TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2076, 10 May 1907, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Press Association. DUNEDIN, yesterday. At last night’s meeting of the City Council the Dunedin and Suburban Gas Comjiany asked the Council’s favorable consideration to a private Bill to be introduced defining its position, and the position of the local bodies. The Bill would also give the city or any borough the right to purchase at any time on giving six months’ notice, the price to be fixed by arbitration if not by agreement. Several councillors expressed strong* disapproval of any proposal to purchase, aud the matter was referred to a committee to consider and report.

The sweated industries exhibit closed yesterday. It has been seen by over 14,000 people in Dunedin, and goes to Invercargill to-day. Inspector Donaldson, of the Health Department, made a gruesome discovery m King-street yesterday. An elderly couple have lived there for rpmo years, and the man died suddenly from heart failure on Monday last. His body, fully dressed, was found lying on a sofa greatly decomposed, whilst the widow, who ha;, "kept vigil over it since death, tv as half demented. An.order for burial has been obtained, and the woman is being taken care of by friends. NELSON, yesterday. About 7 o’clock last evening Mrs. jollier, whose husband is a tailor, who came from London a few years ago, died suddenly. In the afternoon she had taken a drive, and appeared ’her usual health, and in the evening Mr. Collier had gone out, leaving her with her family, when she suddenly expired. She had suffered from heart trouble, which war the cause of death.' DUNEDIN, yesterday. Mrs. Elizabeth Mason, a married woman, residing at Greymouth, expired suddenly yesterday whilst on a visit to her sister-in-law, Mrs. Robertson, at Maori Hill. An inquest will be licit!. AVESTPORT, yesterday. Eive men were charged at the Magistrate’s Court with playing twoup in the open aii* at midnight lit Burnett’s face. Miller, who was holding the kip, and whom a constable heard say, “Two shillings I head them,” was fined £5. The informnftions against four others were dismissed, as there wan no direct evidence that they were playing. It is alleged that some members of the “I” Battery have circulated a round-robin amongst their comrades asking one or more officers to resign. There are other small troubles. On parade the captain placed two members under formal arrest, charging them with insolent and mutinous behaviour, subversive of discipline. A staff officor will hold an inquiry. AUCKLAND, last night. At a meeting of the City Council tlie tender of Messrs. Turnbull and Jones was accepted for tho supply, delivery and installation of underground cables in collection with the proposed electric plant. The amount of the tender was £3970.

WAITEMATA-MANUKAU CANA... AUCKLAND, last night. At a meeting of tho Chamber of Commerce reference was made to the proposed Manakau-AVaitemata canal and to the question of the control/ of Manukau Harbor. Tho matter was referred to a future meeting. SUPPLY OP OYSTERS. . AUCKLAND, last night. Tho Hon. J. A. Millar paid a visit to-day to the oyster beds at AVaiheke Island, which have been closed for somo years, but which the local oyster fishermen now desire to he opened. A plentiful supply of excellent oysters wore seen on the island. The Minister discussed tho matter with the oystormon present and the local inspector, and intimated that lie would muko his decision known latex.

[• SHIPPING RINGS. I AUCKLAND, last night. I In reply to a communication iron: ' tho Government, the Chamber ol 1 Commerce is replying that it ha: ; been unable to ascertain whether • thoro is anything in the natnro of a I shipping ring in tho district, it being 1 considered that the matter could only bo dealt with by a Government Commission with power to take ovidonco. SHORTAGE OF RAILWAY TRUCKS. AUCKLAND, last night. Tho shortago of railway trucks came up for discussion at a meeting of tho Chamber of Commerce, and it was decided to urge the Government to call for tenders within the colony for rolling stock, and to • lay the whole question before the Minister of Railways when ho visited the city. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. AUCKLAND, last night.

Tho Chamber of Commerce to-day decided to ask the Railway Department for further concessions to commercial travellers, including firstclass season tickets at second-class rates, over the whole province, and a reduction in respect to luggage comprising samples.

IMPORTANT MAORI GATHERING

AUCKLAND, last night. A eonunittoo representing tho Maori Assembly at AVnahi, after an all-night mooting, decided to form a union of those present, to present a petition to Parliament on the subject of native grievances, and failing satisfaction through that body to send a deputation to England.

NEW DEFENCE REGULATIONS. WELLINGTON, last night. The Council of Defence has recommended to the Government, who have approved the suggestion, that every alternate year four' officers shall be selected from the Now Zealand defence forces and sent to England for a year’s practical instruction with the regular forces. Tho Council has decided to introduce a new system *of reserve corps under which infantry or mounted rille company’s which find themselves unable to maintain their strength, or are unable to mobilise quickly may be formed into reserves. Under tho new regulations some changes have been made in regard to capitation and ammunition. Infantrymen, cyclists and signallers must attend 18 parades during the year, three being daylight parades. The payment for these parades shall be: —Officers 4s, sergeants 3s 6d, corporals 3s, privates 2s 6d. Ammunition allowances are to be as follows:

Permanent force, field and garrison artillery, submarine miners, field en-

gineers and defence cadets 100 rounds for every enrolled member, mounted rifles and infantry 180 rounds, defence rifles cadets 120 rounds.

SPEECH BY HON. J. A. MILLAR AUCKLAND, last night. The Hon. J. A. Millar was entertained at a banquet attended by the Mayor and 130 representative citizens. The Minister in replying to the toast of his health, said the dual portfolios of Customs and Labor sometimes placed him in a difficult position, but he intended to fill them to the best of his ability. He deprecated the cry “North versus South.” Not one third of the settlement" 1 had taken place' in the north that it must have eventually. It was to the interest of the whole colony to further that settlement. Referring to the large surplus Mr. Millar said it might be asked why the Government did not do more with the money. The Government had to take care that the expenditure did not exceed the revenue. If they had more money at the end of the year it was better than a deficiency. He thought there was no reasonable cause for* apprehension as to falling off in the prosperity of the colony. There were greater questions than mere questions of the hour. Ho believed in looking after the rising youth and providing employment for him, and in finding good for our own people before those of older countries. Referring to the Imperial Conference Mr. Millar said it was highly satisfactory to know that this little country could send a man who was mixing with the master minds of the Empire. He would yet be referred to as one of the leaders of the Empiro, as putting forward more practical suggestions than any other. It was New Zealand’s proposal that was to be given effect to—that was going to bind the link a little closer. Mr. Miller expressed concern in reference to the steadily icreasing trade of the Mother country compared with the other great manufacturing countries. Ho said that- if the British Govern- , ment did not “wake up” they would jf

find their trade gone to other channels. It was useless to reduce the price of bread one penny if they could find work for men to earn the penny. The Minister said his Auckland tour had been a complete revelation to him. He admitted that Auckland labored under serious injustice hitherto in having so much land locked up. He said their opening to settlement must inevitably make Auckland the principal city of the colony.