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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5843, 20 December 1879, Page 2

The following are the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Ist schedule of the Public Works Bill :—lnstead of “ from Nelson to Greymouth,” the line now stands “ from Nelson to Roundel!, and the section from Greymouth to Nelson Creek.” Instead of “ from Picton to Hurunui River passing by Blenheim and Kaikoura,” the line now stands “ from Picton to Awatere,” on the East and West Coast, instead of “from main line to a junction with the line from Nelson to Greymouth or Hokitika,” the line now stands “ the section from Amberley to Waikari.” The Waikato-Taranaki line was struck out. The quarterly meeting of the Chamber o* Commerce, adjourned from Wednesday last, took place yesterday, there being a large attendance of members. The principal business was the consideration of a resolution passed on the 2nd November by the committee of the Chamber, which was to the following effect : —“ Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee it is contrary to the true principles of political economy to advocate protective duties. They are further of opinion that if it is desirable to encourage local industries, such encouragement should be afforded by the granting of bonuses, as they do not think that the Custom House should be used for any other than purely fiscal purposes.” This resolution was again moved at the quarterly meeting by Mr. Nathan, and seconded by Mr. Travers in a very able speech, in which he said that no reason could be advanced why the great bulk of the community should be taxed in favor of a small section, whether in the shape of having to pay high protective duties or bonuses, which amounted to the same thing. Mr. Hatching said anybody who had correctly read history must be a freetrader ; still, he thought that certain industries might profitably be encouraged. He instanced Victoria, where living was at least 20 per cent, cheaper than in this colony, and showed that the debt per head in that colony was only about £l9, as compared with £SO in New Zealand. Mr. Hunter thought the better course would be to look at Victoria and New South Wales, and they could easy find it by public statistics as to whether the freetrade or protectionist colony made the greater progress. He considered it would be a dark day for New Zealand when a protectionist policy was introduced into it. Mr, George referred members who were la doubt upon the question to an article which had appeared in the “ Westminster Review” a few months back, and which was now being reprinted in Auckland. Mr. Booth, of Carterton, said he had been several months in the United States, and had gone there principally with the view of studying the question of protection. Nearly all the intelligent men he had conversed with in Massachusetts and the New England States were loud in their condemnation of the policy, whilst those whose interests were protected were continually crying out for more. Although he was connected with the timber trade, and would benefit by the reimposition of the timber duty, still, so great was his belief in free trade, that he would be quite content to have the duty removed to-morrow. The motion was then put by the Chairman, and carried, Mr. Warren being the only person in the room who held up his hand against it. Prasaure on our space compells us to withhold a report of the proceedings, (which were of a very interesting nature. The House met again yesterday, for the last time during the present session, shortly before one o’clock, when a long discussion took place on the amendments sent down from the Legislative Council in the Public Works Bill, which were ultimately agreed to. The House then adjourned for an hour, when the formal prorogation took place in the Legislative Council. Altogether 28 Bills and 27 notices of motion which were on the Order Paper were shelved, Mr. Buchanan, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, in announcing the passing of the Wellington Harbor Board Bill to that body yesterday, spoke very higHy of the exertions made in its behalf by the senior member for the city, Mr. Levin, and he thought the Chamber should take steps to mark its appreciation of the services rendered by that gentleman. The suggestion appeared to meet with the entirejapproval of the members present.

The prizes will be distributed at the College on Tuesday afternoon by Sir William Fitzherbsrt. The different volunteer corps will parade for inspection at the Mount Cook Barracks on Monday evening, at 7.30. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Thomas Bailey, steward of the steamer Ringarooma, was fiued £lO and £3 costs, on a charge of smuggling tobacco ashore. At Mr. J. H. Wallace's sale of horses, from Martinborough, the following prices were realised :—Bay mare, £ls ; grey mare, £ll ; brown mare, £l2 ; black gelding, £ll P's.; black gelding, £6 10s.; bay mare, £9 10s.; bay pony, £7 155.; bay mare, £5 ; brown gelding, £9 55.; brown gelding, £7 155.; chestnut gelding, £8 10s. We are requested to state that the cricket te un selected to play a match here on Tuesday and Wednesday next with the Wanganui team, will play a practice match on the Basin Reserve this afternoon, with the next best twenty. Cricketers are requested to be on the ground punctually at 2 p.m. Ou Monday [evening the Mammoth Minstrels will open a season at the Theatre Royal. Tiffs troupe, which consists of nearly two dozen performers, has amongst it some of the best singers and actors who have travelled “ under the auspices of burnt cork ” through New Zealand and the Australian colonies. Owing to the wet weather last evening, a number of the articles offered for sale by the ladles of the Wesleyan Church, Molesworthstreet, remain unsold. The sale will therefore be continued this afternoon at 4 o’clock, and it is to be hoped that there will bo a numerous attendance, so that the good object the ladies have in view may be realised. Tea will be provided. We regret to state that a telegram was received from Greytown last night, by a gentleman residing in this city, intimating that Mr. W. R. Hastwell, of the well-known firm of Hastwell and Macara, coach proprietors, had died yesterday afternoon, from the effects of a fit into which he had fallen, at his residence. All who have had the pleasure of the deceased gentleman's acquaintance will hear with regret the news of his untimely death. The Theatre Royal was but moderately attended last night, in consequence of the inclement nature of the weather. The drama of “ Queen’s Evidence” was again produced, the performance being for Mr. Wallace's benefit. There was also one short afterpiece, consisting of the " Irish Emigrant,” which was exceedingly well rendered. The same programme will be repeated to-night for the last time, which will bring Mr. Wallace’s engagement to a close in this city. Mr. Travers loves his little joke. Sauntering into the hall of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, he observed Mr. Booth, of the Carterton saw-mills, Captain Williams, and Mr. Kitchen, seated together. “Oh !” said the legal gentleman, “Coal, timber, and candles are always up to time ; they need no protection ?” Although Mr. Travers was evidently of opinion that the three gentlemen were apostles of the protectionist doctrine, it afterwards transpired that they avowed themselves believers in free trade. The jury empanelled in McLennan’s case at Napier have fallen upon a kindly Judge (remarks the Herald), and they have to thank him for the exceedingly considerate arrangements made for their comfort. He yesterday gave instructions that they were to be allowed needful exercise on the beach, accompanied, of course, by constables, but he warned them that if they abused this privilege by attempting to communicate with any outsiders it would be withdrawn. At the request of the foreman, he also stated that they might have any literature in the evening, except the daily newspapers containing an account of the trial. The jury are well fed and provided with beds at the Masonic Hotel, and every possible arrangement has been made to ensure their comfort. The privileges in connection with the Caledonian sports will be sold to-day at 12 o'clock by Mr. Sidoy, at the Arcade ; at 1 p.m. there will bo a sale of furniture and sundries. Groceries, furniture, Ac., will be sold to-day. at 2 p-ra., at Messrs. Dwau and Co.’s rooms, WillisstreeD Produce,}poultry, fruit, Ac., will be sold to-day, at 11 a.m., at Messrs. Laery and Campbell’s rooms ; at 2 p.m., the usual weekly sale of horses, Ac., will take piaco at Tattersall’s, off Manners-street.