NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 380, 3 April 1902, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Associatkn.)

AUCKLAND, last night. The Rev R. F. Mac Nicol has resigned the pastorate of St. James’s Presbyterian Church, after 33 years in the charge, owing to ill health, on an annuity of £lO4. The Harbour Board has decided to reply to a request by the PostmasterGeneral l'or the remission of wharf and harbour dues on the cable steamer Anglia, amounting to £92, that there is no provision in the Harbour Act for exemption of sucii vessels. The death of Mrs Carl Robinson, of Waihi, is attributed to swallowing a plum stone, which ulcerated the lining of the stomach. ’Pile Monowai return for February from the Dapton Smelting Works is £443 18s sd. The new Moanatiri tributors from 180 tons got £792 ; May Queen, Hauraki, tributors, 129 tons, £656 16s 10.

The barque Helen Denny left Hokianga for ' Melbourne with timber on Monday. Mr Brown, Native intrepretcr, and Mr Cameron left for Wellington yesterday afternoon, as ''delegates of the old age pensions in Auckland province, both Native and European. They took with them several addresses and a purse for presentation to the Premier, and a diamond ring for presentation to Mrs Seddon. The addresses from the pensioners and old colonials are hand-

somely illuminated, bound in morocco, and a monogram of the Premier and Mrs Seddon. The diamond ring con-

sists of one large stone, surrounded by a cluster of smaller stones. It lias been arranged that the presentation from the pensioners shall eventuate at the Premier’s residence on Thursday, at 8 p.m., instead of the afternoon as previously arranged. John Allen, aged 23, married, head storekeeper of the steamer Kumara, tvas found in the hold of the vessel this morning, with his head split open and two ribs broken. He was taken to the hospital. It is supposed that he fell down the hold last night. The Direct Supply Company’s balance sheet shows a profit for the year of seven thousand eight hundred and seventy pounds. The dividend declared is 10 per cent, together with a bonus of 5 per cent, on shareholder’s payments, and a bonus of the same amount on the wages of the employees The Trades and Labor Council discussed the price of bread. The speakers strongly denounced the combines, and trusts of all descriptions, and resolved, on the motion of Mr Hood, the Government be urged to take immediate notion to restrict combinations and trusts inflating the price of bread, either by making seed combines illegal or nationalising milling, baking, and other industries. The Conference carried a motion by Mr McCullough, that the Government be urged to establish a State -Bank, with the sole right of note issue. An amendment by Mr Naughton, that the Government make a State note issue for the construction of public works, was negatived. A motion by Mr Rosser, favoring nationalisation of coal mines, was carried. Mr Hone Heke states that t-=e Maori detachment for the Coronation must be men of rangatira (chieftain) descent, good bearinf and character between 19 and 30 years, not less than 32 in. round the chest, sft lOin in height and 6 The TTades 6 ’Conference unanimously resolved that every workman should have at least one day’s rest in seven, and that the Government be urged .to legislate in that direction . The. Auckland portion of the> T enth Contingent, numbering 180, le t this afternoon for Wellington, via the West Coast. There was no public demonstration at the'irdeparture. The Mayor wished them good-bye in a brief speech NAPIER, last night. The local applications for eiirolment in the Tenth Contingent totalled ldd.i The men will be. put through medical and riding tests to-night and to-mor-row, and they, leave for Wellington on * Some difficulty is being experienced in securing horses suitable for contmt'ingent purposes, in this district, owing to the constant drain. About forty of the seventy required have been purchased up to the present. At Waipawa to-day George Pa-kin-son, aged 19, had his skull crushed between two logs, while he was helping to unload the logs from a trolley at Manson’s sawmill, yesterday afternoon He died half an hour later. WELLINGTON, last night.. Dr Mason, the Chief Health Officer, states that during the last twelve months the Department has been unable to find a plague-infected rat 'in the colony. He emphatically declares it is only through the agency of plagueinfected rats or fleas from infected rats that the plague is likely to be brought here, and therefore that rats should be destroyed in every possible It is officially announced .that for the Coronation Contingent four men will be selected in each district from tne First Contingent, seven each from the Second and Third, and fourteen each from the Fourth and Fifth. The Government will find uniforms and quarters during mobilisation, also Passages, and a lump sum of L2U for each man. The Imperial Government Will provide free quarters in England. The Governor leaves for Onehunga in the Tutanekai to-morrow afternoon and intends to stay about two months in Auckland district. Lady Ranfurly and family will rejoin His Excellency after spending a few days in the Rangitikei district. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. A t n meeting of the Assessment Court this morning Mr R. Beetham presided, and Mr Harper, for the Christchurch Gas Company, objected on a point of law to the rating of the Company’s pipes and mains in the streets. The objection was based on the Rating Act Amendment Act. lbJb. Mr Stringer, for the City Council, submitted that the pipes and mams were not included in the exemption. Decision was reserved till Saturday. a stormy meeting of the creditors of Alfred Whitworth was held to-day. A resolution was carried that, the bankrupt be examined before a judge n- soon as possible, the creditors puttfj evidence before the Crown Prosec tor with a view to ulterior proceed-

"’Following were the principal winning payments in connection ■ Sjw lU Sir George Clifford £1055. J. Brett £305, S Brown £305 W. Rathhone £135, M. Hobbs £l2a, J- RMcKenzie £9O, V Harris £OO, J. A. Holmes £9O, T. Sheenan £6O, R. W Franks £SO, and others won amounts under £SO. KELSON, last merht. ■ The Nelson members of the Tenth Pm tiiment left this afternoon for AdEonringei , „ e ot - Lieutenant ?r' nS l on 'district adjutant. They were maved to the wharf by the Garrison S and farewelled by a large crowd B r eon e The whole of the men of vpison district will meet at Wellington and proceed to Lyttelton by the Waihora. -The Nelson More Men Committee are presenting each man with woollen comforts.