THE NORTH.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2155, 2 April 1870, Page 2

THE NORTH.

A telegram published by us a few days ago stated that a rumour was current that Mr Gillies, the Superintendent of Auckland, was about to join the Ministry. To this, the Southern Croat! thus alludes :—A correspondent, writing to a contemporary, has given publicity to an alleged rumour, to the effect that there was an intention on the part of His Honor the Superintendent to join the present Ministry and to resign the Superintendcncy. This statement has excited some lit r-le discussion during the past week, and speculation has been rife as to the source whence such a rumour could have originated. We may remark, however, that very little reliance was placed upon the vague statement of the correspondent referred to, and in fact that it was generally set down as a mere canard. This view of the matter turns out to be the correct one, We learn, upon good authority, that there was not, nor is there now, the slightest foundation for such a report, as Mr Gillies has no intention of joinlug any Ministry iu a way that would interfere in the slightest degree with his duties as Superintendent of the province. We learn also from the same source that Mr Gillies has expressed his intention of fulfilling to the letter the pledge which he made to the electors, that he would continue iu office until the close of the period for which he was elected. The Kauri gum, so long a valuable export from Auckland, is said to be getting scarce. Mr Charles Elliott, of Nelson, the compiler and publisher of the New Zealand Studbook is about to send the third volume of the Studbook to press almost immediately, Mr Elliott requests gentlemen to send him at once the particulars of all their foals bred since 1864.- The forthcoming volume will contain a portrait of Manuka, photographed from an oil painting taken by Brock just before the horse was sent to Melbourne. The picture is regarded by Mr llelwood as a perfect likeness. The following advertisement appears in a Ha wkes Bay paper: —“The wife of Frederick Ulpli, not having heard any tidings of him for nearly four years, and having been informed that his fri nds do not know where lie is, intends, if she does not hear from him at the expiration of two months from the date, to get married again.” The Acclimatisation Society of Canterbury is making active efforts to import insecteating birds, such as rooks, starlings, goldfinches, and jackdaws. There is also some talk of bringing out blackbirds and nightingales. The Nelson Colonist takes up the question of amending the bankruptcy law, iu a spirit rather inclined to favor the adoption of the new Act on that subject for England, which was to come into operation on the first day of this year. The following remarks are worthy of notice : —“ How far some of the provisions of the English Act may be applicable here is open to discussion, but ther§ is one very good principle laid down to the effect that the consent of a certain majorily in number and three-fourths iu value of the creditors shall no longer bind those who choose to dissent from either the acceptance of a dividend, or from the Judge’s order for final discharge. It is now the law iu England that discharge should he refused until the debtor can snow that he has paid 10s in the pound, or until the creditors shall have passed a special resolution in favor of the order of discharge being made. The protection of the undischarged bankrupt for three years after bankruptcy from all debts scheduled, and his liability for these after the expiry of that period if he has not paid 10s in the pound in the meantime, is a wise provision. Whether it would he effectual in these Colonies, where men shift from place to place, and where law costs are so heavy as to be often prohibitive, is a question for consideration. At least it would act as a deterrent, and ere long it may be that writs may run from one Colony to another, and then fraudulent bankrupts may be more easily traced and punished than as yet has been found possible.”