LATE NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1443, 2 May 1905, Page 3

LATE NEW ZEALAND.

(Pen -Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The time for the Land Commission to report is extended to June Ist. The Government has appointed a commission, consisting of the Chief Justice, Mr W. H. Quick, Mr H. S. Warded, S.M., and a member of the Maori race, to enquire into the Porirua,' Papawai, and Waikato education trusts.

Mr Seddou received a very large number of telegrams yesterday from persons of all political beliefs all over the colony, congratulating him on his 12 years' Premiership.

It is understood a writ of habeas corpus will be applied for on behalf of the Premier and Treasurer of Tonga, recently deported to Eiji. Application for their release has also been sent to King Edward and the Colonial Secretary. Napier, last night. At the Supreme Court to-day Alfred William Spencer, for perjury, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment. Auckland, last night. The Customs returns for the Port of Auckland for April show that tho net duties amounted to £50,391, compared with £5G,233 for the same month last year, an increase of £2,158. Beer duty amounted to £1667, as against £1415. Exports included the following:—Gold, 15,532 ozs, valued £62,631, against 14,302 j ozs,. valued at £50,382, an increase of £12,249. Silver, 93,532 ozs valued £9431, compared with 71,110 ozs valued at £7,337, an increase of £2,094. Butter, 2,486 cwt, valued at £11,210, against 2112 cwt valued at £9904, an increase of £1306. Cheese, 459 cwt, valued at £929, compared with 250 cwt, valued at £Bl2, an increase of £ll7.

Although the Ist of May is the day fixed by Government for opening the oyster seasoD, no official notification has yet been received by the Auckland Collector of Customs of the fact,and consequently the men who expected to engage in the work as usual are unable to obtain licenses.