NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 704, 27 December 1902, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

Bv Toleeraph—Press Association. Auckland, last night. The local office of tho New Zealand ami Rivor Plate Land and Mortgage Con. puny, Limited, has been advised that the directors will recommon J, at the annual mooting, to be held in London on January titb, a dividend at tho rato of 6 per cent, por annum to bo paid for the yoar, an interim dividend of 21 por cent, (being alroady paid) to bo deducted therefrom ; that .£15,000 bo added to tho reserve fund, -ind £lllO bo carried forward. Tho approximate amuunt of net profit is £32,900. Tho Eeturning-Officor for Grey Lynn has received a petition for a re-election, owing to informality in connection witli the alleged striking out of 37 names after She issue of tbs writs. A petition has been lodged re the alleged illegal erasure of 175 names on tho Parnell electoral roll after tho receipt of the writ. Tho petitioner iB J. M. Shora, who contested tho soat with Mr Luwry. Ashburton, last night.

A movement has been inaugurated by tho Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association to erect a suitable memento to the memory of the late John Grigg, of Longbeach, one of the pionoers of tbo freezing industry. After hoavy rain tho whole of one night and tho greater part of two days at Ashburton. tho weather cloarod for Christmas Day, and was beautifully fine. Tho Tonnis Tournament was commenced on tho Domain courts in tho afternoon in tho presence of a largo number of spectators. The entries total 144, and players are present from most of the chief centres from Christchurch to Dunedin. Invercargill, last night. At a meeting of tho Southland High School Board, it was docidod to accept tbo uroposal of tho Education Department that tho High School should bo open froo to ovory pupil who passed the Sixth Standard under 14 years of ago, tho Depart ment paying to tho Board a bonus of £6 per pupil. Christchurch, last night. Very hoavy rains foil all day on Wednesday, and continuod until Into at night, making matters most unpleasant for Christmas Eve shopping, and interfering considerably with businoss. Indeed, tho weather was so bad that very littlo stock <v .ontorod for tho Christmas sale at i'diugton, and very littlo business wus i'!o. Thursday was fine enough to nhyw tho Christchurch Cycling Club’s Snorts to be got off at Lancaster Park, in fno piosonco of a largo assemblage. The -lathor remained threatening, however, -as feared would interfere with tho -nts for Friday. UCKLAND. last night, thew Hooper, a retired •ucrly engaged on the was found dead this nis residence, Glenmorc, table with his head imboiler full of water. It is , l>c a case of suicide. Dch about 58 years of age. lie mi ill-health latterly. lie wife and family. VKRCAKGILL, last night.

.a January Ist, the price of bread will bo 71d cash and bid hooked per 41b loaf. NELSON, last night. After a heavy shower at about seven in the morning, the day proved as perfect as Christmas Day. There are a larger number of visitors here than usual, and the athletic sports at Wakefield anti the regatta at the port, attracted large numbers, hut the competitors were confined to local residents. The la'vn tennis championship meeting opened in the afternoon, and was largely attended. Twenty-nine games have been played, but no event has been completed yet. The play of Mr Darker and Miss Nunnelley was much

admired. NA pier, last night. The holidays passed oh very quietly. 'Pile weather to-day was line, and large numbers of people went on short excursions into the country. The City Band sports at Farmlon Park attracted i large attendance. The principal event the City Handicap, was won by A. Walker, a local runner. A cerp iration employeo named Goorge Beavoy f jll off one of the nightsoil carts at an early hour this morning, sustaining severe injuries to his head. Ho was taken to tho hospital, and has not yet recovered consciousness. „ Wellington, last night. l-’rom the 20th to tho 24th thero wore 125 9SO letters posted at tho Wellington post-office, against 110,405 for a similar period last year. Other articles posted numbered 119,833, ns against 111,81,3. On Christmas Evo 4460 telegrams were presented for transmission, against 3501 the day before Christmas last year, an increase of nearly 25 per cent. , Tho weather for the holiday was of a mixed description, It rainod nearly all the mooting, but »*; noon tho clouds £ ’ lo are<i awav. and the re'- - -’ . - -- V"* . . . ... -■ ot tin WiS bright and warm, ia spite’ o CVS unfavorable morning, thero was thi mjujl isqdua from tbo city. The Koto

mahan a carried large numbers of pass gers to Pictou, and tho harbor ferry steamers were well patronised, T o trains on both lines of railway carried lull complements of holiday-makers, bound to various sports and race meetings in tho province. Tho different clubs of the Rifle Association field competitions at Trentham. G. If. Hawthorne, of the Karon Ride Club, shot very consistently all day. lie divided tho Manawatu Match with W. Welch, and won tfie Wairarupa and Upper Hutt matches. Dunedin, last night. The weather was very boisterous in the morning, with a heavy dow.ipour of rain, ft cleared up beautifully in tho ufternoon, and remained tine. Tho rain, however, had seriously interfered with the holiday arrangements, arid the various fixtures wore not so well patronised as anticipated. Tho interprovincial cricket match at Carisbrook ; a military tournament at which volunteers from Wellington southwards competed, at the Caledonian Grounds; races at Wingatui ; a regatta

at Port Chalmers, and sports in many country districts reached by train at excursion rates, gave a wide choice to holidaymakers. Wanganui, last night. A young man named Mortsen, a Dane, aged about 21 years, was drowned in the river this afternoon whilst bathing. An elderly woman named Elizabeth Matilda Dudley, aged 62, a resident of Okaia, died yesterday as the result of talcing poison some days | roviously. Tho holiday was very quiet, and the varous excursions well attonded.