NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 386, 10 April 1902, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association, i AUCKLAND, Jast night. Deferring to the threatened prosecution of parents of children attending private schools, in respect of which the Premier cast the onus on the Education Hoard, the secretary of the Hoard states that notices were served in the ordinary course by the truant officer. A parent can gel relief by applying to tiie school committee of the district in which he lives for a certificate of exemption under section 54 of the Act, on satisfying them that the child is under efficient and regular instruction. Provision is also made for a general certificate for schools of ten or more children upon the head teacher applying to the board for a general certificate, satisfying the Board

that efficient and regular instruction is given at such school, but the inspectors cannot- state they are satisfied that efficient and regular instruction is given at such schools they do nol inspect or visit. Arrived s.s. Taviuni, from Fiji. She leaves for Wellington this afternoon. NAPIER, last night. Frederick Edward Howard, recently committed for trial for breaking and entei.'ng a Chinaman’s residence lias been committed on a charge of forgery. A sharp shock of earthquake was, feit at 1.28 p.m. DANNEVIRKE, last night. At a meeting of the Seddon Presentation Committee last night it was reported that there would he about 500

names to the memorial got up here, and that the subscriptions would total about £7.'i(). The heavy rains that have fallen during the last two days have done a gicat deal of good to pastures in this district. The weather now shows signs of clearing.

The agitation for a District High School in Dannevirke has been successful. The Minister of Education informed Mr Hall, M.11.R., that Danne-j vuke's claim for the school has been considered, and the wishes of the people will he given effect to. WELLINGTON, last night. The Appeal Court adjourned until the 21st inst., without delivering further judgments. The Chief Justice admitted Edward Ren wick, of Dannevirke, to twelve months’ "probation on a charge of hoise stealing. The following candidates have passed

examinations under the Shorthand-wri-ters’ Act A. G. Jarrell (Auckland) A. E. Briggs, P. M. McGee, and W H. Scale (Wellington), C. Harrisoi (Wairarapa), Misses E. Digby and E A. Roat, Miss A. U. Gilby and Clarkson (Christchurch), R. Bray, D. Bray R l 'l'.,Little, E. C. I-lure (Dunedin), J "Ward (^lnvercargill).

At a meeting of the Police Provident Board to-day the'application of Sergt. Murray, of] Auckland, to retire on 3.lst May was granted, and Sergeant Kelly (of Christchurch), Constables Joyce (Kaiapoi), Walker (Invercargill) and Salmon (Hawera) retire on the 12th inst., on account of ill-health,and will receive the usual allowance. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. At a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union, it was resolved that the delegates to the New Zealand Union he instructed to strongly support the proposal to send a team to England, as it was understood that the secretary of the New Zealand Union would be visiting England, advantage would be taken of the opportunity to place the position of New Zealand players regarding the English rules on professionalism clearly before the English Union, with a view to a necessary amendment in the English Rugby Union rules to permit a team being sent Home. The poultry experts who were brought from Australia, and between whom and the Government some misunderstanding existed, have now been sent back to Victoria, and no more are to be obtained.

At the meeting of the Board of Education to-day, the Chairman pointed out that the balance-sheet as prepared under departmental instructions was fallacious. Instead of a balance to credit, the actual debit and excess of liabilities over assets, was £2402. The Premier, interviewed, stated it had been ascertained that the Blue Star Line had no proper steamers, and lad failed to make proper arrangements Tor properly carrying out tiie contract for a service with South Africa. The arrangements generally were not satisfactory, but the matter wan still under consideration, and he wa.. awaiting a cable from the AgentGeneral before making a definite pronouncement.

WANGANUI, last night

The heavy rains of yesterday and last night caused a considerable fresh in the river, and the Upokongaro erry, nine miles up the river, was washed out to sea. Otherwise little or no damage was done.