yesterday were £3187- Goods wire with drawn from bond in the e>:po •tati.m that the duty was to be increased The Telegraph •Department have been engaged to-day splicing sonic caivle, about two miles in length, which is nits tv md for use in connection with the pnot. service at Lyttelton. . A singular attempt to commit smcido was made th’s evening. While the Na val Brigade were drilling, a lacd about four teen years of age was found in a stack- of timber hanging by the neck. Ho was cut down, and soon recovered. Nothing is known as to what caused him to attempt the deed.

Nelson, Nov. 18. The body of an infant was found close to* the college grounds this morning. An inquest will be held this afternoon. Westport, Nov. 18. hjr Nicholas Andrews, who has been thriving for hard coal in the Wellington Coinpany’s Mine for the last month, struck * splendid seam, 15 feet thick, yesterday ; the coal is beautifully hard and bright, and the seam can be worked at once. Dunedin, Nov. 17.

A petition signed by over one hundred telegraph operators has been forwarded to the House of Representatives through Mr. Rick, M.H.R., protesting against proposed extension of working day to eight hours, and abolition of overtime. A four-roomed house at the Glen, owned and occupied by. Mr. J. Barton, was des troyed by fire last night, The house was insured for £l5O, and the furniture for £75 in the South British office. Messrs. Babgate and Buchanan, from whom Mr. Barton had purchased the house, on time payments, have also an insurance of £IOO on the building. The origin of the fire is not known. With respect to the fire in Walker street bn Saturday £IOOO of the Standard Com pany’s risk on Hutton’s stock, furniture, eta ~is reinsured as follows Transat lantic, £3OO ; Northern, £2OO ; London and Lancashire, £130; and Norwich Union, £2OO. Arrived—Tiatipn, from Kaipara; Good Templar, from Trmaru. Sailed— Maori, for Oamaru ; Waitaki, for North. Passenger for Lyttelton—Mr, Sinoffi

Dunedin, Nov. 18,

The wages paid last month to men em ployed on the Government section of the Otago Central Railway were £4500, and oh the Oaiharu-Livihgstone line £3OO. These sections were opened to give work the unemployed. The men are earning good wages. . The University Council have associated the name of Dr. Carpenter with those of Professor Huxley and Sir Wyville Thom son, in the appointment of - a Professor of Biology and Curator to the Museum. Railing any of these, Dr. E. Ray Lan caster will be requested to act. - The Femhill Coal Company have lodged with the City Coupcil a claim for £SOOO, for damages eipected to be done to their land, through ; the Silverstream water supply scheme.

Invercargill, Nov. 18.

’ At a meeting of the Reform Association last night, it was unanimously resolved — “'that it is desirable that the duties on tea and sugar should be repealed, and the deficiency in revenue made up by the land tax. • ■ • • . ,

PARLIAMENT.

legislative council. .Tuesday, Nov. 18. In tile Council to-day there was a dis cußaion for au hour on the railway tariff, and another hour’s debate on the Triennial Parliaments Bill. All'.the other business was very unim- ♦ , * The Hon. G. M. Buckley moved his resolution re the railway tariff He asked Government to increase the rates so as to make the railway more profitable, and contribute to the' revenue of the colony. He believed the time would soon come when the. control of the railways would Have-to he taken out of the hands of the Government; It was a dangerous power for any Ministry to hold. Many members spoke on the motion, but. while they advocated a revision of the system, all spoke against raising the tariff. The debate was adjourned at 4.10 p.m., when the Hon. F. A. Whitaker moved the second reading of the Triennial Parlia ment Bui,speaking briefly in its favor. I The Hon. W. H. Reynolds opposed the Bill mainly on the score of expense. The Horn G. M. Waterhouse spoke in favor, and Sir F. D. Bell and Dr Grace against it. .Both. stud, that., seeing the Lower House had passed it, the Council should not reject it. The Hon. Dr. Menzies spoke in support of the Bill, and at five o’clock the debate was adjpurned till 7.30 p. in. At .Gie eveningsitting jh®. Triennial Parliaments Bill passed, its second reading on..the voices,.after several members had spoken for and against. ! Som«t minor business was cleared off, and Hie Council adjourned at 10 o’clock. AFTERNOON SITTING. Tuesday, Nov. 13. The House met at 2. SO. questions. - 'Mr. Ballance asked whether Govern ment would lay. before the House any of the Law Officers , of the Crown respecting the fulfilment of the conditions by which'the Titanic Steel Company were entitled to a grant of 5000 acres land,.and if, ( Goyenunetit! Iwould bring in a Bill during the present 'session ,to remove any technical defects preventing shell grants frbm being issued. , , v'TIW, Rollestoh’replied that it riot nsual for Goverhnjdiit to produce <minidhs given hy the Law Officers, and that they were not prepared, at present to bridg i® the .Bill indicated. ' ' In reply to' Mr Stevens, . Major Atkinson said Government hoped tp thake |>fbrisioh oh the Supplementary ’Estimates for placing Fire Brigades in the .same position as regards capitation allow ances as that held by Volunteers. ■ Mr Reeves, asked if Government would 'collect and forward to the forthcoming International Exhibition to be held in Melbourne, samples of the different btfnhraf .springs in the North and Middle Islands, together with an analysis of their h several medical and curative properties ? / !■> Mr. Hall replied that an analysis of theqe springs had been made, and.Govem bient would communicate with Hr. Hector

with the view of making the arrangement proposed. Sir G. Grey asked if Government would he prepared to purchase locomotives built in the Colony at a price above the cost of similar engines imported from England, the' en.rines being guaranteed to stand such test as may be - required, and, if found suitable, would an order be given for 15 or 20 of such locomotives, for use on the New Zealand railways, and would the Government call for tenders to ascer tain the price they can be supplied at? The Hon. J. Oliver leplied that the late Government had ordered sufficient rolling stock to serve for several years. In reply to Mr. Mason, Mr. Rolleston said that so far as he was aware, arrangements had been made for exhibiting at each Land and Post-oilice in the colony, in some conspicuous place to which the public had access, maps show ing distinctly in blocks and sections all lands open for occupation, together with description of such lands, showing altitude, exposure, nature of soil, character of exist ing vegetation, and price or printed terms on which such lands may bo registered. He was aware that all these particulars wore regularly inserted in the Gazette” for public information. In reply to Mr. Andrews,

The Hon. J. Hall said that a site was being negotiated for the erection at Sydenham of a Money Order Office and Post Office, in accordance with the recom mendation of Mr. Dick, Chief Postmaster.

, In reply to Mr. Andre m-s, Mr. Roilestou promised that inquiries should be made as to the necessity for creating a Petty Sessions Court in Christ church, so that the Resident Magistrate’s Court may be relieved of Police Court business.

In reply to Mr. Andrews, Mr. Rolleston promised to inquire as to the necessity for establishing a Petty Ses sion Court at Sydenham, to hold a sitting weekly. NEW BILL. A Bill to amend the Maori Representa tion Act, 1867, was introduced by Mr. Tamoana, and read a first time. registration of electors. The House went into Committee on the Registration of Electors’ Bill. Clause 19 was amended so as to provide that persons objecting to names being re tained on the rolls should deposit a sum of £1 along with the objection, the proviso not to apply to objections by the Return ing Officer. A division was taken on a further amendment, proposed by Mr. Pyke— “ That the objector bo required to sub stantiate his objecton,” with the result— Ayes, 23 ; Noes, 33. Mr. Hislop moved—“ That no objection be entertained, except it is set forth in the summons of objection.” Carried on the voices.

A motion to the effect that the price of rolls be Is. per 1000 names, and Is. 6d. above that number, was carried. The clause, as amended, was then put and carried on a division, by Ayes, 27 ; Noes, 24. EVENING SITTING. • On resuming at 7.30 p. m., the Registra tion of Electors Act was further considered in Committee. On the motion of Mr. Tole, an ad ditional clause was added, providing for the transfer of an elector’s name from the roll of one district to that of another, in case of a change of residence. The schedule to the Bill was amended, adopted, and reported to the. House. REGULATION OF ELECTIONS BILL. This Bill was considered in Committee. The interpretation clause was altered so as to make the word “elector” mean a person whose name appears on the electoral roll as the holder of a miner’s right. Mr Turnbull moved—“ That clause 8 be made to read so that all elections would take place on the same day. ” The amendment was lost on a division Ayes, 30 ; Noes, 31. The clause as printed was adopted. A number of clauses were passed, with amendments, after which progress was re ported, and leave granted to sit again.

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRAN. CISCO MAIL AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland, Nov. 18. Arrived —Zealandia, with the San Fran cisco Mail. SUMMARY OF NEWS.

One English Railroad Company has sold, on American account, thirty thou sand tons old iron rails, at £4 per ton. In consequence of outrages by roving bands of Ribbon men, in Ireland, Govern ment have ordered two squadrons of cavaliy, and one company of infantry to be stationed at Ballinrobe and Castle bar.

The Duke of Beauford desires English farmers to raise cattle, as they cannot complete with the American grain growers. Count Shonvaloff, the Russian Ambas sador, waited on Lord Salisbury by in structions from his Government, to broach the question of settlement of the Afghanistan question. Russia proposed that she should have, jurisdiction.

The Sepoy barracks at the British Residency, Mandalay, have been des troyed ; they were unoccupied. The head constable of Liverpool has issued, a notice warning proselytes to Mormonism wbo intend emigrating to America, that they would subject them selves to fine and imprisonment through the practice of polygamy. Numbers of converts are leaving England for Salt Lake City. Earthquakes are of frequent occurrence in Southern Hungary. Russia and Austria demand satisfaction for insult toConsuls-General at Salonica.

The Pope contributes 6000 francs to the Spanish Flood Relief Fund. General Cialdini, the Italian Ambassa dor in France, has resigned. The Prussian Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs was forced to resign, owing to his attempt to introduce religion into schools. England refuses to discuss the Afghan question wdth Russia. Russia has undertaken to protect Chinese merchantmen against Japanese men-of-war in any war that may break out between the two countries.

Rossuth says that a Fran co-Russian alliance is inevitable. Small pox prevails in some parts of Canada to such an extent that the public schools have been closed. Two hundred deaths are reported. The Mercantile Mutual Company, one of the oldest marine of offices of New York 1 as voluntarily withdrawn from busi ness

HORRIBLE DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE.

[By Telegraph.]

Wellington, Nov. 19.

A horrible double murder and suicide whs committed this morning. A yi.uug man named Clarence .Miller, having allot lus far her, Edward Miller, 52 years of age, who was in bod, and then cut his mother’s throat with a carving knife, slashed his own with the same instrument. He had gone to the doctor’s for medicine for his father, and it was after his father had taken it that the deed was committed. The perpetrator was 19 years of age, .and was apprenticed at Mill’s engineering foundry. No motive can be given fur tke crime. All parties are dead. The father was a clerk at the Treasury and much respected. Later. Further particulars of the afi'air state that the father was formerly manager of the Bank of New South Wales. One of his sons lately committed suicide at the West Coast. The perpetrator of the deed was at times eccentric in manner.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER’S FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

[jONGLUDED.] I'UBLIC DEBT. Our public ii ,-bt on the 30th June last amounted to i/23,222,311. Treating the guaranteed debentures as practically issued, and including treasury bills, of i which £442,000 mature on the Ist of March next in London, and will have to be re-issued, the annual charge for interest and sinking fund in respect of this debt was L 1,232,119. Since then we have issued a Deficiency Bill amounting to L 600,000 ; and when the loan of of L 5,000,000 is raised, our total gross debt will amount to L 28,822,311 ; or, deducting the accumulative sinking funds, our net public debt will be L 27,112,304, subject to an annual charge of L 1,400,000 for interest, and L 116,176 for sinking fund, making together L 1,516,176, an annual burden requiring our most watch ful attention, and one which can only he borne if our taxation is properly adjusted, and our financial affairs managed with discretion. It .may be gratifying to the Committee to learn that, though the amount is small, last year we redeemed out of accrued Sinking Fund debentures, amounting to £71,009. Of these, £58,000 represented the whole of the outstanding debentures issued under the “Wellington Debts Act Amendment, 1876,” and £13,000 represented a portion of those issued under “ The North Otago District Public Works Loan Act, 1872.’’ PUBLIC WORKS FUND. I showed in my speech of Oct. 14 last, that we began the year ending June 30 1879, with a credit balance of £2,056,940 including advances outstanding amounting to £1,156,260, and this year with a nominal credit balance of £506,205, but that of this sum £289,543 consisted of advances outstanding, which, as hou. members are aware, are in fact moneys spent but not yet brought to account ; so that wo really began the year with only £207,062. This includes, as cash on the credit side, the whole of the loans (in cluding the guaranteed debentures) authorised to date except the £5,000,000 loan. I further showed that we hadspentin the first quarter of this year, that is, up to Sept. 30 last, some £504,733 of the £5,000,000 loan, and that we had entered into contracts and engagements which would necessitate our finding £733,553 more by Dec. 31 next, and £921,818 be tween that date and June 30, 3880. In other words, that the late Government had in various ways anticipated the new loan to the extent of £2,220,104, including £140,000 for contingent defence, and £200,000 for put native lards, hut exclusive of cost of raising the loan ; and that in addition to tills large sum, which is payable by June 30 next, there will be outstanding at that date a further sum of £957,177 for land x>urchase, and £128,815 for contracts entered into before the present Government took office. These figures were disputed at the time I spoke by the late Minister of Public Works, but I regret to say that, after most careful re examination of the whole subject, I find the figures I then gave were strictly ac curate. My lion, colleague, the Minister of Public Works, in consultation with the Engineers-in-Chief, has been endeavoring to arrange an extension of the period dur ing which these payments will have to be made, and will shortly inform this House of his success in that direction, but he warns me that much practical relief is not likely to follow his exertions. The Com mittee will, therefore, see that unless we can abandon some of our land purchase bargains, for I fear that none of the other engagements can be got rid of, the new loan is anticipated to the extent of £3,300,000, without including the sum of £154,791 payable to Canterbury and Otago on account of impounded land revenue or making any provision for the redemption of the guaranteed debentures, and also without taking into account the cost of raising the loan. When we re member that the Public Works scheme of 1878 was to take five years to complete, that the expendi ture from loan was only to be at the rate of some £goo,ooo a year, and that by a special provision of the “ Loan Act, 1879,” no money raised under it was to bo spent without the appropriation of Parlia ment, we shall, I fear, have to come to the conclusion that 1 arliamcnt has not been treated with frankness in this matter, and that its authority has been disregarded. The Government, Sir, have reason to believe that not more than £3.000,000 of the £5,000,000 loan can be floated this year ; that it will be 12 months before we can place the other £2,000,000, and that we cannot go upon the London market for two years afterwards. These facts will render the exercise of the utmost pru dence necessary in the expenditure of the balance of the loan yet available for ap propriation by Pailiament. I hope that hon. members on each side of the House will insist upon all expenditure being con fined to necessary and profitable works, and that the expenditure of the balance of the loan shall be extended over a period of not loss than three years. PROPOSALS FOR EQUALISING EXPENDITURE AND INCOME IN FUTURE. And this, Sir, brings me to that part of my statement for which hon. members

iiv; no doubt looking with some impa tience. Are the receipts‘from land sales to bo retained'in the Consolidated Fund, and spent as ordinary revenue 1 Sir. ire have been relying upon the receipts from land sales as one of the chief items of onr Consolidated Revenue. This is tho-.-onelil v unsound in principle, and should be abandoned at the eivliest possible date, that date being not later than the end of March. The receipts from land sales should, in the op'nion of the Government, be chargeable with the expenses of ad ministration and survey of the land,, and the balance scrupulously applied to Public Works—local and general—and to immi gration. By this means it is clear, that a real and not an imaginary fund would bo created to aid in carrying on onr Public Works—local and general, and we should got rid of treating as revenue that which is really capital, and spending it upon the ordinary services of the State, ft is onr duty not only to place onr Consolidated Fund upon a sound footing, but .also to show the London capitalists unmistakably that we are not availing ourselves of the expenditure of borrowed money to sell our public lands, and at the same time apply ing’ the proceeds to the maintenance of services properly chargeable on annual in come. I submit, Sir, that we have no more effective means of showing the soundness of onr financial position, and of the resources of the oniony, than by reso lutely setting aside the receipts from our land sales forpublie works and immigration Sir, the Government entirely disapprove of sacrificing the public estate to make up either a temporary or permanent deficit in the revenue, or of selling lard for any other purpose than for settlement and occupation. The hon. gentleman then went on to state the proposals of Government for equalisation of income and expenditure. The land sales would be eliminated from ordinary revenue, but the pastoral rents would be retained. The subsidies now paid to local bodies by Government would be discontinued at the end of this year— the whole question of local finance being again considered next year. By the cessa tion of these subsidy payments £275,620 would bo saved from the colonial funds, but a permanent deficiency of £544,040 would still remain to be met. This Go vernment proposed to meet by the imposi tion of a property tax, the increase of customs and stamp duties, and the release of sinking fund and interest by bringing the Consolidated Stock Act into opera tion. PROPERTY - TAX. It will, I think, generally bo admitted, that we have now reached a stage at which a Property Tax, in some shape, is un avoidable. The principle of a Land Tax has already been affirmed by this House, and there is much to be said for the policy of specially taxing unused hind, hold for speculative purposes. If it were practicable, I should certainly advocate the special taxation of unused land ; but, in my opinion, it is not practicable, and taking the ordinary holdings of improved land, I am unable to see upon what principle of justice or expediency it is hold, that is the only - form of property which should be taxed. Why, I wish to know, should the farm of the hard-work ing pioneer settler, or the frontage of the struggling city tradesman he taxed, while bank shares, mortgages, or other such property, are allowed to go free ? I shall, therefore; ask the House to impose a Pro perty Tax upon the American model, ex cluding incomes, and thereby to affirm the principle that realised wealth, in whatever form, shall bear its fair share of the burdens of the State. The Government, after careful consideration, have come to the conclusion that an Income Tax is not applicable to the existing circumstances of the Colony. Sir, the Government will ask Parlia ment to merge the land tax in the pro perty tax, which we intend to introduce, thus including land in the same category as other property making it equally but not specially liable to general taxation. THE TARIFF. I have said, Sir, that the Government propose to raise additional Custom duties. With respect to the encouragement of local industries, I have had many com munications with gentlemen interested in the promotion of local manufactures, and a Committee of this House has still the subject under its consideration, but the time at the disposal of the Government has been quite inadequate to deal in a comprehensive manner with so important a subject. The Government therefore propose to .appoint a Royal Commission during the recess, to examine and report upon the whole subject of the best means of fostering and promoting local industries. In the meantime the Governmtnt propose to admit many articles duty free, so as to assist local manufactories as much as pos sible. Upon tea and sugar we do not propose to re-imposo the duties remitted last year, but it may be necessary to re impose them next year upon a general re vision of taxation. The articles upon which we propose to increase or impose duties are almonds and nuts, chaff, corks, dried fruits, fresh fruit—other than oranges and lemons, window glass, grain and flour, malt, split peas, hops, iron, fencing, tacks, matches, and vestas, preserved milk, nails, perfumery, patent medicines, timber, salt, stearine, spirits, tobacco and cigars, wine, and all goods 'at present charged with ad valorem duty. The total amount they are estimated to produce is about £300,000. We propose to re-impose the duties on timber and grain. We think experience has shown that their repeal has very in juriously affected local trade in shipping, and also the timber industry, which was a growing and important one, and which we are certainly not justified in seriously crippling without some compensating ad vantage to the State, but which we alto gether fail to see has followed the repeal of these duties.

We propose to increase the duties on spirits, end on tobacco. With regard to spirits, we shall ask for an increased duty of two shillings per gallon granting at the same time an allowance for such as are under proof, the same as is now chai'ged upon spirits over proof. This mode of levying the duty is, I believe, the custom in almost every other country. To make up the loss to the revenue which will re sult from this allowance for spirits under proof, will require an addition of at least 6d per gallon, so that the proposed in crease is really only Is fid per gallon, or in the whole £47,000, giving a total on spii’its, wine, Ac., of £56,000. We pro pose to increase the tobacco duty by Is per pound, and to authorise its manu facture in bond, granting as an encourage ment to its local manufacturers a bonus,

for the next two years "nly, of Gd in the pound upon the quantity of tobacco manu factured and duty paid in the colony. The increase on Hus item is estimated at. £50,000. From spirits, wines, &o.„ and tobacco includin ' cigars and snail, i hope, then, to obtain £106,000.

Liu, Sir, before proceeding t> state what tardier burdens it. isnoces-ary to hu pus-*, it will be convenient hero to stab

vlhat relief e it; be afforded in the w;.y of remission of duties on carriage makers' and saddlers’ ironmongery, carriage nuikers’ leather, buggy shafts, bout car riage timber, hickory, hatters materials, fine wire for brush making, sheet zinc, plain galvanised sheet iron, sulphate of soda, almonds sneb as arc used in con fectionery, phosphorus, and oil of rhodium. These remissions amount to £15,000, and it is hoped that with these alterations, and by the aid of further reductions which are in contemplation, local industries will be placed in a more advantageous position than at present. The Government propose to abolish all light dues for vessels employed in tire coasting trade. This, it is also Imped, will give material assistance to that im portant, branch of onr industries—the local shipping trade. The loss to the revenue by this remission will bo £SOOO. Stain]) Duties.—These might be in creased in several cases, but looking at the fact that these duties were all levied mainly on transfers of property, and that it is proposed to put a special tax on property, the Government have deter mined not to ask for any increase ot the stamp duties, except those'upon succes sions. It is estimated tuat these audi tion al duties will produce £1(1,000 at present, and will become constantly in creased. HOW DF.FICIEXOV FOR OFRREXT VKAR IS TO BE MET. Five months therefore of the financial year have practically gone, and we have already issued and absorbed Deficiency Bills to the amount of £600,000. It is not, in the opinion of the Government, either possible or wise to atten.pt, under our present circumstances, wholly to meet this deficiency by taxation. Wo are, I hope, about to take a new departure in finance ; the proposals of the Government if given effect to insuring in the future a state of equilibrium between expenditure and income. But to secure this result taxation of a very onerous character will have to be imposed, and the Committee will, I think, agree with me in the opinion that to impose a special taxation for the purpose of the current period would be impossible. The Government will there fore ask authority to provide by loan for such deficiency as may be found to exist on March 31 next. It will include, of course, the Deficiency Bills already issued. To redeem these and to cover the balance, I shall ask the House for authc rity to issue Treasury Bills. These latter the Government propose to have inscribed as soon as possible under the authority of the Consolidated Stock Act, 1877. The hon. gentleman concluded by moving the following resolution : “ That in lieu of the duties of Customs now charged on the undermentioned articles, the following duties of Customs shall, on and after the 18th day of No vember, 1879, bo charged thereon, on im portation into New Zealand, or on being cleared from any warehouse for home con sumption, namely, almonds in the shell, and nuts of all kinds, except cocoanuts, 2d per lb ; chaff, 10s. per ton ; corks (bot tling), 15 per cent, ad valorem ; fruits, (dried), 2d per lb ; fruits (fresh), other than oranges, lemons, bananas, and pine apples, 15 per cent, ad valorem ; glass, Crown, sheet, and common windows, 2s. per 100 ft. superficial; grain and pulse of every kind, not otherwise enumerated, 9d per 10011) ; grain, when ground, or in any way manufactured, Is. per 1001 b ; malt, 2s. per bushel ; peas, split, Is. per cwt; hops, Gdper lb : iron fencing wire, staples, anil standards, 20s. per ton; iron, gal vanized, corrugated, sheets, guttering, ridging, and spouting, washers, screws, nails, and wire netting, 40s. per ton ; iron tanks, Gs. each ; matches, of all kinds, 25 per cent, ad valorem ; milk, preserved, 15 per cent, ad valorem ; nails, 3s. per cwt. ; perfumery and tiolet preparations, not otherwise enumerated, 25 per cent, ad valorem, proprietary medicines, com monly called patent medicines or prepara tions of medicines, or any medicine or preparation of which the receipe is kept secret, recommended by advertisement, bill, or label for the relief of any disorder or ailment 25 per cent, ad valorem; timber, sawn rough, 2s. per 100 ft. super ; dressed, 4a. per 100 feet, super ; shingles .and laths, 2s. per 1000 ; pailings, 2s. per 100 ; posts, 8s ; rails, 4s ; salt, 20s. per ton ; spirits or strong waters, not being sweetened or mixed with any article so that the degree of strength there of cannot bo ascertained by Syke’s hydro meter, for every gallon of the strength of proof of such hydrometer, and so in pro portion for any greater or loss strong! h than the strength of proof, and for any greater or less quantity than a gallon, 14s per proof gallon spirits ; other spirits being sweetened or mixed so that the degree of strength cannot bo ascertained as afore said, 14s per gallon ; liqueurs, and cor dials, 14s per gallon ; perfumed spirits and Cologne water, 21s per gallon ; stearine, Id per lb ; tobacco, 3a 7d per lb ; cigars and cigarettes, Cs per lb ; wine, other than sparkling and Australian, 5s per gallon ; all articles not otherwise enumerated, which are now chargeable with duty at. 10 per centum ad valorem, 15 per centum ad valorem. That the duties of ’Customs chargeable upon the goods, wares, and merchandise, hereinafter mentioned, imported into New Zealand, shall cease and determine, viz : —Almonds, barbary bitter and other for confectionery, bolts and nuts, carriage bolts and nuts, tire

bolts, shackles, holders and other iron fittings for carriages, morocco, roan, jappanned and enamelled leather and tanned and dressed sealskins, and goatskins, buggy shafts, bent wheels, anas, and other bent carriage timber, hickory umvrought, hat tors’ gabions and hatters’ calicoes, fine iron, biass, and copper wire for use in brush making, phosphorus, and oil of Rhodium, sulphate of soda, saddlers’ ironmongery, grindery, sheet zinc, plain sheet galvanised iron. ” After a discussion, in which Sir ft. Grey, Mr. Reader Wood, Mr. Moss, and others took part, the resolutions were adopted, and the House adjourned at 11.00 p.m.

Colonial Industuy.— The Melbourne Woollen Company sold during the past half-year no leas than 50,11112 yards of tweed, at prices which enabled it to pay a dividend of ten per cent to the share holders.

SPORTING.

ASHEUaTCMT SPRING- MEETING— -1879.

I'm-eT Day, Wedsssday. Stewards— Ale'fsi s. Edward Saunders, Ma;.’ T. Smith, j{. T. Winter, I*l. S. Oostor,3l. Stitt, R -.id.Jph Priedlander, John '■ 'r.-ror, Ji Hunt, Noil Maclean, Dr. Ro.--.s. Tr...i.-,.rrer Air. E. Maunders. Judge—Air. M. Stitt. Clerk of the Course—. Mr. S. Saunders. Clerk of the Scales—Mr E. I l ’. Wright. Handieappers —Messrs. H. P. Lance and Neil Maclean. Starter—Air. Neil Maclean. Secretary— Mr. Janies Wilkie.

At daylight (his morning there was a most unpromising appearance in the weather for the day’s sport, and about 8 a. m. a smart shower fell, the wind being from the north east, and very threatening. How ever, although it kept cloudy there was »o lung to militate against the day’s enjoyment so far as the weather was concerned, indeed, the shower in the morning was just sufficient to lay the dust. A shower during the running for the Cup was the only drawback. The ground was consequently in better going order than, we expected to lind it. The Committee, since last year’s races have had it ploughed, harrowed, all the stones raked off, and the oval sown down in grass, which lias not, however, done as well as it ought, and it is intended to give it another dose of grass seed in ihe autumn. Anyhow, it is a great improvement on last year’s. The hurdles to-day were topped with gorao, and the horses were able to fence with more confidence in con sequence. In the shape of creature comforts Messrs Mutch and M’Kenzie, under the Stand, did a good business, and Mr. Quill, in a booth constructed of wood and iron in place of the ordinary ;alico structure, dispensed liquors of his usual quality. Mr. Davison had a monopoly of confectioner’s business, as Air. Hicks, who bought the second booth, was unable to do anything owing to his misfortune hi being burnt out on Saturday night- A larger number of the roulette and other “fairest games going” were on the ground,an I a totalisator, which was de clared by a downey looking sportsman to be anything but the correct patent, and the book-makers with their blatant voices commenced early in the day to “lay against heneythink. ” It is often a won der to us how their brazen lungs manage to last the day out. The following is a detailed account of the racing : Handicap Hurdle Race of 40 so vs.: dis tance 2 miles, over 8 flights of about 3ft. Gin. hurdles. Nomination 1 sov., acceptance 2 sovs. Air. P. Butler’s ch g Te Whctu aged.

list 71b - - - - - - 1 Mr. John Lunn’s Robin Hood, aged, lOst - ' 2 For this event To Whetu and Robin Hood Started. The former was the favorite of the public, and justified his backers by winning rather easily. The start, was a good one, Robin Hood leading for the first mile, the Maori in close attendance. At the back of the course he went up and took a slight load ; Robin, however, seemed to have plenty of go in him and kept close, and towards the last hurdle came up, both taking the leap at the same instant. The old horse, how ever, had all the best of it in the straight, winning by several lengths very easily. County Hurdlk Rack Hanuiuap ou 25 Sovs. ; over 0 flights of about 3ft. Gin. hurdles. Nomination 1 sov , acceptance 2 sovs. li miles. District horses only. Mi 1 . H. Primmer’s b g Johnny, aged, lOst. 101 b. ------ 1 Mr. P. Husband’s br g Raven, aged, list. 121 b. 2 Mr. J. J. Dawson’s b g Lone Hand, aged, list. 21b. - - - - - 3 For the County Hurdle three faced the starter. Johnny jumped off with the lead, but swerved at the first hurdle. He quickly recovered, however, though he was over a couple of lengths behind the others. Lone Hand took up the running and kept the lead to the second hurdle, where he baulked badly, and was out of it. Johnny then went up to Raven and passe him, pulling double, and though pressed close by Mr Husband’s horse, won by over a clear length. Lone Hand was only a few lengths behind, having pulled up well after his baulk. A protest was entered against Johnny on the ground lie was not a district horse.

Maiden Plate of 20 so vs. ; distance 1J miles ; weight for age, Entrance 2 sovs. District horses only, that have not won an advertised race. Mr. M. Friedlander’s ch. g. Dogrid, 3 years, 7st. 71b. - - - - 1 Mr. H. Priimuer’s b. m. Ada, aged, 0 st. 7 lb. 2 Mr. M. Friedlander’s cb. m. Cassandra, 4. years, 8 st. 12 lb. - - - - 3

For the Maiden only 5 of seven started, Sir Roger and Tim Flaherty being scratched. Ada and Dogrid were the first to show in front, Cassandra and Tam o’ Shanter in close attendance. At the top of the course Tam o’ Shanter took the lead, and led by three lengths ; but bolted just before reaching the winning post allowing Dogrid to take first place, Ada second, Cassandra third. Ashburton Cup Handicap of HO sovs., .added to a sweepstake of 5 sovs. fox acccptoi’s. Nomination 2 sovs. Ac ceptoi’3 5 so s. Distance 2 miles. Messrs Mason and Vallance’s b lx Lara

aged, 9st. - (Nolan) 1 lion. W. R. Robinson’s Nnma, aged, 7st. r.lb. ... (Ward) 2

In this race the only two showed how good a handicap had boon made by Mr. Lance. Numa, with 7 i -t. 51b., was reckoned to be the favorite, but. the book makers were very reticent about doing business. It was a grand race through out, Numa leading till coming to the straight, when the whip was brought into use on both for the last 50 chains, and Lara won one of Jthc hardest fought matches evar run in Ashburton.

Lauies’ I’nitsi! of 20 sovs.; district horses only; welter weights for age ; gen tlemen riders, who must be members of the Ashburton Racing Club. En trance, 2 sovs. Distance, ll> miles. Mr. P. McCausland’s b. g. Orange Feel, G yrs., 12 st. 41b. - - - 1 Mr. H. A. Anderson’s g. g. Tam o’ Shanter, G yrs. 12st. 41b.- - -2 For the Ladies’ Purse 6 started. Orange Peel cut out the running and led from start to finish hard held, Tam o’ Shanter second. It surprised everybody thht such a light horse could win carrying such a weight as 12 atone 4 lbs.

Fabmers’ Pi,ati-; or’ iUsnvs. ; for horses t!io hona liiiu property of owners residing in the County of Ashburton. No weight under 12 stone. Distance 11 miles. Entrance 1 sov. Mr. P. Ale ’a'.i'ia'.ul's !> g Orange Pcnp> years, (owner) .... 1 Mr. Herrick s I) g Merlin, aged, (Smith) 2 Air. Primmer's b g Johnny, aged, (oA-nm-) - - - ■ - -3 P mr uortca appeared on the card, but Lmu ila in nacked out and went home, and the race was confined to Orange Peel, Johnny, and Merlin. The first named having had a heavy bucketing a quarter of an hour before with 12st. 41 b. up, was looked upon as quite out of the race, Johnny bein' made the favorite. The Peel, however, showed what a well bred horse in good hands could do, by coming in an easy winner.

A Hack Race finished the day’s work. Eight horses entered, and the evergreen and everlasting old Steamer foiled in first. A protest was entered against Orange Peal in both the Ladies’ Purse and Fanners’ Plato, and a meeting was hold to consider the question, and it appeared that Air A'PCauslaud had entered the horse as a four-year-old, and about three days afterwards finding out that he bad nominated his horse wrongly wrote to ihe Secretary, requesting him to aimmd it - but the original nomination could uof; of course he altered, and the ..Gummttoe resolved to refer the matter to the (J.J.O. The following were the weights (Bed for the Handicap, (<> be run to-day Racing Club Hax"k;ai*-- st. lb. Titania - - - 9 0 Lara - - - - 8 7 LaerD ß - * - - 8 12 NiUia - - - 0 10 Lara »nd Numn were the only two accept tances, and tins weights in this Handicap will therefore be st. ’ lb. Lara - - - - 9 0 Nunia - - - 7 3 Tradesmen’s Handicap— st. lb. Orange Peel - - 10 9 Tam o’ Shan ter - - 10 2 t’assandra - - - 9 4 Merlin ---91 Haven - - - 8 12 Lonehand - - - 8 12 Tim Flaherty - - 7 10 To-day’s sport should be as good as yes terday’s, and our local sportsmen must be very b ird to please if tl e close finishes yesterday were not good enough for them. For to-morrow in the County Steeplechase 1 think Lonehaad will probably be an absentee, but in any case the old bay’s legs cant stand two flays’ work such as he had yesterday. Another I do not expect to see figure on the course is Air. Friod laudcr's Outside. Of the other four oil the card I spot for winner Air. Primmer’s declaration with whichever of his pair he chooses to win with, and I think it will be JOHNNY, With our old friend Billy Buttons close up, and the Raven third. For the Racing Club Handicap the same pair will go to day which ran so close a thing yesterday, and the handieapper has let Nunia in a couple of pounds lighter on account of his beating yesterday, and I think that as the lj miles is more Iko bis distance than the 2 miles he ought to stand a better chagice, but I cannot go by the honest uvny Variance's horse travels. when undgrthe whip, and I go for LARA. The Tradesman’s Handicap is a very open thing, and the winner will take a good deal of looking for on the card. Orange Peel lias proved himself so good a horse under big weights that the handi capper was compelled to give him top weights with lOst. 71b. Cassandra, I think is rather hardly treated with 9st. 41b. Tim Flaherty will be an absentee. Lonehand also, Tam o’ Shanter is able to carry his lOst. 21b., and Alerlin is game enough to get round the. Ijj mile with 9st. 11b. Raven is not good enough on the flat for my money, and I perdict

ORANGE TEEL, will be first past the judge, Merlin second, and a close thing between Cassandra and Tam o’ Shanter for third.

A meeting of the Racing Club Com mittee was held at Shearman’s Hotel on Monday night, Mr. C. C. Fooks in the chair.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs. J. E. H. Harris, C. Reid. andW. Anderson, waited on the meeting with a view of coming to terms for the use of the race course for the holding of the Caledonian Society’s sport, on Boxing Daj% and Mr. Wilkie, Secretary to the Racing Club, stated that us the course was fenced, and the grand stand erected, he consi dered that if the Caledonian Society gave a subscription of £3O to the Race Club that they would obtain a very good bar gain, and as it was probable that the Agricultural Show would be held on the course next year, it would be good policy on the part of the Society to give the amount to the Club for the purpose of making permanent improvements.

Mr Harris stated that as the Caledonian Society was as yet in its infancy, they had been under the impression that they could go on any ground they had a mind to select, and as they could not get the domain they had made up their minds to ask for the racecourse, and the Secre tary, had stated a basis upon upon which the course would be let, and this had been discussed by the Committee of the Caledonian Society, who had appointed the Committee then present to wait upon the club. A considerable amount of discussion then ensued as to the value of the sports, the members of the Racing Club arguing that as the sale would certainly realise over £IOO that £2O was a low rent to charge, and also brought forward as an advantage the opportunity of amalgamating in keeping the ground in order and reaping a share of the prolits. It was eventually resolved, on the motion of Mr. Max Friedlander, seconded by Mr J. L. Crawley—“ That the Cale donian Society he allowed the use of the course and all the privileges appertaining to the same for the sum of £2O, the Society holding themselves responsible for all damaage done to buildings, etc.” An amendment pro posed by Mr. Ireland that the rent be £lO was seconded by Mr. S,. Saunders, pro forma, ami on 'being put was declared lost, and the ivsolut on of Mr Friedlander carried. The Caledonian deputation stated that they considered the rent too hi g’b and would consider the matter 1 ef. re deciding to holding tluj sports on the course. ,

Thursday, Novi-.mbf.k f 679/)

I'HE h&HBUHTOH Gua’KlHA W

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