LATE NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1411, 23 March 1905, Page 2

LATE NEW ZEALAND.

(Per "Press Association.) Wellington, last night. At the polo ground to-day two games for the handicap cup wero played. Iho weather was very unpleasant, a hard northerly wind blowing all day. In the first match the Wellington A team (10) had the best of the handicap against Ohristchurch (7), and won by 14 goals to 9. Khodes was the scorer of both Christchurch goals. The next game, between Manawatu B (8) and Hawke’s Bay A (1) was very exciting, Hawke's Bay gradually made up their handicap, and up to the final spell looked like pulling off the game, but Manawatu resisted long enough to prevent the required score being made, and on the handicap won. by one goal. Napier, last night. Mr A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.8., gave a pre-sessional address to-night. He spoke for an hour and a quarter, his address being chiefly against the Government, but he concluded by quoting statistics to show the benefit the colony had derived from their legislation. He expressed himself as opposed to the referendum on account cf the expense, and because it reduced members to the position of mere delegates. He was in favor of giving leaseholders the option of acquiring the. freehold. He advocated the abolition of Hansard and the Legislative (jp.uneil, suggesting a revisory bo.ar'd mete ad of the latter. He wa opposed to giving preference to unionist?. Ho was acoorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.

Dunedin, last night.

Mr T. W. Kirk, who returned from a tour of the South to-day, stares that there are few potato crops in t.fce South Island no> afiooted by disease. Those in dry distriots are cleanest. No variety is really resistant. Speaking generally, the oldest varieties suffer most.

The Governor, Lord Plunket, arrived tot n_nrl. Un. morrow- .will nnvnil the