NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 805, 21 January 1903, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

By telegraph—Press Association— AUCKLAND, last night; The Summer Technical School for Teachers, which it is suggested shall he held at different centres in the colony successively, was opened at Auckland to-day. The object of the School is to instruct teachers in improved methods of 'instruction. The membership is 300. The Education Board finances the gathering. NAPIER, last night..

A serious lire occurred at Hastings this morning, resulting in the destruction ot three shops in the main street —occupied by J. P. Johnstone, fruiterer ; W. Read, bootmaker ; and W. Conway, boot factory. The dwellings attached to Johnstone’s and Conway’s shops were also destroyed. The insurance on Johnstone’s stock and furniture were £l5O in the South British, and the buildings (owned by, Schaeffer) £250 in the London, Liverpool and Globe. Conways furniture and machinery, were uninsured. The building(owned by J. Collins and T. Dolbel) .was insured for £l5O in the New Zealand and £l2O in the Alliance. Reid’s stock and furniture were uninsured. MANGAWEKA, last night.

Victor Carter, who pleaded guilty to forging Mr Seaton’s name to a cheque for £5 and cashing the same with Father Lacroix, was committed for trial. Other, charges were adjourned, as" one of the presiding justices was interested, and it was doubtfuPif the case could be gone on with. CHRISTCHURCH, last night.-

Walter Ernrst Rose, a local commission agent and stamp dealer, was. committed for trial yesterday for having broken into the office of C. J.. Tryet, a rival stamp dealer, and stolen a quantity of postage stamps of the total value of £2OO. The licensed vituallers largely attended a meeting held yesterday, ami resolved that every member of the trade should strictly carry out the licensing laws, and that to avoid any possibility, of illegal Sunday trading in future hotel-keepers would decline to serve travellers with drink,; It was also resolved that a circular be issued to every member of the trade strictly urging them to use every legitimate effort to prevent the slightest breach of the licensing laws occurring in their respective houses, A special committee was appointed to see that the above resolutions are carried" into effect. Ah Yce and Lim Chun, charged with importing opium without a permit and with being in possession of uncustomed opium, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning.. Accused in their evidence, contradicted each other. A fine of .£IOO was inflicted on Lim Chun.