The Press. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1865.

Press, Volume VIII, Issue 927, 27 October 1865, Page 2

The Press. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1865.

Evert fresh intelligence from the West Coast runs in the same cheering strain. We are told of a steady influx of population and an equally steady increase in the yield of gold. The older diggings, so far from falling off, seem to improve in goodness the more they are worked, while fresh spots of auriferous ground are continually discovered, frequently of very great richness. We have not certainly heard much more of the expected rush to Bruce Bay, though there is no doubt that the field will be found to extend for a considerable distance in that direction, but from the Grey to some distance below Hokitika there seems to be little ground that will not pay for working. The last report is of a rush about twenty miles south of the Totara. Meanwhile the means of communication with Christchurch are I improving. The weekly mail has never failed to come in to its time, and the road by the Bealey is generally pronounced to be in a satisfactorily advanced state, and likely to be open for through traffic at no very distant time. The road by Browning's pass is being pushed on as far as possible. The telejgTapn is already in operation

as far as the Bealey, and will soon be completed the whole way from Christchurch to Hokitika.

All this is very well ; but we should like to ask the Government when the public may expect to see the Escort travelling between Christchurch and the diggings, and bringing down the gold that is now left to find its way to Nelson. We are aware of the extreme difficulty of accomplishing this desirable object, and of the exertions made by Government to get it performed in a style of unprecedented efficiency. A gold Escort in New Zealand, as is well known, must be prepared to perform all the duties of heavy cavalry ; to encounter the shock of mail-clad cuirassiers and to break solid squares of j infantry by the weight and impetus of their charge ; and therefore it is absolutely necessary that it should be formed on the model of the Life Guards, and its ranks filled with stalwart troopers mounted on powerful bis-boned chargers. Such a force is not easily raised, but Government are doing their best. They have with infinite pains succeeded in getting together a goodly troop of Anakim, averaging say 17 stone, and have mounted them correspondingly. Those among them who could not ride have been placed under a master's hands, and will soon be able to sit their horses creditably. They are assiduous at drill and parade, and delight the eyes of admiring citizens by their imposing aspect as they ride out for their daily practice in horsemanship. Moreover they are being carefully instructed in rifle shooting, and will in time be expert enough to pick off an enemy at 1000 yards as they journey over the broad treeless plains on their way to Hokitika. Nor is this all. The arrival of the first escort in Christchurch should of course be celebrated with some little display, and Government are not neglecting their duties to the public in that respect. Preparations are being made for welcoming the auspicious event in a manner worthy of the occasion. Many of our readers must have observed careering along the streets the team of splendid greys that is to draw the treasure car on its triumphal entry, and in the prospect of the magnificent scene when, decorated with "flags and surrounded by its victorious guard, the waggon shall roll along with its precious freight, the centre of a jubilant procession, they have doubtless owned to themselves that the unavoidable delay in preparing such a spectacle will be amply compensated by the brilliancy of the

result.

At all events we presume the Government thinks so ; whether correctly or not, the public must decide. For our own parts we would willingly dispense with show to secure a little more expedition. "We wish Government could be persuaded to think more of the object to be attained— the getting the gold to Christchurch— and less of the trappings of the men who are to bring it. There is not the slightest occasion for training a semimilitary force to fetch down the gold from Hokitika; a few smart constables, well mounted and with revolvers in their belts, would answer every purpose, and such an escort might have been organised and their journej's commenced months ago. The perpetual cavalry exercise, the riding and shooting lessons, and all the rest of the drilling that has been going on for weeks past and apparently to the high satisfaction of the authorities, is nothing but a ridiculous waste of time. If a man cannot ride, why put him into the escort at all ? There are plenty of men in Canterbury who can. But the whole thing is of a piece with the conduct of Government throughout respecting the goldfields. With the Otira road, with the. Eakaia road, with the escort, with everything in turn, instead of taking the lead they have lagged behind, and have required the stimulus of popular outcry to urge them into taking any active steps. Things get done at last, but there is such an amazing slowness about beginning them. Even when they are of immediate importance — absolutely necessary if the goldfields are to be of any advantage to the province at all —the public is kept in suspense while Government goes through the slow process of making up its mind, and like Prince Hal in his conversation with Francis, can get no answer to its repeated enquiries but the cry of " Anon, anon, Sir." We observe that tenders for stables and other buildings on the route have only just been accepted, and suppose, therefore, that there is no chance of hearing that the escort has really started till those are'nnished. How that take, and why could they not have been put up before ? After all, we doubt whether it would not be best for Government, instead of keeping the service in their own hands, to put it up to public tender, and give Cobb and Co. a chance. We would wager that Cobb and Co. would get gold down long before the present escort had done with their riding master; and for not much more than the cost of their superlative equipments.

Miss Edith Palmerston. —This lady made her debut before a Christchurch audience last evening in the Town Hall. The attendance was very large, and seemed heartily to enter into the spirit of the entertainment, as they frequently applauded it thoughout. Miss Palmerston possesses a very pleasing voice, and many of her songs were tastefully executed. The entertainment was one of the most successful we have seen in Christchurch. We understand that Miss Palmerston's stay is limited; she will, however, repeat the performance to-night and on Saturday.

The Christchurch Female Home. — The decided success which has attended the undertaking hitherto, encourages the friends of the institution to endeavour to procure land on which to erect a permanent building ; also the increase of the population warrants them in wishing to add to it a small industrial school, with the intention of keeping both establishments united and self-supporting. In order to procure funds for this double purpose, a subscription has been set on foot; but, as that alone would not be sufficient, it is pro posed to hold a grand fancy fair in about six months (on Easter Monday and Tuesday of the ensuing year.) The industrial school is solely for the purpose of training girls of all creeds, from the ages of ten to fourteen or fifteen, to become good domestic servants. It is hoped that through the kind and zealous co-operation of all the inhabitants of Canterbury, an institution will be founded which will eventually prove a lasting benefit to the colony. It is proposed at this fancy fair to have one large and general stall, to be called " The Industrial Stall," to which all are solicited to contribute who do not wish an especial stall allotted to themselves, or who have not already promised their services in aid of some of the smaller stalls. Mr. Harding's Benefit. —This entertainment at the theatre has been postponed until Monday evening. Tas Circus, at Kaiapoi.—There was no performance at this place of amusement on Wednesday, owing to the weather being so very unfavorable.

The Hokitika Mail. —The mail arrived in Christchurch last evening at about nine o'clock. Owing to some mistake, we have not received our correspondent's letter, nor have we been enabled to obtain any news of importance from the West Canterbury goldfields.

Rumor. —We hear on good authority that Robert Rickman, Esq., has resigned his seat in the Provincial Council for the Mandeville district. Marmaduke Dixon, Esq., is spoken of as likely to come forward and offer himself for election for the district.

Land Sales. —The follswing is the return ot Waste Lands disposed of yesterday:— Ellesmere, 136 acres; Mandeville, 36 acres ; Malvern, 14 acres; Ashburton, 50 acres; Timarm, 50 acres; Upper Waimakiriri, 6i) acres; Upper Christchnrch, 100 acres ; Christchurch, 20 acres ; Lincoln, 40 acres. Total, 500 acres. Value, at £2 per acre, £1000.

Tea Meeting.—A tea meeting was held last evening in tho new Roman Catholic school-room, for the purpose of inaugurating the building. In the afternoon, the scholars and other juveniles, were entertained; and in the evening the general meeting took place. The room, which measures fifty feet in length by twenty feet in width, was tastefully decorated with flags, the work of volunteers, and certainly reflected great credit upon their taste. The chair was occupied by Mr. Shapter, and Mr. KockliiT did duty as vice. The Reverend Fathers Chetaigner and Chervier were present. After tea the company were addressed by the chairman, vice-chairman, and the Eev. Father Chetaigner. Recitations and songs followed, many of which were excellent. The singing of a quartette by Messrs. McCardell, Lee, Foley, and Thomson, was particularly good. The morceau of the evening was " The last rose of summer," sung by Miss Grey. We must congratulate the body upon the completion of so fine a schoolroom, which has been erected, we believe, in the face of many difficulties, and is not only a credit to them but to the city.

Presbyteb - oe Cantebbtjbt.—This court met on Wednesday, in St. Andrew's Church. After the discussion of some matters of a mere private nature, the Presbytery appointed the Revs. Charles Fraser and G. Barclay, ministers ; and Mr. George Duncan, elder, their commissioners to the General Assembly appointed to meet in Dunedin on the 21st November next. They also passed a resolution expressive of their satisfaction in learning the appointment of the Rev. J. Gow to labor in this province, and instructed the Moderator and Clerk to make the necessary arrangements for his officiating in the districts unsupplied with ministerial services. Mr. Fraser read a letter he had received from Dr. Steel, of Sydney, respecting a visit which the Rev. J. Copeland intended paying to New Zealand, for the purpose of raising funds to maintain an additional missionary in the New Hebrides, and to support the Day Spring, missionary ship.

Supposed Loss of Life.—On Tuesday, the 17th instant, the Georgina, an open boat, of about nine tons burthen, left the River Heathcote for Decanters Bay, for a load of firewood, in charge of two men, named Joseph Wallace and Henry Peterson. On Friday last the boat was picked up, bottom up, by the Wild Wave, on her passage to Hokitika, and towed into Mackintosh Bay, from whence she was brought to Lyttelton yesterday by Mr. Wallace, a brother of one of the men in charge. There is only too much reason to fear that both of the crew have perished.