BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 965, 26 April 1872, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(PROM 01TB OWN COBRESPONDENT3.) "WELLINGTON. April 23. The Government are disposed to grant Mr Bragden's application as to the Mikonui water-race, and have given instructions for steps to he taken for reserving the land applied for, subject to existing rights. By a proclamation in to-day's ' Gazette' the Assembly is prorogued until May 29.

WANGANUI. April 23. The discovery of a gold-bearing reef in the Waitotara district is reported. A piece of quartz with gold visible has been brought in. The finders are going to produce the quantity they have tested. INVEECAKGILL. April 23. Mr Dillon Bell addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents, when he expressed himself generally favorable to the policy of the Ministry, which must induce either great prosperity or plunge the colony into absolute ruin. He declared that retrogression was now impossible, but predicted that an effort would be made during next session to retrograde. He believed tbat railways were a necessity, and that it was necessary to borrow for their construction. He approved of the Californian service. He was not satisfied with what had been done regarding immigration, believing that a vigorous effort would procure a sufficient number of laborers and small capitalists from the agricultural counties of Great Britain and Ireland. He advocated free selectiun over the whole colony. A vote of confidence was passed by a large majority. AUCKLAND. April 23. Mr Vogel leaves for Wellington next week. Michael Hutton, nephew of Archdeacon "Williams, was lulled whilst out duck-shooting at the Bay ot Islands. His gun went off accidentally whilst lifting it over a wall, and the charge lodged in his body. A large number of new companies are being registered at Coromandel. April 25. The half-yearly meeting of the Bank of New Zealand showed a net profit, to the 31st March, after pro- \ viding for all bad or doubtful debts, ■ of £44,995, and a balance from last i half-year of £7,604. A dividend was 1 declared of 15 per cent, per annum, leaving £7,600 undivided. The G-overnor, accompanied by Mr ' M'Lean, arrived at the Thames yester- '. day., having crossed overland froir, i Katikati to Ohenemuri. His Ex- - i eellency visited the leading mines to--5 day and reached Auckland last night. 1 Bitter complaints are made from j country districts of destruction oi 1 crops by pheasants. A volunteer representative writes i to the " Southern Cross" accusing Colonel Harrington of strong par- > tiality towards Otago, and of unfair 3 treatment to other representatives, ' He also complains that the Stewards 3 of the Christchurch ball left the 3 strange representatives to watch the r Christchurch people dancing, having secured all partners for themselves.