WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 11131, 17 February 1886, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

February 16. ! For the past few weeks the death ! rate among infants has been large, and I from inquiries made by the medical gentlemen they agree that sickness has I this summer been diarrhoea, and that i the drainage of the city was the prime cause of the spread of the disorder. A system of carrying on sweeps on horse racing has been devised by a resident here, but the winners in a pvveep on the recent Wellington meeting have had Borne difficulty in getting even a portion of their winnings, and when demands were made to the promoter he threatened to pocket the whole sweep, The executive counoil of the New Zealand Exhibition intend to hold a meeting to consider the complaints whioh have been received in connection with the damagsd condition of returned exhibits. A case relating to copyright will occupy the attention of the Resident Magistrate's Court shortly. The purchasers of the right to sell "correct cards " at the Island Bay races are claiming £50 damages from one Eichard Shannon, whom they allege cut the ground from under their feet by publishing a similar programme at a price lower than they were able to sell theirs. It is understood that the Property Tax Department has issued notice to the various friendly societies for tke purpose of taxing their property, the bulk of which is invested for sick and charitable purposes- The act exempts the property of local bodies, any society registered under the Building Sooieties' Act, 1880, and all property of or vested in any body for public charitable or public educational purposes, but it does not specify benefit societies in the list of exemptions, and therefore property of these societies is to be taxed. The 'riendly societies are very indignant at receiving notice that their properties ! I are to be assessed for taxation purposes, j \ because tha tax falls upon the f inds obn ! tamed specially for the purpose of | relieving distress and destitution. It is probable that somo united action will be taken in. the matter*