COLONIAL ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 82, 27 August 1873, Page 3

COLONIAL ITEMS.

[From Southern Papers.] AUCKLAND. Burglars entered the Custom-house, but finding no money, stole a -number of boots from a store. There are more burglaries. It is believed an organized gang exists. WANGANUI. Mr. Watt, the Mayor, has promised to resign his seat in the Provincial Executive. DUNEDIN. A train ran off the Port Chalmers line. No lives were lost, but one engine was smashed. A fire has occurred at Marshall and Copeland s brewery. the damage is estimated at £9OO, £5OO of which is covered by insurance. WELLINGTON. Mr. Ormond moved the reading of Superintendent of Hawke’s Bay Election Bill. At a caucus of Middle Island members it was determined to resist the proposal to take land as security for any railways authorized in the schedule to the Act of 1871. The provinces would themselves construct the branch lines. The meeting was unfavorable to a new colonial loan for the purchase of landed estate in the North Island.

In reply to Mr. Murray, Mr. Vogel said that Sir George Arney only drew half the Governor’s salary after the date of Sir James Ferguson’s departure from England, though {entitled to the whole.

Mr. W. Kelly moved that it was desirable legislative action should be taken to remedy the mischief being caused by the “ Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits Act.” " He said that that Act rendered it necessary for hotelkeepers at Tauranga, Opotiki, and Poverty Bay to get native assessors to sign their licenses after the same had been issued by the bench of Magistrates. Mr. M’Lean said he had been disappointed with the operation of the Act. It would perhaps be desirable to repeal in next session. In the meantime, Poverty Bay would be exempted from its operations; in fact, an Order in Council exempting that district was already prepared. The Licensing Bill was committed. The first four clauses, being unimportant, passed without discussion. Clause 6, to the effect that Resident Magistrates might call on all local officers of Provincial or General Government to assist in carrying out the Bill, raised objections. Mr. Andrew said that under it the pilot of Wanganui might be sent about with voting papers while vessels were on the bar. There was no limit to the absurdities that would take place. Messrs. Cuthbertson, Hunter, O’Conor, M'Lean, Bell, Bunny, and others, objected to the impropriety of affirming the principle of the Bill on its second reading, and negativing it in committee.

Messrs. Atkinson and Swanson thought the Bill should be made like the Education Bill, leaving it optional with the provinces to adopt it. Sir Cracroft Wilson said that the Bill had passed its second reading only out of courtesy for Mr. Fox. But for him it would have been thrown out now.

Mr. Fox said he did not thank him for such courtesy; he might keep his compliments in his pocket. Ho (Mr. Fox) protested against risking the Bill in this state ; but if he could not get the whole Bill through he would be content with instalments.

Sir Dillon Bell said this announcement must commend itself to the House. Much of the Bill (the adulterated clauses especially) must undoubtedly be passed. The hour being late, the usual half-hour for adjournment was suggested. Tairoa objected to the adjournment, and said it was very inconsistent for members to go out and drink whiskey, and come in again and vote for teetotalism.

Mr. Fox said that bottle licenses were demoralizing. It was known that apparently respectable women went into grocer’s shops, got bottles of grog, and had them put down under other names.

Major Atkinson thought that if women would conspire with tradesmen to deceive their husbands for grog, they would get it under any system. After a little more vapid desultoiy chatter, the debate was adjourned. Mr. W. Kelly asked why the Resident Magistrate at Poverty Bay, who was also medical attendant to the Armed Constabulary and to the natives, got only £250, while the magistrate of the neighbouring district, with no extra duties, got £350 or £4OO.

Mr. Bathgate, in reply, asked Mr. Kelly to confer with him, and to give him the benefit of his local information on the subject, when he would endeavor to do what was correct.

Mr. W. Kelly said he trusted Dr. Hector would send some one out to explore the Tauranga and Poverty Bay districts, which he had reason to believe were rich in minerals.

Mr. Sheehan supported the suggestion. It was certain that petroleum was to be found in large quantities, and, probably, coal and gold. The district was quite unknown. The Legislative Council has thrown out the Provincial l ounoils Powers Bill on the second reading, on a division of 17 to 9. Mr. Sheehan said that the Native Department was a necessity. To talk of its abolition was wild nonsense. His experience led him to believe that Kingites were just as bad as Queenites, and that this was owing in no way to the native policy, but to the constitution of the race.

Mr. Ormond asked the Government if it was their intention to take the census next year, according to the Act. Mr. Vogel said that in the first instance it was intended to bring in a Bill to postpone taking the census, on the score of economy. He had now altered his mind, and would place a vote for the purpose on the Supplementary Estimates.