Untitled

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3358, 13 January 1879, Page 3

WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. [SPECIA-.] Mr LucMe's salary is £800. The Chronicle says of the appointment : — " Some time ago we stated that Mr Luckie was to be appointed a Commissioner under the Land Tax Act, but this arrangement, though certainly intended at the time, fell through. Mr Luckie, however, has now obtained an aj)pointment of equal value, and for which he is better suited than the other. Speaking impartially, we can see no objection to this appointment. Mr Luckie, is an old journalist of 30 years' standing, a fairly educated man, with excellent capacity for business, and will make a good Commissioner. In some measure the appointment may be regarded as a reward for party service in the Press, but ifc is no new thing to give a good place to a party supporter." Messrs Allan, Miller, and Spiller were so impressed by the capabilities of New Guinea, when they visited it in the barque Courier a short time since, that they have determined to organise another expedition to start from Wellington some months' hence for the purpose of opening ujp a trade with Natives. They have received offers from forty persons willing to join the expedition, and they are sanguine that they will have no difficulty in securing quite--*- sufficient number of volunteers. A schooner of about eighty tons burden is to be purchased, and. thoroughly equipped with everything necessary for such an expedition. Interpreters will be secured, and every precaution taken to prevent a fiasco, such as occurred on the trip in the Courier. The promoters are satisfied that the expedition failed purely through the deception practised by the American captain, from whom the Courier was bought. The expedition is intended not only for trading purpose, but also to thoroughly prospect various parts of New Guinea for gold and other metals. \ At a meeting of members of the various^ School Committees in the city held yesterday! evening, it was resolved that sewing should be taught in school hours, that no teacher j should be removed from a school without the Committee being consulted, and that in inflicting punishment no child should be struck on the head. The question of Savings' Banks in schools was adjourned for consideration, and a motion that teachers should be pau} through the Committee was negatived. "^ The College Governors' Committee have prepared a scheme for the recognition of that institution. Time has been taken to consider the report. The payment of E.M. Court fees by stamps i is being reduced to an absurdity. The daily batches of inebriates who have to pay their fines in stamps aro of course unprovided with these and, have to remain in custody till they can get someone to go and buy them the stamps. The N.Z.S.S. Co., at their annual meeting, unanimously approved of tlie Directors' recommendation to wind the Company up voluntarily. A new Company is talked of. Tho regatta subscription lists now show a total of £245. To this the N.Z.S.S. Co. gave a donation of £15 15s, Shaw, Savill and Co. a. cup, Messrs Kohn and Co. a cup, Messrs Jacob Joseph and Co. a cup, Mr Cohen a cup, Mr Hislop a cup, Mr Shaw a silver salver, and the U.S.S. Co. £10 10s. The Anti-Chinese Immigration CommuS tee held a meeting in the City Chambers^ last night. The Hon. W. Gisborno gave particulars regarding the two Acts against Chinese immigration which have been passed by the Queensland Parliament, and received the Eoyal assent. By one of these a penalty of £10 is imposed on every Chinaman landed, the captains or owners of ships having to pay the amounts, , and vessels might be estreated if the! penalties were not paid. The other Act com- 1 pelled the Chinese to pay £3 for a miner's right, and £10 for a business license. Mr Gisborne suggested that these Acts should be published. A Committee was appointed to draw up a report on the subject. —^ A man named Miles has been arrested at Masterton on a charge of forging cheques on the Bank of New Zealand. Parliament is prorogued to March 14. Some nine months ago there was a deficiency of £123 in the accounts of the late Treasurer of the Star Boating Club. The Club has within the last week received the whole amount. The Customs' revenue collected at Wellington during the week ending to-day was £7143 12s 3d. The Eingarooma, which left Melbourne yesterday, has on board 14 head of pure-bred shorthorn Btud animals for Messrs Simpson and Co., of the Manawatu district. These comprise Matildas Double Brunswick, a bull purchased at Mr Gardener's sale, on Dec. 31, tho bull Eai'l of Alva, purchased at Mr Eobertson's sale, on Jan. 3 ; the cow Maid of Oxford (32016), served by the 22nd Duke of Derrimut; cow Countess of Colac (31068), served by Oxford," Cherry Duke, and the pure-bred heifers, three years old, served by the Duke of Derrimut. "-■ Messrs Hursthouse and Berry's tender for tho Stratforfc contract for £16,446 has been accepted. The quantity of Greymouth coal exported for the year ending x>oc. 31, was 18,000 tons. — — — .