NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1801, 6 July 1906, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Ffli Press Association.) Auckland, last night. The Customs returns of the port of Auckland for the quarter ending June 30th show an increase of £2297 when compared to the figures for the corresin liiPsiorns^cluties*duringf the past three months was £145,991, which includes £ 5(392 received under the preferential tariff. The amount received under the preferential tariff in the second quarter of 1905 was £4713. In oxciso duty £lB5 was received, as compared with £203 for the corresponding quarter of 1905, a decrease of £lB. In addition to the amounts received in Customs and excise duties during the past throo months £4718 was received in boer duty, as comparod with £5159 for the corresponding quarter of 1905 ; £(3717 was received in gold duty, and this, when compared with the amount collected for the second quarter in 1905 represents an increase of £1172. While being taken on to the track at Ellerslie this morning the horse Chief Steward bolted with a lad named Blake, throwing him heavily against a post. Blake had his thigh fractured, and his head cut, but had a miraculous escape from fatal injuries. Some damage was done by lightning at Manukau signal station on Monday night. The lightning struck the signalman’s houso on one corner, and knocked one window out. The lightning conductor was cut away. A spike from the top of the staff was found 150 yards away. The signalman was between the staff and the house at the time, and was uninjured. Thomas Wilson, boardinghouse keeper, was fined £SO at the Police Court for sly grog selling. Accused explained that he committed the offence owing to financial difficulties. The matter so proyed on his mind since the police raid that he had to be temporarily committed to the lunatic asylum.

Wanganui, last night. The settlers at Raetihi are in sore straits owiDg to the awful condition of the road from Pipiriki to that town* ship, The distance is 17 miles, and freights have gone up to £lO per ton, and even at that figure are difficult to procure. Carriage and coaches have ceased running, and the township is practically isolated, the road being a sea of mud, in which several horses have been smothered.

Wellington, last night. The local boxiog centre has decided that the New Zealand championships be held on August 9th and lOtb, There is every indication of a large entry for the various contests. Obituary : Mrs Harris, relict of Mr Chantrey Harris, a former proprietor of the New Zealand Times, aetat 67. The New Zealand Rugby Union meet to-night to discuss the allocation of loan money under the scheme propounded at the annual meeting. The amount applied for by tho various uoions largely exceeds the amount set apart.