TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4272, 28 November 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Press Telegraph Agency.] Auckland, Friday, 7 p.m. At the annual meeting of the shax-eholders of the Fiji Bank the report was adopted. It shows that the business had not been lax-ge, but had beeix fairly profitable. The receipts through commissions, exchange, discounts, &0,, had been £3361, and the intex-est on Fiji debentures, £1751 —total, £5112. The expenses amounted to £3027, leaving a balance of £2084, which was carried forward to the next account. -Messrs. Whitaker, Gillies, and Stowe were re-elected directors.

In a Provincial Gazette Extraordinary, issued to-night, the correspondence is given between the Superintendent and the General Government relative to the Superintendent’s proposed visit to England. Dr. Pollen wrote stating that the Government could not recognise any necessity for his proceeding to Groat Britain for the purpose of promoting immigration and the formation of special settlement associations ; and that Mr. Vogel, who was one of the members for Auckland, being in England, could do everything that was required. Mr. Williamson replied In a long and very able letter. In it, while expressing his intention to abandon bis project for the present, he defends the wisdom of and necessity for special settlements, and shows that with such objects in view the Provincial Council had passed resolutions, and a Waste Lauds Act had been passed. He refers to the character of the immigration hitherto, as small in amount for actual settlement, and of a kind which involved a total departure from the original intention of the framers of the immigration and public works scheme. He quotes the 57th clause as specially framed for the Superintendent to appoint duly-qualified persons to act as agents on behalf of the province in promoting such immigration, and giving information to special settlement associations. The Superintendent also refers to Mr. Vogel having been cognisant of his intention, and asserts that he knew he would have received the benefit of Mr. Vogel’s cordial assistance while at home. 7.50 p.m. Captain Fergusson, on behalf of Sir James Fergusson, to-night presented to Captain Fairchild, of the Luna, a silver inkstand of the value of £2O. The railway officials have waited on Mr. Passmore, and protested against the reduction of one shilling per day in their pay effected since his arrival. The wages now paid are—porters 65., and guards 7s. per day. He refused to comply with their request. Morrin’s creditors mot to-day. The trustees reported in favor of an assignment to them, to wind-up the whole estate. This was agreed to. With care the estate is expected to yield 10s. iu the pound. The real reason of Sir James Fergusson’s sudden departure was that the Marquis of Normauby has as yet only received his commission as Acting-Governor, so that it was impossible for him to assume the Governorship while Sir James was here. Mabterton, Friday. A letter has been received from the Superintendent, stating that he will open the Te Ore Ore bridge on the Pith January. Napier, Friday. The news from the Poverty Bay Petroleum Company is very encouraging. The manager sunk a shaft for water, and at the depth of seventeen feet from the surface opened a spring of oil, yielding from eight to ten gallons of oil per day. An action has been commenced by Lydia Phillips against the captain of the Bebington for damages, which arc laid at £SOO.

Christchurch, Friday. There was a great crush this morning to secure reserved seats for Madame Goddard’s concert. They are all taken for the first night (Tuesday), and a large number are bespoken for Wednesday and Thursday. The Opera Company go to Timaru on. Sunday, and play there for six nights. Dunedin, Friday. Dr. Cole is appointed City Health Officer. The induction of the Bev. Lindsay Mackie as pastor of the First Church takes place on Wednesday, 9th December. At a meeting of the City Council last night a proposition to purchase the Gasworks was negatived, but it was agreed that if the lessees would supply per meter, a two years’ contract should be entered into, provided the price to private consumers did not exceed 12a. 6d. per thousand. Weights for the Dunedin Cup:—Tambourini, Oat. 71b.; Castaway, Bst. 101 b.; Traitor, Sst. 71b.; Flying Dutchman, Sst. 71b.; Templeton, Sst. 51b.; Yatterina, Sst. 21b.; Atlas, Bst.; Mabel, Sst.; Pertobe, 7st. 131 b.; Bight Bower, 7st. 101 b.; Spritsail, 7st. 91b.; Tripoli, 7st. 71b.; Wainui, 7st. 71b.; Ngaro, 7st. 61b,; Bangi, 7st. 51b.; Guy Fawkes, 7st. 51b.; Sonnambula, 7st. 31b.; Hercules, 7st. 31b.; Bell, 7st. 21b.; East Lynne, fist. 121 b.; Tui, fist. 121 b,; Boomerang, fist. 101 b.; Bothwell, fist. 101 b.; gelding by Malton, fist. 101 b.; Medicus, fist. 101 b.; Kathleen, fist. 91b.: filly by Malton, fist. 91b.; Seabird, fist. 71b.; Bobby Burns, fist. 61b.; Merryman, fist.; Captain Cook, Sst. 121 b. DEPABTUBE OF SIB JAMES FEBGUSSON. Auckland, Friday. Sir James Fergusson left this morning per Mikado. There was but little ceremony, owing to the shortness of notice. The city from an early hour was gay with flags, the shipping in harbor particularly showing well. His Excellency left Government House at halfpast nine, accompanied down to the wharf by Sir G. Arney, Dr. Pollen, Bishop Cowie, Sir D. McLean, Colonel St. John, Major Campbell, the Mayor and Corporation, Captain Daldy, Chairman of the Harbor Board, and several others. The Volunteer parade was a failure, owing to the short notice before embarking. The Mayor made a short speech, regretting such a sudden departure. He alluded to Lady Fergusson not being present, and trusted this farewell would be taken as a genuine manifestation of good will. In conclusion he -wished his Excellency “ God speed.” In reply. Sir James Fergusson thanked all present for their kindness in gathering at such short notice to bid him “God speed.” He regretted the suddenness of his departure. He had intended to await the arrival of his successor to render his advent easy and useful but had found that instead of helping he would by remaining hinder and inconvenience both his successor and the public. He had always found the people of this colony kind and generous, and did not require that such opinion should be confirmed by that manifestation. He expressed his indebtedness to the public men of the colony for their kindness during his stay. It had been his pleasure to watch'their disinterested efforts for the good of the colony, which ought to be proud of them. To all classes he was grateful for their expression of regard. He hoped to see a speedy development of the great mineral wealth with which Providence had blessed the country. No man who had been in the colonies would be more assiduous for or desix-ous of their welfare than himself. No opportunity or time should be lost for advancing its interests. [Here three cheers for Sir James and thx-ee for Lady Fergusson were given.] Sir James continued that he had known his successor for twenty years, and had sat. in the House of Commons with him. He believed he would be useful to the colony, and he felt sure he would receive a hearty welcome. He then called for three cheers for the Marqui of Nox-manby, which were given heartily. The band played “God Save the Queen.” His Excellency then went aboard the steamer Devenport, which steamed off to the Mikado, the Ax-tillex-y firing a vice-regal salute from the breakwater. The Mikado weighed anchor as soon as His Excellency got on board.