NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 808, 24 January 1903, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night, A sharp shock of earthquake occurred al. Paeroa at 10.30 fast night. No damage was done. A conference of local bodies, after discussing the proposal to erect an expensive infectious diseases hospital, passed a resolution against the extravagant tendencies of the Public Health Department, and requesting Parliament to amend the Public Health Act to keep the Department within bounds and prevent the imposition of unnecessary burdens upon the ratepayers.

The bankruptcies in Auckland dis-

trict last year numbered twenty-one, for £15,273. The assets were shown as valued at £8316. The total amounts paid in dividends, inclusive of preferential and secured claims, were £71)17. The lion. Mr Mills arrived from the North last night, and left for .Wellington this afternoon. WELLINGTON, lust night. The following are the winners ot the Te Makarina scholarships at Te Ante College :—Senior, Walter Graham, Te Aute College ; junior, Paranapa Pelcra, Tokaanu Native School, and Pani Riwai, Motueka Public School ; each scholarship with £35 a year, A record shipment of dairy produce was made by the Papanui, which left for London yesterday. She took away 1113 tons of butter, valued at £116,865, and 275 tons of cheese, valued at £17,050. The total value of butter and cheese, on hoard is £133,015, The tender of McKcchnie and Fleming at £15,643, has been accepted for the erection of the .Wellington electric tram-car sheds.

A representative conference of acclimatisation societies opened to-day, Mr C. A. Fitzroy, of Hawke’s Bay, was elected president. The object was to consider the formation of an association of societies, and if determined on to formulate rules. Mr Fishei (Canterbury) moved that am association be formed, and said it headquarters at Wellington. Mr Anwas suggested that it should have 'irew moved as an amendment that in lieu of an association an annual conference be be held in Wellington, con* sidering it would be difficult to find

men able to devote sufficient time to the affairs oi the association, and it might clash with the interests of individual societies. 'The amendment was negatived. This aiternoon the conference will consider the constitution oi the new. association. ' CHRISTCHURCH, last night, For the Woolston, Sumner, and Heathcote districts of the Tramways Board, Mr George Scott was returned not Mr John Richardson, as previously telegraphed. GREYMOUTH, last night.

A large number of men are to be put on next week on the line connecting Greymouth with Slate Coal mine No tender was accepted for the Town Hall last night, the price being over the estimate. The Timber output oi Greymouth last vear was 24,U00,01)0ft, the sum of £BO,OOO being paid in wages.