WELLINGTON NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9039, 27 April 1888, Page 5

WELLINGTON NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Thursday. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.

The result of the half-yearly meeting of the bank, taken with the speech of Sir Frederick Whitaker when moving the adoption of the report, has given general satisfaction to the shareholders here. The Post this evening gives expression to that feeling in the following terms ; —" We are glad to be able to most cordially congratulate the proprietors of the Bank of New Zealand on the declaration of their dividend. It is a pleasant surprise, the more pleasant because it was unexpected. The outcome of to-day's meeting, however, embraces even more satisfactory features than the mere declaration of the dividend. The challenge issued by the bank to institute a thorough and exhaustive examination into its affairs is most re-assuring. It shows that there is nothing to conceal." THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY. The local journals labour to show, one that tho report of Dr. Newman and Mr. Bruce is visionary, the other that the re{iort of Messrs. Buchanan, Beotham and Company exhibits a stony desert in the heart of a great deal of very indifferent land. The Post deprecates the question of the routes being raised in any form during the next session of Parliament. THE ALLEGED KLEPTOMANIAC. The Hon. Mr. Hislop, Colonial Secretary, has, I understand, received a report from the Hon. Mr. Fergus upon the case of Amy Bock, the alleged kleptomaniac. It is unfavourable to any interference on tho part of the Government with the ordinary course of law. The ground of this decision is the fact that the girl refuses to disclose what sho did with the proceeds of her impostures. It is said, on tho other hand, that this refusal on tho part of the girl is an unwillingness to got other.? into trouble. On this view of her caso it is suggested that a medical or scientific examination of her mental condition is the only one that would be satisfactory, but tho obligation of causing such an examination devolves upon her friends rather than upon the Government. MR. A. MAGUIRE'S CONTRACT. Mr. Maguiro has laid a tramway from Kaiwara to To Aro, for the purpose of his contract. It is a very substantial work to all appearances. The distance is nearly three miles.

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

I regret to say that the Hon. Mr. Mitcholson is still confined to his house through indisposition. He was somewhat better this morning. Ho hopes to bo able to attend at his public office in the course of a few days.