BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3807, 7 May 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

. , WillinOT ox, May & It is understood that Mr Robert Phanugm vrill be the new member of the Provincial Executive vice Mr Watt, resigned. A deputation to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce waited upon the Minister of Public Works, at his office this morning, to urge a[more rapid prosecution of the Wellington and Mas* ton railway; and to, if necessary, offer a bonus to the contractors. The question is one of the utmost importance to the trading community, and it was therefore that the Chamber moved in the matter. They utterly disclaimed all political motives, and any desire to embarrass the Government. Mr Richardson; in reply as to the railway progress, referred them to what the Government had already done on the Wel-ington-Masterton line. He found that the first contracts, both for Wellington and Napier were let on the 10th August, 1878, to Broaden and Da No more contracts in Hawkes Baywero let till March, 1874, bat the second Hptt contract The fourth, and fifth Wellington contracts Hvere let respaotlvdy in April, June, and September, 1874. Ho was prepared to state, without the

■lightest hesitation, that greater exertions had been made, and more engineering skill brought to bear on this line to Wairarapa, than one to double that length of railway in any other part bf the Colony. It was the heaviest undertaking in all New Zealand. He was satisfied that no bonuses could enable the contractors to finish the line in less than the contract time. If, however, it became apparent as the works went on that it would be advantageous to offer bonuses, the Government would do it. It was scarcity of labor that delayed the contractors. Men would not do hard work, when able to get lighter, but he thought it likely the line would be finished within the contract time. He would inform them that L 265,000 had been spent already on railways in this Province, and contracts taken to the amount of L200.C00 more, or nearly half a million in all. Auckland, May 6. Mr Header Wood has joined the Executive first as Provincial Tseasurer and, possibly, afterwards as Secretary. Mr Rees is expected also to join. Blenheim, May 6. Mr Joseph Ward, M.P.0., is likely to become a candidate for the seat resigned by Mr Seymour. If he does so, Mr Moornouse is not expected to have much chance. Napier, May 6. The Government have purchased Maney’s lease from the Natives of the country on the Upper Wairoa, and have commenced negotiations for the purchase of a lease of all open country from the Upper Wairoa to Waikaremoana, and stretching by the inland road to Poverty Bay, to join the Patuataki block. The Waiweras have overlapping claims, and negotiations have been initiated. Christchurch, May 7. At the meeting of the Philosophical Institute last night a letter was read from Dr Haast resigning his position as President. He said that “It was expected of the President to deliver an annual address; and as long as the extraordinary decision of the Governors of the N.Z. Tnwt.itnt.fl remains a rule in the Colony, that it is a correct thing for paid workmen to appropriate employers’ scientific discoveries, a mie by which similar researches are rendered almost Impracticable, for the future I must decline to permit the publication of any of my papers in the “Transactions.” I trust, however, for the honor of the N.Z. Institute, that at a full meeting of the Governors that the unwarrantable decision, which has only been passed by a small local clique, will be rescinded, and I shall hope _then to be able to, resume my active connection with your body, which for many years has been a source of gratification tome, and through you with the N.Z. Institute.” Another Boating Club is being started, specially for the convenience of residents of the west part of the city. The present boat sheds are on the east side. The Government continue to evince a strong tendency- towards economy, and orders have been given for all their advertisements to be inserted without Royal Arms being placed at the head as hitherto. The railway time tables are also to bo advertised less frequently. Wanganui, May 7. Henry Dillon, sentenced for a criminal aaaault on a little girl, was flogged in gaol this morning. The flogging was not so severe as expected, though blood was drawn. Dillon never winced, and behaved like one who had boon so punished before. New Plymouth, May 7. The Superintendent and the Harbor _ Master havs gone to the Waitari to ascertain what can be done towards removing tbe obstruction to the entrance of the river caused by the wreck of the Paterson. A man was buried by the fall of the facing of the brick kiln at the Ironsand Works, and miraculously saved, through a piece of corrugated Iron keeping the weight of the bricks off him. He was five horns in this position, and is much shaken, but not dangerously hurt. Pheasants are very plentiful here, and the shooting season commenced with spirit. (From our own Correspondents.) Auckland, May 6. U*Mr A. G, Millar, manager of the National Insurance Company, who died to-day of typhoid fever, was universally respected. The announcement that Mr Reader Wood, M.H.R., had joined Sir George Grey’s Executive, caused general surprise, owing to Mr Wood’s strong centralist view s, and the part that he took in the abolition resolutions of last session, which were the means of bringing Sir George Grey again into public life. In consequence of a number of typhoid fever eases all the journals are going in for sanitary reform. Lawrence, May 7. Mr J. M. Clark was returned for EastWard in the Municipal Council by a large majority yesterday. Waikouaiti, May 7. The Governor created a very favorable impression here. He was received by the Mayor and Corporation, and presented with an address. The Volunteers turned out strongly.