DUNEDIN, Thursday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1812, 16 February 1884, Page 2

DUNEDIN, Thursday.

The New Zealand Eugby Union (Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago), having requested Mr S. E. Sleigh to undertake the management of the football trip to Sydney this year, that gentleman wrote by yesterday's steamer to Sydney for full particulars as to matches, teams, dates, &c. At the Polico Court to-day the adjourned chatges against Mr James McDonald, M.H.11., of neglecting to comply with the Pjopeity Tax Act in sending in leturns of his property, was heard. After evidence had been taken the Bench said :—": — " We think that the evidence sustains the charge which has been made. , The defendant is convicted, and fined £25 a:ul costs. We find bysection 93 of the Act that lie is also to be assessed and charged treble the amount of the tix of which he has sought to evade the payment, in addition to the tax for which he would have been otherwise liable. At the Land Boad to-day the StrathTaieri dummyism cases, in which the (inn of Smith and Gellibrand are engaged, were taken. The principal evidence was that of Thomas Johnston, an alleged dummy, and Mr. Gslh brand. The inquiry will be continued to-morrow. Friday. Man. 1 was convicted on four charges of stealing the moneys and property of the Tasmanian cricketers, auil sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. A meeting, attended [by nearly thirty grain buyeis and a few others interested in the grain trade, was held to-day in the Chamber of Commerce. Mr J. ltunciman presided. The following resolution was earned, only four voting against it :— " That in the opinion of this meeting the time has anived when it is most convenient and satisfactory, both to buycis and settlcis, that all bags tliafc contain wheat, oats, bailey, potatoes and chaff should he weighed m with such goods, free of charge, in the same manner .is is done by the milleis with flour and bran b.igs." The following agreement was signed :— " We pledge ourselves to purchase grain, etc., from those who only sell produce with bags included on and after Ist March, 1884." The dummyism inquiry into the StrathTaieri cases went on again all day to-day, and will continue to-morrow,