NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 714, 9 January 1903, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association,)

NEW PLYMOUTH, last night

Geo- L. Cole, an old man, 88 years of age, who arrived in the colony in 1812, was found burned to death in the ruins of his house at Papakura this morning. Sir Joseph Ward, who arrived from Rotorua t>y yesterday’s express after a pleasant holiday in the Hob Lakes district, with his family, was occupied during this morning with deputations on private matters. This afternoon a deputation re cattle trucks, used for passengers on holidays waited on him. Sir Joseph Ward, with the Mavor (Mr Kidd), Sir Logan Campbell and Mr Myers were conveyed this afternoon in a special car over the electric tram circuit, and power station. He leaves for Wellington to-morrow. NAPIER, last n ; ght. Major Chicken, V.D., of the Hast Coast Battalion, retires after over 30 years' service in volunteering. Petition signed by employers and •117 employees', were presented to the Borough Council last night,praying that the weekly half-holiday be altered from Wednesday to Saturday. After considerable discussion decision was deferred for a fortnight, but there seems every probability of Saturday being adopted. . , INGLEWOOD, last night. At a social held last evening, Mr C. Leech, tiie defeated candidate in the late election for Egmont seat, was presented with a solid gold Maltese cross pendant and a purse of sovereigns of the value of'about £IOO, as a souvenir in recognition of his fight for the seat. Many eulogistic speeches were made with reference to the majority vote of genuine, settlers and it was stated that his opponents' principal majorities were in co-opera-tive works districts. INVERCARGILL, last night. The first wool sale of the season was held to-day, when 3390 bales were submitted. Average crossbred wool, compared with last season, has advanced from Id to 1A per lb, low crossbreds up to 2d. In fine wools the rise is not so marked. Halfbred brought up to 9r\d. Bellies and pieces sold'well at a substantial advance. Buyers were present in force, and bidding was animated, hut- several lots

were passed in, , , A fire at the Bluff last night destroyed Georgeson's bakehouse, which was insured for £260 in the New Zealand office, TIMARU. last night. Wretched weather prevails here. The harvest prospects, which earlier in the season were very good, are now not so bright. The heavy crops are being spoiled by wind and rain. NEW PLYMOUTH, last night The total Customs revenue of the port of New Plymouth in 1902 was £26,807, against £22,605 in the pre-

vious year. The Taranaki County Council's proposal to borrow £12.000 for renewing bridges on the main roads was carried yesterday by a substantial majority/