TELEGRAPHIC

Manawatu Standard, Issue 7059, 19 July 1901, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC

(Per Press Association.}

Wellington, July 18. The Wellington Harbor Board at its last meeting decided to become its own .insurance agent, but to-day resolved to insure its employes in one of the insurance offices.

Auckland, July 18. Ine Otovernor arrived from Wellington to-day by.the Tutanekai. He will remain a few days, and during that time will inspect the new auxiliary screw schooner Countess of Kanfurly, which has been built for the Cook Islands trade to the Government's order.

The City Council had a lively night over the proposed loan of £100,000. All the items were adopted, and will be submitted to a poll of ratepayers, though there was considerable opposition in tho Council to the proposed Town Hall and the purchase of land, which several Councillors;considered a luxury. The city at present, it was argued, could not afford the total sum under this head —£40,000—and 'it ia quite likely that the ratepayers will strike, it out. The other items—Firo Brigade £12,000, paving Queen street £8000, water supply extension £25,000, abattoirs £5000 and refuse destructor £10,000—were passed unanimously, except that several Councillors held that the water supply items should be increased to make the supply a permanent one giving fire million gallons per day by gravitation. The proposal to set aside one-half per cent, for a sinking fund was struck out. There wag some opposition to the proposal to approach Parliament for the removal of restriction, on the Council's rating power, but mainly with the view that the question should be deferred till it was seen if the ratepayers will sanction the loan.

Mangawbka, July 18. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr Greenfield, 8.M., H. J.Woodard, the holder of the new license recently granted at Taihape, was fined £10 and costs for selling liquor on Sunday. The license was not endorsed.

Dtjnepin, July 18, The chairman of the Dunedin Stock, Exchange explains, with reference to the proposed amendment of the Stamp Act that as the outcome of prosecutions two years ago o£ persons who signed blank transfers, the Exchange represented to Sir Joseph, "Ward the desirability of amending the lair to providef or th« issue of stamped.contract notes, as in London and Melbourne. . Sir'Joieph "Ward agreed to take the taatter up but; natniag fu*th«r wa» heard of it until lately, trhea the Exchange was requested by the Stamp Department t« haTo a Bill f ram«d. The draft Bill propared by the Exchange's solicitors was set aside by the Government and a fresh Bill was drafted by the Crown Solicitor in Dunedin.