LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1522, 13 August 1881, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

♦ THE GOLD DUTY ABOLITION BILL SCENE IN THE HOUSE. THE ACTION OF THE WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. R.M. AND WARDEN'S COURTS CLERK CHANGES. [special to kujiara times.] Wellington, August 12. The business in the House yesterday was unimportant. Mr Seddon's motion re accommodation provided for patients in Lunatic Asylums, and the number of patients discharged as recovered, was carried on the voices. There is a very strong feeling amongnt members re Government having, just prior to the late division, paid Mr Weston the 10 per cent, deducted from his salary whilst acting as District Judge. That he was entitled to the same there can be no doubt, though it was impolitic for him to have received and the Government to pay at the peculiar time. The amount was only some £2O. That this influenced his vote it is absurd to suppose, and those who know him will scout the idea.

The evening sitting was occupied with the passing of the Pension Bill, and the adoption of a Children's Bill.

The Gold Duty Abolition Bill was next on the Order Paper. Mr J. B. Fisher, of Westport, and one or two other gold fields members kept the Adoption Bill goiug until halfpast twelve.

The second reading of a bill where fl°gg in g was to be introduced into the Vagrant Act effectually barred going into Committee on the Gold Dutv Abolition Bill.

Here a scene occurred. The "ine pressible," evidently annoyed, got up and staled his intention of flogging the hill, and, seeing other mem hers h«d amused themselves for an hour to block his bill, thought another hour's sitting would do harm. This the Speaker ruled was a threat. Mr Seddon thereupon withdrew the words, hut informed the House of his determination to give reasons for at least an hour why the bill should not pass. At this there was a general clear out at one o'clock, and, no quorum being present, the Speaker declared a couut out. This as effectually killed the bill as would a vote of

the House, seeing it cannot now appear again on the Order Paper. Mr Jack, of Hokitika, and Mr Guinness, of Greymouth, have sent telegrams to Ministers and members asking them to oppose the Abolition of the Gold Duty Bill. The four senior members and Mr Weston have ,also spoken to the Minister of Mines on the same subject. The Minister is in a fog; and states that he cannot understand members speaking and voting for it in the House, and then coming privately to him soliciting Government to oppose; further, that Government had received a resolution from the Westland County Council asking for abolition. Now he had seen a telegram signed M'Lean W. Jack, Chairman, asking that no notieSe" be taken until other provision was madei He ftdviaed members to speak their minds. In the House re Kenrick inquiry, Mr Kenrick is to remain in the service, but will be removed from Greymouth. Mr Barton goes to Greymouth ', Mr M'Ennis to Kuuiara. This is on good authority.

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.!

"Wellington, August 12. The City of New York, with the London mails of 14th, left San Francisco on 31st ult., oue day late. The Zealandia with the Colonial mail, arrived at San Francisco on the Bth inst., three days earlier than the time-table date. A number of members left this evening in the steamer Stella to personally inspect the New Plymouth harbor works. Hawera, August 11. A bouse in Bamford's paddock was struck by lightning on Tuesday night. The cottage was the greatest wreck from the effects of lightning ever seen on this coast. Gisborne, August 12. Mr Michael Bennis, the expert who arrived here with Mr Clarke, reports an immense deposit of paraffine mineral at the Southern Cross Company's ground, that cannot be exhausted for centuries. A manufacturing company will be formed immediately. Dunedin, August 11. The football match Dunedin v. Invercargill, wa3 won by the former with two goals and three trials to Invercargill's one goal.

Christchurch, August 12. Mr Malcolm Miller's shipwright shed in Corsair Bay, Lyttelton, and the ketch XXX, which was on the slip, had been destroyed by fire during the night. The ketch was formerly owned by Mr George Clark, and was handed over to trustee in his estate yesterday, having been withheld for some time for payment of wages due to those who had charge of her. The case came before the Supreme Court on August 2. There was no one living on board the ketch, so that the cause of the fire is at present shrouded in mystery. The loss will be a heavy one. A quarter acre section in Cashel street, next the Press office, was sold this week at the rate of £22,400 per acre.

All the children in the Orphanage are to be vaccinated at once, except those who have been once vaccinated but have not yet reached seven years of age.

FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH. New Plymouth, August 12. A fire broke out this morning at Murphy's boardiug-house, alongside the Oddfellows Hotel. It was first discovered by May, of the Spectroscope, who was awakened by the smell of smoke in his bedroom. He got up and went down stairs, when he saw the dining room was on fire. He at once gave the alarm and aroused all in the house. Before water or much aid could be obtained, the fire had a good hold of the building, and there was no hope for the Oddfellows Hall, which was only separated from the house by a 12ft. passage. There was time, however, to get the piano aud musical instruments belougiog to the Philharmonic Society from the hall before it caught fire, but nothing could save the building, which was soon iu flames. The crockery shop adjoining was also burnt, and a shed at the back. Here the fire was stopped. It was a beautiful night, with scarcely any wind blowing, or the destruction would have been heavier.

The following are the insurances on the fire :—Murphy's hoarding house, Union Office, L4OO on building ; Standard, L2ooon furniture; Oddfellow's hall, National, LSOO on huilding, and L2OO on musical instruments (all saved); South British, L4OO on building, and LIOO on furniture; Turner's crockery shop, Northern, Ll5O on building, and LIOO on stock (saved); New Zealand, LIOO on building; drill shed, Standard, LIOO (only partly damaged), total insurance, L 2250.