AN EXPLANATION BY THE PREMIER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10359, 14 May 1895, Page 3

AN EXPLANATION BY THE PREMIER.

Napier, April 18. Tne Daily Telegraph publishes a long letter from the Hon. Mr Seddon with reference to a transaction by Mrs Seddon in Bank of New Zealand shares in September last. The Telegraph on the 26 _h March published an article referring to a rumour to the effect that Mrs Seddon had sold some shares to Mr Davidson, and t_7_ this sale had possibly been effected because of the knowledge by the Government of the condition of the bank not shared by the general public, the Hon. J. M'Kenzie having stated in his speech at Dunedin that the Government knew the bank was weak 10 months before asking the House to pass special legislation in its favour. Mr Seddon in his letter goes fully into the circumstances which induced Mrs Seddon to sell her shares, and shows that she was nofc led to do this through having received any information from him. He says he could nofc have given her any information of a special kind, as he knew no more of the affairs of the bank than was known to Parliament and the country generally. Mr Seddon's letter is a complete refutation of the c nard, which was so described by fche Telegraph when ifc published the article which has called forth the letter.

' Wellington, April 19. _ The Premier has requested the Press Association to add the following to the message sent from Napier yesterday respecting the Bank of New Zealand shares :—"The number of shares held by Mra Seddon and sold was 20, of tha value of £83, and they were sold so far back as the early part of September 1893."

The increase of population in the Australasian colonies during the past three yenrs and three - quarters is stated by the Victorian Government; statist as 343,572, being at the rate of 9.03 per cent;. The numerical increases are given thus: — Victoria, 38,699 ; New South Wales, 119,216 ; Queensland, 51,437 ; South Australia (including Northern Territory), 39,971; Western Australia, 32.290 ; Tasmania, 10,789; and New Zealand, 59,470. The total population on 31st December last is given &3 4,153,767, as compared with 3,809,895 on sfch April 1891.