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Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 805, 21 January 1903, Page 1

Sweep promoters (says the Melbourne Argus) may communicate with whom they like, but mail matter cannot be forwarded to them by post. The restriction thus imposed upon the sweep business ol Tattcrsall s 'in lasmania has, the local postal authorities informed Mr R. T. Scott lately resulted in a considerable loss ol stamp revenue, though the decline has not been as great as was first anticipated. People in the other S ales have, it appears, tried a thousand and one devices to elude the vigilance of the post officials in order to send sweep entry fees through the post, but without success. The last attempt made was particularly ingenious The prohibited letter was forwarded under cover to the Deputy-Postmaster General at Hobart, who was asked to look after it. Needless to say it was quickly returned to the sender^ The N.Z. Herald states It is gratify ing to those who have taken part in the long agitation for the unlocking of Crown and Native Lands in the North Isiaad to know that a measure of success has at last attended their efforts. The Government has gazetted the opening of considerable areas of land in various parts of the North Island, including some of the most favored districts of Auckland Province, as well as in the South Island. The balloting will take place at an early date and should go far towards relieving the immediate pressure for land. We most sincerely trust that this new and commendable departure in the methods of the Administration will be persevered in and that we shall have no further occasion to raise our protest against what has been nothing less than a public scandal. For years the number of new settlers has been steadily decreasing, in spite of the great amount of unoccupied land and the eager demand for it. This fatal policy of locking-up has, we hope, been now discontinued. Nothing will give I us treater pleasure than to be ablo to point to 1908 as a record year in the history of New Zealand land settlement.

Of the nine carded for the Steeplechase at Sydney Tattersall’s meeting, on New Year's Day, but three lined up. Rising Fund started first choice and won—the only horse to finish. Satan 11. stuck up at the first fence, and Barton shunted his rider at the last jump, otherwise he might have upset the pot and done the bookujftkeraa good deal,—Bulletin,