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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2141, 17 March 1908, Page 2

Public speaking is responsible for many, slips of file tongue. At-a meeting hold last evening one speaker talked of debts which had been “incured,” while- another spoke of looking at things in a “sanguinary” manner.

Mr. Shaw's property at Tolaga Bay, which lias recently been sold by Mr. AV. Lissaut Clayton, is in no way connected with tho Gear Company, of ’Wellington, as was suggested in a local yesterday, but lias been purchased by Messrs Goar and Jobson.

The February number of the Windsor Magazino is to hand from the local stationer, Mr T. Adams. It contains a series of 17 pictures, reproductions of paintings by Mr Edwin Long. There is the usual assortment of short stories, ami amongst special articles, one of unique interest is that on “Oceanography” in which tho remarkable woi'k of tho Prince of Monaco in solving the mysteries of the deep is described. The Taicri County Council recently had advertised for a sautiary inspector, and ono out of many applicants, by way of testifying as to his fitness for tho position, enclosed a cabinet photograph of himself and his bride, arranged in wedding garments. Tlio pretty portrait was handed round, but tho contrast between orange blossoms and white ties, and tlio nature of a sanitary inspector’s dutios was so ludicrous that the councillors’ gravity was quite upset—so was the application.

Dr McArthur, S.M., has often called attention to tlio fact that sometimes rent-books, produced in Courrt, are not stamped where payments are made of £2 and upwards, and has threatened to seize sucli books. Recently a book was produced in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court in which four payments of fifteen shillings each wore entered as having been mado in ono day, and evidence was given that these payments were made in ono lump sum of £3. There was, howovor, no stamp on the receipt. Several other similar entries were discovered, and His Worship ordered -the Court bailiff to impound the book.

Conversing on political matters with a gentleman who travels frequently over Southland, a member of tlie Otago Daily “Times” staff was informed that the general opinion appears to be that the present Southland members will certainly all be- returned at the coming general election, and that, should any of them bo opposed, their majority will be larger than before. This is due to the fact that the sitting members for Awarua, Mataura, Invercargill, and Wallace are regarded as strong and experienced men, the result of whose combined efforts is to ho seen in tlie marked improvements that have been made in their respective electorates.

Superintendent Smith, of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, sneaking at a meeting the other night in connection with the proposed establishment of a fire salvage corns, said that a bodv of fire police would bo of immense assistance to the brigade, and would save thousands of pounds annually. At the last six fires the brigade had had 40,000 f- of hose out, and of that 3000 ft or 4000 f- were much cut up, some of it with knives, and the rest by people standing on it. As to tho conveyance of tho fire police, the best thing to do would he for the men to make direct for the fire on bicycles. As to a -long alarm being given, ho was against it, as the brigade did not want large crowds at the fires.

Mr. J. F. Bettie presided over a general meeting of the Lynda Soap Co., held last -night, at which a good number of shareholders were present. An amended balauce-sheot, rendered necessary by the fact that certain irregularities crept into -tho one previously carried, was adopted. Tlio manager reported that matters at the factory were progressing favorably, but that to properly cope- with the business it would be necessary to extend tho plant. The goods turned out by the company had been, favorably commented on by .all who had tried them, and ho expected .that within a few months the retail trade in the company's goods would greatly increase. Several matters of internal management- were also fully discussed.

Mr. Paul Hausen, manager of the British Electro Traction Company, which owns tho Auckland tramway system, is at present in Gisborne. Chatting to a Times reporter Mr. Ilansen expressed himself as disgusted with tho Wretched arrangements made for tho convenience of passengers visiting this town. He had been a passenger by the Monowai from Auckland, and had come to the conclusion that in all his travels—which included most parts of tho world—lie had never found the arrangements so bad. To his mind the Gisborno folks must be asleep to permit such treatment, and 110 suggested that a petition should be signed by tho townspeople and sent to Sir James Mills, president of tho Union Company, asking for a more frequent and more satisfactory steamer service.

An important- meeting of the painters union was hold on Saturday night when Mr J. Hall presided over a full meeting. Several hours were devoted to tlie formation of tlio conditions of the new award which it is tho union’s .intention to seek at the expiration oT tlie existing -agreement which terminates shortly. Awards in this trade from all parts of the Dominion were considered and the best points from each, according to the men’s standpoint, were embodied in the local demand. One of the most notable features is that- dealing with preference to unionists. According t tp this all employees must join the union within a specified t.imo from the signing of the agreement or a-, ward, and in event of their refusing their employers must discharge them. It is also intended to ask that tho ruling wages for journeymen shall be raised from Is 3d to Is 4tl per hour.

In connection with tho cases that wore before the Supreme Court last week dealing with transactions of the East Coast Trust Board, the position is now as follows: 111 the one against- the East C-oast Commissioner (Mr T. A. Coleman) judgment is deferred, and although both parties have urged the Judge for an early decision it- is not expected before a couple of months. In the- second case, the one against Mr. J. AV. Nolan, notice of appeal has been lodged against so much of the decision as refused the application of llie plaintiffs to enter judgment for them on the ground that the Trust Board Imd no power to sell the laud to Mr. Nolan, who was at the time solicitor to the Board and so had notice of the defective title he was accepting. This appeal will probably not- come 011 at the first sitting of the Court of Appeal, which opens this month, but will be in time for the next, some three months hence.

Ranking amongst- the notable events which mark the rapid advance of things commercial in our town, mustbe placed the novel idea put forward by Messrs A. Parnell and Co., ironmongers, of offering each Saturday a special article at a surprisingly low price. In another column are advertised fire shovels for next Saturday. AVo might remark that this figure holds good for the day mentioned only,*

To-day is St Patrick’s day, but tho anniversary ol the Patron Saint of Ireland will be celebrated in Gisborne on Thursday (tlio usual weekly halfholiday) by a sports meeting conducted bv tho H.A.C.8.5., on the Victoria Domain in tho afternoon, and a social at His Majesty's Theatre in the evening.

A rather curious legal position arose last week, says tho Rotorua Times, when a prisoner accused, of breaking from tho Waipa prison was convicted and discharged by Messrs Wylie and Taylor, J r sP. Sergeant Watts had no authority to detain tho man; and tho gaoler had authority to detain him only at Waipa or Waiotapu. The result was that the prisoner was for the time being a free mail, ami could" have walked off without anyono having power to lay a finger on him. Evidently he did not know' of his good luck, or ho might havo had a look at the Carnival. After a lot of wiring to and from Wellington, authority was given to the gaoler to take possession of his prisoner at Rotorua, and keop him in custody until ho was safely back in the precincts of the prison to which ho was consigned. It is strange that this anomaly .escaped the notice or tlio justices. Prison breaking is a serious offence, rendering the breaker liable to two years’ imprisonment.