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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4200, 5 September 1874, Page 2

The steamer, Alhambra, which was reported as having arrived off Hokitika on Thursday evening, was tendered on her arrival, but the steam-tender was only able to return to port yesterday afternoon. The news which she brings was at once telegraphed, and appears in our column of telegraphic news. The Alhambra was off Greymouth yesterday morning, and it is probable that she has arrived this morning at Nelson. The Hon. Mr. Fox and Mrs. Fox wore passengers yesterday by the Luna to Wanganui, on their way to their country home. According to announcement made at a meeting held in Wellington on Wednesday evening, the 1i0n... gentleman and Mrs. Fox propose very soon paying a visit to England, by way of America. The following is an approximate list of tho. immigrants expected to arrive by the ship Douglas Marrieil couples without children ; 3 laborers, X brickmaker, 2 bootmakers, 2 blacksmiths, 5 farm laborers, 1 shepherd. Married couples with children ; 14 laborers, 1 farm steward,- 10 farm laborers, 1 station master, 1 painter, 1 coach painter, 1 wheelwright, 1 mason, 1 gardener, 1 millwright, 2 bricklayers, 1 fitter, 3 blacksmiths, 1 baker, G carpenters, 3 miners. Single men ; 17 laborers, 2 painters, 2 plasterers, 3 carpenters, 2 farmers, 1 bootmaker, 1 gardener, 3 miners, 1 ploughman, 1 butcher, 1 platelayer, 1 engine cleaner, 1 blacksmith, 17 farm laborers, 4 lads. Single women ; 8 general servants, 2 housemaids, 1 nurse, 1 laundrymaid, 1 dairymaid, 1 laundress, 3 cooks. Tho business at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday was unimportant. Several drunkards were fined, and David Anderson, for assaulting Homy Hall, and wilfully destroying property, was fined 405., and ordered to pay 30s. damages ; in default, seven days’ imprisonment. Tho civil business was all settled without coming before tho Court.

The gentlemen who lately arrived in Wellington as a deputation representing the inhabitants of Greymouth, the proprietors of the coal-mines in that vicinity, and the interests of those who are coal-consumers, waited yesterday upon the Hon. Mr. Richardson, the Minister for Public Works. They were accompanied by the Hon. Mr. Bonar (Superintendent of, Westland), the Hon. Mr. Lahman, . Mr. Curtis (Superintendent of Nelson), and Mr. Harrison, M.H.R. Mr. Cooper, surveyor, and Mi - . Johjiston, town surveyor of Greymouth, were also present. At a later hour in the day, the same deputation, accompanied by the same gentlemen, waited upon the Premier. In each case, we understand, the .objects of the deputation were explained by ' Mr. Curtis and by Mr. Smith, the Mayor of Greymouth, and others who formed or introduced the deputation explained the objects which they had in. view. It has not, as yet, beeu'the practice in Wellington to have reporters of the Press present at such interviews, although interview’s with members of the Ministry, when they visit other parts of the Colony, and interviews with Superintendents of Provinces, are usually recorded, according to the estimate formed by those interviewed as to the propriety of the proceedings being published. We cannot, therefore, publish what may have passed between the deputation and the Minister for Public Works, but the understanding is that the deputation will submit to him in writing what they desire to be effected with regard to the improvement of the river Grey, and that they will receive, in reply, a memorandum from him before their departure for Greymouth. The impression is that, while the Government may reserve for consideration the proposed work of forming a breakwater at Greymouth, they will continue to carry out the present work of improving tho navigation of the river ; but the resolution of the Government will, no doubt, bo explicitly stated in the answer to the representations which are now on behalf of the deputation, being reduced to writing. The Pioton Press states that His Excellency the Governor, is expected to pay an early visit to the Province of Marlborough, proceeding thither in his yacht, the Blanche. The visit, says the Press, will not be' an official one, and no public preparations will be made for His Excellency’s reception. H.M.S. Blanche steamed from the harbor yesterday morning about 10 o’clock, for Nelson, which port it is intended to reach on Monday, the time meanwhile' to be spent about the Sounds between here and Nelson. The Blanche will remain about a month at Nelson, when she will leave on a cruise round the West Coast. On reaching the Heads, she anchored and remained there during the day. A football match will be played this afternoon on tho Basin Reserve, commencing at 2.30 p.m. sharp. It is hoped that there will be a good muster, as this will be-tho lost match' prior to selecting a team to go to Nelson. Several members have given in their names, intending to represent the Province in the forthcoming interproviucial match. "The remainder of the team will be selected at a meeting to be held at the Panama Hotel after Saturday’s game. It is to be trusted that the match with Nelson will not fall through this yeai - , as the Nelson players have twice paid us a visit, without Wellington returning the compliment. It would appear from an up-country letter in another column that the truck system is in operation in this Province. The injustice to which workmen may be subjected by this practice has been so long known, and so often proved, that it is discountenanced everywhere. The profits of the trade, however, are so considerable that the most ingenious devices are resorted to so as to avoid coining within the letter of the law. It was, in fact, admitted during the late session that the ’ “ truck ” system was in full swing on the West Coast, and though the attention of the Government was directed to the matter, and an endeavor made to put a stop to the traffic, nothing appears to have been effected. There are so many ways by which the law can be evaded, that it is very difficult to prevent contractors availing themselves of their position to drive an illegal trade. It is to be hoped, however, that some inquiries will be made into this case. Should the Phoebe arrive in time from the South the Wesleyans will to-morrow have the pleasure of hearing one of their pioneer missionaries preach in the morning at Motesworth Street, and in the evening at Manners Street Chapel, The Rev. John Aldred, from Christchurch, at the request of the Wellington

quarterly meeting has consented to supply the place in this city, of the Rev. J. J. Lewis, who is laid aside by affliction. Mr. Aldred was the first Wesleyan minister in Wellington, Nelson, and Christchurch, having arrived in Pott., Nicholson in the year 1841. After preaching here for several years both to Natives and Europeans, he left for Nelson, and established a’strong Wesleyan cause there. About 1850, he again .came to Wellington, and worked very assiduously among both races. He then 1 went South and successfully labored in the various Provinces there until 1861, when he returned to this City and preached as usual to both Europeans and Maoris foi\ sis years. Hr. Aldred retired from full work about eight years ago, and settled in Christchurch, but, although on the supernumeraries’ list, he has always been ready to give his valuable and acceptable services when any Wesleyan district has been deprived of their pastor. The old settlers of Wellington of all denominations will, no doubt, rejoice to see this veteran missionary among us again. Mr. Charles Lucas, “late of Hokitika, and at present custodian of the Theatre, '&c., Wellington,” writes to us;—“Having had my attention called to the -police-report of 2nd inst., wherein a Charles Lucas is indicted for drunkenness and indecency, permit me to say that lam not the person referred to. Having only arrived hero lately from Hokitika, on the West Coast, and having testimonials of the highest character from there, where my friends are unlimited, and never having been in the Imbit of disgracing myself, in any way during my life, would- you oblige me by inserting this, as it is of the most vital importance to me. 1 consider every man ought to value his honor and good name,'as he does his life.” The Acclimatisation Society have lately turned out about a hundred and fifty birds, consisting of Australian magpies, Californian quail, chaffinches, and bramble finches. It is to be hoped that these birds will not be interfered with in any way, and that the efforts, of tho Society towards the success of their undertakings will, be supported by the public in every possible manner. Fumigation that mysterious but still fashionable process in connection' with qua-rantine—-is being prepared for at Auckland at some expense. The Herald says :—“ Tho now fumigating oven for the Quarantine Station is rapidly approaching completion at the hands of Mr. Heighten, the machinist, of Pitt Street. His part of the work—that is, the iron-work—is being well and faithfully executed, and will absorb nearly, a ton of iron.. Of course tho brick-work necessary will have to be erected on the Island.” Tho progress made in agricultural operations in the bush-covered country of Westland is indicated by tho fact that an Agricultural Society has been formed in Hokitika, under whoso auspices a ploughing-match is shortly to be held. A meeting of the Education Board is appointed to be held at 11 a.m. on Monday. Wellington has lately been providing the West Coast_of the South Island with butchers’ meat. Five “ bodies” are entered among the exports by tho Waipara for Hokitika. Tho Rev. Mr. Hewlett, one of the oldest ministers in Australia, is just deceased, aged eighty years. He was formerly a missionary in other .Colonics. On tho 13th instant, at Newcastle, Mr. Edward Nutter (one of the proprietors of the Newcastle Pilot) was murderously assaulted by a person unknown, with a life preserver. The main shaft of the Ajax Gold-mining Company, luangahua, is now down 392 ft., probably tho deepest shaft on the Nelson South-west goldfields. j

It is reported "that the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse has resigned his seat as a member of the Education Board. The Californian Minstrels had again an overflowing house last night—all but the best of their season. The company will again perform this evening in the same place, perhaps for the last time in Wellington. A number of petitions have been presented to the Victorian Assembly in favor of assisted immigration. Chevalier Blondin has applied for the use of the' Melbourne Agricultural Society’s grounds. v WESTLAND. The Moss Guardian publishes the following as a telegram from Mr. Tribe, MiH.R. : “Wellington, August 21.—My Goldfields Bill has passed the House of Representatives. Messrs. Bonar and Lahmau supported it in the Upper House. The Premier has promised me to put £2OOO on the Supplementary Estimates for a survey and report on the Mikonui race. If such be favorable, he promises to provide funds for its construction next session. I feel that this long withheld act of justice is largely due to the unanimity of all the Westland members, in agreeing to forego all other works to secure the Race. I regret the construction is still delayed, but look upon it as secure, as the report must, if honest, be favorable.” A couple of men who had been working down south, between the Paringa and Blue River, returned to Gillespie’s recently with a small sample of very coarse gold, some of the pieces weighing from Sdwts. to 12dwts. The ground is described as patchy, so much so that the men, who had been prospecting about for several months, saw no inducement to remain; The Coast papers record the death of Mr. J. Fitzsimmons, an old and respected resident of the Eive-mile Beach, near Okarito, who met his end on Thursday last, having been gored to death and afterwards fearfully mutilated by two wild bulls. The deceased was highly respected throughout the whole district. He was about thirty-five years old,- a native of Westmeath, Ireland, and leaves a wife and five. children to deplore his untimely end. Mining at the Five-Mile Beach, Okarito, is still in a dormant state. The claims which were flooded at the time of the heavy surf, have not been pumped out, and the claimholders having some dispute with the waterrace proprietors, have taken their departure for a time to work on Butler’s contract, on the Bowen to Okarito Road. The mining population at present in this place is said to number only eight or nine persons.