NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 58, 9 March 1901, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

By Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, last night. At the Wesleyan Conference a resolution was passed recording thankfulness for the result so far attained respecting the Century Commemoration Fund, and arranging a further canvass of those members and adherents who have not already subscribed. Mr Blackwell was re-elected lay treasurer, and the Rev. Mr Baumber general secretary. A committee was set up to collect information relative to the establishment of a children’s home and orphanage. The Defence Department has received a sufficient number of applications for the Seventh Contingent.

Auckland, last night,

Before the Federation Commission Jas. Hume, manager of Bycroft and Company, millers, said he cb.d not think Federation would suit from a milling point of view. A deputation from the Auckland Agricultural Association said the general opinion of the Association was favorable to Federation, He believed il we did not federate the agricultural interests of the colony would be prejudically affected.

Dunedin, last night,

Hay, who was charged at Clinton last month with receiving orders for .liquor in a prohibited district, was convicted on four charges of receiving orders for liquor in the Clutha district, and fined £5 and costs. On one charge he was convicted, and he was remanded for sentence on other three.

Hawera, last night.

James Linn, aged 72, an old settler, died suddenly at Normanby last evening. Deceased was a Crimean veteran, and also took part in the Maori war. A fire at Minninhick’s stables last night caused a conflagration. It was got under after two hours’ fighting, during which two firemen fainted. Timaru, last night. The Canterbury District Grand Lodge of Druids opened its annual session here last night. Fifteen out of eighteen Lodges were represented. The reports show the membership in Canterbury to be 1617, a net increase of SO. The aggregate funds are £22,788, an increase of £1306. In eleven years since it became independent of Victoria the Lodge has paid £2700 in funeral expenses and £14,800 in sick pay, and £12,000 in doctors’ fees. The business done last night was the adoption of the.usual reports. For lack of information, there was no recommendation re females’ Lodges. The proposal to take a plebiscite on the question of adopting a system of a funeral levy of sixpence per member was approved, a bare majority to carry it. The R.A. Chapter -was • re-insti-tuted. Ihe visitors were entertained at supper. The Grand Lodge resumed this morning. A ' Mangaweka, last night-. A young man named Percy Smith, whose parents reside at Mar ton, was drowned yesterday afternoon in the Rangitikei river, near Makohine Viaduct-, while engaged taking out sleepers floated down from Moawhango. The body was recovered hal£-an-hour afterwards.