CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7117, 15 July 1886, Page 2

CLIFTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

[from our urendi correspondent.] The Clifton County Coancil met on Wodnesday. Present : Messrs. T. Bayly (chairman). J. Old, L. Sarten, J. Pigott. and T. Elliot. Correspondence. — Outwards, read as follows: To Piopeny Tax Commissioner; to 11. Irvine; to J. Jones; to J. Skinaer, surveyor. Inwards : From Bank of New Zealand, Waitara ; from Property Tax Commissioner; from Government Printer; from R lilway Reform League, Waikato. Railway Reform. — It was propos'd by Mr. Sarten, seconded by Mr. Old, "Tiuit the chairman sign tho petition re railway reform on behalf of the Council." — Carried. Funds. — Tho Treasurer reported £275 15s. 3 1. to credit of Council to date. County Ra'es. — The Treasurer roported all rates iv but 18a. Bd. Subsidy.— The clerk was instruotcd to wire to Pioperty Tax Commissioner. Countersigning Cheques. — It was proposed by Mr. Elliot, seconded by Mr. Pigott, " That the Chairman countersign cheques in placo of Mr. J. Bayly." — Carried. Accounts.— Several accounts were read and full}' gone into. — It was proposed by Mr. Elliot, seconded by Mr. Old, "That the accounts as read, amounting to £229 3a. 4d , be passed for payment." — Carried. Tho Council rose.

A purely colonial opera will soon be an accomplished fact. A lvsident of Patea last week registered tho libretto of a work, the plot of wliicli is based ou events which took place during the Miori war. Wo understand that a substantial sum has been offered lo 3lr. Ilautrie West to compose tho music. Wo have to acknowledge tho receipt of tbe report of. tho eighth meeting of the New Zealand Hide Association, hold at Wangiinui in March last. It contains the result of tlio competitions and the names oC tlo members of the Association and tho c. rps they belong to. It has been neatly printed at tho Wan^unui Herald olliee. In the Athitdk Monthly thoro is an amusing criticism by Air. Phulps of the plot of tho Mcrch'int of Venice, in the fo'-m of a "BriuC for the Plaintiit on Appeal in the case of Shylock v. Antonio." It is alleged that tho defendant, as shown by tho evidence, was "a gentleman oC moat improvident and speculative habits," and that he attempted, with insufficient , capital, to establish a iriirantio ''corner" iv the shipping trade of Venice, while the pluiniii! was a "worthy Joy. ish capitalist," with "the blow and caution-, ways of a man of. business." Sh.vlock's position, it is urged, was repeatedly recognised by the court ns a perfectly lega' one, while tho contention of the young doctor, that his bond gave him no jot of blood, was " the very consummation oE sophistry," and no one better than the jud^o knew the fallacy of such a petty hubterfu^'e. Further, whatever may be thought of. Shylock's proceedings, certainly the one thing he had not done was to "seek tho life of an3 r citizen." as he had simply submitted the fact to the Court, aud asked lor tho guidance and authority of its decree. The "brief" ends with the prayer that as tho plaintiil! did not havo that fair and impartial trial to which lie was entitled, he muy now huvo justice awarded him,

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