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Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1918, 29 September 1874, Page 2

The weather yesberday was a repe> tition of rain and wind storms similar to those prevailing during the greater part of last week. The river remained at ordinarj flood level throughout the day, bnt there were indications of another rise taking place during the night from the increased quantities of driftwood coming down with the current as darkness came on. Telegrams from Ahaura up to the latest hour of transmission last evening did nut give cause for alarm as to the probability of any extraordinary

increase in the volume of water in the river, but there were bad accounts received as to the condition of the roads, from landslips and other effects of the storm. There were heavy slips on different portions of the main road, notably at two places between Ahaura and Nelson Creek, and again between Eed Jack's and the New Twelvemile, but the most serious one occurred between the Stillwater bridge and Brunnertor, at that part of the road to which more or less damage is done during every spell of bad weather* The Reefton mail reached Ahaura on Saturday evening after eight o'clock, but the punt on the Ahaura Eivar not being workable during Sunday or yesterday, the mail bags could not be forwarded. At twelve o'clock last night it was still raiaing heavily, with high squalls of wind, and the barometer read 29-10. denoting. a greater' atmospheric pressure than has been indicated for years on the coast. It will be seen by our telegrams that the effects of the storm has been felt through- • out the Colony, and that Greymouth has escaped with comparative immunity from damage. At the time of our going to press the river was not rising, but the wind was increasing in force and blowing strongly from the south-west. Owing the inclemency of the weather last evening the public meeting, which was to be held at Gilmer's Hotel to receive the report of the Committee appointed to secure the removal of the Post-office and Telegraph Station to a more central position of the tmvn, was postponed until this evening. His Honor the Superintendent is expected to be in town to-day, and it is perhaps fortunate that a postponment became necessary, for if the conveners of the meeting cau secure the presence of Mr Bonav a good deal of new light may be thrown upon the intentions of the Government with respect to the future of the Hospital site. It will be seen by advertisement elsewhere that the Telegraph Commissioner requires tendera for fellins timber along the telegraph line between Hokitika and Greymouth, and also for the supply of 700 poles, more or less, for the same line. The tenders are to close •on the 19th and 20bh of October, and each Las to deposit a cash guarantee and name sureties for the due performance of the contract. The opening performance of the Stephen-son-Burford Diamatic Company, which was announced to take place last evening at the Volunteer Hall, was postponed till this evening. Neither Miss Stephenson nor Mr Burford were, fortunately for themselves, with the other members of the company on board the Waipara when that vessel went ashore on Sunday. Those of the troupe who escaped through the perils of that freshwater shipwreck were scarcely in a sufficiently revived condition to enable them to make a fiist appearance to advantrge in a strange place, and accordingly the entertainment was postponed. From our own knowledge of the abilities of some of the company, and from the complimentary terms in which the other members of the troupe have been mentioned by the Press in other parts of the Colony, we should say a genuine dramatic treat is in store for the theatre-going portion of the residents of Greymouth. The " Marlborough Express" of September 16 announces the death at Bleak House, Nelson, on the 3rd of the month, of vV. S. Atkinson, Esq, formerly Judge's Associate, and well known on the West Coast in connection with his visits with his Honor Judge Eichmond. A lady writing from Paris says : — A. group of young ladies took in charge the clothing of two infant ourang-outangs that were presented to the Jardin d' Acclimatation. The little boy kicked against jupes and jupons. Pantaloons and braces were tried, but he tore them to pieces, so that he was allowed to remain like that neble savage, who, when wild, ran in the woods. His obstinacy resulted in catching cold, and a galloping consumption finished him. These Dorcases in embryo have broken up their association, because it was proposed to dress the surviving sister in mourning, instead of her present blue petticoat and sailor's jacket. The casualty returns given in the report of the Marine Board, on which official inquiries have been held, show seven casualties to steamers on the New Zealand coast daring the year. July 20, 1573, the Rangitoto stranded, with total loss, at Jackson Head, Cook Strait. August 7, Jane, stranded, with partial loss, Orewa Eiver, near Auckland. September 10, Lady of the Lake, beached, with partial loss, at Timaru. October 22, Tuapeka, snagged in Molyneux Eiver. December IS, Wanganui, partial damage by fire, at the wharf Bluff Harbor. February 7, 1874, Challenger, partial loss by collision in Auckland Harbor. June 22, Waipara, stranded, with partial loss, on South Spit, Greymouth bar. With respect to the "partial loss " of the Waipara on the Greymouth bar, the report is in error, for no such evens ever took place. The Waipara went ashore here in June it is true, but she was launched again in good order and condition, at a comparatively trifling cost, in a week or two. Some of the American journals seem to be apprehensive of British or German intrigues for the possession of the Sandwich Islands. "It was thought," writes the '• New York Herald," "that the ejection of King Kalakama would give domestic peace for some years at least. It has not, however, proved to be so. A petition has for some time been in circulation praying the Legislature to set aside the election in virtue of which the King occupies the throne. Great Britain and Germany are both suspected.' One of the suspicious movements of the moment is an attempt to raise a loan of one million dollars ; rate of interest, six per cent. It will be well for the Government of the United States to keep an eye on these movements. We cannot afford to allow either Great Britain or Germany, or both united, to rob the kingdom of [its independence. In any change which may become a necessity, the Government of the United States must be consulted." Great Britain has made so many difficulties over the acceptance of the protectorate of the Fiji Group that it is somewhat hard she should be suspected of ulterior designs as regards the Sandwich Islands. A correspondent signing himself "Observer" writes as follows to the "North Otago Times : — "A rather novel and interesting pugilistic encounter took place at a certain boarding-house in Oamaru, a day or two ago. The house in question is principally patronised by men working on the railway, one of whom, on receiving his wages, went to the landlady and paid half the amount which he owed, declaring that this was all the money of which he was possessed. A day or two afterwards it reached the ears of the hostess that the defaulter was spending money freely, and ' forgetting dull care' in his cups. Irate at his duplicity, she immediately sought him out, and demanded payment in full. Her just demand not meeting with a suitable response, more energetic measures were resorted to. Casting aside her hat, aud rolling up her sleeves, the angry woman commenced, vi et armis, declaring that she " would take it out of him.' And she did. Displaying a good deal of science, she blackened both his eyes, and after a few rounds he surrendered unconditionally and paid his debt. If every landlady would follow this example there would be few defaulters." One of this class would be very valuable as an adjunct to printing establishments we should imagine.