NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1400, 10 March 1905, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Dunodin, last night,

A fira at Palmerston South this morning destroyed the local newspaper office, the cottage of McTague, railway guard, and Johnston, blacksmith. The’two lastnamed saved th«ir effec ts.

Professor Kirk finds the potato blight general throughout South Canterbury, on the Peninsula, and throughout tho Taieri. The loss iu North Otago will be very slight, provided the crops aro promptly dug.

Invercargill, last night,

Tirmpany Bros.’ Puhin sawmill was completely destroyed by fire last night. It was insured for Js6oo iu tho Commercial Union, but tbo loss will largely exceed this amount. The mill was destroyed a year ago, and a hew building had boen just erected. CHRISTCHURCH, last night.

! Entries for the Canterbury A., and P. Association’s ram fair nest Thursday and Friday total 3521, as compared with 4521 last year. For the raan show, the entries total 83, compared with 96 last year. HOKITIKA, last night.

■The Minister of Mines was interviewed at Ross last night, and subsecjuently. entertained at a spread. In., the coiursc of his remarks Mr MqGiotwan spoke'further of the Government taking up prospecting work and doing all they could to assist the development of the goldfields, to Which at first the prosperity of the colony was due. He recognised the necessity of completing the Ross railway extension.. which would prove of public benefit. Ho also dealt wjth other local matters. He is proceeding to Canterbury tomorrow, and travelling thence to the Otago goldfields. •WAIROA, yesterday. -The now hospital was opened yesterday by Mr J. Powdrell, ohiairtoan of the County, Council. The function was a success. There was a •procession oD volunteers,, members of local bodies, and Natives. A poi dance was given. Two bands, played selections. Oyer five hundred people Wore present. The hospital is.erected on a hill, and - commands an extensive views of‘the seaf rivei', and EurroiOirding'country. . FEILDING, last night. A slight shock'of ; earthquake- was felt at 8.20 last evening. In the Polide Court yesterday three young men-were''charged with having been fpiuini'd ion licensed rpremisos at 10.20 p.m. on February 10. Defendants stated that they worethere on business about a horse. They intended staying all night and had paid for l;heir beds. The Magistrate was satisfied there was no intention on the part of the defendants to stay all night until the arrival of the police. They were fined 10a and costs 21s.