NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1376, 10 February 1905, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, last night.

During tho four weeks ending January 28th the Itomata Beefs Gold Mining Company treated 1260 tons of ore for bullion valued at £2407.

The one-year-old daughter of Mr Thos. Pratt, of Coromandel, has died from the effects of swallowing a half-inch screw. Napier, last night.

The Supreme Court sessions opened to day beforo the Chief Justioe, who, in charging tho said he'wasi sorry he could not congratulate tho distriot on the Btate of tho calendar, thore being no fewer than 22 persons for trial. The oases were, however, not of a serious character, with the exception of throe of a sexual nature.- Edward Joseph Boss, who oame up for sentence for perjury at Dannevirke, got six months’ imprisonment.

Hawera, last night. At the SwimcaiDg Club's mooting yesterday Maoro and Hunter won the five district championships of 50, 75, 100,150 and 200 yards. Morton, laßt night. An important judgment waa delivered by Mr Stanford, S.M., at Marton to-day. A claim was made under scotion 5 of the Rating Act, 1895 against tho Borough Council for a refund of half-rates. The circumstances under which tho claim was made were : Plaintiff, the owner of business premises which were pulled down during a period of rebuilding. A claim for refund of rates was made on the ground that there was no building on the land, and that it was building and land, not land by itself on which the building stood, that were liable to rates. The Magistrate held that an owner would not bo entitled to a refund of half the rotes if his buildings were destroyed by fire ; a fortiori when the demolition of tho building is voluntarily and with the objeot of increasing a business the section cannot be held to apply. It was doubtful whether the word .“ unoccupied ” oould apply to the case at all. The premises could not be said to have passed altogether out of plaintiff’s occupation. For instance, ha had a right to prosecute a trespasser, although he had given the builders partial occupation for a specific purpose. Judgment went for the defendant Council. Tbe Magistrate said he was not aware of any other case having boon brought in tbe colony under this section, and the question was of considerable importance to local bodies. 5 WELLINGTON, last Bight. Mr Aithen, the present Mayor, has definitely decided not to seek reelection-, Mrs L odder, -wife of tho proprietor of the City Buffet) Hotel, died unexpectedly last night. Sergeant Wright, chief clerk in the Wellington district police force, -lias been promoted to a position in the ICommissiomer’s office. Constable McGuire becomes chief clerk. TIM'ARU, last niglitIn a case of assault with intent, heard .in the Supreme Court here yesterday, the jury disagreed. ,A fresh trial ,was commenced to-day. i DUNEDIN, last night. Thomas J. Ross, police constable, waa brought before the Police Court this morning, and charged with perjury in connectioni with a charge of disorderly behavior heard on Monday last against Robert James Allan, now the prosecutor. On the application of Mr Solomon, for the defence. the case was remanded to- be tried before Mr Widdowson, S,M„ on Tuesday. '