NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 833, 6 March 1903, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

Per Press Association. . AUCKLAND, last night.

The Auckland millers have reduced the price of flour to ill 5s per ton for sacks, in sympathy with the rereduction in the South. The price of bread in Auckland was never raised above s’veiwenee the four pound loaf, and Mierefore no alteration in the price of bread will be made. William Andrew, aged 25, single, suicided at Kopuru. At the'inquest a verdict of suicide from an overdose of strychnine whilst temporarily insane was returned. Tho Arbitration Court gave its decision in the tailoring dispute to-day. The only point disputed wits the wages pajd to female coat hands, the Union asking 37s (id and the masters agreeing to 30s. The Court held that as 30s was the minimum wage in the South and as the girls had asked for this wage, it saw no reason to alter the wage, which would remain 3l)s\ The Court further decided that when a girl came out of her apprenticeship she would get 25s for six months, and then the full minimum wage. HLENITEIM, last night.

The Supreme Court sitting opened before Judge Dennis ton to-day. There are only two criminal cases on the calendar. On a charge of forgery, John Harris Smith, of Nelson, was sentenced to six months imprison-' incut. Mary Helen Selina, for larceny was admitted to probation for 12 months. John Eckford, for setting lire .to a tent at Top Valley, received three months.

CHRISTCHURCH, last night.

A citizens' meeting decided ,t.o entertain the officers of the squadron at U ball. An entertainment is also he-: ing arranged for the men, and a reception for the fleet. The Canterbury members have drawn up a combined report urging upon the Governmrnb the necessity fop their immediately taking sucli sleps as will lead to closer settlement of the land in this province. The report points out that in the land taken up by fresh settlers the increase of the area of holdings in Auckland amounted to 507,434 acres, in Taranaki to 219,127, and Wellington to 4?2,489 acres while Canterbury for five years showe - '- an increase in area of only 7416 acres. The report is to be presented to the Premier, and an attempt will be made to get him to inspect land suitable for settlement. HOKITIKA, last night.

The Supreme Court sessions opened to-day, before the Chief Justice, who congratulated the district on the comparative absence of crime. A young man 'charged with breaking and entering came up for sentence, being fined £lO or four months. The only criminal case was a charge of unnatural offence against a Chinaman, which is now proceeding. The civil calendar is also very light.