NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 44, 21 February 1901, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, last night. Sergeants Hunter and Brelsley have been selected from the Imperial Army as drill instructors for New Zealand.

Arrived Rimutaka. The following returned troopers came by her: VeterinaryLieutenant Young, Wellington (Fourth Contingent), Corporal W. Allen, Dunedin (Fourth), Corporal Fulton, Auckland (Third), Trooper Saxby, Hawke’s Bay (Third), C. C. Roberts, Ashburton (Third), Wilson, Wanganui (Third), Bugler Orr, Wellington (Fifth), also Gunner R. Searle, Oamaru (Fifth), who was left at Hobart Hospital when the Karamea touched there. Sergeant Challis, Invercargill (Fourth), was in a critical condition when Searle left him. Trooper Jamieson, of Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry', is also a passenger. In the Divorce Court decrees nisi were granted in the cases of Alice Harris v. Albert Harris, and Alphonson Rush, Palmerston North, v. Julia Rush.

The Wellington Education Board loses i£3ooo from the current quarter’s revenue owing to the falling-off in attendance. Woodville, last night. The Government have made Mr Crosse an oiler for his Kumeroa property, which he refused.

Dunedin, last night.

Three undefended divorce cases in which rules nisi were, granted were heard to-day, viz., Paterson and Paterson, Malloch v. Malloch, and Hardwick v- Hardwick, wife’s petition in each case on the ground of desertion. The petitions were under the 1898 Act.

Christchurch, last night.

G. S. Jakins was under examination again the greater part of the morning. His evidence was in favor of Federation.

Sir John Hall was next called, and repeated a previous argument used by him that the sea presented 1200 reasons why New Zealand should not federate with Australia.

J. A. Randall, an old Canterbury settler, and London representative of the Christchurch Meat Company, is reported by cable message to have died suddenly on the 19th of heart disease. At the. Federation Conference Mr A. W. Beavau, of Andrews and Beavan, strongly supported New. Zealand joining the Commonwealth as a means of distribution of another two million pounds amongst our small farmers. If possible, New Zealand should try to get in on the same terms as West Australia.

The Rev. Sarginson has been elected Chairman of the Congregational Union Council for the ensuing year, the Rev. B. L. Thomas secretary, and Mr Meadowcroft treasurer. The Council this morning passed a resolution adopting a petition to be presented to Parliament strongly protesting against the proposal to legalise the sale of liquor in the King Country. New Plymouth, last night.

The Supreme Court opened this morning. There were only two criminal cases. Johns, who pleaded guilty in the lower Court, was admitted to probation on a charge of horse-stealing. In the other case there was no bill.

Auckland, last night.

The session'of the New Zealand University Senate opened to-day at Government House. Sir James Hector, the Chancellor, read the repo.it of the past year. The Senate then adjourned till to-morrow. Sir Robert Stout gave notice to move that a committee ascertain and report what alterations may be made in the subjects for arts degrees that will allow the subject of concoction (?) in its theoretical and practical aspects to be a pass subject for such degrees. Dr Fitchett gave notice to move that the matriculation age be reduced from 16 years to 154. Arrived, Taviuni, from Fiji. It is reported in Fiji that the food crops of the natives of a root character are very sparse this season on the islands of Kabara, Orgea, Tabuga, and South-east Fiji; The natives are suffering privation. The IviaOra has been instructed to proceed there with supplies. At the inquest on the infant found in Union street yesterday the medical evidence showed that death had taken place as the result of violence, there being marks of strangulation on the neck.

Marton, last night. A sad fatality occurred at Greatford last evening. The little son of the stationmaster, Mr Brown, was playing about the station, and appears to have laid his head down on the line to listen for an approaching train. Shunting operations were going on at the time, and a truck which was being pushed by one, of the officers went over the child’s head, killing him instantly. The child’s age was a year and nine months.