NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 568, 12 November 1902, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. The New Zealand Baptist Union Conference opened yesterday. The ann'Jil report disclosed good, steady work,and satisfactory progress. Gratifying increases in membership were reported. The Rev. A. Dewdney thought churches should be opened in certain districts (including Gisborne)-. The Rev T. A. Williams thought more should he done in the way of mission work, and more attention paid to the Maor s. PALMERSTON N., ast night. The New Zealand Jersey Cattlebreeders- Association has been registered under the Unclassified Societies’ Act, with its headquarters at Palmerston North. The dairy farm competition, held under the auspices of the A. and P. Association, was won by W. F. Lotteler, of Rongotea, first; C. Whitehead, of Shannon, second ; W. W. Milnhirc, of Kelvin Grove, third. 'flic winner obtained 33G points out of a possible 500.

NAPIER, last night

The firing for the Coleman shield took place at Waipawa yesterday. Tins is a handsome trophy presented for competition by teams of twelve men each from the Volunteer companies of tiie Hawke’s Bay provincial district. The competition is the most- important; of tiie kind in the colony, and on the present occasion no fewer than 13 corps -were represented, tiie number of marksmen being 150. Tiie day was fine, but a strong gale was Mowing, which interfered greatly with the shooting, several of tiie targets -being repeatedly blown down. Owing to these disabilities, and to the large number of men shooting, tiie competition was not. completed to-day, several teams having to leave without completing the lasL range, while some of the . marksmen of the leading corps, the Napier Rifles and Woodvillc Rides, have yet to fire. The positions at tiie end of the day were Napier Guards 815, Hastings Rifles 810 (both full scores), Napier Rifles 811 (incomplete) Waipawa Rifles 811, Hurumua Mounted Rifles (Wairoa) 7G4, Woodvillc Rifles 751 (incomplete), Ruahinc Mounted Rifles 754, Hawke's Bay Mounted Rifles 724, Ranfurly Rifles 705 (full scores), Paltiatua Mounted Rifles GlB, Dannevirke Rifles 517, Auhiriri .Mounted Rifles- 61S, Dannevirke Rifles 547, Aimriri Mounted Rifles 523, and Union Rifles (Ormondvillc) 475 (ail incomplete).. The Napier Rifles have four and tiie Woodvillc Rifles six men yet to fire. A silver cup, presorted by Mr S. Boulton, of Kohinui, Mangatoino, for the highest scorer annually among members of Mounted Corps Was won this year by Sergeant McKam, of Hurumua Mounted Rifles, with a score of 81 points. DUNEDIN, last night.

The Anglican Diocesan Synod, afLer a considerable debate resolved : “ That tiie Synod earnestly desires such a modification of the Education Act as would permit religious instruction to be given in State schools “that tiie Synod is of opinion that New South Wales system of prohibiting a religious instruction in State schools is equitable as between religious bodies, and is to te preferred for the reason that it permits definite teaching by ministers of religion or their representatives, and that it- is in actual operation in a community closely resembling our own, and works satisfactorily."

Tiie Premier, through tiie ActingGovernor. sent Birthday greetings to tiie King, on behalf of the people of New Zealand. A card! ox factory opened by the c-v----eiring Star was opened with a so'.ial in the new building last night. Neatly two hundred people were present, including the Premier, who proposed success to the Star Company, in a last night, At the Supreme Court William McDonald Fraser was sentenced to six months for the theft oi bicycle, and William McConnell to twelve months for theft of money. Nonette having kronen down, has been scratched for all engagements.