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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2209, 5 June 1908, Page 2

Mr. AV. L. Reos will meet the settlors of Ralcauroa, Matawai, and Alotu at Ralcauroa on Thursday next, at 2 p.m., and at Matawai the same evening at half-past seven. The following day at. 7.30 p.m. 110 will bo at Motu. At these meetings 110 will place before the settlers his proposals in connection with tho timber industry and tramways for that district. An enjoyable evening was spent last night at tho opening of Mrs. Attwood’s now boarding-house, “80110 Vista,” at The Point. About 130 visitors woro present, and tho music for dancing was supplied by tho Gisborne Private Bnnd and Messrs AVootten and Masterton. Tho houso was prettily illuminated with Chinese lanterns, and for those who did not dance, parlor games were supplied. Dancing was maintained until an early hour, and the gathering finally concluded with the singiug of “Aukl Lang Syne.” Tho anniversary tea of tho Salvation Army Band ‘Lenguo was held in the Citadel last evening, when about 150 people sat down to an excellent repast. The meetingi was presided over by Mr. and Sirs. Townley, and at the conclusion of the tea an excellent musical programme was provided. Songs woro contributed by Miss Gaitskell, Messrs D. Trent, Grieve, and East, a recitation by Mr. C. Smith, euphonium solo by Mr Harris, and selections by the Band. Tho Rev. Griffin and Messrs AV. Lissant Clayton and J. East briefly addressed the audience during the ov.ening. Amongst the cargo which was brought up from South by the Fanny yesterday morning were a number of cases of sardines and 51b chests of tea.. These were stacked on the wharf and 1 left uncovered, and at a late hour last night it was discovered that one of the eases of sardines had been broached and about three dozen tins abstracted. v Tho practice of leaving goods in this manner unprotected from either the elements 01thieves is fairly common locally, and it lias been stated on several occasions that it is a mat-tor for wonder that more thefts of last night’s kind are not committed. An enjoyable social and ” At- Home” under the auspices of St. Mary's Church was held in AVhinray’s Hall last- night. The earlier part of the evening was devoted to a euchre tournament. Tho winners, Miss C. Niell and Mr. Dayman, wero each presented with a handsome umbrella-, while Miss Iveefe and Mr. J. Monk were the unenvied recipients of the “booby” prizes. At the conclusion of the tournament supper was partaken of, and dancing was- shortly afterwards- commenced. The Vita String Band supplied high-class music, and the floor was in splendid condition. Songs wero contributed at intervals throughout the evening by Mrs. P. Barry and Messrs Grieve and Citron. A very pleasant gathering concluded shortly after midnight. Somewhere close to midnight on Wednesday a stranger was discovered in the southern end of the town groping about in the hopes that lie would find some place where he might store tho “bluey” that he was carrying and obtain a few hours’ rest. Ho was not drunk, being, on the contrary, entirely . sober, . but Gisborne had treated him so inhospitably that his condition was depressing. Ho explained that he had been amongst the Southern passengers landed from the AVimmern at half-past ten o’clock. Ho had . applied at the Turanganui Hotel for a night’s lodging, but the hotel was full. It was the samo story up town, and finally he had wandered down towards the railway station. The person to whom he spoke advised him to make himself known at tho Eolico depot, and the stranger, who ad ample money to pay for' his needs, followed tho suggestion as providing the only way out of an extremely awkward situation.

The half-yearly meeting of Lodge Turanganui, U.A.0.D., No. 7, was held in the Lodge-room last enening, Bro. W. J. Whim-ay,- A.D., presiding. The balance-sheet submitted showed an increase on-the- funds of £250 for tho past half-vear. The value of investments and deposits now amount to £4089 2s 9d, the sum of £IOOO having been added during the last three years. The lodge lias had a very fortunate year. The sick pay for the half-year amounted to £4O 3s 4d, this being the lowest amount paid for ’many years. The election of officers resulted as follows: Arch Druid, Bro. Jas. Sealy; Vice Arch. Bro. W. West; secretary, Bro. G. E. Darton ('re-elected); treasurer, Bro. J. F. Brown (re-elected); Inner Guardian, Bro. H. Bean ; Outer Guardian, Bro. S. J. Spiers; A.D. Bards, Bro. W. Dunstan and A. Pool; V.A. Bards, Bros. R. Merritt and W. Ogden; Minute Secretary, Bro. V. W. Garrad ; Auditor, Bro. M. Craig. There have been a large number of entries for the lodge card tournament, which commences next lodge night. Further entries can be made with Bros. Eaton, Spiers, and Darton. It is intended to continue this tournament throughout the winter, and it should be the means of making the lodge meetings more attractive.

The president, and members of the Cosmopolitan Club yesterday entertained a large number of ladies at afternoon tea. Among those present were the lion. James Carroll, Archdeacon Williams and Mrs. Williams, the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar) and .Mrs. Lysnar. Archdeacon Williams and the Mayor delivered short addresses on club life, and Mr. O. H. Ambridge explained what the objects of the club were, and stated that it was intended to hold monthly concerts and invite ladies to bo present,

The usual fortnightly meeting of tho Carpenters Union was held m Towiiley s Hall last evening, wlion the following officers were elected for tlio ensuing quarter: President, G. Dompstor; viee-preskloiit, C. 11. Jones; and Cheek Steward, Mr. Lambert. A number of questions were discussed, and consideration deferred until the next meeting, when a largo attendance is expected.

Tho "Mail” states that there aro vory few nion unemployed in Ashburton at present, and good men liavo litt-lo difficulty in securing employment. Pl-oughmcn aro still in request; the supply barely koops pace with the demand. For casual laborers, tlioro is a fair demand, at wages which do not -always find acceptance, but aro generally satisfactory. At present, tho “Mail” adds, thero appears to bo a very healthy tone about Ashburton, and -if general appearances count for anything, it is enjoying a "season of steady prosperii which is likely +0 continuo. It is stated that small birds are working havoc among tho crops in the Ashburton County by pulling up tho grain when it is shooting through tho ground. Ploughing and sowing operations are well advanced, the weather having been especially far vorablo for this class of work. Although- feud 1 :is fairly plentiful, stock have not much improved in condition. Of some 3060 sheen and lambs penned as fats at the last Tiinvald sale very few ’dines were prime enough for freezers. That is attributed in a large measure to the partial failure of the turnip crop and other finisliingoff feed. Judging bv the yarding* at tho sales during the past month there aro more .aged and inferior breeding ewes in (the country at tho present time than there have been for several years past. Yet another delay ii-as occurred in connection with tho Christchurch canal scheme. Messrs Goode, Son and Matthews, the Loudon engineers who were consulted in tho matter, forwarded their report, already many months late, to tho Marine Bepa-rt-ment instead of direct to the Lyttelton Harbor Board. The Department lias now advised the Board by telegram that tho report has come to hand and is being sent on from AVellington, but that it is not accompanied by the plans and drawings. These are being forwarded from London !••• a lator mail through tho parcelsjiost. Without the plans tho -report will bo of little value. Tliev take politics ver- seriously at Pahiatua. The local Press is fun of fiery and truculent correspondence just now. Air. Hawkins accuses opponents of “an untruth, a deliberate, concocted, wilful falsehood,- uttered and repeated for political purposes,” and one in particular of “trying to shove him off the earth’s crust,” and also of being “politically mad” and “a victim for pity and contempt.” He refers also to the efforts of “despicable men,” “a cowardly trio,” “creatures who with diabolical cunning hare striven to injure mo.” 110 promises to “givo the details of the most dastardly and- cowardly plot to injure -a political opponent that has ever been concocted in tho dominion.” The editor says ho has exercised portions of Air Hawkin’s letter because they “go beyond the bounds of fair criticism” and are of a “decidedly libellous character.” A well-known actor, J. B. Atholwood, was charged at the Criminal Court, in Alelbourne, Ja6t week, with having committed bigamy in having gone through tho form of marriage with one Lilian Alary Townshend, on Alay 26th, 1902, his first wife being then alive. The evidence of EtheJ Roby Atholwood, the first wife, was that she married the -accused on Juno 2-Stli, 1897, but that about seven months -ago, he deserted her and her little girl. She admitted that a birth certificate had stated that she was married to a man named Alarshall, on July 4th, 1890, at Auckland, under tho name of Yelverton. The defence- was that -at the time accused met his first wife, 110 believed her to be married to Barry Alarshall. whose real name was Yclvert-fin. Slio told 7 him afterwards that- she had obtained a divorce from Alarshall, and lie married her, but 110 had reason to believe subsequently that the woman was not divorced, and he married Miss Townshend, believing that- at the time that he was a free mail. Lilian Alary Townshond stated that when-At hoi wood went through the form of marriage with her, under tho name of A-itchison, lie -appeared to genuinely believe that lie was a free m in. He continued to Jive with- Airs. Alarshall, but slio had threatened to kill her child if lie left her,, and had threatened to shoot witness and Atholwood' if lio were acquitted in this ease. In a statement by the accused, lie declared that tlio reason ho continued to live with his first wife after his second marriage was for tlio sake of the child by tlio first marriage. The jury returned 1.1 verdict of guilty with a recommendation to mercy. "Mr Justice a’Beckett, who said' ho did not believe thero was anv well-founded belief on the part of Atholwood that the first marriage was void, sentenced accused to six montlis’ imprisonment.

For oiglit 'hours a day (says, the Wellington .“Post”) the car conductor is on his feet, sometimes in peril, Hedging his "way through the strappers, harried and worried in a hundred nays, by .inconsiderate .individuals, and yet lie is expected to preserve ii sweet placidity, and present a. smiling apologetic face to the passenger who pulls the strap the wrong wav and uses violent language because the car does not stop. A typical example of the trials of a conductor was noticeable in a car in lecently A man and woman, apparently husband and wife, went past the section for which they had paid, and when asked for the extra fare replied that they had gone u little way over the limit, and would be alighting at the first stop. They pleaded that other conductors had allowed them to go the extra hundred yards or so, free. This conductor was young, but firm. He blushed, but did not flinch from his duty. Then the woman said: "I have no change,” and the nail exclaimed: “I have no money.” The conductor asked for their names, scoured them after some doi’j.;,>. and then requested another passenger to merely witness the matter, purely for form’s sake. One after another declined to sign. The unfortunate guard blushed more and more, bin. at last a k.rdl.y man sot dowe. his ■ii'inie. and the couple. ■ who, had caused all the 'annoyance left the vehicle, with the cost of collection added.

Regarding the new fruit regulations, a leading Auckland importer says that the restrictions imposed will have a very serious effect on the supply. “In fact,” he said, “the result is already being felt, and the Tongan oiungo trade with Now Zealand has been settled'. Our advice to shippers has been not to consign, and we have little hone of any further shipments of fruit fr<yn the Islands behu' received. In the case of the mandarin fruit supply, the restrictions will have a dire effect. This fruit is much needed at present, and will he for some time to come yet. (Sydney shippers write to us that it will be almost impossible to comply with the regulations ill consigning this fruit. To the citrus fruit trade the regulations 'neon a very big blow, and the. CookIslands and California' must now be relied upon to supply our wants as far as oranges are concerned. Mandarins, however, will be most missed, rvew South Wales growers siinnlcannot comply with the new regulations, and' the Sydney citrus frui* trade, which is just commencing, will knocked on the head, ITortuiuitely the restrictions are not likely to affect the banana trade, as this variety of fruit is generally looked upon as being immune from the ravages’ of the fruit flv, and therefore not subject to the conditions of the new regulations.”

j Oil a cold and frosty morning, when even the long suffering dairymen find the water too cold to add to the milk, what an effort it is to rise from a snug warm bed at the cry of Milk, and find a jug for the milkman. Why not leave a billy out overnight? This week it’s billies for sixpence at Parnell’s Popular Saturday- Sales, 6th inst> only, /

Aa Australian buckjumping entertainment will open on a sito noxt tho lioyai Hotel to-morrow night at 8 o’clock. A silver cup will bo given to the best local rider ill a hunting saddle, and £5 is offored to tho rider who can sit “Hubs” lor one minute. Thero are also three bucking bullocks with tho show, and thero is a donkey, “Bucking Harney,” for tho children to rido. Tho proprietor promises plenty of excitement and fun. A stock agent, whoso business takes him frequent trips through tho country districts, informed a AVairarapa Daily Times reporter, that very tew rabbits wero now to be seen round Mastorton. During tho drought me lot of bunny was a hard one. Ho was forced out of his subteraucant homo by the smoke from tho bush fires, and in the absence of grass, usually made his meal on phosphorus with fatal results. If the drought has been attended by no other boneficiul results, it certainly has rid tile farmer of tho rabbit pest to a considerable extent for the tinio being. THE MAN AW A I'll RAILWAY. Inquiries made by a “New Zealand Times” representative into tho progress of negotiations ici the purchase of tho Wellington and Mann wutu railway by the Government show that nothing apparently has been done beyond serving the forma notice that on December 7 next the State will exercise its power under the Railway Construction and Land Act, 1881, to acquire the undertaking. Jt is impossible to secure any inform*-, tion from members of tho Ministry, who, when approached, could onlv state that the matter is not in a position to permit of a communication to the public. Apparently, the company is awaiting action by the Government, and is, not inclined to actively further the acquisition, otherwise, it is stated, the Raihvay Department might have assumed control or the line from the commencement of tho present financial year. It is rumoured that the company intends ec adopt a strictly negative attitude, am; that in order to obtain possession of tho line contemporaneously with tl *» opening of through railway coramum cation with Auckland legislation will havo.to he introduced duii.ig tho coming session by which the transit r will take place upon the expiration ot the twelve months’ 'notice, reserving to the company all rights to compeusation which it might be found by the Courts to possess.

THE ARTHUR’S PASS TUNNEL. Mr Murdoch M’Lean, of M’Lean Bros., tlie contractors 'or the Arthur’s Pass tunnel, in a letter to the Auckland “Star” says:—“l noticed in a recent issue of your paper a ro port from the secretary of tlio Inar-. laliua Miners’ Union warning men against going south to seek jmiployment at the Otira tunnel works, alleging as a reason that the wages are had and living dear, /lid that tlier- r have been four strikes during the last six weeks. Evidently ihe AVest Coas'.miners are very conservative in respect of work in their district, and want to keep it to themselves, hence their warning to tho AVaihi miners. AA’o have had no trouble whatever in procuring all the labor we requite so far. There were about halt a dozen men who expressed tliomselves dissatisfied and wanted more wages, but as wo are already paying wages m excess of the miners’ award, i nd numbers of men are applying for wotk, wo did not -accede to their request. This is the only case approaching a strike that has occurred sir*3 we stTted, and we ha\e at ‘.resent sixty men employed; all of whom are satisfied witn the wages that are being paid. The rate of wages we aro paying is ten shillings per shift in the tunnel for all men ,and Is 3d nrr heir for men outside. The award wages are: 10s per shift for miners,' Sis per shift for shovel inch underground,- and 9s per day for. pick and shovel men outside. As to the cost of hying, there are quite a number of e'ores on the works, which are just fifty-one miles by rail from Greymouth, so that transport is cheap from a distributing centre. The men, if they like to board themselves, can live very well for from 12s to 13s per week, and there is a first-class boardinghouse on i the works, charging 20s per week. The men.pay no rent, as they are accommodated with well-built houses, 12ft by 12ft, with chimneys, for every two liien. lam sorry to trouble you with tho above, but must correct such misstatements as tho AVest Coast miners are anxious for the other parts of the dominion to believe.!’ ;