INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 193, 12 August 1878, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[IPBKB3 AGENCY.] Ciiristchtjrch, Monday. At Mr Hoskin's farewell benefit, 160 seats in the dress circle were sold by auction and realised from 6s 3d to £1 each. Subsequently all the other seats were engaged at 5s each. Mr Richard Thomas, a solicitor, was violently assaulted in the public street yesterday. It i 3 believed to be in result of a business dispute. A dredge of local construction was launched in the Waimakariri at Kaiapoi on Saturday. Several greyhounds have been sold at aution. One namfd Borgia, imported from England by Mr Wynn Williams, realised £20. On the application of the Government the Charitable Aid Board has resolved to admit patients to the Hospital from Kaikoura at a charge of £2 each weekly. Haynes and Benham's circus O2>ened on Saturday night, when there was a large attendance. Lyttelton. Saturday night. The ship Duke of Arygle which left here for London on the 31st of July has returned to port owing to her being too tender. She met with some very heavy weather that put her on her beam ends. The officers and crew refused to proceed further in her, so Captain Davidson returned to port. Wellington, Saturday night. The Hinemoa leaves for Kaitakaita this evening to see if it is practicable for her to enter, after which she goes to Auckland to await the arrival of the Lady Jocelyn, when she will take the Vesey Stewart immigrants by that vessel to their destination. The County Conference to-day urged that the counties' valuation shall be triennial, subject to correction for adding crown lands transferred or omitted from the valuation list. — That the Government be requested to provide by law for taking lands for road purposes both through granted lands and native lands.— That all Chinese on gold fields actully employed in mining shell pay two pounds for miners rights, and a Collector be appointed— That the methed of auditing county accounts should be by two auditors appointed by the ratepayers. Monday. At the County Conference to-day it was resolved that Valuers under the Counties and Public Works Acts be appointed by the Counties, also that the Counties shall have power to frame bye-laws for the eradication of noxious briars, burrs, rabbits &c ; That the Government be requested to alter the basis of distributed subsidies to the County Councils and local bodies and to classify districts so that outlying districts may receive more consideration; that the County auditors be appointed by the ratepayers, and that in addition there be a final audit by the Government. The Conference then adjourned till this evening when reports on loans, the Counties Act, and reserves will be considered. It is understood that the Licensing Bill has been withdrawn, and that another Licensing Bill, much shorter and quite a different measure, will in a few days be submitted to the House Ahatjka, Saturday night. A large and influential public meeting was held last night re the railway to the West Coast of this Island. The meeting was unanimous as to the advisability of proceeding with it. The route via Hokitika, the Haast Pass and Otago was strongly commended, and the Grey Valley connection with Amberley advocated. The representatives are requested to support the Grey Valley and Canterbury route. It was resolved " That considering the immense traffic to Keefton this meeting would urge upou Parliament the pressing necessity existing for continuing the line from Brunnerton to Eeefton, and that the work be commenced with as little delay as possible, seeing that it would eventually become a portion of the main line between the East and West Coasts of this Island." This resolution was also carried with acclamation, " That the want of a good main road from the Ahaura to the Count's station in Canterbury has been long felt, and the absence of such has proved highly injurious to the Grey Valley, and with a view to encourage settlement, it is desirable that a sum of money be placed by Parliament upon the supplementary estimates for the immediate prosecution of this much needed work." A very strong committee was appointed, of which Mr R. Alcorn is chairman, and Mr Drury secretary. It was incidentally mentioned that the Committee would gladly co-operate with any other county favoring the same route. The Committee is to meet fortnightly, which evidently means business.