The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1908. THE LATE BRITISH PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2173, 24 April 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1908. THE LATE BRITISH PREMIER.

Though it was not given to tho late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman to actually die in harness, his last and fatal illness was of comparatively brief duration. For full forty years ho had taken an active part in British political life, and was only compelled to relinquish tho highest office in the land in January last. At the time of his death the late Premier was 72 years of ago, and it cannot tliorefore be said that the. usually ruthless hand of death had cut short his career. On tho contrary, Sir Henry was permitted to reach the ultimate goal that so many fruitlessly aspire to. After a lengthy political career in which ho experienced a full share of the ups and downs that are associated with political affairs, he found, at the age of 70, by a sharp turn of fortune’s wheel, that his party was once more in power, with himself as its unanimously chosen leader. From- recent information it would appear that the fickle goddess may have yet another change iu store for British politics, and if this bo the case it will be a matter of satisfaction to both friend and foe in tho political world that a worthy has been spared tho disappointment in his declining years of a political defeat. Sir Henry was a man of stern upright character, with an unyielding devotion to duty. Ho was recognised, even by his opponents, as one whose character would stand tho closest investigation, and whoso honor could never be besmirched. In his private capacity, an easy-going man of the world, tho late Sir Henry, nevertheless, was possessed? of qualii ties and principles which subsequently marked his career as a great man, and Mr. Gladstone, a keen judge of character, early discovered that the indolent manner of Mr. Campbell, as he was thou, was but a cloak to bis real characteristics. As a statesman, Sir Henry was not of tho colossal type, but he possessed qualities that are extremely valuable in tho management.of human affairs. Ho had a “sweet reasonableness” that enabled him, while maintaining am ■unswerving loyalty to principle, to moderate the friction that is inseparable from tho management of a political party. This atmosphere of graciousness made him popular with all sections of tho House, and his tact and patience did much to promote the cause of Liberalism. .By.nature neither ambitious nor energetic, he was yet careful and painstaking in all that he undertook. He was a man of sound sense and strong convictions, and his force of character and native-grit were largely instrumental in winning the confidence of the country. The position of Prime Minister came to him unsought, and was the reward, if it may be so called, of patient endurance and tho sacrifice of personal ease and comfort. During liis term of office lie succeeded in instituting, against strong opposition, reforms of great value to his country, and' his recent ■resignation as Prime Minister was received with a chorus of regret; ' A statesman of a high order, self-sacri-ficing, and with ail intense devotion for his country’s welfare, the late Sir Henry was .a man to be admired, by friend and foe alike. It can justly be claimed that tho high traditions of British statesmanship were fully maintained by the typical English gentleman who has just passed away iu the fulness of years and with a nation’s homage at the close of his life’s work.

Tho advertisement lately appearing in this paper calling lor returns under “Tho Land and Incomo Ashchbjneut Act; 1900,” refer;; to returns of Find and mortgages only. Returns or income will be called lor later.

.Unsuccessful social was held in tho R§Wtalii Public ilnll last evoning, thb proceeds boing in aid of tho Patutnlii Roman Catholic Church. Dancing was indulged in until an early hour this morning; Miss Moore’s orchestra supplied the music.

Two cases of drunkenness were dealt with by Air. AV. A. Barton, 8.M., yesterday morning, at tho Police Court. John Foonoy was fined 10s with 2s costs, or an alternative of 48 hours’ imprisonment. John Siddell was sentenced to 14 days’ hard labor, and a prohibition order was issued against him.

Tho milk vomlors liav.o docided to follow in tho stops of thb butchors and bakers, and trade only on tho cash system. A meeting of dairymen was hold at the Farmers’ Club rooms yesterday morning, when it was unanimously docided, after a long discussion that all accounts should be paid by tho fifteenth of tho month without exception.

Tho eccentricities of tho local passenger service caused a good deal of grumbling.at tho wharf yesterday morning, when tho launch to take Northern passengers to tho Monowai, instead of taking passengers at 9 a.m. as annonneed, did not leave tho wharf until after 11 a.m.' This was duo to an unusually heavy cargo from Napier dolaying tlio steamof’s departure from this port.

AYitli the scattering of seeds over tho burned hillsides (says a lat-e American paper), San Francisco will bogin tho first actual work for its beautification against tho coming of tho battleship floot. At a meeting of the Exccutivo Committee for tho fleet s reception, it was decided to sow at onco nasturtium, c.schsclioltsia, and Shirley poppy Seeds, so that when May comes the slopes, now dotted with spaces filled with brick and ashes will bo filled with gorgeous colour. No timo was to bo lost, for tho plants take almost three months to flower, and whatever the seeds and their sowing may cost will bo appropriated when'the amount is known.

A Timaru tradesman, in conversation with a “Post” reporter, uttered a strong protest against tho credit system which prevails there so largely. He said he did not object to a reasonable amount of credit to honest people, but the indiscriminate giving of credit simply to get business opened tho door too widely to victimisation of the meanest kind, and he was heartily tired of it. He had tried Court procedure on some of the defaulters, but lie found that it cost 19s to collect a pound. Another tradesman, who chanced to be speaking on tho same subject this morning, said that at present business is very quiet. He could increase liis turnover tenfold if he would give unlimited credit, but such business, he added, “is no good to me; I would prefer to be without it.”

Tho following unclaimed letters are lying at tho Post Office; —-Canada : Mrs. Auld, Gisborne; Airs. Jackson, La Perie, near Gisborne. New South Wales: A. Findlay, Gisborne; Ted Alurphy, Gisborne; Alfred Stokes, Gisborne; J. J. iStrudwecke, Gisborne; AValter Acids, Gisborne. Sverige: John Johansson. Gisborne; J. AV. Andersson, Gisborne. United Kingdom: Rev. J. Hooper, Gisborne; J. S'. Jackson, Gisborne; J. H. Taylor, Gisborne; Aliss Thornton (2), Gisborne; Aliss A. Thornton (2), Gisborne; P. D. Turnbull (6), Gisborne. United States: Airs. AY. C. Clarke, Gisborne. Tasmania: Miss A. Clarke, Gisborne; T. Dalton, Gisborne; T. Hodgson, Gisborne. Arictoria: If. Edwards, Lower Hangaroa; A. Williams,-Gisborne. AA r estern Australia: A. Campbell, AYahnata Valley.

The bunker requirements of the American fleet, now in the Pacific (says the AVellington “Post”), did not escape the attention of the Prime Alinister. As soon as it wa6 cabled out to New Zealand that the'United States Government was inviting tentiers for coal in Cardiff to the tune of £200,000 for the fleet, Sir Joseph AVard communicated with the Stato Department, , Washington, stating that New Zealand could supply excellent coal for the warships in the Pacific, and that the Government would give every assistance in negotiating for the purchase of coal and securing its transnort to the ships. A reply has now been received from America stating that- should such coal be required by the Navy Department it would be pleased to avail itself of tho New Zealand Government’s good offices.

A- musical entertainment- and social gathering will bo held in tho Kaiti District School this evening, commencing at 7.30. The evening is being promoted by tho A 7 icar of Gisborne, assisted by -a vory strong local committee, and the proceeds are to bo given to the fund for purchasing the organ used in connection with the Sunday School and church services held in the suburb. As there i 3 a substantial debit oil the organ, tho Vicar invites the assistance of a’ll parishioners and residents in the parish generally. A special ’bus will bo run by Messrs. Redstone and Son from tho Post Office at 7.30 p.m., and at regular intervals after if required. During tho interval there will bo music, etc., by well-known residents, and several items by new performers. There will ako bo games and a magic lantern entertainment, and supper will also bo served. Tho price of admission is one shilling for adults, and children are admitted at lialf-prico.

The recent accident bv which a local resident swallowed h'is false teeth in liis sleep, and subsequently had them restored by a medical man, recalls tho case or Aliss Jane Barwick, a resident of AA’heatley-roa-d, North Brighton, who was admitted t-o tile Alelbourno Hospital on Alarch 31. Aliss Barwick informed the authorities that she had, while drinking mutton broth on the previous evening, swallowed a sat of thirteen false teeth. Upon drinking the broth Miss Barwick had experienced a choking sensation, as if some considerable obstruction were in her throat. Thinking that, if she took a little, dry food, the feeling might disappear, she obtained a biscuit, but, Nv-lieii she attempted to bite it, she found that she. had lost her false teeth. A thorough search of the house failed to discover the missing teeth, and Miss 'Barwick, as. well as the relatives with whom she lived, were fully persuaded that she had swallowed them. After Aliss Barwick had been admitted to the hospital the X-rays were applied, but did not reveal the presence of any foreign solid in the body. AVhen the patient had been in the hospital for eight days a sister. Airs.' Reeves, With whom Aliss Barwick resides, found the teeth beneath a bench in the laundry. Apparently the t.eetli had fallen from a basket containing for the wash. The hospital authorities were informed, and they immediately discharged the patient.