NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2158, 18 February 1880, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[Pee “ Times” Special Wise.] Tlie French Convict Invasion. Auckland, Feb. 18.—There is great indignation here at the landing of 25 Communists (nine of whom were convicted under the criminal code) from the schooner Griffin, chartered by the French Government to convey them to New Zefiland. The vessel was only provisioned for a ten days’ voyage, and, encountering bad weather, she ran short, but fortunately fell in with the barque Lochnagar,'! bound for Tasmania, which supplied them with stores. These, however, were all finished a day before the vessel arrived at Manukau Heads. In a very strongly-worded article, the “ Herald” calls on the people to rise to a man and resist, if need be forcibly, the scandalous attempt of the authorities of New : Caledoniii to saturate this colony with the off-scourings of their bagnios, and demands that Sir Hercules Robinson shall support any measure his Ministers may take. It also says the matter imposes a special duty on the Mayor, in the discharge of which, it trusts, he will not fail. Native Reductions. Lewis, "Under-Secretary of the Native office, continues making reductions. Williams, of the Bay of Islands, is expected to receive compensation for loss of office. Protecting the Pair Sex. Wellington, Feb. 18. —At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, live publicans were fined £2 and costs for allowing barmaids to remain in their bars after 11 p.m. Several drapers were treated iu a similar manner for allowing females to remain at work later than 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoons. The Magistrate intimated that for the future in hearing cases of breaches of the Act, he would inflict the full penalty of £SO. Sunday Traffic. Christchurch, Feb. 18.—At the Magistrate’s Court, Matthew Henry Oram of the City Hotel, was fined £5 for selling liquor on a Sunday. Mr Mellish commented severely bn the Surday traffic. Removal of Railway Headquarters. The Minister for Public Works was interviewed this morning by a, deputation from the Chamber of Commerce regarding the removal of the railway staff and Mr Conyers to Dunedin, and on other matters connected with railways. The Minister said the removal of Mr Conyers was necessary for re-organising the Invercargill section, hut not the removal of the staff. The Addington workshops arc still to be continued, and every provision is to be made for the traffic during the grain season. A Fatal Plunge. Dunedin, Feb. 18.—Peter Dymant, a Dane, has been drowned in the Shotover, after falling over a bank of GO feet. Railway Extension. Tenders will shortly bo called for the northern section of the Otago Central line. The Sticking-up Case. The police at Clyde have recovered the whole of the money stolen from a man at Bald Hill Flat. Billiard Licenses. The Licensed Victuallers Association have decided to take legal advice, whether a licence fee is demandahle for billiard tables. Magisterial Blundering. At the City Court, Henry Epps was charged with fishing with a net for trout. Mr Watt held that section 2of the Fisheries Act did not apply to the creek where the fishing had taken place, as it was not mentioned in the section’; After the case was dismissed, Inspector Mallard pointed out, that under section 7, fishing in a net was prohibited in all creeks. Mr Watt admitted taking the wrong view of the matter, but said it was unnecessary to re-open the case. The Sanitary Inspector. Invercargill, Feb. 18.—Two deaths from diptheria have occurred. Volunteering At the parade on Monday of the Rifle Corps,, only-twelve, out of a large number, voted for going _to the review at Christchurch. Dissatisfaction is felt at the accommodation likely to be provided.