YESTERDAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2068, 20 December 1907, Page 1

YESTERDAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Press Association. NAPIER. The death is recorded of 'Mr. John Vautier, who has -been prominently connected with the district for the past 50 years, lie took am active interest in local polities, particularly in Harbor Board affairs. He was 74 years ef'a.gc. AUCKLAND. With the object of encouraging students in a systematic course of study when unable to take a. degree the University College Council deckled to institute' in connection with the School of Alining and Engineering an associatoskip of diploma, which may be gained either in. mining or metallurgy. v . ' , Mr. .Justice Dcmnston granted a decree nisi in Rebecca Marlborough v. Walter C. Marlborough.

The passengers by tho s.s. Manapouri from the Islands included GO workmen from San Francisco, via Tahiti, who intend settling in New Zealand and Australia. They state that contractors at ’Frisco refuse to pay tho wages demanded by the men, in tho belief that cheaper labor will .be available later on. They complained that the paper money with which they were paid for their labor was dishonored. They state workmen are leaving ’Frisco in largo numbers.

At the inquest on tho ‘body of. a headless child recently found _on. the beach at Ponsonby, medical evidence was to the effect that tho head and both hands were missing, having evidently been gnawed off by fish. There was no other sign of violence. The child had been properly attended at birth, aud had Jived four to seven pays. Its age might be from two months to two weeks. The Coroner, Air. Gresham, refused to accept the evidence of a second post-mortem ordered by the police, because lie had not been consulted, but medical witnesses stated there was no evidence of poison in the stomach. The inquest is proceeding. H.M.S. Challenger, which arrived at Auckland to-day, the British Commissioner from Fiji to the New Hebrides, where lie was welcomed by the French Commissioner. A proclamation of the joint control of England and France was read ashore. The flags of England and Franco wore unfurled, and salutes fired by French and British wai\ships. The British Commissioner said that lav and order would be established, and any further attempts at tribal revolts would be put down with a firm hand. A British Resident was formally appointed, and Captain Borrower, of the New Zealand force, was left in the group to organise a police force. AVAIUKU.

An Austrian named Peter Gojnck disappeared from camp on Monday morning, leaving a paper oil the table with his name and a sign of the cross. Gojaek’s body was found yesterday in some thick scrub, death being the result of a gunshot wound. WELLINGTON. •

Arthur Perry, a merchant, was granted a divorce from Madeline Perry, on the ground of failure to comply with an order for restitution of conjugal rights. A building occupied by Arnold, basket-maker, in Custom Housestreet, was badly damaged by fire this morning. The value of the stock exceeds the insurance. Tho brigade had some difficulty in preventing the lire spreading to several adjoining wooden buildings. WESTPORT. Matters are at a. very acute stage at Denniston, in connection with the question of hours of labor in the Westport Coal Company's collieries. Negotiations between the management and the Union have been proceeding since the sitting of the Arbitration Court, but no amicable arrangement lias come to pass. Mr. Dixon, the Company’s district manager, informs the Press Association agent that going beyond the award of tho Court as to.payment of nominal overtime lie lias offered to arrange a. definite sectional travelling time. Tho Union lias refused these terms. Mr. Foster, president of tho Union, states that the men rely upon their legal right to work “bank to bank” having now been reached.

Mr. Dixon states that imless a compromise is arrived at (similar to that arrived at Granity), within tile .next few days ho will be compelled to advise the directors to ceaso operations, pending some satisfactory arrangement. Mr. Joachim, general manager of the company, has arrived from Dur.edin. It is understood that correspondence on the dispute is proceeding between the Minister of Dabo r and a committee of the union. Th» men are. dissatisfied with the decision of the Arbitration Court on tho “bank to bank” question. DUNEDIN. Tho Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Committee brought is labors to a close yesterday, and disbanded. It received some £1(350, and after providing a marble memorial to fallen soldiers and commemorative tablets for schools, had a surplus!' of £4O. ■Half of this is to be spent on a souvenir, to the hon. secretary (Mr. G. Duncan), and the balance to the Veterans’ Home at Auckland.

A poll was taken yesterday on. a proposal to raise a loan for the completion for the widening of King Ed-ward-street, South Dunedin, a thoroughfare running from the city to Ocean Beach. 'The proposal was carried .by 1221 votes to 106. Tho work on the section authorised is estimated to cost £16,849, and when completed will be a fine continuous street, from Nonnanby to Ocean .Beach, a distance of over five miles, with a minimum width of OGft. There is a dearth of shearers in Central Otago, preventing somo sheds starting. Steady rain is general throughout Central Otago. In Dunedin it has been raining since last evening. There is considerable unrest among the coal miners throughout the Dominion, and some interesting developments may be looked for shortly. Mrs. iStubberfield died suddenly at Palmerston South yesterday, presumably from heart trouble. Her husband is a carpenter at Christchurch. •Mr. Titos. Mackenzie, who has occupied the position of an Independent member since his . election' to Waihemo on the death of Sir John ■McKenzie, announces that- in -future he will support the Ward Administration. CHRISTCHURCH. The continued dry weather and the excessive heat of the last, few days have seriously affected the crops and feed on the light land. The crop has ripened prematurely, and is light and thin, much being already in stoolc. On the heavier lands it is better. Copious rain at an early (late would- do much to redeem the position, but the prospect is not encouraging. Feed is falling away everywhere, and farmers are very anxious.

HAAVER A. At a meeting of tho North Island Poultry Association last night a resolution was carried, by 11 votes to 2, removing the disqualification passed at the annual meeting on July 30th upon certain persons who had exhibits at the winter show at /Palmerston North. MiUinwntu and Hastings opposed tho motion.