New Zealand Telegrams.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 277, 23 March 1889, Page 3

New Zealand Telegrams.

Wellington. There was a great rush for Government sections thrown open this week. In all about 25,000 acres were offered in various parts of the province. Some 13,000 acres were taken up. The pick of the land was the Horowhenua block, of 3,700 acres, on the Manawatu line, the only land which the Government had left between here and the Manawatu river. The soil is good, and the position advantageous, and consequently there was enormous competition. Of 63 sections all but 15 were immediately applied for, and these will go in a day or two. For the 48 sections there were no fewer than 470 applicants. The other blocks were offered principally to ease the rush on the Horcwhenua selections, and it was not expected that they would be all taken up. The eagerness of the settlers to secure small holdings is considered a very healthy sign. The Customs authorities have instituted another series of prosecutions for breaches of the Beer Duty Act. There are fourteen informations against a brewing company, its secretary, and a publican. . The Minister for Defence has issued a circular to the country corps offering them assistance in converting themselves into rifle clubs if they wish to do so. The conditions offered are as follows :—l. The corps to be disbanded. 2. The officers of the corps, where desired, to be transferred with present rank and seniority to the unattached active list. 3. The club to retain as nearly as possible the designation previously held by the corps. 4. The minimum strength of members not to exceed 60. 5. The arms on issue to be retained for club purposes. 6. A free issue of 100 rounds of ammunition to be made annually. 7. The captain of the club to be responsible for the arms on issue to the club, which are to be paraded for inspection twice per annum at such time and place as the officers commanding the district may appoint. 8. In the event of an unsatisfactory report upon the state of the arms on issue, the club to be dissolved and the arms returned to store. Nelson. On Tuesday, the 12th inst., a well known miner who has lived in the district 35 years, named John Tarrant, 60 years of age, was lying in his hut at Mauria, 120 miles from here, when a tree fell, crashing through the hut and crushing his legs, pinning him down. He lay, unable to move, with nothing to eat or drink, till Sunday last, when his fearful plight was discovered by Messrs Walker and Kerr and some miners. They made a stetcher and carried him 40 miles to a coach road, and then drove him into town to the hospital. It is feared that he will lose both legs. A very fine stag weighing between 4001 b and 5001 b was shot on Spooner’s range the other day. , The animal’s antlers had twelve tines. This is the third stag reported over 4001 b, and stalkers have had good sport,