NEW ZEALAND ITEMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3119, 16 January 1911, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND ITEMS.

A SUMMER FROST. Ll’Eir I’RESS ASSOCIATION..) LEVIN, Jan. 14. The unseasonable weather lias damaged the fruit and vegetable crops in Levin and surrounding parts. Last night eleven degrees of frost were registcerd at AVeraroa. It is an experience unprecedented to have any in January. LAND BOARD EXPLORING BACK BLOCKS. WELLINGTON, Jan. 14. The Commissioner of the Wellington District Knud Board (Air Jas. Alackenzie) left for a tour of the remotest parts of the district by the express to-day The Board as a whole will meet tonight at Taumarunui, and start the tour on Monday, after the initerary has been decided upon. The country to be vi'sited will be south of Taumarunui, what is known as the Waitaicke block, lying between the Alain Trunk line and the'Wanganui River. Complaints have been received of bad roads, difficulty of access, and high rents, and these will be investigated. The tour will last three, weeks’and will- include rough bush travelling and canoeing. The Land Board will also inspect a large block of land lying between Taumarunui and Raetilii.

POLICE TRANSFERS AND PROMOTIONS. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 14

Whilst in town yesterday, on his way to Dunedin, the Hon. Dr. Findlay, Minister of Justice, was asked by a “Press” representative* regarding statements which have been published hinting at further changes amongst the higherplaced officers of the police force of the Dominion. Dr. Findlay said that no further changes would lie made amongst the superior officers of the force for some considerable time. There would be. however, some transfers and promotions, consequent on the two retirements from’ the force announced this week. Asked if it wore intended to appoint Inspector Kiely permanently to the Canetrbury district-, and when the vacancies cuasod by the retirements already mentioned) were to he filled, the. Minister stated that he proposed dealing with these matters on his return to Wellington. ALLEGED CATTLE STEALING. DUNEDIN, Jan. 14.

At the Police Court yesterday a man named 1 Jas. Doogue, residing at Seacliffe, was charged with stealing two cows, valued at £ll, the- property of James o''Connell also of Seacliffe. The evidence for the prosecution- was that, shortly after 3 a.m. on December 28th, O’Connell saw one heifer going along the road and accused following it on horseback. Subsequently the two heifers were found in the accused’s paddock. Aon.seel pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial.

DUNEDIN MAGISTRATE’S COURT. During last year the number of eases dealt with in the- City Police Court was 2375 (2038 males and 237 females), as against 2297 males and 200 females in 1909. . „ Civil cases in the Magistrate s Court totalled 3820, and the aggregate amount of money sued for was £33,318 14s 9d. The aggregate amount recovered was £16.021 las Id. OTAGO BANKRUPTCY RETURNS. The bankruptcy returns for last year are as follows: Dunedin, 10, as against 32 in 1909; Oamaru, 1 (3 in 1909); Gore, 9 (4); Invercargill. 21 {l9). The assets as per statements filled were : Dunedin. £9612; Gore. £2377; Invercargill, £2168. The liabilities were: Dunedin. £9612; Gore. £3180; Invercargill, £10.570. Amount paid in dividends: Dunedin. £1009; Gore, £254; Invercargill, £380; Oamaru, £3S3.