NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Press, Volume XXX, Issue 4078, 22 August 1878, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[PKB PBBSS AGBNCY.J SUPPOSED LOSS OF THE STEAMER KAIUMA.

THE PENALTY OF OWNING A STILL.

HOKITIKA-GREYMOUTH RAILWAY.

MR BALLANCE AND THE BREWERS. Auckland, August 21. In consequence of the resolution passed by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce about the tax on flour, Mr Firth addressed the following letter to Mr Stout.-—" I hope you will not give way to the representation of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce re tax on flour and grain. The Government have wisely resolved to abolish both, and I hope they will not be influenced to withdraw from their resolution, which is at once most statesmanlike and wise." Mr Firth received the following reply yesterday:—"l have replied to tho Dunedin Chamber that New Zealand being a grain growing food-producing country, does not require Government aid to protect the colony against foreign grown food. — Robbbt Stout." The Presbytery to-day initiated measures for establishing a sustentation fund throughout Auckland district. Naw Plymouth, August 21. Considerable anxiety is felt here respecting the Kaiuma, which left Waitara for Manuk-u Last Wednesday, with cattle and sheep, and has not since been heard of. Some dead sheep have been washed ashore near Raglan, from which it is surmised she is lost, A person, styling himself Judge Thorns,.

has been distributing printed piipers in Maori amo-igst the Natives. Rewi has refused to see him. WANGANin, August 21. In the R M. Court thi. morning, Joseph Mes-op, cjiivieted ye.terday of having had an illicit still in hia possessim, was sentenced to six months' impri.onmen. with hard hibour. Wellington, August 21. A deputation representing brewers from Nelson, Dunedin, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Wanganui, waited on the Hon. Mr Ballance this morning, and submitted a long series of rea__ons ag.h;~t the beer tax. Af'cr a long discussion, Mr Balance asked if they would like the tax reduced on English beer, which was higher here than in any other of the Australian colonies. The Government had this in view when imposing the tax, and, while willing to give every consideration to the recommendations of the brewers, they felt bound under tho present circumstances to adhere to their decision. Mr Ballance promised to consider the question of a rebate on stock, and said there should also be a provision to prevent privata brewing, except for household pur- • poses. HOKITIKA, August 21. Another public meeting on the railway question was held last eveniug, the Mayor in the chair. It, was resolved unanimously to urge earnestly on tho Government aud representatives for Hokitika and Totara the necessity for the construction of the Hokitika and Greymouth railway without deliy, work to be commenced simultaneously at both ends. Referring to the settlers who recently left Jackson's Bay settlement, the resident agent there in his annual report to the Government. the departure of those adults who left the settlement for good will be no loss to the settlement, and it would be a gain to the colony if they left to-morrow. The report speaks favourably of the ultimato prospects of the settlement, but complains that the Italian immigrants are totally unfitted for pioneers, owing to the climatic influence and their previous habits of life. The report concludes — " There ure some good men amongst them as amongst other settlers, but the proportion is veay small. The settlement has been heavily handicapped by having such material to work, but notwithstanding I havo not the least doubt of its ultimate success, and the operation of the inevitable law of natural selection will no doubt result in the survival of the fittest," Dunedin, August 21. The sitting of the Waste Lands Board today lapsed for wnn. of a quorum. Three members are absent in Wellington, being members of the House of Representatives. The poll for tho vacant seat on the Education Board has resulted in the election of Mr A. C. Begg. QUEENSTOWN, August 21. Several portions of the skeleton of a large bird, supposed to be a nioa, have been found here. Judging from the appearance of the skin and feathers, tho bird could not have been dead many years. All those who have seen it pronounce the bones to be those of a dinornis [FBOil OUE OWN COBEESPONDBNTS.] TIJIAETJ, August 21. . The football match to day between the Christ's College and Timaru, reeultod in the latter obtaining five touch-downs to the former's nil. It was an excellently played game, tha boys being very smart, but the weight of the Timaru men told against them. They will bo entertained at dinner to-night, and proceed to O nnaru in the morning. The statement rnndo in the " New Zealander" that tbe "Herald" has offered to apologise to Mr Martin, is utterly fals., and there is not the slightest intention of doing anything of the sort. A trotting match t"-day between Willinmson's grey horse and Jonas' mare for £50 aside, five miles, was won by tho former by nearly half a mile. The Rev. James Preston turned up all right. When ho left Geruldine he did not go to Burkes Pas», but stayed on the road at another place. Auckland, August 21. A petition is in course of signature praying the Government to proceed with the construction of the North Island trunk railway from Te Awamutu to Taranaki. The Auckland members are to be requested to present it to the Minister of Public Works and support the prayer. Through non-unanimity of feeling, tho Beaconslleld meeting was postponed till the Mayor's return. Owing to increased steam communication with Kaipara and the northern districts, property there is increasing in value. A number of Southern gentlemen have recently been North on a tour of inspection. The graving dock yesterday was pumped out in fourteen minutes, the machine throwing 16,000 gallons per minute. When the lona waa docked there were 14 feot of water on the sill. The Masonic fraternity, Irish constitution, have been welcoming at lodge meetings thenLady Jocelyn brethren. Mr G. D. Chaplin, the actor, who arrived by the Australia, appears at the Theatre Royal for a season. He opens with " Enoch Arden."