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Southland Times, Issue 1732, 25 April 1873, Page 2

Attckland, April 24. The New Zealand Herald complains that the Press Association did not supply an account of Mr Fox's speech to his consti tuents, and acknowledges its indebtedness to the Anglo-Australian Agency for a report. A traveller in the King country, between Taupo and Cambridge, reports that he met with a kindly reception, though travelling was rendered umafe owing to a prowling armed party of twenty Puruku as threatening the lives of Europeans. The prospectors at Tuhua had been opposed, but avoided the Natives and went into the bush. They found no rich quartz, but several reefs. Traces of gold were obtained in every gully they tested. The traveller beforementioned thinks the prospectors'lives are endangered. The half yearly meeting of the shareholders in the Bank of New Zealand was held to-day. The report shows a net profit, to the end of March, of £37,293 18 a 6d, making, with the balance undivided at September 30, 1872, viz., £8860 sa, £46,154 3s 6d available for dividends. A dividend at the rate of 12£ per cent, per annum was recommended, amounting to £37,500, the balance to be carried to profit and loss account, making it £8654 3s 6d. The dividend is payable to- j morrow. Mr Yogel has purchased a large number of city allotments. GrKAHA-MSTCrWN, April 24. The Native policemen are expelling the prospectors from Ohinemuri. Wellington, April 24. By last mail, a despatch, dated 31st January, was received from Earl Kimberley, declining to advise the C^ueen to grant letters patent to the Otago and New Zealand Universities, so as to make the degrees granted by those Universities recognisable throughout the Empire, and desiring the Assembly and people to express their views as to the University upon which the privilege should be conferred. He deprecated granting it to two institutions, such a course being likely to deteriorate the value of the degrees conferred, and being also beyond the requirements of the country. He suggested a National University. Chbistchtjech, April 24. The Fibre Company has commenced operations, and is inviting tenders for tow. Hokitika, April 24. The prospectus of a Steam Tug and Freight Company has been issued. The capital is £15,000. Poet Chalmers, April 24. Sailed. — Margaret G-albraith, for London, with a cargo of wool, preserved meat, wheat, and tallow. DFNEDnr, April 24. Mr Donald Eeid addressed his constituents at the Taieri last night. He referred at some length to the course he took in obtaining information about the Southern Trunk and Mataura railways. Hia action in the matter was not influenced by the want-of-confidence vote, but to enable the Government to explain away the rumors which were current at the "time, or if they were well founded, to give the House the opportunity to express its opinion. When he undertook the management of the affairs of the Province as Treasurer, the treasury was largely indebted to the Bank, and there was also a period of great depression, during which the main sources of revenue were locked up under illegal covenants. That was a ground of attack by his opponents, yet his Government left the Treasury not only not a shilling in debt, but in a position to replenish its resources. He thought a more straightforward course should have been adopted in the appointment of Messrs Birch and Seaton as immigration agents. He had understood that they went home on their own private business, and were to do what they could for the Province. In referring to the formation of the new Government by Mr Stafford, Mr Reid said that if Mr Stafford had made a bid for certain Maori votes, as the others had done, his Government might have retained office. The Government of which Mr Eeid Was a member considered it wiser, and. more prudent to push on the completion^of 6he railways already commenced,^ .than to loiter on with too many lines at once. The present Government were proceeding in violation of the understanding; on the faith of which the loans, had been obtained. That money had been borrowed to be expended on reproductive works, and the interest was to be paid out of revenue instead of capital. He hoped the day was not far distant when there would be a party in power with higher aims than the construction of railways in some instances to secure votes. A vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr Eeid was carried unanimously. There were over 150 electors present.