NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5794, 12 June 1880, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[ritOM OETR OWS CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Friday. " A murderous assault was committed upon Mr. Campbell, solicitor, last night, a? he was returning home about 9 o'clock. Mr. Campbell has excited a good deal of animosity, by informing against certain miners who were working without miners' rights. Last night some one followed him as he was gning home, and when near his residence struck him a heavy blow on the head with a heavy stick or a blunt instrument, catting hi* forehead very severely. One or two gentlemen hearing his cries ran to his assistance, and the miscreant escaped in thedirkness. Mr. Campbell was conveyed to Dr. Payne's, and his wounis were dreised. Xo clua has aa yet been obtained as to who was the perpetrator of the oattage. Public indignaiinn i 3 very strong and every endeavour will be made to discover the ruffian and bring him to justice. The Lands Court which is now sitting at Paeroa is making but slow progress, and it is rumoured that many of the cases will have to be adjourned. [ONITED PRESS ASSOCIATION."] NAPIER, Friday. The Working Men's Club have decided to petition Parliament against the provision in the Licensing Bill requiring clubs to hold a license. It is stated here that no special private intimation was received relative to the beer duty ; but merchants and brewers who got rid of their st icks did so because of Mr. Whit«k?t's statement during the debate on the Address -ia . reply iu the Legislative Council. Hn ia reported iu Hansmrd to have sa:d: **I am afraid iny honourable friend's* (Colonel Whitmore) beer will also have to bear taxation as well as his property. The matter ia uud* r consideration." Thi?, however, does not explain how it was known more t'lau twelve hours before the Financial Statement was delivered. Both papers here support th*s beer 'ax, though the Ilerald regards it as excessive. The petition against it is nob being largely stgued by the public. WELLINGTON, Friday. The folio» message was received by Dr. Lemon from the Lord Mayor of Dublin for circulation " To the [rish Relief Committee ia New. Zealand,—While acknowr 1 edging with the utmost gratitude the magnificent contribution received, I feel bound to say farther that any assistance which cm bs cxteuded wili bs much needed during the next two mouths. I would ask that your subscription li-t be not closed, and that any further contributions may b6 forwarded." At the inquest ou the bo ly of Eliza Blandford, found dead in bed this morning, a verdict was returned, 14 Died from suffocation while in a fit of epilepsy." A. despatch was read from SirM. HieksBeach, late Secretary of Srafce for the Colonies, intimating that the Royal assent had beeu given to Acts passed iu the New Zealand Legislative Council last session. About thirty informations had bsen laid for sly selling. Among those summoned are oyster saloon-keepers and fruiterer. The charges are to be heard in a day or two. CHRISTCHUKCH, Friday. A farmer, Mr. Craythorne, of Prebbleton, died yesterday from the eifeefs of an injury received almost precisely the same as Taylor, who was killed last week. Mr. Craythorne fell from, his trap oi the buck of his neck, dislocating his spine. " Wicked Marks" was again lined for Sunday trading to-day. The unemployed have drawn up a petition to the people of Christ church, asking for money and soup, not charity. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, Jane Matthews was committed for infanticide. The body oE the child was found in the river Avon some days ago* After her arrest the prisoner admitted haying given birth prematurely to the child on the river boat the evening before th? body was found. OAMARU, Friday. The Harbour Board Committee have decided to recommend the building of the north wall, which would enclose an area of sixty acres. This area will bo dredged. The probable cost will be about £72,000. DUNEDIN, Friday. A slight earthquake was felt at Tapanui on Friday night. A meeting of the publicans and brewers was held to-day to consider the Beer Tax, and the new Licensing Act. ft was attended by about sixty persons. A lone discussion as to the ability of the hotel-keepers to submit to this took place, and the decision nlti-

mately arrived_ at was, that two delegates be appointed by the brewera and two by the publicans, to proceed to Wellington, if necessary, to work with others to secure the repeal of the tax. It was proposed that the tax be reduced to 3d; bat this was opposed by the majority, as admitting the principle of excise. The Beer Tax here amounted ts close on £2000. In anticipation of the new tax, considerable stocks were cleared last month. As contrasted with the corresponding period of last year, the Customs receipts show the following increases Tea, £3,163; sugar, £3,965 ; fcpirita, £3,049 ; kerosene, £604 ; ale—in bulk (imported), £200 : in bottle. £200. INVERCARGILL, Friday. A requisition of country settlers of Riverton District protest against the Property Tax. Country people complain of inability to understand the complex forms issued by the Property Tax Comwifsioner. It seems pretty certain that many will never be sent in, while others will be Uuintelligible, from the causes referred to. The following telegram, from the Southland Times correspondent, was received this evening:—"Riverton: A cake of gold, 47ozs. lldwts., has just been brought from Printz's claim, Longwood, the result of the first week's crushing. The battery was not working steadily. Thirty-eight tona of stuff, not picked, was puc through. The washing-up has not yst taken place.