The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE JANUARY 4, 1901. A GRAND DISPLAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 3, 4 January 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE JANUARY 4, 1901. A GRAND DISPLAY.

The descriptions that have come to hand of the celebrations in Sydney this week have concentrated attention in that direction. All New Zealanders have the most cordial wishes towards the sister colonies in the consummation of their federal scheme. The celebrations have been free from mishap; they have in some respects been of sublime grandeur, and they have not been without turning of the firemen’s hose upon the .crowd was a grim joke which seems to have been taken in good part. One of the grandest spectacles of the celebration must have been that of yesterday, when nearly 10,000 men representative of the united Empire marched past. “The army of the Empire displayed itself in all its glory,” is thejjespression'aptly made use of by the Press Association correspondent in the description cabled through last night, and which appears in another column of this morning’s Times. No wonder that the spectacle should arouse the intense enthusiasm of the 150,000 spectators. Those of us who have not the privilege of being present at the celebrations can at least

join in spirit with those who are move fortunate, and revel in the fine descriptions that are being cabled. The display made yesterday by 10,000 school children was a most attractive feature of the demonstrations. The commercial banquet seems to have been in reality a freetrade demonstration. The absence of the Governor, on the plea of being “tired,” was significant, and it is the better understood when one reads of the marked difference between the applause accorded to the Federal Premier and that accorded to Mr Reid of “no-yes” fame. But as the fiscal question has yet to be fought out, it is too much to expect that it can be kept under during the festivities. Keen business men are not cast in that mould.

LEGISLATURE COUNCILLOR. TnE people of Christchurch are much concerned about the appointment of Mr Louisson to the Legislative Council ; their trouble is in regard to the individual selected, the appointment not being approved of by everyone. Gisborne people are not concerned with the local prejudices of the southerners, but it is worth while to again raise the question as to the appointment of a Legislative Councillor from this district. When the matter was mooted to tho Hon. J. Carroll by the Chamber of Commerce ho gave a hint that if the local bodies suggested a nominee the matter would receive the favorable consideration of 'the Government. In the interests of the district it would be worth while following up this subject. Though wo do not suggest that a local coloring should be given to the appointment of Legislative Councillors, it is a matter of fairness that the location -of those appointed should take in a large part of the colony, and the East Coast should not be overlooked. It had two or more representatives in the Council some years ago; now it can hardly be said to have one. If the local bodies could agree in the recommendation of a nominee we believe that tho recommendation would be given effect to when now appointments were being made.

Upwards of a hundred bowlers are expeoted [to arrive in Gisborne to-morrow and Sunday. .. Lovers of ferns are recommended to read ;the interesting article oil page 4 of this morning’s Times. Attention is directed to the Messrs Camp--bell 1 and Ehrenfried Co.’s advertisement regarding the merits of Puriri mineral waters. The Grand Hotel, in Princess Street, Auckland, has had another thirty rooms added to it, and offers excellent accommodation to visitors to that city. Mrs Butler, teacher of music, Upper Gladstone road, has vacancies,"for several pupils. She resumes instruction after the Christmas vacation on Monday next. Interesting telegraphic news appears on the first page of to-day’s Times, and cablegraphic news on the .fourth page, also a very interesting gardening article on the subject of ferns. There will be three Masonic meetings in Gisborne next week, Lodge Turanganui on Monday, Abercorn on Tuesday, and Montrose on Wednesday. Many of the visiting bowlers who are prominent Masons will attend. Messrs Williams and Kettle have received instructions from Mr Thomas Eyrne to sell by public auction, on the 15th inst., the whole of his contracting plant, and 223 acres of freehold and leasehold land, particulars of which will be given in a later issue. In the course of his lecture last evening Banjo Paterson made pleasing reference to the work done by New Zealanders in South Africa, and said that there will be plenty of work to do before Do Wet is finally subdued. One gentleman who attended the lecture last evening was heard to remark: •* After listening to a lecture like that one gets a far better idea 6f the wav than by reading, reams of printed accounts.” The shearing this season has been much hampered by the wet weather, but the last few days should have greatly improved matters. On many of the' Coastal stations shearing was proceeding on Christmas Day, but the wet weather eaused a stoppage, and between that time and tho end of the year very little was done. In the Tokomaru district Mr Murphy has three or four teams engaged in carting wool, and Mr McDonald about the same number.

A country correspondent write's: “Travellers through native settlements in this district are greatly surprised to see so many churches. Nearly every Maori village between Gisborne and the East Cape has a church, and in a number of cases the buildings appear to have been erected at a great sacrifice and cost to the natives themselves. The excessive zeal in this respect, however, does not appear to have wrought a great improvement in the lives of many' of the. Maoris, and I am afraid that as in the case of their whiter brethren the building of churches is very often much a matter of habit.” Messrs Baker Brothers, the ■ well-known auctioneers and estate agents of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, collect more rentals than any other individual firm or company in New Zealand. A feature of their business is that they collect rents anywhere in the colony and issue cheques for the same in each of the four centres, free of exchange, which is a considerable saving to landlords who do not reside in the same town as that in which their property is situated. Messrs Baker Bros, are a typical New Zealand firm, the five brothers having been born in the colony, and it is interesting to note that their father, Mr Ebenezer Baker, was bora in the Bay of Islands in 1830.

Messrs McLaughlin and Skest are about to start their contract for the construction of four bridges over the Hikuwai river, in the Waiapu district. • The cost of the four structures is £BOOO, and the locality in which they are to be erected is about halfway between Tologa Bay and Tokomaru. I'or years past the road along the Hikuwai stream has been dangerous to negotiate, on account of the frequent slips whioh occur, and the Waiapu County Council, out of a special loan of £II,OOO, are undertaking the construction of the bridges, and also making a deviation in the road. Within the next twelve months one should be able to drive from Tologa to Tokomaru.

Our Tokomaru correspondent writes: — “During the holidays the annual school picnic was held in Mr W. D. S. McDonald’s paddock, and passed off most successfully. Provision had been made for-an abundance of good things in . the way of eatables, and everything else was in keeping to make the outing an extremely enjoyable one. The ladies who were most prominent in making arrangements for the gathering were:— Mesdames W. McDonald, Green, Oates; Misse3 Cantle, MeGavin (2), Bruce, Roltson, Tierney, and Quinn. Sports of all kinds were arranged for,, and the children enjoyed themselves to their hearts’ content. Messrs Oates, H. J. 'Hewitson, McLaughlin worked hard to make the sports a success. Mr Oates was starter, and performed the duties attached to that office in a first-class manner, whilst Messrs Hewitson and T. McLaughlin ably discharged the duties of handicapper and judge respectively. A dance was held in the Native hall in the evening, and proved most enjoyable. The building was lit up with acetylene gas, and was beautifully -decorated with flags and evergreens. Mr P. Hewitson performed the duties of M.C.,.s,nd dancing was continued with great spirit until an early hour in the morning. Excellent music, was supplied by Mr Richmond, and the sapper by Jbe ladies, " " -. . r.

The Gisborne School Committee meet this evening.

The Delphic arrived in the Bay this morning—the Waihi goes out at 7 for the mai . Business will be resumed at the Magistrate’s Court to-day, and the first civil itti ng will be held on the 10th.

Messrs Webb and Sons, contractors for the new post office, have arranged for the bricks to be'supplied by Mr White, of Whataupoko.

The sum of £22 was collected on New Year’s eve towards defraying the oxpenses incurred in connection with the local century celebrations. Another £lO is required.

The splendid Commonwealth reports'cabled through to the Times on its first issue were taken at Gisborne by Mr F. Piesse, who was on duty until G a.m. Mr Banjo Patterson and Mr J. A. Shaud, war correspondents, are among those who are showing interest in Gisborne’s selection for the sixth contingent. __