LOCAL AND GENERAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 143, 2 June 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

; This week’s issue oi the “Otago . Witness” contains some excellent i photos of the Gabriel’s Gully Jubilee at Lawrence.

An unusual visitor to Gisborne, a large albatross, was seen resting in the W aikanae creek. These birds do not frequently approach land.

A rumour which has gained currency that an amalgamation of the interests of the New Zealand Shipping Company and the ' Union Steamship Company is in contemplation is authoritatively denied.

i The first lecture of the winter ! series delivered by the members of } the Hawke’s Bay Philosophical In- \ stitute will be an address by Mr. ! Hill, on “Individualism v. Collec- ! tive Industrialism,” in the Atheni aeum Hall this evening. The public i are invited to attend.

Nomination papers in connection with the election of president, viewpresident, honorary treasurer, and 36 members of committee of the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural , and Pastoral Society may be obtained from Mr. C. Douglas, secretary, Napier.

• Rangiora can still claim to be a ■ town that the Chinaman cannot ■ make ’a living in. About fifteen ■ years ago, a Chinese fruiterer started in business there, but he soon j had to close his doors. Two or three weeks ago a Chinaman started in ■ the laundry line, but he has since had to close up and depart.

“I have come to the conclusion that there are two landlords in this country that ought to be taxed very heavily. One of them is the State, and the other the Maori.” This is the opinion of Mr. C. H. Ensor, a Canterbury farmer who has been spending a holiday in the North Island.

A quarter-caste Maori while riding a motor bicycle along Waghorne street, Port Ahuriri, at about 10.30 yesterday morning, just opposite Barry’s wood and coal yard, ran into a trap going in the same direction as he was. Fortunately the rider was not hurt, although his motor bicycle was damaged almost beyond repair.

A pleasant euchre tournament and dance was held in the lodge rooms of the Loyal Napier Lodge of Oddfellows last evening. There was a good attendance of members and friends. The first prize in the men’s tournament was won by Mr. J. B. Fielder, and consisted of a cup presented by A. H. Wilson. Miss Robinson won the ladies’ tournament. Mr. Talbot for the men, and Miss Williamson for the ladies won the booby prizes. Music for the dance was supplied by Mr. W. M. Newbould.

“I understand from the Minister of Railways that the plans for the central railway station at Wellington are so far advanced, and the time is so short before its commencement, that it would not be worth while to make arrangements for the running of the Manawatu trains to the Lambton station, as has been asked,” said Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., to a “Post” reporter. “Such an alteration would entail a great deal of expense, which would scarcely be justified in view of the fact that a central station in Bunny street, to serve as the terminus for both lines of railway, is so soon to be established.”

! A London editor sent a reporter to a country town to report a fatal boiler explosion, telling him to be concise. The reporter, following his instructions to the letter, telegraphed “boiler empty, engineer full.” This incident is called to mind by the following concise report which appears in the “Sydney Telegraph” of a boxing contest which took place at the* Gaiety Athletic Club, Sydney, last Saturday. “A left rip to the jaw, followed up by a terrific inside right, caused Kelly Mansfield to be counted out half-way through the first round of his contest with Colin Bell. A packed house witnessed the contest. Mansfield’s weight was announced as being 12st 4jlb, and Bell’s as 13st.”

Two fresh cases of scarlatina were reported at Hastings yesterday. The banks throughout the Dominion will be closed on the Sovereign’s Birthday (to-morrow, .Saturday. June 3rd). Me H. W. Sutton, J.P., presided at the Napier Police Court this morning, when a first offender for drunkenness was fined 10/-, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. The Public Works Department has been instructed to fill in the lagoon at Westshore. For health reasons, apart from the value of the reclaimed land the work is very necessary and urgent. A full meeting of the Hospital Ball Committee was held yesterday afternoon. Arrangements are well forward, and everything points to this year’s function being one of the best on record. The supplies for the supper will be reported at the next meeting of the committee on Thursday. The following. statement of affairs has been filed in the. bankrupt estate of Philip Bailey, labourer, of Napier :—Liabilities, unsecured creditors, £B2/0/4. The unsecured creditors are as follows Colwill Bros., Greenmeadows, £l2 16/- ; Stevrart, Napier, £9 ; Hawke’s Bay Butchering Company, Napier, £7/17/11 ; Robertson and Son, Napier, £3/10/1 ; J. B. Andrew, Napier, £4/11/8; T. Alexander, Napier, £4/7/8 ; Hawke’s Bay Jewellery Company, Napier, £3; A. G. Marett, Napier, £3/5/-; J. Beatson, Hastings, £32 ; Ratjen and Tristram, Napier, £l/12/-.

The Minister of Internal Affairs has informed the Hawke’s Bay County Council that the Coronation subsidy cannot be granted for the purchase of a recreation reserve. It is pointed out that such subsidy is given for such suitable objects as town halls, swimming baths, fountains, avenues of and band rotundas. It is difficult to understand how the purchase of a beauty spot like Maraetara should be considered unsuitable in comparison with rotundas, fountains, etc. Apparently it is a question of limelight, not usefulness. Commenting on the sudden death of Ward’s National Council proposal the “Patea Press” says: “In the meantime, and we speak from an Imperialistic standpoint, it would be better both for the Homeland and New Zealand if the Premier and his colleagues were to turn their , attention to the opening up of the Native and Crown lands' of the Dominion, and the developing of her wonderful and magnificent resources so that when the great trial of strength comes between Britain and a foreign foe, New Zealand may be able to relieve the Motherland of any responsibility with regard to the defence of our shores. For the next feiv years if the Dominion is to come unscathed - through the struggle “Deeds, not Words,” mnst be the motto of her legislators and people alike.”

The stern and inflexible nature of Lord Kitchener is well known, but in one case his want of hospitality or cordiality landed him in a rather awkward predicament. When coming by motor car from Auckland to Napier, a number of station hands assembled at the bottom of the Mohaka cutting to give him a reception. When Kitchener came past they sent up a rousing cheer, but his Lordship did not deign to take any notice of such rabble and passed without showing any sign. Lord Kitchener’s car successfully negotiated the cutting and he went at a, great rate along the flat that comes before the Titi-o-kura. Titi-o-kura, however, was too much for the car and Lord Kitchener was deposited on the roadside in pouring rain, to wait until his chaffeur could return and get assistance from, to use Burke’s phrase, “the swinish multitude.” The “Auckland Herald’s” correspondent writes:—“Mr. J. J. Meikle must be rather puzzled at the way some of the papers here have construed his grievance. A leading journal the other day gave him a valuable ‘kick-off,’ introducing his grievance to the public quite favourably. John Bull, on the other hand, generally so keen for ‘scandals’ of this kind, rather congratulates Mr. Meikle on the redress he has already received. Most of our readers must at* some time or another have marvelled at the curious procedure followed in this country when a man who has been convicted of a disgraceful offence is found to be innocent. As if to add insult to injury, the Sovereign is made to ‘pardon’ him for an offence of which he is guiltless. In New Zealand there seems to be a better way. He insisted on a reversal of the judgment, and, as the result of his persistence an Act was passed to ‘reverse the conviction of John James Meikle on a charge of sheep-stealing.’ They do some things better in New Zealand than over here.”