PER ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH AGENCY.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1729, 18 July 1874, Page 3

PER ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH AGENCY.

Wellington, This day. In the House of Representatives the debate on the excise duty tras resumed. Mr. Pyke opposed the proposals strongly, but expressed himself in favor of tho amendment which Mr. Mcandrew bad given notice he would move, as meeting theexigenciesofthecase completely by at once securing the colony from further lon, while protecting those engaged in distilling by.a sudden change in excise Mr. McGillivray opposed the proposal. Mr. Thompson warmly supported the position, taken by Cawkwell in a pamphlet, as being the best side of the argument. He considered much of the hue and cry due to- importers who were naturally jealous of tho success of colonial articles. A question was put to report progress, and negatived by 25 to 36. The resolution was then.passed and reported to the house. The Post Office Savings Bank Bill passed without amendment. Mr. Vogel moved the second reading of the Government Insurance Annuities Bill, and explained its provisions: the first being consolidation laws for regulating the Government Insurance Office, and introducing provisions providing for independent actuarial Valuation every five yean, acd division of profits among policy holders. A lqng and sharp discussion ensued upon the Civil Service Act Amendment Bill, Messrs. Reader Wood, Swanson and others' vehemently opposing allowing the Governor in Council to have discretionary power to grant pensions in excess of the annual fund of £9000. The House rose at one o'clock this morning.

Auckland, Friday Evening.

Jji the Supreme Courb^ to-day, the Judge occupied five hours in; (iumming up in Brown's; case, and the jury, after an hour's consultation! returned a verdict of not guilty. Prisoner was acquitted. Thepprents of a young lady in Wel-lington-street have reported 1 that their daughter is missing, under circumstances which lead to the conclusion that she has elopedr 'j. : An Alexandra telegram states that there is great excitement among storekeepers over native corn. Teeth, have been lost, and black eyes are prevalent.