LATE NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1045, 12 November 1903, Page 2

LATE NEW ZEALAND.

[(Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, last night.

C. Bannerman, the Christ’s College coach, has received a cablegram Irom P. py Warner, captain o£ the English team" touring Australia, inviting him to umpire in the test .matches, and hinting at an engagement lor- the whole tour. Mr Bannerman replied asking for further particulars. The weather promises to be fine for the Show to-morrow, when, the principal sections will be judged. WAUVrATE, last niglit.

iThe entries for the Waiinate Show, considerably exceed those of previous years, totalling 905 s There is a general increase, except in draughts, .which show a 'decrease. Cattle are more than doubled, and there is a large increase in imp)ements 4 . The Borough Council last night unanimously passed a resolution / protesting against the inclusion of a Mayor as an ex officio member of the Licensing Committee, as .proposed by tile Licensing Bill before Parliament. The Council resolved to ’.take a second poll on the water x supply, schema, to raise a loan at 4 per cent.j Iks ng unable to raise the money required at 31-j in terms of the first poll.j

Dunedin, last night. The City Council adjourned to-night as a mark of respect to tho memory of oxMayors of New Zealand, A. Wates and John Carroll, having first passed a motion condoling with the families of the deceased gentlemen. The train from Ida Valley to Dunedin appears to have had a narrow escape. On approaching Christmas Creek driver Noble noticed smoke arising, and pulling up sharply, it was found that several of the sleepers and stringers near the centre of tho bridge were on fire, one sleeper bi|ng practically burnt through, and two others nearly so. Tho fire was put out, and the bridge strengthened, tho train getting over safely. It is supposed that embers from tho morning train fired the bridge. Passengers by the train consider the escape was a narrow one, as though the bridge would have stood, it is possible a rail might have been broken and precipitated the train into the creek.

At the Presbyterian Assembly the morn ing sitting was devoted to the finance re port. A good deal of time was taken in discussing the matter of churches which had not paid assessment, and the best method of compelling them. In the evening the Bible in schools report was first considered. The report was adopted, calling on the Legislative Council to carry the Referendum Bill, and upon the Government to take such steps as are necessary to submit the question of Bible in schools to the decision of the electors. The Temperance Committee’s report reviewed the work of the year. It stated that the Ministers' Total Abstinence Association now numbered 145, It was resolved to adopt the report, expressing thankfulness for the triumph of the temperance cause at the local option poll, and urging the necessity for doing everything to maintain what had been secured, and to push forward the question. The Licensing Bill was discussed, and a motion passed protesting against the action of the Government in introducing a reactionary Licensing Bill. The report on the state of religion was adopted with the recommendations of the committee.