TNTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 191, 30 December 1881, Page 2

TNTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, This Day. A deputation, headed by the Mayor, waited on tbe Minister for Justice this morning, bringing under his notice the r solution passed at a public meeting j relating to the imposition of a heavy fine on several Chinamen for playing fau-tan. ' A petition to His Excellency was tils'© presented, praying that the fine might be remitted. The deputation urged tbat tbe defendants were strangers to the couutry, and were not aware of our customs or laws, and further that they were not playing for gain. Mr. Dick, in reply, saiil the police had on several occasions warned the keeper of the house of the penalties be would incur if gambling was allowed to go on. However, he would be happy to forward the petition for His Excellency's favorable consideration. A report woiild be obtained froru tbe magistrates who convicted the Chinamen, as to whether the five was too severe, and tbe case would then be fully considered. He mentioned that the fine having been paid, it would be rntber difficult to have it refunded. It is still doubtful whether the Act will enable tbe Governor-iu-Couneil to direct a return for Hokitika under the circumstances. [It will be remembered that the Returning Officers with tbe Jackson Bay votes, which belong to this electo/ate, are n^issiug, and thtf time for the return of Ibe. writ has expired.— Ed. Star.] ' HAVEIiOCK^ This 1 Day. Hutchison's I\lusonic Hotel, and- James. Smith's store and outbuildings were burnt down lasi night. Brownlee and Coy's, and Mills Bros, stores, Fear's hotel, and Veuimoe's had a narrow escape. Women worked to save tbe ,iUC(J{S. IV \ ■ AUCKLAND, This Day. Po:* ihe outrigger champion race at 1 Mercury Bay Regatta, there were three 5 entries-— Carter and Floyd (New South 'Tales/and Albert White, the sculler, who was beaten by Hearn. The distance was 3+ miles. White led at the start, but was rapidly overhauled hy Carter, who won as he pleased by several lengths. PUNGAREHU. Yesterday. The Okato station was broken up yesterday, and not a man left behind. They were all transferred to here. The men are still continuing their work of devastation. About 411 acres are now destroyed. Some men to-day have tnken sacks with them to fill with potatoes for the different company messes.