AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 267, 20 November 1901, Page 3

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

HEALTH REPORT. (Special to Times.) Auckland, last night. In Dr. Pomare's report on the sanitary condition of Maori villages visited by him in bis tour of inspection, he stated that the Maoris of Taranaki province were living in a particularly insanitary condition. In the past the natives of that province have been strongly opposed to education. While the natives in other parts of New Zealand asked for schools, those in Taranaki have been quite content to remain as they were. ELECTRIC RAY. A, prisoner at the Supreme Court yesterday, when called upon to say why sentence should not bo passed upon him, made the mysterious assertion that he was “ under electric punishment by the police.” He had had his senses taken away from him in the street. He knew, he said, that the police had their evil eye on him. When he was in gaol he had the “ electric ray ” on him all the time for three years.

PRAISE FOR COLONEL PORTER

A Gisborne sergeant of the Seventh Contingent, who left Gisborne with the Rough Riders, writing to a friend in Auckland, of Colonel Porter, states : “ We are glad that we have Colonel Porter with us. He is very popular, doing all he can to tlx his men. As an officer in the field, or in any capacity, lie is greatly appreciated. I think ho has arranged for those of the Fourth and Fifth New Zealand Regiments that they need only servo with the Seventh Contingent for six months, instead of twelve months as formerly arranged. If this be correct, then all the contingents will be delighted. We understood when we left our respective regiments to join the Seventh Contingent that our time would be only six months. As one cannot get his discharge in this country tire Gisborne boys. intend to leave about the end of December. HOMEWARD BOUND.

Madame, Mias, and Mr Herbert OeCosts have returned from Sydney after their trip abroad, and left by the Mararoa for Gisborne to-day. In conversation with a Times representative Mr DeCosta stated that they had had a most enjoyable tour, but were glad to return to Gisborne. CURIOS. Curios, the property of the late R. L. Stovensou, novelist, wore sold by auction in Auckland to-day, but realised only fair prices. A number of curios wore purchased by Southern buyers. CHEAP FRUIT. One probable result of the Federal tariff will bo that New Zealand will be flooded with island fruit. The duty imposed on bananas in Australia is one shilling per bunch, which prohibits shipment-. EXTR VO KOI XA R Y FATALITY. An extraordinary fatal accident occurred to tho seven-year-old son of Mr Brady, a settlor of Pupainoa, between Tauranga ami Te Puke, on Saturday morning. The littlo fellow was climbing a haystack on his father’s farm, arid must have put his foot on tho handle of tho hay-knife sticking in tho stack. The knife gave way, and foil with the hoy to the ground. The blade entering the lower part of the abdomen, made a terrible gash, extending right up to his chest, and cutting into both liver and lungs. Dr Fooks was sent for, but found the case utterly hopeless. He did what he could to ease the sufferings of the child, who remained conscious nearly all the time till his death, which took place early on Sunday morning. TIIE MARAROA. Tho steamer Mararoa left for Gisborne at a quarter to four this afternoon. Passengers : Mesdames Mortizen, .DeCosta, Coad, Dairy tuple, Smith. Misses Johnston, Brook Taylor, Imrio (d), DeCosta, Messrs Brett, Shelton, DeCosta, O’Keefe, Rhodes, Dalryniple, and several steerage. I