INTERPROVINCIAL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 328, 1 July 1875, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

WELLINGTON.

With reference to the proposals of the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company, the Post says:— ■ , — r . , , The directors of the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company are now, we hear, considering tenders from England for the construction of two large steamers of superior size and power to the Hawea and and Taupo, recently built for the Union Company of Dunedin. If they decide on the acceptance of any of the tenders (and the price is a very reasonable one) the capital of the company will be considerably enlarged by the issue of new shares. The present nominal capital of the company is now fully subscribed, the present directors having recently taken up the previously unissued shares at a premium of 100 per cent. This transaction has placed the company in funds to refit the Wellington with new machinery, &c, without touching on the ordinary receipts or increasing the bank overdraft, which within the year has been reduced from £45.000 to £20,000. The success of this company has been something marvellous since they began with the resuscitated Taranaki, and no doubt if it is decided to increase the capital by the increase of new shares so as to enable them to compete with the new opposition, the appeal will be liberally responded to by all who have the interests of this port at heart, and are anxious that it; should retain its position as the headquarters of the interprovincial steam trade. We hope, however, that the competition between the two companies will not grotv so keen as to render the trade unprofitable to either.

1 he alterations in the hall of the House of Representatives, says the Tribune, are approaching completion, and so far as we can judge will effect a great improvement not only in the appearance but the comfort of the chamber. The old chair of the Speaker, which being neither rich nor rare, one wondered how it had got there, is now replaced by a rostrum possessing claims to artistic finish and elegance. The tables and seats arc new, and those in the rear arc raised and form a semicircle. The former, however, are far too narrow for writing upon comfortably, but the limited space forbade enlargement. A correspondent of the JVeiv Zealand Times supplies that journal with the following re the progress of the railway works; — “ The first tunnel on the Mungaroa section is situated and begins at 21 miles 3 chains, and is 132 yards in length. There are eight chains of approach cuttings now completed up to face of tunnel, which is being fairly started, and from the energy evinced by all interested in the prosecution of the work, doubtless every effort will be made to complete the work as speedily as possible, The various cuttings and embankments betwee \ the above mileage and Upper Hutt station are of late being pushed on with considerable energy, and despite the copious rains we have had uncomfortably to endure, yet work goes on almost unceasingly. Higher up the Mungaroa section works are being pushed on as well, but owing to the present miserable inclement condition of the weather anything like appreciable progress is out of the question. Numerous small cottages are fast springing into existence around this locality, and a few of the knowing ones have already

si ;urccl desirable lois for the erection of large stores, so that there need not be any great surprise to see a smiling and thriving tow aship here shortly.” With reference to ihe sticking-up case in We’lington the Tribune gives the following report of the evidence in the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Monday : Frank Murray stood charged with having assaulted Henry Ashton on the 26th instant, on the road between Wellington and the Hulfc, with intent to commit a felony. Mr Ashton deposed that he was collector of rates and overseer of roads for the Wellington District Highways Board. He recognised the prisoner as one of two men who stopped him on Saturday night last at half-past seven Witness was riding, and walking the horse leisurely between Squire’s and Rocky Point in the direction of the Hutt, The horse made a fearful plunge towards tho railway. He then saw two men grappling at the horse’s head. The horse backed, and managed to evade them. Witness said to the men—- “ What do you want with me ?” The reply was, in very broad Irish, “ You are the we want.” They then tried to grapple the horse again, and the prisoner struck at h'tn with a stick, which he managed to evade. Witness then put spurs to the horse, rode to the Hutt, and gave information to the police. Witness had £72 18s on him at the time. Never saw the prisoner before Saturday night. The prisoner said he only asked the prosecutor for a match to light his pipe, when he put spurs to his horse and galloped away. Constable Stewart stated he arrested the prisoner at half-past nine on Sunday morning, opposite the ‘Hutt Post office. Charged him with attempting to rob Mr Ashton on the evening before. He said he met Mr Ashton and asked for some matches, but the horse got frightened, Ashton rode away, and prisoner saw no more of him. It was from the description given by Mr Ashton that witness arrested prisoner. The prisoner was committed for trial at the nest sittings of the Supreme Gouit.