TELEGRAMS.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1294, 7 September 1883, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

. (from our own correspondent. ) Wejxington, 4. The Rating Act Amendment Bill was read a second time and committed. This bill provides for rating residence areas and miners' hiits. Owing to a flaw in the Rating Act, 1882, this amendment was necesary as this class of property was exempt. Mr Seddon moved that the clause be struck out, the Counoil having wantonly thrown out the Gold Duty Abolition Bill, it was the duty of the representatives of the people to refrain from imposing rates upon the miners. The miners would not object to pay rates upon their huts and residence areas when the gold duty was abolished. Unless this was done, he should oppose this bill at every stage, even though the session lasted a week longer. The Colonial Treasurer stated he had inserted the clause at the request of several local bodies. Owing to an oversight as to the reduction of tenancy in the Rating Act of 1882, mining tenants were exempt. It the member for Kumara insisted upon striking out the clause, he would take the decision of the House on the voices. Mr Petrie desired to know'the names of the local bodies who had requested the Government to bring in the bill. Major Atkinson said the Lake County and one or two others. It would not be politic for the h on gentleman to press his question further. Mr Montgomery would support the hon. member for Kumara's amendment. The miners, paid far too much for local works and the local taxation was disproportionate. It was the d uty of the House to give relief and not to impose fresh burdens. The amendment was carried and the clause struck out. The remaining clauses were passed without discussion. Dunedin, 5. A heavy north-east gale, with a constant downpour of rain, set in today, and continues. At the City Council election this year the seats for all the wards were uncontested, the retiring* committee being re-elected in each. Dalgetty and Co. have received cable advices from America, stating that the growing tobacco crop has been seriously * damaged, and that owing to the bad prospects of the crop, and the short supply of last year, prices of leaf had advanced 5 cents, per lb. in the States. Christchtjrch, 6. The south-west storm, which commenced last night, still continues with unabated fury, and an immense quan- i

tity of rain fell during the night. The streets are flooded, and in many places the roads and footpaths are completely submerged. The quantity of water lying on the private properties is greater than has been known for many years. There is do appearance of the storm abating ! Hawera, 6. The charge of child murder against Josephiue Given is proceeding to-day. Detective Benjamin, constables Manning, of Balls,' Motley, of Woodsville, and M'Natty, of Foxton, have given evidence. They deposed that they. had made exhaustive enquiries, but had been unable to discover anything of Williams, the reputed father of the missing child. Motley who is post--officer at Woodville, said no letter had been received there for Williams for 12 months past, except one a month ago, and that had not been called for. The case is not nearly finished yet.