Local Intelligence. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT,

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXII, 8 August 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT,

Thvbbday, August 6. ' [Before J. Poxhtbb, Esq., Resident tfagistraU.] Jamet Smith appeared to answer »n information . laid by the acting Collector of Customs, for that he^ ■• on the 4th instant, did unship from' the steamer Ladybird a parcel containing twenty pounds of sunn* factored tobacco. An information of the same character was also laid ', against M. Si/me be having been also conoerned in ' the transaction. ' ' \\ 1/ ,. rfl Mr. Kinqdon, who appeared for the defendant f admitted the offence, bnt stated, in palliation thereof, ,-* that Smith who had been looking out for-certtin ' ' stores for the West Coast, procured the tobaooo front " one of the officers of the Ladybird, bnt that hegaw -; suoh a price for it as led him to beltere that ftll emu> ; : ges were therein included. For instance, . the prioe ! . ( of tobacco in bond is 3s 6d, and the duty Iff 6d, making ' ' sa, yet Smith gave for this tobacco 6s 6d per pound. To show also that there was no wish to conceal the tobacoo be would state that Smith remained for some time on board the Prince Alfred and Ladybird and actually placed the parcel at the end of the wharf . while he returned to say good bye to a friend learinf by the latter boat. The Ebsidbnt Maoibtbaxi said suoh a statement could not lead him to mitigate the flop. He shonld. therefore fine eaoh defendant the sum of £21.

. minerals and ores have been lately received from London, ordered by the trustees of the Tru?t Fund 9, which it is believed will provo exceedingly useful, and afford that means of comparing our mineral productions with those of other countries. For, in a place like this, which depends so much for its prosperity upon the development of its mineral resources, too much attention cannot be paid to the collection in a central spot, of specimens illustrative of its natural history, geology and mineralogy. " The committee have received considerable additions and donations to the museum ; among others, a valuable collection of coins, Etruscan vases, Indian and other curiosities, presented by Mr. Howard, of Motueka, and which has been named the Whitehead contribution. " The visits to the museum, both of strangers and resident*, have greatly increased, and are the best proof of the interest which it excites. "The museum is open to the public without charge ; and lists of donations are from time to time published. "In order to allow temporary residents, such as diggers and others, to partake of some of the benefits of the Institute, the committee have passed a by-law; whereby such persons are allowed, under restrictions, to join the reading-room on payment of one shilling per week. "In conclusion, the oommittee have to thank the donors to the library and to the museum for this valuable contribution.

" John Pbbct, Hon. See." Messrs. J. 0. Richmond and J. Gully were elected auditors for the year. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings,'