LATE NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 865, 15 April 1903, Page 2

LATE NEW ZEALAND.

By Telegraph—Press Association—

Wanganui, last night. Tho Grand Lodgo 1.0.G.1. of New Zealand commenced session last evening, The delegates were welcomed by tho loading townspeople. So far only routine businoss has been transacted. Greymouth, last night. Tho Labor Conforonco this afternoon passed motions to tho following effect: — Increased land tax, lessen customs duties, put on land and income tax, abolish duties on necessaries of life, urge Government to introduce Referendum Bill giving initiative to people, close shops at six five days a week and at one on Saturdays, increase old age pensions to 10s per week, miners and others engaged in unhealthy occupations to be entitled to a pension at 60, wage-earners incapacitated by sickness or accident from earning their livelihood to receive full pensions, payment of pension to count from date of accident and full pay for first four weeks. A committee was appointed to report as to the best mothod of arousing public opinion as to tho advisability of establishing a State Bank. There was a good deal of interesting discussion in tho courso of the afternoon.

Wellington, last night.

In consequence of tho breakdown in the Challenge Stakes at Riccarton to-day, Advance has been withdrawn from all events at the Wellington autumn meeting. In a covering letter, dated Fobruary 27, to tho Department of Industries and Commerce enclosing the Produce Commissioner's report on the distribution of frozen meat, the Agent-General for tho colony Bays: “I beg to enclose herewith a memorandum from Mr Cameron, Produce Commissioner, relative to the advantage afforded River Plate traders for increasing distribution and sale of their meat throughout this country by curtailing of mutton shipments from New Zealand during the latter quarter of last year. I desire particularly to direct your attention to this important matter. I would urge that urgent attention be given to it, so that if possible steps may be taken to ensure continuity and regularity of supplies, thus helping to establish better and* steadier demand, and so resisting that keen competition from the River Plato, which may be expected to increase rather than diminish.”

Napier, last night. Mr Bragato, Government Viticulturist, who has been on a tour of Hawke’s Bay inspecting the vineyards, expressed the opinion that this district is admirably suited for vine-growing, and intends urging strongly on the Government the suitability of Hawke’s Bay for the establishment of an experimental nursery. He estimates that the output of wine from this province this season will be from 15,000 to 18,000 gallons. Hawke’s Bay, Mr Bragato states, possesses the largest vineyard in the colony. There is the Greenmeadows farm of 35 acres, solely devoted to grape growing, in addition to large vineyards -fat Te Mata, Frimley, and Meanee Mission. Speaking of other fruits Mr Bragato said that something like 25,000 cases of fruit had been shipped from Hawke’s' Bay this season, of which Frimley had sent about 16,000 cases, including 12,000 cases of peaches. Christchurch, last night. The championship tournament of the New Zealand Draughts Association was continued to-day. The results so far are - as follows Fleming, games played 13, „ points gained 7, Crook 16-11, J. N. Thomson 18-10, Boswell Lucas 16 121, Hilliber 16-10, Brodie 16-12, Boreham 16-9£, Scott 14-91, Gardiner 13-111, Belf 26-2, Bell 24-41, J. Bruce 12 6£. The inquest on Walter Bobson, killed yesterday on the railway, was adjourned until to-morrow, Mr Beetham, District Coroner, stating that the whole thing hinged upon the question of the jerk of the carriages. The guard, engine driver, and other officials would have to appear and give evidence on this point. 1 The officers and men of theJAntarclie relief ship Morning attended a thanksgiving service in Christchurch Cathedral this evening. Bishop Julius preached, and special prayers were offered for the safety of those in the Discovery.