NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1840, 22 August 1906, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

I’IIESS ASSOCIATION Ashburton, yesterday Of late years there lias been a great demand for the light lands of Ashburton County, wliicTi have come to ho recognised as iirsl class for sheep fattening purposes. There lias consequently been a great increase in values One property in Carcw district which originally cost £1 10s per acre has changed hands at fU 10s per acre. Mr Donald McLean, one of the oldest settlors of the district, died last night, aged 70 He was manager of Lagmlior estate for 80 years. Dunedin, yesterday. Robert Wcatlierson Gootch, aged 50. for assaulting a child at Waitahuna, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment ; Joseph Sharp, aged 28 years, fora similar offence at South Dunedin, got seven years. Judge Cooper said these offences against young children were becoming far too common. If physical injury had been proved he would have added Hogging. In Sharp’s case, lie said he did not remember

in all his experience a case in which such a horrible condition of affairs was existing “ You are a totally abandoned and horrible man,” lie said, The offence was aggravated by the fact that the prisoner is

married. There was not a single redeeming feature in the case Edgar Turner, aged 4-1, convicted of forging a telegram, was sentenced to twelve months,

Invercargill, yesterday

A meeting oC directors of the Caledonian Society lias protested strongly against the Scottish Society at Christchurch organising the Exhibition sports on January Ist

and 2nd, the days when almost all oldestablished societies hold the annual gatherings. It was rcsolvod to urge kindred societies to co-operate in request ing a change of date, so as to lit in with the New Zealand Athletic Union’s gathering at the end of January, Blenheim, yesterday. A four o’clock this morning a lire was

discovered with a strong hold in Miss Millington’s millinery shop, Alfred street. The brigade stall'did excellent work, establishing a record by getting steam up

from a cold boiler, and having tho water playing on the lire in six minutes 45 seconds. Three shops were completely gutted, and tiro stocks destroyed The

insurances are as follows : Miss Millings ton’s in illincry stock LSOO ip tlio New Zealand Insurance Company, and LIOO jn the lloyal ; building (owned by 11.

Babe's estate), LSOO in the Commercial Union; T. Smale’s furniture and fancy goods emporium, stock 1,750, building (owned by A,® McKenzie) LIOO in tho Commercial Union oiliee Mr T. Smalo estimates his loss at nearly L2OO. A brick wall and tho absence of wind prevented the further spread of the fire towards tho railway station. Wellington, yesterday. Owing to the prevalence of lameness among horses, the Society for tlic Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has decided to suggest to the Government veterinary surgeon that it be compulsory for farriers to pass an examination and to he licensed. A woman named Christina Ross, arrested for drunkenness, made an attempt on her life by making incisions in her wrist with the rough edge of a pannikin. She was removed to the hospital, and her condition is reported to be fairly good.