New Zealand.

Southland Times, Issue 18059, 31 January 1903, Page 3

New Zealand.

[Per United Pbess Association.] AUCKLAND, Jan. 30. This afternoon a workman named Baskerville was working with some other men in a drainage excavation in Upper Queen street when one side of the trench caved in und buried the unfortunate man up to the nek and pinned him against the opposite wall. He was got out as speedily as possible, but was dead. Baskerville was a married man with a large family. WELLINGTON, Jan. 30. In March the Lands Department will throw open about 59,000 acres of first and second class land in the Bay of Plenty district. The Wellington Football Association has recei ved a letter" from the N Z. Association stating that Jessop, if guaranteed £3000, would bring a team from England to Australia in 1904 and spend July in N.Z. It was decided to reply that £3000 was a very largo amount and that more information or. the subject ehould ba obtained. In the meantime the Wellington Association proposed to guarantee up to £300. The Hon. Mr Duncan denies the rumour tbat he contemplates resigning his portfolio. Mr Hood, chief engineer of the s.s Petone, has been appointed au inspector of machinery. Tue Government is eending to England for an officer to replace Mr Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police. HOKITIKA, Jan. 30. gjFrancis Robeck, aged 19 years, son of a hairdresser here, was accidentally drowned this afternoon in Lake Mahintpua. CHRISTqHURCH, Ja*. 30. Maud Harris, a young woman who was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, died this morning from blood poisoning. It is supposed that an illegal operation had beeu attempted. DUNEDIN, Jan. 30. The Dunedin licensed victuallers have decided that counter lunches as hitherto given bo discontinued from the Ist March, and that during the current month they be gradually curtailed, co that after that date they shall be limited to bread and cheese and biscuits, and that no oytters be supplied fram this date. The executive of the Emploj'ers' Association has decided to communicate with the Employers' Federation with a view to having formed, in Wellington, a vigilance committee to watch all legislation and in particular to place before Parliament in every way possible amendments of labour laws proposed by the Employers' Conference, tho committee to be appointed by the Federation and to embrace as many members of Parliament as possible.