INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 52, 1 March 1879, Page 2

I N T ER PR OV INC IA L .

frKK6B AGENCY. I Wellitgtox, Friday. The Government have received advices of fourteen hundred immigrants being afloat for New Zealaud in view of the in° creased demand for labor in the land. The Government are discussing the advisability of cabling home for the immediate shipment of two thousand agricultural labourer*. The mail steamer Zea'.andia with the January Colonial mails arrived at San Franci3co on (he 26th instant a day in advance of her due date. The Customs revenue for the port of Wellington for the month ending to-day was £21,906 against £15,145 for February 1878. Sixty-three births, 53 deaths, aud 26 marriages were registered during this month. The Government hope to open the Wairarapa railway to Greytowu iv eight months. It is stated now that Mr Luckie's salary is to be £BGO. It i 3 reported that another Cabinet difficulty has arisen in the appointment of Speaker to the Legislative Council, as it is said that Sir George Grey wishes the appointment of Sir W. Fitzherbert whilst his colleagues support that of Major Richmond. The Freemasons of Wellington are raising funds in aid of the victims by iheKaitangata disaster, Dr Hector goes south to-morrow and will piobably give evidence at the Kaitangata inquest, as also does Mr Cox, the assistant geologist, as to the condition of the mine at their last inspection. An amateur performance at the Opera House to-night under the patronage of the acting Governor and Ministers, will be given in aid of the Kaitangata sufferers. Mr Sheehan left for the north to-day. The Rev Mr Inglis says he has raised in New Zealand the sum of £600, but his expenses average £25 to £30 per week. The total amount collected in Wellington so far towards the Kaitangata relief fund is £250. Saturday. Mr E. T. Lewis, Confidential Secretary to the Native Minister has been appointed Undersecretary for Native Affairs in the room of Mr Henry T. Clark resigned. At the annual meeting of the N Z. Times Company yesterday afternoon, a resolution was carried giving the directors power to sell the plant and paper upon the understanding that if not sold within six months a general meeting of the shareholders will be called to decide then what steps are to be taken. Auckland, Friday. The latest news from the Taupo is to the effect that the coals are still being removed. Captains Ellis and Austen surveyed the vessel and made the following report:— As to the position of the ship she lies midway between the beacon on Stony Point and the outer black buoys about three quarters of a cable's length off the shore, bearings of beacon by standard compasses S.E. by black bnoy, NW. by N., half ship's head, S.E. little easterly, depth water forward 13 feet, 16 feet aft, with 9 aft at low water. The ship is on rocky ground from stern post to as far forward as fore part of the fore hatch, from that forward the water deepens a little. She does not touch near the after hold. The engine-room is full of water to the same height as the water outside. The scams of her deck are slightly started iv the after gangway, but no other signs of straining arc visible. The fore-hold is perfectly dry, and there are no signs of the bulkhead giving way. They believe the ship can be floated into safety by pumping out the after-hold dry with steam appliance?, and discharging the coal from aft. The water in the after hold neither rises nor falls as fast as in the engine-room. We are of opinion that the water in the after-hold can be kept down by good pumps. The Hero arrived from Sydney at midnight. She brings 800 tons cargo, and a large number of passengers. Dunedin, Friday. It is understood that the following arrangements have been agreed upon by all the Bankß trading in New Zealand, and will come into operation forthwith :— Discount rates under 95 days 8 percent, under 125 days 9 per cent. For longer periods there are no quotations. For deposits the maximum rates are for three months five per cent, for six months six per cent, and for 12 months 6£ per cent. The minimum rate for overdraft is settled at 10 per cent. It is also understood that the Bauks in Australia will enter into a similar arrangement, though the maximum and minimum may be slightly different. The Banks in London raised their rates of exchange in the colonies one per cent all round on the 13th December, and an endeavor is being made to check wholesale drawing against speculative consignments, which may probably take the form of declining to negotiate drafts unless under special authority from the consignees. The races were continued to-day. The weather is fine and the attendance large. Hurdle Race: Agent 1, Eversley 2, Kildare 3. Time, 4mins 38Jsecs. Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap: Fishhook 1, Chancellor * Titania 3. ' _, Saturday. ioRBURY Handicap : Foul Play 1. Templetoa 2, Sinking Fund 3. Christchpkch, Friday. The Conference of Insurance Agents of the Colony began sitting yesterday; the proceedings are private. In the case of Mrs Goodyer the jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity. 1 esterday at a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College, while agreeing with the College Committee that the University of New Zealand should be the only power empowered to grant degree* in New Zealand, the Governors could not adopt their views. That in conaequence of the effort of the Otago University in apply, ing for a Royal Charter, the Canterbury College slionld make a similar application It was agreed that a petition be drawn on the part of the Board and transmitted to the Imperial Government through the Chancellor of the New Zealand University praying that the New Zealand University be maintained as the only body empowered to grant degrees in New Zealand.