Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume LII, Issue 5462, 24 April 1920, Page 4

Local and General.

4 Yesterday, which was St. George's Day, was commemorated by Hip closing of the Government offices and the banks. Flags were flown fn in various buildings. .At flip present time fresh nsh are unprocurable in Gisborne. Bad weather \ lining the past week has prevented the i trawler going our Alice Monday last, j In the meantime advantage has been J taken of her enforced idleness to clean • tnd renovate the vt-vel. She wh! preb- ' ibly make iviother trawl on Sunday. I

In eonver.-utinn with a Times reporter yesterday. Sub-Inspector Cassells stated that be bad noticed many rhinus since iiis arrival in Gisborne. Particularly bad be been impressed (though not favorably) with the speed at which a number of motor cars and motor bicycles were driven, the latter being equally at home on the footpath or the road. There were also a number of trick cyclists who could ride bicycles along footpaths or footbridges; some were even known to ride them on the road. He had noticed that some of the cycling fraternity had a penchant for riding at night without lights, possibly with the idea of demonstrating that in their case the well-known song, “I'm Afraid to go Home in the Dark.” did not apply. A word to the wise is generally ..sufficient, and the Inspector thinks a little timely warning might have the effect of inducing the speed merchants and trick cyclists to discontinue the eccentricities, and nav some heed to the requirements' or the by-laws. Those who in the face of warning continue to offend against the regulations should not he surprised to find themselves having a chat with Mr .T. S. Barton. S.M.. who is always at home to visitors of the kind, though the interview is invariably somewhat costly.

Mi*s Ven 'Moore will g : ve a pi a tune recital in the Holy Trinity hall i Monday. May :J. Fail lie’* Motor Service notify that ley have special ears running l > .’ail-on at S a.in. this morning and unday .and two ears for the East oast a: 10 u.m. to-day and 5 a.m. unday. * ‘ Instructed by Mr Ge.-rge .fniis-n. lard insh■ l me proprietor. Ka; t era tab.. v Fled. Gray v. ill -i ll by auction on upsday ih-x:. a quantity of furniture bo a c.iw. horse, pigs, poultry and indrifs. The sale will commence at p.m. Full particulars will appear in F.ndayV i.-tie.*** The loading of the Admiral Cod-/ ingtou was. resumed yesterday, 'hen the weather cleared. A large lumber of lighters went out during ho day am! now there remain about F.i.uti caivasts to complete the loadng. file vc*sid will not now be Me to get away this week, as had ■ eon expected, as about three more lays will i,o occupied in loading. A local resident complained bitterly n a Times reporter yesterday concernng the price or fish in Gisborne. "Talk ibo at Si.gh prices." he said, "fish lnerliaui- d i know how to charge." The ndignant one stated that lie, went info ; shop in the main street a few dayego for a pound •<: flat fish and wa* .'barged Is id. What is wanted, here, le added, is some competition in the shape of opposition trawlers, for as far is he could see the local fishing industry was controlled practically by tine interest.

Are you getting the best service from your battery: If not. there is a clear reason why you should buy a "still better" Willard. .lust as light penetrates through glass, so current passes freely through the threaded rubber insulation in a Willard battery. Neatly 200.000 tiny threads mark the path for the current flow. The hard rubber stands .guard against the formation of short circuits between battery plate*. The local Willard service station. Messrs Jas. J. Niven and Co.. Ltd., invite you to make further enquiries about the "still better” Willard.*** The gardening circle of the Women’s il'iub has organised a Flower ft ho tv (chrysanthemums ami dahlias) to he j held in the club rooms on Friday next front 2.2.0 to 5 p.m. All members arc invited to this afternoon and are asked where possible to exhibit flowers and fruit. The flowers will be sold during toe afternoon, the proceeds to go to the funds of the gardening circle. Members are asked to donate bundles of seedlings for sale. Further information may be obtained from the president, Airs A. .1. Barnard, ’phone ll(i2. or

Mrs R. G. Robertson, lion, secretary, ’phone 1158. The influx of Asiatics into New Zealand and the uneasiness occasioned thereby have not escaped the attention of the Government. Mr Massey said yesterday at Auckland that difficulty in dealing with the matter was accentuated by the Indians to whose arrival exception is being taken being British subjects. The matter has been referred to the Grown T.aw Office to ascertain whether there is sufficient power at present vested in the Government to check this immigration. 7f the powers now existing prove; insufficient. then Parliament will be asked to deal with the matter as early as possible in the session which commences in June. —P.A. wire.

Some days ago it was reported from the south that a number of mysterious cases of temporary paralysis had, arisen amongst children. Enquiries made in Gisborne by a Times reporter go to show that at least two cases of a similar cl tay acne r have occurred locally. A Kaiti resident stated that one of her children one afternoon recontly complained tliat he could e.tot walk. She undressed hint and"put him to bed. finding that his feet were icily cold, although liis legs wore particularly warm behind the knees. The little chap felt no ' inconvenience when vorv hot water bags were applied, to his feet; Massage was also carried out, for a lengthy period. Next morning all signs of the malady had completely disappeared.

In Ids address last night on “Tln> Now Pacific. —Its Problems and Future.” the Rev. W. A. Sinclair mentioned tlie question of Samoa. Samoa was of special interest In New Zealanders because the mandate had been given to this Dominion. He was sorry to say New Zealand had made an inauspicious beginning in her administralion. however, had considerably improved, as they were now getting men of assured character in control of affairs, and the outlook was much brighter. The reason Samoa was so bitter against New Zealand was that whereas American Samoa was protected from flu* influenza epidemic. the New Zealand authorities had been very lax. The Talune was allowed to go from Fiji, where she had been twice quarantined, and the epidemic had spread like fire through Samoa. The final report of flte commission appointed last; year by the New Zealand Government stated that from 20 to 25 per cent, of the Samoans were swept away b.v the epidemic. It would take many years to blot out. this fact from the memory of Samoans.

If one may judge from the contents of an epistle recently forwarded to the secretary of the local Chamber of Commerce, some people are under the erroneous impression that such institutions act as a kind of general information bureau. “Would you kindly inform me,” asked a Wanganui resident in a recent communication, "what business opportunities a.vait a new-comer in your town? Is your place supplied with electricity, and is it in general use in private houses, etc? Would 1 I have much trouble in obtaining a room and board in a small boardinghouse or with a private family? Please send mo average cost of room atul board.” The chief source of consolation which the secretary will find in supplying the information will lie in the fact that Ills correspondent evidently regards him a.s a very reliable authority to whom lie could appeal on such matters.

In the course of bis: lecture last evening. the Rev. W. A. Sinclair touched on the Indian question as it affected Fiji, i The work on the sugar plantations was ! arduous, and the Fijians did not like j sustained labor. They were therefore considered unsuitable for the work. The Kanakas had been tried, and though better workmen than the Fijians, they atso failed to give satisfaction. .As a eonseriiienee the sugar planters turned to India and prevailed upon the Indian Government to send out laborers on the indentured system. At first the Indians were only allowed to take 25 per cent, of women to Fiji, then the riuota was extended to 30 per cent, and then -10 per cent. There was considerable vice and immorality, and murder and suicide was rife. In fact: one missionary bad described it as “Hell with the I'd off." Men and women were herded together in a state of squalor and in such manner as to render decency impossible, and altogether it vis a disgrace *o the Governments concerned. .At th» present time there were 01.000 Indiums in F'.i : and only ss.ooo Lilians. and it would be only a matter of time when the Indians will be In possession t Fiji, and it will become an Indian colony.

Messrs Dalgety and Company, Ltd., have declared an interim dividend of 5 »;er cent., payable on and after Muv Jj.' A splendid selection of smart, new all-wool Sports Coats, in all the newest shades is now being shown by Messrs C. Rosie and (V. There is nothing better for winter wear than these cosy and very stylish garments.*** When your little child is hot, restless and feverish with a fresh, cold, don’t delay but immediately give <r Nazol” on sugar and sprinkle freely a handkerchief with “Nazol” and pin to the dress so that the child can ii, hale it constantly.* Miss Reader’s Typewriting Office.,, 74 Lowe Street (Williams and Sher-v ratt’s Buildings. Typewriting of every description neatly executed by expert. Strictly confidential. Duplicating circulars, programmes, etc., at shortest notice. Charges moderate. Orders by mail receive prompt attention. ’Phone No* 8-***