TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

West Coast Times, Issue 2264, 11 March 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[per pebss telegraph agency.]

WESTPORT COLLIERY RESERVE.

THE COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.

Wellington, March 10.

The report of the Commission of Inquiry as to the Westport Colliery Reserve has been published, They hold that Mr J. C. Richmond's action in making the said reserve was ultra vires and its dedication by the Nelson Waste Land Board in 1872 as a reserve for " public utility" invalid. At same time, the declarations and conduct of the Provincial Government and its officers, together with the representations made by their two occupants of the reserve, are, in the opinion of the Commissioners, sufficient to warrant them in pronouncing that the said reserve was always intended to be, aud the Government would be perfectly justified in taking all necessary measures to have it, utilised as a reserve for a public quay and colliery depot ; and they recommend that the said reserve be held as security for the railway to Mount Rochfort. The Commissioners submit that the claimants have no legal or equitable right against the General Government, but certain of them named in the schedule are entitled to relief at the hands of the Provincial Government of Nelson. The report was posted to-day by the Government to the newspapers on the West Coast.

It is understood that the Government will provide passages from the Thames for men to work on the Wellington and Masterton Jtailway. Oakes, contractor, has, through a Thames agent, engaged about 150. Probably a steamer will be seat direct from fclie Thames to Wellingon, if a suitable vessel can be chartered.

Chbistchtjrch, March 10.

The Senate of the New Zealand University have decided upon appointing a Registrar and Secretary at a salary of £400 per annum ; application to be invited in all the Provinces. It was resolved to ask the Government to incur no delay in applying for a Eoyal Charter; that an examination for the B.A. degree be held next May, and another in November ; that the annual examination of undergraduates be held between October and December 31 in any year. Large numbers of resolutions for the regulation of various examinations were passed. P. S. Hay and Alexander Laughey were admitted to the B.A. degree. A motion by the Vice-Chancellor that provisions ought to be made for the admission of Bachelors of Law to a degree in the University, was postponed for consideration. After considering the suggestions of the master of the Wellington College, and others concerning a court of convocation, it was resolved that it is not

advisable at present to alter the University Act in the manner suggested. Quotations, free on board at Lytteltpn — Wheat, 4s 3d ; oats, 2s ; barley, 3s, $d ; flour, £10 9s to £11 ; bran, 4s ; sharps, 4s lOd ; cheese, 9d , grass seed, ss. 6J ; butter, Is to Is Id ; hams and bacon, Is 9d.

Auckland, March 10.

The Edinburgh Castle arrived from London with 22 passengers, all well, after a protracted passage of 120 days. The Carbine champion will receive an enthusiastic reception to-morrow. A gun carriage will be provided to draw him in triumph from the station.

Donedin, March 10,

The demand for oats has been a little better. During the last few days old are worth Is 9d to Is Hd for feed and milling, but only small parcels are coming forward owing to people being busy harvesting. New are worth Is 6d to Is Bd. WheatVery little of the old crop in the market, and it is difficult to quote a price for new grain, but the figure for best quality at Oamaru may be given as about 4s 6d. Timaeu, March 10. Wheat is being loaded here at a shade over 4s 3d.