LATE NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 391, 16 April 1902, Page 2

LATE NEW ZEALAND NEWS

SUPREME COURT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, last night. At the Supreme Court to-day sentences were passed on three prisoners who had pleaded guilty in the lower courts. Jane Armishaw, on two charges of theft from the dwelling, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor ; John Hunter, a young man IS years of age, for forgery at Invercargill, was admitted to probation for twelve months; Henry Wallace Smith Paterson, IS years of age, who committed theft while a cadet in the railway service at Oamaru, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. THE PRICE OF BREAD.

At the meeting of the Paiuters’ Union it was resolved to ask the Trade and Labor Council to call a mass meeting of workers to consider what steps should be taken to mitigate the great increase in the price of bread in the city. DUNEDIN DOCK. At the statutory meeting of the Dock Trust Mr E. G. Alien, M.H.R., Chairman, said that the net profit on the year’s operations was £1941. The revenue from the vessels docked was £2419, and expenses in connection with tho docking £2490, leaving a loss on tho working of tho dock itself during the year. Fiftyeight vessels, comprising 42 steamers, 5 sailing vessels, 3 tugs, 4 hulks, and 4 dredges, of the total tonnage of 48,058, were docked. Mr E. G. Allen was reelected chairman.

TRAMWAYS. The Tramways Committee of the City Council is pushing on with arrangements for the electrification of the tramways. The committee recommended taking stops to raise a loan of £IOO,OOO at 4 per cent, locally for the construction, and that arrangements be made to carry out the electric lighting system at the same time. Pursuant on above being agreed to, that requisition by Messrs Noyes Bros, for plant to the extent of £28,899 be agreed to. TROOPSHIP KENT. A cable from Capt. Nicolson announces the arrival at Durban, all well, of the troopship Kent with the Southern section of the Ninth Contingent.

EMPLOYMENT WANTED. Members of Parliament have telegraphed to the Minister of Public Works that the thirteen men selected as the quota to work on the Otago Central line is totally out of proportion to the number requiring work. If 40 more is sanctioned it would meet the urgent necessities. Considering only 120 men are at work on the line members think instructions might be issued at once to employ the number asked for. RISE IN PRICES.

Enquiry was made to-day as to the price at which Australian flour could be brought into the market, and a quotation was received from Melbourne, country brands being £9 2s 6d, f.0.b., equivalent to £ll 10s in store at Dunedin. Local quotations for good milling oats are 2s 6d, a rise of 2d within a week. Oatmeal is at £l3 10s per ton, a rise of £1 since Monday. DREDGING. Patterson’s Freehold, 84oz ; Golden Beach, I9oz 17dwt, 21grains ; Enfield, 18 oz, 3dwt. CALLIOPE DOCK.

Auckland, last night. At a meeting of the Harbor Board today a letter was read from Admiral Beaumont in regard to tho designs for the foundations of sheer-legs at the Oallope Dock and deep-water berth. Estimates of the cost of the work as altered by the Admiral were submitted, the total being £47,150. The Admiral in his letter stated that while the Admiralty concurred’ in the Board’s proposal of the new site for sheers they did not admit any liability to increase the subsidy on account of the increased cost. The Board adopted the plans as altered by the Admiral, and decided to send Mr Brigham, Secretary to the Board, to London at once to arrange with regard to the subsidy and other matters with the Admiralty. BRILLIANT FUNCTION. The Governor and Lady Ranfurly gave a ball to-night in honor of Admiral Beaumont and the officers of the fleet now in port. There was a large number of guests, and the gathering was one of the most brilliant held at Government House. SOLDIERS’ TESTIMONY. The Governor lias received a letter from Captain Davey stating that he has been requested by the officers and soldiers who attended the parade on Saturday to receive the various ribbons for war medals, to express their appreciation of the continued kind interest which His Excellency had evinced in the welfare of the old soldiers of the Empire. Many of them are now of great age, and have served tho State in all climes and under every circumstance, but at no time have they ever experienced such parental care of their welfare, and they consequently beg that the Governor will kindly accept their gratitude for the great consideration shown to them. WARSHIPS.

H.M.S. Royal Arthur and Ringarooma leave for the Bay of Islands to-morrow, and then go on to Sydney. The Mildura proceeds to Sydney direct, returning to New Zealand by way of Fiji. A SEND-OFF. Mr M. Niccol, Secretary of the New Zealand Grand Lodge, who is leaving for Wellington, was presented with an address and silver tea and coffee service by the Harbor Board. Mr Niccol has been a member of the Board continuously for 25 years, and was several times chairman. SCOWS IN TROUBLE.

The Auckland scow Shamrock is reported to be ashore at Helena Bay, north of Auckland. She is undamaged, and a party of workmen left last night with appliances for refloating the vessel. The scows Hercules and Hauturu were in collision off Point Rodney on Sunday. The Hercules had a hole knocked in her bow above the water line, and the Hauturu had her bowsprit and - cathead carried away. The Collector of Customs will hold an enquiry.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENT. Wellington, last night. It is understood that Mr James Marshall, of Totara Flat, Westland, is to be called to the Legislative Council, vice Mr Kerr, deceased. PERMANENT FORCES.

Major Moore commands the Permanent Forces during the absence of Colone Messenger with the Tenth Contingent. NINTH CONTINGENT. News has been received of the arrival of the troopship Kent at Durban, with the South Island battalion of the Ninth New Zealand Regiment. WELLINGTON MAYORALTY. Mr Aitken, the present Mayor, has nominated again for the City Mayoralty. NATIVE CONTINGENT.

The North Island members of the Native Coronation Contingent went South to-night by the Moura. CONDOLATORY MESSAGE.

Mr Barton has cabled to Sir Joseph Ward, expressing the regret of the Federal Ministers at hearing the news of the misnap to the Eight Contingent at Machavie. STOWAWAYS. Several stowaways were ejected from the Ijrayton Grange just before she sailed yesterday evening.