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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2205, 8 October 1907, Page 2

The Borough Council meets toniAn'accusod, charged with the theft of a pineapple, at the Masterton Police. Court, recently, told the pplico when arrested that he took tlio fruit “on approval.” This original defence, however, was unavailing. A rehearsal of the Cook County Curious Coons was held last evening in the Grey-street Hall, when some useful chorus work was gone through, the singers evincing'a- healthy interest in this important .branch. The company have some first-class material- to work on, and should be able to put ou a -good show. Tho projected opening up of somo of the Parihaka block for settlement by Maoris is (says the “New Zealand Times”) an indication of the rapidly waning influence of Tohuism and of To Whiti. While Tohu was alive there was.no hope of doing anything with tho land, as the natives under Iris influenco held aloof from any dealings with the Government. This baneful influence has diminished to such a- degree, however, that the Public Trustee has now authorised tho carrying out of a scheme for settling Taranaki natives on the Parihaka block, which consists of 30,000 acres. The land is not of tho best, but can bo very successfully farmed.

Tilie Rev. 1 C. Dallaston, of Napier, delivered an interesting address: at the Baptist Tabernacle last evening, his subject being “Eccentric. Preachers.” The preacher said that he wished to point out that in the great work of salvation the Master chose various instruments, each selected with a view of performing some special mission. .In describing some of the most eccentric preachers, Mr. Dallaston kept his hearers convulsed with an unlimited fund of humorous anecdotes, and lie also gave glimpses of the graver side of these unconventional Christian teachers.

It is to the. interests of those who desire to m'ak 0 poultry farming pa - to join the P.B. Utility Cluh, which is slowly gaining in strength, and has now a membership of 24 practical breeders. Among ’ the advantages claimed, in .addition to the exchange of, ideas and dissemination of useful knowledge on poultry-raising, is that more favorable quotes can be obtained by such .a club for the supply of poultry foods and general requisites. The rules are based on. those of similar clubs elsewhere, the objects being—(l) To encourage the breeding of poultry, with due regard to utility by breeding from selected layers ; (2) to give prizes for the most efficient and economical system of packing and marketing poultry produce ; (3) to give prizes at dhows for table poultry and eggs ; (-!) to establish laying competitions between pens of birds, under proper management; (5) to obtain .the best advice for members on all matters’ relating _to the selection, breeding, and keeping of poultry; and (6) to facilitate change of blood from good laying strains.

Professor Park, of the Otago University, says:—There are no grounds whatever for the belief expressed by Mr. T, A, Edison that the ironsands of the Taranaki aud Wanganui coastline are derived from' the great body of iron ore existing somewhere near the New Zealand coast. The view of the great inventor is due to insufficient data and a lack of local knowledge. Tho sands, although magnetic, are not composed of magnetite—a valuable inaguetic oxide of iron—but of titanic iron, which contains the higldv ■ refractory substance titanic acid*. Careful investigation by himself aud others had shovvn that the ironsands are mainly, if not wholly, derived from the great pile of andesitic rocks of which Mount Egmont is composed having been liberated by niitiiral processes of weathering and erosion, , and afterwards concentrated by moving matter. Mr. Edison is quite right in assuming that the ironsands must cause tho deflection of magnetic compasses. Surveyors havo long found that compass bearings taken anywhere on tho coast-line between "W aitotara aud TVaitara are quite unreliable.

A notice regarding the making of a. rate is inserted in this issuo by tho Waiapu County Council.

A telegraph oflieo will bo opened at the Show Grounds, Hastings, on tho 16tli and 17th October.

Mnils despatched from Wellington via Brindisi on August 30tli arrived in London on tlio night of tho 4th inst.

Tho proceeds of Labor Day social aro to .bo dovotod towards tho cost of tho railing enclosing the Cook memorial.

It is estimated that sinco tho flagship Powerful has been in Australian waters no i'owor than 200 seamen liavo deserted.

A tclograph office will be opened at Otaki racecourse, and also at Greenmeadows (Napier Park) on 9th and 10th October.

Following arc tho latest contributions to the Cook Memorial Rectification Fund: —Mr. Vincent Pyko £1 Is, Mr. J. C. N. Thomas £1 Is.

At a meeting of the committee last evening, Mr. Rowley presiding, a form of circular inviting saibscriptions towards the school baths fund was approved, ’•but tlie question of canvassing the district was held over to a full meeting.

Littlo Bonita, who comes to Gisborne next week with Fuller’s Touring Company, is said to present tlio most remarkable riflo-shooting act over presented on a New Zealand stago.

A mooting of the Gisborne Harmonic Society is called for this evening, at Holy Trinity Schoolroom, to receive a report on finances, and consider arrangements for the future management of the Society. AH interested are invited to attend.

-In the oaso of T. Baird who was roconitly convicted by a (Benoh of Justices, the change being the, theft of £l, a re-hearing is to bo asked for this morning. Tho application which will not bo opposed by the police is based on the grounds- that additional evidence can be .procured favorable to defendant.

A reminder of the dredging boom is afforded by a notice received by a Hawera shareholder of one of tho defunct companies announcing that a dredge which originally cost £BOOO was bought by a “plunger” for £3501 That even this wa6 too much is shown by tho fact that on a fe-sale lie could only get £3OO.

In connection with the Kahutia street fire, both the owner of the premises, Mr. J. Townley, and the tenant, Mr. W. B. Mackie, hold insurance policies. Tho building was covered for £275 in tho New Zealand office, and the piano, furniture, and effects for £2OO with the North British office. The policies were considerably below the values in each instance.

A public meeting under the auspices of the No-License League will bo held in His Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday to consider the matter of the drinik traffic ill relation .to Maoris. The Mayor will preside. The Rev. F. A. Bennett, Maori clergyman at Rotorua, will deliver an address and the names of other speakers will be announced later. Meetings of this description were held in Hastings last week.

Inspectors Georgeson and Carmody, of tlio Labor Department, start toda- on tlieir trip round the shearing sheds of tllie East Coast-, inspecting accommodation for shearers. Yesterday they were busy completing arrangements in the way of horseflesh, etc., good mounts being essential for the stiff journey ahead of them. Mr. Georgeson will make inland and Mr. Oarmody shapes his course up tlio Coast.

The Tai-Rawhiti Maori Land Board was to have sat yesterday, but owing to the illness of Mr. A. Reefer, Col. Porter (President) liad no option but to adjorun the business until Monday next. The Board consists of three members, but as tlio Act of 1905 makes no mention of a quorum, a full Board is necessary for tho legal transaction of business. Thus, under existing conditions, the absence of a member at any time through. illness may cause serious inconvenience to the Board and those interested in tlio hearing of applications.

■The fine row of shops being built in Gladstone-road for Mr. McKe© will greatly improve the appearance of the street when, they are finished and occupied. The first of the row to be occupied is that of Mr. H. J. Grieve, manufacturing jeweller, who has now opened hus stock, and will make a- window display tin's morning. Tho large front window has been: tastefully dressed, and the display includes gold and silver jewellery, silver and e.p. ware, and all the articles which go to make an up-to-date jewelller’s stock-in-trade. Tlio display is of a striking character, and is well worthy-of inspection.

At the annual meeting of the Bakers’ Union at Mr. Barton’s office on Saturday night, tho following officers were elected: President, Mr. B. Halligan; vice-president, Mr. J. Dowell; secretary, Mr. G. E. Darton; treasurer, Mr. W. Nisbett; committee, Messrs. G. Greenfield, W Pritchard, A. Walworth; trustees, Messrs. G. Sniaill and Devine; auditors, Messrs. P. Bathurst and A. H. Simmons. Members affirmed the desirableness of registering as a separate union, apart from the Northern Bakers’ Union at Auckland, and a further meeting is to bo held to draft rules with a view to registration.

Following are the entries for saddle and harness trotting competitions at the Show Class 258—Handicap Trot, in saddle, twice round: W. Allen’s Cedar, E. M. Hutchinson’s Sir Roger, J, Wyllie’s Te Aute, Mrs. A. Pilcher’s Contest, F. B. Calcott’s Ruby, J. T. Griffins’s Jenny, J. Campbell’s Ladybird, F. Sherriff’s Bob, A. Sherriff’s Dominion, J. W. Bright’s Fergus, G. W. White’s Grey mare, R. Little’s Trixie, E. Swainson’s Mona, S. Bolton’s Telephone, J. Kelliher’s Kauaekanae, R. Campbell’s Cora. _ Class 259.—Handicap Trot, in harness, twice round: W. Allen’s Cedar, E. M. Hutchinson’s Sir Roger, Mrs. A. Pilcher’s Contest, F. B. Calcott’s Ruby, J. Campbell’s Ladybird, F. Sherriff’s Bob, H. Wilson’s Queen Rose, A. Sherriff’s Dominion, E. Swainson’s Mona, J. Kelliher’s Kanaokanae.

. As there may be some misapprehension of Labor Day, tho statutory holiday on' Wednesday, a Times representative questioned Mr A Donald, relieving Inspector of Factories at Gisborne, on the subject. It seems that in all establishments coming under tlie definition of factories, it is absolutely compulsorv upon employers to grant a full holidav, without deduction of wages, to' all female employees- and youths under tho age of 18. This is in addition to the usual weekly half-holiday under the Factories Act. In tho case of adult male employees, they can bo kept at work art the usual rates of nay, overtime not being allowed except for any period worked over the 48 hours for the week. “In regard to shops,” added Mr Doma-ld, “.it is quite optional for tlieni to keep the holiday or not. Of course, if they close on Wednesday, they can remain open for tho full day on Thursday.”

Ail export on dredging is oil a visit to this district (says the Manawatu Standard) in connection with tho rumored discovery of gold, und it is said lie purposes prospecting with a view to ascertaining if tho precious metal is in payable quantities. Tho “Mianiawatu Daily Times” reports .a rumor itha.t a new company, composed of Maoris, lias boon registered, the object being the establishment of a new line of steamers on tho Wanganui Itiver. The capital of the company is to he £SOOO, in, 5000 shares of £1 each.

September 26th, the day which saw New Zealand elevated to the status of a Dominion, was also, by a noteworthy coincidence, tho twentieth anniversary of tho entry of tho first Prime Minister of the Dominion into public life. On September 26th, 1887, Sir Joseph Ward, then a young man of 30, was first elected as member for tho Awarua electorate, tho district which ho now represents.

Deferring to the assumption by the Government of tho entire administration. of the town of Rotorua, the Auckland “(Evening Star” confesses to being apprehensive .about (the amount of money tho Government contemplates spending in and about tho place. No doubt an isolation hospital and improvements at the sanatorium, additional boats on tho lake, and more books for the library are all necessary. But as to tho new bath-house, which Mr. Donne says would do credit toiany Old World spa, the “Star” is distinctly of the opinion that too much money is being spent upon, it, and that the requirements of the place would have been admirably served without going to the extent of £30;000 to £40,000. Xfc thinks it is possible to pay too dearly even for the advantages of the tourist traffic, and it considers that the new bath-house stands beyond the border line that ought to separate necessaries .from luxuries and legitimate expenditure from extravagance.