WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3588, 26 June 1880, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day.

A deputation from the City Council waited on the Colonial Secretary this morning, informing him that at the end of the present month, when the subsidies ceased, the Council would give up the management of the Hospital.

Mr Dick asked the Council to resume management after that date, and until they hear from him ; Government being responsible for the maintenance.

A deputation of representatives of the brewers' interest waited on the Treasurer this morning urging that by imposition of the tax on beer would clog the spring of local industry, and suggested that in the event of the tax being imposed brewers would be allowed 12 months to clear stock.

The Treasurer replied that it would not answer the purpose of Government to cripple any industry ; he had resisted to the last an excise duty, and nothing but the state of public finances would induce him to levy a tax in opposition to what he himself would like to do, but the Customs revenue had fallen off, and liabilities must be met iv 'other way. He said the principle of the tax would be imposed, and he should be glad if (he deputation would furnish him with facts and figures showing the cost of the production of beer, and. an estimate of the result of the tax, and it then could be worked with the least possible objection.