ADDITIONAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1192, 3 October 1874, Page 10

ADDITIONAL NEWS.

Hokitika, September 24th. The Tararua arrived at the outer anchorage at 430 p.m. She sails for Wellington at 7 a.m. to-morrow. The Hokitika and Grey rivers were both rough and impracticable. The Tararua met the Otago near the Sand-spit, and transhipped the West Coast passengers and mails. She brings 150 tons of cargo for Nelson, 200 tons for Weiligf.on, 10 tons for Lyttelton, and 10 tons for Dunedin. The English telegrams are the same as those received by the Victoria. Melbourne, September 17th. By special cable, the result of the Doncaster St. Leger, run at 3 p.m. yesterday, was sent through to the Argus in seven hours, as the race was run by astronomical time, at 1 o'clock this morning : — Launde's Apology ran first, Lioness second, Trene third, Thirteen ran. The Albion with the English mails will leave for the Bluff in the course of a day or two, the G-oleonda being hourly expected at Adelaide. September 16th. The Government have so far carried their budget intact, the increases in duties to 20 per cent, being agreed to by a fairly large majority. The Treasurer was a good deal badgered for deserting his principles • and following the Protectionists. Mr Langton, the ex- Treasurer, stated in the course of the discussion that had he remained in office he would have remitted the duties on imports, amounting to one million and a half, and would have made up the loss by imposing a stamp duty and tax on bank notes. The Royal Commission appointed in connection with the Philadelphia Exhibition intend to ascertain if concerted action can be obtained with the Australian Colonies. A valuable statistical paper has been published showing the relative positions of the several colonies. In New Zealand it shows the rate of taxation per head of the population to be £3 18s lOJd, and the rate of indebtedness per head of population £40 5s lid, whioh is considerably higher than any other Colony. The value of imports per head i» within £12. Victoiia is the highest on the list, and of exports New Zealand is only above Western Australia and Tasmania. A severe gas explosion occurred on Tuesday night at the house of the Rev. James Ballantyne. It caused great damage to the premises, and severely injured his wife and son. Bishop Perry is not likely to return to tbe Colony. Madame Goddard and Mdlle. Jenny Claws are appearing in conjunction, under Lyster's management. The Payment of Members Bill was read a second time last ni#ht, by a majority of ten. A clerk in the Union Bank, named Shaw, has suddenly disappeared. His accounts are found correct. Newcastle, September 15th. Arrived. — Carrick Castle, from Dunediu. Hobaut Town, September 16th. Arrived. — Hally Bayley, from Dunedin. The Launoeston failures cause depression in the markets. The creditors of Peters, Barnard, aud Co have resolved to accept no composition, but to have a thorough investigation.