LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 270, 20 August 1872, Page 3

LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Per New Zealand Press Association. 0TURNING THE FIRST SOD OF THE WELLINGTON RAILWAY.—TE KOOTI AND HIS 800 FOLLOWERS A CANARD. —THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. WELLINGTON. Monday. The first sod of the Wellington and Hutt Railway was turned to-day with great eclat by his Excellency the Governor, Lady Bowen also being present. About 1,500 people, including the Executives, the Superintendent, Mayor, the members of both Houses, and a large number of ladies also attended. Mr Brogden read an address to his Excellency who duly replied. The Native Minister addressed a few words to the assemblage on behalf of the native members. All the Volunteers and the Fire Brigade turned out, the weather being beautiful. Greville’s telegram stating that Te Kooti was at the Whitecliffs with 800 men is totally untrue. The financial statement will be telegraphed to all the papers to-morrow. DUNEDIN. Monday. A Freight Association is being formed here with a view to lower the present rates. Vessels can unload at the Port Chalmers Railway Pier, and the channel is to be dredged. Henry Howarth is a candidate for the representation of Caversham in Parliament. Greville telegraphs as follows to the Evening Staj\ — WANGANUI. Monday. Te Kooti was at the White Cliffs on Saturday. He sent a letter to Mr White, who sent the same to Titokowaru by a loyal (?) native who accompanies the mail coach. He is reported to have 800 followers. (This telegram has been contradicted by the Press Association, as will be seen elsewhere.) The survey has been stopped on the other side of Waingongoro. The chain was cut and the surveyors’ whare burnt. WELLINGTON. Monday.

Mr Vogel delivers his financial statement to-morrow evening, hoping thereby to take the wind out of the sails of the Opposition. The reported outbreak of Te Kooti has been contradicted. He is merely visiting the West Coast with a few followers. Owing to the General Government neglecting to invite the Provincial authorities to the opening of the Hutt Railway, the ceremony to-day will probably be a failure. The Taranaki has arrived.

NELSON. Monday. The Supremo Court Sittings opened to-day. There are only four cases set down for trial, and they are of no great importance. Judge Richmond, in his charge to the Grand Jury, alluded to the awakening interest in law reform, and said he would be glad to see any scientific reform of the principles of law ; but he deprecated proceedings by patch work. Such reform as would be desirable was much less easy to initiate than was generally supposed.