TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2028, 13 March 1907, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Tress Association. ELTHAM, yesterday. Mr D. L. Astbury, a farmer, has publicly announced his intention to contest the new Egmont division. Ho will support- tho Government, except on tho land policy. He favors the freehold, increase of the graduated land tax, and a decrease in Customs duties on the necessaries of life. WELLINGTON, yesterday.

John Baxter, a middle-aged man, who in company with others dofrauded two new chums out of £IOO by means of a form of the confidence trick, was sentenced by Judge Cooper this morning to three years’ hard labor. His Honor said he was determined to put down this sort of thing. The takings at tho three days’ test match, concluded yesterday .amounted to £349. The Post understands that the financial results of the tour of the English team have fallen far short of the sum required to meet the expenditure. GREYMOUTH, yesterday.

The timber and coal trade is very brisk. Orders are in ahead for many months. There has been little or no rain in the Grey Valley, though there were torrents in Westland and on the mountains. The Compensation Court is sitting, hearing several cases against the Government for damage through tho railway works. CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday. The condition of Mr Benjamin Pilkington, ex-stationmaster at- Christchurch, injured by a falll from a tramcar in Richmond last night, and whose feet had to be amputated in consequence, is still grave. DUNEDIN, yesterday.

Little expecting to witness a gruesome spectacle, Mr S. P. Leith entered his livery stables in Manor .street, and there found the body of Edward Gibbs, a groom, hanging by the neck. Dr. Gordon was summoned, and pronounced life to be extinct. The body was removed to the morgue. Gibbs was 51 years of age, and of late had been in bad health and greatly depressed. The circumstances point to suicide. Gibbs lived by himself. An inquest was held to-day, when tho jury returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

INVERCARGILL, last night. A peculiar case of mistaken identity has been ' creating considerable interest here lately. C. Otway was convicted recently of riding a bicycle on the footpath. Otway, supported to a certain extent by two others, swqre that the offender was his brother, but on a policeman’s evidence, Mr. McCarthy, S.M., convicted him. A re-hearing was granted, and the magistrate’s decision reversed.

WEST COAST NEWS. WESTPORT, last night. So far nothing is known, locally about the customary Easter encampment. It was understood that in deference to the wishes of the late Minister for Defence, the camp would be held this year at Christchurch. Members of tho Buller district defence corps favor the project, and considers that it offers a'splendid opportunity for .the new defence council to carry out a large mobilisation scheme. As the result of further mineral discoveries at Mount Radiant, north of Westport, an additional 900 acres have been pegged off. Dr. Bell’s report on his visit to the mountain last week is awaited herp with much interest.

NAUTICAL ENQUIRIES. DUNEDIN, last night.

Enquiries have been held into the stranding recently of the coastal steamers Rimu and Rakuira. Mr C. W. Chamberlain, Collector of Customs, conducted .the investigations in the case of the Rimu, and forwarded the evidence to AVellington. The Rakuira enquiry was held before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., and two assessors, Captain Beaumont and Captain Patterson. The taking of the evidence Jasted nearly all day, and after an hour’s retirement Mr. Cruickshank announced tho judgment of the Court. The captain’s certificate was ordered to be suspended for six months, though a certificate of lower grade may be issued to him in the moantime. The mate’s certificate was returned' to him, but he was ordered to pay £5 5s costs, half the cost of the enquiry.

WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS. - WELLINGTON, last night.

During the four weeks ended February 19th the Wellington tramcars carried 1,267,785 passengers, an increase of 317,180 over the number during the corresponding period of last year. Tho total revenue was £B-117, an increase of £1683.

SHOCKING CASES. WANGANUI, last night.

At tho Supreme Court to-day Andrew Turnbull was sentenced to three years for indecent assault on an 8-year-old child. A 15-year-old boy named Julius Green was found guilty of attempting to carnally know a girl aged 12 years. This case closed just before midnight,