NEWS OF THE WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2046, 5 April 1907, Page 3

NEWS OF THE WORLD.

SAD SHOOTING ACCIDENT. A sad tragedy occurred at Bona Vista (Victoria) on March 5, when Mr Malcolm K. Hardie, son of the Rev. Air Hardier Presbyterian clergyman at Richmond, met his end through being accidentally shot in the back bv a youth named James Norton, 16 years of age. The deceased and Mr Jamieson, son of Dr. Jamieson, of Melbourne, each had blocks of land at Bona Avista, and resided together on the estate. The boy Norton was sent up by the Rev. Mr Hnrdie to assist his sou on the farm about a week ago. The boy states that he and deceased, after cleaning a gun, put it in the corner of a room, and went outside into the garden. Mr Hardie called out, “Get the gun. quick. I sec a rabbit.’ The lad ran inside, and then reappeared with tho gun, when it went off, and shot Mr Hardie under the right shoulder, causing a large wound, tho range being only about three yards. ''Medical aid was oi' no avail. AVhen Mr Jamieson, who was absent at the time, became acquainted with the. details, lie communicated the news to his father. Dr. Jamieson, by telephone, and that gentleman’ broke the news to the Rev,, Mr and Airs Hardie. AVith the hope of seeing their son before he died, they travelled by motor-car. Mishaps prevented them reaching their son’s bedside till after his death. An inquest —held, and a verdict of accidental death was entered.

THE WOMEN'S VOTE. At tho first monthly council meeting for tho year of the Australian AA’omen’s National League, which was held at the National Club, Melbourne, on March 4, the organising secretary presented a report dealing with tlie woman vote for the last Federal elections. For the Senate the averages were: —A 7 ictoria, 51 per cent.; Tasmania, 45 per cent.; New South Wales, 43 per cent. ; Queensland, 37 per cent.; South Australia. 2S per cent. ; Western Australia, 28 per cent. 1n'1903 the average' in AGctoria was 45 per cent., the increase being 6 per cent. The improvement was an all-round one; in 1.903 the women’s vote ill live electorates fell considerably below 40 per cent. ; in 1906, the lowest, lit two electorates, was 43 per cent. In 1900 the number of women on the rolls was 336,168; 1903, 0i0,403, the increase being .25,765. This showed that brandies had not lost sight of the most important matter of roll supervision. Taking everything into considerai im. I lie league bad reason to be more than content with its work in the anti-Socialistie interests since its formation in Starch, 1904.

ArETHODIST AIINISTRV. The Rev. J. G. Alorris Taylor speaking at the New South AValos Afothodist Conference on February 27, said it almost looked as if they were failing in one or tile most vital parts of tlieir church life—the supply of ministers. They bad ail unusual number of candidates offering this year, but still not anything like tlio. number they wanted. The fact that such needs existed and were not supplied was a serious matter. During tlio year they bad not had tlie men. and so serious bad been tlie lack that tlie question of sending to England for a supply had been gravely considered. The Conference resolved that the matter of the further reinforcement of the ministerial ranks be remitted to the executive committee for inquiry, and to report to the ensuing conference. The action of the ministerial conference in negotiating with the AGctoriau and Tasmanian Conference to obtain additional ministers was endorsed. A general opinion was expressed that men should be drawn from Australia. It was stated that in Victoria a greater number ot. young men were offering than were required in that State, and if, was pointed out that candidiates for the ministry in this State were more numerous than was anticipated some months ago. ■ • -

ANOTHER POSEIDON NUGGET. On Friday evening, March 1, Messrs AVragg Bros, found a lOoz. nugget. It. was “knock-off” time, and the slug was quickly brought to is related in connection with the discovery of the last two big nuggets on the,.south end of tho hill. .The previous party who held the ground worked to within a foot of ono of the slugs, when an ant bed put a stop to further operations. Bravo and party, who secured tho ground, tackled the ants, and dug up their bed, with the result that they discovered two fine nuggets. In addition to the 40oz. slug which AVragg Bros, discovered, they pickcjl out another small piece, and also washed a machine for 2oz. blesses Nowitt, and Cox of tho Little AVondor claim, picked out a slug weighing 2loz. The reefs which are being worked at the top end of the lead show satisfactory prospects as they are being opened up.

A BURGLAR CHASED, A burglar entered the residence of Air J. Kroelmry, of Sydney, on .March 5, during the absence of the inmates, hut in his movement about the house made such a noise that the attention of a neighbor, Airs Dickon, was attracted. Airs Dickon acquainted two municipal employees, Thomas Booth and William Richardson. Booth entered tho back yard, lint apparently was observed by the burglar, who made bis exit through the front door. But Richardson was waiting there, and a struggle ensued. Richardson got possession of a parcel of clothes the burglar was carrying, hut the burglar escaped. Richardson followed him, hut suddenly found himself looking down n(ie muzzle of a revolver produced from the burglar’s pocket. Richardson acceded to the burglar’s icquest not to follow him, and returned. The burglar then disappeared.

A SOCIALIST BISHOP, Tho appointment of the Right Rev. J .E. Alorccr, D.D., Bishop of Tasmania, who lias been appointed first Moorhouse lecturer, was regarded by many of the more conservative members of the Anglican Church as a doubtful experiment, as Dr. Mercer is held to bo the most radical bishop on the Australian episcopal bench. 11l the North of England, where iie served for many years as incumbent of various democratic parishes, he was looked upon by the people as n champion of their rights. Since his elevation to the episcopal bench he lias fully maintained his reputation as all advanced Liberal, with leanings towards Socialism, tempered by more ethical methods than those adopted by tlio aggressive Socialistic win".

MAORI LANDS. At Christchurch on being interviewed by a reporter the Hon. Ja,. Carroll, Native Minister, stated his views in regard to the Native Land Commission, and the desire of the Government to bring the lands of the natives into profitable oeciipa tion as speedily as possible. “Al.v idea is this, said the Al mister, “where there arc several owners in a block, and where it is considered desirable to keep the block intact to arrange for the appointment of a suitable experienced European as manager. In some eases the laud will he surveyed, and each owner’s interest will he determined, and stieh owner will farm the land himself. In other eases the alternative system, that of skilled European farming management, will lie adopted. Until the younger generation of Maoris grow up and are taught modern farming, it would pay the natives in many instances to have a block farmed by an experienced man, tlio proceeds being divided amongst tlio owners according to tlieir respective shares.”

“As to the Native Land Commission,” said Air Carroll, “ I am of opinion that it, will do good work. It will shortly be. in a position to hiilnnit much information to Parliament, and this a ill enable the Government and the Legislature to have a closer view of, and form a correct estimate of, the whole ALmri land question. So far as 1 can see, the Cumissiou has been careful in its investigations us to wliat land the natives own, liow much they c;rn farm for themselves, and bow much can be declared to be surplus land for general settlement purposes, for disposition by sale, lease, or otherwise. The Commission will have many questions to report on to Parliament. In tlie past a good deal of the criticism with respect to the native laud question lias been based on volunteered information, which lias

not always been correct, but under the results of the investigations J the new system-Parliament will gor the Commission, and these will enable . it to gauge accurately what legislation is required, bow' the native lands should be administered, and what provision should be made for the native owners themselves.”