INTERPROVINCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1476, 28 February 1880, Page 19

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, February 25th. The Waikato Farmers' Club have resolved to bring into force the 11th clause of the Diseases of Cattle Act, and appointed a sabcommittee for the purpose.

New Plymouth, February 25th. A half-caste named Henry Carnon, whilst engaged this morning tending a threshing machine, had his arm cut off at the shoulder.

Wellington, February 25th. Notice has been given by the Government that they will receive applications fiom 150 men willing to work at roads on the Waimate Plains, and applications ara to be sent in afc once. The views of the Government as to the course they are called upon to adopt in the present case is that they cannot with propriety offer much more than subsistence in the existing condition of the finances, and that even were money more plenitful it would be improper for the Government to compete with private employers of labour, or to employ men at full wages on work which should be put out to public tender and done by contract. At the same time, they recognise the fact that men cannot be allowed to starve, and that work should be found for those unable otherwise to obtain it, but only at a rate of pay enough to secure them from absolute want. Therefore, the Government will accept 150 men willing to work at roadmaking, will forward them and their families free of expense to the spot, and will find them work until they shall be atle to procure it elsewhere. They will be able to obtain their discharge at any time that a better opening offers, the Government regarding their engagement simply as charitable assistance uatil they can dispense with it. The rate of wages they will receive will be 28a per week for married men, and 21s per week for single men. Theße wages will run on all the same whether the weather be wet or dry. Taking the average weather, this is considered equal to an ordinary labourer's 63 per day, as he is not paid for wet days when unable to work, especially as these men will be furnished with tents to sleep in, and will be provided with Government rations on payment of Is 3d per day. After keeping himself, therefore, a married man will have nearly LI a week over towards the support of his family, and a single man will have 12* 3i weekly to the good, Under this arrangement no man who is really willing t6 work need starve or see his family in severe want while out of regular employment, while he will always be able to take any better chanoe that offers. It ia the* intention of Government also to afford every facility for these men settling on land in the vicinity. Mr A. J. Johnston, the relieving officer, was in attendance on Colonel Reader at the barracks this afternoon to advise him as to the more deserving cases, and to take note how far this opportunity is taken advantage by those who have been re* ceiving relief from the Benevolent Institution. There were numerous applicants, but several objected to the smallnesa of the wa?es, and went away in a rage, although they had previously been loud in their complaints that they were starving, and would be only too glad to get work of any kind at any price. A oonsiderable number, however, accepted, and were soon sworn in to serve her Majesty in the event of their being required to defend them" selves against Maori attacks, or otherwise to act against the Natives.

Gbahamstown, February 25th. Mr Bedford, manager of the Alburnia mine, proceeded to Wellington yesterday to confer with the directors as to the proposed working of the New Whau mine from a driva on the reef in the old low level of the Alburnia, which bas been carried within 20 feet of the boundary of the New Whau. The Prince Alfred battery, lately acquired by the Alburnia Company, ia undergoing a thorough "overhaul at the hands of Price Brothers, and will be ready to start crushing on the Company's account next weak.

Napier, February 25th. It is understood that Mr G. Hodson, recently appointed aeoretary to the Nelson Education Bjard at a salary of L 350, has resigned. There has been some correspondence in the pacers, from which ifc appears tbab the action of the Bjard in creating so expensive an office was disapproved, it heing alleged that a smaller salary would be sufficient. v Tne weather he^e continues fine, though rain is wanted for tbe potatoes. Hop-picking is now general throughout the district. In the town gardens alone 100 persons are engaged.

Christchdroh, February 25th. A farm in Prehbeltou has obtained yields of 44, 48, and 56 bushels per aera from three paddocks, The laud ha 3 been cropped for many years, and received no sp3cial preparation. The owner has already threshed 20,000 bushels. The total expenditure on hoanitals and charitable aid durfng the year 1879 was L 8660 153 3d, It was much les3 during the last half-year than in the first.

Two head of imported cattle arrived from Sydney, par s.s. Wakatipu, for Mile? and Co, Cbristchurch. Owing to some informality with regard to certificates, the cattle have been quarantined on board the hulk Derwent for the present.

Ashbdeton, February 25 1b.

Mr M. Motley gave his anti-Chiniquy lee ture to-night to a good house. He announced that he intended to prosecute crimiuaUy the writer of a letter in the Ashburton Guardian and Herald npw^paprrj, making certain charges against him, which, he stated, he intended to give the writer the opportunity of proving in a court of justice.

Timaru, Febrnary 25 bb. During the past 10 weeks the breakwater has been extended 130 feet. The Harbour Board have decided to at once commence the erection of wharfage for 300 feet along the inside of it iat i a depth of water ranging from eight to 18 feet at low water.

Oamaru. February 25th. An inquiry into the loss overboard from tbe steamer Beautiful Star of a passenger named Gilchrist was held to-day. No additional particulars were elicited.

Cromwell, February 25th. The Chinaman arrested for selling spurious gold was discharged to-cUy, the police bein g unaola to prove the sale of the particular parcel by him.

Invercargill, February 25tb. ' Tho small bag of quartz taken from I'vintz 'b eW.o, L-iny'nrv^ lv* \v-o-ii m\zh*<L at ocr, v f tlu bank,. Th-j Bluff yielded ldn-b of gold, equal to 12£oz toj the bn. Tne appli&nc es. wore very rudo,