Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6141, 27 July 1921, Page 4

Local and General.

The Borough Council, at its meeting last evening, was advised that the Assessment Court for the iiorough would sit on August Bth. The Borough Council at its meeting last evening was advised that the Assessment Court for the Borough would sit on August 8. Canon Packe will to-morrow evening address a gathering of members and intending members of the Holy Trinity Young Men’s Club, m the Trinity Hall, Derby Street. The Dominion Meteorologist report is as follows :—Present indications are for easterly gales northward of Gisborne and Eawhia, and strong southeasterly winds ruling elsewhere. Expect dull and misty weather rain following generally and probably heavy in the north. Barometer falling everywhere. The possibility of the two local racing clubs amalgamating was referred to by the Mayor at the meeting of the Borough Council last evening. He said that, if the Park racecourse was not going to be used for racing in the future, some concerted action should be made by the local bodies of the district to obtain possession of the ground. Cr. Coleman moved that the Mayor be authorised to communicate with other local bodies in regard to the matter. Gr. Todd seconded the motion, which was carried. The fact that Native lands do not pay rates has ever been a sore point with the farmers, and at yesterday’s conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at "Wellington, Mr. C. K. Wilson (Piopio) moved that the Union co-operate with local bodies in connection with the rating of Native lands, to the effect that the. Native Land Act should be amended in order to see that Native lands paid their fair share of taxation. Mr. Wilson said the local body on which he sat bad to pay a Charitable Aid rate, but it did not collect money from the Natives. That was unfair. Mr. W. D. Lysnar, M.P., strongly supported the motion, which was carried. —P.A.

The destruction by fire of His Majesty’s Theatre may result in the popular .T. C. Williamson Comedy Co. playing the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas cutting out Gisborne from their itinerary. Yesterday a private telegram was received in Gisborne from Mr Bert Boyle, N.Z. manager for J. C. Williamson, stating that August 27 to 31 are the only possible dates available for Gisborne. At present the only theatre available for theatrical companies is the Opera House and unfortunately for playgoers that building is engaged by the Competitions Committee, which will start the competitions on August 29, just two days in advance of the proposed Gilbert and Sullivan season. It was suggested yesterday afternoon by a wellknown citizen that under the unusual circumstances and seeing that the wellknown operas have not been seen in New Zealand for many years the Competitions Committee might postpone the opening of the competitions for one week. This, it was pointed out, would not detract from the competitions and would also allow music-lover of all tastes to enjoy such attractions as “The Mikado,” “H.M.S. Pinafore,” “The Gondoliers,” “lolantlie,” etc.

Appeals are made to the Government for assistance in all sorts of directions, says the N.Z. Times, but the oddest on record for some time past comes from Gisborne. An Australian aviator, Lieutenant Briggs, of Melbourne, proposes to attempt a flight across the Tasman Sea. A young man at Gisborne became possessed of a desire to have a joy-ride across in Lieutenant Briggs’ machine, but his request is declined by ihe airman. There, one would think, the matter would end. Lieutenant Briggs’ reply is to the point. He is going solo, and he prefers reserve supplies of fuel to passengers. However, the member for Gisborne has taken up the request of Mr Wilson, the local aspirant, and suggests that New Zealand would gain honor by inducing Lieutenant Briggs to carry Mr Wilson and forego his petrol. There are all sorts of ways of acquiring honor, hut we have yet to learn that forcing an_ unwanted passenger on an airman in a risky flight is one of them, and we hope the -Minister of Defence will inot back up this extraordinary request. If Gisborne wishes for distinction in the air it will scarcely gain it by hanging on behind somebody else’s aeroplane. Reminiscent of the great success of last year’s Surprise Packet Campaign iu aid of . the Hockey Association tournament funds, was a function which took place last night in the Girls' Emergency Club rooms. The guest of honor was Mr D. Heron, of Auckland who organised the. campaign and was largely instrumental in achieving its remarkable success. There was present a large gathering of hockey enthusiasts, and on behalf of the Hockey Association Mr Buscke (chairman) thanked Mr Heron for the valuable assistance rendered them and expressed the pleasure they all felt at seeing him once more in their midst. Mr Heron suitably responded. The evening was then given over to dancing interspersed with instrumental and vocal items. Songs were contributed by Misses G and E. Cat-ton and Messrs A. Everett and Boswell. A pianoforte solo was contributed by Miss Stoneham. Mr 1\ Briasco played the accompaniments in his usual e capable manner and Miss Dempsey provided the dance music. Mr Stubbings capably executed the duties of M.C. Credit is due to Mr and Mrs Buscke for the excellent supper arrangements in which they had the assistance of a number of young ladies. Ap enoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing of "He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and "Auld Lang Syne.”

To-day Mr Fred Gray sells a fine selection of furniture at No. 16' McLean street, on behalf of Mr A. T. Neilsoii, who is leaving the district.*** Some really big bargains in ladies’ smart, new costume skirts in all the latest styles are now selling at Messrs. C. Rosie and Co.’s end of season sale. These skirts are made in black and white checks, grey flannel, navy, smart check and stripe tweeds,, garbardine, serge, etc.- —now going at less than half-price. Prices were 35/6 up to £3/17/6 each. Sale prices are 16/6, 18/6, 22/6, 25/6, 27 '3, and up to 35/- each.*** If you want SOLID TYRES fitted to your truck, get in touch with Bate and Bell Ltd., Carlyle Street, Napier, Agents for North British Solid Truck Tyres. Best Value! 50 MENTHOLATUM—the household r®ifiedy for cuts, burns and inflammation. Price: 2s.—A. W. J. Mann,

Despite the glut of New Zealand coal that exists, Masterton coal dealers are nskim- £6 per ton for Newcastle coal (reports the Wairarapa limes). The Rev Dr. Fitch ett, speaking at out Wesley Church, Melbourne, said that men were trying to make a new Jjr. "<>» religion. Itapect for the old Sabbath, parents, law and order life and purity, were being cast info the fire. The typical follower of the new religion said, . I have two -lad eyes, one for my neighbour’s property, the other for his wife. The Mayor of Hamilton did tin* receiving honours at the Hamilton Winter Show to His Excellency Lord Jelli. coe during his recent visit Owing to nervousness or over-exuberance, the Mayor addressed L°l*d Jellicoe as <‘Your Worship.” IDs Lordship did not blink an eye or cut one wrinkle of that smile of his, but began hie reply to the Mayor as “Your Excellency.” . There are as yet no indications ot an improvement in the Southern potato market. One merchant expressed the opinion that “things are going to be about as bad this year as met" Tiie offers from Auckland show no immovement in price, merchants of the Northern city being evidently not too anxious to buy.

Viewing the banking position as a whole (states the Southland Daily News) it is very much what it was three months ago. If anything it is slightly worse now. If the adverse movement can be arrested now, there would not be much reason for worry, but the difficulty is to know whether we have reached the end of the downward movement.

“Local builders may not like the idea of houses being landed on our wharves, like motor-cars,” said a Wellington laud agent; “but American mills are turning them out in wholesale quantities, with the parts all numbered and marked in such a way that' they can be ‘ erected in two or three weeks. The present cost of building is very high and money is scarce, but the imported house may come to New Zealand from Canada sooner than expected.” At a meeting of the Waikohu Boxing Association, on Monday evening, Hr A. M. Lewis presiding, the secretary reported that the recent tournament had been a huge success financially. All accounts were passed for payment including a cheque of £l5O to Tom Heeney and £IOO to Jack Cole. A lengthy discussion was held on the referee’s decision in the big contest.

Some pointed questions are being asked regarding the receipts at the match between "Wellington and S. Africa on Saturday. The official returns state that 27,200 persons attended the match and that the receipts amounted to £2300, but an average payment of 2-s per head would have given a total of £2720 and it seems, in view of the prices charged, that the average should have exceeded 2s per head. The rumors that are in circulation will require the attention of officials of the Rugby UnionSpecial.

Speaking to a Times reporter yesterday, Mr K. S. Williams, M.P., stated that he had again telegraphed to the Hon. Mr Nosworthy, Minister of Agriculture, with regard to his proposed visit to this district. Mr Williams stated that the visit would lie a general one. The Minister would meet the farmers iu regard to various matters affecting them and connected with bis Department. One of the most important matters which would be discussed during the visit was the cattle tick question and the proposed boundaries to be made in the proposed regulations. The Minister. Mr Williams stated, would probably remain some time in the district and would go fully into matters, in which he was interested.