WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3879, 30 July 1875, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[By Telegraph.]

(,From our own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 30. The 4 Tribune ’ suggests that,even if there are slight doubts as to the Assembly’s power-to abolish Provinces, the best course to pursue under the circumstances, in order to have them solved, is to proceed with tho abolition measure. The Bill when passed will present the question in its concrete form, and afford a far more distinct issue for settlement than any abstract proposition could do. Fending its solution of the doubts, if need be, the Bill could awaic the Queen’s pleasure. I'he Committee moved for by Mr Murray to consider the whole question of finance is composed of Sir F. D. Bell, Mr Stafford, Major Atkinson, Messrs Rolleston, Fitzherbert, Webb, Curtis, Richmond, G. M’Lean, Montgomery, Murray, Wood, and Sir George Grey. Forty-two samples of brandy and thirty-eight of whiskey, besides four of brandy, three of whiskey, and one of Geneva, in bond, from Otago, nave been submitted to the Colonia analyst, who reports that the brandies in strength are satisfactory, averaging 51.34 per cent. The alcohol of several of such is of a low degree of strength, showing that it must have been adulterated with water, being 17 per cent, below the proper strength. Four samples were notably so. The whiskies were also satisfactory, averaging 52.52 per cent. The bonded spirits when compared with the others show a marked difference in strength, the brandies averaging 55.66, and the whiskies 60.61. if, therefore, the bonded spirits are sufficient in number to allow of an average being fairly ■truck, and are fair samples of the class of spirits sold for retail purposes in Otago, a considerable quantity of spirits vended by pub licans there is adulterated with water to a serious extent. Though all the samples were free from substances specially prohibited, the Otago camples frequently contained copper, iron, and, in three instances, zinc. The analyst says the frequent presence of copper and iron in these spirits required investigating. Eighty-five Tier cent, of the brandies was more or less cupreous ; fifty per cent, of the whiskies the same, and fifty per cent, of the rums the same. He does not think the copper was purposely added, but that it arises from oily cognac putin the spirits. Although in none of the samples is copper present in quantities palpably dangerous, still, presence, even as traces, is very objectionable, as this metal is a cumulative poison,

bringing on colls, loss of appetite, and ultimately jaundice and affection of the brain. He was unable to detect any quantity of fusel oil in the samples. {From a Correspondent) Wellington, July 30. Mr Swanson has just interviewed Mr Bowen, who promised that either in the Highway Boards’ Empowering Amendment Act now before the House or otherwise, he would make provision enabling the Board to strike a lighting rate of a farthing in the £ on those that sell, and sixpence in the £ on those who let property. Mr O’Neill gives notice to-day of a question as to what are the causes of the delay in the construction of the Bay of Islands Railway ; also a motion to lay on the table a return showing the amount expended on waterworks on goldfields under the-Irrigation Works Act till June 30, together with the liabilities in connection with distinguishing ths expenditure in North and Middle Islands.