NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2095, 9 December 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[Per “Times” Special Wire.] WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. Strict instructions have been issued to the Collectors of Customs for the various ports to require the value of goods to be more correctly given, in order that the annual returns may be more correct than heretofore. It has been ascertained that previously the value of goods shipped used to be overstated. The Licensed Victuallers after considering the alteration in the tariff resolved to make a charge of sixpence extra on each bottle of spirits. NELSON, Dec. 9. A meeting is to be held to consider the Property Tax Bill. The people seem surprised at its passing its second reading. INVEECAEGILL, Dec. 9. The Stray Leaves Combination Company just over from Australia opened last night to a good house. CHEISTCHUECH, Dec. 9. About nine o’clock last night Leopold Hoffman a seaman belonging to the ship Huriuui lying at the Lyttelton wharf, on going aboard fell between the ship and the wharf, striking his head against the covering of the fender. When he was got up by the third officer who saw the accident he was breathing, but he died at one o’clock. The annual Grand Lodge session of the Good Templars was opened this morning. The report submitted showed the present number of Lodges on a good standing, to be 155 being one less than last year. The existing membership in New Zealand is 17,653 or a decrease of 323 on last years returns.