WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3736, 15 December 1880, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day.

Mr WakeOeld, M.H.E, addressed the electors of Geraldine last evening, and was well received. He reviewed the business of the past session, and defended the Property Tax under the exigencies of the situation, and claimed credit for the House for honestly grappling with the financial difficulty, though.he deplored the burdens taxation bad placed on the people, and said he would not support any more taxation until vigorous efforts had been made to reduce the expenditure and increase the productive power of the colony. He explained his silence in the House by stating that he and others were unwilling to swell the mass of talk at a time when talking could do no possible good. Last night the store of Harris and Co., Lowtber, was burned down. No goods were saved. The insurance on these and the building was £150 in the N.Z., but it was valued at £400. It is believed the fire was caused by sparks from a passage engine, the building being near the Waimea Plains line, burning native coal with no spark catcherr, and the sufferer intends to apply for compensation.