North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, MAY 6, 1895.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8175, 6 May 1895, Page 2

North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, MAY 6, 1895.

Thk Assessment Court lasted so long, and apparently aroused co much interest in the public mind, that we would fain liko to continue the subject. Our remarks, however, will have no btaring on individual cases or on Councilor DavidBon's motion for an oxh-mstivo ro urn, but will refer to a subject that will probably aft ob the nnnnois of the borough to a greator extent than is at present imngiued. Almost at tho opojiing of the Assessment Court tho judge of the Court ruled that where a tenant paid the rates such rates could not be ndded to tho rent in arriving at tho assessable value of the property. This decision will be far-reaching in its offoefcs, for every owner of property who has a tenant will make if a condition of tho tonancy that tho tenant shall pay tho rates. Tho efleot of this will be that tho ownor will pay rates on an assessment 20 per cent lower than tho property owner who resdes on hia own property. We do not question tho soundness of tho ruling of tho Magistrate, for amongst wellknown lawyers thore is a difference of opinion on tho point, but wo do say that the effect of such a ruling will be moat unfair to tho groat bulk of the properly owners of tho town. To exemplify what wo mem, lot us stato an instance of tho unjuatnosa of this aspeotof the law : Two properties, alike in every respect, are each worth say L2O ; one is occupied by a tenant and the other by the owner. In order to escape a portion of taxation tho ownor of the property occupied by a tenant insists on the tonant paying tho rates. Those amount to JA a year, and as thin amount, undor the Magistrate's ruling, reduces tho taxable value of the property to Ll6. on this value ra'os are paid ; while tho other ownor, who occupies his own property, has to pay on L2O. If this is* tho law it is a most unjust law, unjust to individuals and to tho Borough. The law exists for the purposo of dealing out oven-handed justice to all, but by no stretch of imagination could this sort of thing be designated by the name of justice. It is a duty tho Borough owes to all its ratepayers that they shall bo troated alike in regard to the incidence of taxation, and to meet tho ruling that has been given, ib will bo necessary, if tho ratepayers are to bo placed on tho same footing, that all those properties for which the ownorg pay tho ratts shall suffer a reduction in value of 20 per cent in addition to the 20 por cent allcmd by tbo Act. It must either bo this or the law must be amended in the direction of leaving no doubt as to tho justice of levying rates upon ratou. The Government's proposed New Municipal Corporations Bill is to contain many unjust provisions —if all accounts are true— and tho insertion of a clause nuking it legal to levy tates upon rates would add ono just sco tion to it, and make the incidence of arxation in boroughs more in accord with strict justice. Wo may state that in some boroughs the rates are added to the asseisable value of properties where tenants pajr the rates.

The mlnffcU at Hniuterame* for April wm l'4O lnohei. The Inoholmo Sohool oonoort tftkei place on Frldny, th« 14th June. Extended notioo.— Malls for Norfo k Uud, per Alioo May. oloso »t AuokliQd t 0 p,m- oa Monday, %\x% Oth lnib« A Uvgi nutnb«f of th« wtlli in tht dUirt«%

long spell of dry weather wo have expOilenced. There are now 148 names of unemployed on tlio Labor Bureau books. The Clutha Leader of yesterday says that «ome changes have taken place in tho Stock Department there. Mr Sub-Inspector Munro leaves to-day for Herbert, in the Oamaru district. On the farm of Major Hope Eistbarns, Tnncrwick, there are usually between 10 nnd 12 miles of potato pits, and tho potato harvest on tho property provides work for about 200 men and women. Mails for Australian colonies, via Sydney, also Ceylon, India, China. Japan, Kuropo, and United Kingdom, vi* Suez, per Tarawera, close at Auckland at noon on Wednesday, tho Bth inst. Many farmers who have been engaged in ploughing their land have had to abandon their task owing to tho hardness of tho gtound. The plough is forced out of tho ground so often that it is found better to knock off work. As an instance of tho eagerness of aome of tho unemployed to accept work we may state that 4(i have notific 1 their willingness to go to Galatea, in tho Auckland province The Government, however, have only naked for five men from this dis'rict. On Thursday morning ltat a stone stable and store, the property of Mr J. K. Hutton, Livingstone, wero destroyed by firo. There waa a quantity of harness in the stable and stock in the store. Mr Hutton was in Oun*ru at tho time of tho fire. There was an insurance in the North German Offioo of L'2GO on tho buildings and stock. Hero is a verbatim trauscript of a letter received by a London merchant from Gormany: " Your esteemed firm is us known by our friend— and wo permit us the courteously inquiry, whether you to be willing ua to indicate the firm from London, which to want, a great deal -, and which to buy with the request they drawn out Germany. Youra respectfullys." Tho Oamaru Naval Artillery will hold quadrille assemblies every Tuesday night, commencing tomorrow nighfc at 8 o'clock The assemblies are open to other* besides members of tho corps, and particulars can bo obtained from the Committee. The assemblies will be held in the Union Stores, m Inch aro well adapted for tho purpose. When Councillor Davidsons motion rela- < ivo to a return of the Borough valuations was being discussed on Fiuhy night Councillors kept suggesting additions at such a iato that the Clerk in a voice of dismay broke in with the assertion that he would not have enough material in tho office to make up tho returns required. This admonition made no difference, and the return as ordered will be a rather " largo order." Apropos of tho statement that Mr M'Kewen had fully made up his mind to abjure racing altogether if tho Alderahot protest had been decided againit him, "Malua," in the Advocate, says J "This is a'l rubbish and bunkum. Jimmy M 'Kowen will run horses as long as he can make it pay, and no longer. He has been mixed up in a few proteits in his time, and ho always fires out the same old gag that if it goes against him he will chuck up racing." A well-known resident of Clinton, and one who occupied several responsible positions in the place, suddenly disappeared at the beginning of last week (says tho Clutha Leader), leaving a considerable number of enquiring friends. The utmost confidence was placed in him up to tho last, otherwise tho number of his victims, and tho amount of hji "haul" would have been considcri ably le9B To the proverbial " Pacific slope" he is no doubt well on his way by now. A disastrous outing at tho Lawrence races is probably tho more immediate causo of his ■udden disappearance. The New Zeaiand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, has received tho following London cablo message, dated 30th April : Wool. — The sales opened at an averago decline of about 5 per cent on last sales' closing rates. Tho attendance of botli Home and foreign buyers it good, but there is a want of confidence in the bidding. The total quantity available, including wool held over from last series, is 424,030 bales, of which 83,000 bales have been forwarded to the manufacturing districts direct. Wheat— The Market is quiot. Spot quotations have advanced 6d per 4981b> since last report. Last quotations were 24s 6d and Bss Gd for average and long-berried respectively. Mr A. Forsyth has on exhibition in Mr Brownlee'a window tho first stand of chrysanthemums of the season. They consist of twelve blooms of Japauoso varieties of splendid form and good color. La Purite, one of tho finest fringed whitot ; Vivand Moselle, an immense ceris? shaded flower , Comto do Germiny, large petallcd Nankeen yellow ; William Twicker, a large rich carmine flowor ; Edwin Molynoux, an in1 curved chestnut ct imson flower, tinged with gold ; Klaine, a large white flower with Hat florets ; Stanstcd Surprise, deep crimson, silvorcd on tho under surface ; Mr CAiincll, an incurved lemon yollow IJower ; Excelsior, greyish crimson flower, with quill-liko twisted petals ; Gloiro dc Rocher, orange amber, flushed with terra cotta ; Pink le Oroix, an erratic pink flower, with twisted potals ; Avalmoho, a fine flower, snowy white, with long straight florets. The Autumn Queens are worth seeing. Wo have had a clipping from a Berwickshire paper sent to us, which states that at an influential meeting of grocers and provision merchants of Berwickshire and district it was unanimously decided to discontiuue taking fresh butter from tho farm sorvants on the Borders in exchange for groceries and provisions. It appears that thero is no sale for such butter, the biscuit manufacturers refusing to buy it, tho farm servants thein«clycB preferring foreign butter. Foreign butter was greatly in demand, as will be borne out by tho fact that there was absolutely no sale for tho local manufacture owing to the importation of foreign butter. The wages of the farm servant ia partly made up of this butter, and tho question is a serious oue for these people who, however, are to blame a good deal themselves for tho position. Those who are above eating their own butter cannot wondor if others also refuse to eat it. Tho Christohuroh Press of yesterday reports that the members of the late Executive assembled last evening at the Wellington Hotel for the purpose of hearing a resume of tho recent annual meeting held at Oamaru. Messrs W. F. M'Lean and J. Painter gave a lucid report of tho business oxtracteu, and explained the action of election of a council of Duuediu and Oamaru bandsmen. Reference was made to the kludnpss of tho Christohurch newspaper!, and also to the Press Assocution for tho many favors, eto,, during tho pa»t five years. A hearty vote was also passed to Mr F. Fuchs, who had placed his rooms at tho disposal oi the old committee for many years past ; also to Messrs Booacy and Co , Besson and Co. (London), Higham (Manchoster), Wright and Round (Liverpool 1 , for their assistance in tho past. Satisfaction was expressed at the prospects of an early settlement of the dujputo at Inrercargill, and tho foling expressed waa that tho Timaru contost should receive the heartiest support of all New Zealand bandsmen. Tho usual vote to tho chairman terminated the j business of the evening. Says the Wellington correspondent of tho Christohurch Press : " When the Hon. Mr Ward's intontion to visit London was first announced, it wast stated, and with more freedom denied, that he was really going to London upon affairs conneoted with tho Southland with which he was olosely identified. To-day a reporb readies me that, if true, goes to show that that) gentleman may have had a laigo personal oonoorn in proceeding to London olothod with tho preitige of Goloaial Treasurer of the oolony, It is stated— and I shall be very pleased to contradlot tho report if it proro unfounded— that Mr Ward has. oabled to the representative, of a largo commercial conoero otrrylpf on operation! In South*

land, wiring that the fcuiiness may be paced undor offer to him (Mr Ward) in London. It u further stated that the business hM been placed under offer at a price that has not transpired. It goes without K.iying that if this be true and tho transaction come off it will probably result in a benevolent monopoly of much interest to the fanners and other producers of South' land." At the meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education, Mr Barclay reported, for himself and Mr Graham, on their investigation of certain matters connected with tho Redcliff school. They had enquired shortly into a personal dispute between tho commissioners and tho teacher'o family, but they did not go into that, as it did not affect the teacher. Tho committeo reported principally upon the residence. This was a small four-roomed cottage, which had been erected by the commissioners at a cost of Ll2O but this had been partly repaid, leaving LB3 6s 8d unpaid The buildiug was perfectly baro, without any outhouses at all, and required papering to exclude tho wind and light between tho shrunken boarding. Tho owners were prepared to hand the building over to the Board on being paid ( 83 Gs Bd, now or within twelve months, interest being allowed during any delay. If the Board accepted this oflor they would got a very cheap building, and the payment of L2O a year lodging money would cease. Mr Talbot raUed au objection on principle to tho bargain proposed, and pointed out that there would have to be a considerable expenditure for repairs and improvement! if tho Board bought the building. The roport was adopted, with thanks to Messrs Barclay and Graham for their trouble. Hakateramea asked for L3O to mako additions to the building hired for a schoolroom. The inspector was instructed to report. — Timaru Herald. Read C^moN, Gahdiner, ahd Co.'s advertisomont at tho foot of the third page. In these •' hard time* " the question, 11 Where can I get best value for my money in General Drapery ?" is often asked. Brow 4 and Gibbard offer startling inducement to oath purchasers. As the result of special purchates just made some wonderful bargauu will be offered on Friday, Saturday, and the week following. In order to obtain a full shilling's worth for every shilling spent go to the Polytechnic. James Gemmell invites inspection of his Winter consignment (ex Aorangi) of Scottish and KnglUh suitings, coatings, and trouserings, including some real Harris Tweedi. A ohoice selection of oxoluiivo novelties ; also Oamaru and other Colonial goods of tho best quality. This Establish ment has long been noted for the 6nst-class character of its productions. Suits from 7Cs upwards. Waterproof overcoats to order and ready made at lowest current rates. — James Gemmell, Tlamea Street, Oamaru