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AUCKLAND, June 17. The Zealandia left at 2.30 p.m. yesterday with Fay, Davies, and 14 Auckland passengers. BLUFF, July 16. There is Melbourne news to the Bth instant by the Tararua, but it is principally anticipated per Wakatipu. The Government policy in Victoria is much the same as that of the last Berry Ministry. The retention of protective duties and the imposition of the land tax are prominent features. There will be some changes in the constitution of the Legislative Council next session. The Attorney-General will probably hold a seat in Parliament. — The burglars who broke in at Goldstein, jewellers, are not yet arrested. The property taken is valued at £1600. —Messrs. M'Meckan, Blackwood & Co. are building two new Clyde steamers, to steam 18 knots. — The weather is very warm and mild. — Five or six places of amusements are open, but none are doing very well. CHRISTCHURCH, June 16. The Hon. E. Richardson addressed the electors of Clmstchurcli, last night. Referring to the events of last session, lie said it was a great mistake to introduce the permissive clauses into the Counties Bill. Where those clauses had not been adopted the County Councils had levied no rates and thus had received no subsidies towards hospitals and charitable aid, the cost of which had thus fallen unfairly on municipalities, an unfairness which the Government were unable to avoid. He hoped this would bo altered next session. He would oppose separation if it were again brought up, and he hoped the Government would not allow such a long debate on it as before. Referring to the revenue, he said that the customs would show a deficiency of £30,000 to £40,000, owing, he thought, in a great measure, to the increasing manufacture of boots, shoes, clothing and woollen goods generally in the colony. There would be an absolute profit of £10,000 on the railways. There had been £150,000 of treasury bills issued to assist land funds in the various provincial districts. That which was advanced to Otago would, no doubt, be recovered, but in the other cases the recovery was somewhat problematical. Treasury bills for £110,000 had also been issued to aid the revenues of Auckland, AVellington and Westland, but if the recent changes in the form of government were got over at double this cost it would be cheaply clone. Mr Richardson then spoke in favor of deferred payments for land, and warmly endorsed the proposal set forth in the Native Lands Bill for the discontinuance of purchases of native lands by the Government, asserting that the sooner it was done the better. Definite provision, he said, must be made in the Counties Act for managing hospitals and for charitable aid, which should be under the supervision of local committees. The Government should also make provision for liberal contributions from some source to hospitals, charities, and education. Education, when provided by the Government, should be strictly secular, and should be managed by elective boards, presiding over moderate sized districts. He did not see how the Government could make education free, except by imposing fresh taxation, and if this were done it should be in form of a property tax. He considered that he had aided in all that there was to light for in Mr Stout's Local Option Bill, as far more power was given under the Permissive Bill of 1873, and he supported the Permissive Bill, and would do it again. Though he was opposed to Sunday traffic, he would be in favor of public-houses being open for a short time on Sundays, rather than drinking bo going on in them all day, as now. Referring to defence and fortifications on a comprehensive scale, he said it was beyond our means, but he certainly thought that the provisions of the Volunteer and Militia Act should be more stringently enforced. As to railways, it was quite clear that the present lines were absolutely incapable of carrying the traffic, but notwithstanding this, and the fact that the country needed opening up more, it would be the duty of the Government, before going further, to see that the existing and authorised lines were efficient. In reply to a question, Mr Richardson said he was not in favor of triennial parliaments. A vote of thanks and of confidence was carried at the conclusion of the address. A coursing club was formed here last night. DUNEDIN, June IG. The damage at the gas explosion, which took place at the Glasgow Pie House yesterday, is about £f>o. The young man Wilson was very badly burned. A pugilistic encounter took place at the meeting of the St. Kilda Council last night between Auditor Eager and Councillor Halligan. A number of the ratepayers formed a ring and acted the part

of lookers-on until both combatants were severely punishedj and then the fight was stopped. LYTTELTON, June 1?. Shortly after 2 o'clock this morning a fire broke out hi the wharf office on the railway, and speedily communicated with the large export shed on the breastwoi'k. The shed was filled up with potatoes and grain, and was entirely consumed. A strong westerly wind was blowing all the time, which kept the fire from the sheds on the other side of the lino. The breastwork has been considerably burned, but the wharves have escaped without damage. None of the shipping sustained any injury. Both the Government and railway officers endeavored to communicate with Christchurch for aid, but were unable to do so, as there was apparently no one in either telegraph office in Christchurch. Messengers were despatched up through the tunnel, but the railway steam fire engine did not arrive through from Christchurch until 7 a.m. Had the fire occurred in any of the other sheds, an immense amount of damage would have been done. WELLINGTON, June 16. The Wanganui natives have turned back a party of Government surveyors on the block of native land at Murimotu. They have taken away the chains and instruments, and struck the tents. The surveyors are now on their way back to Wanganui. The Loan and Mercantile Agency report under date June 11 : — Wool sales, progress firmly ; competition on French account active. Greasy, market firmer. Medium and inferior greasy have advanced id to Id ; combing washed, market firmer; cross-bred, unchanged.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18770618.2.14.4

Bibliographic details

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3935, 18 June 1877, Page 2

Word Count
1,045

Untitled Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3935, 18 June 1877, Page 2

Untitled Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3935, 18 June 1877, Page 2