THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 1874.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1835, 23 June 1874, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 1874.

The General Assembly meets in a few days, and it is perhaps as well that we should endeavor to point out in what direction the action of Parliament is likely to affect this part of the Colony. Of course there are many question which, although of a Colonial character must necessarily affect this, as every other part of the Colony, in a greater or less degree. These may be, as far as we can foresee, limited to a very few. The question of Constitutional reform, about which Mr Yogel made so much protestation last session, is not of paramount importance to us in Westland, although we may have our own idea 3 upon the subject. Whether the Legislative Council is or is not to be placed in a position more in accord with that of the House of Representatives, and made thereby more amenable to the influences of public opinion, is a question that may be safely left to the operation of events. What more concerns this exceptional part of New Zealand is what is the Government likely to propose to meet our special requirements. The first question — and one that affects I Nelson as well as Westland — is what'are the probabilities of obtaining loans for the two Provinces to enable them to , carry out those works of colonisation which are necessary to the development of the 'countiy. Some time ago we were of opinion that, considering the nature of the communications that had passed between the Premier and the Superintendents of Nelson and Westland, it was more than probable that any moderate application for a loan" on behalf of these two Provinces would not only receive the hearty support of the Government, but would most likely be willingly assented to by both Houses of Parliament,

It is as well, however, that we should say that the recent financial operations of the General Government, favorable as ; they may be considered even in their smallest results, as compared with the operations of former years, , have already afforded evidence that the borrowing credit of the Colony is fast approaching its natural limit. The Colonial debentures have not gone off so easily latterly, as to warrant the expectation that an unlimited demand upon the credit of capitalists can be made. If we are not mistaken, the Government will have occasion, in the approaching session, to apply for authority to borrow further sums to defray the cost of Immigration and Public Works ; and that. the expenditure on these items is becoming more than was calculated for, may be gathered by the proposal of the Premier recently to curtail very considerably the operation of the system of free immigration. Under these possible circumstances, what are the chances of Nelson and Westland obtaining their respective loans 1 Of the merits of each application there could be no difference of opinion ; but it is a possible and not improbable contingency that the Colonial Treasurer, finding himself this session, as during the last, besieged by applications for borrowing powers from most of the Provinces, may have to reply that the exigencies of the Colonial credit forbid any further pledging of the public revenues. We 6nd symptoms of this possible result in the utterances of those journals which are supposed to represent more or less the views of the Government, and we can recognise in other directions the same indications. If neither Nelson nor Westland is to be allowed the use of borrowed money, what is to become of them ? Nelson may possibly struggle on, but Westland certainly cannot do so. Should the worst happen — that is, the by. no means distant probability of Westland becoming unable to carry on its Government — the only alternative that seems to offer itself is the partition of the annexation of the southern portion to Otago or Canterbury, and of the northern to Nelson. Besides the question of Provincial bor- ' rowing, there come those of a revision of the system of taxation, and an alteration of the Licensing Act. As to the former we have no further indication of what may be proposed than has been afforded by the public utterances of the Premier himself, and of the Superintendent of Auckland, who appears to have some knowledge of the policy of the Government, and by the fact that, although the ordinary revenue of the Colony has increased, it has not increased in the necessary ratio to the expenditure charged upon it. The notice of an intended increase of the Excise duty on spirits, and the increase of the i rate of interest to be allowed to Savings l Banks' depositors, point to the probability, I that the revenue must be enlarged, and that the facilities for the employment of public money by the Government must be increased. It is certain that the tariff will not bear any further increase. Whatever additional revenue is required must be obtained from its legitimate source — a tax upon property and incomes. A well devised scheme of taxation upon this basis would, whilst providing the State with a larger revenue, enable it to modify the taxation upon the working and consuming classes We have no doubt that a proposal to this effect will receive the assent of Parliament and the approbation of the Colony. The Licensing Act is a measure, the amendment of which is imperatively necessary, and one in which this part of the Colony is, from its peculiar circumstances, especially interested. Its utterly inadaptability to the conditions of the West Coast settlements ; its absolute unfairness as applied to particular cases; and, generally, its unworkable character, are universally admitted, and it is certain that the Government must bring in an amending Act to remove the flagrant deficiencies and injustice of Mr Fox's measure. A new Gold-fields Act will probably be introduced — mo3t likely the Bill of last session in an amended form ; but we have not much hope nor desire to see it carried. Our mining legislation is altogether too cumbrous and complicated, and there is not much chance of its being-altered until the laws regarding mining are consolidated and made as simple as the common law of the land. An attempt will no doubt be made to effect a further reduction in the gold duty, but whatever may be th® objections to this tax — and all taxes are proverbially objectionable — the necessities of the gold-fields, and of those of the West Coast particularly, will not permit of any further reduction. Will the Government favor the construction of further water-races ? is a question vitally interesting us on the West Coast. Their action in this matter will be largely guided by the same financial considerations that will regulate them in respect of other matters. We are afraid that the very large increase of the cost over the estimate of many of the works which the Government have undertaken will operate as a deterrent to any further expenditure of public money upon waterraces until some good results have accrued from those already under construction. The most that we can hope for during this next session is that the intention to carry out the Randall Creek, or Napoleon Race, as it is sometimes called, will be given effect to. As to the question of the construction of extensive Harbor Works at Greymouth our space on this occasion will not afford us the opportunity of discussing it at length, but we shall do so to-morrow.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court yes- | terday morning, a man named Bryer, alias Burns, was brought up on suspicion of having robbed the house of Mr Robert Rody, near the Australasian Hotel, on Saturday last, and stealing therefrom one LlO-note, I two LI -notes, and 4s 6d in silver. The police asked for a remand until Wednesday, in order to obtain evidence, which was granted. Volunteers are requested to take notice that, as Sergeant Nelly is now in town on official duty, they must parade this and tomorrow evenings at the Volunteer Hall, at eight o'clock. Also, that on Thursday evening the official inspection of arms and accoutrements will take place. A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Society for the practice of vocal music was held last night at the Union Hotel. The meeting was called together by Mr ELglert. organist of the Trinity Church . Mr James Hamilton was called to the chair, j It was then 'resolved to form a Society, to | be called "The Greymouth Choral Society." Mr Englert was. elected leader, and D. W. M 'Arthur honorary treasurer and secretary. The amouut of subscription was fixed, and

it was resolved that the nights of meeting should be Tuesdays and Fridays, from 8 to 10 p.m., the first meeting to be held on Friday next. We are given to understand that for a time at least the Society will devote its meetings to elementary instruction in singing under Mr Euglett's tuition. The maiter has been gone into in a thoroughly business-like way which augurs well for its success, and we hope that many will avail themselves of this opportunity of becoming efficient vocalists. Large stores are about to be erected alongside the new jetty at Port Chalmers, for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, for the reception of goods from the railway and shipping. The store will be 200 ft in length, and 45ft wide, having a raised platform, in order to enable goods to be transferred to or from the trucks with facility. There are now, says the Register, upwards of 400 of the large iron water pipes for the Waimea Race, stacked in the reserve at the back of the Town Hall, and the cry is " still they come." The schooner Spray, which arrived here on Saturday, brought several pipes from Lyttelton, where 180 pipes have been landed ; and thus Mr Dolan, the contractor for stacking the pipes, will have hit-, hands full for some time. On Saturday one of the pipes ex Lizzie Guy, which had been lying on the skids all night, slipped, owing to the frost, and rolled on the ground, and unfortunately became fractured. As the accident was unavoidable, not arising through carelessness, it is probable that the amount which the contractor is liable (L3O) will be remitted. We would bring under the special notice of our readers the art-unicra which is to take place to-morrow, at Ahaura, for the benefit of SS. Mary aud Josephs Schools. Extensive building operation for the increased accommodation of the pupils have been carried on for some time, and the debt incurred in consequence , is very * heavy, but it is hoped the proceeds of the art-union will liquidate a considerable portion of it. Attention has been drawn before to the difficulties and obstacles encountered by the reverend founder of the above schools in his endeavors to provide a means of education within the reach of the children of the residents in the Grey Valley of every social position. The expense of keeping up the schools is very great, and this constant outlay, together with the cost of recent improvements and extension, has compelled Father Pertius to seelc outside assistance, and we sincerely trust it will be generously accorded him, for his disinterested labors are worthy of every support. After the drawing, which will be conducted under the supervision of a committee of the subscribers, a dramatic and musical entertainment will be given by the pupils of the establishment, and we can promise the spectators a rare treat in the way of juvenile talent. The Ross Guardian thus comments on the recent change in the Westland Executive : — " The new Executive consists of Messrs Woolcock and Todd, who have taken the portfolios of Provincial Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Both gentlemen are the veriest novices, and might well exclaim they wonder how on earth they ever got there. The gold-fields are left to take care of themselves, and legal advice is to be sought when required outside the Council. They have swallowed without a grimace the whole of the policy of the White Government, and may be likened to a pair of jackdaws dressed in borrowed plumage. Neither gentlemen have any political experience -the present Council being the only one in which either ever sat, and how they will be able to lead the debates remains to be seen. They may be termed 'The do-nothing Ministry,' as they have shelved every question till next session, being only inclined to carry through the Bills now before the House, and get the Couucil prorogued. The following are the sub-divisions of the main Grey Valley Road, made for the convenience of intending contractors for its maintenance. No. 1 section, from the Arnold Bridge to a point 50 on the north side of the creek, at the new Twelve- Mile Township. No. 2, from the Twelve-Mile to Ross's Hotel, Nelson Creek. No. 3, thence to Gough's punt, on the Ahaura river. No. 4, thence to the Grey river at the juuetion of the Little Grey. The latter section includes only the road that is made and maoadamised, not the portion through the Racecourse Plain, except such culverts as are now built. Tenders to be accompanied by a guarantee deposit of 5 per cent on the amount tendered for. The maintenance to be for twelve months from the Ist of July, 1874. The successful tende'er to find two securities of LIOO each for the due performance of the contract. Payments at the rate of 75 per cent on the value of the work done monthly to the contractor. The work to be under the absolute control of the Overseer of Works to the Grey Valley Road Board, and to be completed to hjs satisfaotion. The Overseer reserves the power of placing men on the work and finishing 'it at the risk of the contractor, should he fail to perform his contract satisfactorily. Tenders are to close on the 29fch of June, at 6 p.m. The attention of intending tenderers is specially drawn to the following clause in the specification : — "ln any case where the Overseer shall point out that repairs are necessary there shall not be less than from Gin to Sin of road metal deposited, but the whole road will have to be metalled, and the thickness of metal to be deposited shall be as the Overseer of Works may direct to the width of the road already constructed. The Okarito correspondent of the Register in a recent letter s:iys :—" The last of the famine. A good caricature might have been taken whilst the s.s. Waipara was at our wharf on Tuesday evening last. Two rather corpulent individuals could be seen leaving the steamers, each hugging half a stale loaf, and, to all appearance, as pleased as if they were about to enjoy some particular delicacy. This might also come under the heading of ' what might happen to a man in the southern parts of Westland." A man named James Tunnuck, residing at Killinchy, Canterbury, was killed on the 9th iustant at Dunsandel, by falling off a dray, loaded with firewood. From the Otago Dailg Times we learn that the question of placing a sum on the Estimates, as a prize for the production of the best and most approved drainage plough, which was before the Provincial Council last session, came up again last night (10th inst.) on the motion of Mr H. Clark, who moved that a first prize of LIOO, and a second one of LSO, should be offered. It was stated that the plough would not only be useful to farmers, but to miners in the cutting of water races ; and Mr Gumming stated that he had seen such a plough in use in the part of Scotland from where he came. The motion 1 was carried . The Otago Dally Times says :— Mr Small has brought over in the barque Hadda, from Hong Kong, a veritable sea snake. It measures 4ft in length, and is in a good state of preservation. The way it was caught was somewhat singular. It appeared tbat Mr Small had a line hanging out at the stern of the Bhip, when, by some means or other, i the snake got entangled in the line, and literally tied itself up in the cord, and was eventually landed on board. The capture was effected in lat. 9.46 S, and longj 136.46 E, on Saturday, January 17, of the present year. Mr Small was offered 25 dollars in Hong Kong for this marine curiosity, but declined to part with it, in order to present it to Museum in this city.