HALF-CASTES AND THE LAND TAX.

THAMES, June 5.

Mr Bush, S.M., gave judgment in ai. important case — the Commissioner of Taxes v. David Stewart, jun. The defendant contended that he was a half-caste within the meaning of the act, and not liable for land tax. Mr Bush upheld this contention, and gave judgment for the defendant, with costs (£2 .ss) against the Crown.

During the dredging operations in the bay at Sebastopol, an old English shell, dating doubtless from the Crimean war, was hauled up, and exploded on being brought into tha boat One man was killed and several others were injured. The Chrislchurch Press says: — One of the most remarkable incidents in connection with tlie Factory Aot has occurred here. A contractor who has a shed erected, under which the stonemasons employed by him work, haa received notice that it is a factory under "the act.

The life of an editor in Servia is not a delightful one. Within the last two years a weekly paper has had 16 editors. Fifteen of them are in gaol for too keenly commenting upon Government affairs ; and the 16th haa just been hustled off to join them for tha same offence.