NEW ZEALAND

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5020, 30 May 1889, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND

(By Telegraph.) AUCKLAND, Mat 29. The offer of £2500 made on behalf of an Australian syndicate for the two-year-old coll Corunna has been refused. Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, the officer commanding the volunters, has commenced an enquiry into the recent misconduct at Mercer. The Pacific Mail Company are willing to convey samples of fruit from this colony to San Francisco free of charge. WELLINGTON, Mat 29. At a meeting of the directors of the Wellington Meat Export Company, it was decided to make full enquiry at once as to the advisability of erecting freezing and slaughtering works on the West Coast of the North Island. The question of the amount at whieli the Wollington-Manawatu Railway should be valued for property tax purposes was further argued before the Board of Reviewers. Mr Travers appeared for the company, who had been assessed at £135.958, divided as follows: Horokiwi riding, £59,310; Forirua riding, £66,300; Kaiwara town district, £'1872 5 Johnstonville town district, £5476. Counsel argued that his clients ought to bo assessed according to the value of the land supposing it did not carry the railway, and that the amount expended ou permanent way, etc., should not be taken into consideration. Mr 801 l appeared for the local bodies interested, and contended that the construction of the line, the erection of buildings, etc., had vastly increased the value of the land in the possession of the company. Consequently the valuations should bo upheld. The board was of opinion that the principle must be sustained, that the value of the fee simple should include the running rights. The valuations wore therefore sustained. HOKITIKA, May 29. The recent gold discovery at Waiho is of great importance, Two men divided £25 in

five days work, whilst Gordon and party (three men) have three years work on the ground which will pay £lO a man a week for the whole of that period. The locality is close to the righthand bank of the Waiho opposite the forks. The ground appears to have been an ancient riverbed, and the gold is got by sluicing with wa ( er led in from the river. The principal difficulties in working are from the rooks which are numerous and largo.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 29. A t the Lytlleton Harbour Board meeting to-day, a letter from the Timaru Harbour Board was read, asking the Lyttelton board’s co-operation in obtaining an amendment of the Harbours Act in the direction of requiring a harbourmaster to be a duly qualified | person, and limiting the board’s responsibility to acts of their harbour master. Mr Wright thought it desirable to assist the Timaru Harbour Board in the matter. The board agreed with this view, and resolved to ask the local members of Parliament to further the matter. The Lyttelton Borough Council have decided to call for tenders for lighting the town by electricity. Hugh Quigley was killed while hare shooting at Lake Ellesmere. He had shot a hare, and was reloading when the second barrel of the gun, a muzzle loader, went off. The charge entered his stomach, and he died instantly. DUNEDIN, May 29. The Rugby Union have received a cotm munication from the Secretary of the Maori team declining the offer of 40 per cent gross proceeds and asking for 60. In view of the probable disappointment of the public if the match were to fall through it was. decided to offer 50 per cent. A request from (he Nelson Union for a share of the gate money was declined as opposed to the practice the Union has alwavs followed.

William Howard, a miner in the Kaitangata coal mine was killed yesterday by the fall of a head of coal which he and another were working at. He leaves a wife and two vhildren.