NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 172, 1 August 1901, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] Auckland, last night. A meeting of the chairmen of city and suburban school committees last night unanimously condemned the present system of election of members of Education Boards, there being no secrecy about the method. It was decided to request the Minister to have an alteration made in the Act during the present session to onable the vote to bo carried out by ballot.

Wellington, last night. The Wellington Rugby Union last night approved of its Management Committee’s action in suspending the Melrose Club. The wholesale suspension of the club was removed, but it was resolved that members of the first fifteen and committee bo suspended until an apology be received from their members individually.

The Government have decided that unless the millers and merchants take full advantage of the services of the official grader appointed last May, the grading of flax at the port of Wellington will bo discontinued.

Two more burglaries are reported, the premises of Laery and Co., auctioneers, having been despoiled of three watches, and an attempt made to break into E. W. Mills and Co.’s warehouse, a door of which was bored for the purpose of cutting out a piece and turning tho lock, at which stage tho burglars were evidently disturbed. Alfred Harnloy has boon arrested on suspicion of being concorncd in tho burglary at Laery’s, and was remanded for a week on bail.

Christchurch, last night. Judgment was given by Judge Denniston this morning in tho appeal case of Bowron v. Stace, an appeal from tho Magistrate’s decision, whereby tEIOO damages were awarded to Stace for injuries sustained by roason of his conforming to the order of a person placed in superiority over him. The appeal was dismissed.

A curious will case was discussed in Banco this morning. Arthur Campbell, tho testator, who died in 1894, made specific devises to his grandchildren, provided they were brought up in tho faith in which they were baptised in—the Homan Catholic. The father of tho children was Catholic and tho mother Protestant, and after tho testator’s death the children were brought up in the Protestant faith. The will was contested on the ground that tho condition was inoperative as being too uncertain and ambiguous, and it was suggested that tho father had an interest in causing the children to break the conditions, as upon the intestacy of Arthur Campbell twothirds of the property would go to him. The decision was reserved.

Dunedin, last night. Michael Hughes, aged 55 years, was found drowned by his sou in a water-hole on his farm between Mosgiel and Wingatui.

The hairdressers’ dispute was before tho Conciliation Board to-day. Tho Chairman suggested an adjournment pending a decision by the Judge whether tho Act applied to hairdressers. The employees having intimated a disinclination to abide by the decision in the Christchurch case, it was decided to go on, and evidence is now being taken. The men ask that the hours bo from 8.30 till 6 on four days of tho week, and on Saturdays from 8.30 till 10, including meal hours, with a minimum wage of £2 10s. The masters wish tho hours to be from 8 till 8 on four days of the week, Saturday 8 to 11, with a minimum wage of £2 ss.