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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2218, 23 October 1907, Page 2

The specially-summoned meeting of the East Const Railway Longue litis lieen fixed for Saturday afternoon r.exit. A sale of work, garden party, and moonlight concert, in connection with St. Andrew’s Ladies’ Guild, will he held in Miss Mo rice's grounds on November 21st. The Chief Postmaster advises that the AVoimata V'allev office will he closed to-d.iy, and the undermentioned offices partially closed, viz., Makanr.i, AVatawherp, Mjanutuke, Aluriwai. Ormond, AVaerenga-a-hika, from 10 a.in.; Mmkuraka and P.itutahi. from noon. A storv-is told of a judging incident in a Southern town. A competitor not satisfied with the judge’s decision was about to enter a forcible protest. In the heat of his argument he cherished a notion of attacking the judge, hut- when lie was shown that official lie suddenly cooled down. The judge stood six fact in his stockings, and was a splendid specimen of manhood. Von can’t make a mistake. —A splendid selection of New Gloves, Sunshades, Belts, and Lace Neckwear. latest novelties at special prices,—C. llosic and Co.

Tho members of St. Andrew’s congregation intend to make a special effort next Sunday, when anniversary services will ho held, to. lo.rni tho nucleus of the hind for building their new church and manse. Those who have already .subscribed, along with those who have not yet signified the amount of their subscription, are asked to pay their first ini'ta Intel it on Sunday. It is hoped tint ill au v friends and sympathisers ■may help "to swell tho collection. At. the British Empire Hotel on Monday ovening a ceremony of a pleasing nature took placn, when Mr. G. Morrison was presented with a set of silver entree dishes. Mr. Niven, on behalf of tho employees of tho lellnumgory, made tho presentation, and in doing so referred to the harmony and good feeling existing at all times between tho employees and ]Mr Morrison, their foreman. Ho wished Mr. Morrison every success in Ins new sphere. Mr. Sid Holt, in tho course of a low remarks, ably supported the good wishes of the employees. Mr. Morrison thanked those present for tho gift. He would see it. put in use frequently, and thus it would always remind him of the days spoilt among them.

By special request tho pupils ol Miss Barbara Putman will give an exhibition of fancy dancing m His Majesty’s Theatre tins evening, commencing at 10 o’clock. Tho whimsical suggestion that the Transatlantic liner of the future «ill luivo a spacious deck, arranged as a field, lias not been allowed to pass without comment, the “New York Herald” adding that there seems to bo no reason why a .bilhard-irooni should not be fitted on 'board. A French journal now adds: “There is nothing extraordinary in that. It is said, in fact, that a billiard-,room was placed some years ago on board a French Transatlantic liner, and that a game could he perfectly played '.provided that tlie sea remained ycrty calm.” It would seem from the position of three solicitors at tlio \\ ellington Magistrate’s Court the other day that members of the legal pro loss ion do not burden themselves with much loose silver. In one casp a solicitor of standing asked for a judgment by default. “Five shillings,” asked the Bailiff. 'T haven’t got it,” replied the solicitor. “Well,” retorted the Bailiff, “you won’t get judgment without it'.” A friend went to the assistance of tlie needy one, lent him the ;7s, and enabled him to got judgment. Two other members of the bar were similarly situated in respect of their hearing fees. Mr. E. M. Donaldson (says the Hot Lakes Chronicle) who for four years has been Assistant Road Engineer in this district, lias been appointed to tho charge of Opotiki district. While heartily congratulating him on his well earned promotion, we regret the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson from .amongst us. Mr Donaldson has earned the reputation of being a most p mistaking and capable officer, and has won the confidence and respect of all with whom lie came in contact, while Mrs Donaldson has gained the esteem and respect of the people of Rotorua by her urbanity and uniform kindness. We wish them God speed and every happiness in their new sphere.

A pretty story of old Maori ioro was told to tho Marlborough Express recently by Mr. 0. J. Jury, a wellknown native authority of tlie Wairarapa. Speaking of Fetor,us Jack, whose antics lie had been interested in, while travelling by steamer from Nelson to Pioton, Mr Jury remarked that the fish brought back to his recollection a story told him by an old acquaintance, of the ancient traditions of his ancestors. When New Zealand was first discovered by tho Chatham Island natives, tho canoe containing the warriors was passing through what i.s known as the French Pass, when a big white fish blocked the way, and would not allow them to proceed. The natives became frightened and landed. Looking out to sea they beheld a lag whirlpool, which would have swamped them all had not the fish prevented them from proceeding. When the sea became calm the natives went oil, being preceded by the fish, who acted as a guide for a considerable distance. The chief of the tribe was so thankful for the deliverance that lie gave the fish the power to live for ever, and told it to continue to act as guide for all boats that came that way, and keep them from harm. Old natives thoroughly believe in the tradition, and to them Pelorus Jack is sacred as identical with the one that saved their ancestors from destruction.

Brigadier Albiston (says the “Opo•tiki Herald”) thus warbled on the subject of the Ohiwa Ferry: Now, this is a ferry; possibly it may have been set going by tho very first Pakelia that settled in the diistniot, and for all I know before points, a,team or bridges were thought of. It remains ill the same primitive conditions as it was in the beginning. Our foam-flecked and palpitating horses aro unyoked; mails, luggage, and harness are placed in the primitive flat-bottomed boat, such as our early ancestors went duck-shoot-ing in, with hows and arrows. Then the buggy is run on tho top of tu.e lot, the wheels projecting over the side in tho water. It is a wonder to me those ferry men, in their spare moments, don’t invent some kind of portable float that could be easily fixed to the wheels of tlie buggy. They could then propel the boat, a hi paddle-wheels, driven by two manpower; but that would be too much of an advance. The ff.it-ibottomed boat returns, and the passengers taken in, a rojie fastened to the horses’ heads, and we push off. Poor horses and poor passengers! The boat is half full of water before we reach tlie other side, and ni.v hoots are full to the brim. Tlie poor horses are swimming as though for dear life after the boat, glaring eyes, dilated nootrils, and uncovered teeth. Made one think that they were in the last throes of death. The picture of these poor brutes struggling across .the river is one that I cannot seem to wipe out of my memory, and it sits on me now like a nightmare.

Regarding land settlement the “Opotiki Herald” says:—A lull 1-as now taken place in the opening of further lands for settlement b.v (lie Government. All the surveyors )>svo been witlulnawn from tile work ofeutting out blocks for selection. Of the Government surveyors, Mr Byrne was transferred to Auckland two or three monlili.s ago, and Mr. Barlow •lias now been instructed to go on with ringing duties to occupy jo's time. Mr. Alloni, on the expiry of his six mouths’ leave of absence, will shortly take in hand the trigonometrical survey of the lands taken up at last ballot, which had- only been opened on provisional surveys. This in. as was fore-shadowed by. the head of the Department, Mr Jas. Mackem, ssie, in his addres to the Burns Club sometime ago, when lie stated that the Opotiki bush lands would now have to take a rest while the attention of the Department would he engaged jn opening lands in other parts of the province. While many will regret that there is to bo no immediate opening of additional Government lands in the Opotiki district. yet it may have the beneficial effect of allowing tlie land gambling craze to subside. Bonafide settlement will then have a chance to proceed on proper lines which at present is in such a nebulous state. It is a notorious fact tliat 75 per cent of the lands taken up at the last two ballets were purely for speculative purposes. This is proved by the number oF sales of interest in busli lands that have taken place lately in this locality.