GISBORNE NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13486, 13 May 1907, Page 6

GISBORNE NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAM. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Gisbornk, Sunday. Foil some years past the presence of large areas of . excellent milling timber in the vicinity of the East Cape has been known, and experts who have visited the locality from time to time have declared that the rimu and matai bush there is as tine as any in the whole colony. With the intention of attempt to turn this vast natural wealth to some account a local firm, Messrs. Delautouv and Delautour, recently constructed an up-to-date mill, some eight miles from Tc Arai'oa, and which contains the most modern appliances. Whilst there has been no difficulty in milling the timber, ' the disposal of it has still remained an obstacle. After trying various schemes, the firm decided to acquire a boat of its own, and purchased the auxiliary schooner Waiapu expressly for the trade. The inauguration of the vessel's running, however, has, unfortunately, occurred during most exceptional weather. The Waiapu reached port on Friday with her initial load, having actually been delayed a fortnight after, getting her cargo aboard. . Collections were taken up in all the local churches to-day in aid of the. Chinese famine fund. Last week the sum of £64- 2s was remitted to the Society of Friends funds (London) for the relief of the famine in Russia.

The funeral of Mr. J. A. Harding, who died with such tragic suddenness 011 Wednesday night, took place to-day, and was one of the largest ever seen in Gisborne, all the local bodies of which deceased was a member being represented. There was also a large representation of the Masonic craft, of which deceased was a prominent member. ;