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Evening Star, Issue 3103, 29 January 1873, Page 2

Mr H. W. Robinson, E.M., has been appointed to preside at the first e!eg f ion of Mayor and Councillors for the new 1 y-f> gor.porated town of Naseby, and Mr H. VVfison to prepare the burgess roll. To day was the Chinese New Year, but in Dunedin it was merely celebrated by the firing off of crackers, and the playing of music at the Chinese quarters m Stafford street. At Lawrence and Queenstown there was great rejoicing among the Celestial residents. The Age concludes a leading article on Intercolonial Reciprocity as follows ‘We have been discussing the question of Intercolonial Reciprocity with successive Secretaries of State, and it is time for the controversy to be brought to an end. That Mr Vogel thinks so too L evident from the production of this memorandum ujj. the eve of the assembly of another conference of delegates. Doubtless it is his intention to recommend some action in the matter, and the proposal came most appropriately from New Zealand, from the fact that she alone possesses the rights which should be the prerogative of the whole group of Colonies, The Melbourne Exhibition Commissioners have a grand project in hand, which they are endeavoring to persuade the Government to adopt. They represent that whereas all the previous exhibitions, inoludjng the one which will close at the -end of next week, have been nothing more than preliminaries to grander exhibitions to be held elsewhere, has now a right to reverse the process,, and bold a Grand Universal Exhibition on her own account, to which the producers and manufacturers of the whole world will be invited to contribute. This show the commissioners propose to holi in th*? yesr 1875. <>n the question of cost, they say that a groat hall, 400 ft. by 150 ft.. with cellars and offices underground, and an adjoining annexe of 300 ft. by 50ft. could be built of wood and iron for £12,500, and in stone or brick for £25,000, while the working expenses would be £6,000, which latter amount would be fully met by the receipts. If this estimate be correct, the Universal Exhibition would impose no pecuniary burden upon the public beyond the inteiest upon £12,500, or £25,000, while our city would be provided with a capacious building, always available, free of expense, for balls, public meetings, or other gatherings.

A Melbourne gentlemen recently took a pleasure trip to Tasmania, and amongst other pleasant encumbrances, had an industrious wife and family, and, consequently, when he went across the water took with him the domestic sewing-machine—a piece of machinery which had been in use for five years. His intention was of course to bring it back with him, and so to all intents and purposes it was nothing more than a part and parcel of his personal baggage. But the active officers of the Hobart Town Customhouse thought otherwise. They scented prey. As the Mercury says :—“ When our tariff was framed, sewing-machines were unknown, and probably had this been one of those' small qtfaira that might be conveniently packed into a carpet-bag, it would have been allowed to pass duty free. . . . under tbo exemption in favor of passengers’ luggage.” Unfortunately, however, for its owner, it was too large to be thus stowed away, and its appearance in a case attracted the notice of the Tasmanian officials. They determined at once that it was liable to duty; but a difficulty arose as to its classification. How this difficulty was surmounted, let our contemporary tell;—“ Had it been a ‘ machine or a portion of a machine worked by steam, wind, or water, ’ it would have been exempt. But being worked % the feet, a charge was made on it; and, as if the object bad been not only to stretch the law in chargjpg duty pn it at all, but t® make thfe exaction as odious as ho could, the collector of customs exercjsed his ingenuity in finding out how to make the heaviest charge possible on it. Hardware, hollo ware, and ironmongery of all kinds might naturally have been thought to embrace a sewing-machine, but that would not suit the collector. The duty is only 5s per cent. * Furniture manufactured of wood’ might have been thought a more likely classification than to place the sewing-machine under the head of silks ; but then the duty was only $$ per cubic foot, and in this dilemma Mr Watt alighie.dpp the words, ; and all other goods not otherwise en ypierated, ’ which form a portion of the item in the tariff, which reads, * manufactures of silk, cotton', linen, and woollen, and all articles manufactured therefrom, drapery of every descrip, tion, haberdashery, hosiery, millinery, furs, hats, caps, and brashes, and all other goods not otherwise enumerated.’ Under this absurd classification he was enabled to extort, at the rate of 4s per cubic foot, L2 in name of duty, and Is 6d wharfage dues.” Of course tins L2 fs j?d had to be paid, but the gentleman tbps pfurylergd,. was kind enough to give tins Tasmanian authorities an opportunity of reconsidering their determination. He wrote to the Treasurer, but that gentleman, after referring the matter to the judicious official who had extorted tbe duty, declined to interfere with an arrangement which classed a sewing-machine with “ manufactures pf silk, cotton, linen, and woollen ” goods.

The title cf Bro. Stout's Joctpre on Monday evening to the members of the lyoyal Leith Lodge, A.1,0,0.P,, was “Tit for Tat.”

The members of the Dunedin Scottish Company are requested to meet at the head quarters drill shed, to-morrow evening, for parade, at 7.30.

A social gathering in connection with St. Peter’s Church will be held in the drill shed, Caveraham, to-morrow (Thursday) evening, at 7 o’clock.

It will be seen by the advertisement that the prizes won at the late meeting of the Otago Rifle Association will be presented to-morrow evening. Wo believe we art correct in stating that Mrs Copeland has consented to give them to the winners, and we need not say more to ensure all being present.