INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1150, 13 February 1874, Page 4

INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS.

OTAGO. The contractors on railway works find much difficulty in obtaining timber according to speciiicutions. The various contracts provide that for fencing purposes, totara, niatai, kowhai, or cedar, should be ured, with totara, matai, cedar, manuka, or other approved timbers for rails. Many districts, it appears, are absolutely bare of these specified classes, and to a greater or less extent they are scarce throughout the whole Province. It is urged that red birch should be substituted. It is not only said to be plentiful but it is asserted ihat conclusive evidence can be shown that it is equally durable with any one of the specified timbers. The Victoria Insurance Company have made a donation of £lO 10s to the Surat Kelief Fund. The divers who have examined the Snrat do not appear to agree in their opinion of the extent of the damage to the ship—one saying he could only discover seven or eight small holes in her bottom, while another saw a hole large enough to put " a couple of hullocks " through. The removal of cargo has raised the vessel by the head, but her stern is much deeper in the sand. It is said that she sank as much as twenty inches in three days. Land on the Peninsula, Dunedin, originally b night at Ids per acre, is now worth from £2OO to £3OO. The weekly yield of ;arm, garden, and timber produce on ;he peninsular is valued at £IOOO.

The Coal Company formed some time ago for the purpose of purchasing two steam colliers to trade with the West Coast, Middle Island, is about to be wound up. It was found that a suitable steam collier could be built on the Clyde for £9900, but on a vote of the shareholders being taken, it was found to be unfavorable to goiug on with the scheme.

The Invercargill Athenaeum Committee are making vigorous efforts to obtain the means to erect a building estimated to cost between £4OOO and £SOOO. The committee calculate that the revenue derived from the leasing of shops on the ground floor will pay the interest, and leave a surplus for a sinking fund. Sir James in his recent tour thiough Otago, has <j;iven offence by not receiving the ovations ami hospitalities prepared lor him at every little roadside town and hamlet. The Cromwell Argusin remarks thereon sa\ s —" The next time Sir Jamos l'Yrgttsson travels through Otago—which we hope will be at an early date—we trust he will do one of two things : either travel as the Governor or as plain Sir Ja . es Fergusson. To do the hitter, and to es cape any demonstrations of any kind, it will be necessary for him to leave his mounted escort behind in Dunedii;, and to give particular injunctions to his Honor the Superintendent to avoid giving announcements of his movements to Mayors and Councillors. He will not be molested on his journey throughout this province. It is impossible for any man to enjoy the honor and dignity of being a Governor, and at the same time the privacy of a private gentleman. "WELLINGTON. Mr M'Lean on his late visit to the West Coast purchased from the Natives 22,500 acres of excellent land around "Waikanoe at about Is 6d per acre. The land is admirably situated, and well adapted for settlement. It will be a most acceptable acquisition for the Provincial Government, as it will probably command something upwards of £2 an acre when surveyed. The Native owners have already moved off, and gone to some other land they possess in the Taranaki Province.