INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7213, 18 May 1898, Page 1

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(BY TELKGKAVa.) (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON. May 17. Mr John Holmes has boon making Inquiries into tho loss of weight in kauri gum complained of by exporters. Ho found that tho buyer was Riven tho bonofit of tho turn of tho scale both on tho cross weight and tho turn of oaoh case, which wouid average 21b per ciiso. A aorto ot discount of lib to 21b per cent, was allowed in addition by old custom. Samples wore thrown about on tho floor and roughly repacked, and no particular caro was exercised in thoroughly emptying cases. Ho thinks representations to tho Government by shippers would bring about an alteration.

Tho proposals to form an engineers' corps, and also ono from members of tho civil service, aro being largely supported here.

In tho Bankruptcy Court. Hio quoßtlon of granting a discharge to tho Hon. G. F. Richardson us a matter of urgonoy wan dropped, and tho application allowod to stand over uniil next mooting.

Argument in tho Brunnor mine oaso was concluded in tho Courb of Appeal this afternoon. Tho Court reserved its deoision. DUNEDIN. May 17. The National Mortgago and Agonoy Company have just sold upwards of 31,000 bushels of wheat grown on tho N.Z. and A.L. Company's Moerakl, Totara.Pareora, and Levels estates to Evann and Co. at 5s per bushel, sacks extra, at country railway stations. Tho passenger list of tho Union Company's excursion trip to Tahiti and tho South Sea Islands is full, and a numbor of applications had to bo rofusod. About 130 have booked mostly from Australia. CHRISTCHUROH. May 17. Four charges of cruelty to animals were brought against Henry Box, a coach driver, at Ciiristchurch, to-day. Threo wore for driving horses at difl'oronb datos in his drag to Fendalton wliilo they were not in a fit state to bo worked, and tho other was for working a horao with a galled shoulder. Ho was convicted and lined LlO, with costs of L 5 9s, on ono of the former charges, tho other two being adjourned till May 31. Tho lattor chargo was dismissed on tho grounds that Box was not tho proprietor.

AUCKLAND. May 17. Sailed—H M.S. Torch, for Wanganm. Sover-il hotelkeepcra intend applying for 11 o'clock license.') at tho meeting of the Licensing Court. A mooting of tho trade was held to-day to consider tho matter. Arthur M'Kell, arrested on a charge of assault and robbery at Paoora, waß committed for trial. TIMARU. May 17. Tho Charitablo Aid Board to-day resolved to establish a store for tho distribution of charitable aid rations for Titnaru and suburbs, where tho expenditure on rations is about LIOOO a year. The secretary undertook to recelvo wholesale quantities, and muko up ration parcels with tho aid of a boy. Tho Board, after visiting Waimato Hospital (a " separate institution") agreed to the demands for refurnishing the wards, and postponod tho demands for buildings, ponding further information. One member of tho honorary medical stall of tho Timaru Hospital having severed his connection an attempt is to be mado to carry oil with two visiting doctors instead of three. INVERCARGULL. May 17. Roberb M'Nab ntid VV. F. Ward wero tho only candidates nominated for tho Mataura peat. It was understood that had the Hon. G-. F. Richardson boon In a position to bo nominated Mr N'Nab would have retired and allowed him to be returned unopposed. This intention, although it. cannot bo carried out, has mob with general approval, and Mr M'Nab is commended for it. Last week was tho fitsb of tho season in which tho railage of grain exceedod that of tho corresponding week of tho previous year. Tho total, howovor, is much loss, being 202,509 sacks, againßb 333,744 last year to date.