LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2110, 14 May 1875, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency.] Dcnedin, May 13. The Provincial Treasurer stated, in making his Financial Statement, that last 6nancial year the balance in favor of the Province on general account was L 83,446, besides a further sum of L 20,174 in the Treasury for payment for special works. Outside rates the Provincial revenue had since received as general Provincial Revenue, L 455,276, and L 2540 from the Colonial Government, adding all the amounts together a grand total on the debtor aide of the balanceBheet, for which the Treasury has to account is L 664,389, of which L 89,748 4s lOd has to be applied to specific purposes, and the balance of L 574,640 16a 2d was available towards votes of last session. The receipts have exceeded the estimate by L 66,516 13s 4d, the excess arising mainly from Crown lands. After going through the various items of revenue, the Treasurer said that, summoning up all the items, they amount to L 564,326, which, added to the balance, in hand at the commencement of the year, L 64,796 give a total available amount of L 330,323 to be dealt with. The proposed expenditure amounts to L 741,593, this includes sufficient to cover all railways under contract, but on this latter account it will be impossible to spend during the present year anything like the whole sum. He said the Crown lands would realise L 250 ,000, and the receipts from railways probably LIOO, OOO. He concluded by saying that if the Provinceis to maintain its position as a. leading one in the Colony it will be better to leave railways unmade, however much we may value them as an aid to progress and prosperity than make them at the sacrifice of our public estates. The Provincial Council, which guides the destinies of the Province, should strain every nerve to tide over without selling pastoral lands during a few years, till the present pastoral leases expire, and then those in power would be free and unfettered to make such arrangements when not only a most valuable system of settlement would take place, but a large and certain source of revenue would be secure ito the public^and for all time coming. The Governor was entertained at luncheon to-day by the members of the Provincial Council. On the right of the chairman were his Excellenoy and Dr Pollen, the lelt the Superintendent, the vice-chair was occupied by Mr M'Glashan, Chairman of Committees. Only three toasts were given — "The Queen," "The Prince of Wales, and The Royal Family," and " His Excellency," which latter was proposed by the Superintendent. His Excellency, in responding to the toast, thanked the Council and the public of the Province for the hearty welcome given him. He was very favorably impressed with the climate, scenery, and resources of the Colony, and although he had long looked on British North America as his second home, he thought that if he had now to choose a permanent residence among any of the Colonies, he would now determine to spend the remainder of his days in New Zealand. He much admired the enterprise of the colonists in the intiation of the great scheme of public works. Although the experiment of trying to force the country into prosperity and advancement by means of a Government great system of public works and immigration had sometimes been doubted in other countries, he had no doubt it would ultimately prove a success in this Colony, but at the same time he would counsel the utmost prudence in working out that scheme. A deputation, consisting of four members of the House of Representatives and six members of the Provincial Council, waited upon the Hon. Dr Pollen in reference to the reduction or total abolition of the gold duty, and to ascertain how an understanding between the two Governments could be arrived at, the Provincial Government being of opinion that the Generai Government was obstructive in the matter. Dr Pollen, in reply, stated that the Colonial Government did not wish to dictate to the Province what should be done with its own revenue. Gold duty was land revenue and as such Provincial revenue. What the Colonial Government objected to was special legislation. What the Province chose to do in appropriating its own revenue did not concern the Colonial Government. The Colonial Government was prepared to say aye or no to a distinct issue put to them. At present no such issue was before it. The deputation then withdrew. Gkahamsiown, May 13. A new rush is reported in the Tairua district. Prospect good. A few ounces of gold were obtained from some creek waahings and 601bs of.stone. The density of the bush much impedes operations. New tracks are being cut, but the work proceeds slowly owing to bad weather. New Plymouth, May 13. Arrived— Taranaki, from South ; Ladybird from Manakau. Sailed— Ladybird for South at 10 a.m. Chmstohttbch, May 13. I Frederick Pavitt, late Steward of the Church property, was brought up on remand at the Magistrate's Couzt to-day..-Five caseß were heard; the first was fo f

embezzling L 745 from the Church Property Trust Estate ; the second for L 713 from the Bishopiic Estate, the third for L 136 from the Dean and Chapter Fund, the fourth for L 389 from the Diocesan Trustees Fund, and the fifth for L 2086 from the Diocesan Fund. The evidence was very conclusive, and showed that the prisoner as one means of avoiding detection had made false entries in the Bank passbook. Several other other informations have been laid against him, and it is expected ibe total amount of his defalcations will be upwards of L6OOO. :The Woollen Spinning and Weaving Company held their first annual meeting this afternoon. The report stated that the plant, which has cost L 5022, was in working order, and the directors hoped soon to be able to place some of the products of the Company on the market. The report and balance-sheet were considered very satisfactory, and several excellent samples of woollen goods, made at the Company's mill, were exhibited. The Company will confine their efforts for the present to the manufacture of flannel and blankets. Auckland, May 13. The City of Melbourne proceeds to San Francisco at noon to-morrow. Among her passengers are Sir George Arney, Seymour, Superintendent of Marlborough, Captain Petherbridge, and several old Auckland. settlers. The steamer was compelled to crowd out a number of Sydney passengers, and new berths are being constructed here for the accommodation of New Zealand passengers. A large meeting was held last night to promote a revival. A midday prayer metingVas held , to-day, ministers of all denominations took part. The opening of the Mercer Eailway is definitely fixed for the 20th, Mr Carruthers, Engineer-in-Chief, being satisfied: by recent inspection that the line is in a sufficiently forward state. In reply to a question in the Provincial Conncil to-day, the Executive. stated that Sir George Grey considered the police should be -handed over to the Provincial Government, but if the Council was still favorable to their retention by the General Government, he would reconsider the matter.