TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

West Coast Times, Issue 6560, 2 August 1887, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[N.Z. PBESS ASSOCIATION.}

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Gkbymouth, August 1.

Mr Scott, Engineer to the Harbor Board, in his report attributes the flood to the following causes :— Temperature changed from 32 deg. on the 6th (day of the flood) with heavy rain, which caused the fresh snow on the mountains to melt rapidly. When the flood water reached the Grey it was when spring tides were at the highest; it was backed up by northwesterly winds. Does not attribute the flooding of the town in any way to the harbor works conjoining water. He makes several suggestions with the view to meet floods in future. Wellington, August 1. At Carterton to-day Charles Gurate, alias Bismarck, was committed for trial for horse stealing. Sir Wm Fitzherberfc is expected to return from England in time for the opening of Parliament. Mr Ballance leaves for Palea tomorrow to address a public meeting. In the Supreme Court in banco Justice Eichmond delivered an important judgment in the case of Walker v; Wellington-» Manawatu Eailway Company. The Compensation Court had awarded plaintiff £1500 compensation for iand taken by the Company, and the question aroso as to whether land vested in the Company by an order of the Compensation Court is liable to stamp duty as in conveyance on sale. His Honor decided that expropriation of property by virtue of act of the Legislature was certainly conveyance, but not conveyance on sale. The transfer in the case in question was a compulsory one and therefore not liable to stamp duty. Mr Tr avers said the decision involved a large question, as it affected native land duties. His Honor said he was sorry for that, as^the exchequer could not at present afford to lose any of its revenue. The Customs duty for the month was £96,653, as against £77,182 for June, and £114,452 for July last year. The returns from two or three little ports are not yet in, and will add about £100 to the total. The 'amounts collected at the principal ports were: — Auckland , £20,191 Wellington £16,755 Christchurch and Lyttelton ... £16,816 Dunedin £24,509 The beer duty for July was £3453, a small decrease on the preceding months. The amount collected at Auckland was £759; Christchurcb, £710; Wellington, £343; Dunedin, £675. Private telegrams received here state that Jamea Wallace's general store at Ormond, near Gisborne, was destroyed by fire. The stock is insured for £250 in the New Zealand, partly re-insured. The annual chesa match between Wellington and Cbristehurch, by telegraph, is concluded. Christchurch won five games, Wellington three games, and several unfinished games are to be referred to Mr Hay, referee, Dunedin. The Governor paid a visit to St. Patrick's College to-day. He was presented with an address by the students. Hawera, August 1. Te Whetu and Tawakba, for resisting the police at Parihaka, wire fined £10 each, or two months. Te Aroha and another, for assaulting the police, were fined £20 and coats or three months' hard labor. Auckland, August 1. Mr Harding, an old colonist, who has been for nearly half a century a resident in Auckland, died yesterday. Deceased was a keen lover of all kinds of sport and one of the promoters cf the Auckland Eacing Club. Charles Dicken, formerly ledger-keeper in Bank of New Zealand, was to-day committed for trial on a charge of uttering a forged cheque for £65. The dead body found in tbe harbor on Saturday has been identified as that of James Tindall, clerk and accountant. The Auckland Racing Club held their annual meeting to-day. The balance* sheet showed profits of £2350 against £4200 last year. j Eotohiko Haupapa, a prominent native

{Se& fourth page.)

ektti! at RtitOrtta* itod U asstiasuf aiid licensing commissioner there, died to-day.

Mr H. T. Garrett addressed the electors of Newton to-night, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. He advocates protection.

Mr W. S. Pulford, a well-known resident of Auckland, was found dead on the Ponsonby road to-night. The deceased has been connected with the pre&s for many years.

Chbibtohubch, Augußt 1. Mr D, Reese, to-night, addressed a crowded meeting in the East Belt Odd fellows Hall. The proceedings were disgraceful, larrikins pelting the candidate with rotten eggs, rate, &c. Mr Reesj managed to speak for some time, but at length the audience became unmanageable, and the meeting broke up in confusion.