NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1710, 29 March 1906, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

Per Press Association Greymouth, last night. At the closing session of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union Convention, the following resolution was passed unanimously : “ This 21st annual convention of the New Zealand W C.T.U., representing nearly 1500 women, gratefully remembers the splendid service rendered by Sir John Hall in the women’s franchise movement. The convention is glad to find that Sir John’s zeal for the public welfare is still unaltered, and congratulates the city of Christchurch on the fact that he has consented to occupy the Mayoral chair during the Exhibition year.”

Dargaville, last night. Tamihana Tonga, an old age pensioner, living by himself at Wharau, has been burnt to death. His house early this morning was found to be destroyed by fire, and his body was discovered amidst the smouldering debris, partly incinerated.

Auckland, last night.

Mr Arthur Myers, the Mayor, in response to a request from an influential deputation, agreed to stand for another term.

Now Plymouth, last night. The Taranaki Cadet Battalion went into camp at Sentry Hill yesterday. About 250 boys are under canvas, commanded by Major Dempsey. Col. Loveday is in attendance. Wellington, last night. The City Council has decided to ask the ratepayers to sanction a further loan of £264,352. The chief items are: Starting new electrical works, £100,000; power scheme dynamos, etc., £51,000 ; new tramway cars, .£25,000; recreation grounds, £20,000; purchase of Hunter street endowment, £16,500; compensation for roads and repairs to streets, £IO,OOO each; the erection of a new central library, £9OOO.

Henri Eraser Boiquet was charged at the Magistrate’s Court this morning with the attempted murder of James Reille at Day’s Bay yesterday. He was remanded till Monday. The Meikle Commission opened its sittings this morning, Mr A. R. Atkinson appearing for Meikle, and Dr. Findlay for the Justice Department. The Commissioners stated they would conduct the proceedings on the lines of Meikle being the plaintiff and the Government the defendant. Mr Atkinson stated it might be necessary to sit in Invercargill, but arrangements for sittings are to be further considered on Saturday morning, to which time an adjournment was made.

Blenheim, last night. Having taken the opinion of leading counsel, the Marlborough Licensed Victuallers’ Association have decided to contest the result of the Wairau licensing election, at which the reform

ticket, pledged to 10 o’clock closing, was returned. The chief ground of the petition is in regard to the payment of deposits by candidates. The Association accepts the verdict of the people as to IQ o’clock closing, but object to the personnel of the new committee, and especially to its refusal of conditional licenses.

Westport, last night.

The skeleton of a man was found

in the bush six miles from Karamea. A man named Harken was lost in the locality several years ago. Hokitika, last night, John SolomoD, a well-known commercial traveller for the firm of Pollock and Bevan, when alighting from the mail coach on the Ross road yesterday, slipped and fractured his right thigh. As he is an elderly man, he will be confined to bed for some weeks. The Rev. Wm. Douglas, M.A., in charge of the local Presbyterian Church for the past 25 years, was entertained by the congregation last night, and presented with an illuminated address and purse of sove* reigns. A movement is afoot to establish a Douglas scholarship for candidates entering the ministry. Christchurch, laat night. Euclid was scratched yesterday for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps, and Good Sight for the Great Easter Handicap. The hotelkeepers state it is not their

intention to charge heavy rates at Exhibition time. The housing committee report there will be plenty of accommodation at reasonable rates. Dunedin, last night. W. Jones Williams, late accountant of the Bank of New Zealand at Ophir, pleaded guilty to failing to account for various sums of money totalling £317 12a. He was committed for seotonco,