BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1040, 24 January 1873, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(from ottr own correspondents.) WELLINGTON. January 20. The ' Independent 'in an article today censures TJr\ Featherstone for delay and negligence in forwarding rails and rolling stock ordered. The ' Independent "j also suggests that Calder, member for Invercargill, should be called upon to resign for taking a Government contract for supply of sleepers. The National Bank has taken offices here and in Auckland. Fiji news reports that a deputation waited on Thurston with a petition to tho King to annul the constitution. Thurston said Cakabau declined to entertain the proposal. The Hon. Colonel Haultain is appointed Trust Commissioner under the Native Eraad Preventtion Act, vice Dr Pollen, resigned. Mr M'Lean spoke to Mamatu, regarding a general amnesty, intimating that grantees will be expected to surrender future criminals. Parliament is convoked to meet on tho 15th April. f Tho National Bank announces it 3 intention of purchasing the business of the Bank of Otago. A local board of directors is to be appointed in each of tho principal provinces. The head office will bo in London. DUNEDIN. January 20. Thirty Chinamen who had been working on the railway at Tokomairiro have not been paid owing to a dispute between Brogden and Ah Tinig. The latter keeps a sum of money for salary as agent, which was paid for on a sub-contract. The Chinamen have struck work. Ten years lease of 46,000 acres at Lake Waikatipu, has been sold for £2095. At the inquest on the fire in George street,, on open verdict was returned. Elour stocks are low, and prices firm at £l4 ; oatmeal, dull, £ll 10s; bran, scarce, £4 ; wheat, quiet, 5s 9d ; oats., 2s; barley, none. The Governor has left for the Goldfields, accompanied by Lady Bowen, whose health has recovered. KELSON. January 20. Tho Chaudiere, 127 days from London, has arrived here. PORT CHALMERS. January 20. Whooping-cough very prevalent. Three deaths in one day. [Owing to defect in telegraph line, the above_message did not appear in last issue. J * .