NEW ZEALAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 298, 21 March 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) American 1.0.0. F. Wellington, To-day. A number of officers and representatives of the Grand Lodge of A.1.0.0.F. of New Zealand arrived here yesterday to attend the annual session, which opens this morning. Their arrival was made the occasion for a special reception service at the Masonic Hall last night, when an address of welcome was presented to Grand Master Wheeler and the representatives of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge session opened this morning, the following lodges bein represented :—Pride of Newton, Auckland ; Pioneer and Leith, Dunedin; Alfred, Oamaru ; Star of Canterbury, Timaru ; Mount Ida, Naseby ; Unity, South Dunedin ; Ravensbourne, Ravensbourne ; Southern Cross, Wellington ; Avon, and Addington, Christchurch; Pioneer, Southland ; Invercargill, Invercargill. Reports from the Grand Master, Secretary, and Treasurer, were read and submitted to a sub-committee for consideration. Post-Sessional. Nelson, To-day. Mr. Hursthouse, M. H.R., addressed his constituents at Waimea West on Saturday night. He expressed an opinion that there would be fresh taxation imposed next session except the exemption under the property tax be reduced. He received a vote of thanks. A Vigilant Detective. Timaru, To-day. At the Police Court this morning Wm. Gardner, who was a cook at Hamilton’s Boardinghouse in the year 1877, was charged with the robbery of property to value of L 4. The accused returned to Timaru on Saturday last, and was immediately recognised by detective Kirby. He was remanded till Wednesday next. The accused denies the charge. The Volunteers. Dunedin, To-day. The officers and volunteers of this district have decided not to take part in the Queenstown meeting, but will camp out at North Otago, if the Government will supply tents. In Bankrupty. In the Supreme Court to-day, Judge Gillies astonished counsel by refusing to grant discharges in cases where there were no assets, unless the application was supported by a resolution of the creditors. It has been the custom here to grant a discharge, as a matter of course, where there was no opposition.