NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1083, 29 December 1903, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

Per Press !Association 3 AUCKLAND, last night, A fire at Mount Eden destroyed a house owned by Bradbury, of Wellington, and occupied by F. Ansel, and a house owned and occupied by F. Olney. Olney’a house was insured for £2OO and the furniture for £IOO in the United. Half of the furniture was saved. Ansel’s furniture was insured for £75 in the South British. The insurance on tho house is unknown. NAPIER, last night.

The residence of Mr Lawrence Higgins’ at Moteo, was destroyed by lire yesterday’ nothing being saved. Higgins had a narrow escape, being severely burned about the face and hands. The building was insured in the New Zealand for £2OO. WELLINGTON, last sight. The holidays passed off without serious accident, although a number of minor accidents were recorded. The Christmas postal traffic for the colony was a record. On four days—the 21st to 24th—665,542 articles were carried, or about 280,000 more than last year. The telegrams sent from Wellington were 4500 more on tho 24th inst. than on the same date last year. Nelson, last night. F. Currio's sawmill at Belgrove was burnt down on Friday. The machinery was ruined, but tho engine only slightly damaged. The loss over insurance is £4OO.

Christchurch, last night. The local Opera House has been purchased by Messrs Fuller and Son, the wellknown vaudeville entertainers. Invercargill, last night.

During the holidays the weather was good during the hours the people were bent on enjoyment. Christmas Eve in town was made disagreeable by a minor dust storm, and heavy rain fell on Friday night. The principal event was the annual sports on Saturday at Clifton, three miles out on the Bluff line. The attendance |,was good. It was intended that there should be a second class band contest, and to make room for this several events in bush work wore struck out. No bands accepted, and there was some' general disappointment. A feature of the affair was a sawing match, to the winners of which the Simmonds Saw Company, United States, gave 200 dollars to train for the contest at the Axemen’s Bports at Easter, when they will use tho firm’s saw against all-comers, Carson and Mclntosh are the men, their time bomg 32 4-sth sec through 2ft of rimu. A large number went to Biverton Begatta. Tho senior and junior races were won easily by the Invercargill Club. Railway traffic was considerably in excoss of last year.