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Grey River Argus, Issue 107, 18 September 1866, Page 2

A -little excitement has bfeen created on the North Beach by the reported discovery *by Smith anel party, whose claim is on Herbert's ten-ace, of a fresh lead of very rich washdirt. We have heard many conflicting opinions, but incline- to believe that something good has been struck by tlie^arty in question. ■ The body of the unfortunate man Shanahan, who was drowned in the Arahura on Thursday, was found lying upon the beach on Friday morning, about two miles tp the northward of that river. Information was at once forwarded to Inspector Brohain, who' despatched a mounted sergeant to take charge of the- body, which was removed to the Carriers Arms -Hotel, for the inquest. No property was found . upon it. Shanahan was not an experienced Westland packer, having taken to the occupation only about ten days ago, when he purchased two valuable horses, and up to the day of his death was employed carrying goods between Hokitika, and the Waimea. Some men who returned from the Teremakau Eush on Saturday speak very unfavorable of it, and inform us that in the majority of cases the claims have turned out complete duffers. - . „ A telegraphic* sell appears to have'been perpetrated on two of the -Otago members j of Assembly 4 The Neio Zealand Advertiser of the 7th 'inst. says :— " Mr Vogel brought forward'a question, of privilege in the House of Bepresentativesljresterday, in consequence of a spurious telegram having been sent fromDu.nediri tp My Jteviutfds, member for thai

place. The telegram was to the following 1 effect :-^ • Private meeting last eveuing. Either you or Dick should gome done at once." Grant creating a party oivt'of doors. Call audthep public meeting for Tuesday^ Mason.' Mr Yogel complained that, by this telegram, undue influence had been used to induce two of the most valuable (?) members of the House to leave their seats arid return home, by which the country would suffer great loss. The announcement was received with much mirth, by ,tb,e House. 'V V - We learn from the West Coast Times that the escort froin,the Waimea arrived in iown on Thurselay niglit with 1700 ounces 'of gold dust , the proceeds of that district eluring the fortnight. Considering the ex-, cellent ground in work' there this is a very small amount,, but as -none of the claims have yet comirenced washing xyp we are riot surprised at it. There is every probability that the next escort will be extremely heavy ,is the miners haying made extensive pre= parations fcn\ washing, sluicing will be pro? oeeded with and' a great deal of gold thrown into the market eluoing the next fortnight, * . A ineeting of the shareholders in the Grreymouth and Saltwater Creek Tra,mwa.y Company (Limited) is announced, to take,, place this, evening, at 8 o'clock, at Kilgour's Hotel, to take into, consideration the coikuV ti.ms submitted by the .Government. \ - Tha Bendlgo Independent say : — '^n proof of the numbers who are leaving here for the New Zealand gold-fields, we learn, that twenty=seven accounts were, closed a.t the Sandhurst Saving Bank on Monday last, Mpst of thege who so withdrew $ieir money stated that they had been for a longtime out. of employment, and consequently were coinpelleel to leave." The Nelson all thori ties have now upwards a.f 100 men at work pn the -various new tracksand roads in the Grey and Buller Gold Fields. Would that tb.e Government of Canterbury would follow the laudable example of its neighbour ! ■ The fyjttelton Times says : — We have heard it stated that his Excellency Sir Geo. Grey, contemplates a visit to Canterbury. Should the time and. circumstances, suit, ■we hope that his honor the Superintendent, may be able to arrange matters for his Ex ? cellency to open the So.uthern Railway in person. If this shou.ld be th.c case, a chance, will be given to' the volunteers to show in force, which will doubtless, not be thiown away. ~ . We have to chronicle, a fact that is worth recording, as marking the establishment of agricultural industry in the interior of tlie Grey district. On Friday we noticed two ploughs in one of the up-river boats, arid on making inquiry we ascertained that they were for conveyance to the Totara Fl; t,, where the Nelson Government, has recently sold some good land for .agricultural purposes. Some of the purchasers have commenced vigorously the work of breaking up their land, -so that we may congratulate the Nelson Government on this as in other matters affecting gold fields' interests, on haying- first induced the commencement of real settlement. ■ ~ The West Coast Times hears that the coimtry in the vicinity of M'Cliutock's station, about ten miles up the Arahura, is likely to be the scene of an extensive rush in the course of a week or two, for during the winter several parties were working there quietly, and are supposed to have done well. That payable grounel was eliscovered is a certainty, and the finders are now employed bringing in a water race, to more effectually work it. A good many miners wended their way in that direction during the past week. If the West Coast is sometimes visited with storm and tempest, it can also boast of as fine and enjoyable weather as anyone could wish for. Yesterday, and Sunday were splendid days ; the sun shone out brilliantly from a clear* blue sky, and the atmosphere was clear and soft, throwing oiu) the various features of the landscape in bold and effective relief. It must have been a slight surprise to the strangers who arrived on Sunday to find that the much belied W,est Coast of New Zealand could lay claim' to the possession of, such a climate as that which greeted them. We take the following,- relative to the "Blake Diamond," from tlie Australasian; — "A curious story has been going the round of the New Zealand papers, whence it has been transferred to the columns of some Victorian journals. As the tale runs, a New Zealand colonist on his 'way.to Melbourne, purchased from a fellow-passenger a j>iece of • crystal, which, on being placed in the ha.Hls of a lapidary in this ciby, proved to be a diamond oE inestimable, value. This precious gem the mail is said to be now carrying 'about New Zealand. Uuhappily, a letter in the Argus dispels the illusion.. Nothing is known in Melbourne of "this antipodian Koh-i-noor." • A sad case of sudden death occurred at Hokitika on Saturday night. Captain King, of tho_sohooner Mary Jane, and his wife aud child were returning home along Gibson's Quay,- when Mrs Kirby suddenly complaineel "of illnessj and in .a few minutes afterwards expired. ' Disease of the heart is supposedto have been the cause of death. . We learn from the Lyttelton Times that the Canterbury Great Southern Hailway will be formally opened on the 15th October, as far as the Rolleston station, a distance of about 14£ miles from Christchurch. Stations will be open at Riecarton,/ the Racecourse, and Templeton. An advertisenient.will appear in the course of a few^ays, announcing the rates at -which passengers, wool, and general goods will be. earned. The town- of ■ Rolleston exists.at present only on the map, or in the ferviel imaginations of the holders of neighboring sections. The township sections, however, are nearly all elisposed of, and there is no doubt that the opening of the* railway Aullsoon change the idea of a town"into a reality.* *■•'!''