NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 456, 27 June 1902, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. In the Maori bigamy charge the Magistrate held with counsel for the defence that a Maori marriage which a woman went through previously to the alleged elopement with defendant was not good in law, and discharged defendant. MANCiAWEKA, last night, A team of three horses and a dray engaged in carting gravel to the railway were taken into the Rangltikei river last evening hy. the driver, Baldwin. The river was in flood. The horses lost their footing and were washed away. Baldwin had a narrow escape. The team belonged to Mr Shessen, and was valued at £l5O.

WELLINGTON, last night. The Government have acquired under tlie Lands for Settlement Act the Mead Estate, of 6000 acres, belonging to Mr Bealey, three and a half mi les from Rakaia.

The annual ceremony in connection with the presentation of University diplomas to the students of Victoria College took place yesterday. The Chancellor presided. The proceedings were at times uproarious, as is usual on such occasions, the undergraduates being present in strong force. Mr Fred Weston, sub-editor of the Wellington Post, has been appo nted to the vacancy on the Hansasd staiT. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The skeleton of a man was discovered by two boys on the sandhills at Burwood last night. The skeleton was fully clothed with the exception of the coat, and was found in a Sitting position. The clothing corresponded with that worn by an old man named Ellis, who disappeared on January 25th.