NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1392, 1 March 1905, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

J(Per Press Association.) A.UCKDAND, last night. The On-ohunga boot factory, owned by; Albert Hughes,, was| partly destroyed by ‘fire last night. There was much damage to the machinery anjd manufacturing appliances. Abo-ut 25 to 30 men have been Vthrown out of work. t

HASTINGS, last night. Wm. Pepper, who drank caustic soda a month ago in mistake for herb beer, died last night., _ WOODVIEDB, last night. ■Me Brabant is sitting here as jufdge of the Native Land. Cpurt to determine who are the natives entitled to money, voted by Parliament in 1901‘t-o ensure the discontinuance of ■the much-discussed action Tamaki v. the Crown, which had been through the Supreme and Appeal Courts, also the Privy Council, where Tamaki succeeded. The present proceedings will probably terminate the matter after many years’- litigation, Wellington, last night. With reference to tho refusal of the Sydney authorities to allow the Maori shearers to land at Sydney, Mr Seddon communicated with the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, asking for an enquiry, and stating that one of the Maoris alleged that the education test was not applied. Mr Seddon has received a"message: from Mr Reid, dated Melbourne, February 27, stating: " Just returned from Tasmania. Your message received. Will make instant enquiry. If tho allegations are correct the severest censure will follow.”

Philip N. Robertson, of Victoria College, son of Mr D. Robertson, chief clerk at the General Post Office, has been selected to hold the Rhodes’ scholarship for New Zealand this year.

Stratford, last night. A match between L. C. McLachlan and C. P. Morris, well-known running linen, took place hero to day for a purse elf 120 sovereigns, tho distance being 12'jiyds. The race was witnessed by a large gathering, and was won by Morris by Ffour inches. Time, 12 bbos i; .

Wanganui, last night! In tho Magistrate’s Court this morning an old man named Hurley pleaded guilty to making false statements about the value of property held by him when applying for an old age pension. Tho Magistrate said he was unwilliDg to send an old men to gaol, and convicted and discharged him, pointing out to defendant that he had rendered himself liable to six months’ imprisonment.

Christchurch, last night. Charles Carter was fined £5 and costs at the Magistrate’s Court for assaulting H. W. Candy. Candy was hitting a fractious horse, when Carter rushed up and attacked Candy, saying he was ill-treating the animal.

Invercargill, last night. The Supreme Court sittings opened this morning. Judg e yyjlliamfi congratulated the jury on tb„ lightness of the calendar, there, only b-?i n g three criminal charges, two of gold r 0 bbery and one of criminal assault. A!e x Beliany pleaded guilty to robbery of gold from a drodgo and was remanded for sentence. The Court is now engaged hearing a charge °f assault on a girl of 13. Westport, last night, Mr Bedford, M.H.R., is conducting a vigorous no-license campaign in the Buller electorate. On Thursday and Sunday at Westport ho addressed tbo largest temperance gatherings thut have evor assembled on the Coast. Tho meetings ware presided over by the Mayor. Mr Manro, and the Rev., Rigby Pratt. Tho lecturer convincingly dealt with tho cconomio and moral aspects of the question, and auBworcd objections to no-lioonse., Tbo town has been greatly impressed, and the nolicense voir, it is expected, will largely benefit. The prohibitionists are hopeful of capturing the electorate at the next poll,