Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1907. THE NORTHERN HIGHWAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10912, 5 March 1907, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1907. THE NORTHERN HIGHWAY.

Gisborne visitors to the Opotiki carnival were strongly impressed with the importance, of completing the link m the roadway'between Motu and Opotiki. A route has been surveyed through the Pakilii valley, which will considerably reduce the length of the journey at present performed':-over a tortuous track across the ranges, and by an easy, well-graded road Motu will be brought within 25 or 30 miles of 'Opotiki, no further distant than Whatatutu is from Gisborne to-day. It may be regarded by many as being not to the advantage of this district to have such good roau facilities provided from Motu towards the Bay of Plenty coast, for the reason that the trade of that rich district, which at present conies to Gisborne, may bo diverted to the north, but we have always hold that good road communication ils between district and district is sure to carry compensating advantages, superior m importance to any losses that may be eustainod, and iv this view we arc supported by some of tho recent visitors to Opotikf, who see m that district, with the promise of a considerable extension of fund settlement m the near future, a good market for the surplus stock of 'tho-coun--try' this side of the ranges. Already this season several large mobs have been driven through from Gisborne to Opotiki, and though the expenses of droving aie great, and the liability to loss along the narrow mountain track not inconsiderable, lucrative markets have been found. There are many thousands of acres of vir- J gin country yet to be opened up, a large proportion of which. would be directly served by (he Pakihi road, and the development of that district cannot do otherwise than lead to much commercial interchange between Poverty Bay and Opotiki. Moreover, it must be remembered- that Opotiki has, aiid i6-likely to have for very many years, most indifferent shipping facilities, whilst -.Gisborne,. with the promise of a fine outer harbor within the next few. years,- and the gradual extension of the railway towards Motu, would, if this Pakihi road be completed, be well able to maintain its command over the territory at present regarded'as belonging to it, and would possibly be able to compete with Auckland for'somo of the Opotiki trade. Aa the railway proceeds, Opotiki would soon be brought within an easy day's journey of Gisborne, and once facilities for travel are afforded, intercommunication between the two districts at present remote from one another, though actually only a. shurt distance apart, will become frequent and constant, leading to tlie encouragement' of commercial relations. ■

We should regard the development of neighboring districts m no soliish or parochial spirit, recognising that {he advancement of any part of the colony must operate advantageously on contiguous districts, and for that reason we hope every support will bo given locally to tlie movement to secure completion of a road which will open up.ji large im-ea of line pastoral country, and bring the peoplo of Cook and Opotiki Counties into much closer touch with one another. ■

—on——w——ne^ Mr Barton, S.M.. leaves upon his periodical visit to the Coast to-morrow. A meeting of the Borough Council will be held tliis evening to complete the revision of the by-laws. Stephen Bowers, tlie young mail Under arrest upon a charge of failing to maintain his illegitimate child, was to-day, upon the application of the police, remanded to appear a. Christchurch on Monday next. Nine tenders were received at Gisborne for the erection of a two-storied brick building m Gladstone road for Air James McKee. Word has been received from Mr Holman, architect, Auckland, that the two lowest tenders were John East £3684, George Smith £3686, • No tender has yet'been accepted., The excursion to White Island from Opotiki last Friday was the most successful tliat has yet taken place. The weather was beautifully fine, and about 240 excursionist's took advantage of the occasion to visit this weird spot. No difficulty was experienced m effecting a landing, which was successfully accomplished by four boats m record time. Considerable alterations have taken place m the island the level of the lake having fallen, and tne thermal action having considerably increased. We' understand that Mr W. H. Herries, the present member for Bay of Plenty, is likely to stand for Tauranga seat at the next election. 'Speaking at the A. and P. dinner at Opotikii, M- Herries remarked that the change m the electoral boundaries would practically give the ' East Coast\n additional member, and the elevation of Captain Tucker and Wi Pere to the Uppei House would further strengthen their position. Speaking for hhnself, he intended to consult the electors before deciding. Whatever happened no one could possibly forget the hospitality of the Opotiki people, and the district would have in -him .a second member. (Loud applause.) \ ■ The final m the Gisborne Rowing Club's fours for the trophies given by Mr Cederwall, was contested last evening. Kershaw and G. Buscke stroked the competing crews, and the latter won after another interesting race. Getting away quickly, Kershaw obtained a length's.advantage after the first hundred yards had been traversed. Nearing the bridge Buscke and crew got.going, and were soon on level terms, passing away from the bridge they forged ahead, and established half a length's lead. Kershaw came again, but Buscke-had the race well m hand, and, drawing away, went on and won by half a length. Each of the winning crew will receive a gold medal. In accordance with the' decision of the Harbor Board at its last meeting, the secretary communicated with Mr "Wilson, a- member of the firm of Sir John Coode, Son, and "Matthews, marine engineers, who has visited New Zealand to report on the Sumner canal scheme for the Lyttelton Harbor Board, and that gentleman has accepted a retainer to visit Gisborne and review. Mr Marchant's scheme of the proposed outer harbor. Mr Wilson, who has been waiting at Auckland for the outward 'Frisco mail steamer, arrives m Gisborne to-morrow. He has expressed a desire to consult with. Mr Marchant, and the Chairman* of the Board, Mr Townley, who is now m. Christchuieli, liaiS referred the matter to the Board, a special meeting of which has been called for Friday afternoon to meet Mr Wilson. "He made a start to smile at me, and ib provoked me." Tliis,was the excuse offered by an elderly man named Robert Stewart Homer, with several aliases, at the Police Court this morning, when charged with assaulting William. John Mark Attwood by. striking him with his clenched fist. Detective Maddern stated tliat the offence was committed m the presence of a constable.' The accused, who had pleaded guilty, offered a long rambling statement, m which he stilted that he had left his swag at Attwood's shop, and meeting some old fnends m town.he overstepped the mark, and spent tlte few shillings he had. He then went on to explain he wanted to obtain some money on the articles to get back to work, and was asked 100 per cent. The accused was fined £1 and 2s cosl6, or four days' imprisonment. Although it was knowii there would be no meeting of the Harbor Board -yester-, day afternoon, with the Chairman (Mr Townley), the Hon. Captain Tucker, and Mr Clark away from the district, tliree members, Messrs Lysnar, Matthewson, and Whinray; proceeded to the Board's offices. The meeting, being without a of course lapsed. A question arose as to fixing the neict meeting, the secretary urging that he could only look to the Chairman to do this, and not to the members present, who did not const.tute a quorum. Mr Lysnar held that the members who attended had the right to fix tlie date of the adjourned meeting, and after some discussion the members present fixed the date of the. next meeting as March 18th, when it was. expected-the Chairrrftin, Hon. Captain Tucker, and Mr Claris would have returned from the south. In connection with the forging of aj cheque for £97 14s, and uttering the same to Mrs Ollivier at Tolaga Bay two cheques for £30 and £35 respectively, given as change, have been recovered, but the balance, m notes and gold, is still missing. The valueless cheque, purporting to be signed by "R. Reynolds,'' was passed on Saturday niglit, and information wais received on Monday morning at 10 a.m. that it was a forgery. Word was given at oiice to Constable McLeod, and at 2 p.m. he had arrested a man named Powdrell and a Maori* called "Snowy" at Pakarae. The constable deserves credit for the expeditious manner m which he effected the arrest. The accused were- brought before Mr Holder, J.P., at Tolaga Bay, this morning, and re manded to appear before Mr Barton, S.M., at.Tolaga Bay on Thursday. A sitting of the Juvenile Police Court was conducted by Air Barton, S.M., this afternoon, when a Maori boy named Poihipi Wharikihi, about 13 years of age, was charged upon two counts of breakuig and entering the dwelling of James Mullooly, at Waerenga-a-hika, on February 25 and 27, and stealing £3 4s. The accused pleaded guilty, but'stated that he only took "ten bob" the first time. He admitted, however, that it was a handful of silver, aud he was told it was that amount. His mother and father were working at Wkarekopae, and he had been told' to go and look for work.—Constable Doyle stated that the boy's previous character was good. He had spent all the money on clothes aud m treating his friends at the Fete.—His Worship pointed out to the accused that he had rendered himself liable to severe punishment. On tliis occasion, however, he would let liim off oh his promising better behavior m future. The youth was handed over to tho charge of the Row-Mr Jennings, of the Waerenga-a-hika Native Mission College. 'Our Tc Karaka- correspondent writes : At present this little township is "dead," at least so the business mcii say. The partial cessation of railway" work, and tlie consequent exodus of men from the district is, no doubt, the principal reason for the slump. At any rate, constant enquiries are heard on all sides regarding the date when more hands are to be put on. Those settlers beyond the dreaded cliff ares becoming fidgety on account of the tardiness displayed m the laying of the line to such a point as would do away with the necessity of traversing the dangerous road between their holdings and Karaka. It is to be hoped that before the winter sets m the terminus will be the Waikohu, bridge. At present there is an absence- of land buyers m the township, and the chief trouble seems to be that the prices ruling two years ago are now becoming almost fabulous. Building however, is still going on, and each month sees one or more additions to the number of dwellings. The Waikohu Road Board have engaged Major Winter.us engineer m charge of the construction of the Kanaekanae bridge, which is to be built of.iron", and to cost at least £5000. A Avell-known Sydney firm is supplying the material. . }liss Lousley, instructor m cookery at the Technical School, .gave a demonstration lesson last evening. There wus an attendance of nearly thirty ladies, 'which was satisfactory considering the bad weather. .Mr W! Morgan (secretary-of the classes), m introducing Miss Lousley, said thut it was desired to make as full use of the technical school as possible, and the committee were prepared to meet intending pupils m .every way and start afternoon or evening classes whenever the demand justified. As the night was. such au unfavorable one, a second demonstration would be given at 7.30 on Thursday evening. Miss Lousley, who is a pupil of Mrs Miller, Dunedui, has a . thorough knowledge of all branches of tlie culinary art, and her work last niglit gave ample evidence of her ability. The demonstration was followed closely, by the ladies present, and after the dishes had,been cooked thoy were sampled and pronounced excellent. The names of those intending to join the cookery classes should be handed to the secretary, who is prepared to foim classes for girls' and adults, and wishes especially to enrol the names of girls between 14 and 18, who, owing to being engaged during the day m business, liave not.had sufficient opportunity to learn the indispensable art of cookery. It is intended that the cookery class will go on till the end of June, when a dressmaking class will be formed, and continue to the end of the year. At present the cookery class is being taken advantage of by teachers and school girls, and over 200 girls "from the standards m town and country schools attend oil different days, whilst the teachers receive instruction at a class on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Miss Mary Price has been appointed pupil teacher m the Te Karaka school. The City Band meet for practice this evening. A meeting of the St. Patrick's Sports Committee is to be held this evening. Poverty Bay won the Ka .t Coast polo championship yesterday after .a fine game with Mangaheia. Owing to the present briskness of tho building trade, a local timber mill L. obliged to work double sliifts m order to keep pace with orders. Sergeant Williams, of the Gisborne police force, who has been down with fever, is reported to be making a good recovery. The Government are subsidising Opotiki Council £1 for each £1 spent on the restoration of flood damuge up to £412, and the Whakatane Council up to £600. The Lyttelton Harbor Board are paying Mr Maurice F. G. Wilson, C.E. (who is to report on Mr Marchant 's plans of i the proposed harbor _ for Gisborne), £70 {>er week from the time of leaving Engand uutil his return. At a meeting of the committee appointed to organise a Floral Fete m aid of the fund for repairing the playground of the Gisborne school, it was decided to hold another fete oil Easter Monday, April Ist, and the old sub-committees, who were asked to act again, were instructed to meet as soon as possible, and report progress on Friday evening next. The secretary was instructed to write to the Gisborne Racing Club to arrange, if possible, for the use of the Park for the fete. By the s.s. Kumara, the Government poaltry grader is despatcliing from Auckland 1120 birds, fowls, and ducklings for the London market: The. average weight of the birds is 41b each. The "shipments of poultry this season lias shown a marked increase over those of lust season, while the quality of the birds lias shown a great improvement. At Home birds last season sold at prices ranging from 6s to 10s per pair j the local wholesale price being from ls 9d to 2s 6d. Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. write : — "The following is an extract from a letter from our London agents, which should, interest sheepfarmers. Referring to. a clip which we consigned to them for sale they remark : 'We would suggest, as likely to improve the value of the clip, that the ;.. owners skirt 'all their fleeces a little more deeply, the presence of skirting m the bales of fleece detracts from the value sometimes fully per lb. Owners lose nothing by full skirting, as the fleece left m thus free of the daggier and heavier wool, and deep skii ling en-hances-the value of the pieces, making them large and attractive. ,Th e buyers of fleece wool do not buy pieces, und vice versa, that is, those who', buy for consumption. Speculative, dealers of course buy all descriptions, and then sort them out for the smaller manufacturers.' We may;6ay that we are constantly receiving the same complaint from London, and would strongly, advise sheepfarmers to act upon the advice contained m the above extract, which is written by men who thoroughly understand their business." Following are the values of Gisborne cargoes taken Home by the -following steamers -.—Delphic : Dalgety aud Co. £6428, Murray, Roberts a_i^<Jo. £5405, Gisborne Sheepfarmers'.-: £1"L, 691 Common Shelton £7753. Corintliic: Murray, Roberts and Co. £719, Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Co. £3891, Williams and Kettle £8599, Dalgety and Co/ £7577, Common; Shelton and Co. £9287, Kia Cra Butter Factory £1136. Kaipara: Bennett aiid Sherratt £1305, N.Z. Loan and Mercan&2 9?;;. i ?^ 77 » NZ * 'Shipping Co. £12,---924, Williams and Kettle £8266, Common, Shelton and Co. £1018. Aotea: Murray Roberts and "Co. £4299, Dalgety -and Co!^ £7241, Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Company £12,000, Williams and Kettle £1868, Common, Shelton and Co. £11,995. Star Star of .Japan: Williams and Kettle £50,852, N.Z. Shipping Co. £317. Mamari: Murray, Roberts and Co. £3884, Dalgety and Co. £3584, Common, Shelton and Co. £10,400," Gisborne Sheepfarmers' £7650, Williams and . Kettle £900, Kia Ora Butter Factory £1332. Star of Australia: Williams and Kettle £60,222. Rimutaka: Kia Ora ' Fautory £1494. Ruapehu: Kia Ora Factory £1904. The two latter steaimersr-'did not call at Gisborne.