INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 134, 5 June 1880, Page 2

INTER PROVINCIAL.

Dunedin, Saturday. In the case of Kershaw v. Mclutyre in the Magistrates' Court today, the Bench ordered the prosecution of the defendant for flagrant perjury, his own witnesses contradicting him. Ju the ease of Williams v. Davies, a publican, the Magistrate gave judgment against the defendant for £10 15s, the value of a swag belonging to a lodger which had been stolen from the hotel.

TiarAiiu, Saturday. A man tamed Thomas Gray was killed on the Ngapara railway to-day. He was lying across the rails, and the engine in passing nearly cut him in two.

The meeting to protest against the Property Tax last night was most unanimous. The Queen's Hall was crowded by over 600 people, including many leading citizens. The Mayor, who presided, introduced the proceedings by denouncing the tax as a merciless whip exercised by the wealthy land owners to avoid tho necessity of paying for improvements from which they had benefited. Subsequent speakers vigorously protested against the Property Tax being substituted for the Land Tax on the ground that the latter was fair and reasonable, while the former was oppressive and dishonest. The following resolutions were passed. (1). That in the opinion of this meeting tho Property Tax ia unfair in principle, as being initiated at a most inopportune time when the trade and commerce of the colony are still in a very depressed condition, and will prove not only oppressive but exceedingly injurious to the progress of the colony, and it should therefore be repealed." (2 ) " That a petition be drawn up and signed as largely as possible embodying the resolution carried to night, and forwarded to the members for Timaru for presentation to the Government." An amendment in favor of .the Property Tax was lost, and a resolution demanding the repeal of the tax and pledging the meeting not to comply with the Act was withdrawn.

Christchurch, Saturday. Mr Justice Johnston to day intimated that probably, ere long, debtors whose estate Bhowed no assets would cot be discharged so easily as they are at present, as it was the intention of the Judges to make regulations on this point should it not be legislated for in the amended Bankruptcy Act.