GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2087, 23 May 1907, Page 1

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Press Association,

AUCKLAND, yesterday

The Fijian Government steamer Ranadi arrived from Fiji late last night. On May 16 the steamer experienced a gale. Heavy seas broke aboard, smashing the ladders on the foredeck and breaking all the windows on the bridge deck, and damaging the deck fittings. The mails had to be taken aft, owing to the forepeak, where they were stored, being deluged by the sea. NeAvs from Fiji states that the Executive Council discussed the best means of dealing with the Panjabis who recently caused trouble, but the result of their deliberation has not been made Meantime the malcontents were ordered to be distributed between Ba, Lautoka, and Labasa. They refused to be separated. A police force twenty strong proceeded to enforce the order. The T,-./linl,<= i 1 hi nr,, resort to auv violence

and they were finally landed on the three islands named. On arrival at Lautoka that section of the malcpntents refused to bo separated, but it is expected they will be induced to adopt that course without further trouble on the return of a number of policemen now absent. Mr. Massey, . M.H.R., has called the attention of .the Minister, of Cuestoms to the fact that Australian chaff is being imported as fodder, paying less duty than is payable on chaff. Mr. Massey received a reply, stating that the last shipments landed at Greymouth and Kaipara were found not to be fodder, but chaff, and have been held pending payment of the duty collectable on chaff. Instructions have been given that all importations of a similar character should bo thoroughtly examined before being accepted as food for animals.

The Land Purchase Board at Auckland district has been examining estates with a view to purchase for settlement purposes in the Waikato, Whangarei, Northern Wairoa, and Dargaville districts. . During the past two days the Board had' been sitting at Akea. Mr. Barron left for South yesterday. Nothing of the proceedings lias been allowed to transpire. The Auckland Land Board is pre-

paring several areas for settlement, it is understood, within the next six weeks or so. Amongst other lands being opened will he a block of 30,000 acres at Opotiki, and the famous Waimana block of 5000 acres

near Whakatane. These have been surveyed and subdivided. The church mission block near Te Awamutu will be opened in small lots to extend the township. Various other areas in Auckland are being got ready for opening.

The Minister for Defence was interviewed by a joint deputation of the National League and Headmasters’ Association, which sought a Government subsidy for miniature i;ifle ranges. Mr. McNal) said the proposal met with his entire approval. He was certainly in favor of a grant be-

ing made from the Defence vote to supplement whatever the Education Department could spare from ifg votg. Something had already been done in this matter in connection with the volunteer , movement, as the result of Colonel Duncan’s visit to Australia. Any information Colonel Duncap hath or that was in the possession of'the Defence Department, would be placed at the disposal of the Education Department- , Tlie Minister of Lands wijl arrive this morning in order to open Auckland!s first winter show. Owing to

the pressure of work entailed by the Acting-Premier’s illness, he lias to leave tho same, afternoon. On arrival a deputation from, the National League and Auckland Head-master’s Association will ask the pjovernm'eht for assistance in establishing rifle ranges. _ ....

Friday next (Empire Day) ; will be pretty generally observed as a public holiday, a large number of business houses haying decided to ..observe, that day instead of Juno 3rd, Prince of Wales* Birthday. Government offices, banks, tlie Stock Exchange, law and insurance offices, will all closet]. . Tlie .criminal sittings of the Auckland Supreme Court will open on Monday before Mr. Justice Denniston. CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday.

Mr. Justice Chapman gave judgment to-day in the case under the Testators’ Family Maintenance Act

in which Susan llowe claimed provision for her needs from Charles Lewis and another trustee under the will of her Into father, Thomas Gong, who had loft her property worth £l5O a year, but subject to a life estate in favor of her mother. The testator loft property to the amount of £25,000, but did not •liberally treat his family, and left the residue £II,OOO to Dr. Barnado’s homes and other charities in England, and £3OOO more for these when tho widow dies. 'The Judge found iflaintiff would bo adequately provided for after her mother’s death, but meanwhile she was Jiot; .;j(d lio made ,an order for payment of thirty shillings a week till her mother’s death, arrears to be payable from tho testator’s death.

AVANGANUI, yesterday

Tho Employers’ Association, at the annual meeting, decided to observe the Prince of AValos’ Birthday as a holiday instead of Empire Day. It was further decided to adhere to this decision pending the substitution by tho Arbitration Court of Empire Day for Prince of AVales’ Birthday as a statutory holiday.

DUNEDIN, yesterday.

At the annual meeting of tho New Zealand Paper Mills Company, hold this afternoon, the chairman said the past .year showed a distinct progress. Though the local market showed increased supplies of raw material, this had been more than absorbed by the increased output, consequently the company had to draw heavily on the English, Continental, and Astatic markets for wood-pulp, jute, etc. It was hoped that some of these would fall in valuo in future, and so materially assist the company. The paper bags shown with the sweated industry exhibit gave an idea of the competition that had to be faced. The aim of the directors, however, was to turn out a first-class article. AA’ith the support of the public to an industry helpful to so many workers, no fears need be entertained for the success of the company in the future. AVilliam John Quan, a half-caste Chinese, pleaded guilty at the Police Court to the theft of two diamond rings from a jeweller’s shop in Manse stieet, and was sentenced to niue months’ imprisonment. Charles Ogier Bavley pleaded guilty to making a false declaration in an application for employment in the railway service by representing be had passed the fifth standard. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

The Hon. R. McNab has expressed his willingness to open the Dunedin AVinter Show' on Juno 4. The China Famine Relief Fund now totals £I6OO. Another £SO has been cabled, making the total, sent to China £I4OO.

NAPIER, yesterday

Thomas Perry Peddle, sheep farmer, was committed for trial on a charge of assaulting E. C. Cutten, S.M., while in the execution of his duty as shorriff. Bail w'as refused. AVELLINGTON, yesterday.

Rowdy scenes occurred at an antiHome Rule meeting in the Town Hall last evening. The ltcv. Charles Watt, of .Auckland, was announced to deliver an address on what, H omo Ride would do for Ireland. Early in tlie proceedings a section of the audience showed strong disapproval of a recitation calling on the sons of Ulster to rise and defend their -country and religion. Later, when the lecturer proceeded to attack the Home Rule efforts of the Nationalists, the Home Rule section of the audience took charge of the proceedings and howled him down. There woro counter demonstrations, and the . meeting was very noisy. The Mayor, who presided, attempted to restore order, and partly succeeded, but interruptions continued to the end of the meeting, the lecture in consequence being very disjointed. Mr. Watt stuck to his guns to the finish, and said his interruptors were tlie, most cowardly lot he had over niet.V

NEW PLYMOUTH, yesterday,

A considerable sum lias beon lost to local bodies interested by the failure on the part of tlie Crown to keep Spotswood settlement occupied, So far tiie sections have not contributed to the local revenue. Ministers recently promised that the law would be altered in order that tlie.se sections, once leased, should pay loca] rates, whether afterwards forfeited or not'. The solicitor to the Taranaki County Council now alleges that (lie Crown is responsible for the payment of rates, and instructions have, be.mj issued to take proceedings for their recovery.