Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3982, 15 July 1915, Page 4

Local and General.

The recent heavy rains have caused the Alotu River to rise considerably. Some anxiety was caused in the neighborhood of Hall's sawmill on Saturday night last, but just as the mill bands were preparing to make a hurried exit the waters began to subside. The heavy rains will do a world of good in tho country districts.

Splendid acting is not the only feature of “In the Glare of the Lights,” now being shown at the World’s Pictures. Some exceptionally fine educational scene are shown taken in one of the largest ore smelting works in Pittsburg, U.S.A., and modern methods are fully shown.

The members of the Haw'ke’s Bay Land Board paid a visit of inspection to the N gat a pa, settlement on Tuesday. The object of the visit was to look, over section 5, the lease of which expires on December 31. In view of tlii* enhanced value of the property caused by the proximity of the railway. it was decided to subdivide the section. A scheme-of subdivision will be prepared by the Gisborne Land Officer, and considered by the Board at its next meeting. Tito Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. W. IT. Skinner) and .Messrs. Ross and Wright, the southern members of tho Board, returned: to Napier by the s.s. Tarawera last tiighl.

A kinomatographic film of historical value lias boon prepared by the Government's official photographers as_ a record of the sending of troops to the seat of war (says the “N.Z. Times”). The film was tested by a private exhibition this week and was found to bo of excellent quality. It records the training of the men at the Trentham Gamp, including both infantry and mounted infantry, and other features of the camp. The marching of the troops through Wellington, the farewell parade at Newtown Park, and the embarkation of the main expeditionary force are well pictured, and a section is devoted to the Maori contingent. There is a fine view of the departure of the first squadron of transports.

Isold 1 values in New Zealand during the past 20 years' have risen to an average of 11 per cent, per annum, consequently any investor purchasing a property and paying even 10 per cent, for his capital, would have a profit of 1 per cent, per annum. * At the present time this rate of increase of the “unearned increment” is much greater than the past average therefore. can there be any better or safer investment than land? In the case of the sections being offered on the 17th July by Messrs. Williams and Kettle and Mr. W. Lissant Clayton, the ratio of increase of value must bo even greater, because it will be accelerated by the advent of trams and other improvements to the borough. Only CIO cash is required and 5 per cent, on the outstanding money, and this investment will therefore yield, on the most conservative basis, a profit of at least 6 per cent, per annum*

Mr. and Airs. Ellery yesterday received the following letter, dated May 24, from Chaplain-Major W. Grant : —“We had an armistice to-day to bury the dead, and had the melancholy satisfaction of giving your dear son Cecil a decent sepulture. By the appearance of the body death had been instantaneous. He .lay where he had! fallen, partially on his side, with Ins face to the foe like a good soldier. I have known him since lie was a schoolboy and sympathise deeply with, you all in your loss. May He Who Knows the tenderness of the ties that bind together human hearts succour and comfort you in your loss and sorrow. You may well be proud, in your grief, that your boy found death fighting in defence of the Empire, and, in a sense, the liberties of humanity. He has paid tli.rj full price of the patriot, but we feel sure that, his sacrifice, and that of others of his comrades, will not be in vain. Oscar Solvandor made a little cross of wood and inscribed in red paint: ‘ln memory of Cecil Ellery, killed in action. April, 1915.’ Most of the graves had, for want, of time, to be left unmarked!, and in some cases several wore buried together.”

Don’t know us?' That’s strange! Wo have been hammering away on the same old anvil for over three years, pointing out- again and again how you can save money; and! yet, even now, tliere are people in Gisborne who have never been in .our store. What store brought down the prico of crockery, cutlery, carpenters’ tools, and household ironmongery? What store carries such a splendid assortment, that it is possible to get all your requirements at prices much below our competitors? What store is it that always treats its clients with such courtesy and civility that it is a pleasure to shop there? What store is it that if it has hot the article you require will ransack the town for it to oblige you? One store fills the bill in all •the above respects more than a-nv other, and that store is the People’s Emporium. It is essentially the people’s store; and if you are not a customer, do not delay: any .longer, but give them a trial. You will-by so satisfied that you will never deal Use--where.*

The splendid attraction at tho Opera House, “Adventures of Kathlyn,” attracted a large audience last evening. This is the seventh number of tins popular wild-animal serial, and is very interesting and exciting. It will bo screened again this evening.

Mrs R. J. Reynolds has forwarded £SO to the Citizens’ Defence Committee, with a request that the amount should be used for relief in Belgium, and not for refugees in England. The Committee at its fast meeting decided to forward the amount and Mrs Reynolds’ letter to the Belgian Consul in Wellington.

This is a session of knitting for the ladies who adorn the House of Representatives during the afternoons and evenings, and the favorite exercise is: the construction of socks (says a Parliamentary correspondent). The other day a contingent of schoolgirls came in, and they, too, had- the useful equipment of needles arid wool for the comfort of soldiers. This industry goes steadily through, all debates, as persistently as tho note-taking of the Hansard staff. No interjections, nor question, nor incident checks the slow but- sure growth of the sock <>i the “balaclava.”

Inquiry lias been made to whether tho Dominion Drink Bill, issued each year on behalf of the New Zealand Alliance, is calculated on wholesale, or retail prices (says the “Post”). It is learned that the intention is to shew, as nearly as possible, the nrobabie cost to the consumer. For this purpose, standard values are taken. These are not wholesale charges, but it would not be correct to say they are actually retail. A fair average retail price is aimed at, and the Alliance considers that, if there is error, it is on the side of under-staternont.

Captain A. Carson, captain of the s.s. Monowai, culled in at Gisborne while his vessel was in the. roadstead yesterday, and intimated to Mr. J. A. McDonald, Engineer-Secretary to the Gisborne Harbor Board, his acceptance of the position of harbormaster at Gisborne. The salary will be £325 per annum- Captain Carson’s home is at present in Dunedin, but he is arranging to bring his family to Gisborne. The Harbor Hoard is' to be congratulated on having socured such an experienced master mariner for the position.

A pathetic case in connection with the war was related by Air C. H. Poole in the House of Representatives A widow woman in Auckland sent her three sons to the front. One was invalided home from Egypt and was sent to the Sea cl iff o Asylum on account oi mental inefficiency' haying developed through sunstroke. From that time his half-pay allowance ceased and the widow shortly afterwards received a formal inquiry from the Mental Hospital as to her financial resources in order that it might be ascertained whether she was able to contribute to her son's maintenance.

Letters from the islands received by the Riverina contained advice that tile Atelauesian Alission steamer Southern Cross will not arrive at Auckland until the end of this month. The Bishop of Alelanesia, Dr C. J. Mood, and Archdeacon AY. A. Ixhwatt. the latter on his way to England on furlough after a severe attack of fever, will be passengers by the steamer. The mail also contained reports that Alis.s Bechervaise and Aliss Coombe have both been ill. hut the health of the other missionaries has been excellent, in spite of the exceptionally drv season.

Air IT. B. AVilliams. of Turihau, intimated to the Gisborne Citizens’ Dcfenee Committee at its last meeting that he wished his donation of £4OO and Afr Kenway also asked that the £2OO subscribed' by the Kiore Sheepfanning Company, be earmarked and sent to Lady God ley for the convalescent home which she lias started in Cairo. Lady Godley is doing splendid work there, and depends a good deal on support from the Dominion.—Mr Shorratt proposed that in addition to tlio.se subscriptions, the Defence Committee should add £-100. making a total of £IOOO. and forward it at once to Lady Godley.—The motion was carried unanimously.

The third annual meeting of shareholders in the Gisborne Ojiera House Company was held yesterday. Mr W. Good occupied the chair. The balance sheet disclosed a satisfactory net profit. In speaking to the motion for tlie adoption of the report- referred to the great progress which the Company is now makine. The war bad at its commencement .-ligldly affected the business but to-day the returns were better than ever, despite the fact that a reduction in the prices had been made. Mr W. Good and .Mr D. .1. Parker were re-elected directors tinopposed and Air A. Graham was reelected auditor. Before the meeting concluded the occasion was taken to compliment Air dagger and his staff on their very capable work during the rear.

A peculiar and interesting action at law arising out of the burial at sea of a passenger hv the liner Alimioapolis was recently heard in .the .Supreme Court of New York (says Idovd’s “Slipping Gazette.”) The plaintiff. Air H. B. Pi nicy, sued the owners of the steamer for damages for having buried the body of bis father at tea while the vessel was on a voyage, from England. In recording a verdict for £OOO in favor of the plaintiff. Mr Justice Shearn pointed out that the steamship officials took charge,of £l5O which the dead passenger had with him, and which the Court held was more than sufficient to defray the expenses of embalming the hotly aud transporting it to Now A ork for burial on shore.

The grand fair and exhibition Judd under the auspices of the Scottish Society will be officially ..opened hv the Mayoress at 3 o’clock this afternoon. Over 5/0 entries luivo been rooeived. and there will be keen competition in many of the classes. In addition to the school work, art, cookery, sewing and preserves which will be judged at 11 a.in., the girls’ physical drill, for which five squads arc entered, will bo judged at 3.30 p.m. The Highland fling (S entries) a.nd the lx\vs ! physical drill (3 entries) will be. judg od in the evening. Other attractions will bo the shooting gallery and the ping pong tournament for which postentries will be received. There are numerous stalls, including sweets, flower, produce, jumble, plain and fancy work, etc. The afternoon tenarrangements are itt the hands of a good committee and patrons will be well catered for.

To show what the people of Poverty Bay have to be thankful for, and to prove the value of our country with its regular seasons, its annual surplus of fat stock, and ever-increasing markets for its meat, Mr C. G. B 100 re mentioned yesterday to a “Gisborne Times” reporter that in letters from friends in Victoria, a graphic picture is drawn of the effects of last season’s drought even in its most, favored districts. As a result the losses of stock last week fat bullocks brought £4O per head, and sheep up to £4. But for the Government stopping in and prohibiting export, half the people would he left without meat of any description. As it is mutton is selling at Is per pound, steak at Is 6d per pound, roasts Is per pound. Other foodstuffs are equally high : Butter 2s 3d per lb, milk 6d per quart, bread lOd the 4lb loaf, chaff is at 4215 per ton. “What a lot we have to bo thankful for here, and what a market for Poverty Bay’s surplus fats!” added Air Bloore. Learn Wireless.—Trips round the world; decent salaries; spars time studies. Write to-day. Dominion College of Radio-Telegraphy, Union Buildings, Auckland.”