LATE NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1847, 30 August 1906, Page 2

LATE NEW ZEALAND.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Hawera, last night, Judge Seth Smith’s commission of enquiry into alleged usury in lendiug money to Maoris is being continued Evidence shows that 5s in the £ was charged for a period of a few weeks up to six months, renewal for the next six months requiring another 5s in the £. C. E. Bayley, interpreter, lent the money to a large number of natives concerned.

Auckland, last night. The brigantine Defiance, which went ashore inside the North Spit at Kaipara Heads on Monday, is still in the same position On Tuesday night the vessel bumped heavily, and is supposed to be badly strained. There is very little chance of her being refloated. The weather is looking bad, and the crew are all ashore on the beach. Wanganui, last night. The annual meeting of the Freezing Company was held to-day, and a dividend of 8 per cent, was declared. Messrs A Burnett and W Ritchie were elected directors, and Messrs Rodwell and Silk auditors

Wellington, last night. The Hon. Cr. Fowlds, Minister for Education, speaking at the opening of a new school to-day, said that it was impossible to get anything too good iu the way of equipment, national and otherwise, in the teaching profession. It was no use having up-to-date buildings unless there were up-to-date teachers. He believed that there was very grer t work for him to do in organising tho existing machinery, doubling tho various portions of the system into one harmonious whole. The measures in operation would, he believed, increase the efficiency of our education system.

Dunedin, last night. At a meeting of the Otago Trades and Labor Council it was resolved to heartily support the suggestion of the Seddon Memorial Committee to encourage technical education by a memorial, and recommended the establishment or extension of Technical Schools in all the centres of population. It was decided to congratulate the Government on its progressive poliev, and tender the thanks of the Council for providing for the abolition of sale of Crown lands, and the establishment of workmen’s homes on lines of railway. It was resolved to urge the Government to grant a measure of relief to the Otago Harbor Hoard, immediate attention and assistance being urged.

Wellington, last night. At the request of the Premier yesterday His Excellency the Governor communis fated with the British Consul at Valparaiso with a view to ascertaining the safety or otherwise of any New Zealand residents in the Chilian Republic. Last evening the premier received advice through His Excellency that there were no known casualties in the New Zealand Colony.