STEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 422, 22 May 1902, Page 4

STEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.; THAMES last uigl

The opening of the Piako Blocks lor settlement has been brought under the notice of the Minister for Agriculture. It is estimated that the cost, or drainage of a large portion, which will enable settlement to proceed, will he forty thousand pounds.

HUNTLEY, last night. The Hon. J. Carroll, accompanied by officials of the Native department, crossed the Waikato to Waani, Mahuta’s settlement, this morning, in order to confer with the assembled tr bes of tiie Waikato and others on the Lanas Administration Act, more particularly with reference to the disputed boundaries of the Waikato land district. He leaves here again this afternoon, proceeding up to Otorohunga, in the King Country, to meet the Ngatimaniapoto tribe there.

King Mahuta welcomed Mr Carroll in a brief speech of a conciliatory nature. Mr Carroll addressed the Maoris at considerable length, urging the Waikato’s to fall in with the new order of things and accept the new Lands Administration Act. vyaIKUA, last night. Molii Waikawa, seven years oiu, went to gather quinces over a well at Wnaivaiiaki on luonoay, and leu in. lie was lounci drowneu. Walter lueivenzie, employed on Mr It. J. Cooper's station, had his liana sluUtereu with a gunshot charge 0.1 ibunuay. Some earth .got into tne muzzle, and lie put ms linger in to remove it, when me gun went on. lie was taken to the hospital, and is aoiiig well. NAPIER, last night. The Fillipino, lrom Gisoorne, named Anastosia,, who was acquitted during the present sitting of the .Supreme Court on charge oi horse stealing, has been arrested on charge ol committing perjury in tne evidence given on his own behalf. DANNEVIRKE, last night. The I-lawkc s bay .Sawmiilcr’s Association will commence operations on June Ist. At a meeting yesterday Mr H. 13. Cope, of Christchurch, was appointed manager of tiie Association All the millers in Hawke’s Bay are members of this Association, and all their timber will he marketed through one office, which will he located at Dannevirkc. WEBER, last night. A meeting of co-operative settlers carried resolutions condemning the action of tiie Government in lowering the wages of co-operative laborers by one shilling per day, and also in shortening the working time from eight to two months ; further, that other co-opera-tive settlements he asked to join m a protest to tiie Government. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The North Canterbury Education Board is communicating with the Minister for Education, pointing out the necessity for making provision for teachers retired after very lengthy service The North Canterbury Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union con-

tinued its sittings this morning. The Conference recommended that the Union should co-operate with the Fruitgrowers’ Association witli a view to improving the fruit industry. A discussion took place on the principle of freedom of contract between employer and employee, and that principle was affirmed. It was resolved to request Government to introduce a Bill to compel local bodies to take steps to destroy injurious birds. NEW PLYMOUTH, last night.

In the District Court to-day, W. D. Scott was granted his discharge, subject to bankrupt’s consenting to judgment being entered up against him for £l7B. moneys paid him to meet bills.

WESTPORT, last night.

Sir Josepg Ward visited Miilerton and Denniston to-day. He leaves for Wellington at U a.in. to-morrow*