NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 42, 19 February 1901, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

[BY telegraph—press association.] Wellington, last night. The defence authorities have received numerous applications for enrolment in the Seventh Contingent, and they desire it to be known that it is impossible to reply to individual enquiries. There is no doubt a Seventh Contingent will be despatched, but no details have been arranged as to the numbers from each district in the colony. When this is decided the officers commanding districts will be, informed, and applications are to be made to them. The members of the New Zealand Sixth Contingent who missed the Cornwall in Sydney are being kept in barracks there, and will be sent to South Africa with the next draft of New South Wales troopers. A statement is in circulation, based on a rumor current at Mangaweka, that the foundation of one of the piers of the Makoliine viaduct has slipped, which will necessitate further delay in the completion of the work. The Minister of Public Works, however, has received no information on the subject, and considers the rumor unfounded.

The Postal Department are advised that the Ventura left ’Frisco on the 14th, fourteen hours late.

Albert Hugo Knouth was committed for trial this morning on a charge of passing a valueless cheque. George Sutcliffe, manager of an accommodation house at Titani Bay, was fined £2O and costs for sly-grog selling. Colonel Banks, in charge of the Sixth Contingent, informs the Government by cable that he found it advisable to invalid Privates Bull and McCutcheon at Albany. The Conciliation Board gave an award to-day in the drivers’ dispute, recommending 56 hours a week for tram-drivers, at lOd per hour ; scavengers and dust-men to receive £2 5s per week, rubbish and refuse drivers £2 Bs, two-liorse lorries £2 Bs, one-horse lorries £2 3s 6d, coal delivery drivers £2 4s or £2 8s ; where the weight of a bag exceeds lcwt; casual drivers a minimum of Is per hour; attending horses in stable to be deemed necessary work, and not paid as overtime, compulsory work on Sunday to be paid at double rates ; overtime to be paid time and a-quarter for the first two hours, and time and a-half for additional hours; payment for holidays, and time and a-half for compulsory work therein, and preference to unionists. The Secretary of the Drivers’ Union expressed his disapproval of the award. • » Dunedin, last night. The criminal calendar next week consists of ten charges against twelve prisoners, including manslaughter at Cromwell, against the dredge-master of the Central Electric' dredge, the Otarama stabbing case, and two charges of criminal assault. Katherine Shamrock Hunter, aged 11 months, was drowned in a tub in the scullery of her mother’s hotise at North east Valley

Auckland, last night.

The Rev. John Good, Presbyterian minister, aged 86, died at Opotilci yesterday. At the Dargaville lire on Saturday, James Carmody, a pensioner, was burned to death in his bed. The others escaped in their nightclothes. Nothing was saved. The servants had a narrow escape. Two boarders, Barry and Sewmill, were badly burned, and were removed to the hospital. The insurances are unknown. Woodville, last night.

Trooper Somerville, of the Second Contingent, was welcomed home on Saturday evening. The Mayor delivered an address, and then the trooper was escorted through the town. Peebles and Somerville will be entertained on Wednesday night,

Oamaru, last night.

The weather is now perfect for the harvest, which is in full operation. Samples of the new gram received are excellent. The yield is expected to be generally good

Christchurch, last night. The Federation Commission resumed here to-day. Hugo Fricdlander, wool and grain merchant, of Ashburton, considered New Zealand should remain as she is, and wait and watch the results of Federation in Australia.

"William Eeece, Mayor of Christchurch, considered that the financial difficulty was sufficient to deter the colony from federating. He thought we should wait to see the effect of Federation before joining. ■, At the opening of the civil sittings to-day, Mr Fisher, on behalf of the Bar, congratulated Judge Denniston on his return. The Judge briefly replied, expressing pleasure at his return to the colony.

1 Wanganui, last night. An interesting letter has been received by the Native chief Takarangi Mete Kingi from General Baden-Powell, acknowledging receipt of a Maori relic, of prehistoric value, sent on the occasion of the relief of Mafeking. In the course of the letter General Powell says : “ It was a great surprise to all Mafeking after the relief to find our defence there had been so highly thought of by our fellowcountrymen. I fear my own share in the defence was over-rated.”