INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 256, 27 October 1881, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, Wednesday. Captain Bonar (of West Coast, Middle Island) has telegraphed to the Government asking if Volunteers in Westland oflered their services would they be accepted. The C. Battery of Artillery at Temuka, Canterbury, have communicated that they would supply fifty men at a short notice. Mr Woolcock contests the Egmont seat against all comers. The steamer Grafton injured herself when near Cape Campbell, and had to pat back here. Dunedin, Wednesday. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, Mr Mowatt characterised Mr Simpson's decision in a case as absurd and ridiculous. When called on to retract, he eaid be always obeyed tbe Court, but bad no respect for hia Worship's judsment. On retraction being again demanded, the remark was withdrawn. Westport, Wednesday. Owing to a dispute between the Manager of the Westport Colliery Company, and the men, regarding the length of Dotice required to leave, the men are on strike. Coal has been struck iv the Corner Drive. Auckland, Wednesday. There is a great scarcity of stonemasons here, and the wages offered are 14s per day. At the half-yearly meeting of the Bank of New Zsaland held to-day, the Hon J. Williamson in the cbair, the Directors' report was read as follows:— Tbe Directors congjatulate the sbareholders on the result of the past half-year's operations as exhibited in tha report and balance Bheet. The net profit for the half-year ended 80th September, after ample appropriation for all known bad or doubtful debts acd on reduction of Batik premises and farniture account, anxunts to £73,943 2s 4d, to which has to be added £24,801 16s 3a, balance from half- 1

year ended March 81, 1881, giving tbe total •vwlabla for division of £98,744 18a 7d, the following appropriation of which is now recommended:—To payment of dividend at the rate cf lo per cent per annum, £50,000; bonos 5s per share, equal to 5 per cent per annum, £25, 000 j baiance carried to profit gndloss, naw accoiint,£23,944 18s 7dj total, •n u 44 18s d * The d ' viden ' 1 ftnd bonoa will be payable afc the head office in Auckland on tbe 27th of September, and at the vu^n . brancheß on receipt of advice. The Chairman in moving the odobtion of the report said •— " Daring the half-year which embraces the most stagnant portion of the year banking profits generally have been adversely affected by the continued plethora of money and consequent low rates, but tbe larjre measure of support wbich the Bank enjoys enables na to-day to meet yo« with a report which ii the beet evidence of the continned success of our operations. Tbe note circulation is practically the sama as at the time of the last statement j bills i*a-yab!e have intreaied JS17&.000; cle posits ahd other liabilities hava decreased £560,008. (join and equivalents have considerably reduced, but the advances hsve proportionately increased, Bhowinjj that the resources of the Bank are more actively employed than at tha last.half year. The balsnca is abont the same as the last balance.*" In conclusion he spoke hopefully bf Ihb progpeCta of tha colony, ihe report was adopted, and the retiring directors, Messrs F. Wbitaker and Dr Campbell, ware re-elected. Messrs G. P. Pierce and B. Tonks were elected auditors. Thursday. A meeting of Volunteers desirous of proceeding to Taranaki is convened for tonighti Chbistohuech, Wednesday. The City Guards have been instructed to hold themselves in readiness to go to the Front. The Artillery are waiting to hear from their Colonel, who is in Wellington, before doing abythiti^: wanganui, Thursday. Henry Williams for receiving the stolen silver from the Stormbird, was sentenced to seven years penal sevitude. John Smith for stealing a watch frem the person of a. sleeping man wis sentenced td eighteeil mohths hard labof.