NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 8034, 6 December 1886, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[Peb Pbsss Assoc iation.J AUCKLAND. Dec. 4. At the Police Court a number of charges were preferred against publicans for breaches of the Licensing Act. In the case against Henry Albert Fisher for deserting Ilia premises, the Albion Hotel, after hearing evidence. His Worship said, with regard to two informations against Fisher, it seemed there had been a breach of section 120 of the Act, but the whole thing had apparently arisen out of a misunderstanding. He did not wish to impose a penalty, as he did not think it called for an infliction. In pursuance of the above-named section, those two informations would be dismissed on the grounds mentioned. With regard to the charge of selling liquor without a license preferred against Downing, a technical breach of section 150 had been committed. 'Under the circumstances a nominal penalty "would meet the case. The fine was Is and costs. Three other publicans charged with Sunday trading got off. The cases were dismissed.

At a meeting of the Auckland Benevolent Society, a discussion took place as to the best means of dealing with cases rejected by the relieving officer, and those where women had husbands and children idle. Serious complaints were made against the manner in which Mr Graham distributed relief. It was resolved to meet the Charitable Aid Board and ask them to

allow the Society to appeal in cases where Mr Graham refused to act. Great dissatisfaction is expressed with the conduct of the Government towards the shareholders of the Rotorua Railway. Payment of the purchase money, which had been delayed for many months, was definitely promised to be made this _ week, but Government demand a receipt in full after deducting about ,£OOO. The Directors of the Company decline to grant this, and the payment of the money is indefinitely postponed. INVERCARGILL, Dec. 5. At a quarter-past five there was no sign of the return of the tug Awarua from her search for the supposed castaways on the Snares. The weather is cloudy, however, and the signalman on the Bluff hill could only see about a mile seaward.