LATE NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 390, 15 April 1902, Page 2

LATE NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, last night. A meeting of citizens was hold this afternoon to arrange for the public farewell to tho South Island Battalion of tho Tenth Contingent, which leaves Lyttelton on Saturday. There was a good attendance. The Mayor, who presided, read a telegram from tho Premier suggesting a luncheon on the day of departure, instead of, as originally proposed, a supper on tho night before. It was pointed out that tho state of tho tide would make it necessary for the transport to leavo by three o’clock, and after some discussion the question of the entertainment of the men was left over until definite information was available. Subscription lists to defray the costs of the public send-off were opened a few days ago, and so far £261 has been collected.

One of the early settlers of Canterbury, Mrs Davie, widow of the late Mr Cyrus Davie, at one time Chief Surveyor of Canterbury, died on Saturday night. Five hundred and fifty men of tho Tenth Contingent and details for the contingents in South Africa, are now in Addington camp. The men are in excellent health and exceedingly well behaved. Two hundred horses are now in the lines, and 189 saddles have been issued. Two squadrons have been mounted and were out for mounted drill to-day. Firing parties are at the range whenever tho weather permits, and the rest of the tirno is filled in with dismounted drill. Tho men have been served out with boots and blankets in consequonce of the recent wet weather, and a full equipment is expected to be served out by Friday, the battalion sailing on Saturday. Palmerston North, last night. A proposal has been made to utilise tho Palmerston North Square for public building, and a deputatian of influential citizens will wait on the Borough Council at the next meeting to advocate the scheme.

A Palmerston North resident has written to the Premier urging that when in England he should endeavor to secure greater facilities for colonial youth joining the navy. Auckland, last night. The following are the corrected insurances of the Northeote fire:—Tho house in which tho fire started was owned by John Broady, and was insured for £125. Mrs Musgrave’s furniture and stock were insured for about 4190. Mrs Stuhlman was not insured : her loss in furniture will be about £l5O. The house was owned by Mr M. Kirk, and was insured in the Commercial Union for £125. The building occupied as the post office was owned by Mr Henry Lepper. There

was an insurance of .£2OO in the National and .£65 on the furniture in the New Zealand. Mr Lepper estimates that ho will be a considerable loser on the building. Manchester's house was insured in the Northern for £2OO, but about £lO or £ls would cover the damage. Wellington, last night. The Premier’s party on the Drayton Grange consists of Mrs Seddon, Miss SeddoD, Miss May Seddon, Mr and Mrs Dyer, and Mr Thomson, private secretary.

Representatives of a deputation of native chiefs, headed by Wi Pere, M.H.K., waited on the Premier this morning. In characteristic language the rangatiras bade Mr and Mrs Seddon and family farewell, and wished them a happy voyage and safe return. The addresses also expressed the deep loyalty of the natives, and contained messages of congratulation to the King on the coming of the great event.

In the Parliamentary grounds this afternoon the Premier inspected the North Island section of the Native Coronation Contingent. With Mr Carroll he went through, examined them closely, and selected 24 out of 27 under Capt. Taranaki. Some surprise was expressed at the apparent passing over of two out of the three remaining, as both were well-built specimens of the Maori race. It is understood, however, that in making a selection they took into consideration the ancestry of the candidates, who included descendants of several noted chiefs. Presumably the choice was not the final one, as on completing it Mr Seddon turned to the Native Minister and said, “ You have my wishes on the matter, and you make a final selection.” It was intimated by Mr Seddon that the party would not return to Trentham, but must proceed first thing to the camp at Addington, and go from there by the Norfolk to the Cape. Joseph Charles Clapham, aged 65, died suddenly this morning at Karori of heart disease. Two ratepayers have taken steps to bring about an enquiry, under the Tramways Act, 1894, into the loan proposals of the City Council relating to the construction of electric tramways. The petition has been forwarded to the Minister for Public Works and the Governor.

Nelson, last night. The question of a high school for Nelson citv was again discussed at the meeting of the school committee to night. The College Governors had offered to provide secondary education for 50 pupils at a little under the Government subsidy for the high schools. The school committee unanimously resolved that it strongly favors a district high school being set up in the city, and this would be more to the advantage of the district than the acceptance of the offer of the College Governors. The committee also resolved to urge the Education Board to have the resolution** of the committee pressed upon the department.

Mr H. Park, son of the Maori chief of Motueka, has been one of the Maori Contingent for the Coronation. George Newmann, a married man, while working a threshing machine, met with a serious accident. His right hand was drawn iD the machine and mangled. It was amputated at the wrist, the operation being successfully performed.