NEW ZEALAND

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 991, 10 September 1903, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND

DEATH OF NATIVE CHIEF, Per Press Association. THAMES, last night. Nikorima Pontotara, a well-known Maori chief, is dead. Deceased was a native assessor and interpreter, and had considerable influence for good on the local tribes. He had many exciting experiences in the early days. MUNICIPAL THEATRE, OAMARU,- last night.; A proposal is on foot for the erection of a municipal theatre, with borough offices. Enquiries are being made at other centres where theatres are under municipal control, and the matter will be ventilated at a meeting of the Council on Friday night. It is believed no difficulty will be experienced in raising the money locally. ’FRISCO MAIL. WELLINGTON, last night. Mr Dunnett, agent for Spreckles and Co., is visiting Wellington to arrange with the Government re a renewal of the ’Frisco mail contract. In the course of an interview, he said the present contract was the cheapest that could be arranged, that the Company is running at a loss so far as New Zealand is concerned, and that the Company is bound by its agreement with the United States to make Auckland a port of .call. He says also that the subsidy paid by the New Zealand Government does not meet the cost of the coal bill annually paid in this colony.