The Daily Telegraph THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1881.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3110, 16 June 1881, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1881.

The discussion in the Municipal Council last night in reference to the removal of Mr Amner'a two houses in the Chaucer road was not without interest. The recommendation of the Public Works Committee was that Mr Amner be notified that unless he remove the two houses within fourteen days from date of the notice the Corporation would do the work at his risk. Mr Amner had previously informed the Council that he would remove the houses from their alleged encroachment on the road on payment of £28. This offer had been refused; and Mr Lesßong had been employed to survey the road, &c, at a cost of twelve guineas, in order to establish the encroachment. On the strength of this survey the Works Committee had recommended the compulsory removal of the buildings. Cr. Monteith, though in committee he had supported the recommendation, in Council stated that a further consideration of the matter had induced bim to think it would be unwise

to take a course which might lead the Corporation to an expense that could not be at present estimated. He recommended that a select committee should be appointed to further investigate the questions involved in the whole matter. Or. Ellis was of opinion that until tbe Corporation possessed a survey plan of the town, to which they could stand in a Court of law, and had pegs for starting points at certain points, the Council could do nothing. The Mayor thought that as twelve guineas had been spent in a survey it was absurd not to act upon it. Cr. Wall did not put any value on the survey that had been made, because it took it for granted that one side of the road was correct and the other wrong. Cr. M'Kay was for acting on the recommendation of the committee, on the ground that Mr Amner was notoriously occupying more land than was set forth in the Crown grant. He also thought that the whole difficulty had arisen through Mr H. Ellison having been guided by No. 2 plan instead of by the Crown grant. After some further discussion the clause in the public workn report was struck out, so the matter stands as the Council found it.

Over-speculition has been checked for many a year to come in New Zealand (says the South Canterbury Times). A man will not now readily put out his hand farther than he can take it back. It is therefore the more reapsuring to notice the substantial rise which has taken place in the value of landed property, both rural and urban, during the past twelve months. There is'not much prospect of a sudden rise whereby fifty or a hundred per cent, clear profit may be obtained in a few months, as was the case during the great borrowiug era, when tbe banks were so ready to grant the accommodation which they afterwards called in with alarming suddenness. Th?t which induces people to invest at tbe present is a steady faith in the growing prosperity of tbe Colony, and that through increasing value they will get a fair return for their outlay. We are of opinion that the price of land at present does not represent what it will fetch a short time hence.

The people of Queensland are piling up their State debt at a rate which proves them to be exceedingly sanguine, aud they have attained a pre-eminence in this doubtful career Becond only to this colony. In 1861, with a population of about 35,000, their debt was only £70,000, or £2 per head. In 1871 the population had grown to 125,000, and the debt to £4,000,000, or above £32 per head. In 1880, with about 225,000 people, the debt amounted to £12,000,000, or £54 per head. Most of this money has been obtained from England at about 4f per cent., so that, including English investment in Queensland Banks and land companies, the colony has to remit above £600,000 a-year in the shape of dividends and interest. The revenue proper is about £1,000,000 and about £500,000 more is derived from land sales.

Our fourth page to day contains letters to the editor headed " The Pukehou station) stand " and "Ploughing," our Woodville correspondent's letter, a summary of news from Australia, and other matter. The Auckland Acclimatisation Society has declined to import quail and grouse from California. It is reported that Mr E. Wakefield, MT.H.R. for Geraldine, has been offered the vacant portfolio in the Cabinet. We have received a bottle of " Zoedone' from Mr Welsman. This mineral water is a new temperence tonic, and is highly recommended by the faculty. It is spoken of as a remarkably pleasant beverage. The brethren of the Heretaunga Lodge of Freemasons celebrated their anniversary last night by a banquet, that was held in the billiard-room of Bro. Beecroft's hotel, Hastings. Between thirty and forty brethren sat down, presided over by Bro, Beilby, the W.M. The Fire Inspector holds his quarterly inspection of the Napier Fire Brigade plant this evening, for which purpose the steam fire engine will be taken down to Swan's brewery baths and worked. As there are several residents from Gisborne at present in town, it may interest them to witness the practice. The Herr Bandmann Company played " The Duke's Motto " to a comparatively small house last night. The play is one in which the late Mr Fechter appeared in, in London, many years ago, and. in which he created somewhat of a sensation. There is an abundance of the dramatic element in the play, but it would require more stage accessories than are available in Napier to make the pl<jy popular. The three characters assumed by Herr Bandmann are so diverse that they served well to exhibit the versatility of the actor. The part of Blanch de Nevers, taken by Miss Beaudet, was admirably done, and elicited considerable applause. Mr Cathcart as the Duke de Gouzaque acted in his usual careful manner. The other parts were fairly filled. A slight and laughable farce concluded the entertainment. To-night "Blighted Lives " is to be produced, and a treat is promised in the shape of three acts from " As You Like It." This programme should draw a good house, as we understand that both Herr Bandmann and Miss Beaudet are to be seen at their best in Shakespeare's splendid play.

Herr Bandmann, thi3 evening, in " Blighted Lives," and in the second, third, and fourth acts of "As You Like It." Farewell performance to-morrow. Napier Rifle Volunteers will drill this evening in the Protestant Hall at 7.30 o'clock. The Napier Temperance Mutual Improvement Society meet this evening in the Methodist Church. The programme of the Taradale Ploughing Match Society, with the prizes for each event, will be found in our advertising columns. H. Monteitb and Co. sell horses and farm produce to-morrow at 1 30 p.m. Mrs Caro can be consulted at the Empire Hotel, Waipawa, from Saturday evening next till the Monday following. Price and Innes have opened a case of men's American collars at 6d per box, men's suits, &c. Mr Welsman, chemist, has for sale the new delicious sparkling beverage "zoedone." Mr Helander, poundkeeper at Farndon, notifies that, if the roan pony bought on May 25th is not redeemed by the 21st instant, it will be sold at the purchaser's risk. Mr Kemsley announces that all bis goods are thoroughly shrunk, with fit and workmanship guaranteed. A number of new advertisements will be found in our " Wanted " column.