Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6142, 28 July 1921, Page 4

Local and General.

According to a local firm of architects a recent valuation of His Majesty's Theatre was approximately double the insurance.

During the past fortnight 33 applicants passed the Borough Council driving test, and were given licenses to drive.

Striking evidence of the mildness of the winter is- afforded in a local garden where several plum trees are in full blossom, even a few plums of average size being observed on the trees. “What is coal costing us now?” asked C’r. Coleman at the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday. “He cost some neople a lot of money at Te Karaka on" Saturday night,” promptly replied a councillor. (Laughter.)

In the month of June nine cases of infectious diseases were reported within the borough. They comprised: Scarlet fever, 5; pneumonia, 1; enteric fever, 1; spinal meningitis, 1, and tuberculosis, 1. The visit of the N.S.W. Rugby team to Poverty Bay on Angst 27 will clash with the Hawke’s Bay-Springbok’s game about that date and C'apt. Pitt sent a wire to the N.Z. Rugby Union, on the matter. Yesterday Capt. Pitt received the following reply :—“Clashing of dates noted, rearranging immediately.” The Palestine Plunket Nurse Fund will benefit by a substantial amount as the result of an entertainment given in the Ormond Hall on Tuesday evening by Mr A. Zacliariah’s Pierrots. A lengthy and well varied programme was given and was much appreciated by a large audience.

The Arahura will leave for the North on Saturday evening. The outward tender is set down for 5 p.m. 'and horses competing at the Gisborne Racing Club’s meeting mst be at the wharf by that time. Some Hawke’s Bay “sports” and also southern horses will probably leave by the Ripple on Monday afternoon. With reference to the offer to try to secure money from Home for the Borough Council, the Mayor reported to Tuesday’s meeting of the Borough Council that the matter had been considered by the Finance Committee, which had decided not to entertain it. They had other money offered and considered this a better proposition. The letter was received.

At the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening, Cr. Todd asked if the terms of the loan for Peel Street bridge were binding. He pointed out that the loan made provision for the roacl to be laid down in concrete, and lie considered that this would inadvisable at the present time. The Town Clerk agreed that he would look into the matter and sec if the Council was empowered to vary the contract.

Two double-scull' racing skiffs, owned respectively by the Poverty Bay and Gisborne Rowing Clubs, were on Tuesday transported from Tologa Bay to Gisborne aboard the Tologa launch. These skiffs were used at Tologa at Easter time in connection with the Colley Shield inter-club competitions, won by the Uawa Club, and were left in care of the coastal club until ail opportunity arrived for their shipment to Gisborjie. The charge of having in his possesion sheepskins from which the ears liad been removed, which was preferred against Frederick Jones at the last sitting -of the Te Karaka. Court was continued before Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., yesterday. After hearing the evidence of Julius Hansen, who deposed to having sold the sheep to the defendant, the Magistrate dismissed the charge. Mr It. B. Hill appeared for the defendant.

An emergency meeting of the executive of the Competitions Society was held yesterday morning to consider a request from J. C. Williamson Ltd., that the dates of the Competitions be altered to allow the Gilbert and Sullivan Company to play in the Opera House from Augst 27th to Augst 31st.' The executive felt that the public would wish to have the opportunity of seeing the Gilbert and Sullivan productions, and they desired to alter the Competitions dates if possible, hut after considering the matter from every standpoint they were unable to accede to the request. Apart from the festival being fixed to correspond with the school holidays, t ! he dates have been advertised throughout the North Island,, the judges have made arrange;ments to leave their work at the particular time, and the visiting, competitors will likewise have made their plans. Local teachers in charge of choruses and, the children generally, are giving the first part of their holidays' 5 to the Competitions before leaving town for holiday purposes. - The executive regret that the position is such that the dates must be adhered to.

Miss Bedford will hold a “long night” in connection with the adult dancing class on Friday night at the Girls’ Emergency Club. , ■ Seven building permits were issued during the past fortnight, the estimated value of the work being £960. One permit was for a dwelling valued at £G9O. The other permits were for additions to existing buildings.

In conversation with a Times reporter last- night Inspector Cassells stated that an hotel nt Napier was, robbed on Monday night and, in view of the fact that at the present time a number of “light fingered gentry” are in Gisborne for the races it behoved local hotelkeepers to maintain a watchful eye.

At the meeting of “C” Squadron last evening, ‘ Lieut. Poynter, in referring to the progress which the Te Karaka branch was making paid a tribute to the work of Lieut. New. sham. Lieut. Newsham, he said, had devoted much time to furthering the Interests of the Squadron and few people knew how much he had done.

Present indications are for strong easterly to northerly winds, northwards of New Plymouth and Napier, variable strong’ winds, with south-east-erlies, ruling elsewhere. Cloudy and unsettled conditions with rain are probable generally and heavy rain in the northernmost districts. The barometer is unsteady with a falling tendency.

Apparently there is no age limit for members of the Legion of Frontiersmen. At the annual meeting of “O' Squadron last evening, John Walsh, T 9 years of age, was admitted to the Legion. In proiiosing the new member, Capt. W. Brechin stated that the applicant had seen serivee in China and the Maori war. and had later been in the Police Force.

Flora Ellen Waite was committed for sentence for.having disposed of the body of her child with intent to conceal its birth. The ease is a sequel to the finding of the charred body of a male infant in a furnace at Mount Eden gaol on July 17. A doctor stated that he couldn’t tell whether the child had breathed. Accused had informed him that it was stilborn.—P.A.

Warnings against the ravages of the cattle tick are not lacking, even at Matawai, as the attention of a Times reporter wsa drawn on Monday by Mr I). Cunningham (sacretary of the Matawai branch of the Farmers’ Union) to an exhibit of dressed leather damaged by the tick, and photographs of tickinfested cattle, in a shop window at that township. AT he exhibits were for, warded bv the P.B. Farmers’ Union.

“Do you ever charge any other rates?” asked counsel of a witness who was giving evidence in a case involving threshing-machine rates in the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch. "No, but I sometimes work for farmers for nothing—when they have no money,” answered the witness amidst laughter. ‘‘You and I work on similar lines.” commented Mr C. S. Thomas, counsel for the witness, reminiscently.

“It is staggering to see the number of Hindus who are coming into this country," remarked Mf A. G. Foddy, when speaking for a deputation to the Palmerston North Borough Council. Mr Foddy especially mentioned the large numbers to be seen on the streets of Auckland and in the small towns of the Main Trunk. A great many were finding then- way to the timber in ills, one mill near Okakune being full of them.

The proposed erection of three onestoreyed brick shops in the centre of Gladstone Eoad was again referred to by Cr. DeCosta at the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening. He stated that the public was very much averse to such a building bong erected. He moved that a remit be sent to the next Municipal Conference, urging that legislation be passed empowering local bodies to restrict the

erection of one-storeyed buildings in the centre of a town. In seconding the motion, Cr. Todd said that he thought that some such power could be given to local lrodies. The motion was put to the meeting and carried.

A member of a party returning from Matawai in the train on Monday afternoon created not a little amusement among his fellow passengers by announcing his determination to open a jambed door. During the progress of this individual’s ineffectual efforts Mr C. E. Armstrong (District Engineer) made a suggestion regarding the cause of the defe.t while other passengers frankly commented on the antiquity and general dilapidated . condition of the carriage. A remark that it was time it was placed on the Ngatapa Public Works line caused a deal of laughter. Mr Armstrong remarking that they did not use such carriages on the Ngatapa line.

At the Te Karaka Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., gave judgment by default for plaintiffs in the following undefended civil cases:—Gregorv’s, Ltd., v. William Third, £9 3s 9d, costs £1 17s 6d; same v. Mrs W. Third. £S 11s Id, costs £1 17s 6d; A. M. Lewis v. Chas. Ogle, £l2 5s 7d, costs £3 ISs. Tuteari King was ordered to pay the Gisborne S.F.M. and M. Co. £S 12s by August 6, or go to gaol for 7 days. The same debtor was ordered to pay F. Lowndes and Son £3O Is. at- the rate of £2 10s per month, or to be imprisoned for 30 days. John Goldsmith was ordered to pay Thomas Joseph Goldsmith the sum of £46 12s 6d forthwith, in default of 47 days’ imprisonment.

On Friday (to-morrow) one of Gisborne’s most important, events fi-orn the shopper’s point of view is the big counter sale at Melbourne Cash. These bi-annual sales have firmly established themselves in the minds of the residents of Poverty Bay and from #all parts of the district there been A. big influx of buyers. Thi#uas mich an f news from 'commercial sources. Home prices have bleu steadily soaring and before long tilings may become considerably deader in this Dominion. So one would do well to avail themselves of the- present bargain prices at the big sale, which we are advised are in many instances considerably below landed prices. The firm will lie closed all day to-day for making arrangements.'***

Medical attention free of charge will now be' provided for all members of the Permanent Force for disabilities arising out of, and during tliejcourse of, their official duties. A soldier, while in camp or barracks, who reports sick will be attended by a medical officer, who will certify as to whether the disability is the direct result of the man’s official duty. If the disability is not due to this cause, the soldier will be subject to a stoppage of 2s a day during the period he is receiving medical attention at Government expense. If transferred to a civil hospital for treatment of disabilities not arising from liis official duties, the soldier will be responsible co the hospital authorities for all charges in connection with his treatment during the time -he is a patient in hospital.—Extract from General Headquarters Instruction.

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 15/6, 18/6, 22/6, 25/6, 27 and up to 35/- each.*** \

The matters which formed the sub-,-ect of a deputation of representative Sol brokers, banks, and . shipping companies to - the Acting, Minister of Fin a nee have resulted in the resmption in sales in New Zealand beginning with Dunedin August 4, August 6. and liznaro, date to be tod. IV U understood that the, buyers lave accepted the teims of the offer made b.V the banks.—P-A-At the meeting of the Legion of r Jcion of Frontiersmen last evening, the 0.C., Capt. W. Brechin stated that he had been requested to assts in the formation of a troop at I atutahi and a rifle club at asked that members would tills project’and it was ijeckled that the members of the Squadron should visit Patu tah i to assist m this protect, the date of the visit to be arranged at the next meeting. The PB. Soccer Association’s annual social was held • last night m the Assembly Hall, there being an attendance of about a hundred. IHe major part of the evening was occupied in dancing, while during an interval a dainty supper was served under the supervision of Mesdames Hewitson and Cudd. Credit is due in large measure to Mr P. Bailey who was responsible for the arrangements or the evening as well as capably executing the duties of M.C

A Wellington P.A. wire says: The Board of Trade received word to-day from the manager of the Sgar Refining Cov Auckland, that the Chelsea works are to lie closed early nex[ week owing to the shortage of supplies ot raw sugar to meet the demand. Ihe works would probably close for a month and recommence operations as soon as supplies were obtained from the islands. The reason given for the shortage is the difficulty in securing fnbghtage.—P.A. At a meeting of the congregation of St. Andrew’s Church, held last evenin,r at the invitation of the management committee, to further the social life of the Church, it was decided to form an association for the purpose of promoting the social, intellectual, and spiritual welfare of the congregation. A provisional committee was appointed to draw up a plan of action which is to be submitted to a further meeting to be held next Wednesday. The chairman (Mr Foote) commented upon the enthusiasm of those present and stated that it augnred well for the success of the movement.

Stimulated, no doubt, by the presence of a Member of Parliament (Mr K. S. Williams), a young man returning from Matawai by Monday night’s train appeared to take a great delight in pointing out the defects of the carriage. Several times he complained of the draught, and changed his seat, observing that he could feel the end of the carriage moving in and out. Next a jambed door attracted his attention, loose fittings, cobwebs, and rotten upholstering also evoking this amateur inspector’s condemnation. The climax came when, following a. fierce_ struggle -with a wooden window blind ,it split in half, the detached portion shooting out through the window, to the accompaniment of the laughter of passengers and to the discomfiture of the “destroyer.”

There was a fair attendance at Haiti school yesterday afternoon to receive a report- of the annual medical examinations by Dr. E. Sands, who discussed various reports with the pa'renis of the children concerned. Dr. Sandes remarked that more attention was being given to general hygiene as advocated by the Departmental circulars. Another very pleasing feature in connection with the school was the excellent lunch arrangements whereby hot cocoa was provided and the children sat for 20 minutes to eat their meal. This, remarked Dr. Sandes, is :a striking contrast to the old system under which a child ran about the plav-ground with a sandwich in its Land. Ur. Sonde— added that ail schools should adopt the system in force at Kaiti school.