ACCIDENT TO HOLDER'S COACH.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 44, 1 June 1870, Page 6

ACCIDENT TO HOLDER'S COACH.

The following is tho evidence taken at tho inquest, held at Gaukrodger's hotel, Fox Hill, before W. W. Squires, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Mrs. Harriett Hughes, who lost her life in the Wai-iti River, on tho night of Thursday, tho 19th ultimo :—: — Francis Holdor, sworn : On Thursday, May 19, I was driving my coach to Fox Hill from Nelson, having as passengers Mrs. Harriet Hughes, Janieß Wan, and George Epps. It was a very dark and wet night. We arrived safely as far as the Wai-iti River, which waa swollen, but not so much as to prevent my crossing. We had got nearly through ; the two leaders wore getting up the bank out of the river when the trace of the off-side-pole horse broke, which caused the horses to Btop. We called to Mr. Norris, near whoso house we were, to bring a horse iv order to take the passengers off tho coach. As no horse camo, I asked Epp3 to get off the coach (he was sitting on tho box with me), and go on shore to get the people to bring a horse. My boy by- this timo having brought a horse, Eppa got hold of it, and so got on. shore. I waited for assistance. Mrs. Hughes, on my asking her to get on tho boy's horse, said she could not do so. She said she would get on some one's back if they would curry her out. I waited to see if anyone would come, and feeling tho coach drifting into deep water, I asked her if she would get down by the side of the horses if Wan would get down and hold her hand. She got on the box with me, and whilst Wan was getting clown tlio coach turned over, and Mrs. Hughes and I fell into the river. I managed to get on to my legs ; she was in front of mo with her head in tho water. I caught hold of her and got her on her feet, thinking that we both might bo able to stand. Tho current drifted us clown, and we both rolled over into the water. I lost my hold of her, and managed to swim with the stream, and got hold of a root and pulled myself on to the bank. I caw no more of her, neither did I hear her. When the traco broke I could see pretty plainly, but when tho coach upset it was dark. I had no light to tho coach. If tho traco had not broken, there would have been no accident. Peeple searched for Mrs. Hughes, but I was too much exhausted to do so. I believe I have crossed before with quite as much water in tho river. I made no inquiries as to the state of tho river, owing to my fancying that Wagstaff'a trap had gono over. I asked ono of the men to get on tho box with mo, as I generally do when there is a fresh in the river, but I did not consider it was dangerous. I had asked Mr. Smith, of tho Forest Inn, whether anyone had come over, and ho told me no, but that Mr. Wagstaff's trap had gono up, aud as it did not return, ho thought it must have got across. I knew I could cross if Wagstaff had done bo. On not seeing his trap I imagined ho had got over, bnt I afterwards found that ho had left it at Tunnicliffe's and wont over on horseback. If I had known this at the timo I would not havo ventured to cross. About five or ton minutes elapsed from the time of Epps's going and the capsizing of the van. Mrs. Hughes's body was found next morning, James Wan, a digger, from the Bullor, said : I was in Holder's van, on Thursday last, with the deceased, and a man named Epps. We were going through tho Wai-iti River. It was not quite dark when we wont in. The leaders wero only over their knees in water on the other side, when they came to a dead stop. Mr. Holder could not get them along. Ho then called for some ono to bring a horse. Wo waited for ten minutes or more before the horse came, when Epps, by Mr. Holder's directions, got out of the river by its help. Mrs. Hughes got on to tho box with Holder, who wanted her to get on tho horse the boy had brought. She said she could not. I got out of the coach to go along tho traces. When I got to tho head of tho shaft horses, I jumped into tho water ; it was up to my waist. The boy was on tho horae, and he tried to get hold of me, but was not ablo to geL near enough. Tho leaders slewed round, with their heads down the stream, and I heard the coach capsize. I ran down the bank to try if I could see them, but it was too dark. Mr. Holder, I believe, got out by himself. I was present when the body was found yesterday, it was 200 or 300 yards down the river. I and others searched for tho body that night, but did not find it. Mr. Holder made no remarks about the state of the river before going in. George Epps said : I was in the van on Thursday night when the traco broke. Mr. Holder said nothing to mo about the state of tho river before going in. When the trace broke, Mr Holder called for assistance, and after a time a boy came with a horse. I got off tho van and out of tho river by this assistance. On getting on shore I went towards Mr. Gaukroger's for assistance. After going about ten chains, I hoard horses coming. I went back with them, and when I returned, the coach was upset, and Mr. Holder had got out of the river. On arriving at the river Mr. Holder palled up and said one of us was to get on to box with him. I did not hear him say anything about tho river being dangerous. Mrs. Hughes did not seem at all frightened ; she was quite composed. Tho jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." Inquest. — An inquest was held at Wakefield on 18th ultimo, on tho body of Mr. Ralph Turner, a gentleman seventy years of ago, of eccentric habits, who had resided at Wakeiield for several years. Mr. Turner sustained an injury in ono of his legs a few months ago, and presistently refused to havo any medioal advice for it. Recently he was compelled to take to his bed, and died four days afterwards. A verdict of died from natural cause was given. The deceased gentleman was very cliaritablo, and his benevolenco will bo missed in the neighbourhood. Death of an Infant. — An inquest was hold on 19th ultimo, on tho infant son of Mr. T. R. Fisher, who was found dead in bed on the morning previous. The child, who was about four months' old, had been suffering from cold and difficulty of breathing for several days, and after being fed at three on Wednesday morning, was laid down in bed with a light shawl wrapped round it, part of which covered its head. On the parents awakening in the morning the child was found lying on its stomach .iead, but whether the shawl had interfered with the infant's respiration, or its death was caused by tho cold it was suffering from, the jury gave no opinion. Accident. — An accident took place the other day at Collingwood, to a lad named Thomas James, who, while riding home on a horse to Mr. Cook, his employer, was thrown on the ground, and had his arm broken near the shoulder. He is now progressing favourably. A Man Saved from Drowning by a Boy. — As a young man named Skilton, in the employ of Mr. Brace, Collingwood, and Master H. Schafer of (he sanio place, wero proceeding up the Aorcre river on the Stli ultimo, in n canoe, the former, who was using a long pole, lost his balance and fell into the water, which was more than his depth considerably, liciug uuublo to swim ho would doubtless have perished hud not the boy Scliafer shown great pluck and presence of mind. He threw Skilton a paddle which the latter seized almost unconsciously, and then boldly striking out grasped him and succeeded in dragging him to tho shore in a half-drowned stale. The ago of this young Triton is only fourteen. Fire at Riwaka.— Two stacks of straw, tho prot perty of Mr. Rawlins, were destroyed by fire aliiwaka, on Friday 20th April. Tho adjacent buildings owe thoir safety in a measure to tho rain which was falling, which kept tho shingles damp. Tlio cause of tho fire is unknown. Fire in Quail Valley. — Tho dwelling-house of Mr. Fowler, formerly occupied by Mr. Evans, at the top of Quail-valley, was burned clown on 2nd May, and it was all tho inmates could do to escape with their lives, and tuko shelter in a barn. Wo havo no further particulars of the accident, but the number of fires that have occurred in the country recently is most remarkable. "Westland North. — A vacancy has occurred in the representation of Wcstlancl North by the resignation of Mr. Gallnghcr, and wo understand Mr. Kynnorsloy will beooiuo a candidate for the seat.

Earthquake. — A slight shock of earthquake was felt on Friday morning, 6th ultimo, about a quarter after five o'clock. Fire in Waimea-eoad.— On the sth ultimo, a fire broke out in a barn belonging to Mr. J. Simpson, in the Waimea-road. The building was destroyed, together with about four tons of hay, and a number of implements. The cause of the fire, like several others which have occurred lately, is involved in mystery. Mr. Simpson was not insured. Another Farm-house Fire. — We noticed, on 3rd ultimo, a fire in Quail-valley, by which an industrious settler, Mr. J. Fowler, lost all his household furniture and clothing, by a, fire which broke out in his dwelling-house on the night of Friday, the 29th April ; and we have now to record that on the night of tho sth, or morning of the 6fch ultimo, the barn on the same farm took fire, when Mr. Fowler sustained the additional loss of the building, 160 bushels of wheat and oats, a quantity of vetchos, a stock ol flour, pollard, and bran, all his plough, carfc, anil trap harness, winnowing machine, agricultural implements of various kinds, and two calves confined in a pigstye adjoining the barn. Since tho fire which destroyed his dwelling-house, Mr. Fowler has been living in the house formerly occupied by Mr. Aug'wde, about two miles nearer Wakefield than his former residence. Ho did not leave his farm to go home on Thursday evening until dark, and when ho returned to his work on the following morning, the bam and all its contents were burnt. Mr. Fowler attributes his first fire to an imperfect chimney, through which the thatch became ignited, but ho has no idea how the second ono could have occurred, as no fire had been lighted near tho barn on Thursday, nor had any person smoked a pipe in the neighbourhood. Tho barn was quite off tho track of travellers, and was not within two miles of any other dwelling. Mr. Fowler will recover part of his first loss by insurance, but his barn and contents were not insured. Destructive Tides at Westport. — Tho Times of the 3rd ultimo, has the following:— "Wo have once more to chronicle encroachment by the sea, attended with serious damage. Tho high tides of Friday night and Saturday morning, materially assisted by a very heavy surf, havo sliced off a strip of beach several chains in width at the rear of the town, destroying several tenements and necessitating tho removal of others. Up to tho present Gladstone street has escaped, but its north end is now threatened, and a repetition of Friday and Saturday's sea and tide would bo tho means of ejecting the occupants of property probably as far as Russell-strecfc. The groin, which it was hoped might have so far succeeded experimentally as to lead to an enlarged system of protection being undertaken, scarcely offered the j slightest resistance to the vast bodies of water that surged over the beach, and after one or two breakers had Bwept over ifc, collapsed altogether. What the breakwater might havo accomplished had the trouble and expense been taken to ballast it is a very doubtful matter, as the force of the encroaching waves was altogether unprecedented. We believe it is tho first occasion since Westporfc lias suffered from the inroad of tho sea, that spring-tides and extraordinary rough weather have happened together, exercising a double force in expediting the work of destruction. During the past two years an extent of beach fully half a mile in width has been swept away by the gradual action of tho tides, including a number of freehold sections in what was onco known as Baring and Molesworth-streets. Unpleasant as ifc undoubtedly is to glanco retrospectively at what tho township has already suffered, thore is ground for grave apprehension that the damage hitherto done will sink into comparative insignificance with what may be expected in the future. Tho entire site of the present township of Westporfc is composed of loose sand and shingle offering very slight resistance indeed to the sea and must disappear if the latter'a rato of progression continue. Somo consolation may be derived from tho knowledge that Hokitika has been in as great jeopardy as Westporfc now is and bas hitherto escaped, and it is to be hoped that we may experience the like good fortune. In Hokilika, we believe, ifc has been found that the position of the mouth of tho river has exercised a very important influence upon the beach, which has made when tho river ha 9 hud a northern outlet, and gradually washed away when the rivor has discharged to the south. The Buller has at present a southern entrance, and this may account for tho manner in which the surf lias recently operated on tho northern beach. It is very certain that whatever the moving cause may bo, the like influence cannot havo operated for a great number of years, as the appearance of the beach and stumps of trees that have been recently felled within a few yards of present high water mark indicate that the beach cannot havo been disturbed within the memory of any living inhabitant. * Encroachment of the Sea at Westport. — Westport continues to suffer from encroachment of the sea, and the groin recently erected for the purpose of checking its advance ha 3 been washed away. The sea has advanced to within three chains of the gaol, which will havo to bo removed, or like the school-house, ifc will probably soon be taken to sea. Storm at Hokitika. — Tho West Coast Times of tho 27th of April says :— Since 1868 Hokitika has not been visited with so heavy a storm of wind as ifc was on the morning of yesterday. On no occasion previously have we seen so much rain accompanied with so high a wiud. In some of tho higher portions of the town, more especially on the terraces, the wind blew in perfect gusts, the rain meanwhile falling in torrents ; people who had retired to bed and thought that they were safe for the night had to get up and secure their fences that they thought would havo been fixtures for years. Afterwards, when their frail tenements wero shaking, and when they had got outside they were seriously alarmed, and many of them rushed about in tho most frantic manner to secure their property. Tho storm was not one which has visited Hokitika often, but appears to havo been tho balance of an equinoctial gale which has como round to our shores in its regular periodical vound of tho earth. That we are not visited with this kind of weather often is a circumstance which we should feel happy ; but ycfc, from the glorious combination of climate, we are always prepared to receive all kinds of weather without any complaint. Reading- Room and Museum, Collingwood. — An effort is being made to supply one of the very much felfc dcficienceß of Collingwood— a suitable room for its library, which may also serve as a reading and ordinary assembly room, and a museum for the exhibition of the highly interesting mineial and geological features of the district. A meeting was held for that purpose at Mr. Schafer' s } on the 22nd April, the Rev. C. H. J. Halcombe in the chair, and after unanimously assenting to a resolution declaring the necessity of such an erection, a committee, of which Mr. O'Sullivan is to be Secretary, and Mr. W. C. Riley Treasurer, was appointed and entrusted with the task of the intentions of tho resolution. The sum of £17 was then subscribed by those present, and up to May 2nd, the amount subscribed appears from tho Collingwood list to be £10. Other lists have nlso been sent to the diggings, ami ifc is intended furthermore to apply to the Council for a grant to supplement tho local subscriptions. No doubt all who take an interest in tho welfare of Collingwood will recognize the value of this movement in a substantial manner, as we are glad to learn somo of our Nelson business men have done already. Marine and Coast View in Native Woods. — Wo can only briefly call attention to an exhibition of a most novel character, opened on the 10th ulfc., in the Assembly Room. Several weeks ago we copied from a Marlborough paper, when it was first exhibited, a description of Mr. Dry's truly wonderful picture, but until we saw it we had no conception of its extraordinary merit. Hero is a ship in full sail, birds on tho wing, the sea, coast, and sky, all depicted by a combination of different coloured woods without the use of any colouring matter whatever, and the result is a really artistic picture. So exquisite is the workmanship, that only by tho closest observation can any joinings be detected. Altogether, the picture is composed of 4,000 pieces of wood, 5-10 of which arc in the frame alone. As a work of persevering skill and industry, we have never seen anything to equal Mr. Dry's picture ; and tho four years of incessant, labour bestowed upon it will, wo hope, meet with ample rewurd,

Return of an Old Colonist. — The numerous friends of Captain Rough, who for several years was Collector of Customs in Nelson, will gladly welcome his return here. Captain Rough arrived on the 11th ultimo by the Phcebe, from Auckland, having lately returned from England. New Magistrates. — Arthur Shuckburgh Collins, Esq., and Alexander Sclanders, Esq., of Nelson, are gazetted as magistrates. Admission to the New Zealand Bar. — Mr. Charles Y. Fell, 8.8., of St. John's College, Oxford, and of the Inner Temple, London, Barrisfcer-afc-Law, was, on tho 6th ultimo, admitted by his Honour Mr. Justice Richmond a barrister aud solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Legislative Council. — Messrs. Robert Campbell and Thomas Frazer, of Otago j M. S. Graco, and G. M. Waterhouse, of Wellington ; Thomas Henry Wigley, of Nelson ; and James Williamson, of Auckland, have been called to tho Legislative Council. Omata Election. — Mr. Carrington, the Superintendent of Taranaki, has been returned to the House of Representatives for the district of Omata. He had a majority of seven votes over his opponent, Mr. Carthew. Unequal Laws. — Tho TaranaJci Herald of the 18fch May, tells us that a native stole a shawl from the Bhop of Mr. Hoskon, being caught in the act. Ho was secured, notwithstanding an effort made to rescue him by his friends. On being brought before the Bench, not a word was said about the attempted rescue ; the thief admitted his guilt after some fencing, and was sentenced to pay four times the value of the goods stolen, and costs, or to be sent to gaol for ono month. The fine was immediately paid, and the prisoner liberated. Impecuniosity of the Government. — The Otago Daily Times publishes tho following from a correspondent :—": — " Tho news to hand from all parts of the island is unsatisfactory. Ministerialists admit to an expenditure already incurred of an excess of £50,000, and Kemp's Natives claim seven months' back pay at ss. per diem. As they were till recently 600 in number this little bill is alarming. What with various other little bills of the same kind, purchase of steamers and other vagaries of Mr. M'Lean, whom no votes could ever yet keep within bounds, and whom Mr. Vogel dare not leavo again for fear of another outbreak like tho January bill, all pretence of not exceeding Estimates must be mere invention. Happily Mr. Vogel and the Daily Times stopped Mr. M'Lean in time, or half a million would have gone to the kaingas of the friendly Maoris, and Te Kooli been none the worse. Things do not look well in Auckland. Mr. M'Lean has failed to obtain access to the Upper Thames, after many times of asking, and even for £5,000, which he is said to have offered. Very odd ho did not give it first and ask after, as ho did when he released Te Hum and asked for Te Kooti from tho King. Tlio Maoris have stopped the Thames telegraph again, close, too, under M'Leau's nose. All tho Friendlics havo refused to serve any more till tho winter iB over, except Ropatn, who talks hazily of some new expedition. The King, who is of course the real root of the whole affair, has now openly invited Te Kooti to come under his protection, and the Government Auckland organ says he has accepted the asylum. He is by no means out at elbows, having obtained large supplies of ammunition from the friendly villages he surprised, and having — ifc is said by a Maori chief, (supposed to bo Marsh) in a letter to the Southern Cross — still 170 " braves" with him. These Kemp and Ropafca somehow never managed to find on their expeditions: Kemp blaming Ropata for having given him the alarm prematurely ; Ropata blaming Kemp for not intercepting their retreat. Wo hear that another Ministerial supporter, Mr. Macfarlane, of Auckland — the third representative of that place provided for — has received an office as Official AsBignco in Bankruptcy. When tho House meets, will these threo gentlemou be allowed to take their seats ? If so, next session all the Treasury side will consist of Grovernmeut officers. Release of Tricker. — This unfortunate man, so long confined in Wellington, undergoing his sentence for his supposed murder of Mr. Rayner, of Rangitika, has received a free pardon, and is now at liberty. There was always a strong doubt of Trickcr's guilt. What is the Position op Westland. — To this question, the Grey Eiver Argus, of the 10th May, replies : — The County commenced its career with a charge of over £22,000 per annum on account of the debt of Canterbury ; that charge had by the result of the arbitration, been reduced to some £13,000, but what have we got for it ; The overland road is all we have for this tremendous charge, and it has cost the County for maintenance above £16,500. We have therefore absolutely been paying out of our ordinary revenue nearly £26,000 per annum during the past two years for this solitary work. Even now ifc takes fully £18,000 a year to cover this item. All that Canterbury has expended for tho maintenance of its portion of tho road is £2,500 during two years. Ifc is this charge that is eating up the vitals of the County. Circumstances which no Government could control have caused a fearful falling off in the County revenue. Up to the end of 1867, whilst Westland was under the dominion of Canterbury, tho revenues of the West Coast averaged nearly £100,000 per annum ; the year 1867 they amounted considerably above that sum. Two years later tho whole revenue of tho County was £76,000, showing a decline of 25 per cent., and the present year ifc will not exceed, according to the present rate, £63,000, a further decline of £13,000 per annum, and a total reduction since the first foundation of the County of £43,000 ; these are facts, and are such that neither tho Council nor tho Government generally aro responsible for, although they might have done more than they have ill meeting the exigencies of the position. We have made these explanations so that the true state of Wesfcland's affairs, and some of the causes of her embarrassments, may be understood by the pnblic, and duo consideration given to the question which must arise, cln the event of the Government's refusal of assistance (a very probable event) what will become of Westland ' ? That a change in tho prcsanfc system must take place is clear — in what direction will that change be ?" Proposed union of Otago and Canterbury. — In the Otago Provincial Council on the 19th May, Mr. Ashcroffc moved the following resolutions :—: — 1. "That ifc is expedient that steps should bo taken with tho view of uniting the Province of Otago with the Province of Canterbury." 2. " That in the event of tho Otago and Southland Union Bill becoming law, ifc is desirable that; power be obtained from tho Assembly, with the concurrence of the Canterbury Representatives, to arrange the basis of union." 3. " That an address be presented to the Superintendent, requesting that ho will be pleased to give effect to tho above resolutions." After a debate, the first was carried by twelvo to nine. The second and third resolutions were negatived. Tlio Daily Times regrets the result of the debate, and says that by the union of Otago and Canterbury " wo should practically gain all the advantages we could expect to gain from separation, without destroying the political unity of tho colony." The Bread Requirements of Auckland. — The Southern Cross, in noticing the agricultural statistics of Auckland, remarks as follows :—": — " Taking the population at 50,000, and estimating the consumption afc seven bushels per head, which is liberal allowance, the proviuce would require 350,000 bushels of wheat during the current year. Of that, only 25,779 bushels have been grown in the province, leaving 324,221 bushels to bo imported. This means a large Bum of money, which wo cannot help thinking might very well be spent on home produce rather than be sent abroad. Canterbury ha 3 grown a surplus of one million bushels of wheat, and ifc is practically supplying tho Auckland markets afc 4-s. 6d. per bushel, being 6d. per bushel under the quotations for Auckland wheat, and 2s. per bushel under Adelaide wheat. The price, therefore, afc which Canterbury farmers can sell thoir wheat in Auckland, gives them tho I command of fcho market. Now, assuming that Auckland obtains her supplies entirely from Canterbury, and that tho cost does, not exceed 43. 6d. per bushel, we have this fact staring us in the face, that a, sum of £72,919 14s. 6J. will bo sunfc out of the province to the South to pay for wheat during the present year,"

The Premier's Negotiations with the United States. — Tho Australasian says :—": — " Mr Fox has addressed a letter to the Government at Washington, inviting it to admit tho wools of that colony duty free ; because, argues Mr. Fox, " the United States, with an adequate supply of wool would become one of the largest woolen and worsted manufacturing countries in the world." We fear that the proposals made to the Cabinet of President Grant are as little likely to bear any practical fruits, as were the representations in favour of peace which were made to the Emperor Nichola.s by the simple minded deputation of Quakers which proceeded to St. Petersburg, in the hope of inducing the Czar to become a convert to their pacific tenents. Interruption of the Manawatu Survey. — The Manawatu survey has been again interrupted, by a native named Hopa, who has destroyed all tho pegß along the five miles traversed, and also pulled up some in the presence of the surveyors. Another native moved the surveyors' camp across the Rivor Rangatikei. It is supposed that the opposition is only personal, and not organized. Prompt steps are to be taken to carry on tho survey, and to prevent further interruption. The General Government has promised to support tho Provincial Government if necessary. Trout in the Maitai. — The growth of the trout in tho Maitai is really extraordinary. On tho 22nd ultimo, a splendid fish, fully eighteen inches in length, and estimated to weigh upwards of two pounds, was seen in ono of the pools in the river a little above Nile-street bridge, and attracted quite a concourse of people. As the Bpawn from which this trout was raised was brought from Tasmania less than two years ago, the size of this and other fish which have been seen in tho river is highly satisfactory, as showing the suitability of our streams for trout, and the promise of sport given to the angler iv a very few years. Canterbury Meat Company. — The Canterbury Meat Preserving Company is now fairly at work, killing from 400 to 500 sheep daily. Ab nearly as can be estimated, sheep averaging 471bs. will yield a nett return of 7s. This greatly exceeds the profits on boiling-down. Messrs. M'Rae's Boiling Down Establishment in the Awatere. — The Marlborough Express of the lGlh of April gives an interesting description of the boiling down establishment recently erected by tho brothers M'Rao at Blanch, in tho ; province of Marlborough : — " Tho principal erection is 60 feet long by 40 feet wide. At tho eastern end is the boiler house, containing a cylindrical boiler for generating the steam used in the operations. The capacity of this boiler is 1,200 gallons, and is supplied with water from a reservoir at a little distance by means of a force pump, as tho ordinary pressure of steam, when used, is 231bs. to the inch. Outside this room stand two large cylindrical iron vats, 6 feet in height and 4 feet diameter, each of which will contain 100 sheep when cut up, and are fed by a man-hole from the floor above. A pipe conveys steam to the bottom of these, which, permeating through the mass of meat, deduces therefrom every particle of fatty matter. When sufficiently treated tho tallow is drawn off by taps fitted in the side of the vat, and conveyed by means of portable spouts to the cooling vats, where by fulling into water it is thoroughly purified, and before it gets cold is run into casks ready for exportation. In another part of the premises the sheep are driven iuto a largo pen, and, as required, into a pair of traps holding ten sheep in each. Here they are killed by being struck on tho head with a kind of pointed hammer, the blow from which, penetrating to the brain, kills instantaneously. Four butchers are employed, and another man is engaged in separating every particle of a second quality of fut from the entrails. These are thrown into a tip wagon standing by on a line of rails running through the building from tho curing-house to the piggeries and trenches, where the refuse and blood is buried, for the purpose of decomposition, into rich manure for future use. Tho heads are thrown away, and used as required for fuel, being mixed with wood. Drains are laid down, which convey all waste water to the rivor ; and the " gravy " from the vats to a tank at some distance, from which it i 3 pumped up, and will be used to irrigate the lands. A portion of the space is for the purpose of hanging tho carcases as killed, and here aro rows of rafters with hooks capable of holding about 400 sheep. The curing-house is forty feet by thirty feet, fitted throughout with lats whereon tho legs will be hung to dry, &c. ; immense wooden troughs line the walk, for salting the legs and tongues. At a short distance are the piggeries, where eighty to 100 head will be constantly kept, feeding on certain portions of the offal for a time, after which they will be treated with potatoes and other vegetable diet for the purpose of hardening the bacon, into which they will ultimately bo converted." The Messrs. M'Rae will boil down 16,000 aheep this season. The Lyell Reefs. — Tho following is from the Westport Times of the 28th of April :— " Mr Wylde, who has just returned from the above reefs, has kindly furnished us with further particulars. The prospecting party, Antonio Zala and party, have struck two reefs of great thickness in driving through their tunnel. Gold is visible in every piece of stone taken up, and also in the mullock which forms the casing of the reef. Until crushed the amount per ton yielded of the precious metal cannot be specified, but the lowest estimate fixes it at not less than 20 ozs. to the ton. Several leaders cropping up on the surface of tho claim are very rich. Specimens brought down show gold throughout the stone and casing. The adjoining claims both to north and south have also struck gold on the boundaries of the prospector'B claim. The reefs or leaders are cut through by Zala's tunnel at from 200 to 300 feet below the surface, and being exposed on the surface ifc proves equally rich there. Here is, of course, a very large quantity of stone proved to be payable in a high degree. Wo understand that arrangements have been made for the formation of a company for the purpose of procuring crushing machinery at once ; and that tho necessary funds have already been obtained, pending the formation of the company, so that not a diy's delay may take place in commencing operations. A large amount of work has already been done by Zala and party, and they have undertaken to hand over one half their interest in the claim to the company which will bo formed at once." And the same journal of April 30th, 3avß . — "The yield of gold from the stone taken from Zala and party's claim at Irishman's Creek this week shows tho most encouraging prospects. Mr. Wylde, of Greymouth, brought to town a small bag full of stone taken promiscuously from the reef. He assures us that the stone waa in no way picked, but merely emptied into a bag from one of the trucks in an ordinary way. That gentleman took the contents of the bag to the Bank of New Zealand and the Bank of New °South Wales, dividing the stone mearly equally between the two, but picking a few of the best specimens for the Bank of Now South Wales to test. The stone was crushed in a mortar, and the yield, a3 shown by tho undernotcd letters to Mr. Wylde, proves much beyond the most sanguine expectations : — ' Bank of Now South Wales, Westporfc, April 29, 1870.— J. Wylde, Esq. : Doar Sir— Of the quartz left by you with me, 21bs. I\oz. has been assayed by Mr. Farmer of this office, and yielded 28 grains of gold, or at the rate of 52ozs. 18dwts. 2grs. to the ton of 22 JOlbs.— Yours truly, J. William Kerr.' ' Bank of New Zealand, Westporfc, April 28, 1870. — Sir— The sample of quartz submitted to me for testing yielded <is under : — weight of quartz, 21bs. 40z., which yielded 7grs., being at the rate of 14ozs. lOdwts. gold per ton.— R. F. B. HORTON, Mdter and Assayer, B.N.Z."' Company for Working Prospectors' Claim at the Lyj:i/l.— The Westport Times, of the 3rd ultimo, says:—" A preliminary meeting of intending shareholders, and parties interested in the formation of a company for the working of the Lyoll reef, was held at the Empire Hotel ou Saturday evening; Mr. R. C. Reid occupied the chair. The manager, Mr. Wylde, repeated to those present a statement similar to what has already appeared in our recent issues, and stated the terms upon which the present claimholders were willing to transfer the property to a company. The terms were £7,000, in 700 paid-up £10 shares, in addition to a bonu3 of £2,400. The present shareholders to bo engaged at £4 10s. per week, and the maohinery to bo completed within

six months, or the company to forfeit all interest. A prospectus, with further particulars, will be published." New Rush on the Grey. — The Argus, of the 10th ultimo, reports that au important rush has set in to a terrace on the first right-hand branch of Noble's Creek. Tho ground has been marked out for a considerable distance, and gold has been struck in several shafts. The miners who are in possession of the ground in tho vicinity of the prospectors are principally foreigners, and they speak highly of their prospects. Tallow v. Mutton. — The Wairarnpa correspondent of the Independent, iv a recent letter, Bays : — Last week 144 fine sheep from Pihautea were reduced to tallow at the Feafchersfcon Boiling Down Works, which produced in tallow, legs and skins, £74 12s. gross, from which £S 9s. 6d. must bo deducted for expenses, leaving £66 2s. 6J. as the net proceeds, or a little over the'9s. per head, which, I understand, tho owner was offered by tho butchers, and placing beyond question tho fact that fat wethers will realize more as tallow than as mutton. This is a point of the first importance to our sheep farmers, as it will have the effect of preventing any further reduction in tho price of fat stock, while it will enable them to calculate tho value of ifc with more certainty than they were ablo to do when at the mercy of a plethoric market or butcher. Canterbury Races. — A programme of the Canterbury Metropolitan Meeting has been published, and tho 7th, Bth, and 9th of November are tho appointed days. The programme appears to be the same a3 that for the last meeting. Thinning an Electoral Roll. — From ths Westland North Electoral roll 197 names, out of 500 on the roll, havo been objected to by the Returning Officer, of which 134 of former electors have left the district. County of Westland. — The session of the Westland County Council was opened on the sth ultimo. The finances of tho county are still in an unsatisfactory state. Tho Grey River Argus complains that all the revenue is swallowed up in salaries, and that nothing is left for public works. It remarks : — " How is prosperity possible, when all tho available revenue is swallowed up in salaries, departmental expenses, permanent charges, and the bare maintenance of the few public works already in existence? If the country is to be opened up, and inducements held oub to the people to settle on the lands, and encouragement given to prospectors, it must be by making roads and tracks, by bridging creeks and rivers; and if this cannot be done, cannot even be initiated, except by means of borrowed capital, let tho difficulty be looked fairly in the face, and let tho Council say so. Should then, tho General Government or tho Assembly refuse to assist us out of the difficulty by granting borrowing powers, the present system of Government must be re-modelled, made easier and cheaper in its administration, so that there shall always remain a large balance of revenue for tho construction of public works, or else the county must remain a trackless wilderness, and the people be driven out of it for waut of the simplest means of communication from ono point to another. Something must be done, and that speedily, as wo feel certain this district will not submit longer to tho perpetuation of this exponsivo farce of playing at Parliament which is now beng carried on in Hokitika."