INTERPROVINCIAL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 172, 2 July 1884, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Per United Press Association.] THE REVENUE RETURNS. Wellington, July 2. The Customs returns for the Colony for the month are now complete, with the exception of two small districts which are not likely to increase the amount by much. Last month the total collected was £102,996, as against £105,821 for the corresponding month of last year. The principal amounts collected in the colony during last month were:— Auckland, £22,757 ; Wellington, £17,765 ; Lyttelton and Christchurch, £13,846 ; Dunedin, £28,940. Comparing last month’s returns with the corresponding period for 1883 Auckland, Thames, Russell, Hokianga, Kaipara, Tauranga, Nelson, Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill show a decrease, while Poverty Bay, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Foxton, Wellington, Napier, Wairau, Christchurch, and Riverton have a slight increase. The Customs revenue collected for May was nearly £5,000 in excess of that received last month. The beer duty collected for June, ; 1884, was £3,628. as against £4,136 for the corresponding period of last year. The principal amounts last month were—Auckland, £746 ; Wellington, £307 ; Dunedin, £B2O ; Christchurch, £729. The largest falling-off was at the latter’ place. The Government have received information by the Frisco’ mail, to the effect that the American Congress have passed a bill granting assistance to the various steam services including the San Francisco mail service, but that the vote will not take effect until the end of April next. To what amount |

it is decided to subsidise the San Erancisso service is not definitely known, but it is believed to be of a substantial nature. SUPREME COURT. The Supreme Court has been occupied by a case in which the Hon. John Martin, and T. G. McCarthy, were plaintiffs, and Messrs. Brandon and Sons, solicitors, defendants. The case was brought to compel defendants to produce accoutts of their partnership with Mr. E. Shaw, and hand over to them certain monies which it was alleged were due on partnership account to Mr. Shaw, the plaintiff having made certain advances to Mr. Shaw on an agreement that they were to receive all the profits of partnership accruing to him in excess of a certain stipulated sum per annum. The defence is that Mr. Shaw has drawn all he is entitled to from the partnership. After the evidence had been taken, the case was adjourned for consideration in tho Banco Court. CONVICTION FOR GAMBLING. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Carterton to-day, the landlord of tho Marquis of Normanby Hotel, was fined £5 for permitting gambling. The Governor gave a ball this evening in honor of Her Majesty’s birthday. The sura of £2,500 was paid into the Corporation account yesterday as yearly revenue derived from licenses within the city. THE GOVERNOR’S ABSENCE. Should the Governor be absent from New Zealand over a month, Justice Johnston, as acting Chief Justice, will also perform the duties of Acting Governor. The cutter Hero, mentioned in the Christchurch telegram as being in distress off Akaroa, sailed from Wellington, She was pronounced unseaworthy by the Marine Surveyor some time back, her timbers being completely rotten, and has been laying in harbor till a few days ago, when she cleared at the customs for D’Urville Island Capt. Bendall, secretary to the Underwriter’s Association, who only noticed her departure when nearly out of harbor, at once informed the Customs Department. He stated that her real destination was Timaru, where she was to be sold to the Fisheries’ Co. UNION INSURANCE COMPANY. Christchurch, July 2. The annual meeting of the Union Insurance Company was held to-day. The balance-sheet showed the receipts for the year, including £9,210, brought forward from last year, to have been £195,889 ; losses, reinsurance and expenditure, £183,473, leaving £12,356, of which the directors recommend a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent., equal to £lO,OOO. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, and the retiring directors, Messrs. H. Montgomery, J. Anderson, and H. Webb, were re-elected. The North Creek Quartz Mining Company, have received particulars of the trial crushing of a small parcel of stone, by Doctor Hector. The result is very good. POLITICAL SOCIETY.

A meeting was held last night of the recently formed alliance working men’s political society. The following political platform was adopted : —Manhood suffrage, on a basis of six months residential qualification. Members of both Houses of Parliament to be elected. Triennial Parliaments. Land and Income Tax. Encouragement of Colonial industries. Modification of land laws. No further free immigration. An employers Liability Bill. No further petitions. Eight hours to be a legal days work. Thorough reform and economy in the Civil Service. The society also disavowed Sir George Grey as a political leader. Captain Clarke, of the tug Lyttelton, telegraphs . from Akaroa, that the crew of the cutter in distress have been rescued. The mast of the vessel had gone and the deck was broken open. The Chamber of Commerce have decided to banquet Mr. Coster and the directors of the New Zealand Shipping Company, in recognition of the great value to the Colony of the direct steam service. Early on Saturday morning the residence of Patrick Mara, of Alford Forest, was destroyed by fire. It was insured for £l7O in the New Zealand and £lOO in the London, Liverpool and Globe. Murray Aston’s art studio was broken into on Sunday. Only a few stamps were stolen. An old man named Arthur Scrigsby, commission agent, was found dead in his office to-day. Auckland. July 2. The Wairarapa leaves on her second visit to Fiji next week. The programme of the excursion will be the same as last trip. SUPREME COURT. The Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court opened yesterday. The calendar was a large one, although none of the offences are of an aggravated character. Nine of the twenty-one accused belong to the Native race. John O’Connor, forgery, was sentenced to twelve months, and L. O. Brigstock was convicted of a similar offence, but sentence was deferred. Dunedin, July 2. Arrived : Timaru, ship, Captain Fullerton, from London, 78 days out, the eight passengers on board enjoyed good health. Another trial is to be given to deep sea fishing. A smack has beed secured and properly fitted. Mr. Milne, of Caversham, has been elected president of the Otago Educational Institute.