NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 915, 13 June 1903, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

Per Press Association

PALMERSTON N., last night

A meeting of the North Island members of the Sheep Breeders’ Association was held at Palmerston yesterday. The balance-sheet showed the net assets to ln; £353, with contingent liability of £lllO. Motions were passed that the North island Association consider the advisability oi holding ram fairs in this island at swell places as is considered suitable under the management of the Association ; and that this meeting is strongly opposed to the proposals emanating from the South Island branch to allow the admission from time to time of liooks now. unregistered.

WELLINGTON, last night

The Wanganui Rugby Union have nominated the following for inclusion in the New Zealand team to tour Australia Fullback, Takarangi ; threcquarters, C. Sheehan, and A. Tregae ; forward, G. Thompson. Messrs W. H. Gavin (formerly resident engineer of the Midland . Railway section) and W. A. Jell (in charge of the Coal Creek section, West Coast) have accepted good appointments under the South African Government, and leave the colony to-morrow.

In coming up to the wharf this morning, the Oerman liner T tape 11 o made, a sweep inshore, and her stern took the mud. It is expected that she will be got oil without trouble at to-night’s tide. CHRISTCHURCH, last night.; Regarding the New Zealand Shipping Company's experimental despatch of the. Rakaia in August lor Liverpool, space has already been booked for thirty thousand crates of rabbits, and it is expected that a quantity of frozen meat will also be sent.

There is no class of men in this country at the present timo that is doing so well, or grizzling so much, as the well established and "comfortably off’’ farmer. Of the poor, struggling " coekcy,” in his relation to the laborer, wo say nothing. His position is frequently worse than that of the farm-hand, and his voice is riot heard to any large extent in the councils of the Union, simply becauso he hasn’t the time to spare. Tho influential farmers are making a big bid to control politics. There is one thing remaining still that is exempt from their influenceall their conferences seem to have not the least effect on the weather.—Free Lance.

Whenever Mr Seddon talks about “ removing anomalies ’ with respect to the valuation of land it means that he has some scheme on foot to increase the valuation —never to lighten it, We have little doubt, therefore, that an attempt will be made to increase the burden on the farmer and landowner. Ad amending Land Act is to bo introduced, giving concessions to bush tenants, and modifying the system of ballot at present in force. This is a Bill which will need careful watching to see that the Government do not repeat their attempt of last session to abolish the option of acquiring Crown lands on the freehold tenure.—Christchurch Press. Out of 608 males admitted to the Lyttelton gaol last year 358 had been previously convicted, 71 of them on one occasion only, 57 twice, and ‘225 three or more times. Out of 113 females received, 104 had been previously convieteed—ll only once, 11 twice, anl S 3 on three or more occasions.

It is a scandalous thing that modest women and young children should be compelled to give evidence in open court conearning a certain class of cases which are deplorably frequent nowadays. The Bench should have the right to prevent it, and there will probably be no objection to an amendment of the law in this- direction. — Christchurch Truth.