NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8485, 17 May 1893, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.)

AUCKLAND, May 16. The Auckland Liberal Association have decided to ask the Government to take over the control of the gumfields in the Auckland district on account of the influx of alien labour. It has also been resolved to ask the Government to introduce a Bill in Parliament rendering the Shipping Companies liable for any persona brought by them to the colony and apprehended for vagrancy within a certain time of their arrival in New Zealand. This course is suggested by the Association to prevent the influx of destitute people from Australia. NAPIER, May 16. The Education Board to-day took another £500 from the general fund to meet pressing requirements for buildings. The Board considered the circular from the Minister for Education, and decided to oppose Inspectors being appointed by the Department and periodically shifted, but cordially endorsed the suggestion that a Conference of Inspectors should be held to secure greater uniformity of standard examinations.

The breakwater is now finished to the point first designed by Mr Goodall. The road to town is also completed, and the Harbour Board to-day resolved to inform the Union Company that its large steamers could come up to the wharf.

PALMERSTON NORTH, May 16. A large residence owned by Miss Kelly, and occupied by the Rev. Mr Young, recently appointed curate of All Saints' Church, waa destroyed by fire this afternoon. There was no insurance on the furniture and valuable library, very little of which was saved.

WELLINGTON, May 16. The Government has appointed Mr J. Thompsou, C.E., Resident Engineer at Greymouth. He will also lecture in the local Schools of Mines. Mr Thompson, besides having experience in Belfast and in the colony, has been lecturer at the Otago University.

Mr F. H. Mqrice, formerly well-known in Christchurch, has been appointed District Agent of the Public Trust Office for West, land.

The Premier has received a letter from the Trades Council of Bendigo, Victoria, deploring the death of Mr Ballance, and hoping that the principles laid down by him will be rigidly adhered to by the Government.

The Hospital Trustees have decided to light the new wing with gas as against electricity. Porirua Asylum is to be lighted by electricity. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 16. A test case was heard in the R.M. Court to-day against Tocker, of Stratford, for non-payment of Harbour rate. The defence was raised by Mr Barleyman that the Board had no power to raise a loan, as the provisions ot the Act had not been complied with by submitting to the Governor-in-Council the. estimates for the cost of the construction of the Harbour. That omission, it was contended, made the order in Council bad. The Board had no legal power to raise the loan and, therefor s, could not legally levy a rate. Mr Samuel, for plaintiff, relied on Section 27 of the Rating Act, 1382. Judgment was reserved. DUNEDIN, May 16. A criminal information for libel has been laid by Dr. King against the Globe. The hearing is fixed for Thursday.