TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 53, 1 March 1873, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

[Pee Ahglo-Aubtralian'Pbkss Tbmigbaph AOBNOr.] *' PROVINCIAL, 1 -' '• ' WBLik>aToN^ March 1. The Indtpendtnt states that the Goraraor still

refuses to accept Mr Waterhouse'a resignation. It suggests that the Governor should go to Auckland to attend the Native Meeting, and return thence to Wellington, when a full meeting of the; Cabinet could be held to 'consult on the matter £j \ The Patterson, was: unable to obtain coal for.? her trip to Auckland, and was obliged to use wood. The Ben Nevis has cleared for London with a cargo of wool valued at £18,218. Napier, March 1. It is reported that Judge G reason is to take' Judge Richmond's duties on the West Coast. Dunedin, March 1. Shares to the value of £30,000 have been subscribed for here in the Christchurch Shipping Company. (From the Examiner ) ■■'.'■ Dttnedin, February 28. Over 300 persons attended last evening to hear Sir D, Monro address his constituents. Sir David occupied the meeting about two hours, and explained why he had not visited Waikouaiti earlier. He referred to the prosperity of the Province of Otago as being greater than other parts of the colony, and the fact was attributable to the high price of wool and its yield of gold He showed that the gold export of the whole colony had fallen off to the extent of nearly one million, while that of Otago had increased. The prosperity of the colony had been increased by i public works, but the danger of borrowing was, that the interest of the debt might in time exceed j the whole income of the colony. In 18R7 the General and Provincial debts amounted to £5,781,093; in June, 1872, the funded debt to £8,375,991 ; unfunded debt— consistingof Treasury bi Is, deficiency bills.acd bank overdraft, amounted f> £785.000; mabing a total of £9,160.901. In September it amounted to £9,985,335, upon which the annual charge was £616,895. From customs duties, only £813.279 were received, leaving £196,189 for cost of Government. The Assembly authorised the iaising of £5,000,090 more, of which £2,200,000 had been used. The cost of railways wguld largely exceed the estimate, and if the lines now authorised were made and the blanks filled up, the total debt in four years more would amount to £'7,000,000, and the interest at six per cent, to £1,020 000. Unless the corner was turned, and receipts increased, the prospects of the country wouH be alarming. Railway construction wes a question of business and common sense, not of political economy. He compared the colony to a joim-stoek company with an unimproved estate, which the proprietors before mortgaging estimated ics value. The result depend? d on calculations Disappointment and ruin was likely to follow too sanguine expectations •Mr "Yogel knew very little about the Public Works scheme when he proposed it. His calculations were not realised, as according to them the colony should now be obtaining revenue Jrom railways. None was received except from the Christchurch-Rangiora line. The Public Works scheme was a party move. Mr Vogel's scheme was- adopted by a moribund Parliament which pass°d bills without public discu c sion, and without the consent of owners of property. The scheme would be a success if Mr Vogel's calculations were correct, but if they were over-estimated the country must retrograde, and our debt become too burdensome for the industry of the colony to bear. He advocated the construction of railways where districts were favorable for them. He advocated one for Marlborough in 1871 ; Mr Fox opposed it, rut not from tbe purest reasons, and i he .Act was disallowed by the Home Government He was one who took part in railway construction at the Dua Mountain. It failed, and the rails were sold. He was sati-fied that the country should creep until it cou'd walk. Common roads were the cheapest until the traffic justified the construction of railways. A line from the north to Invercargill would pay. Ministers during the recess did not attend to their duties. Mr Voge', winking at diplomacy, went to Australia, while Mr Fox visited the diggings and .glaciers on the We*t Toast. The Public Works in the North Island had been handed over to Mr Ormond, and in the Middle Island to Mr Reeves, who had created a good impression by straightforwardness; The arrangements with Mr Broaden were not favorab'e to the colony ; and the indifference of Mr Yogel and Mr Fox disgusted many members. Mr Stafford, therefore, moved his resolutions, and assumed office. He was unseated by means not honorable to the Treasurer. Promises were made — that to Mr Shephard, of Nelsop, being an example. Vote of thanks and confidence was passed unanim usly. *