NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1403, 14 August 1878, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[FBB PBBS3 ASKNOY.J

Auckland, August 13.

The brewers and publicans are twitting each other with the amount of profit made by each. It is expected that the amount of duty will be equally divided between them, and there will be no increase to the consumers. The beer tax and reduction in tea and sugar are generally very favorably received. The complaint made by the publicans is more against the brewers for raising the price a halfpenny above the tax, than against the tax itself. Three meetings of the licensed victuallers have been held, but the only resolution carried is in favor of meeting with the brewers, which was arranged for tomorrow.

Alfred King has been appointed travelling agent for the East Coast for the Government Life Assurance Department.

Napieb, August 13.

At a large and enthusiastic public meeting to-night, it was resolved to send a congratulatory message by telegram to Earl Beaconsfield, cn the successful issue of the Berlin Conference.

Dunedin, August 13,

The City Council has resolved to dispense with the services of all the present officers of the gas department, in consequence of repeated complaints regarding the quality of the gas.

[from the correspondents of the peess.]

Auckland, August 13. An inquest was held on the body of John Callaghan, the victim of the Drury outrage, and resulted in a verdict of “Manslaughter” against Michael Butler. Both men were volunteers, and after drill commenced drinking and fighting, which ended in Callaghan having his intestines ruptured. The dock difficulty is at an end, the engineer having given his certificate, but the contractors now claim maintenance money from sth June, and 5 per cent for extras. The Harbor Board have referred the claim to a committee.

By the arrival of the Belle Brandon today from Rotumah, information was received that the civil war between the Wesleyan and Roman Catholic factions is still smouldering, and further fighting was expected. It came to the ears of a Wesleyan missionary, Mr Moore, that a plot had been formed to slaughter the Wesleyan teachers and chiefs, and he taxed Albert, chief of the Kiatusa, with the plot, which evoked a denial. In a combat on the 20th, that ensued between the parties, twenty were killed and many wounded.

Timabu, August 13

The North Rangitata bridge caught lire last night. A small portion only was destroyed. The fire was discovered by a man in search of his cow, and was soon extinguished. The 11.40 train from Christchurch got over safely, and traffic is resumed. The Timaru Agricultural Society met today. Messrs Belfield, El worthy, and Mclntosh were appointed delegates to represent the Timaru society at the meeting at Oamaru re National Association. It was resolved to abolish all special prizes at the coming show. Dunedin, August 13.

The case of Thomson v Benjamin, which has already given rise to two threats of action for libel, broke down in the B.M. Court to-day. For the first time since his appearance at the city election, Mr Beeves put in an ap» pearance at the City Council to move in the matter of gas supply. He preferred a heavy indictment against the department, contending that the complaints of the bad quality and dearness of the gas supplied had become unbearable.

The Mayor said he intended dealing with the matter in a very summary manner. He had no confidence in the present management, under which they could never reckon upon getting a supply of proper gas. The works had been badly managed in the past, were badly managed now and would in all probability, unless there were a change, be badly managed ia the future. His amendment was as follows ; “ That notice be given to the officers of the gas department that their services will not be required after the 31st of October next." Doubtless some of the present employes would be re appointed, but the following of this com se would enable the Corporation to weed out (hose in whom they had no confidence. He had made inquiries of Mr Genever, and obtained a quantity of returns from him. Their loss on the gasworks was about £SOO per quarter, or about £2OOO a year. There was a great deal of gas unaccounted for, amounting in fact to 7,000,000 ft. per annum, or 19£ per cent, of the quantity of gas made. Mr Q-enever had explained that the town clock used 365,000 ft, per annum which was not taken into account. This, however, left 6,635,000 feet unaccounted for. On this, Mr Genever said that the usual less by leakage in gas works was 16 per cent. But, by reference to books on the subject, he found that in the Loudon gas works the loss from this cause amounted to only 7.32 per cent.

Or. Reeves expressed his willingness to accept (he amendment in place of his motion, if the following words were added—“ And the gas committee be empowered to advertise tor such ofliceis as may be required.” The amendment was put and carried, eight hands being held up for it, and none against it. The report was ordered to be amended in the worty of the Mayor’s resection.