CHRISTCHURCH. 27th June.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 548, 28 June 1879, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH. 27th June.

With respect to the £100,000 belonging te the Canterbury local bodies, which the Government illegally detained last year, the Colonial Treasurer promised a deputation in Christchurch that the amount should be paid in May. It was not, however, paid, and in a letter of 11th June tbe Secretary to the Treasury says that the Government are about to propose a new loan to Parliament for the colony, and it has been decided to include this £100,000 in the schedule to the Bill, Payment to the counties and road boards concerned will therefore be made as soon as the loan is received, provided that the sanction of Parliament and the necessary funds can be obtained. An inquiry was held to-day before the Collector ot Customs into the loss of the barque Bells, which occurred during the gale on Saturday night. From the evidence it appears that the wreck was attributed to a heavy westerly ground swell, which caused the barque to break from her moorings, and hence the disaster. No blame was attached to the master of the vessel. The movement for the establishment of a central labor agency, which was promoted by some of the unemployed, has fallen through. A public meeting, held to-night, passed a resolution that it is not advisable to establish a labor agency, unless it is done in connection with a working men's union.