Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3831, 14 May 1913, Page 4

Local and General.

Detective Mie-Leod and Constable Moore arrested a man yesterday on a elia! go of stealing a bicycle. The Gisborne Shoepfarraers’ Frozen Meat Co., Ltd., were granted a,formal renewal of their slaughterhouse license for their Kait-i works by the Borough Council last night.

“The Stolen Favorite,” a sensational sporting drama- will be the star film in the attractive series of new films which Pat-lie Pictures will present at His Majesty’s Theatre to-night.

The proposal to form a Mangapapa Town, Board will be discussed at a public meeting to be held in the Mangapapa. School this evening. A large attendance is expected.

The ferry steamer Takapuna will be taken off the Napier-Gisborne service as from the end of May, and the service will be suspended for three months. If circumstances permit, the service will re-commence at the beginning of September next. A gentleman with a rich Irish flavor in his manner of speaking raised smiles at the Arbitration Court- in Dunedin the other day when questioning another son of Erin during the course of the hearing of the Duneum coal yard laborers’ dispute. After obtaining from the witness the information that he was paid 8s per day for shovelling twelve tons of coal on an average, the union representative said : “Supposing you did get 10* per clay, would there ever be more than two days between you and an empty cupboard?” “There would not,” replied the witness.

A document which caused considerable interest at the Chamber of Commerce at Wanganui on Friday was an American voting paper. People in New Zealand who complain of the complex nature of the New Zealand ballot papers have, comparing the two papers, not much reason for complaint. The American ballot paper is a size about a toot wide, and about two feet long. On this paper is printed the candidates for election to all offices from that of President downward. The paper is divided int-o columns, and in each of these columns is printed the names of the candidates nominated by each party. The method of voting is to place a mark in a circle above the party whose ticket the e’ector wishes to vote for.

In conversation with a “Daily Times” reporter, a. prominent Dunedin merchant made some rather drastic comment on the methods adopted by British exporters of goods to edin as against the enterprise and consideration for their clients shown by American and Continental merchants. He said that the merchants of both these latter countries insisted on their bills of lading being made out direct to Dunedhi, and that they metaphorically held a, pistol at the heads of the ship-owners, as if they could not got their bills made out to the port the,* wished, they simply threatened to send their goods out bv other means, and in the case of the Germans especially they had ample means of executing their threat by shipping to Sydney or Melbourne and then transhipping to Dunedin. These precautions, asserted! the merchants in question, were in striking contrast to. the attitude taken up by the British merchant, who simply “takes any arrangement that comes along.”

Ifc is stated in well-informed circles that Mr. W. Belcher will in all probability bo a candidate for Parliamentary lienors at the next General Election (states the “Otago Daily Times”). “That in view of the contemplated expenditure, of the electric light extension loan - , the question of extension of street lighting be referred to the Electric Light Committee to report,” was a motion bv the Mayor, which wa« passed by the Borough Council at its meeting last night.

In last week’s Gazette it is notified that stamps, envelopes, and postcards bearing the portrait of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, the Christchurch Exhibition stamps, law Court fee stamps, and Land and Deeds fee stamps, cannot be lawfully used for the payment of any postage or revenue duty after 31st December, 1913. Such stamps can do exchanged for new ones by application at any i>ost office before the end of 1914.

In the course of an interview by an Auckland “Herald” representative at the beginning of the week, the Prime Minister said he had seen reporfced a remark by ftir Arthur Guinness, whom he must regard as a quite impartial critic, as follows; —“All the Ministers had entered Parliament since lie had, and he- was convinced that they were conscientious, and determined to do Iheir duty without fear or favor.”.

Tiie Building Inspector (Mr. A. I". Pickford) reported to the Borough Council last evening that during the fortnight ended the 10th iiist., li permits had been issued for works to the value of £3389. A dwelling had been erected in Awnpufti R-o&d within three feet of the boundary limit, also being contrary to the by-law through Having an iron chimney. He notLrtug the owner to remove toe building to three feet from the boundary fence, and to also erect the chimney in brick.

The Ounoiid Catholic parish liazaar was continued in the Waerenga-a-hika Hall last evening with a great measure of success. A number went out from town, and there was a liberal attendance of parishioners from eveiy portion of the district. The stallholders and rafflers put in a busy evening, and achieved excellent results. "The orchestral and vocal entertainment was of a high order, and a new programme of attractive items is promised for to-night.

Mesi-s. A. T. Coleman. W. D. Bell and F. \V. Nolan atended the annual meeting of the Titirangi Bead Board lu Id cn Monday. The clerk (.Mr J. Warren) took the chair, and invited ne-minations tor chairman. On the motion of-Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr Nolan, Mr Bell was elected. A balance-sheet was submitted, showing a credit balance oi £ll4 3s 4d ('including £2B from the End iff© loan), as against £76 19s 5d brought forward from last year. The members expressed themselves as being pleased with the state'of the roads in the Board’s distr.ct, -lid they did not think there was need lor any public expciididure at pr sent.

The eau-e of the cyclists was championed by Cr. Hill at the meeting of the Borough Council last night. He gave two noti es of motion for next meeting, which read as follows: .‘‘That the Borough Engineer make a return showing and naming all cycle tracks in the various localities in the borough laid out by him for the use of cyclists in accordance with statements made by him that such tracks were being put down, or have since been completed.'’ "Tb,-it in accordance with the return of the Borough Engineer showing the cvr-'e tracks laid down in the borough of Gisborne at. the public expense, a by-'aw be framed by this Council specially setting out and embodying the cycle tracks in question for the convenience generally of the cycling public having long distances to travel to their various occupations.”

A plucky rescue was effected by the third officer of the mail steamer Maori (Mr. Erwin) at Lyttelton last evening (says the Wellington '-Times"). A toung lady was on the wharf talking to her sister, who was leaving for Wellington, and as the steamer swung out from the wharf, the lady handed; up an umbrella to her sister. Whether the one or the other held on to it too long is not clear, but the upshot was that the lady on the wharf fell in. The. Maori's propellers were churning the water into foam at the time, and where the young lady fell wan (well towards the ptern of the ship. Mr. Erwin did not wait longer than to fling off his cap, and he dived into the seething waters and rescued the lady, holding her up until she could be taken out. He was numbed when taken out himself, the night being bitterly cold. It was very dark at the time, too, making the work of rescue .oven more hazardous . because of the proximity oi' the pi-opellers in motion. From the point of view of the measure of cruelty inflicted, is there any difference between placing a ring in a dog's nose to prevent him biting sheep, in a pig's nose to curtail its rooting proclivities, or in a bull's nose to ensure that he will be amenable to reason when being led, and less liable to impale his attendant on his horns should his inclination run m that direction? This knotty problem obtruded itself at the Animals’ Protection (Societies’ Conference at Wellington. Delegates eulogised the dug and his faithfulness to man before the pig and the bull unexpectedly introduced themselves into the little debate. The Chairman asked the question, and said that perhaps the reason why it was not prepared to include the pig and bull-ringing practices in the condemned list was that in their use they possibly prevented cruelty to others. Mr. Parker, of Christchurch, stated that the dog's nose was more sensitive than that of a pig or a bull. A briePdiscussion culminated in the ringing of dogs’ noses being condemned and a request for its prohibition b v statute; but nothing was done in regard to pigs and bulls'. “The practice lias been so long in vogue now,” sai cl Mr. 1 kirker. “that it would be hard to alter it."

Both the Christchurch papers devote considtrable space to the case of the fireman who was discharged from the steamer Maori on Tuesday, suffering from consumption in an advanced and dangerous'v infectious stage, and who, though ail the requirements of the law were complied with,"was refused admission to the Christchurch hospital and told to return to Wellington. The “Press” says that- the facts of the case disclosed an extraordinary and scandalous state of affairs. The attitude of the Christchurch hospital authorities in described as one of “outrageous Bumbledom.” The “Lyttelton Tillies’' refers to' the case as a. shocking one. The secretary of the Seamen’s Union, Mr W. T. Young, stated that the union intended to bring the case under the notice of the Government. The action of the hospital authorities in Christchurch was extraordinary. For the first three months of the man’s illness lie could not possibly bo u ,-flarg? on the funds of tlufliospital, as the shipping company in whoso employ he was, entered into a bond, as required by the provisions of the Shipping and Seamen Act. which put, the responsibility on the shoulders of the company as regards payment of wages whilst the mail was ill and unfitted to follow Ills occupation.

A seasonable paragraph . for tins drily weather.—Good warm underclothing is the best prescription any doctor can give at this season of the year. You cannot bliv better anywhere, and yu make a big saving by buying -at Melbourne Cash. They have just secured a big lot of ladies’ fcostumes very cheap. Ladies’ hag winter coats from 11s 6d.*

The estimates were considered •'by the Borough Council in committee last night, and approved as drafted. This is the first time for many ySars that the estimates had been put through in the one night. The Borough Council last evening received an offer from Mr. A. Zachariah offering to lease the Kaiti Recreation Ground for grazing purposes at 5s per week. The Council decided to call for tenders for the grazing rights of the reserve, which consists of four acres. Two tenders for the work of platelaying in connection with the extension of the tramway line from Roebuck Road to Stanley Road were considered in committee by the Borough Council last night. Neither was accepted, and it was eventually decided to defer consideration of the tenders until the next meeting of the Council. In the course of his report to the Borough Council last evening, the Engineer (Mr. A. J. Paterson) recommended that a concession system be instituted with regard to tramway fares by the issue of perforated cards of 14 penny coupons to lie sold for Is, and 14 twopenny coupons to be sold for 2s. The recommendation was referred to the Tramways Committee.

“There is onlv one little complaint I have to make/’ said Captain Halsey during his address to the school children at the Town Hall at Auckland. “At Victoria Park yesterday I saw some men and some boys who did not take off their hats when the National Anthem was being played.' T not suppose they did not remove their hats purposely, but it is a duty we owe to our King. Respect is everything, and I hope that you will remember wliat I say—whenever ‘God Save the King’ is being played, every man and bov should remove his hat, and show that he is a patriotic Britisher”—(applause).

The dire: tor of education for the Wanganui district, Mr. Braik. in his report to the Board on manual and technical instruction, expresses his satisfaction with recent developments in the teaching of elementary agriculture. He is of opinion that by the time the new agricultural colleges are built there will be in the Wanganui education district no lack of students to fill them. Even at the present time the Board is supplying,students to the State farms, and one boy has gone all the. way to the Hawkeshury C llrga in New South Vales. The opinion is expressed that the education requirements necessary for admission to these colleges should net be lower than those of the average pupil who spends not less than two years at secondary work.

Quite a spirit of levity pervaded the Borough Council last night, when the Mayor intimated that the Vicar of Holy Trinity Church had advised him that lie intended to revive Slayoral Sunday, and desired to hold it in the new church building. The Mayor said he hoped that as many of the Councillors as possible would accompany him to the service. Cr. Coffins said be had been a good deal inconvenienced during the past administration of Councillors wishing to borrow his top hat. So much of his time had been taken up that at last he had left the hat with t-lie Town Clerk, in order that Councillors could get it when they wanted it. Any of the new Councillors who wished it could have the hat. The Town Clerk: I have lest the hat again. It was decided to accept the invitation to attend a Mayoral service.

The “Cheviot News” has revived its editorial column for the purpose of announcing, on the authority of “a Wellington correspondent who is well versed in most matters political,” that, when Parliament meets the Opposition will be led by Sir Joseph Ward. It pavs Sir Joseph the coinpliment of saving that he is ‘the only possible leader” among “an inchaoiic herd of mediocrities,” qualifies the commendation by calling him “ a statesman of the Vogelean class—a borrower and squanderer.” aud then admits frankly that he is “an able mail.” The “New’s” only regret is that the Reformers “could not have refrained from the acceptance of office until the Liberals had hanged themselves. That is a regret which probably is shared now by the Reform leaders themselves.

The chief returning officer at Wellington (Mr. J. Ames) is of opinion that the plan of the ballot paper for municipal elections would be considerably improved if the space for the cross were placed before names of the candidates, instead of at the extreme end of tlie line, opposite the names. Proof that mistakes can, and do, occur owing to the instance of the space for the cross from the names was given in a rather curious fashion. It has l>een Mr. Ames's duty during the past week to return the deposits paid by candidates, and to obtain a receipt he used one of the ballot papers printed in connection with last week’s elections. In two cases the candidates signed the names of other candidates, evidencing the sense of alignment is not accurately developed even in candidates for a local body.

His Honor Mr. Justice Edwards has written to Colonel Cosgrove as follows:—“I have great pleasure in accepting nomination to a seat on the Dominion Boy Scout Council. The movement is one which has my heartiest sympathy. No one who has the good of his country at heart can have failed to observe that one of its greatest needs at the present time is some way of bringing it home to the young that discipline is necessary and wholesome. and that there are things in life superior to the joys of looking on and ‘barracking’ at a game of football. It our boys can be taught to learn these truths voluntarily they will never forget them : and whatever their station in life, they will be a credit to the country. I believe that your organisation 'works to this end ; and I wish it and you the utmost success in your endeavor.”

The American meat-packer declares that the only part of a pig out of which he does not make some profit is the squeal. The statement is quite true, and it illustrates how, w ith care, money may be made out of the most unexpected products. For instance, gall-stones found in cattle have a high commercial value. According to Mr. Shelton, of the Haw kesburv College, gall-stones are worth from- 3os to 37s (xl an ounce if the stone is unbroken, clean, and bright. The shapes vary somewhat, some resembling d ee. others a pigeon’s egg, and others move cf a football shape. Chinese and Japanese buyers eagerly compete for .‘unavailable gall-stones, and it is suggested that they are used for medicinal purposes. Few reach the mailed, however, pokx.b'v bp-ause their vViu* is not known, and they are r.irdv found.

A correspondent of the • “Lyttelton Limes, ' writing from Grey-mouth, does not take a very encouraging view of the prospects of the Otira tunnel. ‘Jhe fact is,” lie writes, after describing the position, “the tunnel as at present laid out will never be compie ted. They musfr divert it to emerge on the south (or coach road) sitK of the river. I have seen and talked to so many of the men engaged on the work than I know as much, of not 11 l 01 T" than the 'arm-chair engineers’ of the Public Works Department, ami, as you know, I have in my time had a hit of experience in road work, if not actual tunnelling. I have a ways thought there would be trouble if they bored under the river-bed, as it is of *io porous a nature, and now the engineers have found it out, and work at the Bealev end is stopped.” The correspondent distributes the blame for the stato of affairs that lias arisen with delightful impartiality, but lie, suggests that the present Minister for Public Works has fadhxTto make himself acquainted with, authe f&ets, T

During the month of April the estates of fifty-two deceased persons were placed under the charge of the Public. Trustee. During April the export of coal from (Westport was:—Westport Coal Company, 55,809 tons; Westport-Stockton Company, 11,117 tons; State mines, 4879. Of this quantity 2305 tops were shipped to foreign ports. Timber export totalled 177,495 sup. feet. During the month 96 steamers and one sailer J representing 52,026 toils, entered, and 95 steamers and one sailer, totalling 55j703 tons, left the- port. The mean liigh-water depth of* the river was 25ft. 7in., and of the bar >2sft. I do not claim nor do I want to be represented as any more than just plain Mann, Chemist-Optician, who does the work.*