MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1866. SULLIVAN AT HOKITIKA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 232, 3 December 1866, Page 2

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1866. SULLIVAN AT HOKITIKA.

We copy the following from the Hokitika Eveniug Star of the 26th November: — To-day, about 12 o'clock, the s.s. Airedale arrived in the roadstead, and the Yarra went out to meet her and bring passeugers off. It soon became known that the treble-dyed, scoundrel Sullivau was on board, and would be transhipped to the Yarra, and almost immediately, despite the exertions of the authorities to stifle the news, the greatest possible excitement was displayed throughout the town. The wharf was quickly lined with spectators, and the' vessels adjoining the shed, where passengers land, were crowded, decks, rigging, and all. On the Yarra coming up the river, the excitement became intense, but the disappointment was great when it was uotified by the passengers and others on board that Sullivan had been landed on the beach in order to escape the popular ovation that was very corrected anticipated. A rush was theu made by the majority of those at the wharf for the beach, though a great many stuck at the former place, believing that it was a ruse to divert i public attentiou — a supposition that was no doubt intent ioually favored by Inspector Broham with four constables waiting about the shed. On reaching the beach the statement as to Sullivan's landing was found to be correct, and he was brought up the Empire right-of-way just as the crowd reached that point. An unfortunate cart containing three people was supposed at first to contain tho visitor, and the occupants were treated to several rounds of groans before the error was rectified. It was then seen that the prisoner was being marched along on foot in custody i of Detectives Brown and Dyer, and then a wild scene, which was fortunately brief, took place. Epithets the reverse of complimentary, hooting, and groans, welcomed Sullivan; and the crowd was just getting to fever point, and had begun to close on himand his attendants, when a mounted trooper came promptly to the rescue from the Camp, aud gave them a check which enabled him to reach the Camp gate. He was then comparatively safe, and was locked up without further disturbance. He was dressed in dark clothes, aud looked in excellent health, and much stouter than, would be imagined from the photographs published of him. He did not seem in the least put out at the reception he met with, and walked with a brisk upright air which if possible enraged the people more than ever. If he haJ had to go a hundred yards further, we feel convinced that there would have been a riot; and the measures taken by the police to secure the safety of their unenviable guest cannot be too highly commended. We believe he will be brought up at an early date to give evidence against Wilson, but whether to-morrow is fixed for his first appearance or not we cannot at present say. [Since the above was in type, we learn that however brave in outward appearance Sullivan appeared, he was anything but assured inwardly, and nearly fainted on getting to the lock-up. There were in plain clothes Constables Kirwan, Hames and Douglas in attendance on the detectives above mentioned.] The same paper of a later date remarks: — Sullivan has fallen into pleasaut places in coming to Hokitika, for he not only is treated to a cell by himself but is supplied v/ith chair and table, pens, ink and paper. He employs a large amount of time in writing, and considering that he is sentenced to imprisonment for life, and has narrowly escaped the gallows, he cannot but congratulate himself on the good fortune that has let him go comparatively free at the expense of the lives of his fellow villains. The date of his appearance as a witness has not been positively fixed, and the authorities act -wisely in not i letting it be known, for the ferment tha,t was

shown is likely on that occasion, to, be increased, anil \ye> are informed ,that an organised attempt to execute wild justice on' him is by no means improbable. We trust no such demonstration will be made, and that however deeply all may execrate the man, they will remember that without his agency three scoundrels would not have been detected, and more blood would have, been shed before they were brought, to .justi.ee. The Government are responsible for his safety, and are bound to protect him at all hazards. We do sincerely hope that no violence will bo offered on his appearance, for it can only lead to deplorable consequences to all concerned. No one can deny that Sullivan deserves the halter, but the police have allowed him to escape in consideration of the service he has rendered, and the innate respect that every British subject feels for the law should be a protection to wretches even so low and debased as Sullivan.

Some misapprehension, appears to exist respecting the Act under which persons allowing cattle to trespass on the streets and roads are now prosecuted. The first Act under which convictions are obtained is the" Nelson Improvement Amendment Act, 1858. Clause 29 provides: — If any horse, ass, mule y cattle, sheep, pjgj.or goat,. be found wandering at large, or straying, or tethered upon any road or street within the town of Nelson, the owner thereof shall forfeit and pay for every animal so wandering, straying, or tethered, any sum not exceeding ten shillings, to be recovered in a summary manner ; and in case the owuer's name cannot be ascertained of any animal so offending, the same may be driven to the nearest pound, and be - subject to the enactments of an Ordinance passed in Session 8 of the Legislative Council • of New Zealand, intituled "An Ordinance to Authorise and Regulate- the Impounding of Cattle," in respect of cattle trespassing upon enclosed lands. There is a by-law brought into force pursuant to provisions of clause 15 of the above-mentioned Act, and clause 28 of Nelson Improvement Act, 1856, which provides : — If any horse, mule, ass, sheep, swine, or other beast or cattle of any kind shall, at any time after this by-law shall come into operation, be found depasturing, whether under the tendance or control of any person or persons or not, in or upon any street or other highway within the limits of the town of Nelson, or upon the sides of any such street or highway, and whether such street or highway, or auy part thereof, shall lead or pass through -or over any common or waste or unenclosed ground or not, the owner of every such horse, mule, ass, sheep, swine or other beast or cattle, shall be deemed and taken to be guilty of a breach of this by-law, and shall for every such breach forfeit and pay a penalty of aot exceeding ten shillings for the first offence, and not exceeding forty shilliugs for the second and every subsequent offence ; and in case the owner of such animal so depasturing as aforesaid caunot be ascertained, such animal may be driven to the nearest pound, and shall be subject to the enactments of the Ordinance passed in Session 8 of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, intitled "An Ordinance to Authorise and Regulate the Impounding of Cattle," in respect of cattle trespassing upon enclosed land. But, for the purposes of this present by-law, the term "owner" shall include any person for the time being having the charge, care, or custody of the animal so depastured as aforesaid. We are glad to see that steps are being taken by the Provincial Government, towards the erection of the new hospital which is so much needed and has-been so long promised. During the last session .of the Provincial Council, the sum of £3,000 was placed on. the estimates for the purpose. Assuming that the old building would realise £1,000 when sold, there would he about £4,000 to start with, which will enable, the Govern-, ment to erect a portion of the building which they will have to finish at some future time as funds shall be available. Not only is the present hospital too close to the town, but it is far to inadequate, in the, "accommodation it affords, to the wants of our rapidly incrfeas^.

ing population. A much larger sum, than that now at the disposal of the Government, will be needed to place the hospital on a proper footing. This will have to be supple- ' merited by public subscriptions, and the sooner the public awake to a sense of their responsibility in this respect, the sooner will a most indispensable institution be rendered as efficient as it ought to be. We have more than once drawn attention to the Act passed during the last session of Parliament, respecting the liability of innkeepers, aud to present certain frauds upon them. The fourth clause is so important that it is worth repeating: "Every innkeeper sball cause, at least, one copy of the second section of this Act, printed in plain type, to be exhibited in a conspicuous part of the hall, or entrance to and each bedroom in his inn,; and he shall be entitled to the benefit of this Act in respect of such goods or property only as shall be brought to his inn, while such copy shall be so exhibited." To-morrow is the day appointed for the transfer of publicans' licenses. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, to-day, Patrick Clarke was lined 10s. and costs for drunkenness. Richmond Cattle Fair will be held on Wednesday next. To-morrow, the competition for rifle prizes to be given by the Provincial Government will take place on the city shooting ground. Four prizes will be fired for, viz., four rifles, one for each company of volunteers. The ranges are of 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards ; ] five shots at each range; any position. The j firiug for the champion prize, a handsome revolver, will take place on a day to be fixed by the adjutant. The owners or occupiers of lands or tenements in Suburban North are required to make a return of the quantity aud nature of the lauds or tenements owned or occupied by them, together with the estimated value of the same to sell. The returns must be made, in writing, to the chairman of the Board, on or before the 14th instant. Parties neglecting to make such return will not be entitled to appeal against the assessment. The new Gold-fields Act does not make any alteration with regard to miners' rights, but it does with respect to business licenses. According to the new Act, business licenses may be taken out for three, six. or twelve mouths, at the rate of £5 for twelve, £3 for six, aud £2 for a three months' license, which may be renewed at the same rate. No person may occupy under a business license more than forty perches of land, except under a lease. We learn from the W. C. Times that the body of the man Syduey Mills, who had been missing for nearly a fortnight, was discovered on Sunday lying .on a little hillock in the centre of the Arahura Lagoon by a boatman named Locke. A correspondent of the Grey River Argus complains of an extraordinary instance of the exercise of "red tape." He writes: — "I am a hard working miner, and whilst prospecting last week had occasion to come to town for the purpose of purchasing some powder and fuse to blast heavy timber. On applying to Hammond and Davies for the same, I was informed that they could not sell it me until I procured an order from the Customs, which I immediately went to do. I was told by the Collector that I must get a Magistrate's letter certifying that I was a miner before I could purchase the enormous quantity of two pounds of powder ! I waited upon the Magistrate, who informed me that he could not certify that I was a miner until I drew up an affidavit and swore it in his presence. Verily, verily, the country must be in in a dreadful state when so much precaution is necessary before a poor miner can purchase what is as necessary to his calling as your pen, Mr. Editor, is to yours." The Editor adds — " The above certainly discloses a ridiculous amount of humbug and unnecessary circumlocution. We never heard of such absurd restrictions before, and to apply them in a mining district with regard to materials obviously needed. for mining purposes is at once stupid and oppressive." In reference to . the fate of the miners who lately proceeded to the Haast River, the G.

R. Argus says :— We -are given to understand that, owing to the accident which, befell the cutter Alhambra, it is extremely probable that the small community of miners at Jackson's Bay is now in a state of starvation. For some time this cutter has "been the only regular means of supply to the miner 3 on that portion of the coast, and when she last left there was only a very small quantity of flour remaining. . When the cutter was. | wrecked she was bound to. Jackson's Bay with provisions — these have been lost, and as the-, cutter has been condemned, the position of the unfortunate miners, at Jackson's Bay must be pitiable iv the extreme. This appears to be a case calling peculiarly for the action of the authorities; and we would respectfully urge that some steps be taken for the l'elief of the sufferers. Our authority for our statement is Mr. Bently, who has resided at Jackson's Bay for some time, and is intimately acquainted with the position of matters there.