The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 1, 1901. “POVERTY" OR “VICTORIA”?

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 27, 1 February 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 1, 1901. “POVERTY" OR “VICTORIA”?

His Worship the Mayor, yesterday, in his capacity of chairman of the Harbor Board, brought up a most important question —that of changing the name of “ Poverty ” to “ Victoria.” The proposal will not be allowed to pass without some opposition, though perhaps not on the Board. There are people who still hold that this progressive district should bear the stigma of “Poverty.” No one attempts to say that the district was at any time deserving of such an odious name, but it is hard for some people to get out of the old rut. It is well known that the name of “Poverty” has had a baneful effect upon the district, and times out of number visitors who wish the district well have advised that the misnomer be discarded. There could surely be no more appropriate time for doing so than in the first year in the new century, and the Mayor has proposed a name which specially commends itself at the present time. From far Canada we get the suggestion of Victoria Day, but could there be a more graceful tribute to the memory of Victoria the Good than that the bay first entered by Captain Cook when he discovered the gem of the southern seas should be named after the greatest Queen the world has ever known ? And if the christening ceremony were performed by. the Duke of Cornwall, as could no doubt be arranged, it would be a tribute to the Queen that would receive world-wide prominence. The Mayor’s motion is well timed, and we hope that it will receive the warm support of everyone who believes that this grand district is deserving of better treatment than to be for ever named “ Poverty.”

Mr J. Sigley has a change of advertisement in this issue. The vital statistics for the month are— Births, 22; deaths, 6 ; marriages, 5.

At Dunedin Joseph Biggans, licensee of the Great Northern Hotel, was fined .£lO and costs for Sunday trading. At a meeting of citizens in Wellington -6250 was raised towards the erection of a Queen’s statue. The Christchurch Exhibition, which closed last night, was a great- success financially. The Premier of Victoria supports the proposal to constitute May 24 as Victoria Day, a permanent national holiday.

The bowling green and tennis courts will be closed on Saturday as a mark of respect to the memory of our late Queen. Owing to her cargo having become displaced, the ship Santiago, from London to New Zealand, has been detained at St. Vincent.

A number of first-class horses will be offered by Messrs Wyllie and Mason at their Horse Bazaar to-day. The entry includes several good remounts and buggy horses.

All men employed in any capacity by the Public Works Department throughout the colony will cease work on Friday night until Monday, by order of the Minister.

We regret to state that a case of scarlet fever has been reported to the local authorities, being that of a boy about twelve years of age, a recent arrival in the district and a resident of Palmerston road.

A cablegram received yesterday records the death of the wealthy Baron Wilhelm Rothschild, of Frankfort, and also of the Rev. Hugh Ilaweis, the brilliant scholar and preacher, of London. Mr A. J. Massey notifies in another colnmn that he resumes music tuition after Monday next. Instruction is given on the violin, piano, and organ. Mr Massey has recently removed into a new residence in Derby street, opposite the school, which will be found most convenient for his pupils. Mr F. Harris, one of the town candidates standing for election to the Harbor Board, has an address in this issue. Amongst other things, he advocates the abolition of all wharf charges on products coming to Gisborne from coastal ports; increased shipping facilities, and erection of'shelter-sheds. The committee of the Bowling Club met last evening, when correspondence was read from several of the clubs whose members recently visited Gisborne, expressing pleasure at the kind treatment that had been shown during the tournament. Special mention was made of the services of Messrs Bright, Pcttie, and Dixon.

The Chairman of the Harbor Board, who is also the Mayor of Gisborne, gave notice as follows : —“ At the next meeting I will move that the Harbor Board takes the necessary steps to change the name of Poverty Bay to Victoria Bay, in memory of our late Most Gracious Sovereign, Queen Victoria.” The notice of motion was received with warm “ Hear, hears.”

Mr J. A. C. Baker, who has been appointed purser of the c.s. Omapero, vice Mr L. Holdsworth, promoted to the position of head clerk in the Gisborne branch of the Union S.S. Co. Mr Baker has been connected with the Union Company for the past eleven years, and is well known on the West Coast of the South Island as an obliging and energetic officer. At the Harbor Board meeting yesterday there was considerable discussion over an account of £2 from the Clerk of the Waiapu County, for compiling the voting roll. It was decided to write asking for an explanation of the authority for making the charge, it being considered that as the Waiapu was part of the harbor district the information should be supplied without charge.