NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 68, 23 March 1901, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, last night. A house injupper Queen street, owned by Mr Morrison, was destroyed by fire this morning. Mr Coleridge Farr, who left for Wellington yesterday, has been taking magnetic observations with a view to improve the magnetic charts of the Southern Hemisphere. The Charitable Aid Board-recently held an inquiry into the management of the Costley Homo for the Aged Poor, the press being excluded. The Board, as a result of the inquiry, has asked the manager, John Moss, and his wife to resign. They, however, say in a letter to the Star that they intend to do no such thing. The Board's action is awaited, with interest.

The heuse in Upper Queen street was insured for *£Boo in the Standard, the furniture being covered for 41200 by the New Zealand Office.

Seven small boys were charged with burglary of Mackay’s premises to-day, and were committed to the Industrial School. Mr Purvis Russell’s solicitors have been communicating with the Government urging it to allow Mr Russell to retain the hilly country, leaving 5000 acres of flat for settlement. The Premier replied that the time when the Government could entertain the proposal has gone. The property has been subdivided, and will be thrown open to settlement at an early date. Representations have been made to the Government with the object of allowing the WestportOardiff coal mine, now in their hands, to be worked on the cooperative principle. The matter is under consideration.

The Midland Railway Commission arrived from Greymonth last night, and leave to-morrow for Christchurch for the final sitting.

Timaru, last night Captain Marks, of the s s. Rimu, was fined £5 for putting to sea from Timaru on February sth with insufficient crew. Defendant.pleaded the provisions of clause 78 of the Act, 1894, explaining that two of his men went ashore shortly before the time of leaving, got drunk, and ho was unable to get other men to replace them. The S.M., Mr Wray, admitted that these were oxtenuating circumstances, but defendant ought to have got the police to put the men aboard, and they would have been fit for duty in a few hours. Dunedin, last night. Mr Miller, M.H.R., has resigned his seat on the Conciliation Board.

New Plymouth, last night.

A charge under the Trading Stamps Abolition Act was hoard before Mr Stanford, S.M., this morrvng. The police proceeded agc'nst Teed and Co., chemists, and agents of the National Cash Register Company, for using d'seount tickets. These cash registers are in common use throughout the colony, but this is the first case brought into the Court. Mr Samuel, who appeared for defendant, argued that the Act was a’ ned at a certain Trading Stamp Company, and not intended to 'itcrfero with private traders, giving discount tickets. Mr Stanford ruled that the case did not come within Section 2of the Act. At the same ti ne ho stated that the Act was not vory clear in its intentions. The charge was dismissed. Two similar cases were withdrawn.

Wellington, last night. The Appeal Court is engaged on the case of Patterson v. the Canterbury Jockey Club. The Club obtamed damages £5 and costs against the appellant for trespassing on the racecourse 'a November, and Patterson now appeals. The principal questions raised by the case are the validity of the regulations made by the trustees of the racecourse aid the resolutions passed by the club excluding bookmakers, gamblers, or undesirable persons.

The departure of the Seventh Contingent has been definitely fixed for Wednesday next. It is probable that either Colonel Robin or Colonel Davis will take charge of the Contingent on arrival at the Cape. '