INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1158, 13 March 1874, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Tho proposed cultivation of beetroot is occupying some attention in Otago av tho present time, and the Times states as au item of interest that, according to a Mincing Lane correspondent of tho Times, France, Belgium, Grermany, Austria, and liussia produced last season (1872-3) over 1,000,000 tons of beet worth fully £25,000,000. In France alone tho crop amounted to 409,000 tons, which was produced by 520 factories. The cultivation of beetroot should prove more successful on the "West Coast even than in Ofcago. The bricklayers in Dunedin publish a notification that they will not accept any sub-contracts or work for men that take them. Master builders requiring men are referred to a registry kept at the Lodge House of the bricklayers association. The total amout of subscriptions to tbe Surat relief fund was £765 245. The Dunedin Banks have raised the price of gold from £3 10s to £3 15s 6d. This step is due to tbe threatened exportation of gold to the Victorian mint.

It is stated in tbe Dunedin papers tbat one of the immigrants sent out by our 6 overnmeut in the Mongol was a well to do actor, engaged to play in Melbourne. This valuable acquisition to the Colony will be landed free in Wellington, and then he will, regardless of expense, take a steerage passage to Melbourne to fulfil his engagement. In very deed this man has " travelled," for he has found out the way to voyage from London to Melbourne, "with the option of visiting New Zealaud for the sum of £5." All we have to say %v that if he does not bring out an company at the same rate, he has L.M more brains than the man who sent him.

A Dunediu milkman has been fined £ls for selling as milk a mixture consisting of 90 per cent of water and 10 per cent of milk ; the Magistrate ex. plaining that he had not imposed the full penalty of £2O because he wished to leave himself a margin of £5 to meet the case of any enterprising trader who might carry adulteration to a yet further pitch. The Otago Times of a receut date says :—A seafaring gentleman showed his agility and his determination not to miss the train by getting through one of the carriage windows after the train was in motion. In doing this be committed a breach of the by-law, aud was introduced to Mr Strode, who fi]ied him thirty shillings and costs. The defendant walked from before the President Magistrate with the air of a man who knew ho had to pay a fine, and was not in the least convinced that bo was in the wrong. A friend, however—a practical man—came to the rescue. Waving a five pound note as though it were a banner, ho called out, " Who takes the money?" at the same time muttering something about " straugers," aud "cussed country." The bailiff of the court took the money, and when the change was returned, the stranger made his exit side-ways, glaring fiercely at the Magistrate.

Tlie Wallaeetown Lodge of Good Templars celebrated their first anui. versary lately. The following is an extract from the report presented on the occasion, as published by the Southlaad Times :—" We have inducl ments to offer for the year 1874, which we could not have offered six months ago ; such as an equitable share in the civilising influence and attractive power of seven sisters. Three of the fair sisters are elected to office for the ensuing quarter, the special duty of one being, on direction of the worthj chief, to give new members the Good Templar grip, a process apt to produce a palpitation of the heart."

The surgeon of the emigrant ship Isle of the South was recently committed for trial for selliug " medical comforts" to the passengers on f| voyage out, and receiving money i the same, tho charge coming under the designation of larceny as a bailee. He confessed to the practice before the captain, previous to the arrival of the vessel in port, ami handed to hiu what he represented as the total amount of cash received for wine, stout, and spirits. By advice of his counsel, the accused reserved his defence ; and bail was allowed, himself in £IOO, and two sureties of £IOO each. A clever skit in the Wellington Post of the speech that his Excellency the Governor is supposed to have delivered at the late session of Parliament, is going the rounds of the Press. We make tlit following extract from it as too good | be lost:—" Since Parliament was pro j rogncd I have visited most of the centres ; of population in both islands Tfof people seem prosperous, but are dread- j fully given to demonstrations of loyalty,j in the shape of banquets and prc-j cessions. They no doubt mean well; and I am fully satisfied of their attack ment to the Crown. At the same time, I felt it my duty on several occasionsto imp-ess on them that her Majesty's representative must not bo bired, audi am glad to say that no wc.de consider ation for their feelings detjirod me frou practically enforcing this great mors lesson. The number of Mayors ii Otago is a serious evil, demanding til immediate hud grave consideration of tti Legislature."