country.” There they had the whole brutal truth.

The following instruction regarding telephone exchanges was gazetted oh May 9th :—“Where Hiero are over 150 subscribers, tho exchange can bo open continuously if desired by subscribers, and payment at the rato of £7 per annum for business connections, or if £6 per annujhij foi business and privato connections be agreed to.” It is thus clear that a continuous service, to include both business and private telephones,- can bo secured by tho payment of £1 only by each subscriber. If the business pooplo only desire tho extension tho cost will be £2 extra.

For procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order against him, Thomas Alfred Vowles was fined £5, costs 7s, at the Police Court vesterday, beforo- Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M. His Worship advised the defendant to leave liquor alone in the future. Vowlas (was? Aurtlhei charged with being found on licensed promises during the currency of a prohibition order. He was fined 10s, and costs 7s. For procuring liquor while prohibited, William Harold Gibbs was fined £3, and costs 16s. His Worship strongly advised the aecused to abstain from the use of alcoholic liquor.

The Chief Health Officer (Dr. Mason) states that a new Bill which is to bo brought up next session will define the standards of various liquors, complaint as to quality of which lias been made in Wellington, and will place the whole matter of inspection upon a definite basis. After a death had resulted from lead poisoning, publicans agreed not to allow liquor to come in contact with lead surfaces. The matter was referred to by Di. Mason. The new Bill aims at giving the Health Department powers over appliances used in the preparation of food as well as over the .food itself.

A lady resident of one of the Wanganui suburbs was recently the victim of an uncomfortable experience. She was returning home late on a rather black night by way of some paddocks, and on climbing over a fence put her foot on what she thought to be terra Anna, but which proved to be a cow. The animal, becoming startled by the somewhat sudden intrusion, jumped to its feet, and in doing so lifted the lady rather rudely from her precarious position into space, the result being that she fell to the ground on the side of the fence from whence she had come. The fall gave her a severe shaking, and she is at present suffering from the effects of the incident: —Herald.

Before Mr. AAh A. Barton, S.M., at the Police Court* yesterday,. AA’illiam Janies Lyons was charged with having no visible means of support. Accused pleaded not guilty. Constable Hancox deposed that he know accused, who had been loafing about the town since the Ist of May. Accused had gone from one hotel to another sponging for beer. Constable Wales gave similar evidence. Defendant stated that he had paid his way. He was waiting for the coach to go out, and would liavo left foV AVaimata that morning had the coach gone out. His Worship said that he would give the accused a chance, and advised him to get out of town to work as soon as possible.

The Minister for Railways (soys the New Zealand Times) has received, and has promised to consider at an early date, a number of recommendations from the recently held annual conference of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute. These include provision for an eight hour day in the first division and payment for an

extra day in leap year, and on Sunday duty; compulsory retirement oi members at sixty years of age, re-

classifying of stations and improvement of station-masters’ residences; amendment of the classification allowances to cadets who have passed the civil service examinations before joining the service; and the issue of privilege tickets to superannuated members.

Speaking of Miss Marie Hall, the violinist, who is soon to start a tour of Now Zealand, the New Freie Presse, AUenna, says:—She at once gained everybody’s sympathies, and her splendid playing free from all objections, in both technique and technical points of view,, justified the storm of applause, Miss Hall shows an astonishing virtuosity; she puts all her soul into it, never trespassing on the laws of technic. Hearing her play, you might think yourself transferred into a land of fairies. The smart, fair girl with the energetic looks under the heavy eyebrows will soon be in our old world as great a favorite as she is in the new one. She had to play encores several times before the stormy nplause of the audience would cease.

The Mayor yesterday morning, received the following reply from -the Hon. Mr. Carroll in response to the telegram sent the Minister on Tuesday from Te Karaka :■ —“Pleased beyond all measure that 'the sun shone on your proceedings. A deserving reward to his Excellency'..aijter/the trials he has undergone, and no one regrets more than I do my inability to be present. However, believe me, I am there with you in spirit all the time. Kia ora, and may all be well with you.—J. Carroll.” The following reply was received from the Hon. Hall-Jones’ private secretary: “Hon. Mr. Hall-Joues desires me to convey to you expressions of his pleasure at hearing of the successful and enthusiastic opening of the Pulia section. Though the section is a short one, he is sure it will mateiially assist in the prosperity of the district. Am also desired to thank you for your good wishes foi Mi. Hall-Jones’ recovery. Am glad to say lie is making as [favorable progress as can be expected.

Woods’ Great Peppermint . Cure for Coughs and Colds never fails'.—ls 6d and 2b 6d. ,