NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 85, 18 April 1901, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

By Telegraph—Press Association. * Auckland, last night. The insurances on the fire at Ponsonby vrere : Lambourne and Dewar, £3OOO on the stock. There was also £I4OO on the buildings, which included Cassidy’s and Harrison’s shops. They estimate their loss on the stock at £2500 and on the buildings at from £IOO to £SOO over the insurances, which are in the Royal, and partly reinsured. Mr Cassidy had £IOO in the South British on his stock and effects, and his loss is £SO over insurance. The total loss of property is over £7OOO.

The Government have accepted the tender of the Taupiri Coal Company for ten thousand tons of coal. A miner named Hart was severely injured by a fall of mullock at the Golden Cross mine, Waitekaml.

Thames, last night. The present Mayor, Mr Trembath, is opposed by Mr Samuel Hetherington, a well-known draper, for the office of Mayor. There are no contests for the ward members.

Napier, last night. The Education Board and Harbor Board emphatically refused to entertain a proposal to assist in the erection of a Hawke’s Bay arch for the Duke of York’s reception at Wellington. The Harbor Board yesterday confirmed the recontly-passed by-laws reducing the wharfago dues, although the motion was strongly opposed by the couutry section of the Board. Mr C. A. Fitzroy, a former Mayor, wfil contest the Mayoralty of Hastings with the present occupant, Mr W. Y. Dennett. Ten candidates are nominated for the nine vacancies on Hastings Council.

The census returns give the population of the Borough of Napier as 9004, a decrease of 227 as compared with 1896. A serious accident occurred at the railway crossing near the gasworks shortly after noon to-day. Alfred Weaver, a butcher, was attempting to cross the line, when a train ran into his cart, killing his horse and seriously injuring Weaver, and smashing the vehicle to atoms. Weaver was removed to the hospital, but little hopes are entertained of his recovery. Pahiatua, last night.

A young girl four years of age, named Smith, residing with her

parents at Makairo, was accidentally shot by her brother with a gun with which the children were playing. The charge of shot entered her shoulder, going right through, The condition of the child is precarious. Patea, last night. Mr Leslie Reynolds has been retained by the Patea Harbour Board to report on the proposed improvement of the harbor. Hawera, last night. The census returns show that the population of Hawera Borough is 2131, as against 1770 in 1896. Christchurch, last night. Lord Racfurly is completing arrangements with the local authorities re the details of the Royal reception. He leaves for Dunedin to-morrow. Greymouth, last night. The Blackball mine is not working. There is a fire in one of the boards, but it is not supposed to be serious. The Grey river is in high flood. All dredging is suspended. Last night was the roughest weather for years. Timaru, last night. At the inquest on Drysdale this morning it was shown that he had intended to shoot hares, and the body was hung when found at a gap in the fence. The jury concluded that death was accidental, and not suicide, through the trigger catching in the gorse. Dunedin, last night. There was a heavy rise in the Olutha last night. At Clyde the river rose six feet. All operations are suspended.