M'PHERSON CAPTURED.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 681, 7 July 1870, Page 2

M'PHERSON CAPTURED.

aOLD DISCOVERED AT MOTUEKA.. PUBLIC MEETING TO CONSIDER BUDGET. (BY ELEOTBIQ TELEGRAPH..) fFROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Nelson, Tuesday. M'Pherson, the prisoner, who escaped recently from Nelson gaol, has been recaptured. The steamer Lyttelton is launched, after having undergone extensive alterations. She has been lengthened eighteen feet. T e steamer Murray is likely to be detained a fortnight. Captain Palmer is to be placed in charge of her. Payable gold has been obtained fifteen miles up the Motueka river but the ground is not of sufficient extent to employ a population. Mr Hodgson and Dr Giles have been appointed by the Executive as a Commission, to visit the Grey District to ascertain the desirablity of annexation.

xs i"VOi;.u S >,c t o lt „o U .i.^,., having been called for the purpose o condemning the Budget.

Mr C. Eliott moved that "The meeting regards with alarm the Treasurer's proposal to largely augment taxation, and to carry out by enormous loans public works, some of which were in excess of our requirements, and to introduce into our fiscal system the principle of imposing taxes to benefit particular classes."

Eliott condemned the Budget, particularly in respect to the items of flour and other duties. He said the proposal to borrow would damage the credit of the Colony, would retard progress, and keep back immigration. The scheme was ill digested and reckless, and would teud to keep capital from being employed in the country. Martin Lightband proposed the following amendment: financial scheme commends itself to the earnest consideration of Legislators, and this meeting is of opinion that a practical manifestation of the same will serve the urgent necessities of the Colony, and will tend to raise it from its depressed state." (Hear, hear.) He expressed himself in favor of judicious protective duties, instancing Victoria, whose manufactures of clothing and boots were largely consumed in New Zealand. They could do the same here, and provide systematic employment for working men. He advocated the proposed plan of public works, as also the scheme of immigration.

Various other speakers opposed the motion, and said New Zealand was able to supply all its bread-stuffs, and in doing so would save £320,000 a year. Only one spoke in support of the motion, and the amendment was carried amidst loud and long applause. Six hands only were held up for the motion, and the object of the meeting was completely reversed.