The Press. SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1865.

Press, Volume VIII, Issue 839, 8 July 1865, Page 2

The Press. SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1865.

Capt. A:ndebson returned to town yesterday, having accompanied the first mail to Hokitika as far as Khull and Jones' store, on the Bealey township. He reports the roads to be heavy, and likely to continue so till the spring. As is usual in such cases the formation of the road in rainy weather has made it much worse than before in many places ; so that the value of the improvement will not appear until the newlymade work has settled down in the dry weather. j "We regret to see that the " Lyttelton Times" still continues to throw doubts on this great work which the Government has on hand. We can cordially agree with our contemporary that every exertion Rhould be made to push on the route by the Wilberforce and Browning's pass. So far as we are at present informed, we have little expectation of the route by Whitcombe's pass being of any use. It is quite true that the saddle is a low one, and the ascent the easiest on this side of any which has been found. But no one can read the account by Jacob Louper, who accompanied Mr. Whitcombe, of their journey down the west side, without feeling that it is certainly very unlikely that any available route will be found in that direction. The only chance lies in keeping on the ranges instead of taking, as Mr. Whitcombe did, the bed of the river. At all events the route is very much longer than that by Browning's pass, and will probably cost a great deal more money. It is, notwithstanding' quite right that it should be well prospected, for no one can speak with certainty until the country has been thoroughly examined. Browning's route we know can be made a good practicable driving road at a cost of a few thousand pounds ; and we cordially join our contemporary in express- ; ing what we believe to be the universal feeling on the part of the public, that that route should be made available with the utmost speed, so that early in the spring sheep can be driven through to supply tbe enormous market which wil exist on the Coast next summer. We shall hear in the course of a few days what Mr. Parke thinks can be done; but in the meantime we hope the Government will have made every preparation to push the work on with the utmost expedition. But the more we consider all the accounts which have been received of the several routes, the more we are persuaded that the best road for coach and dray work will be by the Otira. We are confidently assured by Mr. Wright that the worst of the work in the Otira gorge is not so difficult as that on the Bemutaka range, across which the Wellington Government constructed a first-rate road many years ago. The public were naturally alarmed at Mr. Dobson's proposal to make a bridge of gigantic dimensions, and a tunnel through a loose bolder moraine; but it is found on closer inspection that these works are not really necessary, and that a good practicable road can be made by ordinary side cuttings, which will serve all purposes of coach traffic for the present, and a great part of the work is actually already done. What we are most anxious to hear is that the work is in hand on the other side, and that several hundred men are employed on it We constantly hear the question discussed, wbether a dray road is necessary — whether goods can ever be taken across at anything like a profit. We believe that those who ask such questions have no conception Of the amount of traffic which such a road would create. It is like the old question of the Sumner road over again. We used to be told that no road by Sumner could ever compete with

the boat traffic ; hut facts have proved the contrary. A very considerable traffic both of goods and passengers is now daily carried on by the Sumner road in spite of competition, not only from the ordinary sailing boats but from the steamers and the railway. So it will be here. It is absurd to argue that a road is not wanted between two 1 populations of 30,000 each, especially , where one contains the seat of Govern- | ment of both, and where the approach by sea to the other is at all times critical and dangeroas, and at certain times of the year may be altogether closed up. No one supposes that in the ordinary course of things, the "West Coast will be supplied with potatoes or flour by the road, although, if the Hokitika bar were closed for only a very few weeks, it might be absolutely necessary to dray flour from Christchurch : and if it were necessary? let it be remembered that Hokitika is no further from Christchurch than the distance over which flour has had to be drayed to many of the diggings in Australia and Otago. But under ordinary circumstances it is not that sort of traffic which we look to as likely to go on the road. The passenger traffic between two such towns would be enormous. If a coach will pay to such a town as Timaru, with the scattered population along the 120 miles of road, what would not the amount of passenger traffic be to a dense population like that of the diggings ? But there is a very large class of goods of the lighter and more valuable kind which would find its way across the land, rather than by the circumnavigation of nearly 500 miles of coast, with a most dangerous bar to cross at the end of the voyage. Above all, the gold would be quite certain to flow in one stream to the commercial centre of the province. In a word, the "West Coast would become a part of the province of Canterbury socially and commercially, instead of being so, as at present, only geographically. This road once made, the whole commercial and political importance of Canterbury will be increased in a measure which is hard to realise. The cost of making the road will be perfectly insignificant compared to the enormous benefit which will accrue to both sides of the province. It is for this reason, that we deprecate the views entertained by the " Lyttelton Times" which would stay the hands of the Government in this work. "We all know now that the road can be got through by this route ; we do not know that it can be got through by any other. "We would only beg of the Grovernment to tfcrn their attention now to the "West Coast side, where the work is all comparatively easy, and where little has yet been done. "We know well how hard it is to find a line of road through a dense bush ; and we do not complain of the delay hitherto. Mr. Blake seems to have done his work as a pioneer with very great skill and energy. He has shown how the road can be made on firm ground. All we ask now is that it may be pushed on at once at any cost. All the money already spent is wasted until the coaches are on the road. We are satisfied that £20,000 spent on the "West Coast and £10,000 more on the pass will be amply sufficient to enable a daily coach to run to Hokitika, and we should be glad tb see the whole of that money spent before next November ; andr if another £10,000 be spent on the Eakaia route, so as to let our flocks and herds through, we should entertain no doubt of seeing the whole of the money back in the chest in a very few months. If this be thought extravagant let it be remembered that the exports and imports of Canterbury will have been at least doubled in the current six months; that the Customs will have been proportionally increased; that stock now unsaleable will have found j a good market; that a large quantity of town land will be bought—it is not too much to say in all the diggings* towns and villages, as much as a thousand acres at £48 an acre, and a large quantity of rural land besides for agricultural purposes. "When all this is considered the expenditure of £50,000 on these West Coast communications appears to us a very* light matter indeed. Nor must it be forgotten that very considerable sales of land from the Bealey Township downwards will take place all along the line ofthe road in the Upper Waimakariri valley, as soon as it is once opened as the great high-road to the West Coast. But we would again urge on the Government the immediate survey of the valley of the Waimakariri. It is sufficient to say that the ascent of Porter's pass, walking and leading a horse, took Captain Anderson, the other day, more than twice the time in which he drove up it in April last with a loaded waggon, owing to the snow and ice. The route into the upper basin of the Waimakariri by this pass will make the carriage of goods at least twice as dear during the winter, as it would be if the level of the river were kept the whole way. We confess therefore to feeling that no more money

ought to be spent on the road from Willis's to Craigieburn. That road can never be of more than temporary use as a main road ; and while it was quite right to put it into such a state of repair as to serve for a year or so, it should not be forgotten that it is only a temporary, not a permanent, road. The latter must be taken up the level valley, which is not as yet even surveyed. We need not apologise for bringing this subject so constantly before our I readers. If this road can only be opened by next summer, so that we i can drive through without danger, we can confidently look forward to a burst of commercial prosperity equal to that which made Dunedin from a village into an important city. But it does seem to us, speaking in no party spirit, or with any desire to advocate one line more than another, merely because it is the plan of the Government, that this great work of getting a road to the West Coast will only be accomplished by the public keeping its attention steadily fixed on one object, and resolving to push it through with vigor. If we wander about from plan to plan the result will be failure and disappointment. We wish, and we really believe the public at large wishes, to see the coach road made through as fast as possible by the Otira, and a good driving track made by the Eakaia. This we understand to be the present plan of the Government. All that is wanted is vigor and boldness in pushing on the work. The Cathedbal. —We are glad to learn that a start has been made with the walls of the Cathedral. The only drawback now to the progress of the work is in the scarcity of money. The subscriptions were made payable over four or five years, but the extreme depression in business of all kinds renders the collection of money a matter of far greater difficulty than two years ago. However, the lower plinth is in the course of preparation, and will be ready to be fixed as soon as the weather breaks. We may hope that next summer business will have generally improved, and that the work can be carried on with more expedition. We have every reason to believe that tho plan "adopted by the Commissioners, of building the Cathedral themselves, under Mr. Speeehly's direction without the intervention of a contractor, will result in the saving of a very considerable sum of money. The Stobm at I/TH-elton.—On the afternoon of the 6th inst., the tops of the mountains on the opposite side of the harbor were enveloped in dark inky-colored clouds, which continued to increase until five p.m., when loud peals of thunder, accompanied with vivid flashes of lightning, continued until seven o'clock. A heavy fall of hail then ensued, which gave a white covering to the whole place, from the tops of the hills to the water's edge ; but an hour's heavy rain washed away nearly every trace of the snow, and by ten o'clock the weather settled down to slight southwesterly gusts, accompanied with which continued throughout tho next day. Some of the flashes of lightning were so vivid and intense as to light up the whole of the harbor, which was certainly very grand in effect. A person, who was going round Dampier's bay road, says that one of thes-e powerful flashes passed close to him, and blinded him for the moment, his nostrils being peculiarly affected, as if he had been inhaling the smoke of burnt wool. Eaheyism.—This afternoon Professorßelew will give a public exhibition, in Edds' Repository, of his method of subduing and training horses. Mr. Belew asserts that he is intimately acquainted with the method practised by Mr. Rarey, and also that he has considerably improved upon it. Wo hear that a rare subject has been chosen for the Professor, and no doubt his principle of horse-breaking will receive a fair; trial.Licensed Vic-ttall-bs' Association.— The annual meeting of this society was held on Thursday evening, at the City hotel. The report was, read and adopted, also the statement of receipts and expenditure. The fol-' lowing officers were then elected: —Mr. George Oram, president; Messrs. Ruddenkiau, Mills, Morton and Jones, committee ; Mr. J. H. Tompkins, treasurer; and Mr. Tribe secretary. : The annual dinner took place last evening in j the Town Hall (Mr. Moorhouse occupying the j chair), and passed off most successfully. AOBICU-TUBAL AND PaSTOBAL ASSOCIATION. —This association notify by advertisement their intention of offering a first-class medal for competition by the winners of district ploughing matches, and other prizes to all comers. The match will take place in August, and the ground selected wfll be in the vicinity of the city i liVTrELTON Habboub Wobks.—A notice has been issued by the engineer of these works to the effect that a yellow flag will be hoisted at Officers' Point at such times as blasting is being carried on, to warn all persons from too nearly approaching the works. Sittings in Chambbbs.—His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson disposed of the "following cases in Chambers yesterday:—Sanders -„' Mandeville and Rangiora Road Hoard •' '• an action for damages for wrongful dismissal of the pluntiff, the late surveyor of the Board— The rule was made absolute on the "grounds set forth in the second plea, and d-scharged on the first count; costs to be costs in the cause. Wyatt and another v. Alexander; Mr. Travers appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Slater for the defendant—Rule made absolute; no costs granted. In ra Samuel Cohen' (deceased) ; Mr. Helmore solicitor—Probate of will granted to one of the executors, and leave reserved for the other executor to apply,. J» re Alfred Porter (a debtor)— The usual order for sequestration waa, made; Mr. Seager appointed receiver, and protection granted. In re H. D. Manning (two cases)— Ordered to stand over until Tuesday next. In re Robert Gilkes (a debtor) —The usual order for sequestration was 'made; Mr. Seager appointed trustee, and protection granted., Inre Thomas Dufty (deceased) —The Registrar, as curator of intestate estates, obtained an order to seßtheperishable goods ofthe deceased.

The Cathbdbal Sqttabb.—We notice that tenders are called for forming and metalling the road round the west end of the Cathedral. The road has for some time been laid out, but as yet no start made to complete it. The trees of course will have to bo removed, and we would suggest that as the shrubs have been given to Mr. Seager, for planting in the grounds of tho Lunatic Asylum, the trees also might be given for a similar purpose. Rifle Match.—--The return match between Nos. 5 and 6 Companies Volunteers will take place to-day, the conditions of course being the same as at the previous match. Notice to Volthstteebs. —A notice has been issued by Captain Armstrong, to the effect that the practice at the Hagley Park butts must cease from to-day until further, orders. Lecttjbes on Doctbinbs. —The third of the series of lectares on important Christian doctrines will be delivered tomorrow evening, in St. Andrew's Church, by the Rev. J. D. Ferguson. The subject will be " Justification by faith." Pbinckss' Theatbe. —Last evening "Jenny Foster" was reproduced with great success, although we were Borry to notice such a poor attendance. The character of Mrs. Foster, the good-natured, forlorn old grandmother, was admirably played by Miss Rosa Cooper. Miss Alice Wiseman was also very natural as Jenny Foster; her simple-hearted devotion to her grandmother was very touching, and tlie kindhearted Bessy Bluebell (Mrs. Hall) was charming. The baker's boy, represented by Mr. Hall, we consider a capital piece of acting. Ben Foster, the thorough-bred British tar, was very well impersonated by Mr. Richardson; and, in fact, the manner in which the whole piece has been brought on the stage reflects great j credit to the principal. A very laughable sketch followed, entitled " A Morning Call," the characters being Mrs. Chillington, exceed ingly well played by Miss Rosa Cooper, and Sir Edward Ardent by Mr. Richardson. The performance terminated with the very pretty petite comedy, " My Friend the Governor." Our readers will bear in mind the great attractions that are offered to-night in Professors Bushell and Belew, and we trust to see a crowded house. Pbopessobs Bushell and Belbw.—These gentlemen will make their appearance this evening at the Princess' theatre. Professor Bushell has before visited Christchurch, and his extraordinary powers as an electro-biolo-gist will be remembered by many of our readers. Mr. Belew is great in the Davenport rope trick. We extract the. following notice of their performance from the " Otago Daily Times," of the 3rd instant:—Professor Bushell made his last appearance for the present at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, when the house was crowded in every part. The introductory lecture on >eleotrioify, spirit-rapping, See* with many illustrative experiments, passed off successfully, the lecture being listened to with evident interest, and the experiments being loudly applauded. Professor Belew then appeared in the rope-tying feat, which we have frequently noticed. He was bound to a chair, by two seafaring men ; but before the covering could be put over him, he had loosened' his hands from the strands of rope, which boundr them to his knees- The rope was then unloosed, and Captain Hughes, of the Fire Brigade, was chosen by the audience to tie the-Prbfessor, which he did in an apparently firm and secure manner. A large extinguiaher.iwßs; then placed over him, and in little more than two minutes it was removed, and Professor Belew was disclosed Bitting free with the rope coiled in his hand; but during the untying process one of the spars of the chair had given way- -In consequence of this, ahdbecauM it'was his last ) appearance, Professor Bushell offered to do the rope-tying feat, but the audience would not permit him to do so, loudly expressing themselves satisfied with what, had already been done. The experiments in electro-biology were then proceeded with, and. a number of individuals who volunteered to be operated upon were found to be susceptible of the influence. Tha consequence was that'the audience enjoyed a night of hearty amusement. The entire performance' passed off in a highly successful manner; so much so, that Professor Bushell r s last night iv this qity will long be remembered with pleasure, both by himself and by all those who were present. A Fatai. asd .Melancholy Accident^ — The "Southland-Tews," of the"s7th, says:— " We are sorry to have to report the death by drowning, of Mr. James Aitken, an old resident of this town, for some years past living in Don ' street*;- as also that *of his son—a young lad—'together with the loss of two horses and, a. dray, which were swept away by the current, in crossing the Mataura river, at Menzies's Ford, in the latter part of last week. The particulars of the sad occurrence cannot be given, but from the fact that Mr. Aitken was seen on the morning on which the calamity happened, yoking up his ! horses for the puri pose of crossing, and a portion of the load j having been since recovered, there is, unhappily, no doubt of the truth of the accident. The hat worn by the lad has also been found lower down the stream. The bereaved widow ; and mother is, aa may be supposed, in a state' iof deep mental distress, and we are sorry to say, is also' at the present time in a state of j almost total destitution." The next issue of the same journal has the following :—" We have received further particulars relative to the I drowning of Mr. James Aitken and bis son, at the Mataura ford, some few days since ; but nothing* throwing light on t_e actual circum- , stances of the calamity. Mr. Mac-arlane; of the ferry, reports having seen what he supposed to be a grey horse moving up aud down in the river, and rising and falling with tbe c_rrent. The part ofthe river mdicated-by Mr. Macfarlane has been searched by the police; bnt owiog to its great depth and brealring of the' grapnel rope, no definite result has been arrived at. Itr-is, however, believed that the'bodies of •Mr.. Aitken and his son will be found in a deep hole at this particular spot, and probably the horses and principal p-rfc of the dray, portions of which; and also two bags of flour and a box of candles, -with a-'Scotch bonnet, have been found on the Otago bankl The river is now OTfordable,- and is rising'atr tbe rate of two niches each-hour." V