INTERPROVINCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 34, 13 December 1879, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Dec. 11. Intelligence from Alexandra states there is no truth in Rewi’s alleged intention to isolate himself among the Kingites. Government have declined to accept the services of a new Battery of Artillery. 120 had enrolled, and were greatly disappointed. The strikers at Dempsey’s reclamation contract held ameeting this morning. They state the wages owing them amount to nearly LBOO. They sent a memorandum to the District Engineer, and placed the matter in his hands for solution. Arrived—Rotorua, from Sydney, at Russell this morning. She brings 41 passengers and 196 tons of cargo for southern ports. Benjamin Duvall, better known as Dr. Duvall, has been arrested for forging and uttering a cheque on the Bank of New Zealand.. Mr. James Mackay, Land Purchase Agent, has written to the Waste Lands Board, claiming right by virtue of a Government promise, to buy at LI an acre, 170 acres of Piako Block, Upper Thames, advertised for sale. The. Chairman stated he had. communicated with the Government;] But had received no answer as yet. A telegram was received at the Waste Lands Board meeting stating that the natives in the Poverty Bay District were willing to pay a royalty,*if allowed to collect grass seed at Patutahi Block. It wasdecided to invite tenders for the purchase of the grass, and to acquaint the natives of their determination. Auckland. Dec. 12. Among the passengers by the Rotorua are Mr. Alex. Hannah, a member of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Stephen Mason; Glasgow, and Mr. G. M. Black, the well known cotton and sewingthread manufacturers, Anchor Mills, Paisley. They are on a tour through the colony. Grahamstown, Dec. 11. The Kurunui Hill mine found quartz at 360 ft. level. There was a great demand for shares yesterday and to-day, and the sales were made at 7s. 6d. and Bs.; closing prices, Bs. The Thames Company announces a dividend of 2s. 6d. A resolution was passed asking the Liberal Association to convene a special meeting to consider Mr. Stephenson’s resolution denouncing the constitution of the Waste Lands Boards. The Carandiriis open at the Academy of Music to-night. Gisborne, Dec. 11 The plant of the ‘ ‘ Poverty Bay Standard” was sold yesterday to Mr. J. S. Maofarlane, who bought it to ship to Auckland on account of the “Free Lance.” ' Napier, Dec. 11. The criminal business of the Supreme Court i& finished, with the exception of a charge against M‘Lennan of wife murder. This case will be taken on Monday, and is expected to occupy ten days op a fortnight. There are 33 witnesses for the prosecution. Dr. Hector, who is here as a witness in M'Lennau’a case, has consented to deliver a lecture on the geological formation in Hawke’s Bay. In the charge for forgery in the Supreme Court to-day, the jury brought in a verdict of “ Guilty, without felonious intent.” Justice Richmond said this amounted to acquittal, and ordered the discharge of the prisoner. Wellington, Dec. 11.

An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Wellington Tramways Company will he held on Dec. 22, for the purpose of considering the following resolutions :—“That the Wellington City Tramway Company (Limited) be woundup voluntarily, in accordance with the provisions of ‘ The Joint Stock Companies Act, 1860,’ and the amendments thereto.”

A deputation waited on the Minister for Public Works to-day, urging upon Government the necessity of pushing on with the Wellington-Foxton Eailway. The Minister replied that the sum of L 54,000 had been placed on the Estimates for the work, and Government intended to push on with the work as speedily as funds would permit. A carbine match between the Wellington and Dunedin Artillery will le fired shortly. -A young man named John Francis Thompson was charged at the Magistrate’s Court with issuing valueless cheques. On three informations he was discharged, but on a fourth he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor.

Wellington, Dec, 12. Government have introduced a Bill to allow the appointment of one more Minister. The aggregate of Ministers’ salaries is not to be increased, but a pro rata reduction is to be made to provide for the extra salary. The New Zeiland Loan and Mercantile Agency reported under date, London, Dec. 9:—Wool.—The sales closed atari average improvement of‘ l|3.“p6r lb. The principal advance had been in cross-bred, superior greasy, superior combing, washed medium, and inferior washed medium,

and inferior washed and scoured. Up to date, 125.000 bales have been sold, and 5,000 bales have been withdrawn. During the past sales, 45,0 )0 bales have been taken for exports. Leather—best sides are worth Is. Id. per lb. Nelson. Dec. 21 A public meeting last night protester! against the property tax as unfair and inquisitorial, took exception to hurrying through such a measure at a late period of the session, and suggested, of the necessity foy the tax were absolute the exemption of personal effects, stock-in-trade, machinery and plant, and that the rate should only be a half penny. Dunedin, Dec. 11. At the Harbour Board meeting to-day, Mr. Fish referred to the newspaper reports of the remarks of Mr. Macau - drew last night in opposing the Board’s claim for extended borrowing powers, and of the determined hostility displayed by him towards this Board. The speaker also resented what he termed a gratuitous insult offered by Mr. Macandrew, in impertinently stating that the Board was really ruled by one member. The Chairman said he had read the report of the speech, and witli great surprise and regret, : inasmuch as from the exceedingly kind and frank manner in 'which Mr. Macnndrew had met him when in Wellington recently, as representing the Board, he had hoped that any difference between Mr. Macandrew and the Board had been set at rest. At the City Police Court this morning, James Wilson was convicted of breaking two panes of glass worth 205., the property ot James Ogden. He was lined L 3, and ordered to pay the damage to property or go to prison for six weeks. John Patsen, convicted of stealing a saucepan, value lis., the property of J. C. Nicholas was sent to gaol for a month.