BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3819, 21 May 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

m T, . . , _ Adkklakd, May 20. The Provincial Council last night carried a motion in favor of levying an export duty of L 3 per ten en all gum sent out of the Colony the proceeds to bs devoted exclusively to education, and that the Superintendent memorealise the General Gov#rnment|to give effect to this resolution.

Padden, against whom an indecent offence was alleged, was brought up charged with drunkenness only. The other man waa not forthcoming. The Auckland and Mercer railway was opened to the public to-day. The Williamson memorial fund ia expected to reailse L 450. The plans and specifications for the Auckland dock, to enable English contractors to tender, \vere in the Mikado’s mail, and it is feared have been lost in the Schiller. The Harbor Hoard sent a cablegram inquiring. Mr Bagnall, a Thames member, moved in the Provincial Council this afternoon, “That in the opinion of this Council, the time has arrived when some change should be made in the dual system of government at present existing in the Colony, and that the waole of the Provincial Governments at present existing should be abolished, and a more efficient and local form of self-government substituted.” A; the close of the mover’s speech proposing the resolution, no one rose to speak. After a pause, no member rising, the Speaker call don the mover to reply, which he declined. He was then-putting the question, when Mr Swanson and others asked ij to , movo an amendment. The Speaker ruled that they could not do so, as he had called on the mover to reply. He then put the resolution, which was carried by nineteen to fourteen. The sudden termination of the expected debate took the Council by suprise, ihe Provincial Secretary at once gave notice to propose a motion to morrow rescinding the resolution. 6

v a -o . Christchurch. May 20. ired Pavitt, late Steward of the Church .Property Estate, was brought up again on remand at the Resident Magistrate’s Court today, charged with embezzling L 1,610 from t hi-mts College fund. The case was fully proved. The prisoner, who was defended by Air Joynt, made no statement in his defence, and was committed to take his trial en all the six charges brought against him. The total defalcations iu the eix cases are L 5.733, but there are other amount* which may not come L 6 800 th ° C ° Urt ’ bringing th<J 601:111 U P to

At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon, a committee Was appointed t6 consider the advisability of taking steps te have this .Province lepresented at the Bhilai delphia exhibition. The Froyinoisl Government have promised to pay all the neoessani costs of getting exhibits together and forwarding them.

The members of the Canterbury Operative Plasterers Association have issued a notice to the effect that after the 31st of May they intend to- demand an increase of wages of one penny per hour, and cessation from work at 1 p.m, on Saturday.

t . ~ . , May 21. ijast night a new club was formed for the west side of the city, under the title of the L/hristchureh Boating Club. Sixty-one members were enrolled, and LUO was collected iu subscriptions. The Presbyterian Synod yesterday unanimously agreed to request the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, there was no immediate ehance of a union of the Presbyterian Churches of both islands, to take steps for the union of the Churches of Otago and Canterbury. The Synod then adjourned until April 16,1876. The bi weekly land sales yesterday realised L4,OSi, (From our own Correspondents.)

Auckland, May 20. An awfully sadden death occurred during the night. Riddle, a compositor, who has worked in various parts of the Colony and last on the ‘Thames Advertiser,’ where he went out on strike in consequence of the employment of female labor, went home at midnight drunk, and fell on the floor. The inmates of the house put him to b*i, where he died before morning. An extraordinary case came before the police court to-day. A mu.ic teacher named Gilbert, who keeps a small grocer’s shop, was brought up, charged with neglecting to support bis wife. The evidence showed miserly habits. His wife and children were made to lie on ban and were given stinking meat for food. They wwj

Bnhjected to other treatment of a shameful character Tn cross examination Hilbert said he was worth L 2,000. The Court ordered him to pay a pound a w<ek for his wife’s sunnort. The Education Board has no f sufficient funds to pay current expenses, and is pressing hard for a tax. A hundred and thirtv judgments were given against defaulters to-day. , Wellington, May 21. Mr tsmvthies spetition forre-admission to the Bar cannot be beard this session of the Court of Appeal.. It must he heard before the full Court, and only two Judges are now here, Mr Justice Gillies having loft for the North to day. Lawrence, May 21. James Hopkins, of the Thistle Hotel, died suddenly this morning. The deceased was a mason, and mnch respected. Great satisfaction is expressed here at the opening of the 7,000 acres in Horiot Hundred under deferred payments. Great hopes are entertained here that Mr Ecid will accept office with the new Government. otheiwise the general impression is that a government formed by Mr Bastings will not stand. The weather Is spb ndid.