The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 4, 1901. THE STICKING-UP CASES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 204, 4 September 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 4, 1901. THE STICKING-UP CASES.

The recont sticking-up cases in Australia will for some time to como have the effect of causing travellers to go armed, until the scare has abated. The bailing up of tho mail coach to Wilcannia was a signal act of daring, and shows what one arraod man can do when ho is dealing with those not carrying arms. The present form of robbery is really 7 more dangerous to the public of Australia than the .organised bush-ranging gangs of the Ned Kelly/ stamp. It is easier to deal with organised bands who will

stand to fight than with the individual thief who commits his depredations under protection of arms, and then - decamps, leaving scarcely any trace by which ho can be followed. It seems very strange how the robbers of the tramway car passengers in j Victoria could have escaped so easily, | and it is no doubt the experience in that case that has led to the Wilcannia outrage. For the protection of travellers generally, it is to bo hoped that the perpetrator of the recent outrage will he speedily brought to justice. Ho seems to have shot at a man who did not offer to resist, and also to have wounded that individual. It would have been thought that a driver on a lonely road like that on which the robbery took place, would have been provided with fire-arms, but in recent years there has been such an immunity from crimes of this class, and they have been so speedily detected when anything of the sort has happened, that travelling in the back-country has been thought to be quite safe. The recent outrages will cause a feeling of insecurity that it will take some time to allay. Though the man who robbed the coach has so far got right away with his booty, it should not be such a difficult matter i to get a clue as to his whereabouts, j The cool villan3' of the man in keeping 1 the passengers waiting for hours while he leisurely went through the letters to obtain ail the valuables is c extraordinary, and the incident of the j cyclist coming on the scene, and hav- j n

ing to stand bailed up with the rest while the robber rode off on the bicycle, sounds almost like comic playacting. The chagrin of the poor cyclist can well be imagined. Had he suspected what was going on he should have been able to have easily brought assistance to the scene, and have had the robber trapped, instead of himself being made a victim of the affair.

The Supreme Court session commences at 10.30 to-morrow morning. Tenders close on Monday next for the erection of the new building for the Gisborne Hotel. Tenders close at noon on Monday for alterations to business premises, the architect being Mr W. J. Quigley. Tenders for levelling part of Victoria Domain are to be in with the Hon. Secretary, Mr Miller, by noon to-day. At the meeting of the Borough Council last night, Crs Whinray and Lysuar were granted leave of absence owing to being affected by intluenza.

The gold export returns for August arc 30,7111 ounces of the value of .£117,303, and for the last eight months 279,566 ounces, valued at ,£1,079,476. Mr J. Townley asks that those having accounts against hint will send them in by to-day, and he also asks that those who owe him accounts of over three months standing will call and settle them, or else make satisfactory arrangements therefor.

Captain Joyce, of tho Commandant’s staff', has been appointed adjutant of Otago military district, Lieutenant J. G. Davies instructor to the mounted corps in the North Island, and Lieutenant 11. Brown for the South Island. A class of instruction for officers is to bo held at Wellington on October Ist. A special attraction for the holiday night will be the concert and social at Ormond, in aiu of tiic funds of the Homan Catholic Church. Brakes leave for Ormond at half-past 6 to-morrow evening, and a large party should take tho opportunity of making tho run out. Tho programme for the concert is a first-class one, and the dance will also bo a very enjoyable affair.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs : “An evasive reply has been given to tho petition of Thomas Fraser and others of the Whangara block, praying for relief as tenants under tho Validation Court, of portion of the Whangara block, Cook County. The Waste Lands Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government,”

Messrs Dalgety and Co., Limited, London, send advice that tho poultry ex Itangatira shipped from Dunedin and prepared by Mr Leitz at tho local Government depot, was the best ever seen from New Zealand on the London market. It was evenly graded, of good quality, and properly packed, but arrived too late for top prices. From tho beginning of April to tho end of May, the advice says, is tho best period for arrival in London, when large quantities could be disposed of. At the Police Court yesterday, before Mr Barton, S.M., Edwin Bradley, for drunkenness, was fined <£l, costs 6s, in default four days’ imprisonment with hard labor. John Somervell was charged with riding a bicycle on the footpath. Sergeant Siddclls said the road was in good condition, and there was no excuse for using the footpath. His Worship said that those cases were becoming very frequent, and he would have to increase tho penalty if any more were brought up. Defondant was fined ss, costs 7s.

Notwithstanding the inclement weather, tho special services at Wesley Church have been well attended. The singing is bright and hearty, and Sister liuth’s addresses are most powerful and instructive. The lady speakers who can equal her in grace, thought and delivery are few and far between. Miss Freeman, who sang so beautifully on Sunday night, again contributed a solo at last night s meeting. The services arc to bo continued each evening this week at 7.30, and also on Sunday. Messrs Kennedy and Evans have lifted the old buoys in the roadstead, and replaced them by new ones. The work was done under the supervision of the Harbormaster, Captain Thomson, and was completed yesterday. The old buoy and length of chain from the Anglian rock wore brought ashore yesterday, and are at present to bo seen at tho wharf. The wear and tear on the cable appears to have been considerable, and should suggest to the Harbor Board tho advisability of from time to time examining tho now ones put down. The work of replacing tlio buoys was most satisfactorily carried out by Messrs Kouncdy and Evans.

Tho gentle showers that have fallen during tho past few days, though they may have caused some discomfort to townspeople, through the accumulation of slush, are doing a groat deal of good in tho country. The green food, which was beginning to run short, is springing up in abundance, and tho prospects are that there will bo a prolific spring. The lambing throughout the district has been very satisfactory, and will show a substantial natural increase in flocks. What is now wanted is an increase in prices on the London market, and then tho settlers of this district would join heartily with Mr Scddon and Mr Ward in' their optimistic utterances in regard to the prosperous future of the colony.

After the Borough Council meeting last night, the Councillors sat as a Charitable Aid Boaid. Jt was resolved to support the proposal to have an institution in each Island for the relief of patients suffering from chronic complaints. Several cases were enquired into, and further enquiries ordered to be made in some cases. It was reported that all the accommodation at the Old lien's Home was taken up. Considerable discussion took place in regard to a poor old man suffering from cancer, and for whose benefit the assistance of the Board was sought. The difficulty was to know whore he would be taken in to be nursed. The Hospital authorities would not accept such a case, and even if it were thCffoht right to place him in the Old “ Men’s Home, there H’as no room to spare there. One member suggested that an advertisement be inserted asking applications from those willing to take in such a case. Tinaily it was decided to leave the matter to a small committee to see what could bo done for the sufferer in the way of lodging and necessary attention. The Visiting Committee for tiie past month not having sent in a report as to the Old ! Men’s Home, it was resolved to let them continue the duties for the ensuing month.

I The monthly mooting of the Haiti Road Board was held yesterday. Present : Messrs Matthewson (chairman), Bull. Harris, and'Harding. Mr Hickson waited on the Board and stated it was his intention to subdivide eight acres of his property on Wainui road, and that it was his intention to comply with the Act in the matter of a road to intersect the property. Tlie Board approved of the proposal for the formation of the road and footpath. Specifications for work in Darwin road were submitted by Mr A. F. Matthews, engineer. The estimated cost of the work was considered in excess of the Board’s funds to undertake during the present year. Mr Harris proposed that the workstand over-for the present. Mr Harding thought that the Darwin road ratepayers were entitled to consideration in the matter, and that the Board had committed itself by promises to do the work in that locality. If, however, the Board had not i sufficient funds at present, they could modify the specifications. The Chairman favored something being done to the road, especially in its worst place. On the motion of Mr Harding, seconded by the Chairman, it was agreed to form twentychains of the road and metal eight chains. Mr Harris dissented. A committee was appointed to call for tenders for the formation and metalling of Hirini road, the Dortion between Wainui road and the i midge. Consideration of the matter of ieensiug squatters on the Haiti beach road vas adjourned. Mr Harris thought the Board would gain .£’3o to £-10 a year in evenue if the sections were let as resi-

dential sites on a • yearly tenancy. Accounts amounting to £55 9s 3d were passed for payment.