BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3144, 18 March 1873, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

{From the New Zealand Press Association.)

Lawrence, March 18. St. Patrick’s day was celebrated with great tdai. There were races and sports on the racecourse, also a fancy fair iu the evening. At the banquet in the Catholic schoolroom 800 persons were present. There were numerous visitors from Dunedin and all parts of the Province,

Wellington, March 17.

At a meeeting of the shareholders of the proposed Coal Company, hold to-day, a draft: prospectiie was approved of, and the pro-;

visional directors were instructed to register the company as soon as .1,500 shares are formally applied for. Upwards of 1,000 shares have been informally promised. A letter from proposed Greyinouth shareholders was read, but the meeting resolved that their demands could not be acceded to. The company proposed to coniine their operations to carrying coal, not mining for it.

Auckland, March 17. Heavy rain is falling, with every likelihood of its continuing. Should it do so, it will interfere with the demonstrations on tlie Governor’s departure to-morrow. The Southern f!ros. s- a.nil tbe AT. .r Xeohuul Herald publish details of the proposed electric telegiaph cables to New Zealand. rp hc proposals are to construct a cable from Australia to New Zealand, and another from Nonnanton to Singapore. Three colonies —New Zealand, New South Wales, and Queensland —will give a guarantee of five per cent, upon a capital of a million, which is equal to three per cent, upon what the cables will actually cost. If the scheme is ratified by the several Parliaments, New Zealand will pay L 16.700 per annum, but the receipts from the line, when working, will almost equal that amount. The guarantee is to be for thirty-three years. A twenty word message from New Zealand to Australia is not to exceed fifteen shillings, and every extra word is to be uinepence. Each twenty words from Nonnanton to Singapore is not to exceed forty shillings for the first two years ; afterwards nob to exceed thirty-five shillings. Extra words two shillings each. The two cables are to be constructed simultaneously. Four weeks yearly will be allowed for repairs, and LI2JKJO per annum be allowed to cover all expenses for the year ; all receipts above that to go towards reducing the guarantee. March 18.

A quantity of petroleum, from the East Coast, has been refined, anti is described as superior oil. The farewell ball to the Governor and Lady Bowen, last night, was a great success. 250 persons were present. The Chief Justice presided. The Governor spoke of the warm affection entertained for him and family in Auckland. In the South, it was respect for his office, but in Auckland the feeling was personal. He leaves this afternoon.