SPECIAL TELEGRAMS

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 544, 10 July 1880, Page 3

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS

TO THE “ MAILT

PRESS TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Friday

A committee is appointed by the House of Representatives to report upon farther facilities to the press in the use of the telegraph.

PROFIT ON RABBITS, Wellington, Friday

A new industry is attracting attention here. It is the exportation of rabbit skins to the European markets. The rabbit pest is being turned to profitable account in parts of Southland, and something may bo done in parts of the North Island by-and-by. The ship St Leonard took from this city a bale of these skins, and they realised over 3d per skin, leaving a good profit all round.

INWARD ’FRISCO MAIL, Wellington, Friday. An advice from San Francisco says the City of Sydney left ’Frisco on the sth, a day before contract time. She brings London mails to June 7th. COAL PRICES. Wellington, Friday. Prices of coal in Wellington arc reduced to 30s per ton at the ship’s side, and 35s at the yards. HORSEWHIPPING A COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS. Wellington, Friday. A lively “scene ” occurred yesterday at the Custom House, llobcrt Atkinson went to the Customs and asked to sec Mr McKellar, collector. Deputations arc not unusual, and Mr McKellar decided to receive this deputation of one. He met the deputation without misgiving, but when the deputation produced a horsewhip (held in reserve) and began to flourish it over the collcctoi’s head, the latter u collected ”, himself for a run. But down came the horsewhip once, twice, and many times more, and rumour says the collector danced a good deal. The operation being finished to the deputation’s satisfaction, he coolly said, “ You can now send for a constable and give me into custody.” The collector took him at his wQrd,and handed the deputation over for trial on a charge of assault and battery. It is said that this Mr Robert Atkinson had a grievance against the collector for suppressing evidence in the enquiry into a petition he presented before the Public Petitions Committee, claiming compensation for dismissal from the Customs some years ago. The charge against Mr Atkinson then was that ho had failed to report certain irregularities of his superior officers, and was

dismissed. He has nursed up bis wrath againgst McKcllar until now. Friday, Later, llobert Atkinson has been brought up at the R.M. Court, and ren aided. He was formerly Customs officer at the Thames.