TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 249, 21 October 1870, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, 21st Oct., 3.20 p.m. Private letters received by the mail, which may be relied upon, state that the war has stopped every colonial work, including the Nelson and Cobden railway, for signing the contract of which the hour had been fixed. Commissioners Bell and Featherston had an interview with Lord Kimberley and Childers about harbor defences, and defence generally. They demur to sending guns until there are some preparations for forts on which to mount them, and state that the fortifications on the English coast are practically useless before the guns of the present day. The Commissioners have been unable to do anything in the way of immigration on account of the war, and not knowing whether it is to be undertaken by the colony or the provinces. Dr. Featherston and Mr. Morrison are in Norway picking up information relative to immigration. Mr. Bell is in London, aud is going soon to Wales to see theFestiniog railway, after which he returns to New Zealand by way of Italy, examining the Mont Cen is railway on the road and taking the Suez October boat. Dr. Featherston will return via America in October. Plans for the Wellington Dock are to be submitted to the Admiralty engineers, and, if approved of, a grantof £20,000 is expected.