Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. MONDAY, MAY 15, 1871.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 1017, 15 May 1871, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jur are in verba magistri. MONDAY, MAY 15, 1871.

We would draw attention to an alteration in the date of the ss. Wellington's sailing from this port. She -will leave here for Auckland on Wednesday, 17 th inst., not Thursday, l_Bt]i. instant,. as previously advertised, A correspondent writes us, seeking information as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the Hau han Renata, at present con fined in Napier jail. As the hon. the Native Minister is at present in the Province, perhaps he could give our correspondent the desired information.

This morning, for the first time, No. 1 Company Napier Militia were instructed in short rifle drill-—similar to that in vogue with the Rifle Volunteers. "We presume the idea in to establish a uniform system of drill. The following series of resolutions by Mr Colenso come on for discussion in the Provincial Council on Friday next, 19 th instant:—

1. That, whereas now, and for some time past, severe pecuniary depression generally exists throughout the Province of Hawke's Bay, mainly owing to the great fall in the value of sheep and wool, and with the very serious prospect of the same continuing, and probably increasing.

2. That, whereas monies were commonly and largely borrowed, on the first settlement of the province, at very high rates of interest, by many of the early settlers of the province, for the purpose of taking, occupying, and stocking of sheep runs all over the said province, and that such monies were in general, thus largely borrowed at a time when both sheep and wool were worth in the market from four to six times their present value, and when Highway and other rates and tolls were unknown ; and in entire good faith and belief, that those early prices for the staple commodities of sheep and wool would continue.

3. That, notwithstanding the utmost care, attention, and prudent economy on the part of those parties that have so borrowed, it is now found to be impossible any longer to pay such high rates of interest, which also mainly goes out of the province (if not out of the colony), to the great detriment thereof. 4 That it seems fair and just that under those greatly altered circumstances the loss should be equitably borne by both lender and borrower.

5. That, therefore, it is unanimously resolved by the Committee of this whole Council, that some speedy relief, both legal and equitable, should, be sought at the approaching session of the General Assembly of New Zealand. 6. That, inasmuch as the General Assembly did, in their Session in 1868, pass an Act, No. 3, intituled, "Interest on Money Act," limiting the common legal rate of interest to be henceforth paid on all future monetary transactions to the sum of 8 per cent, per anuum (unless in exceptional cases where a higher amount shall be agreed upon), it is reasonably believed that, under the altered circumstances already stated, the rate or sum of 6 per cent per annum, nett, would be a fair and equitable rate of interest to be henceforth paid for those old loans so formerly lent, as before stated, for the purpose of acquiring of sheep and sheep runs in this province, in lieu of the present heavy and ruinous rates of interest payable thereon: Provided always that should the rate or sum of 8 per cent, per annum be also fixed by the General Assembly, as the maximum legal sum to be henceforth due and paid as interest upon the said old loans, that then the sum of 2 per cent, per annum shall be at every payment thereof deducted therefrom, the same to be paid over to the Provincial Treasurer of Hawke's Bay on account of the said Province, and to be by the Provincial Council dealt with as its Ordinary Revenue.

7. That the Representatives for the Province of Hawke's Bay in the General Assembly be requested to lose no time, on the next meeting of the General Assembly, in communicating with the Colonial Government on this subject; and that, should the Golonial Government refuse to initiate any Bill or other matter in the said Cfeneral Assembly for the carrying out of this resolution, and so affording the necessary reljef sought, that then the Hawke's'Bay members themselves should embrace an early opportunity of doing so. 8. That the Speaker of the Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay cause copies of this resolution to be early transmitted to the Colonial Secretary, and to each of the two members for Hawke's Bay in the House of Representatives.

On Saturday afternoon five men of the Napier Rifle Volunteers fired before Colonel Harrington in to arrive at an average of the shooting of thaifc company. The weather was fine, and tlje filing highly satisfactory, an average of SBJ points being made. The distances were 200, 400, and 500 yards —5 shots at each range. —Five representatives of the Napier Volunteer Artillery, also JB red before Col. Harrington -on Saturday. "The firing was indifferent, an average of only 8 J points having been attained. They, however, only fired at two ranges—2oo and 3QO yards—s shots at each range. The Rifle Volunteers fired with the medium Enfield rifles, and the Artillery with carbines. Archdeacon. Williams was a passenger by the Napier from Poverty Bay Jast night.

Mr "Warne's steam launch Thermopylae made a trial trip in the Bay pn Saturday afternoon, the results of which, we are glad to hear, are considered very satisfactory. Another trip in a day or two is contemplated. This morning, at the Resident Magistrate's Court, a single case of drunkenness was disposed of in the usual manner.

The Provincial Council will meet again for the despatch of business at 3pm. to-morrow.

Kain has been jfalling nearly all day. During this afternoon, the fall has been considerable, and as the ind is now from what is known as the rainy quarter (SE.), there seems no immediate prospect of the weather clearing up.