NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 393, 18 April 1902, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Associati n.) AUCKLAND, last night. At Kawhia J. Garmons way’s 16months old child, while playing, lifted the lid of a tin box- The lid imprisoned the child resting on his neck. The mother found him apparently dead hut a local chemist and others restored animation after an hour or two, and the child has now recovered. It is estimated that the recent floods in Ohinemuri County damaged the roads to the extent of £(>0(). The floods carried 75-,000 feet of mining timber down the river and deposited it on Maori land near Paeroa. After a warm dispute between the Maoris and the owners of the timber, the blatter was settled by payment to the Maoris of a fair royalty. Instructions have been received from the London Directors of the Grand Junction Mine to apply for six months absolute protection to stop work pending further arrangements. This came as a surprise, as the prospects of the mine, whicii .joins the Waihi, were recently considered very bright. Before Christmas a sharp demand sent shares up to close on £2. They have since been easier , and are now quoted at sellers 22s 6d, with no buyers. NiVßiivK. lasi immt. Mr F- W. Williams, Chairman of the Harbour Board, is announced for the Mayoralty, and Mr H. P. Cohen retires in his favour. The public abattoirs, erected at a cost of £3OOO are approaching completion. The opening ceremony lias been fixed to take place on May 7th.

Private advice has been received that Lieutenant 11. F. F. Lascelles, of the 3rd Dragoon , Guards, is seriously ill of enteric fever at Harrismith. He is a son of Mr Henry Lascelles of Napier.

WELLINGTON, last night. A conference of Oddfellows of the Manchester Unity Districts of the Colony with tlie exception of Otage and part of Canterbury, opened here this

morning. The delegates were given a public reception at the City County chambers by the Mayor, and then proceeded to business.

OAMARU, last night. Mr Allan I-ledley, the present Mayor, has been re-elected for another term unopposed. At tiie Oddfellows’ Conference officers were elected and installed as follows—

Grand Master, Bro. John McLeod, of Auckland ; Deputy Grand Master, Bro. D. P. Loasby, Greytown North ; Corresponding Secretary, Bro. John Kershaw, Wellington. About 20,000 birds a month are being put through the various Govern-

ment poultry, departments. The Hon. Walker and the I-lon. HallJones left for Lyttelton in the troopship Norfolk to-day- Sir J. Ward is to go Sou tli by the Talune to-night. CHRISTCHURCH, last mgnt.

Mr H. F. Wigram lias been nominated for Mayor of the city of Christchurch.

Major-General Babington visited the camp this morning and announced that Captain W. S. Pennycock will take ciiargc of the South Island Battalion of the Tenth Contingent to Durban. It is understood that Lieutenant J. F. •Butler will command the H Squadron vacated by Pennycock’s promotion. DUNEDIN, last night.

In the Magistrate’s Court Captain O’Brien, commanding the Ninth Contingent, was sued by Henry Sampes for" £2O for wages as camp’s cook. It appears that the work Sampes done was satisfactory, but O’Brien withheld a certificate pending explanation as to the consumption of stores of the officers' mess. Vouchers had since been signed, but the question of costs remained. Mr Martin, defendant’s soli-

citor, claimed that the Court had no jurisdiction, defendant having acted in an official capacity as an officer of the Crown. Mr Fitzherbert, for plaintiff, claims that defendant contracted with plaintiff in a private capacily i Decision was reserved.

At a meeting of (he Education Board to-day, it was stated that tiie secretary had been requested to issue a free passage to a teacher outside the Board's service to proceed to Wellington for the purpose of obtaining employment in South Africa. Thereupon Mr McKenzie, M.H.R., moved, and it was unanimously resolved, that

this Board enter their strongest protest against the action of the Government in selecting for service in South Africa a Dunedin teacher outside Government employment, and who lacks the qualifications possessed by teachers recommended by this Board, and the qualifications specially stipulated for in the Government’s circular of March

14th. The Board points out in doing so the Government have inflicted a great injustice on carefully trained and well-qualified public teachers who have served the State so long and faithfully, and frequently under the most trying circumstances.