INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1025, 26 November 1872, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS

The ' Gazette ' notifies that the fol-

lowing bonuses will be given in compliance with the resolutions of the House in respect to colonial industries: £SOOO for the production of 1000 tons of good pig iron ; £IO,OOO

for 100 tons of steel from iron sand ; £2OOO for 250 tons of beet-root sugar ; £2500 for 100 tons of printing paper manufactured by machinery; 4 per cent, for cured fisb, dry or pickled, exported for consumption abroad.

The cultivation of oysters is being vigorously prosecuted at Akaroa. Messrs Morey and Co. have for some time had artificial oyster beds in i German Bay, and are actively engaged 'in making others. A new company under the management of Mr E. O. Latter, is also about commencing operations at Barry's Bay. The following address has been presented to the members of the Canterbury Jockey Club. It was largely and influentially signed : " To the members of the Canterbu.y Jockey Club. Gentlemen—We, the undersigned, desire to thank you for the fearless manner in which you have discharged a very responsible duty, in your decision in the " Peeress case," and we fully eoncur in the opinion that adoption of any other course would have effectually ruined racing in Can-

terbury. Mr Henry Driver, of Dunedin, has received from Mr W- H. Webb a telegram, dated " "New York, 31st October," to the effect that he had disposed of his steamers, and his interest under the contract with the New Zealand Government, to a very wealthy association in California, under the title of " The California, New Zealand, and Australian Mail Steamship Company." Mr Webb will hold a large share in the undertaking. Mr Driver understands that the Company will, without doubt, secure a United Sates subsidy during the ensuing session of Congress ; and that the Company will, as speedily as possible, put the service upon such a footing as to secure its permanence against all opposition. Mr Driver, as attorney for Mr Webb, has officially -communicated the facts above stated to the New Zealand Government.

Beveridge, the Grand Master of the Freemasons, writes a letter to the ' Cross' in contradiction to that of Father JNbrris. He says that Freer told him twelve months ago that in consequence of his refusing to repounce Freemasonry and opposing the "■priests regarding education, they said he would have the death of a dog. Freer then requosted Beveridge, if he survived him, to see that he had a Masonic funeral. Shortly before his death Freer complained to Beveridge that the priests were continually annoying him by nrgiug him torenouuee Freemasonry. Freer expressed himself bitterly against the priests, requesting them not to visit him, which they insisted upon doing. The day before Freer died, Father Norris was coming to admininister extreme unction, when Freer sent for Beveridge to remain with him during the service, fearing that the priests would renew their resquests to him to renounce Freemasonry. Beveridge did so. When the priest was gone, Beveridge asked Freer how it was that, still being a Freemason, he had been granted absolution. He replied, " Oh, they have stretched a point for me ; but mind that Masons bury me." This was shortly before Freer's death.

From ' Hansard ' we learn that the running expenses of the Luna amount to £7OOO a year. A share in the prospecting claim at Albion terrace, Kazorback, Nelson Province, has been sold for the sum of £557.