LATE NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 714, 9 January 1903, Page 2

LATE NEW ZEALAND.

PRIMITIVE METHODISTS* .(Per Press Association). ASHBURTON, last night The Primitive Methodist Conterence opened to-day, when about 70 delegates and visitors were present. The following officers were appointed —President,-Rev. G. Clement; VicePresident, Rev. W. King ; Secretary, Rev. P. Jefossum ; Vice-secretaries, Revs. Pybus and Southern and Mr Moore ; Reporters, Revs. Cocker and Olphert ; Letter Writers, Revs. Dudley and Featherstone and Mr Osborne ; Timekeeper, Mr J. Clement. FOUND DEAD, CHRISTCHURCH, last night; Elizabeth Henderson, a widow, 70 years of age, was found dc-a.d in bed mis morning. A FATAL FALL. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. J allies Stack, a patient at Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, fell from a haystack at the institution on January 2nd, and died yesterday from a fracture of tlie-spine. At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was returned, no blame being attachable to anyone. RACING PRESIDENT.

WELLINGTON, last night. Mr .John Duncan has resigned the position of President of the Wellington Racing Club, and Mr J. B. Harcourt has been elected to fill the vacancy. DEFENCE.

WELLINGTON, last night. Among the officers of the Defence Department who have been retired, is CoJonel Somerville, of Wanganui. The Commandant, who is supported by tL’S Admiral on the Australian station, has recommended that the mine fields at Lyttelton and Port Chalmers he discontinued, as not wanted. Only one submarine officer is now required. PRIZE MUTTON. WELLINGTON, last nightA report has been received by the Government from Mr Copeland, the Agent-General for New South Wales, ib regard to a shipment of mutton from "London to Sydney ill connection with the N.S.W. Sheep-breeders Association’s Show, held in June last. This report has speciai interest v New Zealand, ins' much as'the experts who examined the shipment on irrival in London were asked to renark on the difference of the carcases n comparison with Argentina and e'ew Zealand. The experts, in their eports, say that- the carcases compare favorably with those from the ’late, but add, “ There is no_ compajson between these and the New Zeatad sheep/ 1 {