The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1908.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2078, 2 January 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1908.

At a short sitting of the Police Court yesterday morning, -before Mr. J. Townley, J.P., a first offender for drunkenness was convicted and discharged.

Shearing is now almost completed in the Motu and -Mangatu districts, and -fine weather next week should sec all the sheds “cut out.” An excellent clip has been obtained in the majority of sheds. The weather was beautifully fine for the holiday yesterday and many picnic parties sot out to enjoy themselves. Quite a number of young men are camping, and express themselves as having a very good time.

Miniature grass fires were burning in -a- number of places along the railway line -between Kaitaratahi and Ormond last night, having evidently been lit by sparks from the engine of the train from Puha, which passed a short time before.

Although local residents have ’been suffering from the smoke from bush fires lately, it is satisfactory to note that the settlers in the Motu district have had some excellent results from their burns. The Mangatu burns have hardly been so successful, owing to having been started too early in a great many cases.

There must have boon a great deartli of vcchioles during the holiday season, tor oil Boxing Day and New Year’s Day a number of picnic parties worn observed to be driven in accommodating, if inelegant, drays. Picnickers can put up with sundry discomforts, but dray-riding oil Gisborne roads can scarcely bo called easy travelling.

A bazaar in aid of the- Catholic Church funds was held at Te Karaka on New Year's Eve, and was continued la.tt night. On the first evening the attendance did not come up to expectations, but last night a large number of people gathered together, and business at the different stalls was brisk, with the result that a net profit of £l5O is expected by those in charge of the function.

A pathetic incident occurred in Gladstone road about 2 o’clock yesterday morning. There was a failcrowd seeing the New Year in. and suddenly something happened to engage the attention of the gathering. A little girl, aged about nine, rushed in to claim her father. They made way for the little heroine, and they took her father home. Then the crowd dispersed. The yacht Ariki is at present moored to the barquetine Frank Guy, and the crew were busy yesterday cleaning her tip. It is not thought that the vessel has .sustained any serious damage, but the keel will, in all probability, have been strained. A man has been sent for to examine the boat and decide if she is able to he sailed to Auckland with safety, and he arrives on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday a considerable number of people went down to the wharf to see the yacht.

A certain amount of license is always allowed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but frequently the line is overstepped. Such was the case on New Year’s Eve, when certain parties placed a wheelbarrow, borrowed from a building in course of erection, in the middle of Glad-stone-road. An empty ’bus returning to town ran into the wheelbarrow, one of tile horses being thrown on its head. Happily very little damage was done, though the mishap had all tho elements of it. serious accident.

A meeting of the recently-formed Motu Co-operative Saleyards Co. was held -at Motu on Tuesday evening, the business being the signing of articles of registration. The company was formed with a capital of £IOOO, and already sufficient shares have been taken up to enable a start to be made with the erection of the yards. Arrangements are v eil in hand, and it is expected that the yards will be opened in the first week of February. AATien cojnpletcd these yards will be a boon, not only to the Motu and Mangatu stockowners, but also to those from the Bay of Plenty districts. • -■

The Cook County Curious Coons ushered in the Nen Year in a u->st pleasant manner. The fast visit wis paid to tre residence J the Mayor. Mr. Town'ey, where a siicrt programme was g-uie through, the company afterwards partaking of refreshments provided hv .Mrs. Townley. Mr. Townley complimented the company on the entertainment given. He was glad to see the company formed in Dominion year, and ho hoped it would bo a lasting combination, and that he would have tho pleasure of entertaining them each succeeding year whether he was first citizen or not. . The residences of Messrs. AV. Pettie, T. A." Crawford, A. F. Kennedy, Dr. Collins, A AC Lissant Clayton, and Mrs. Erskine were afterwards visited, whore tho entertainment was repeated, and the company warmly welcomed, and most lvospitahly treated by all, and all thanked the members for calling on them. AVithout exception, the nosts and hostess expressed the wish that the visit would be an annual one, and tho members, of the company desire to thank their kind .friends for their hospitality. Strawberries and Cream, also in boxes, just arrived, fresh, at Dustin’s.—Advt.

Xmas Bazaar.—A bewildering profusion of fancy goods, perfumery, E.P. ware, leather' goods, etc., at our well-known keen cash prices. . A magnificent display at C. Rosie and Co.’s. - i.

A. combined picnic of the Gisborne Rifles and the Town Cadets was held at Lome station, Pulia, yesterday. Captain A. G. Boero was in command, and a largo number of relations and friends of the volunteers accompanied them on their excursion. Tho morning was occupied by attacking and defensive field work, which was carried out in soldier-like fashion by those engaged. In tho afternoon outpost duty was engaged im under conditions as near as possible to those obtaining in actual warfare. This necessitated a good deal of hill work, which was rather trying, considering the heat of the day. A shooting match for ladies was also held in the afternoon at the miniature riiiigo, and was won by Mrs. Broingan. Altogether an enjoyable day was spent, and the members of the corps were congratulated on all sides on their smart appearance and on the excellent manner in which their various manoeuvres were executed.