WELLINGTON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 660, 26 March 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

March 25. When the liquidators waited at the New Zealand Company's office yesterday to open tenders for the purchase of the steamers, it was found that none had been sent m. The Hon. the Native Minister arrived here yesterday. The plans for the Wellington and West Coast railway are practically complete. It is expected that the line likely to be adopted is the one suggested m 1870 for tha main line from Wellington northwards before it was thought of taking a line by way of Wairarapa. The Post says it is authoritively informed that there is no truth m the statement which has found currency that the natives have raised obstacles by refusing to sell the land to the Government. It agpears that the land is already " proclaimed," which effectually prevents private purchasers interfering. The negotiations for the completion of the purchase are expected to be closed shortly. The natives are represented to be anxious to dispose of the land now required, so as to give increased sale to remainder, |

The cook of the Loch Fergus, who was on Saturday knocked down with a handspike by one of the apprentices, has been unconscious ever since, and the doctors think the skull is fractured, that there is an effusion of blood on the brain, and that the result is likely to prove fatal. The apprentice who committed the assault was brought up yesterday and remanded, Banks, the cook, being unable to appear. Considerable sensation was caused m town yesterday morning bythe following placard which was posted over the city : — " Gold ! Gold ! Had the people of Glasgow asked for gold m payment instead of taking bank paper, thousands would have been saved from ruin. This should prove a warning. " As the poster has no imprint, the detectives are trying to find the printer. It is supposed to be a foolish piece of revenge by some one who ha 3 had to complain of bank pressure. The sheep districts of Napier, Canterbury, and Otago are proclaimed clean, and those of Auckland* New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland are declared infected, This was the day for receiving tenders for the purchase of the New Zealand S.S. Company's fleet, but no tenders were received by the liquidators. The German residents of the city celebrated by a ball the anniversary of the Emperor William's birthday. . Ballinger, the winner of the champion belt, is to be entertained at a dinner. The Goverment have concluded the purchase of one million acres of land from the natives m the Manawatu along the proposed line of the WellingtonFoxton railway. Dr. Diver has just taken a large triangular piece of bone from the skull of the cook of the Loch Fergus, and says there is no chance for his recovery. One fatal case of typhoid fever has just occurred m the hospital. The Native Land Purchase Department has been lately doing considerable business m Wanganui and the West Coast Districts. During the last two months about one million and a quarter acres have been proclaimed as under negotiation, m addition to the blocks already gazetted, and deposits amounting to some £25,000 have been paid over to the natives the balance to be paid on the completion of the title. Dr. Buller has .accepted a general retainer from the Government, and will act as counsel for the Crown m all cases m the Native Lands Court. It is understood that - Parliament will meet for the despatch of business on the 25th July next.