NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2174, 12 February 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

TTMAEU, February 12, An AdventurerJohn Quinn, alias Nolan, has been arrested or impersonating a detective, and thereby obtaining from tho landlord of the Masonic Hotel, at St. Andrews, board, lodging, and money. Accused, who is charged also with forging a cheque, has been remanded till Monday. DUNEDIN, February 12. Fire. A fire at Wood’s, tho tailor, at Port Chalmers, was extinguished before much damage was done. Ho alleges he has lost £45 in money. Dunedin Larrikins. Mr Watt made an explanation from the Bench to-day in re flogging and sentencing boys for apple stealing, which had been severely comment,cd on by the press, and said the real punishment was flogging, and it was necessary to award imprisonment in order to have tho boys flogged in gaol. Committal to the Industrial School was no punishment at all, as on good behaviour the buys were immediately let out to their parents. By this means he could, to a great extent, prevent larrikinism in Dunedin, the more easily than if allowed to get ahead. The sentences were •nly apparently severe, but practically were preventive. AUCKLAND, February 11. Cattle Board Rights. In consequence of the Government refusing the repeated requests by the North Auckland Cattle Board, asking for the removal of the restrictions against driving cattle from the

southern to the northern districts, the Board have virtually abandoned their functions by neglecting to hold meetings, on the ground that the action of the Government implies a want of confidence in their judgment. Accident. _At the inquest on the body of James Balls, a horse at Whangarei, a verdict of “Accidental death ” was returned. An Honest Man. Captain McKenzie, chairman of the Harbor Board, refused to pledge himself, in view of his re-election, to a deputation of electors to vote for the big dock. He stated that the cry was merely got up for the sake of the expenditure. Temperance Prizes. At the Board of Education meeting, a letter was received from Mr Habens, InspectorGeneral relative to no steps being taken re Sir Wm. Box’s temperance prizes. The memo, from the Inspector stated that the whole thing was objectionable, and by agreeing to any such arrangement as that referred to, the Board would be obliged to abandon the position which it had taken up with regard to the temperance book. The course of instruction would bo interfered with, and the minds of the teachers unsettled. It was agreed to reply that the proposition should be returned in accordance with the inspector’s memo. Another Mine Closed. The Taupiris Coal Company’s mine will probably be closed, also through increased railway and terminal charges. WELLINGTON, February 11. Property Tax. The following arrangement has boon made in regard to the payment of the property tax: —ln any town in which there is an office of a deputy commissioner the tax must be paid at that office, but with this exception, that payment may be made to the postmaster at any Post-office conreotod with which there is a telegraph station or money order office, and in any such case the postmaster will give an interim receipt, which will be followed by a complete official receipt from the deputy commissioner of the district. Still further, it has been arranged that any taxpayer may forward the amount due by him to the deputy commissioner in a registered letter by Post-office order, cheque, Bank draft, or in cash. Theatrical.

“ Pinafore ” was announced for performance at the theatre on Saturday by amateurs for Mr Cary's benefit, but the performance had to be abandoned, Mr Williamson’s solicitors having intimated his intention to obtain an injunction in the Supreme Court to restrain it. He has given the sole right of performance in this colony to M. Simonson. An Enquiry. It is understood that the Government have determined to appoint a Commission to investigate the complaints made in regard to the management of the Mount View Asylum and the conduct of its officers. Imported BirdsThe “Gazette ” contains a declaration that sparrows and linnets may be killed throughout the colony. DUNEDIN, February 11. Mr Larnach Speaks. The half-yearly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held to-day. Mr W. J. M. Larnach in his opening speech referred to the growing prosperity and return of confidence in business, and advocated the repeal of the Property Tax, and the re-imposition of the tea and sugar duties and school fees. He also referred to the necessity of seeking other outlets for produce. An UnsuccessAt the annual meeting of the shareholders of the “Morning Herald” Newspaper Company to-day, the balance sheet showed a loss of £327 13s 3d on the year’s transactions, the revenue being £9651 10s 3d, and the expenditure £9979 3s 6d. Our BowlersThe bowling match between the Christchurch and Fernhill clubs to-day resulted in a victory for Dunedin by twenty-seven points. [from our own correspondent. 1 WELLINGTON, February 11. I observe statements in the papers that the Premier will shortly address his constituents, and that Mr Bryce delays meeting the Wanganui electors because he feels bound to concede precedence to Mr Hall. I have authority for stating that there is absolutely no foundation for this report. Mr Hall will not address his constituents earlier than he did last year, and never has had or expressed any intention of doing so. He has always intended addressing his constituents just before the session, and will then explain the Ministerial programme, but not earlier. The probable time will be about the middle o' May, and certainly not before that month. Major Atkinson would probably have met the Egmont electors shortly, but for the accident to his knee, which proves much more serious thau was at first apprehended. It is now uncertain when he will be able to deliver a speech.

I see that some journals are still harping on the probability of Mr Ormond accepting the vacant portfolio. I believe I am warranted in asserting that there is not the remotest probability of the offer being either made or accepted. Of course, I speak without authority, but I am certain you will find that the new Minister will not be either Mr Ormond or Mr McLean. There is not the slightest probability of any Otago, Canterbury, or Taranaki member being appointed, because of the inevitable provincial jealousies. I think I am also justified in stating that the appointment will not be made before the latter end of the month at the earliest, certainly not until Ministers re-aseemble. I notice another attempt to make political capital out of the dismissal of the Wakapuaka telegraphist, by representing it as due solely to his negligence regarding Mr Froudfoot’s telegraphic tender, thus endangering the loss of half a million contract. This it so kind*

n*«* to that unfortunate officer, who could eaeajymoke the facte puMie if ho deemed it advisable. The truth is that the neglect in the case of MrProudfoot’a telegram .imply afforded aolueby which other grave officii irregularities were detected, and these could not be patted over. A* Mm* paper* have commented strongly on the supposed delay in issuing the report of the Government Insurance Department, it i» only fair to explain that, although only iust published in the form of a Parliamentary pjiper, the report was issued last September, and was then extensively and favorably commented on by various New Zealand journals. The present complaint, therefore, is rather amusing.