NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1779, 3 November 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

Cpeb pbess agency.] GISBOBNE, November 3. Mr McDonald and his Constituents. A large meeting of settlers was held on Saturday to discuss Mr McDonald's Native Lawsuits Bill. It was* decided by the meeting to ask Mr McDonald to withdraw the Bill, it being only one-sided and calculated to cause much litigation, and play into the hands of repudiationists. A committee was formed to draw up suggestions as to what was required, and these will be forwarded to Government with a request to introduce a Bill suitable alike to Europeans and Maoris. A petition will be got up, asking Mr McDonald to resign or support the present Government. He stated at his eleotion that if he found himself in opposition he would resign. "Wanted, a Frauds Commissioner. Much inconvenience is felt here among the Natives and Europeans, there being no Frauds Commissioner appointed for this district. WELLINGTON, November 3. Political* It is stated that the Government will bring down its financial proposals on Friday next, and its publio works statement early the following week. Increased taxation being necessary, it is proposed to resume the duties on tea, sugar, and flour which were abandoned last year, to increase the stamp duties, and to levy a property tax, but the exact basis is not yet decided on. Prospecting News. Several prospecting parties are being organised to prospect the Tararua ranges during summer. DUNEDIN, November 3. A Scabbing Case. John Betman and John Jacobsen were charged at the Police Court with stabbing a man at Anderson's Bay. The prosecutor had persuaded them to desert from their ship, and in a quarrel at his house he was stabbed. The prisoners were remanded till Thursday, the prosecutor being in the hospital. WELLINGTON, November 1. Mr Hutchinson's Bill. The Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution to the effect that, under the present law imprisonment for debt is abolished, except in cases where the debtor can, but will not pay, therefore Mr Hutchison's Bill is wholly unnecessary. Copies of the resolution were sent to the members for Wellington. The "New Zealand Times." It is reported that the "New Zealand Times " changed hands yesterday. The Thorndon Reclamation. It is understood that Joseph Saunders, of Wellington, is the successful tenderer for Thorndon reclamation, and tho first section of the Weßt Coast railway, for the amount of £75,000. A tender from another part of the colony was very close. One of the Government's conditions was that the contractor should find work for the unemployed. Mr Saunders undertakes to find work for all unemployed within a fortnight. Statistics re Summonses. Returns for this district show that during last year 2527 debt summonses were issued, and 351 judgment summonses, but out of these only 73 persons were committed, of whom eleven either paid the money or filed their schedules, leaving only sixteen who were actually imprisoned. The Cook Straits Cable. The Agnes was unsuccessful to-day in picking up the Lyell's Bay end of the cable, which is supposed to be buried deep in the sand. She has sent for fresh appliances, and will resume work at daylight to-morrow. There is still hope that the cable will be restored on Monday. Inquest. An inquest was held on the body of a man who died suddenly at the National Hotel. The post mortem examination lod to the conclusion that he died from narcotic poison. Close by a bottle was found labelled " One or two apocmsfull as required." The stomach wbb handed to Dr. Skae, Government analyst, for examination, and the inquest was adjourned. Our Volunteers. A deputation of officers oommaHding volunteer oorps in the oolony waited on the Premier to-day, and urged the Government to increase the capitation allowance by another 10s, the present allowanoe being inadequate to maintain oorps in proper working order. They asked the Government to issue a regulation enforcing strict uniformity regarding the dress of each branch of the service. They also urged the necessity of Government ordering from Home at least two batteries of nine-pounder field guns, for the Artillery, and that free passages by train should be given to volunteers within their own district to and from any properly authorised demonstration. The Premier concurred in their views, and said he would lay tho matter before his colleagues. DUNEDIN, November 1. Bills of Lading. The Chamber of Commerce received a requisition to-day, numerously signed, desiring that a meeting might be called to decide what joint action should be taken in connection with the recent demand of shipping agents for the possession of bills of lading before the delivery of goods. Tramway TrafficThe City Councillors will take action at next meeting re the tramway traffic A limit will probably be put to the number of passengers to be carried, and engines will give place to horses. Trade ProspectsTrade during the week has been unsettled, owing to the feeling that a revision of the tariff was about to take place, and that heavier duties would in all probability be imposed. Large clearances of tea, sugar, and tobacco, have in consequence taken place,