Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3574, 25 February 1914, Page 4

Local and General.

The Wellington-Naples mail despatched on 16th January, arrived in London on the 21st inst.

A first offender for drunkenness was yesterday tinea 8s and costs (2s) or 48 hours’ imprisonment, and Timothy O’Sullivan, for his second offence, was fined 2Ss and costs (2s) or 4 days. The Natives are holding a large gathering at Parihaka next month to deal with the land question. Many prominent Maoris from all parts of the North Island wi 1 he present. The “Taranaki Herald” states that His Excellency the Governor has received an invitation to visit Parjfiaka during the progress of the meeting.

A sitting of the Pensions’ Court was held yesterday, Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., being oil the Bench. The following old age pension renewals’ w ere granted: —t) at £26, 2 at £2O and 1 at £26. One widow’s pension was renewed at £3O and 2 now old age pensions were granted at £2l and £2O respectively.

Christchurch fish retailers, interviewed yesterday, stated that the market was controlled and prices kept high by the- use of freezing plant. They allege that fish passed iu on Saturday were frozen and sold on Monday, though the by-laws prohibit the auctioning of frozen fish. One retailer stated he Was going to move members of Parliament to place a high export duty, on smoked blue cod, to prevent the local market being drained as at present.

A Native girl, who has been working in town, in passing through a draper’s shop the other day, underwent a transformation equally as effective as did those who went down the well of Truth in “The Arcadians.” She entered the shop, priced some goods, and was allowed a room in the rear in which to have a try-on. She divested herself of most of her old garments with much celerity and made a surreptitious exit per medium of the hack deov, immaculately attired in the best of the season’s styles. The police were seen with regard to the affair and the, Maori lass will be called on to explain her conduct at Court this week.

On Monday, Mr Nolan Redstone covered the distance to Wairoa in 4} hours in a Morris-Oxford 10 h.p. miniature car, suffering from ' neither puncture nor engine troubles. The car is of an especially reliable type, and a number have been ordered for Government postal work in New Zealand.

- The past few' months the atmosphere seems to have been full of nothing else but. strikes, and the public generally would welcome a solution of this great difficulty. But something of more interest to our readers should be the wind-up of Melbourne Cash grea Summer Sale. Many lines have been struck quite in half, including remnants at each counter Halfprice days are Saturday and Monday, February 14 and 16. Every department has lines to offer you. Remember the closing days. February 14 and 16*

A notice regarding entries for the Trinity College of Music examma ions appears in this issue.

As a result of representations irom the Chamber of Commerce, the postal offiicals have decided to sort mails from South on their arrival on Sunday morning.

The first South American apple shipment takes place from Nelson this week. Buyers could take 100,000 cases, and are prepared to pay as much for New Zealand apples, especially Nelson, here as for laemanian landed at Monte Video, r the reason being that the color of New Zealand apples makes them a superior seller. Rowland’s expert packer on Saturday wrapped and packed 200 cases of apples in twelve hours, which is claimed to bo a record, averaging 17 per hour.

A prominent New Zealand A.D.C., who recently returned from a trip North of Auckland, states that there is a great scarcity of water due to the prolonged dry season. He was unable to secure baths at the hotels as waterway not available for batlring. fortunately lie carried with him an Alien Portable Bath, and with this apparatus, plus the water in the hand jug, obtained an excellent bath each day. He savs: “i found this a perfect God send.”* This useful apparatus is obtainable at the "“G” Patents Agency, Gladstone Road.*

To add 10 vears on to your life, to be assured that those ten years will be healthy, and happier for the healthy family about you, is a eonsummation devoutly to be desired, D people say Gisborne is not healthy. say, “Ah! but where we live is quite different! On Hospital Hill the air is beautiful, we never weary of the magnificent landscape, an#' we are glad to think we had the sense to buy some of Mr Matthews’ land when we had the chance. There are no hill sites available now, and we could get what we liked to ask for this pi act* now.” Now, watch for plans of this famous Mangapapa property, which is to be sold bv auction by C- G- Bloore and Williams and Kettle in conjunction, in a few weeks’ time.*

A well-attended meeting of the Gisborne branch of the W.C.I.U. was held yesterday, Mrs Graham presiding. 'The principal was in connection with the annual New Zealand Convention which is to be held locally and will open at the Scottish Hall on Wednesday, March 4. The secretary (Mrs Walker) reported that she had received notice of 54 delegates coming here, and that many offers of homes at which the delegates might be accommodated during their stay. Mrs Goffe was elected delegate from the local branch, and the meeting decided to support the nomination of Mrs Don (now vice-president) as president for the ensuing year. Among the more prominent delegates to take part will be Mrs A. Parkinson, of Wellington, and Mrs Lee-Cowie.

Among the latest additions to local business firms are Messrs J. B. Poynter and Val Hansen, who have commenced business as motor mechanics and agents. The firm- will open an up-to-date motor garage in premises in Peel Street, opposite Messrs Sheridan and Adair’s, on Monday next. The premises will be styled the Central Motor Garage, and it is the intention of the proprietors to make the garage complete in every detail, so that owners of cars can rely on obtaining prompt and efficient service. Mr Povnter is an old and popular resident of the district, and possesses an intimate knowledge' of Poverty Bay, and the surrounding districts, which should enable him to give valuable information and advice to motorists. He has just completed a 1400-mile tour of the North Island, and thus possesses a thorough knowledge of the motor routes. Mr Hansen is a practical mechanic and electrical engineer, having had the advantage of 15 years’ English and Continental experience. The firm intend introducing new types or cars to the district, having secured the local agency for the Sunbeam, Krit, and Kissel cars. The firm will also make a speciality of motor waggons for commercial use. Tire new firm deserve to reap the reward which their enterprise deserves. f