THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1873.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1633, 29 October 1873, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1873.

Since the close of the last session of Parliament people on the West Coast have been inquisitive as to the probability of the Government giving effect to a resolution of jiwhich Mr Macandrew yf^a the author, and which, by the grating of a small subsidy, was calculated to promote more rapid and regciaricottiinu'tiicatiod betweeti ;the east, and weab bdaaia of the Middlej.yi^ana^ 1 It as feared that the halt-hearted manner in which ,the proposal was supported by some members of the Assembly might be accepted by the Government as an excuse for indefinitely postponing the date at which it was to be brought' into practical execution. ', These fears have not been justified, for the Government, with as 'much punctuality and promptitude as probably could be expectedy have now published an advertisement, in the name of ' Mr Yogel as PostmasterGeneral, calling for tenders for a Middle Island steam service. According to the advertisement, which we thus publish gratuitously* sealed tenders will be received at the General Post Oflice, Wellington, until the Ist of November, for the performance of one or other of three separate steam "services, connecting the east or west coasts of this island. These services are ttfus 1 described : —

"1. A steamer to leave. Dunedin once in every month, proceeding to the' West Coast of the Middle Island by way of Cook and (Foveauk' Straits, alternately.' The' steamer to call at Ly ttelton, Pictori, and Nelson', Westport, Greyniouth, Hokitika, and the Bluft i .

"2. To leave Dunedin once every fortnight, the steamer proceeding to the [West Coast by the North and South routes, alternately, calling at the ports previously named ; or, . / ' ; ..: "3. To leave Dunedin and Nelson every, alternate fortnight. The steamer from : Dunedin -proceeding to the West Coast, viaFoveaux Strait, and returning via Cook Strait; and the steamer from Nelson proceeding direct to the West Coast, and returning via Foveauxj and Cook Straits; Both steamers to call at the ports specified above." <

' As an appendix to this advertisement, it is stated that it will be a condition of the service that the steamers, whei required/ : Bhali call at - or off the following places, viz.: — Oamaru, Timaru, Martin's Bay, Milford Sound, and Preservation Inlet, and Port William and Half Moon Bay in Stewart's Island, and at such other places as the Government may from time to time direct. The condition, so far ■as -concerns -three ports— Oaraaru, Timaru, jand-Martin'sßay^r-is a wise one, there being already a considerable trade connection between: Oamaru, Tiaiaru,;and the West Coast; and there is excellent reasonfor making Martin's Bay, a port of call . Milford Sound and Prese rvation 3)nlet are much more -likely , to be appreciated for the shelter which they afford thaii for any trade that the settlement of the surrounding country is likely to create. i Especially may this be said of Milford Sound. Mountains a mile and a half high- are "■ -not localities for commercial'enterprise, however much they may contribute to r the picturesque. Preservation Inlet^ though jßcarely less picturesque, "possesses 1 ' resources \ whicH only require population to- convert them to practical use. It intersects coal-seams which havei 'as yet, only been - indifferently prospected, and it is contiguous | to country < which 'presents as great \ in? dnoement for settlement as any part of the West Coast.' The paramount difficulty is to procure a steamer possess- ■ ing speed, capacity, and qualifications If or the crossing of bar harbors, and, in view; of that difficulty, the subsidy should have' been fixed ; at a far higher figure^ but if 'the* • commercial men of ' Otago and the cultivators- of Canterbury appreciate the extent, and value of the West; Coast trade they should contribute in every way to the procuring of a steam vessel suitable to the peculiarities of the trade, even should it be requisite to procure such a steamer mi England. ? ' I

■■ Mr Thomas' Hortbn, wh6 recently resigned the office of County Treasurer in consequence of 'his acceptance of the management' of a banking establishment in the Fiji Islands, paid a visit to 1 Greymouth on Monday, to bid good-bye to his many friends who yet remain here as relics of the 'early settle'mehtof the district; These. friends. made a holiday of the occasion, and in the evening met' Mr Hortbn in the Union Hotel to say Farewell: They were numerous and genial,t , aud were* fortunate iv finding, in Mr £, I lapham, of i; the Bank. of New Zealand, a chairman who thoroughly, represented the spirit of the company and. the friendly feelings towards Mr Hprton which the meeting was meant to express, Mr Lapham pro-! pojed^ as. the particular toast of the evening, the health and prosperity of Mr Horton, and dids^in friendly familiar style fitting the occasion and the personal characteristics of hosts and' ; g'uest': d: ' : Mr Horton, of course, responded, and in his response acknowledged' ' thepleasure which h'e'felt in meeting' so'many old friends, and the pain of parting. The remarks of the' chairman were supplemented

by nearly.i everj? one relating reminiscencesjof acquaintance with Mr Horton — reminisj&nces suggestive of the prevalence ' of muchjgopd'ifl^fing ''labile.. past/ and,;pfy good wisnes for tlrfi welfarb'&f Mr Horton ifi the future. Musical expression of the question " Should auld acquaintance be forgot," and the drinking of Mr Horton's health for the third time, with "Highland honors," brought to a close a meeting, of rare good humor, in contributing to •which the Chairman did his "level best."

' 'At the Kesideht Magistrate's Court, yesterday, -the following civil cases were decided :— Grey Valley Tramway Company v. W. Melody, ; judgment for L 3 15s and costs. —Same v. W. Ihorougbgood {.judgment for L 25 and costs. — Same v. Pinkerton. Defendant's evidence was ordered to betaken at.Ahaura. ;. The.claimis for Ls9.— Same v. Antonio Lardi; judgment by consent for Lls and costs.— Same v. T. Brassell ; judgment for L2O and. costs. —Smethurst v. J. Reid.— A ! fraud summons for L 6 ss. Defendant was ordered to pay LI per month, or, in default, one month's imprisonment. — E Masters 1 v. M. Sedgwick,. and A. Krown, of Nelson, and J. A. Sedgwick, of Dunedin. Judgment was given for LBB against the Nelson defendants, and theDuoedin summons was adjourned.— ln the following cases judgments were given by default for the amounts claimed and costs:— Eeidv. Pownall, L 5 9s ; Magofiin and Co. v. Andrews, L24s j Walters v. Broadbent, L 2 15s ; Young y. Riley, L 3 5s ; Paroa Road Board v. Phillips; L 6 5s ; Rowley v. Swift, LI 11s ; Middleton and Sheedy v. O. M'Gee, L2O; Thompson, Smith, and Barkley v. Bernard Rogers, Brighton, Lls ; Marney v. Taggart, Ll32s.

The joint anniversary of the Loyal. Greymouth and Hand of Friendship Lodges, of the Manchester Unity of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, was celebrated last evening by a ball and banquet at Gilmer's Hotel. At the banquet the chair was taken by Mr J. G. Thomas, N.G. of the Gr v eymouth Lodge, who was surrounded by those who have been, and are now, District Officers. : Elaborate preparations tad been made \>y the Messrs Uilmer for- the decoration of the hall, for the provision of the sapper-table, and for the accommodation of the dancers. Their arrangements were supplemented by the exertions of the Committee appointed »y the two Lodges, and every person concerned contributed to the pleasure of the meeting except the Clerk of the Weather.

A correspondent •at Half-Ounce furnishes the following items of local news — " This part of the Grey Valley; district was. on Saturday evening last, visited by Mr E. J. O'Conor, M.P.C., who intends contesting the seat for the Superiutendency at the forthcoming election with the honorable gentleman- who. at present fills that position. Mr O'Conor held two meetings, one at HalfOunce at half-past seven o'clock, where the meeting was attended by a very large and influential assemblage ; the second meeting i was held in GilmanV large Hall, Granville, : where between 60 and 80 of the townspeople r and miners assembled to hear what Mr O'Conor would do if elected. The candidate gave a very graphic account of how the moneys which are in the power of the Superintendent for disposal through the various districts are 'kept at home.' After an hour's explanation on various subjects the candidate thanked those present for the patient hearing they had given him, and on the motion of Mr M. Noonan and seconded, a vote of confidence was recorded that Mr O'Conor was a fit and ; proper person to fill the oflice of Superintendent, there hot' being a dissentient voice. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, MrW. Noonan, brought' the proceedings to a close.— Considerable stir and excitement were caused in the township yesterday, by a running match between a well-known publican of the township and our local baker,: the latter receiving 15yds out of 100, and proved himself the better man.— Now that Father Christmas is near at hand again, I suppose we shall soon be holding meetings in the various districts for our annual sports." A Greymoufch telegram published in the " West Coast Times' contains the following bit of news : — " Mr Field, of Westport, has chartered the new steamer building at Hokitika, to trade between Ngakawa and the Buller for twelve months. The steamer is reported to be most suitable, and will be ready in two months." : •

The contractors of the Kanieri Lake waterrace, says the " Westland Register,'! are progressing well with their work,, especially those who are f qrming the s long tunnel. A track sufficient, for the passage of horses has been made from the main branch for a dis-' tance of four miles, and huts have been erected. Between two , and three chains of open cutting has been made, and the tunnel itself 1 has been driven a distance of 200fi. This progress must be considered sufficient proof that the company has secured thd services of efficient and trustworthy contractors. Present experience points to the likelihood that the works will, from the favorable nature of the ground:" be ' completed considerably under the estimated cost. Sufficient indications of gold have been observed to rdnder it probable that the contractors will, on the termination of their contract, test the ground thoroughly.

The Hokitika papers state that Dr Maun«ell,. who lately met with an accident, is about to leave the Coast temporarily for the benefit of his health.

Mr John White, as member of the House of Representatives, intends addressing his constituents at Hokitika on Monday next.

The sale of 9500 acres in the Okarito district j at 15s per acre, to Archibald Scott, is 'authorised by a "Gazette" of the 16th | instant, :

At the last meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council, six applications for the 'two appointments of valuators were received. The' following were the candidates :r— Messrs Jacobs, Zohrab, Dalrmyple, Banks, Ecclesfieldandpunbar. After a ballot the candidates ,^ere reduced to four, viz., Dunbar (7), Ecclesfield.(s),'Banks (5), and Jacobs (5). A further ballot resulted in favor of Messrs Dunbar (6) and Ecolesfield (5), and .these two gentlemen were declared elected, at a salary of L2O each.

The " Chronicle" says that Sir James Fergussbn will shortly pay a non-official visit to the Wanganui district to see the various points of interest there.

I The following appears in the Poverty Bay I " Standard " :— " From private intelligence to hand, we learn that a small body of natives have found some nuggetty specimens of what seems to be gold, in the Waikato, some distance inland from the Kawhia ; the specimens are being tested, but full particulars are as yet kept from the public ear." Sydney has smarted a new weekly literary paper, entitled " The Critic." Its object is to show that New South Wales possesses ;men of quite 'sufficient ability to found a literature for their native or adopted country, and, with this aim in view, it will lose no opportunity of engaging the services of able Writers." . • : : The " Wakatip Mail;" has a good word for c the ! strangled Gold-mining Bill. Itsaj's:— " We are not an 1 admirer of the member for the Dunstan, but we at least must say this, that his Bill should not have been dealt with !;ifi ; the ..way ' it was. As amended by the Gold-fields Committee it tended in the shape of reform. It was, in other words, a step in the right direction. For that step credit is° 'dve r 'to Mr Shepherd, and so far as that ig conceraed' ! we J prottist' against his ' bantling >

having been unduly strangled. When anathematising this Gold-fields Bill, Mr Pyke said the miners did nob want it. We differ with \our local representative. We say a radical measure of reform is necessary for the government of the gold-fields, and instead of helping on" in" this direction Mr Pyke has done much to keep it back. ., As a newly-elected gold-fields' member, that gentleman's opinion had weight— undue weight we consider."'

The city of Auckland must be an extremely pleasant sort vofplaocs to live in, if we may judge from the following observations of its leading and only independent paper, the "Star": .— "If ever scandal flourished in any place rarikly and luxuriantly, it does in Audkland. No one is safe from its poisonous breath, and the more lofty the position ' the. ' more ' virulently it is assailed. If only; half what is. whispered in the knots of -gossipers under verandahs, or at hotel bars, be true, this city is cursed with about the 1 worst !l collection of inhabitants that has fallen to the lot of any city since the creation of the'worla 1 ." ' 1

Steps are being taken at Okarito to start a co-operative store. These weretaken at a public meeting held at the Five-Mile Beach, which a correspondent of the West Coast Times reports. According: to his report, Mr Timothy Eaton, who occupied the chair, explained the reason that led the miners to take this subject under consideration. He said that a great many of them had returned from the Haast, some of whom had no doubt spent all they had and on returning to the Beach the storekeepers refused to give them any goods; on credit.. They had adopted a new style of business, which was all cash transactions. He did not grumble at that, but the prices that were charged for provisions were enormous, and it seemed to him the remedy was in the miners' hands. Mr Townsend moved— " That it the opinion of this, meeting that a co-operative store be started at the Five-Mile Beach." The motion was; seconded by Mr 1 Watsbn, and carried unanimously. Mr Lamercroft moved— "That a committee, be appointed, consisting of Messrs ' Watson, Gordon, Fyfe, Townsend, and the mover, to draw up a prospectus or scheme showing the principle that it should be conducted upon, and likewise to ascertain the feeling of tne miners with regard to the amount that they wouid subscribe towards starting the movement. Mr Mitchel seconded the proposition, which was carried. The Committee met on Monday evening, and drew up a prospectus, which shows the capital to be LISOO in 1500 shares of LI each ; no person to be allowed to hold less than five shares ; all transactions to be cash ; the shareholders to have the privilege of receiving goods on credit up to one-half the amount of their paid-up shares. The Company to be registered under the Joint Stock Companies Act.

The yield of gold at the Kohinor claim at Redman's— good though it has been lately — is improving. The claim was only four days at work last week, and the result was about fifty ounces.

The 90ft column of pipes, reported to have dropped down the drainage shaft on Wednesday, in consequence of the chain breaking, were hooked again yesterday, and brought iip to about one length above the surface of the water. \ , N

It is stated in ; Christchurch that Mr Weston, the champion billiard player of Australia, will arrive in Canterbury on a professional visit in the course of a few days. Some idea of his skill with the cue may be gathered from the fact that he is able to give Mr flitchens, who played a number of exhibition matches in Christchurch some years years ago, 100 points in 500, and beat him. —Mr Curtis was lately in Nelson, and played a match with Mr Gollop, the landlord of the Masonic.

The following remarks on a subject to which we recently referred, are made by the writer of "Passing Notes," in the iOtago " Times :"— "Mr Harrison asked a question in the House the other day which threw some light upon the want of success which has characterised the immigration agency in Ireland. Two settlers of a good stamp named Flaherty nominated three male immigrants and eight single women, and gave bills to the amount of LlB. The sub-agent, at. Gal way refused passages, on the ground that a; separate warrant should havebeen procured for each nominated emigrant. Patrick Flaherty has applied for six more passages, but': very naturally does not like to pay any more money until sure that no further difficulty will be made about the passages. Mi O'Rorke replied very straightforwardly that if the facts were so, the sub-agent at Gal way ought to be suspended. Very good. But is it not evident that a bad master makes a bad. servant ? It appears that Mr Flynn (Gajway) was not justified in his action, as the rule he cited does not exist ; but ought not Dr Featherston to have seen to the matter? What on earth is the use of having an Agent-General in England, except to; save time and trouble in referring all these matters to fae Colony ?"

At a meeting of the Philosophical Society of Wellington, which, took place on Monday last, Mr Travers (says the "Evening Post ") read a masterly paper on the extinct glaciers of the Middle Island, expressing the opinion that the Middle Island was 4000 feet lower than at some former period, when he believed that all the New Zealand Islands were um'ted, and that they and the neighboring islands — the Chathams and others— formed part of a submerged continent. From personal investigation he felt convinced that the extinction of the glaciers resulted from this depression of the land, and not from any change in the climate. On the conclusion of the paper, Dr Hector remarked that this theory- had been broached formerly, when an eminent geologist had pointed out that had it been correct there would have been corroborative signs in the Australian, continent. He dissented from Mr Tray era's conclusion, and attributed the alteration in the glaciers to climatic changes. A telegram has been received by Mr T. G. Macarthy,Charleston,from Mr Warden Giles, stating that the. sum. of one hundred pounds will be paid to each Local Board for expenses of election, and the .balance in small public works. A very narrow escape from serious injury occurred on Friday last at the house of a Mr Kennedy, residing ab Addison's Flat. His youngsters were round the fire, and one ; among them had by some means got hold of a flask containing powder, and threw it in the fire. It instantly exploded, and his daughter, Mary Kennedy, a girl some twelveyears of age, was severely scorched about the face and neck.

i Arrangements have been definitely concluded between the Break o' Day and Monte Christo Companies and the Alpine, at the Lyell, for crushing at the battery of the battery of > the latter. The Break b Day will at once put through 150 tons as a preliminary crushing, and then the Monte Christo stone will take. its, turn. The companies have also arranged with the Little <Wonder proprietors for the use of their tramway. It is probable other companies in the Lyell will joinin similar arrangements. Another item of Lyell news is to the effect that Mr Moutray, of -Nelson, has made arrangements with Messrs ; Carroll and Cairns to add five heads of stampers to their batteryy and it is probable that an addition will afco be made to the Alpine battery. • , ,

Seven tenders have been sent in for constructing an additional class-room at the Westport school .house.' The contemplated addition as shown on the plan,- saya the

"Times," is totally inadequate to meet school requirements, and the) design, if carried out as at present projected, will make the schoolbuilding a more horrible architectural montrosity than before. The plan was prepared in Nelson. Referring to the.arfc-union - for •a 1 gold watch which recently took place, at Ahaura for the benefit of thei Grey Kiver Hospital, the " Westport Times " impertinently asks :— "Has no one;avenerable gold ' turnip ' they could donate for similar disposal on ; behalf of the' Westporfc Hospital ? 40 plus 80 gives 120 in sovereigns."