INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1201, 11 August 1874, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

The individuals who were fined by the AVanganui bench Is each and costs for playing at Yankee Grab, adjourned to a safe distance after the case was over and "shook off" who should pay the costs. Our own correspondent (says the Otago Daily Times) telegraphs from Wellington as follows:—It is generally understood that Government is prepared to introduce a Bill providing for payment of members on the "Victorian style of £3OO a year, . but desires some private members first to bring tho matter forward. The following is printed by the Lyttelton Times as a true copy of a notice recently posted on the shop door of a tradesman in High street, Christchurch : —" Notis to the publick Gon howt fur a fu Ours to sel sum land." The Commissioners of Insurance and Annuities report shows 1465 new insurance policies granted for the year ending Juno 30, 1874, with premiums of £10,788 and annuities of £450 and £21.40, representing annual policies to annuitants of £283. The interest accrued is £2331 ; fines and fees received, £23 ; total of former, £45,734, representing £403,260; of amount insured, £3650; of endowments paid, £283, and only payable for 1873. The total premiums, &c, received were £31,400; in 1872, £18,100; in 1871, £715 L; and in 1870, £357; total, £102,835, representing, £1,588,909 as the sum insured ; £10,150 contingent endowments ; and £1234 annuities payable yearly. The Wellington correspondent of the Herald, who is usually well informed, says it is believed Mr Vogel will so arrange matters as to enable him to force a dissolution at the end of the present session. A newspaper is about to bo started at Foxton almost immediately. The Hawke's Bay Times publishes a resume of Mr Vogel's speech on the establishment of state forests, in Maori—a capital idea, deserving public thanks. The 11. B. Times adds :—We believe tLo natives only roquiro to hare

their attention drawn to this eubject, to co-operate with the Government of the colony in their laudable endeavour to preserve an important part of our colonial inheritance from waste and destruction. That the natives look with regret on tho threatened extinction of forms of life existing in this country is proved by the interesting letter in our last issue regarding the huia bird, for the preservation of which they have established a rahui or law similar to the European Act for the protection of animals. It is an instruction to Dr Featherstone that the " Handbook of New Zealand" is not to be given away, Mr Vogel being of opinion that publications which do not cost anything are rarely valued by recipients. All public institutes and the Press are, however, to be supplied with copies ; six copies are to be placed on board each immigrant ship for the use of emigrants. The pi ice to be charged is to be left to Dr Featherstone, and it is suggested to him that travellers should be engaged to sell them throughout the United Kingdom. The Marlborough Express mentions, as an instance illustrative of the demand for labor, that 100 of the Sussex immigrants lately arriving in Port Chalmers agreed to come to Blenheim, but ere they started 16 met with other engagements. On calling at Lyttleton 20 remained behind, and between the Napier putting back, and the Phcobe starting from Wellington, other 14 left the party ; and of the 50 who arrived in Picton, only 12 reached Blenheim and were all engaged soon after arrival. The Thames Star says that the butchers of the Thames have raised the price of meat twopence per pound, in consequence of a corresponding advance charged by the salesmen, who allege that until some vessels are put on the coast for the cattle trade the price of meat will necessarily rule higher than it has done for some time. The Star com. plains of a monopoly of the wholesale business. Alas, for the lack of gallantry in these unchivalrous days! Can no countermovement be inaugurated to protect the fair Hebes of our hotels from the baleful influence of Mr Fox's unfeeling proposals? The ex-Premier intends to move in committee on the Licensing Bill that no girl under thirty years of age shall be permitted to serve at a bar. Good gracious ! does he mean to imply that there are any unmarried ladies in this colony of over thirty years of age, or is this deep-laid plot to deprive us of the addition of sweet feminine smiles to the more substantial flavour of our P.B. Where is the champion who will stand forth and plead the cause of the thousands of interesting creatures who with throbbing hearts now await their doom ? He shall not lack smiles or nobblers while barmaids flourish. We are glad to learn from late advices that the "'SruUer" is to the fore, and fcbat Mr Fox shall not tamper with the ladies' privileges with impunity.