The Matawhero. stock sales, take place to-morrow. The railway authorities have intimated their intention of pushing on as expeditiously as possible with the work of providing a crossing at Stanley road for the Patutahi tramway. For the purpose of meeting payments m connection with the electrical installation and tram oars, the Borough Council decided last night to pay the sum of £4750 into the bank. ■U the Hastings Chamber of Commerce meet'ng, Mr A. L. D. Fraser stated that he had the best authority for stating that this year's estimates, I which were now being prepared, mI eluded the sum of £1,200,000 for, the construction of 116 miles of railway connecting Hawke's Bay with Gisborne. The planting of about 200 shrubs, including flowering and ornamental species, is : to be nut m hand at the Carnarvon street ootanical gardens. There is a tine green sward of grass on the reserve, which has been transformed into an attractive resort. The Council should consider the advisability of rolling the grass, as it is getting somewhat long. In his report to the Borough Council last night the Sanitary Inspector stated he had made an inspection of the fruit shops and laundries m tho Borough, and found everything satisfactory, except two friiit shops m Gladstone road, where old potatoes and rubbish had been allowed to accumulate, and two laundries, where, m one case, the washing water was drained into a cess pit, and m the other case on to an adjoining paddock, which was m a bad state, with every prospect of becoming worse as tho hot weather came on. There had been 4370 sanitary pans dealt with during the fortnight. Five cases of scarlet fever and one" case of septicaemia had been reported and attended to. The ballot papers came to hand today m connection with the election of a representative from this district on the Council of the New Zealand Society of Accountants. The candidates are Captain A. G. Beere, Messrs H. A. King and C. G. Piesse. The ballot papers have to be returned to the scrutineers, at Wellington at least four days before the annual meeting, which takes place on August 30. An ingenious method has been adopted m connection with the voting. The ballot papers are folded; on one side are the instructions, and on the other is . the voting paper. When folded up the paper has the appearance of an envelope ready for pasting. Another envelope is supplied for enclosing the. ballot paper, and inside tlie envelope provision is made! for the voter to sign his name. When the exivelop is, opened it is immediately certained whether the voting paper has come from a qualified member, and without being unfolded is placed m a box, and dealt with when all the" papers have come m. The secrecy of the ballot is not divulged.

Last night the Borough Council approved of the Building Inspector's re- I commendations to take action against persons who have buildings encroaching on the Whataupoko railway reserve. Dr MacKenzie, the specialist on discuses of the eye, ear, nose and throat, will be at the Gisborne Hotel, Gisborne., ou Aug-ust 12, and purposes remaining until August 16. "You have got the ratepayers m the hollow of your hand," Cr Collins informal the Mayor last night. "Either they will have to vote for an extra loan or you will not connect them with the sewerage." It has been decided to close the Kaiti school for two weeks on account of a neasles epidemic m the district. It is understood that this vacation will take the place of the usual recess next month. The Mangapapa school has been -■imilarly closed. Tho annual ball will be held to-mor-row evening m the Makaraka and Matawhero Hall, and promises to be a great success. A good supper will be provided, and the floor will be m excellent order. The New Plymduth Harbor Board* dredge Paritiitu has been granted six months' extension of her working period without being overhauled. The, Marine Department refused to grant more than x mopth's extension for the Gisborne dredge Maui. Replying tp a question asked by Oi* Collins last night, the Mayor said the work at the Childers road reserve was proceeding very satisfactorily under contract, and the townspeople could rely apon haying a good playing ground m a very few months. The accounts authorised for payment at the Borough Council last night amounted to £740 lis 2d m the general account, and £2315 lis 9d m the Joan account. The latter sum included a payment of £943 14s 5d to Robb Bros., for sewerage pipes, and £849 9s 4d for labor. "I have lived on a goldfield for four years, and claim to know something about stone, and if your Worship will listen to me for a few minutes I will teach you more about Gentle .Annie quarry than you ever knew before." Thus Cr Collins addressed . himself ' to the Mayor last night, as he proceeded to enter upon an exhaustive geological description of the quarry. All the available accommodation for the public was fully occupied last night' At the Borough Council Chambers. It was evident that the debate on tlie metal problem was the centre of attraction, for when that matter was disposed of all but a dozen or so of the audience took their leave. Some of the! public fully expected to witness, some municipal fireworks, but m this they were disappointed,, as the debate , was conducted with exceptionally few interjections. The metal question occupied over three hours. At 1 a.m. the Council went into committee on sewerage matters. A euchre party and dance was held m St. Mary's Social Hall last evening, m aid of Mrs Phil. Barry's stall, and a large number of people assembled ,to participate m the evening's enjoyment. The ladies' first prize, a handsome" handbag, presented by Mr D. J. Barry, was won by Miss Grant. The gentlemen's first prize, a handsome pocket book, presented by Mr G. B. Oman, was won by Mr Brooks. Consolation prizes' .were won by Miss T. McConville, and Mr Gilles respectively. After the euchre tournament supper was handed round, and then dancing was indulged m till a late hour. Splendid music was provided by xMiss Reid and Mr G. Vita. While the steamer Victoria, which arrived at Gisborne this afternoon, was at Sydney this trip a start was made' with the installation of her wireless apparatus. Owing to the vessel's short stay at the New South. Wales port, the work will be done m stages, and should be ready for operation about the end of , September. Ihe operator's house was fitted on the Victoria's bridge-deck, at Sj'dney last week, and when she arrives there from Auckland on September 1 the work of installation will be advanced another stage. It is expected that aj start will also be made with the instal- 1 lation of the Wimmera' s apparatus on her arrival at Sydney from Auckland on Friday next. A deputation from the Trades and Labor Council waited on the Borough CouncU last night m reference to the Council's attitude regarding the general laborers' demands. Mr A. S. Richards, president of the Council, said they had come to say that it was unjust of the Council not to agree to meet the General Laborers' Union. The affiliated unions looked upon the resolution as unjust; and the organisation of labor was slighted. They asked tliat the matter be reconsidered^ and tha^ the Council would meet their representatives m conference. No' harm could come from, the conference. It was the custom of .Councils m New Zealand to meet m conference with labor unions to discuss various cters.— Mr P. W. Coleman supported Mr Richards. He^ said they felt' that it was not the intention of the Council, to slight tlie workers. If the Co'iuicil considered, after a friendly talk that the demands were .not just and fair, the Council would be quite justified, m refusing " the demands. — „f J. H. Hall endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. They believed that the Borough Council and other public bodies should set ah example to employers of labor.— -Tlie .Mayor said the request would be taken into consideration later on m the evening. — Cr D«rton asked whether, if an agreement was come to, the Council would be exempted from the operations' of an award. — Mr Coleman said he thought it would be possible.—When the matter was .reverted to later, it was foiind that there was already a resolution on the books dealing with the subject, so Cr Darton gave notice of motion that the resolution be rescinded to enable the matter to be reopened On behalf of various proprietors of stables m Gisborne, Mr F. W. Nolan waited on the Borough Council last night m reference to a notice served on the stablekeepers, requesting them to concrete the floors * of their stables, and connect their stables, with the sewerage system. Mr Nolan said the latter matter would be attended to. He had been asked to bring before the Council various points regarding the question of concreting. The chief point was the question of injury to the horses. The stablekeepers "were unailimous m saying that it was extremely injurious to liorses standing on hard ground after a day's work. It would result m a great many people not stabling horses at all, which would interfere with business. With one exception, the proprietors held short leases. It was felt that the Council should try to adjust the matter as far as possible. Concrete had been tried iv one stable, and found not to stand. Mr Redstone had lately been on a tour, and had inspected a number of stables, and found m every instance except two, the floors were laid. down m wood. The two exceptions were concrete, and were found to injure the horses, and a thick coating of sawdust had to be spread oyer the concrete. Such a course could not be adopted here, as there was not suffi-' cient sawdust m the town. He suggested that a committee should be set up to go into the matter, and if possible arrive at a solution of the difficulty that would be satisfactory to both the Council and the proprietors. The stablekeepers were willing to do what they considered was m the best interests of the public. — The Mayor said the Council had received instructions from the Health Department at Wellington to issue the notices. The Council would, no doubt, meet the stablekeepers. The matter would be taken into account at a later stage. It was subsequently agreed to refer the matter to the Sanitary Committee. During . the past week the Ladies of Gisborne have been given a unique opportunity of securing drapery; and millinery at specially low prices at Messrs Adair Bros.' "Big Drop Sale, :,Ifsc* a very., large number haV^ availedl>them-. tse".TOs- ; of this q^ TJiiosfl, Viflio lisVe- not yet attended 1 jhe» sale ai%-ad-vised to do so before the end of the week, as it positi veiy closes on Saturday. The firm intend making tliat, day a special one .for country customers, both' m the men's and the ladies' 'departs' ments.*

The current programme of Pathe Pic-. ' tures (including the Coronation; film) Avilt ,be shown to-night. The hall 's otherwise engaged ior to morrow night. To-morrow at noon Messrs Miller .and Craig, acting . under imperative instruct ■ tions, will offer by public auction a gentleman's bicycle* as advertised. '" ... To-morrow afternoon, commencing 2 o'clock, Messrs .Miller and .Ci : aig Jio'd a clearing sale of household furniture and effects at the residence of Mr.. Ben.Tanner, 56 Russell street, Whataupbkpi., The Motu Farmers' Union is giving ;av ball on Friday, August 11, and \h)e. Union is donating £5 out of their, fung's.towards the expenses, so that they, will be able to hand over a good surplus. to-, the hall funds. „ . J .-. Another step is being taken to -mark the historic spots m the Te -Awam*ut*|i district. Instructions have been issu'ad' by the Government for the erection of a! monument at the site of the • famous battle of Orakau Pa. Good progress has been made with the Customhouse 'street septic tank; arid the walls are practically finished:: -; /A' start will be made, about: Monday ; Aynili the roof; and it is hoped fo dftapb finish the tank: b-y the'' end- of next; "w^ek; ,o^ A young man named Normani McAliixdon appeared before ..Mr J. W^ Bright, J.P., at the Police Court this .iao^xaniir. on a charge of drunkenness, ,^ndV,*-Vw^ fined . lOs, and co?ts 2k; m default's Ap hours' imprisonhient, „ „'. '/...X; "The Mayor's opinions are as riumafc.-J ous as the revolutions of ■ the earth)"., qer clared Cf Collins last night, ."hut,! tmn)k. Heaven, the revolutions of the'. ea"r-t.*r:go'' on unchanged for ever, but his opinions, do not." '.... „'.,.-/:■ A ladies' race will be held to-night- at' the Roller Skating Rink,- iind. also. No. threading-the-needle race. ; Tft-morr^>*iv night a pairs race and a; men's: rbije ra£ft .will take -place, and on Saturday ni&ht a black and white session. will fte hdld.:';. The many friends of Mr and '■„#* :['&* T. Paviour-Smith, of Danhevirke, . fort, merly of Gishdrne, vnirr6gret to Ke-fif of the death of their 'tiiird eldest "Sohft Nolan, which took place: on" ■;•; Siititiif last, aged-: Si years. Deitth w>s .'-due ! :.pf' heart failm-eV' after, croup. '- :' "' v^vfc Evidences •'•of;- the condition :o ! f:^„M. m the early days are ■ Being un&art#|!l by the excavations m connection wiw the sewer^tre^cnes. Opposite^ the GM borne Bowling*; 'Gre.eh ' to-day _ 'hugS rati', treeV was;.struck about six f eet bfelpw the surface. -of the g;round. Ti-fe' tree was tying Almost lengthwise in^-fche" route of the trench,. and the'woVlr of're,moving the obstruction was - not ' an easy -one. ' ■'•' • ■'••■• '-.:■-.-.. ■ ■■■••■.•■■.,■;