NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1572, 30 September 1905, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

Per Press Association.

Auokland, last night. Two Chinese were fined the maximum

penalty of £SO each by Mr Dyer, S.M., on a charge of having opium in their possession. Together with two other Chinese, they were also fined £lO each for having been found smoking opium. I The Crown Solicitor stated that the place I raided by the police was a regular opium I den, men crawling through the ceiiing I manhole to hide while smoking. One of I the accused said he could not stop smoking.' ’’ The Magistrate advised him to I keep out of New Zealand. _ The Peace Association passed a resolution of disapproval of the celebration of the Trafalgar centenary as an act of discourtesy towards two friendly nations. It protests against the use of celebration to promulgate mistaken and pernicious political principles.

Lyttelton, last night. A Chinaman nanfed Cee Ti or Ti Coe, a prisoner in Lyttelton gaol, hung himself in his cell with his hammock ropes last night. He was fined £IOO on July 4th last for possessing uncustomed opium and went to gaol in default of payment, He was apparently in his usual spirits last night. He was 39 years old, and had no relatives in the colony so far as is known.

Ohristchuroh, last night,

The Premier arrived to-day on his way south. Interviewed by a representative deputation concerning the continuance of the South African direct steam service he said that in view of the interest that had been displayed in the continuance of the service, until now he was very loth to let it drop. If representations were made to the Government on the lines suggested by the deputation he would be only too glad to approach the company with a view to securing either a renewal of the service or fresh contracts on a new. basis.

Mr Seddon has received a cable from the Agent'General, stating that the Crystal Palace Exhibition closed on Saturday. The total number of visitors since it opened was 1,219,000. The AgencyGeneral is now fitting up a permanent court.

Dunedin, last night,

Mr Macpherson, who opened his campaign at Hyde last night, declared for the leasehold. There was he said, no need to alter the MacKenzie] policy at the present time. Crown tenants were not asking for the change. He favored giving Crown tenants the right to pay off the capital value to a nominal sum.' He favored starting a more vigorous policy of land settlement on second-class lands and grazing country. Local applicants should have the preference at the ballots. He gave general support to the Ministerial policy. He received a vote of confidence.

At the Police Court two drapers were fined 5s for opening their premises after 6 in the evening, for the purpose of show ing off goods. This was a test case. A Chinaman was fined 20s. and costs for aving opium in his possession. In the case Fleming v. Ramsay, owner of the steamer Rimu, a claim for breach of contract for the carriage of stock to Auckland Island, Judge Williams gave judgment for £3BO, also for plaintiff on a cross'action with costs.