NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 17, 22 January 1901, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night.

The Premier, wiring to Mr Ward re the Queen’s illness, says the latest bulletin announces an improvement. The earnest wish and prayer of all will be that the improvement may continue, and that our good Queen may soon recover, and be longer spared to her loving and anxious subjects. Mr Ward replied: “ Deeply regret, as the whole colony does, the distressing news concerning our beloved Queen, and trust the Ruler of all things may in His goodness prolong her life.” The Agent-General’s cablegram to the Department of Agriculture states. Average price of choicest butter, 110 s, market steady; Danish 120 s, fallen 8s; cheese, 535. Transactions in cheese are very limited. The hemp market is firm. Good sale for tow, £2l 10s; fair current Manilla, £29 10s; cocksfoot, quiet,- 345. The Post has the authority of the ActingPremier for stating there is no truth in the report published in a Southern paper that the visit of the Indian troops has been cancelled. Mr Ward is advised that the troops will positively visit the colony. John McDonald Russell, an elderly man, a casual laborer, cut his throat in a dozen places yesterday, and also cut the muscles of both legs. He died at the hospital this morning. He had been suffering from melanj cholia.

It has been ascertained that there are 193 vacancies in the present-contingents in South’Africa, divided as follows: Second 80, Third 56, Fourth 31, Fifth 26. The men now in camp are being given the option of joining any of these contingents if they desire. Mr Justice Edwards has granted a rule nisi for the issue of a writ of habus corpus in the Lillywhite case. It will be made returnable at the first sitting in Banco after the long vacation, which terminates on the 31st inst. Nelson, last night.

Francis Hamilton, head of the firm of E. Buxton and Company, died this morning, aged 60. Deceased was well known in most parts of the colony, of which he has been a resident for nearly forty years. He was formerly in business in Otago and Greymouth, and nearly twenty years ago bought the Nelson business, and has resided here since. He had been in failing health for seven years, and was confined to his bed for the last three weeks. Deceased was very popular. He was a member of the Nelson Land Board, and had just received an appointment to the Board of College Governors. He was for many years treasurer and member of the board of managers of the Presbyterian Church. He leaves nine sons and four daughters.

A young man named Ward, who was injured by a fall of earth at a quarry on Friday, died on Saturday. He received several injuries, any of which were sufficient to cause death. At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was returned.

Dannevirke, last night. The escaped lunatic, Whisky, was captured by Constable Baker in the bush at Ngapaeruru this morning.