The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1908. AN UNDESIRABLE IMMIGRANT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2104, 1 February 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1908. AN UNDESIRABLE IMMIGRANT.

The news that the Aiedilerranean fruit fly has obtained lodgment in a Dcvouporfc orchard is n matter of serious concern to all who are interested in the fruit industry of the Dominion. Tho public will have almost forgotten the scar” which resulted last season, when this, pest was discovered in a Hastings orchard, but the officers of the Agricultural Department, who succeeded at that time in localising the insect's sphere of operations, .and apparently in destroying the larvae, have never relaxed their watchfulness in the matter. It seems probable that the discovery of the fly in Auckland is an evidence of a fresh introduction from Australia, for it- is unlikely that the larvao deposited in fruit in Hawke’s Bay would produco insects that would first make their .appearance so- far away. If this be the case, it points to tho necessity for even greater diligence in inspecting imported fruit at the port of entry. Indeed, it really looks as if the only way to safeguard our orchards from tho disastrous pest is to- absolutely prohibit the importation of stone fruit from those Australian States in which tho fly has obtained a footing. This seems to be the case in 'Queensland, AVest Australia, and New .South Wales, and, to a lesser extent, in Victoria. Air. Kirk, the Government Biologist, has stated emphatically that- if the pest ever becomes established here, it will mean the utter ruin of the stone fruit in this Island. .So far, no remedy has been discovered that is of any avail against this insect, which has complMoly put a stop to fruit-growing in many parts or the Australian States mentioned. The limit fly deposits its egg in the centre of an apple, plum, or other fruit, and there it stays during the greater part of its career ns ;i grub, not emerging until tho fruit is completely rotten. AVitli an ordinary lens the fruit fly can be easily identified from codlin moth or any other fruit grub, by the general elongated form, two curious black hooks at the mouth and a pair of cephalic" spiracles, tinged with yellow, at the opening of tho back of the head, which stand out very distinctly. Air. Kirk lias asked that any person finding a white-pointed 1 maggot .resembling the maggot of a blowfly in fruit, should at once send both fruit and insect to the office of the Department. It is to be. honed local orchardists will be on the lookout, and assist the Department in every possible way to check the operations of an insect that is as great a menace to an orchard as tho codlin moth, and a very much more difficult pest to deal with, once it becomes finally established.

A mob of 3.400 sheep loft on Thursday for Messrs Jlutohinson Bros., AVaihulca.

There was a slight shower yesterday, and tho sky remained overcast, but up to last night no further rain fell.

The wind turned to south-oast, yesterday morning, and blow vorv strongly all day, causing clouds of dust, ami making things unpleasant for tho shopkeepers.

Some exceptionally heavy rollers were to be soon yesterday. At 0 o’clock last ovoning about 30 bathorn went in t and reported having an enjoyable dip. The water was very warm.

Owing to the butchers having raised tho prico of moat to the hotels, tho licensees of somo of the country hotels nnnounco by advertisement in this issue that they tire compelled fo raiso tho price of meals.

Rov. C. Griffin will preach at Wesley Church to-morrow. Morning subject, “A Good Acquaintance.” Evening subject, “Excuses.” ’There will be communion at morning service. The United Bible Class meets in the afternoon.

While killing .sheep at the Slieopfarinens’ Freezing Works yesterday, a butcher named William August cut his right hand very badly, owing to a knife slipping. He was taken to liis home and should bo back at work in a low days.

Arrungemonts are well in hand lor the Waerongft-a-hika garden fete on February 20th. Messrs Redstone will Min coaches direct at frequent intervals during the day. A good programme is promised, and if tho weather be line the l'oto should bo a great success.

Tho Rev. William Grant will conduct the services at St. Andrew’s i’rc'-byterian Church to-morrow, when ‘he first quarterly retiring collection in aid of the building fund will be made. Envelopes for the purpose will be provided in the porch, or may be obtained from Mr. J. AVarron, or Mr. 11. Adair. Aiks Lily Thompson, who plays •Dick’’ so successfully in "Bluehell,” is described on the programme for "The Isle of Bong Bong” as Dolores, tho Tiger Lady, who leels a longing to go a-roammg in the mountains with the tigers, and her song "The Gaolbird and the Tiger” k considered as one of the catchiest on Uto bill.

Tho Taranaki “Horald” says that the reports relative to the drought ■in Taranaki have been of an exaggerated nature. A blackened urea of any sizo between Stratford and Now Plymouth is an exception, and considering that rain has not fallen for a month, there is a reasonable quantity of green grass.

The Customs revenue collected at the port of Gisborne during tho past month was as follows:—Spirits £1343 7s 4d, cigars and cigarettes £350 7s lid. tobacco £4G2 3s fid, wines £I3G 8s 2d. boor £9, goods by weight £149 6s 54, goods ad valorem £705 Is 9d, o 1 tier duties £45 8s; total £3200 7s Id. The total for January 1907 was £2619 lOn 10s, and for January 1906 £2459 15s 7d.

An iustanco of a eomnieudably prompt settlement on the part of an insurance company is provided in connection witli the recent fire at the Motu, whereby Mr. AV .13. Orr lost his house and effects. He was insured with tho Commercial Union Insurance Co., and filed his proofs of loss with tho local agents, Messrs Common, Shelton and Co., on the 24th inst., and on Thursday was in receipt of a cheque from AA ellington in full settlement.

At the ordinary parade of tho Gisborne Rifles last night, all the noncoms. were given an opportunity of exorcising the corps. There aro a few vacancies in the corps for good men, and now is nearly the end of the volunteer year. A feature to be considered by pi-obable applicants is that with tho new drill shed ill course of erection, the corps will have about tho best sited accommodation in the Dominion. It, i: also worthy of note that men win retire from tile corps after serving their time may now, under new regulations, be formed into a reserve.

A meeting o! the Ladies' Guild was held in Townley’s Hall yesterday afternoon. A vote of thanks to the Harbor Board on the completion of tho waiting-room was passed. The Guild were the originators of tho idea. Mrs. Toy. uley offered to supply the room with two roller towels. A concert will be held on Sunday woek in connection with the establishment of a creche for children. The secretary was instructed to make arrangements in regard to securing a suitable place. The Guild has -approached the authorities on the matter of the hotter lighting of the wharf for the convenience of passengers looking for luggage. It was decided to make arrangements for receiving children's clothes, and any offers of this nature will bo gratefully received by the Mayoress. It v. as reported that two families in poor circumstances were attended to. Ton new members were elected.

Referring to the recent heat-wave in Alelbourne, the "Argus” says:— In the city people panted for breath. During the early stages of the heat wave they derived a grim satisfaction from watching tho mercury ri.se .in tho thermometer. On Saturday hardly anyone bothered about tiie temperature. The people were too listless. The man who inquired tho temperature got a curt answer. "I don’t 'know,” tho business man would reply snappishly. “I don’t suppose it is as hot as yesterday, but it is more trying. . I’m tired of the heat and the dust aud the tar-steam, and—l hate tho sight of a thermometer.” Business people whose holiday fell on Saturday afternoon abandoned the usual weekly outing. They went to their respective homes, reduced their clothing to the minimum, and tried to make existence bearable. A few sou glit relief on the bay or in the baths, but obtained little or no respite. A characteristic of tho weather was the stagnation of the atmosphere. For hours at a timo hardly a puff of wind relieved the fearful calm. In the streets and gardens the leaves of the trees were perfectly motionless; in the houses the window curtains were undisturbed by Hie slightest flutter. It seemed as if some dreadful spell had been east over all Nature.

’ The Labor Department lias issued the following circular:—The Hon. the Minister for Labor has decided to effect several changes in the Labor Journal, commencing with tho January issue, 190 S. During the last year the number of awards, agreements, and decisions of the Court of Arbitration lias been so great that little or no space has been available for general articles and matter interesting and instructive to students of social and economic questions.. In future the decisions of the Court will bo published in a separate Journal, and will include awards, agreements, recommendations of Conciliation Boards (claims of Unions), interpretations, and agreements, enforcements of awards and agreements, permits to under-rate workmen, aud all important. decisions affecting the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, awards of the Court, or industrial agreements. The Labor Journal itself will contain the monthly labor reports from all parts of the Dominion, statistics ro persons assisted by the Departmental bureaux, tho latest- legal decisions affecting the Factories, Shops and Offices, Scaffolding, 'Workers’ Compensation for Accidents, and other Acts vitally affecting the employers and workers of the. Dominion. It will also contain legal decisions under labor legislation abroad, and general articles selected from newspapers and the world’s magazines on matters of interest to workers and employers alike. The subscription to the Labor Journal will be S.s fid per annum, and the decisions under tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 3s 64 per annum.

During tho month of January 61 birth, 11 marriages and 22 deaths wore registered in Gisborne. Of tho 22 deaths 12 were those of young children.

Mr. W. Miller received advice yesterday morning that there is now no possibility of a Butt-llumford concert being given.

Tho entries for some of tho principal events at the Poverty Bay Turf Club's meeting close with the, secretary, Mr. D. It. Do Costa, at 9.30 tonight.

It is stated that on Thursday afternoon a mob of sheep arrived hero, having had no water for eight days, and naturally they woro in a pretty poor condition.

At tho Baptist Tabernacle to-mor-row the Rev. W. Lamb preaches nt tho morning sorvico on “Tho Holy Spirit of Power,” and in the evening on “Tho Master’s Touch.” All strangers specially invited to attend.

On "Wednesday last, as a Wacrenga-a-hika settler was riding along the Wainui beach he saw a small animal moving about. lie dismounted, and picked up a fox terrier pup without its eyes open. How did it got there ?

Mr. Vv". L. Rees lias decided to ask the County Council lor permission, under tho Tramways Act. to In.v tramways along the Comity road from Pi!ha to the old mill site, a distance of about four miles, to connect wHi the present tramway. Hie gauge is to be 2ft Gin, and of wooden, fails at first. The tramway is to be carried on to Whatatutu.

The preacher at the eleven o’clock servico to-morrow in Holy Trinity Church will be the Rev. H. T. Furchas, M.A., of Christchurch. The Vicar will occupy the pulpit in the evening, •uul will lie assisted in tho service by Dr Gerard Smith. An advertisement in this issue calls attention to the services, etc., to be held in the parish to-morrow. The Vicar invites all residents, strangers and newcomers. A carter named Edwards met with a !i.inor accident yesterday morning at Love Steet, next tho Coronation hotel, do was climbing up tho wheel to tiie ■cat and lie fell, knocking the back if his head on the kerbing, and catching his left leg in the wheel. He lost iiis senses for a while, and had tho iiorses moved lio would probably have net, with a more serious, injury. The adl'eror soon came round and shortly ■ ftenvards was able to drive away.

Tho oat market says the “Otago Daily Times”) is in a disorganised jondition, and opinions as to the Futuro of this cereal vary considerably. Owing to the early harvest :onio holders of old feed oats have been unloading at 2s 4Jd f.0.b., s.i., i)ut on the other hand other holders ire stipulating for 2s 5d to 2s 6d. Vow Canterbury oats, rather thin ,nd shelly, are offering at up to 2s lid f.0.b., s.i. For immediate delivery, feed oats are a shade firmer, the quantity offering locally being small, and it is possible that this firmness may continue until the Southland crop is on the market.