GENERAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 856, 31 August 1871, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

The s-earcity of blasting pewder was so severely felt at the Thames, that the Government were obliged to lend 25 kegs to save the Caledonian and other companies from stooping work. Both iVir "Walker and Mr Kennedy have lodged deposits on a rifle match to be contested shortly at Auckland. A Wellington paper describes the reception accorded to Mr Vogel on his first appearance in Parliament during the session:—The hon. the Treasurer put in an appearance in the Assembly to-day (August 21st), but his return did not by any means cause any special enthusiasm in members. AVhen he entered the hall, Messrs Macandrew and Tribe attempted applause, but as they had the fun all to themselves, the enthusiasm did not amount to much. It was thought perhaps at the opening of business that Mr Vogel would have had some congratulation offered, which would have given him an opening to reply, but such was not the case, and, very shortly after having been sworn in, he left the Chamber.

A quantity of plate, including two dozen silver forks, the property of Sir George Bowen, has been stolen from Government House.

Messrs Brewer and Durie, cattle dealers have had a meeting of their creditors. Their affairs show total liabilities of £8,171, and the estimated assets are £5,120. The secured liabilities are £2,000, and unsecured, £6,171. A composition of 3s 6d in the pound has been offered and accepted.

The following is the explanation of ft recent telegram which stated that unlicensed stills had been found on the establishments of seven photographers in Christchurch. The offence was admitted, and the defence was that they were used for distilling water required for the business of photography. His Worship said that the minimum penalty was a heavy one, and he would dismiss the case upon a guarantee being given that the apparatus would be left in their present condition.and an immediate application made to the Commissioner of Customs for licenses.

The "Wellington " Post " of a recent date thus refers to the resolutions to be moved by the member for Grevmouth :—-" If the resolutions of which Mr Harrison yesterday gave notice are successful, the County of Westlaud, as at present constituted, will be wiped out of the map of the colony, and a new system of West Coast goldfields management initiated. The hon. member proposes to abolish the County, and take the management of the Nelson South-west Goldfields adjoining from Provincial jurisdiction. In lieu thereof, he suggests large goldfield municipal districts, governed by boards, presided over by the Wardens, with rating powers. The General Government to take over all courts, police, &a., and the capitation grant at present received to cease. That some great improvement is needed on the \fpo\e of the West Coast goldfields is undoubted, but we doubt whether the*"'inhabitants will be prepared to accept changes of so sweeping a nature."

The of August 19, remarking on the«dll[)erate opposition offered by Mr Eoxfto Mr Collins's motion for a return of the telegrams sent free by Ministers, says :—" It is } if not no* torious, at least very generally be-* lieved, that in Prcjviujfjes, where the Superintendents or,-other constituted authorities are supposed to be otherwise than well affected, the Ministry are in intimate correspondence with the editor of a Ministerial j&urhal or unavowed agent; and this pretty general before, will uot widely spread or less impli- ' citly believed after Mr Fox's conduct on Thursday last. On that occasion, with the assistance of his three black followgrs', and of one, if not two votes, gaine»by a mistake, he did indeed secure; a glorious victory of five. Opof the Government declare that he could not then have risked the existence of his Ministry except to maintain inviolato a system of espionage, which would iave been rudely dragged to by Mr CJollins's did but pray for a return qJH names of persons, not to whom free use of thai "telegraph had been granted." * v