INTERPROVINCIAL.

Ashburton Herald, Volume I, Issue 221, 11 December 1878, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

{Per Press Agency and Exchanges.]

Napier, December 10. Charlies Stewart was committed to-day of misdemeanour, by neglecting to deliver up at the Post Office a letter, when the same was demanded of him. He said it had been delivered to him in mistake. ,He was sentenced to two years’ hard labour. Thomas James M'Manus, for larceny of over £SO, in bank notes, from a drunken man at the Star Hotel, was convicted, and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. Wellington, Tuesday. “ The Chronicle ” is infonned that the Government do not contemplate holding the next session of Parliament at Christchurch. No vote having been taken, they decline to cake the responsibility of the expenditure upon their own shoulders. It also says that it is rumoured that Government intends taking active measures to prevent the influx of the Chinese into the colony ; and it is probable Government will bring in an Act next session, imposing a poll-tax upon them of £2O per head. Mr. Stout, who goes South to-day to address his. constituency, will very probably make some statement in reference to the matter. Government, replying to the Benevolent Society as to their refusing to undertake the distribution of charitable aid, state that the distribution of relief by the police must cease on January 1. The amount they usually distribute is about £7OO per annum. M'llwain, who is charged with having wilfully set fire to one of his houses, was fully committed for trial. Bail was allowed —himself in £SOO, and two sureties of £250 each.

Auckland, Tuesday.

Thomas Russell was charged with the murder of Captain Charles Moller, at Bontartari, an island iri the Gilbert or Kingsville Group, at the Police Court to-day. Mr. Hesketh appeared for the defendant. On the application of the police,, the case was remanded for a week, but the Magistrate, Mr, Barstow, remarked that he had no jurisdiction. He granted the remand, however, so as hot to defeat justice. A nine-roomed house, occupied by Mr. Fredk. King, in Symonds street, was totally destroyed by fire. Very little furniture was saved. It was insured in the Norwich Union for £l5O, and the piano for £SO. The house, which belonged to Mr. Guthrie, was insured in the New Zealand for £4OO. ,

At a meeting of grocers’ assistants in favor of early closing, the report showed that 69 masters had signed in favor of the Saturday half-holiday after two o’clock. The masters have agreed to give a three months’ trial of Saturday afternoon clos-

ing. . Father Hennebery has closed his mission. He collected £llOO for Church purposes. The mail steamer Australia arrived with thß outward mails for San Francisco, after a passage of four days eight hours. Nelson, Monday. In-reply 4o a letter from the Mayor, the Public Works Department state that plans and specifications for the extension of the main trunk railway from Foxhill will be ready for tenders to be invited in Feb. The Good Templars’ Grond Lodge commenced its session in the Temperance Hall this morning. Present —G, W. C. Templar J ago in the chair, W. Carr, D. Cameron, Rev. Roseby, and Sister Lamb from Dunedin ; r Taieri ; Monson, Port Chalmers ; T. Smith, Otago North Central; Corrigan and Braig, North Otago; . M'Eaohan, Cromwell; Cheyne, Southland; Webber and King, Christchurch : Dimont, Lyttelton; Andaews, Mid-Canterbury ; . Evans and Ewitt, North , Canterbury ; , Pearce and. Proctor, Timaru ; Turnbull, and Barrowman, Hokitika ;, Bouse , and Donovan, Grey Valley ; Brown, Bailer; Pickard, Nelson; Earl, Marlborough; Coles and Hudson, Wellington : Harding, Hawke’s Bay; Innies, Queenstown. The Lodge hitherto has been engaged discussing the reports of the officers, whioh show * inter alia’ that there are 156 lodges in good standing in the district, being an increase of ten during the year; also that there are now 1638 juvenile templars. Greymouth, Dec. 10.

The Bendigo Gas Company of Victoria have accepted the tender -Of the Brunner Coal Company to supply them with 3,000 tons of coal per annum, at an 'advance of 4s. per ton on what Newcastle coal could bo delivered in the Bendigo district for.

Dunedin, Dec. 10. The breach of promise case—Cayford v. Carruthers—was mentioned in Chambers-, to-day before Mr. Justice Williams. H was decided that it should be tried in Dunedin in January next.