TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2012, 22 February 1907, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Press Association. AUCKLAND, yesterday. An inquest on the infant child of Susan Aiangan, who was plaintiff in Wrack maintenance case, concluded today. The jury found that death "as duo to failure of nutrition, the result of defective nourishment, duo to gross neglect of duty on the part of Mrs. Charlotte Evans, in not providing medical advice for the child. The jury added a rider that the evidence disclosed that the law for the protection of infant life was being systematically evaded, children being got off the books of the homes to prevent inquiries. They urged an amendment, of the law, to provent such evasion. The Hazel Craig, the first of the three barques of the Craig lino which began a race from Newcastle to Auckland eight days ago, arrived here this morning. . Neither the James Craig nor the .Lizzie-Craig has yet been signalled. A Hiknrnngi wire reports that 'William Belton, senior, was killed by a stone falling on him at the Ward lime kiln. The. City Council adopted the tender of the Australian General Electric Company for the installation of a power and lighting plant. Turnhull and Jones’ tender will bo accepted in the event of the other not being taken up.

WAIROA, yesterday. The Natives’ Appellate Court has concluded the hearing of appeals in various blocks dealt with under the Act of 1867. and administered by the Native Land Court under the Act of 186 S. The question arose whether original grautees or owners held the land in trust. Chief Judge Jackson Palmer and Judges Jones and Sim deliver judgment on Friday. The Maori Land Board, Colonel Porter (President), and Mr. Keefer, Rita Wi Pore assessor, is hearing applications for lease of Native lands. The Maoris are handing in blocks to be administered by the Board, and the slow method of individualising titles and putting through the Land Court is thus avoided, also matters are simplified between lessee and lessor. This will lead to considerable settlement in this district, where otherwise the land would bo unocupied for years. TATJPO, yesterday. A seven year old boy named Rangi Smallman was scalded to death in a boiling spring at Tokaanu. A number of children were playing in the hot baths, when Smallman jumped into a boiling spring by mistake. He lingored a few hours in fearful agony. NEW PLYMOUTH, yesterday At the Recliabito Conference a resolution was unanimously carried: “This Council regrets that in the reappointment of Legislative Councillors friendly societies’ interests have been overlooked, and strongly urge the reappointment of the Hon. J. H. Fraser, whose acquaintance with friendly society matters is of great value to the colony.” Bro. Stallworthy, M.H.R., was appointed Parliamentary agent.

STRATFORD, yesterday. After nearly two hours’ retirement last night the jury in the case of Dr. Paget v. Bakin, claim £SOO damages, returned a verdict for defendant. WELLINGTON, yesterday. A decree nisi was granted in the Divorce Court this morning in the case of Margaret Ann Barker v. Robert Barker.

HOKITIKA, yesterday. The Minister for Mines visited Ross, where a mass meeting interviewed him in reference to obtaining variation of the terms of subsidy for draining the Ross deep levels. The Minister replied he would adhere to the terms agreed to some years ago, namely, to give £15,000 to any company spending at least £35,000 and complying with the conditions laid down by the Department’s officers. The Minister performed the opening ceremony of the twelfth annual show of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and in the evening attended a social in honor of Mr T. Y. Seddon, M.H.R., to celebrate his return to Parliament. The Hon. Mr Holmes presided, and there was an enormous attendance. Apologies for absence, containing the most flattering references to Mr Seddon, were read from all members of the Ministry, the Acting-Premier being especially complimentary. The function was a magnificent success from every point of view. CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday. A decree nisi , to be absolute in three months, was granted by Mr. Justice Chapman to-day in the divorce case Jarvis v. Jarvis, wife’s petition, on a plea of cruelty, desertion, and adultory. OAMARU, yesterday. John Findlay was again charged before Mr Justice Williams with three charges of burglary and theft from the house of Rennie, murdered at Papakaio. At the last sessions the jury disagreed, and a fresh trial was ordered. To-day Mr J. F. Fraser, Crown Prosecutor, challenged 14 of those called to constitute the jury, while Mr Hjorring, for the accused, challenged five. The case is likely to last for two days. There will be no new witnesses. INVERCARGILL, yesterday. The s.s. Rimu, which is aground at Paterson’s Inlet, is not likely to be got off for five or six days. INVERCARGILL, last night. The cricket match, Southland v. Otago ended incomplete to-day, the time being too short to finish it. Otago made a poor stand for 73, Southland answering with 164. O’Hal- , loran hit lip a bright 60 for Southland, Harraway’s 17 being Otago’s highest score.

NATIVE LANDS. WAIROA, yesterday. During the last few days Mr Ngata and Mr. Fraser met the Native owners of the large blocks lying between Napier and Gisborne. The scope of the powers of the Commission has been fully explained to the Natives, and there seems to be keen interest -• engendered. Judging from the results so far, the Natives seem anxious to assist in throwing open their lands for settlement, and only want some little Government encouragement to make them take up extensive areas themselves . Mr. Ngata leaves overland for Napier to-day, and on his way will' address meetings of Natives in connection with the Waihua and Moliaka blocks at Mohaka. The Chief Justice arrives in Napier this evening, and will be joined by Mr, Ngata to-morrow, Mr. FraSer leaves here on Saturday. A sitting of the Commission will bo ,held on Monday in Napior, when probably a program me ■ will'be drawn out which will embrace a personal visit to .all the Native blocks available for settlement between Napier and Wairoa and Vai- . roa and Gisborne * and will possibly * be followed by an extended torn* to the north of Gisborne. It can be ■ safely said that so far. the Natives have a friendly feeling towards the powers conferred oil the Commission. ' NAPIER, last night. The Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, has been occupied to-day in investigating titles- to several- blocks of native lands. It is expected that his fellow-Commissioner, Mr. A. T. Ngata, M.H.R., will arrive from Wairoa to-night, and that the Native Lands Commission will commence its sittings to-morrow.

MINISTERIAL VISIT. STRATFORD, last night. The Stratford District Hospital—a now building, costing with fittings, nearly five thousand pounds, was opened by the Hon. Mr. Fowlds today The Minister also visited the High School and the Convent School. THE VENTURA. AUCKLAND, last night. Advice has been received from Sydney that repairs to the mail steamer Ventura will occupy several weeks It has been decided in _ the meantime to miss her trip from Auckland in March. The next steamer from will bo tho 01orra, on March 15th. ANOTHER “TANNER’S ARIC.” CHRISTCHURCH, last night A small sailing vessel arrived at Lyttelton about noon to-day. She proved to be another ark built, owned, and commanded by Felix Tanner. .She left Nelson on the Hth inst., and was delayed by calms and light winds on the trip down the coast.

PROBATION ACT. WELLINGTON, -lust night. During a discussion in the Supreme Court to-day Mr. Justice Cooper said lie considered the First Offenders! Act an exceedingly good measure so king "as it was discreetly administered, but indiscriminately administered- it could be an element of evil. It had, however, been very i-irofullv administered by the Courts. Ho was very much inclined to think that many young men know the provisions of the Act, and say wo can commit crime and wo can go before the Court and ask for probation. lie agreed that it was best to keep young men out of gaol so long as such steps were tlic piopcr administration of .justice< ; 1 •s>V iVft-.i&J&kj': '£ _„ 'l „ JLiJ

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER. AUCKLAND, last night. The woman Evans, who had charge or tlio Mangan child, was arrested and charged at tlio Polico Court in tlio afternoon with manslaughter. A remand was granted on the application of tho polico and the aroused £lo O reonsctl » bnil boing fixed at

SEDDON MEMORIAL. —, WELLINGTON, last night. Matters in regard to tho Soddon Memorial 1> uud were discussed tocuiy botweon mombors of tho subcommittee of tho main memorial committee and tho Acting Premier and Attpruoy General. The press "as not admitted to the moeting. tno position that had been arrived j 1 that hundreds of local bodies had boon circularised as to tho form tho memorial should take. Tho committee proposed that it should bo a technical college. To finance this it "as proposed that tho Wellington City Council should give tlio buildlags and site of tho present technical school, valued at about £12,000 and that £SOOO should be raised by subscription. That would be £2o.'000, winch with £ for £ subsidy from tho Government would bring the total to £40,000, tho Govornmont besides giving an area of from 1 ’3 acres of land in the city on which tho college would bo erected. It is understood that .Ministers held out no hope of this land boing given. There is to be a meeting of the general committee next month to consider the matter. It is stated" that the amount contributed by the public to date to tho fund totals £iuO. No special canvass has, however, yet been made. SHOOTING FATALITY. AUCKLAND, last night. At the camp of No. S Garrison Artillery volunteers at Fort Cautloy, Takapuna, this afternoon, John Bergin, a member of the corps, shot himself accidentally at 4 o’clock. Borgia went into his tent, evidently with tho object of cleaning his rifle, and ten minutes later a shot was heard, and on Sergt.-Major Taylor entering lie found ~ the man lying dead, the bullet having entered tho stomach and traversed upwards, coming out through tho back of the neck. Evidently Bergin had overlooked the fact tliat the weapon was loaded, as there is no suggestion of suicide. Deceased was 25 years of ago, single,’ and a resident of Arch Hill, Auckland.

OTIRA COACH ACCIDENT. GREYMOUTH, last night. The inquiry into the coach accident oil the Otirn road was concluded to-day, when the jury brought in a verdict that the child Walter Roy Scott met death through a coach accident, no blame being attachable to anyone. ISOLATION HOSPITAL. DUNEDIN, last night Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer, met the representatives of local bodies to-day with reference to the erection of an infectious diseases hospital at Dunedin, and laid before them the proposed assessment for the initial cost of the building. Tho County Council and County boroughs refused to accopt the proposals, and a motion was carried in favor of having’ an assessment made by the Magistrate. EDUCATION CONFERENCE. DUNEDIN, last night,. The Board of Education lias appointed Mr Mark Cohen (ex-chair-man) to represent the Board at tho conference to be held by the Federal Council of Education in England in May.