NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 315, 16 January 1902, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

■* [By Telegraph—Press Association.] AUCKLAND, last, night. An inquest was held this morning on the body of a hoy named Henry Bates. Evidence was given that deceased drank the contents ol a bottle containing chloride of zinc, found under a neighbor’s house. A verdict of death from accidental poisoning was returned. MANGAWEKA, last night. Mr Harrison’s two-months-old child, seriously burned by the fire on December 28, died this morning. HAWERA, last night. At the Police Court to-day, John Savage pleaded guilty to charges of arson. At midnight on the 12th he set fire to a portion of the Empire Hotel, and on the 13th entered the sitting room ol the same hotel and started a fire. In his confession made to the police, accused stated that he had no motive. In Court he said he was' unconscious of what he did. He was remanded to the Supreme Court for sentence.

WELLINGTON, last night. Customs officials have been instructed to give preference in examining luggage to that of passengers who have to catch trains. The Shaw-Savill Company has decided that the Mamari shall not call at the Cape as intended, as sufficient cargo is not forthcoming. Important business lias necessitated the recalling of members of the Cabinet now on tour. Mr Duncan will accordingly abandon his trip to the West Coast and Cheviot, and will be back from Nelson to-morrow, and Mr Carroll is on his way back from Gisborne. The New Zealand Rifle Association meeting has been fixed for February $7. The cash prizes will total £950, and there will be trophies valued at £2lO. A programme has been arranged so as to encourage medium shots, rather than allow first-class men to scoop up all the prizes. The Government have received a strongly - worded resolution from the Canterbury Trades Council, protesting against the Government importing its steel bridges from America. The Premier replied that there was no foundation whatever for the statement that it is intended to make such purchases. The Janie Seddon and the Lady Roberts, the new boats for submarine mine work at Auckland and Wellington, passed Farewell Spit at 0.30 this morning, and should reach harbour tonight. Referring to the revenue, the Premier, in a speech last night, said that, compared with the Government’s estimate for the year, there was at the present time roundly a surplus of fully £200,000. The expenditure had been kept well within limits, and at the end of the year, notwithstanding the great reduction in taxation, he anticipated a surplus of at least a quarter of a million pounds. Altogether the financial outlook for the year was very good. Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Mills also spoke, congratulating the people on the magnificent position the colony was getting into,