Poverty Ray Herald. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1895. PROPOSED SURGICAL WARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7300, 7 June 1895, Page 2

Poverty Ray Herald. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1895. PROPOSED SURGICAL WARD.

At the last meeting of the Hospital trustees Mr C. O. Lucas gave notice of motion that at the next meeting he would move that a Burgical ward be erected without delay. It will be remembered frhafc this matter was discussed some months ago at meetings of the trustees, and a sum of £100 was placed upon the estimates for the current year for the proposed improvement. We have pleasure in congratulating the Board upon the excellent arrangements at the hospital for the treatment of patients, and also upon its efficient arid careful management. The report of tho Inspector - Gonoral of Hospitals (Dr. Macgregor) is most favorable, and the small percentage of deaths js a complete proof (if any were needed) of the skill of the house surgeon, Dr. Innes. Although no fault can be found with the manner in which the institution is managed, it is recognised that the addition of a surgical ward would be productive of decided benefit to the inmates, and would be a welcome convenience to the medical officer in charge. We believe that nearly every hospital in the colony has such a convenience. When it is deemed necessary to perform operations upoa persons who have beeu accidentally jojured, or whose special maladies re<jujr c

the exercise of the surgeon's skill, it is not couducive to the welfare of the other patients that operations should be performed in the same ward as that which they are occupying. Such distressing proceedings should be conducted out of sight and hearing of invalids, as when their physical condition is weak, their sensitiveness is abnormally increased. Pain increases the irritability of patients, and the knowledge that someone is being operated upon in the same ward cannot fail to have a disturbing effect upon those who aro gradually convalescing, while it mis;ht be still more harmful to those in a critical condition. Under the existing arrangements it is unavoidable that all operations should be performed in the general ward, and though the greatest care is taken to screen the operator and his patient from the observation of the other inmates, it is impossible to prevent tho latter from knowing the nature of the proceedings. As we have said, provision was made in the estimates for a separate operating room, and though the amount set down (L 100) would not be sufficient to provide a properly equipped ward, it would be ample for the erection of a small room, which could be used solely for surgical operations. Dr. Innes some months ago expressed an opinion that such a convenience was required, and we believe it was only in consideration of the extra expense involved that he, at a subsequent period, intimated to the Trustees that ho could make the present accommodation suffice for the purpose. The Trustees will be acting for the benefit of the inmates by supporting Mr Lucas' proposal, and we feel sure that the public will heartily endorse any departure that is calculated to add to the comforts of the unfortunate sufferers who have to go to the local hospital, for medical or surgical treatment.

Mr C. Dean Pitt holds his usual horse sale to-morrow morning.

Lewis and Cowan hold their usual Saturday's sale at 11.30 to-morrow.

We learn that the man Herbert, murdered at Masterton yesterday, has a brother residing in this district, one John Herbert, a bullock-driver resident on the Whataupoko.

Capt. Edwin wired at 1 o'clock this afternoon : — lndications strong north, west to west and south winds with glass rising and much colder weather.

The Union Company's s.s. Mararoa made a record passage of 20 hours from Gisborne to Auckland on her last trip north. This gave an average speed of 15 knots.

The Union Steamship Company's favorite steamer Rotomahana calls in at Gisborne tomorrow morning on her way to Auckland aud Sydney, and takes passengers at lowest current rates. Passengers by the Rotomahana will have an opportunity ot returning by the s.s. Mararoa, leaving Auckland on Tuesday, or by the Tarawera leaving the following Tuesday.

The following glorious " mix-up " appears in the Argus : "In the Challenge Stakes at the Dunedin coursing meeting fifteen dogs from Australia were entered. Bloomer and Joker were made the favorites, The former was defeated in the first round, but after the third round Joker was stillinthe stakes, with Bluff, Sarah, and Mary from Newcastle."

The Huddart-Parker steamer Anglian will arrive here at daylight to-morrow. Owing to the large cargo the steamer brings this trip, she will not be discharged until two o'clock. The launch with passengers will leave the wharf at ten in the morning and two in the afternoon, when the steamer will leave for Auckland and Sydney. The same company's steamer Tasmania leaves Auckland on Tuesday afternoon, arriving here on Wednesday, when she leaves for Southern ports.

The first local examination on Theory of Music, in connection with the Trinity College (London), will be held in the High School to-morrow, candidates for the "pass" sections attending at 9.45 a.m., and those for " honors "at 1 p.m. Canon Webb has been appointed supervisor. There are six candidates (junior) from the Convent, and four (intermediate and senior) sent up by Mr H. G. Spackman. Visitors will be admitted.

An entertainment is in process of arrangement, entitled " Mrs Beeton at Home." It is to be a cookeryjeompetition, and prizes are to be given for cookery in all branches, prepared at home and sent in for exhibition. Ladies in fancy dresses are to represent such preparations as " Fry's Cocoa," " Nelson's Gelatine," "Turkish Delight," etc. Lectures on Cookery are to be delivered, and songs* and recitations on the same theme will enliven the proceedings. The entertainment, from its novelty, should command success, and is to take place on Tuesday fortnight, or thereabouts, in the City Rink, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Townley.

The North New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Meeting commences at Auckland to-moccow>and will be continued onMondajr. Great interest is being taken in the gathering by local sportsmen, owing to the large string of horses that will represent this district in the various events. Donald McKinnon, Valentia, Royal, Samoa, and Pororua are the Gisborne entries. The Grand National Hurdles promises to produce a great contest between Liberator, Ebor and Coala, and it is hard to say who will win. Donald McKinnon, it was thought, would stand an excellent chance in the Maiden Steeplechase with only lOsb on his back, but from a private telegram received this morning, we learn that in his training he refuses to negotiate the water jump, and the confidence in his abilities has therefore been shaken.

Shortly after nine o'clock last evening a fire was discovered in a cottage in Childers road, opposite the Police Station, by Constable Sefton, who at once raised the alarm by ringing the Roman Catholic Church bell. The big firebell soon followed with a peal, and a crowd quickly assembled at the scene of the outbreak. A southerly gale was raging and the clanging of the firebell made business people anxious for the safety of the town. Fortunately, however, the burning cottage was well removed from other buildings, and there was little fear of the fire spreading. The house was in the occupation of Mr E. White, stationer, who with Mrs White was in the gallery of the City Rink at the Band social. Mr White ascribes the fire as due to a defective chimney. The whole of his furniture and effects were destroyed, and he estimates his loss at about £75 above the amount of the insurance, which was £75 in the Norwich Union. The cottage was on an Auckland Educational Board reserve and was uninsured. The Fire Brigade turned out to the fire, but owing to silt in the pipes, low state of the tides, or some other cause, the water was slow in coming, and when it was available had very little force. The firemen in attendance did their best under the circumstances.

William Tom Davey waß_ charged at the Police Court this morning with larceny, as a bailee of a tweed suit of clothes and coat and vest, the property of the informant, James Mills.— Sergt-Major Moore conducted the prosecution and Mr Jones appeared to watch the case for prisoner. James Mills gave evidence that he gave accused the clothes to alter for him. They were to be returned the same day, but had not been returned. VVitness paid 4a for the alterations before he got the clothes.— W. N. Attwood, secondhand dealer, gave evidence that lie bought the coat and vest from accused for nve shillings. He said they were his own. —Constable Law gave evidence as to the recovery and identification of the coat and vest. He said he had not been successful iv getting the suit.— Accused, who reserved his defence, was further charged with forging the name of Hvam Zachariah to an order for £1. — The informant, Mr Zachariah, gave evidence that the order produced was not signed by him nor given by him to accused. ~F. A. Martin, hotelkeeper, deposed that Davey gave him the order and on the strength of it he gave him board and lodging. He said he was working for Mr Zachariah and that he got the order from him. He further said that if witness had any doubt about the order, Mr Zachariah would give him a cheque as soon aa the bank opened. — Cross-examined by Mr Jones, witness said there were more Martins than one in the place and that there was a second Mr Z.achariah, though he only knew of one H, Zjichariah, tailor, in the djstf ict.— Agcused WaeOom.nNtt? 4 &P '<» H

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Sheep Dog Club will be held at the Masonic Hotel, to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock.

As an outcome of the revolting disclosures made during the progress of the trial of Oscar Wilde and his accomplice, Alfred Taylor, the police have issued warnings to 200 persons suspected of being concerned in similar abominable practices.

The famous " Long John " Distillery, situate at the base of Ben Nevis, was almost totally destroyed by fire on Good Friday morning. All the machinery was destroyed. The damage, which is covered by insurance, is roughly estimated at £10,000.

The oldest oak in Great Britain is considered to be the Cowthorpe or Colthorpe one growing near Ribstone Hall, in the West Riding. It is not only a remnant of the forests of ancient Britain, but a monarch among the kings of trees. The circumference of the trunk close to the ground is 78ft, and three feet higher 48f b. ' The trunk, is now hollowed, and is capacious enough to contain .a- crowd. A few years ago the vicar of St James's, Wetherby, and the church-wardens and school children to the number of ninetyfive got inside the tree, and while the vicar raised the Union Jack, the children sang the "Old Hundredth" and the "National Anthem." '

The Wairarapa Daily says :— If some energetic steps are not taken by those interested, the dairy iudustry will flicker and die a natural death, for the terms on which we are competing with the other colonies leave no hope for anything better. In Victoria milk is down to 2d per gallon, there is a bonus paid on butter exported, the dairy produce is graded by Government officials and goes into the market with the hall-mark of purity, freights are lower, and shipments leave the colony at regular intervals, cold storage is provided by the Government, and railway charges are on a generous scale. These are afew of the advantages which the Victorian dairy farmer enjoys.

A man named Henry Exworthy has been missing since Saturday week, and grave fears are entertained as to his safety. On the day mentioned Exworthy was seen riding between Gisborne and Makaraka, proceeding no doubt to hw home at Mr John Wall's, Patutahi. where he was employed. So far as can be learned by Constable Farmer, who has been making enquiries into the case, that wat the last seen of him. Exworthy's horse was subsequently found with saddle and bridle on it at Hardy's crossing between Waerenga-a-hika and Patutahi. It is thought that the missing man must have been swept off his horse when crossing the river, and have been drowned. His disappearance cannot otherwise be accounted for.

Mr Gideon Rutherford, of Kakanui, near Oamaru, has lost under peculiar circumstances a prize ewe, for which he had refused 100 guineas a few weeks ago. Mr Rutherford was away from home, and the household, running short of meat, made, an application to the shepherd for some mutton. The shepherd directed the boy to a paddock in which he said he could find some sheep, and told him to catch and kill one of them. The boy did as he was told, and selected the 100-guinea ewe, which he had very soon prepared for the pot. Mr Rutherford, on returning home, discovered what had happened, and his state of mind might be easier imagined than described. He had named the ewe " Perfection," and would not have taken any money for her. The boy left unceremoniously, and has not beeu heard of since.

Colonel Battye, who was killed while in command of the Guides in the action beyond the Panjkora the other day, was the fourth of five brothers who have met their death in action. A brother officer in a short note in the Times says : — " No English family, perhaps, has ever given its blood so freely for its country. Fred just dead at the head of the Guides. Richmond, killed in action in the hills. Wigram, at the head of the Guide' Cavalry, dead in Afghanistan. Quentin, killed at Delhi ; his last words might well be taken as the motto of this valiant family — 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.' Arthur, able and brave as his dead brothers, still lives.

A shocking case of poisoning occurred at Goulburn on the 17th May, resulting in the death of one child and the serious illness of another. At the inquest evidence was given that the twin daughters of Mra Macquarie, aged three and a-half years, picked up a white substance near the verandah of Lillis' wool and produce store, and ate some of it. Symptoms of poisoning supervened, and one child died,. the other being in a orifcical condition. Some of the stuff eaten (arsenic or an arsenical compound) was produced, and the compound was stated to be enough to kill twenty men. The jury visited the place and found more of the poison scattered around. Mr Lillis said that arsenic in liquid form was used on skins in the store, but that he had not had any powder for twelve months) He could not account for the presence of the solid arsenic, only by surmising that it had come in with the sheepskins. A verdict of accidentally poisoned by arsenic was returned.

The Gisborne City Band Social took place last night in the City Rink, and notwithstanding the very bad weather, about forty couples made their appearance, and from the way all enjoyed themselves, were well repaid for having braved the elements. The music of the Band was greatly admired by the dancers. Mr T. Adair made a capital M.C. An enjoyable evening's dancing was spent, 24 dances being played. Several ladies and Mr E. Parnell played extras. During the evening Mr Ambridge apologised on behalf of the committee for the shortness of the lemonade, etc., owing to a misunderstanding with Mr W. F. Crawford, and also thanked those present for attending and preventing what might have been a loss to the City Band, the funds of which members are trying to swell by devoting time and energy ,in getting up these evening socials. Mr Mills contributed two songs during the evening. It is the intontion of the City Band to arrange another gathering at an early date.