GOVERNMENT MAKE PROPOSALS WITH RESPECT TO GOLD DUTY AND MINER'S RIGHTS.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 692, 2 August 1870, Page 2

GOVERNMENT MAKE PROPOSALS WITH RESPECT TO GOLD DUTY AND MINER'S RIGHTS.

DEFEATED BY A MAJORITY OF FOUR. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) (from OUR OWN COItRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Saturday. The Government, yesterday, brought forward a proposition, under which it was intended to transfer to the various Provinces the power to regulate the duty on gold, as also the fees to be paid on Miner's Rights. Mr Kynnersley opposed any increase of power beiug extended to tbe Provinces. He preferred that the gold duty should be continued, and that the taxes on the necessaries of life should be remitted. He also advocated that the miner's right should be made applicable to the entire Colony. The Government were defeated by a majority of four.

"Wellington, Friday. The House was yesterday engaged on a petition from Canterbury to repeal the Thistle laws. It was generally agreed that it was useless to think of killing thistles by legislature. Tareha, one of the Maori members, said thistles and pakehas came together, and neither could be got rid of. Mr Travers's motion in favor of taking a verdict from the majority of a jury, was shelved by the previous question being carried, by 27 to 25. An amusing discussion followed Mr Haughton's motion in favor of giving a copy of Judge Johnston's " Justice of the Peace " to every member of the Legislature. The matter was adjourned, to allow enquiries to be made as to the probable cost of each " Justice of the Peace." A lengthened discussion took place on the new clauses in the Grold Duties Bill, by which Government proposed giving the Governor the power to reduce the duty on gold in any province, on the recommendation of the Provincial authorities. Three clauses were carried by a majority of 26 to 24. The Otago and Southland Union Bill is passed. On going into committee on the Payment of Jurors Bill, Mr Hall proposed to pay jurors eight shillings a day. The discussion was adjourned. To-day, tho report of the Adulteration Committee was bi ought All samples of wines and spirits were found more or less adulterated; the i

coffee examined hardly deserved the name. The various Financial Bills will come on for Becond reading next Tuesday. The House in Committee reversed, on Mr Kynnersley's motion, the clauses on the gold duty, by 34r to 31. Mr Stafford strongly supported him, and Mr Vogel tried hard to carry his point. Further fighting is expected. On the House resuming after dinner members exhibited great animation. Mr Vogel offered a compromise, making miners' rights 10s. An acceptance is expected. Notwithstanding the Liquidators' notice, to discontinue running the steamers of the N.Z.S.N. Company, the Wellington leaves for Nelson on the 3rd of August. The Phoebe is detained till Saturday midnight. The Court of Appeal concluded yesterday. Dunedin. Two men have been drowned at Shag Point, through the capsizing of a boat. Mr Smythies is .a candidate for the representation of the Taieri in the Assembly, in the event of a general election.