TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.

Southland Times, Issue 923, 27 March 1868, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.

"Wellington. March 24 — A monster meeting expressing condolence with Prince Alfred, has been called at noon tomorrowintheSupreme Court House. Business places are to be temporarily closed. The reception committee have suspended all their arrangements. — The patent slip dispute is ended. Kennards have parted with their interest to third parties who engage to complete it in twelve months. Cheistchttbch, March 24 — A quartz specimen, from the Auckland gold fields, exhibited to-day by a gentleman just returned from there, has caused quite a sensation. It is immensly rich, ; and he says thare will be a great rush shortly. The Australian and East Coast diggers on the field have written for their ifrienda. Great relief is felt by. the news of the Prince's safety ; great anxiety was displayed till the news was known. , "Wellington, "Wednesday Evening.— The most crowded meeting ever held in Wellington took place at noon jin the Oddfellows' Hall. Crowds not able to enter, although side rooms and[ stage were thrown open. Dransfield, Chairman of the Town Board, occupied the chair in the absence of the Superintendent who is at Otaki! The Hon. J. C. Eichmond proposed, Mr Fitzgerald seconded, adoption of address, as follows :— " May it please your Royal Highness, we, the inhabitants of the cifcy of "Wellington, capital of the Colony of New Zealand, in public meeting assembled, desire to express to your Eoyal Highness the feelings of intense indignation and profound sorrow with which we received the intelligence of the attempted assassination of your Eoyal Highness. Having for months contemplated the honor " of your Eoyal Highness' presence in this city, we humbly beg to assure your Highness that, although residing in a most remote dependency of the British Crown, Her Majesty has not more loyal ok devoted subjects in any portion of the wide-spread empire to which we belong, and that it will now, if possible, be a source of even greater satisfaction. if still permitted to express the depth of pur loyalty and devotion by welcoming your. Eoyal Highness to our shores. "We fervently pray that G-od, who has preserved your Eoyal Highness from the intended fatal effect of the atrocious crime, that he will be pleased to grant Tour Eoyal Highness a speedy recovery, and that he will give such wisdom to all in authority as will enable them to discover and bring to justice those connected with this fell conspiracy, which has aimed to inflict through the person of Tour Boyal Highness, so severe a blow to. the happinesß of your Eoyal Mother, our beloved Queen, and to the happiness of the nation at large." Eoman Catholic Bishop Viard's letter expressing sympathy read. Father Petit Jean denounced crime .as of blackest hue. Bishop Viard had telegraphed to Hokitika and elsewhere, directing that thanksgiving Bervicee be held. Judges Johnston and Grresson, Bishop of Wellington, Major Eichardson, and others spoke. Address adopted, and directed to be sent to Sydney, and to the Queen. Fitzgerald's speech most eloquent. Business almost entirely suspended: At suggestion of Judge no evidence offered in third perjury case, prisoner consequently accquitted. Dunedin, Thursday. — Public meeting will be held this afternoon.