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New Zealand Mail, Issue 45, 2 December 1871, Page 9

The Stamp Duties.—Beferring to the doubling of the duty on bank cheques, the " Southern Cross" says : —" Among bankers, and those connected with banking interests, the increase of the impost upon cheques from Id to 2d will, it is alleged, greatly benefit them. It is well known the banks are always anxious for as large an issue of their notes as they can obtain. It is true that these represent gold or silver coin, when either is demanded in exchange, but then, as a rule, this is seldom the case. Notes pass from hand to hand, and are generally received in payment in preference to gold. Now that the stamp upon a cheque has been doubled, tradesmen, it is said, will draw largely upon their accounts iu notes, pay in notes, and receive in notes, and so will be the means of increasing their circulation ; for although notes, like bread cast upon the waters, return after many days, they reap an advantage during the interim. This is what is said, but whether it be correct those only initiated in banks and banking can possibly say. The general opinion, however, appears to be that the revenue will derive little or no increase from the new fiscal measure." "No Savee."—Six Chinamen were summoned before the Warden at Naseby a few days ago for mining without having miners' rights. All pleaded ignorance of the necessity of being so provided, and in the case of three, who were new arrivals, the plea was allowed as an extenuating circumstance, and they were fined ten shillings each, or three days' imprisonment with hard labor, in default. The other three, who were old Victorian miners, were fined £5 each and costs, or six days' imprisonment in default.