The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, SEPT. 12, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2183, 12 September 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, SEPT. 12, 1907.

TO-NIGHT’S HARBOR MEETING. If the citizens of Gisborne and neighboring settlers realise their re-, sponsibilities His Majesty’s Theatro should not be large enough to accommodate those seeking admission tonight when the Gisborne Harbor Bill will bo discussed. There is room for many diverse opinions on the liarbor projeet, but there can be no difference as to its importance. AA’eiglied simply on a casli basis, the proposed expenditure of £350,000, bringing' in its train increased rates, increased rents and so forth, is so serious os to demand the attention of every resident. The present position is that the Bill, as placed before Parliament, has been considered by a committee which recommended that further consideration of the project 1 should be delayed for twelve months. This course was suggested for tho reason that the original Bill was found to be iso faulty that the Committee had practically to construct a new measure, and the members thought the Harbor Board and the people of Gisborne should be given an opportunity to express an opinion upoll the amended Bill before Parliament-considered it further. It was also pointed out that this delay would allow of the report by Sir John Goode and Co., confirming or condemning Air. Marchant’fi conclusions, coming to hand. Local supporters of the Bill heard of this decision with indignation, and by telegraphing to the Hon. Air. Carroll, succeeded in inducing the House of Representatives to send the Bill back to the Committee for further consideration. In the ordinary course of things this would probably spell the death of the measure. Unless some special influence is brought to bear the Committee will, in all probability, delay considering tlio matter until lato in tho session and by that time it would have a much better chance of being included in the annual batch of “slaughtered innocents” than of being placed upon tho Statute Book. So far as this danger is concerned it is only light to mention that the Harbor Board was by no means fortunate in

the methods it employed to support the Bill. As we pointed out from the beginning they were simply inviting defeat. However, this is not the point at issue just now, and it is only mentioned that steps may ho taken to prevent any similar blundoring in the future. The Board has failed, in the meantime at any rate, and it now remains for the citizens of Gisborne and others interested to make their wishes known at to-night’s meeting. Our own view is that strong resolutions should he passed calling upon the Government to give the people an opportunity to vote upon the matter. After all it is really their concern, and now that the Bili has been amended by the Parliamentary Committee there can surely be no harm in giving to the people who will have to find the money tho right to vote upon the project. In the event of such resolutions being carried it will possibly he considered wise to send a deputation from the district to place the matter before the Government and in such a case the .utmost care will be necessary to choose representatives who will command the confidence of those whom they find it necessary to interview in Wellington.

Mr Couston, accompanied by the Mayor, paid n visit of inspection to the waterworks yesterday. A confer■ferenco between Mr. Coueton nnu tho Council is to be arranged.

Messrs Fraser (County Engineer) Conston and Grant, have consented to act on the committee of experts re. tho motal question, and, accompanied by tlio Borough Engineer, will visit AVaihiroro on Friday. Considerable interest in tho Borough motal question is evident,, and it is felt generally that the Council adopted the be«t course iu deciding on a report by a committee or experts. The visit to AVaihiroro will probably be made on Friday.

To improvo tho attractiveness of band performances, it was decided last evening by the City Band to form quartettes, which will got into prac-. tire forthwith. Tho suggestion came from Mr. Spurdle and wan unanimously adopted.

A young man, against whom a prohibition order had been issued in Wellington' on August 29th, was before the local Magistrate s Court yesterday afternoon for a breach oi tho order. After an explanation, tho Magistrate decided to give him another chance.

The following pupils of the bisters of Mercy were successful in the practical examination of Trinity College of Music which was conducted by MrEdwards, L.T.C.L., at tho local Convent vesterday :—Senior division—Lylio King, 78 marks; Junior honors—\A innie Malone, 80: junior pass—(forty Parkes, 09, Ivy Johnson, 08; preparatory—lvy Keenan, 77.

Tho attention of readers is drawn to tho public meeting to bo held in Ilis Majesty’s Theatre this evening regarding "the outer harbor. The Outer Harbor Committee met recently and drew up a resolution for submission to the meeting, urging that the Gisborne Harbor Bill he passed this session. Tn another column an advertisement requests that all electors should bo present.

Practical examinations in connection with tho Trinity College of Music were conducted at this centre yeste day by Air. Chas. Edwards, L.T.C.L.. with the following results:—Preparatory, Elsie Nicolas 66 ; junior, Ivy AlcCoiinell 61, Lily Morrow 66 ; intermediate, Edith Hill 69. The first three are pupils of Miss Liddell, the last a pupil of Air. C. East. A piano for the examinations was lent by the London and Berlin Piano Co.

Air. AV. Aliller acknowledges the following additional subscriptions to the Cook Alemorial Rectification Fund: — Air. G. H. Black £1 Is; Air. G. Barron £1 Is, Air. G. Stock £1 Is, Alessri Daws. Third and Alitcliell 10s 6d, Air. E. Coop £1 Is. Tho fund now totals over £7O, but as much again will be required. Intending subscribers aro asked to forward their donations as soon as possible, in order that tho work may be put l in hand at an early date.

In aid of the funds of tho Roman Catholic Church funds, a largo “Oriental Bazaar” is being organised, to open in the Theatre on January Ist. On the 25th. and 26th. inst. an entertainment for the same object will he held, at which excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera “The Gondoliers” will he given by members of the Amateur Operatic Society. For the dances at the bazaar_ the services of Aliss Putnam, AA'ellington, have been secured as instructor.

At the meeting on Alonday oi tho Hawke’s Bay Education Board it was resolved in regard to agriculture and dairying instruction:—“That the Inspector and the secretary prepare a report for next meeting upon the possibility of giving instruction in agriculture and dairying in the country schools of the North and Aliddle "Wards; tho probalo result of the general work of such schools in taking up such subjects, and as to whether is will interfere financially or otherwise with tho present technical work carried on by tho Board, etc.”

‘A satisfactory balance sheet will be presented at the Gisborne Racing Club’s annual-meeting. The committee’s report mentions:—“Your Committee, wishing to keep pace with public requirements, have ordered one of Arr. Saywell’s well-known starting machines, "which will he in use at the next meeting. They have pleasure in submitting plans of proposed alterations and additions affecting grandstand accommodation, stabling, alterations on a large scale in connection with the saddling naddoCk, and other improvements, which, if carried out as proposed will make the club’s property one of the finest in the colony. The stakes have been increased by £275 over those of last year; improvements amounting to £IOB 11s 7d have been effected ; depreciation has been allowed to the amount of £BO 12s lOd on buildings and plant; and, notwithstanding rather unfavorable weather for both our meetings, the profit for tho year stands at £869 12s lid, and your bank overdraft has boon reduced by nearly £800.”

In reply to some remarks by Air. R. Maher at the hind meeting last evening, it was made clear that the hand had nevor hinted at declining to play the music at the Hospital Social. As a matter of fact, when discussing a proposed charge for another function, members had remarked that the Hospital Social was on a different footing and no percentage could be expected, showing that in the ordinary course the hand fully expected to bo asked to play. “Wo had played for so many years,” remarked Air. Spurdle, “that wo took it for granted we would he asked, without making any offer. Some of the public appear to think that because we did not offer, we were not willing to play. Such was not tho case at all.” . As to playing gratuitously, Air. Mailer, an honorary -member of the bund, expressed the view tiliiit a fee should be charged for all functions. He considered that the Race Clubs should give the City Band the opportunity of playing at race meetings, instead of as at present doing without music or employing “cheap German string hands.” (Applause.)

Some discussion took place 'last evening regarding a proposal that the Gisborne City Band should compete in the Band Contest to he held at New Plymouth early next year. The proposition was put forward by Air E. R. Alillor, a recent acquisition from the Wanganui Garrison Band, who expresecl the opinion, from what he had seen of Gisborne’s liberality, that the public would readily subscribe for the purpose. Air Richards, deputy bandmaster, supported the idea, but the opinion of members seemed divided oil the question, until more information was forthcoming with regard to ways and means. Air Spurdle was against any trip until all liabilities were wiped off, but as against this other bands with larger debts were quoted as regularly taking part in contests. Air Rodgers thought the band would do much better by appearing more often in public : he was surprised to find that the hand did not make more use of the opportunities for open-air performances. instead of playing at dances, etc. Finally, tho question of competing at New Plymouth was held over to a future meeting, to be convened hv the committee.