NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1374, 8 February 1905, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Marton, last night. A fire at Huntorville oarly this morning destroyed the Victoria Buffet, the old Bank of New Zealand, Middlema’s office, and Geo. Morris’ butcher shop and residence. The fire started in the Buffet, and an outbreak occurred twice in the same building yesterday. The insurances ore : Buffet, £SOO in the Now Zealand and £l5O in the State offiqe on the furniture ; Morris’ shop, £l5O in the Now Zealand, £l5O iu the Imperial on the furniture ; stablo and shed at rear of the Buffet,{£lso in the New Zealand. Wellington, last night.

Last month New Zealand exported 55.152 ounces of gold, valued at £224,812, os compared with 29,217 ounces, valued at £109,852 in the corresponding month of last year. The export of silver last month was 43,863 ounces, valued at £4427. Enquiries made show that the potato crops almost in every part of the Hutt Valley have boon attaokod by the disease. Probably the Agricultural Department will at once quarantine the district. A boy named George Ward, nine years of ago, son of a hairdresser, was run over by the train to-day. His skull was fractured, and his hand cut off. His condition is critical. Dr Valintine, assistant Chief Health Officer, waited on the Hospital Trustees and urged the necessity of providing a hospital for consumptives in Wellington. Ho said there were 150 known oases of consumption in'Wellington at the present time, at least- 30 Vi which wore indigent cases, and in several "instances the patients were sharing rooms with other people. The Trustees decided to make an appeal to the public, and will call a public meeting. - Oamaru, last night. An old man named Archibald MoTaggart, aged 70, was found doad on the road near Papakaio to-day. He evidently died from natural causes.

SUPREME COURT. TIMARU, last night- , The Supreme Court criminal sessions opened' this morning, before Judge Ciiaymajn, who congratulated the Grand J.ury on "the lightness of the calendar, and the absence of serious crime, there being only four; cases—Wool-stealing, theft from -the person, also from a dwelling and assault with’ intent.

PRESBYTERY AND POLITICS,: - • DUNEDIN, last night. The Presbytery placed on record its gratification at the sale of liquor in (the Cook Islands being prohibited by the Licensing Act. • There was an interesting "discussion re Dr Gibbs’ announcement that the Bible in (schools question should in future be fought as a political issue. The Rev. Mr Borrie disclaimed fanti-Scddonism., .although he was not a supporter of the Premier. The secretary of the Bible ’in Schools movement" had wired : “ By. ffche use of the; word Apolitical ’ was meant no more than an energetic effort to induce candidates to vote a referendum on Bible in schools and calling on -the electors to) vote onlv for those supporting such a measure.” The Moderator, said .he •had replied suggesting a conference for the issue of a manifesto making their position plain. "After considerable discussion, the various resolutions! were defeated, the Presbytery passing to the next busines*.