CLYDE, FRIDAY, MAY I, 1885.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1209, 1 May 1885, Page 2

CLYDE, FRIDAY, MAY I, 1885.

By proclamation in the Oazettr. the provi sious of the “ Arms Act, 1880,” relative to the sale of firearms wl ammunition is suspended from operation i.i the Middle Island, At first glance it would-appear

that during the time the proclamation hj in force all bind! of apart and raining would have to be suspended. Such, fa twover, ia not the case, as provision la made in the Act to meet the like. For general information we quote at length geo. 6 of the Act, as follows; “The Governor may, ;bj Order in Connell, suspend or relax the operation of any of the provisions of this Act, or any part of such provisions, and either for a limited time or without any limit of time, and either as regards the whole colony or any district thereof to be defined in any such Order in Cuuncil, and either generally or in favour of any person or persons speoifically or any class of persons, and subject to any regulations or conditions which may be in any such Order in Council expressed, but so far only as such provisions may prevent or interfere with the sale or purchase of arms, ammunition, gunpowder, lead, caps, or shot for mining, sporting, or any useful or harmless purpose, and no further or otherwise,” We have, since the above was in type, learnt that the real meaning of the proclamation is—That in future it will not be necessary for dealers in arms to give notice in writing of every sale of arms or ammunition to the licensing officer as laid down in Sections 23 and 24 of the Act, nor for persons purchasing to obtain a permit as laid down in Section 22. Indeed, these restrictions being relaxed, a virtual freetrade in arms and ammunition so far as the Middle Island is concerned, exists.

The usual monthly meeting o£ the Committee of Management of the Dunstan District Hospital will be held on Monday next, the 4th May, at 8 p.m. According to the Western District Agricultural and Pastoral Association, ferrets in that district have become so great a nuisance that it is contemplated petitioning Parliament to take action towards abating the nuisance. AMr ffonproft said that more ferrets were being trapped, as many as 200 having been trapped on one station.