BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1017, 29 October 1872, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(PROM OUR OATS' CORRESPONDENTS.) WELLINGTON. Oct. 25. Mr Vogel has intimated that Mr Woodward will be appointed Public Trustee, his present office not to be filled up, Mr Batkin will become secretary to the Treasurer.

On the discussion arising upon the Agent-General's department, Mr Reynolds drew attention to the fact that Dr Eeatherstone and Mr Morrison were directors of the proposed new bunk.

Mr Ormond replied that the Cabinet had considered the subject, and bad determined that seats in the bank directory were incompatible with the official positions of the gentlemen referred to.

A debate ensued, and Mr Dillon Bell declared his conviction that Dr Eeatherstone would not submit to such dictation, and that, if they pressed tbe matter, it would be said at home that the Government of the colony was in the hands of the Bank of New Zealand.

Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Stafford, and others expressed an opinion that Dr Feather3tone was perfectly right in acting as he bad done. Mr Bathgate, Mr Gillies and others thought that it should not be allowed. Resolutions embodying the recommendations of th 9 Local Industries Committee were adopted by the House. These include the encouraging of the development of coal mines, oil'ering a bonus for the production of pig-iron and steel, paying an export bonus on cured fish, encouraging sericulture, and the holding of an exhibition of flax-dressing machines, eighteen months hence, with prizes £3OO, £IOO, and £SO, respectively lor best flaxdressing machines complying with certain fixed conditions.

A deputation of goldfields' members, consisting of Messrs Sheehan, Shephard, O'jSTeiil, and J. 0. Brown, wailed on the Premier to urge the Grovernment to reconsider the decision not to appoint a Minister of Mines.

Mr Waterliouse promised to recon sider the matter.

Parliament was prorogued this afternoon, by his Excellency the Governor, in person.

Oct. 2S. Mr Reynolds has joined the Ministry as Commissioner of Customs. Mr Bathgate becomes Commissioner of Stamps and Minister of Justice. The Government have consented to reduce press telegrams to sixpence for twenty-five words. DCNEDIN". The ' Star' comes out as a morning paper next month. AUCKLAND. Brogden's navvies have nearly all resumed work at os per day ; others offer to resume at 6s per day of eight hours. The proposal of the Harbor Board to grant £SOO towards the Vienna Exhibition has been rejected. PICTOK Prospectors have brought in very rich specimens from the newly discovered quartz reefs, and ten pounds weight of gold. A rush has taken place, and Pictonians are greatly excited. INVEKCARG-ILL. A verdict of wilful murder has been returned against the woman Whitting. The medical evidence declared her not to be sane.