The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, DEC. 9, 1907. WORK FOR THE LAND COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2058, 9 December 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, DEC. 9, 1907. WORK FOR THE LAND COMMISSION.

Now that tho Commission appointed to investigate the subject of the settlement of lands has turned its steps northwards, it is to be hoped that some attention will bo given to large areas of unoccupied territory in the East Cape districts. It is popularly believed that Mr. Ngata, M. H. R., tho Maori member of the Commission, is not at all keen on the subject of making lands at present owned by Maoris available for European settlement, and in this direction ho is reported to liavo said that there is- nothing for the Commission to see on tile Coast as any lands there of any value will be capably occupied by Maoris. This, of course is a patriotic Attitude, and one that is easily understood by those who are aware of tho high ideals Mr. Ngata entertains with regard to tho Maori race, but all the same it is not- based on a proper appreciation of the position. As a matter of fact there are more than 150,000 acres in the Waiapu County, north of the Waiapu river, of most excellent land, owned by the Natives, but not occupied, and not likely to be occupied for generations if left undisturbed with their present owners. Just to mention a few instances which are worth some special attention from Sir Robert Stout as Chairman of the Commission. The Marangairoa (No. 1.) comprises 41,555 acres. There are a few Maoris living on the fringe of tho Coast, but to all intents and purposes this magnificent area is unoccupied, for no bush has been; touched, though it is country fully capable of carrying two sheep to the acre. Number 2of the same block lias nearly 5000 acres, of which a few hundred are being worked by the Natives. Then there Is the Wharekahika block of 42,000 acres, the whole of which is unoccupied, though the land is fairly good as a whole, ranging from moderate in parts to first-class in others. The Whaugaparoa Block No. 2 js another fine stretch of country, comprising nearly 35,000 acres, mostly bush lands, awaiting tho energy of the European to turn it to profitable account. Smaller lots of unoccupied lands arc tho Tapatu of 8,400 acres,' ami the Tangihaiiga of 5,400 acres. There arc many others that might be mentioned, but enough instances have been quoted to show that if the Commission is to carry out tho work for wb’cli it has been appointed it canno', leave the Waiapu district without investigation of tho unoccupied lands of the East Cape. From one end of the Dqiniiiipji to the other the cry of earth-hunger grows more and more insistent, and under the circumstances it is the worst kind of folly to permit such areas as we have mentioned to remain in idleness whilst hundreds, nay thousands, of willing settlers arc ready and anx■ious to carry, out the pioneer work of clearing t-lie bush so that the land may be stocked and become productive. Capable judges have expressed the opinion that within the areas referred, _ to, that, is in the YVaiapu" County north of the Waiapu river, fillip. 250,000 sheep call he grazed. Wine has only to reflect to realise how vastly important -it is to Gisborne, and indeed to the whole Dominion, that such a source of huge profit should be utilised at the earliest possible mom-, cut; in fact it is criminal "to keep such lands in idleness. It- is sim cerely to be trusted that this aspect of the question will be fully recognised -by the Commission, and that it will leave no stone unturned to arrive at a thorough knowledge of the facts.

In the Anglican church yesterday prayers for rain were offered at bold services. The burning q-f some rubbish at Victoria Township iv-as. the cause of a false al irm of lire being given last night. Two gentlement’s bieyles have been found in tlio streets during tho last few days and are lying at tho police station awaiting claimants. At tho Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning a first offender was convicted of drunkenness and fined 5s with 2s costs, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. Ratepayers are notified that all rates must bo paid on or before tlie Lith inst., failing which the Town Clerk will issue summonses for the amount duo, plus tho usual 10 per cent penalty. The programme for tho annual race meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club to be held on Feb. 13th. and 14th, is advertised in to-day’s issue. The first nominations are duo on January lltli. J. S. Blickland, who was a passenger from Auckland yesterday, will appear at the Magistrate’s Court, this morning on -remand from Auckland, charged" with tho theft of £lO odd, the property of James Russell. Exceptionally heavy rain was experienced in Auckland on Saturday, in consequence the Monowai (which arrived here) last evening) was unable to load lier cargo from the sheds and was detained for some hours. Air Wi ,S. Furby,. Inspector of Telegraphs, is at -present in Gish rone in connection with tho erection of the Motu and Wharerata -telegraph lines. It is expxected that both lines will be finished during this summer. On Saturday afternoon a shark about five feet long was observed in very shallow water in front of the gentlemen’s bathing shed on the beach. So close in was tho shark that at one time it was in danger of being stranded. Air It. Emanuel has bought the hairdressing business at present carried on by Air Alt’. Tanner. Mr Emanuel will transfer ’liis business to Mr Tanner’s shop, and the saloon in the Coronation Hotel buildings will be closed altogether. Whataupoko residents are continually complaining about the bad state of their roads, and their complaint!, seem to be justified to a certain extent, as oil one day last week flu springs of no less than three vehicles came to grief on the Ormond-road, owing to the uneven surface. Tho Sievwright memorial fountain is proving a great boon to the town, and during the extremely hot weather which has prevailed during the last week lias been taken advantage of by both children and adults to quench their thirst, oho and all commenting favorably on the excellence of the beverage obtainable. A rather painful accident yesterday befel a little girl named Perry. She was playing beside her father who was digging in his garden, and by' some xmschanco tho little girl’; foot was badly cut just as the spade was being driven into the ground. She was taken to tho Hospital and attended to, and was reported last night to be progressing favorably.

On Saturday afternoon a trap, containing two ladies, collided with tho telegraph post at tho corner oi Gladstone-road and Derljy-street. The occupants were thrown out, but fortunately escaped serious injury. The horse got clear of the vehicle and continued its career down the Gladstone-road, being eventually' captured before getting -far. At the beach yesterday morning a, subscription was started for the plir-’ pose of raising funds to have Irfcsh water laid to the bathing shed, s nd: a shower bath erected. Mr. II y Miller, (of Messrs Johnston and Mil-; lor) was appointed secretary andj treasurer, and intending subscribers; may leave donations with him, or at! the Gisborne Times office, where at list is also open for signature. In connection with, recent delays caused by breakages in the telegraph line near Wharerata, Mr YV. S. Furby, Inspector of Telegraphs, vho is at present on a visit to Gisborne, states that in future there should not- be much cause for complaint. A subsidised lineman has bceu appointed at Wharerata, and m future, faults will be more speedily discovered and remedied than in the past.

During the progress of the Wan-derers-Taruheru cricket match; or Saturday, -Glennie, one of the Wanderers’ batsmen, met with a nasty accident. While endeayoring to put a rising ball to leg he mistimed, it and the ball flew off the edge of -hi. 1 bat and struck him in the face, breaking his nose. Much sympathy was felt for the batsman, more especially' as lie had met with a similar accident some time ago. Through the courtesy of the Taruheru captain, Glennie resumed his innings later in the afternoon.

Tlie Anniversary Services of the Sunday’ School were held yesterday in - St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. In the morning Rev, E. W. Walker, of Ormond, conducted the services, and at 3 p.m. and 7p.m. Rev. Wm. Grant officiated. The afternoon service was specially' for tlie children and was largely attended, while in the evening tliere was again -a large congregation. A feature of the services was tho excellent music rendered by an augmented ohoir and full orchestra. At each of the services the offertory was in aid of the Sunday-School Funds, and a libera] response was made to tlie appeal. - • On Saturday the present chess season was brought to a closo by a final match tournament, between players chosen by tho President s”d Vice-president respectively. During the evening eight games were p'a.red, with tho result that 2j games were won by the President and his nominees, and 5J games by the Vice-presi-dent and party'. Tho next season will be opened at the annual retting' in February, but during, t) e recess any of the members rail arrange with one another to meet in v evening at the club room. The Club which now numbers 24 members lias affiliated with the New Zealand Chess Association, and Mr. Claud Slinsbury lias been nominated lo represent the Gisborne Chess Club at tlie next meeting of tho Association in Christohnrcli.

On (Saturday night last a surprise party from the .Pointers’ Union met at flic office of Air. G. E. Darton, their popular secretary, and presented him "with a handsome case of pipes and tobacco pouch as a token of their appreciation for the -assistance rendered in the cause of labor. In making the .presentation, the hope was expressed that when enjoying the fragrant weed it .would bring to mind pleasant recollections of liis association with the Union. A well-attended meeting of the Bakers’ Union was held on Saturday evening. 'A deputation from the Painters’ Union waited on the Union for the purpose of asking for support for tlie movement in favor of tlie formation of a Trades’ and Labor Council. -Messrs. Hall and Atkinson spoke in favor of tlie Council, and after the proposal bad been fully considered it was decided to support the movement. Messrs. Halligan. Greenfield, and Gnvile were appointed to do all in their power to bring the movement to a successful issue.

Walnut Toffee, the delectable dainty', just opened fresh for Christmas.—Dustin’s. If you want a Panama Hat or Gent.’s Straw Boater, something choice in Neckties or Tennis Shirts, and want good honest value, pay us a visit. —C. Rosie and Co. Wo have the Latest and Best Assortment of Xmas Chocolates in fancy boxes, and Marzipan lozenges, etc. Caramels in air-tight tins and boxes. See them.—Dustin’s.