THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1885.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 5254, 28 July 1885, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1885.

It is satisfactory to learn that the Westport Coal Company are pegging in at the Wallsend mine in earnest. For some time back they have been busily engaged in necessary surface work with the mine. The machinery has been largely rearranged, and a contract for the manufacture of coiicrete blocks to line the new shaft has been in full swing. The company having at length carried out their preliminary work to the necessary stage of advancement to enable the sinking of the shaft to be resumed, a sufficient number of shaft sinkers have been engaged to carry out the work in the most thorough manner. Yesterday the first shift was put on, and that will be followed by two other shifts, making three for the 24 hours. These will be kept at work until such time as the coal is reached, the only interval being on Sundays. It is premature to specnlate as to the length of time required to reach the coal seam ; but it is intended that no time shall be lost in getting to the coal bed. Mr Hay Dixon has assumed full charge there, while Mr Elliott, formerly manager of the Brunner mine, but latterly working manager at the Westport mine, will superintend sinking operations. Mr J. Harrison, it is understood, has severed his connection with the company and transferred his services to Messrs Kilgour and Wickes, the proprietors of what we believe is known as the Tyneside Colliery. This looks like business all round, and is an unmistakely indication that work at Brunnerton will go on more briskly henceforth, and is altogether a very pond augury of the growing importance and general advancement of the coal trade of the port. It is needless to say that it is hoped the company will meet with every success.

Two smart shocks of earthquake were felt at Hokitika on Sunday evening at twenty minutes to eight. The direction was from south-east to north-west, and the interval between the shocks was only a few seconds. They were accompanied by a rumbling noise.

The usual weekly sitting of the Warden's Court was yesterday adjourned until this morning in consequence of the absence of Major Keddell at Ahaura to hold an inquest.

Owen Griffiths was yesterday charged before Messrs Arnott and Williams with stealing from a dwelling property valued at Ll6 6d 6s, and remanded at the request of the Polica till Thursday next. The only other case was a drunk, who was ordered to pay the usual fine for a first offence.

Tenders for the right to take coal from the Brunner Pit forlooal uses close today*

Sir George Grey and Wakefield, while warmly approving of the East and West Coast railway, strongly opposed its construction by a syndicate. A concert in aid of the Trinity Church Sunday School will be held this evening. A capital programme is presented. The usual Masonic meeting will be held this evening at the lodge room. An installation banquet in honor of the installation of W.M. and officers of the Greymouth Lodge, No. 1233, E.C., will be held this evening. The correspondence of Peter the Great is to be published. Eight thousand letters have been collected. Dr. IreDseus Prime, of New York, has just celebrated the forty-fifth anniversary of the day on which he became editor of the Observer. Thirteen years after assuming that position he was obliged to visit Europe on account of ill-health, leaving his brother in charge of the paper. ' I was so weak then, said the doctor, "that my mother's parting instruction were to be sure to make arrangements to have my body brought home. I feel younger-to-day, in better health, and as though I should live longer now than I did when , entered the office. At present Prime is a brifk young fellow of 72. Among those who were present was Mr William Terry, who had subscribed to the Observer for 60 years, is now 90, and has j ust cut a third set of teeth.

The office of the New York Journalist is calculated to strike a stranger on entering with as much terror as the Chamber of Horrors. Opposite the doorway is a framed may of Greenwood Cemetery, on a corner of which is marked " The Journalist's private plot," and at the bottom of the frame, " Gentlemen who have come to demand a retraction will please select a grave site before seeing the editor." By the windows is hung a venerable blunderbuss of absolutepattern, marked "Loaded," with the inscription underneath, "Is the editor in V ' Yes, the editor is in ; do you want to see him ? " which does not strengthen the courage of a timid man, who has come to demand an apology for something that has been written about him.

According to Dr. Sprague, cattle-breed-ers can manufacture "marble beef" as readily as a manufacturer of wall papers or a calico printer can arrange his block for fresh combinations of color ; so that, as the Times aptly remarks, " the stockyard has become a sculptor's studio, in which living matter is moulded according to the artist's discretion. Irish Moss. — Bonnington's, the best remedy for cough, colds, croup, &c. — Grifeen and Smlth, agents. Wicked for Clergymen. — "I believe it to be all wrong and even wicked for clergymen or other public men to be led into giving testimonials to quack doctors or vile stuffs called medicines, but when a really meritorious article is made up of common valuabie remedies known to all, and that all physicians use and trnst in daily, we should freely commend it. I therefore cheerfully and heartily commend Hop Bitters for the' good they have done me and my friends, firmly believing they have no equal for family use. I will not be without them." — Rev. , Washington, D.C. Read