pptcritt |^;m $|craltl PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, SEPT. 15,1906. A WEAK SPOT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10770, 15 September 1906, Page 2

pptcritt |^;m $|craltl PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, SEPT. 15, 1906. A WEAK SPOT.

Since its first announcement a fortnight ago Mr McNab's land policy has been subjected to criticism from almost every conceivable standpoint. (Some few of the critks have taken up an attitude of cold hostility, and others again linve bestowed on the policy an indiscriminating approval. So far as can be judged, the main body of public opinion is cordially sympathetic towards the ainus of the Minister, but just a little dubious as to the exact effect of the specific that it is to be applied to arrive at the desired end. Mr McNab's proposals, were a complete surprise to the country, and it is doubtful whether eU-her Parliament or tihe public will be able to digest them m tkeir entirety within the few weeks of tlie present session. Critics everywhere have been putting their fingers on what are claimed to be weak spots, but the wosi serious Maw m the measure so far discovered is the absence of any provision to protect lenders /on mortgage from the effects of the limitation clauses. This point was first brought to light by the commercial editor ■df the

Sydney Daily Telegraph, who asked how tho £550,000 limit would affect the right of foreclosure. Mr McNnb promptly replied that the right «f foreclosure m New Zealand had disappeared sixty-four years ago. The Minister was technically correct as a conveyancing Ordinance of 1842 enacted that "a mortgagee slwll not m any case be entitled 1 to foreclose the equity of redemption," and this provision has been repeated m later legislation, and is still m force. The Wellington Post m dealing with the episode, grants Mr McNub his technical victory over the Sydney criticism, but points out clearly enough that his answer m no wise disposes of the argument. "The effect of foreclosure," says the Post, "was to make the mortgagee, after the mortgagor's default and certain legal process, the absolute owner of the (mortgaged land, and m taking away this power the Legislature has conferred 1 upon the mortgagee the right to buy the estate at auction if the sale is conducted under the supervision of the court. Such a privilege was absolutely forbidden to a mortgagee under the old law, and by a different process, whicli gives a. better chance to the mortgagor, It airives at exactly the same result as a foreclosure suit. "In each case the ultimate protection of the mortgagee is the right under certain conditions to acquire' the freehold Mmself." If this right is to be limited to the acquisition of one thousand' acres of first-class land, etc., as prescribed m tlie Bill, will land as a security be impaired to such an extent as to discourage legitimate investment and make the development of land by borrowed capi. tal more difficult? Of course the lenders on mortgage m large sums will still retain the right m case of default to realise on their investment, but they will have to be content to take whatever 1 may be the market price at tho moment. The mortgagee will no longer be able to buy m to protect himself, and it would be interesting to hear the views of tlie heads of such institutions as the Australian Mutual' Provident Society as to the probable effects of the Land Bill on the value of one of tlwiir most popular forms of investment. If the proposed limitations had' been m force m 1895, what would have been the P'.tsition of the Bank of New Zealand tocfoy? The last returns show over £40,---000 000 invested m mortgage m the colony. Tlue Bill, as it stands, must operate to the disadvantage of all who desire to borrow money on their land unless the Government is prepared to come m and take the place of the private lender. Some amendment will doubtless be brought forward to meet the case, but it will have to bo ingeniously drawn up if it is not to open the door to abuse.

Mi- and Mrs D. J. Barry left this morning on a visit to Sydney. At the Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr Barton, S.M., Timothy Dwyer, a habitual drunkard, was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment. Complaint is made by country residents that the platforms at some of the railway stations are too short, notably at King's road, where passengers alighting have a deep drop from the carriage platform to the ground, causing no little discomfort on dark nights. Mr John F. Pettie reports the following prices at his produce sale to-day : — Fowls Is 6d to Is lOd, roosters 3s, turkeys 6s 6d, butter Is Id to Is 2d per lb, oggs 8d and 9d doz., onions l|d per lb, kuaneras l£d per lb, 'bananas 6s case, carrots 4d bundle, lemons 6d doz., cabbages 2s 6d doz., cauliflowers 7s doz. The conceit given by the Young Maori Party at Te Arai last night was a great success, the schoolroom being crowded ; the hakas and chants were received with great enthusiasm, and the various solos also met with much favor. A concert is to be given at Waerenga-a-hika schoolroom on Friday evening next. The following prices were realised at Messrs Miller and Craig's produce sale this morning: — Oniona 2d per lb, leeks 2d bundle, lemons 3d and od doz., carrots 2d bundle, parsnips 2d bundle, marrows Id, pumpkins sd, swedes 2s bag, cabbages 2s doz., asparagus .3d ; bundle, aggs 8d and 9d doz., lielis Is 3d,-; -Is Bd, and 2s, roosters 2s, 2s Bd, and -2s 9d. The hockey match yesterday afternoon, Huia (Hawke's Bay) Club' v. High. School gills, was won by the visitors by three goals to nil. 'the local team comprised Misses K. Morgan, D. Fyson, S. Oxenham, I. Whitlock, K. Jones, M. Winter, N. Friar, N. Fraser, M. Somervell, V. Erskine, and R. Hill (captain). Last night tlie Hnia Club were the guests of the Gisborne Ladies' Hockey l Cli»b at a dance m His Majesty's Theatre. The sale of Oriental work held m Townley's Hall, m connection with Ramabai's Widow Mission, India, was largely attended yesterday afternoon and evening. There was a line display of work, all of which was of a very useful nature. Those m charge of the different stalls were kept busy, and excellent business was done m every department. The takings amounted to about £40, and the promoters are- to be congratulated upon the unqualified success. Tlianks are diie to Mr and Mrs Townley for the valuablo assistance rendered to promote the success of tbe sale. At the meeting of the Lund Board at Napier yesterday, exemption was granted to E. Sherwood) m relation to sections 2 and 2 of blocks 1 and 5, Mata, for two years ; M. A. Toole's explanation re section 1, block 2, Turanganui, wag considered satisfactory ; M. L. Dunttiii, section 2, block 6, Turanganui, to be called upon to reside, otherwise section will be forfeited. A transfer from D. and H. McGregor to C. H. Bridge, section 12, block 7, Motu, was approved, subject to the sumnder of existing leases ; and from W. T. and A. C. Neill to Henry St. J. Clu'istophers, of section 2, block 16, Hikurangi, subject to the usual declaration being, made. His Honor Judge Jones returned this morning from Wanganui, where he has been engaged for three months m Native Land Court- work. Sittings of a. very successful nature were held at Wangunui and Pipiriki, and the Court was kept busy m dealing with the great amount of business which liad accumulated. The bulk of the cases submitted were finally disposed of, including one important 'block m connection with' which it had been stated that! it would take three months i>o settle the conflicting interests. Gisborne people will be pleased to learn that it is probable that Judge Jones will be able to devote himself for a time at least to Native Land Court work m this district. A .sitting of the Court will be held at Gisborne on Monday, at Tolaga Bay^ on Tuesday, 25th inst., and at Awanui on October 25th. At the meeting of the Cook Memorial Committee yesterday afternoon there3*erq present the Chairman (Rev. H. W. Williams), the Mayor (M^ Townley), and Mayoress, Mrs T. A. Coleman, Captain Tucker, Messrs A. F. Kennedy, F. Harris, J. G. Cox, W. Webb, and W. Gaudin (secretory). It was decided, to request Mr Carrol to make the Parliamentary visitors as numerous and representative of the colony as their engagements would permit, and to endeavor to obtain the presence of any warships m New Zealaud waters. It "was resolved to invite the veterans, volunteers, and members of contingents to take part m the proceedings, and a sub-committee was appointed to arrange for the gathering m His Majesty's Theatre m the evening, which will take the form of a conversazione. A special vote of thanks was passed t.o\ Mrs Carroll for her generous gift of two acres near the memorial site. Seeing the .amount of interest that is being taken m the subject of petroleum, Gisborne people will be pleased to learn that Mr H. Hill has kindly consented to deliver before a local audience the lecture he gave at a meeting of the Hawke's Bay branch of the Philosophical Institute on Tuesday evening last upon the subject, "Oil Wells and Oil Prespects along the East Coast." Mr Hill was approached with a request that he would do so by Mr W. Morgan this week, and at once agreed to give the lecture when he visits Gisborne for the annual examinations at the end of the mouth. It is probable the lecture will be m aid of the Technical classes. Mr Hill, who is an enthusiastic geologist, has studied the petroleum question for years, and has gone to great pains to make his lecture instructive, having prepared many fine lantern slides with which to illustrate his remarks. The vVaimana correspondent of the Opotiki Guardian writes:— The evil influence of the recent "prophet" movement is still strongly felt among the Maoris even now, and very few of them have gone to work yet. The few who started work have not averaged half-an-hour a day for the . past six months. The Government have notified them that they will be supplied with clean seed potatoes, free of cost, and the Maoris feel sure that flour and sugar will be forthcoming too. During the fine weather of the past month, anyone riding through the Waimana Maori pas would see any afternoon scores of able bodied mei~who are physically able to earn eight shillings a day, basking m the suu and waiting for Government charity. They refused the road work which was offered to them by the Roads Department. The second social of the season was i held m the Wigan Moolshed, kindly I placed at the settlers' disposal by Mr Mullaney, last Friday evening, and proved a great success, fully 55 couples being present. The walls were beauti-fully-decorated with nikau palms 'and eyergreens, and from the roof hung Chinese lanterns, which created an exquisite effect. Dancing was kept up with spirit till 4 a.m. A prize of a beautiful silk umbrella, kindly presented by Mr Utting for the best lady waltzer, was won by Miss McNeil. The catering arrangements were m the hands of a ladies' committee, consisting of Mesdames Wilson, Mullaney, Harding, Kennedy, Bartram, Misses McNeil, Caldwell, Dobson. The rest of the arrangements were carried out by the general committee, consisting of Messrs Caldwell, Clare, Kennedy, Taylor, Hyde, Bartrain. All concerned are much to be congratulated on. the success of the function. ' ; :.

Messrs Evans, Nield and Co. arc advertising the arrival of a large shipment of totara posts. The annual meeting of the Te Hau Cricket Club will be held at the College on Monday evening at 8 p.m. The box plan for "The World's Pictures" will be openedi at Mr Miller's on Mionday morning at 10, when both circle and stalls seats may be reserved. Nearly £1000 has been already subscribed towards the proposed new Presbyterian Church m VVairoa. Many lists arc still out, and it is anticipated that there will be little trouble m raising the necessary amount. Ten thousand acres of bush are coming down at the Te Arai end of the Mangapoike Valley this year. Over 20,000 sheep are now grazing m this portion of the valley, and the number will be more than doubled next year. — Wairoa Guardian corespondent. The success of the Orchestral Society's • concert on Thursday evening was largely due to the energy and enthusiasm of the secretary, Mr J. Chrisp, who has worked hard to build up the orchestra. Another to whom credit is due is Mr Massey, the leader of the Orchestra. The guarantee of £100 asked from Hawke's Bay by the New Zealand Crici ket Council m connection with the visit of the English team has been raised and forwarded, and Hawke's Bay will therefore be entitled to a match with the visitors. The City Bany, under Conductor A. R. Don, will render the following choice programme of mask from the Trafalgar rotunda to-morcow afternoon, commencing at 3 sharp: Grand" selection, Hallelujah Chorus, "Meroadante" (Round); cornet solo, "The Better Land" (Cowen), soloist, Bandmaster F. Pickford; selection, "Glory" (Bulche); selection, "The Conqueror's Palms" ; grand selection, "II Xrovatare" (Verdi) ; march, "King Carnival" (Hall) ; "God Save the King." A meeting was held at Waerenga-a--hika last evening for the purpose of forming a lawn tennis club. A provisional committee was set up, consisting of Messrs Ellis, Lougher, Stacey, J. Jennings, and Broad hurst, who are to report to the first general meeting to be held next week. The Rev. E. Jennings has kindly offered the use of the College grounds, and it is hoped within a short time to have a live tennis club m operation at Waerenga-a-hika. The telephone line is being erected from the Arai Valley through to join' the Opoiti line at Byrne's property (says the Mangapoike correspondent of the Wairoa Guardian), and m a few days' time will be completed. Whether the committee of the Opoiti telephone line agree to the Mangupoike valley line joining theirs' at Mr Byrne's remains to be seen, but it is to be hoped that they will do so, so that another line of communication will be opened between Gisborne and Wairoa. The sum of £600 was placed on the Estimates for the Mangapoike-Fraser-town road. The necessary documents have been signed by nearly all of the settlers m favor of a loan of £1500, so that the loan is assured. This, with the Government subsidy, will leave some £3600 available for the purpose. About 17 or 18 miles requires to be formed to establish through communication. It is pointed out by a correspondent of the VVairoa Guardian that this road will be better than either of the others to Gisborne. and 23^ miles shorter. The concbi could do the journey m one day, so that two trips would occupy only the same number of days, as one at present, and presumably the extra cost would be insignificant. This is an important reason why' the Wairoa County Council should recognise this as one of the most important works to be pushed on m the county. In tliis issue appears an advertisement with reference to the Church of England services to be held m the Mungapapa school. The services have arisen from a request made by the residents of the suburbs to the vicar of Holy Trinity, that one step m church extension should be at Mungapapa. The initial service rwill be held to-morrow evening nt 7 o'clock. A short congregational meeting will be: lu;Ld at the close of the service to discuss several matters of importance, among them being the formation of v choir to lead the services. Much enthusiasm is being displayed by residents m connection with the matter, and it is confidently expected that many will avail themselves of this opportunity of engaging m public worship. The vicar wishes it to be clearly understood that the services at Mangapapa will be perfectly plain and simple, and as hearty as possible. Prayer and hymn books will be provided. A warm invitation to attend is issued to all residents, irrespective of denomination, who find it difficult or impossible to attend any service m town. The first annual meeting of the Tolaga Bay Saleyards Company is to be held this evening, when, the following report will be presented: — Sheep and cattle pens have been erected during, the past year, and everything is m working order for the coining season. Sufficient material is on hand to enlarge the yards if required. It is proposed to call up sufficient capital to enable the directors to pay off the overdraft. To encourage regular sales of stock m the district tlie directors take this opportunity of urging the shaieholders to support their own yards, and a good return will be given for the capital invested. There are 59 shares available for application as follows, 9 unallotted, 20 forfeited, and 20 m. arrears, and 10 with, drawn. The retiring directors are Messrs W. E. Holder and W. F. Somerville, who are eligible and offer themselves for 'reelection. You will be asked to inciease the number of directors from seven to nine, of which notice of motion has been given by Mr Maurice Fitzgerald. The directors recommend Messrs W. H. Perry and O. E. Bartram to fill the vacancies if the Board of Directors is enlarged. Tlve accounts show the receipts (including overdraft £328) to be £851, and the expenditure £851, of which, the principal item is land purchase £294. There is a balance of assets over liabilities of £841 9s 2d.