The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 7, 1901. PUBLIC ABATTOIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 126, 7 June 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 7, 1901. PUBLIC ABATTOIRS.

TnE question of public abattoirs is one of great importance to the people of Gisborne. Unfortunately the committee set up by the Council has so far been unable to arrive at a definite decision in the matter, and not much progress will have been made by the time the subject again comes before the Council, The original terms offered by the Gisborne Freezing Company were not acceptable to the butchers, and the amended terms which were intended to meet the various objections raised were at once rejected. The question is now reaching a stage when the public will require to have a voice in the matter. It is clear that upon the public eventually must fall any increased cost in the handling of meat. The butchers state that there is so little profit in the trade now that there is no room for further charges unless there is a corresponding advance in the price of meat. It stands to reason that if expensive abattoirs are erected the public will have to pay the price, and the question therefore largely resolves itself into a matter of finance. The offer of the Freezing Company to allow a three months’ trial would seem to be a practical way of settling one phase of the difficulty, and it is not quite clear why the butchers are so strongly opposed to such a trial. Even were it a loss to them that loss would not be great, and valuable experience would be gainod in the working of abattoirs. It will be an unwelcome fact to the ratepayers if they find they have to guarantee additional loans just at a time when it was hoped something might be done in the way of water and drainage. At any rate, the Council will on Tuesday night be face to face with the financial position, and although we have heard a great deal from the side of the butchers, there is much yet to consider from the standpoint of the ratepayers. It has been suggested that a building to cost a thousand pounds would be sufficient, and other estimates by butchers keep the figure within two thousand pounds. But these calculations appear to be based on the cost of erecting a building that would not cope with the requirements of the place. A question of this kind, however, can onlybe settled by practical experience, and the offer made by the Gisborne Freezing Company would seem to enable reliable information to be gained on the practical working of abattoirs. It is a pity that an amicable arrangement to suit all parties could not be made. The Council has its duty to the public. If the erection of expensive abattoirs means an increase in the price of meat, when such increase might be avoided by accepting the offer made, it will be a matter of no small responsibility to reject the offer made—at least, for a trial.

was prepared at the outset of contract to do the work expeditiously, but that he has been blocked because some one in authority will not allow local bricks to be used. What the people of Gisborne would liko to know is why the Chief Engineer has not long since visited Gisborne and set the matter at rest one way or the other. The Liberal Association meets to-night, and as that body took an active part in getting the new office approved of, it should now enquire into the reason for the delay. If the Department insists on discarding bricks with which much substantial work has already been done in the town the soonor such a declaration is made by a proper authority the better. It is not fair to cast the whole responsibility on the foreman of works, nor is it fair that the contractor should be kept in suspense. Now, as to the decorations, a much more effective display could be made at less than half the cost if the illuminations were given from the Queen’s bell-tower in Gladstone road. To illuminate the Post Office will but serve to show up a state of things that should not exist, and to a large extent it will be mere waste.

The monthly meeting of the Cook County Liberal Association takes place

this evening. A very interesting lecture on voice culture was given last evening by Mr Buckingham.

Captain Edwin wired yestorday—- “ Strong north to east and south winds ; glass fall; sea heavy on coast; tides moderate.”

Sergeant Siddells has devised a fire escape to which the attention of the Licensing Commit tee is to be called when a test is made. A well-known Native, Karauria Takina, who is fond of the waipiro, had a prohibition order taken out against him yesterday, on the application of the police. A lecture is to be given by Mr E. H. Mann, mastor of the High School, at the Mutual Improvement Society on Monday evening, the subject being “ Macbeth.” The Druids’ social at Patutahi will be held this evening, .and it is expected that there will be a large gathering. Brakes leave the Masonic Hotel corner at six o’clock sharp. The beautiful weather tho district has been getting for a long timo past is having its effect on the supply of water, and many householders are running short, which is quite an unusual experience at

this timo of the year. A man named Walter Wentworth, who was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment on Wednesday, was before the S.M. Court yesterday on a charge of stealing a horse cover, tho value of 20s, belonging to Mr Frank Teat. Accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, the sentence to be concurrent with the other term. The recent fine weather has made a wonderful improvement in the roads throughout the district, and travelling has thereby been greatly facililated. The Coastal road is at present in better condition than it was at any time during the summer months, whilst the road to Wairoa and elsewhero is reported by travellers to be in splendid order. Great interest is being taken in the meeting of the Licensing Committee today, tho application for a new license for Gisborne being a special feature of the proceedings. The proposed name of the hotel is the Criterion, the applicant being Mr Chas. Clarke, formerly of the British Empire Hotel. The petitions in favor of the granting of tho license are signed by 1210 people.

Decorations for the local Ducal celebrations.next week are.being prepared at Mr F. Hall’s premises. Mr W. Howard has the work of preparing the transparences, and Mr Bitchie has the illuminations in hand. A Times representative last night had a view of the Ducal crown. The design has been cleverly given effect to, being figured out with gas jets that beautifully light up the crown. An attempt is to be made to communicate with the Ophir as she passes Poverty Bay, by means of wireless telegraphy. Mr George Kemp, of the local telegraph staff, who has for years made tho subject of telegraphing without wires a study, and who has succeeded in effecting some very interesting experiments, has been asked to set up an instrument that will correspond with the Marconi instrument on board the Ophir, and ho is hopeful of being able to do so. Mr Carroll has been asked to use his influence with those on the Ophir responsible for the control of the Marconi instrument to keep a sharp look-out for any message that-may be sent.

A bicycle ride from Gisborne to Wairoa yia Tiniroto, and back by way of the Morere Hot Springs, is a trip that few would care to attompt at any time, and much less so during the winter months. A lady visitor to this district named Mrs Hamilton, who reached Gisborne yesterday from Wairoa, can claim the honor of being the first lady cyclist to accomplish the journey in question. She found the road rather rough for a bicycle, and for a considerable distance had to walk with the machine. It was fortunate for her that she had fine weather for the trip, or otherwise she would have found it well nigh impossible to get through. We understand that the samo lady a short time ago rode from Gisborne to Tolago Bay via Waimata, and back by the Coast road.

At the Magistrate’s. Court _ yesterday, before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M.f judgment for plaintiffs was given in the following cases :—J. W. Nolan (Mr B. N. Jones') v. Patrick Bogers, claim £34 Bs, costs £3 3s ; John Score (Mr DeLautour) v. J. Byan, claim £8 19s 4d, costs 10s ; John Score (Mr DeLautour) v. J. B. Adams, claim £3 8s 7d, costs 10s ; Ed. Williams, v. E. C. Whitlock, claim £ll 17s 3d, costs £1 10s 6d. Mr Lysnar for plaintiff. David W. Murray sued Mackrell and Colley for the amount of his passage money from Auckland. The plaintiff claimed that he had been engaged to work for plaintiffs for 10s a day and his passage paid, and he produced a letter to that effect from the agent through whom he was [engaged. Mr Colley, for his firm, deposed that he understood that the passage money was only to bo paid if the plaintiff stayed sis months. His Worship said that under the circumstances plaintiff was entitled to recover the amount claimed; costs 6s,

A most successful concert was given at Waerenga-a-hika on Wednesday evening, in aid of the funds of the school. There was a large and representative attendance, some of those present coming from a considerable distance. Mr Waugh occupied the chair, and extended a hearty welcome to those present. An attractive programme was submitted, and the various items wgre well received. The concert opened with a pianoforte solo by Miss McClure, the school girls afterwards singing- the song “ The Southern Cross,” which was given in capital style. Misses Harnon and McClure created a good impression in the duet " The Beggar Child’s Amen," and y/ere warmly applauded. A clever exhibition with Indian clubs was given by the senior girls, whilst the children of the infant classes sang “ Sailor Boy.” Miss Erskine received an imperative encore for her song, “ Just After the Battle,” and Miss V. Erskine was accorded a like compliment for her (number, "My Dad’s the Engineer.” Selections on the gramophone were given, under the direction of Mr Barlow, who was eminently successful in his efforts to please the young people. The gun drill by the senior boys was another capital item. The first part of the programme concluded with the song “ The Flag that rules the World,” by the senior girls. One of the chief features of the second part of the concert was a dialogue by the girls of the school, the piece being splendidly given. “A Soldier and a-Man” was sung by Miss Hamon with much success, and Misses E. Linklater and D. McClure were heard to advantage in the duet'" The Song that Shall Live for Ever.”' Other pleasing items were ring drill by the girls, gramophone selections ; chorus, “ GoodNight,” by the infants; and the song, “ Save My Mother’s Picture from the Sale,*’ by Miss J. Hamon. Mr, Mrs, and Miss McClure are to be congratulated upon the success of the concert, the arrangements for which were well carried out. 1 1 ’ '