GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2086, 11 January 1908, Page 2

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Press Association. ASHBURTON, January 10. An important by-law decision was given in the Magistrate’s Court today by Mr. V. G. Day, S.M., in •‘tho case of tho Ashburton County Council v. Thomas Rainey, who was charged with driving a traction engine in a traction engine rut on the main south road. Tho Magistrate dismissed the information, holding that a County Council had no power to make by-laws governing roads which are under tho jurisdiction of Road Boards. Notice of appeal was given. WANGANUI, Jan. 10. 'Die Harbor. Board to-night decided on the appointment of a resident engineer in connection with the extension of harbor Works about to be undertaken. Mr. Leslie Reynolds was appointed consulting engineer at 0200 a vear. INVERCARGILL. Jan. 10. 'Die Southland Times’ Otautau correspondent reports extensive fires in the Longwocd bush. Five bushnien working in Harrington’s reserve have been cut off from their huts by tho burning of the bush tramways. It is hopetl that they may make their way out- by Merivule, but there is firo in the bush on that side, which may complicate matters. TIMARU, Jan. 10. Admiral iSir W. Fawkes and Lady Fawkes on t'heir way to Mt. Cook spent a few. hours in Timaru to-day lietween trains, and the Mayor took them to lunch, then for a motor ride, and afterwards the Admiral attended a short social function.

His Excellency spoke with gratitude of the kindness lie had everywhere received in Australasia, and of the necessity for keeping up a strong navy, besides whatever land anil coast defence each country might be able to adopt-; and each should do what it could afford to do in this way. He referred with pleasure to the fact that Timaru had initiated the New Zealand battleship fund for providing prizes for shooting and a bell for the ship. PALMERSTON, January 10 The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce met to-day when it was resolved to hold a conference with representatives from the Foxton Chamber as to the formation of a harbor board at Foxton port. WELLINGTON, January 10. The weather to-day is warm and windy and the atmosphere to the northward is clouded with the smoko from bush fires. Farmers are beginning to complain about the long-con-tinued spell of dry weather. A shipment of pears brought from Sydney by the Warrimoo on Wednesday had to be destroyed because the fruit- was found to be infested with the fruit flv maggot. GORE, Jan. 10. Word has come to hand that the Waikiia bush, about 30 miles above the township of Waikaia, has been on lire for over a week. The fire is supposed to have originated through a person carelessly throwing a lighted match amongst some dead manuka. The busli. carries .a lot of fine timber, bircli of particularly durable quality being plentiful, and it only awaited railway facilities to make it extensively used. The fire lias burnt back into the heart of the bush, and unless -Min- comes, which does not at present appear probable, the bush will be -completely destroyed. Very hot weather continues in this district, and at present there is a mild drought. Tire crops are suffering from scarcity of moisture, and grass is also shrivelling up. A number of dredges have liad to close down owing to scarcity of water. DUNEDIN, January 10. At the Primitive Methodist Oonfernece the retiring president, the Rev. C. Ward, gave an eloquent address on “The Ideals of the Church” Tie referred to the arrival of the Rev. A. Harding and of the Rev. J. Flanagan. He gave much , valuable historical information both of the history of the church and the Dominion. His words on tho early setl)j.ers and preachers evoked gjreat enthusiasm. It was decided to print tho address ui the Church paper. A debate on union was introdiH'd by Mr. G. Froggatt, Invercargill. A resolution that the time was opportune for Conference to take steps so that all members of the Church of six months’ standing should have an opportunity of voting on the question was seconded by Mr.. W. King, Dunedin. Mr. O. E. Bellringer, New Plymouth, moved an amendment, that the Conference reaffirms the desire 'for union with the Methodist Union in New Zealand on such basis as may be 'reasonable by mutual concession and compromises, but at the same time the Conference is of opinion that to endeavor at the present time to formulate a basis that will meet with acceptance and consuiuate a full and liappy union would bo futile until the day arrives when it should be possible for the two churches to discuss the matter untrammelled by Australian influences, and to unite in forming a Methodist Church for the Dominion, enjoying complete self-government and thus prepare for union with the Evangelical churches in a National church; and further, in view of all the circumstances, more especially the centenary efforts now being made, it would be unwise to disturb our people by submitting the question of union to them at the present juncture. Mr. D. Goldie seconded the amendment in a v'gorous speech. After Mr. Goldio bad spoken the closure was applied. The amendment was carried by 59 to 13. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 10. George E. Stirling, an engine-driv-er, died suddenly at Bennett's last night. Stirling was on the train service between Bennett’s and Kaiapoi and was 'on duty yesterday apparently in good health and spirits: About midnight he had a seizure, and although everything possible was done for tho man, be expired about nil hour afterwards. Ellen Ross Berry G years of ago, whose mother resides at Killincny, was found dead in her bod this morning at the residence of her sister, Mrs. Morris, Bass street Woolston.

Tho sequel to last night’s disturbance which originated through three Jack Tars from H.M.S. Pyranus driving round tho city at a rate that endangered the lives of pedestrians, was hoard in the Police Court this morning when John Allen, a man-o-ivarsmaii was charged with being drunk while in charge of a horse and trap. In connection with the same incident- Miles Bradbury, another man-o-warsman wag charged with obstructing Sergenat Burrows while in the execution of his duty. The men were convicted, but the question of punishment was -left to tho responsible officer of their ship. Leonard Thomas, a youth sixteen years of age, was convicted on a charge of hunting Allen to resist Constable McCormick in the execution of his duty and was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Mr. Hood Williams, secretary of the Lyttelton Harbor Board has received a letter from Mr. Wilson, tho engineer who came out here some little time ago to inspect and report upon harbor extensions, including the ship canal to Christchurch.. Mr. Wil- ' son writes that'lie expects to finish Ins report by Christmas and that it would- lie ready- for transmission to the colony early in the present month—that means that it ought to reach here at the end of Feburay or at- the beginning of March. Its arrival will be looked forward to with a great deal of interest locally.