LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1002, 12 October 1871, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[from our own correspondent.] Welungton, Oct. 11. Last evening, Mr Stafford made the first direct attack of the Opposition against the Government in a speech remarkable for its oratory but weak in argument. He denounced the Brogden contract, and said _. that the proposed Board of Works was a most corrupt piece of machinery. He objected to the proposed reform of Provincial Governments as a half-measure which could only initiate, and did not provide a radical change. He attacked the financial policy of the Government generally, and predicted nothing but misfortune to the Colony as the result. Mr Yogel followed, and sated that the Opposition had nothing now to find fault with, as the Government had adopted the safeguards and suggestions made by Mr Stafford last year. He upheld the Brogden contract No. 2 as most advantageous to the Colouy, as all that the contractor could gain was a profit" of 5£ per cent, on the cost of works. The Government intended to substitute cash payments in lieu of guarantees. Mr Gillies made a damaging speech against the Government ; but as no one on the Government side got up to reply to him, the debate lapsed, and, the House went into Committee of Ways and Means, but made no progress. The Opposition have quite abandoned any further hopes of unseating the Ministry. The Bill for annexing the Grey, and which gives Local Boards a fixed share of the revenue, is now in the hands of the printer, and will come forward on an early day. [PER GREVHiLE'S TELEGRAPH COMPANY, reuter's agents.]Invercargill, Oct. 11. A tremendous fire broke out at 3.15 this morning, in the Back of Otago, which was destroyed, and also ten other buildings. Insurances as follows :—-Liverpool and London, L 1350; Northern, L 605 0; Royal, L 400 0; Victoria, L 600 0; Alliance, L 4000 .! Auckland, October 7. The Nebraska sailed with 'a large cargo and numerous passengers from Sydney. Samuel Atkinson attempted to commit suicide by discharging a gun into his side. He inflicted a serious wound. Li loading his gun he used ten one pound notes for wadding. A man has been killed by the bursting of a boiler. . The share market is dull. Caledonians L 11 5; Thames, L 2 3; Tookeys, L 28 .; Shotover, 11s; Otago, I^3 10s; Moanatairis, L 4 ss ; All Nations, L 5 15s ; Alburnians, L 6.