Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 637, 8 June 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

+. Theatre Rotal. — Last night's attendance at the Theatre was very thin, owing in a great measure to the unfavourable weather. \ Ministerial. — "We understand that Mr H^Jsewell will join the Fox Ministry in the * capacity of Solicitor- General, and that he will probably be called to the Upper House. I/? ttelton Winter Readings.— The third of the series will take place this evening in the Colonists' Hall, when a first-class programme will be presented. The Bellbingers. — This company gave a performance at Burnip's Assembly Boom, Kaiapoi, on Monday evening last. The attendance was very good, considering the damp nature of the evening, and those present appeared highly pleased with the novelty and merits of the entertainment. Chbistt Minstrels. — Notwithstanding the very unpleasant weather of last night there was again a fair attendance at the Town Hall. The programme submitted wa3 in keeping with the previous performances of the troupe, and met with the fullest approval of the audience. Mr W. H. Bent is announced to take a benefit to-night, and if he meets with the response his talents as a delineator of negro eccentricities deserves, he will have a crowded hous?. The performances will be under the patronage of his Worship the Mayor and Mr J. Cracrof t Wilson, C.8., and a more than usually attractive bill may be relied upon. The troupe will positively conclude their series of entertainments this week. St. Albans.— On Tuesday evening last, the first of the Beries of winter evening lectures and entertainments was given in the schoolroom, St. Albans, when, notwithstanding the very inclement weather, the schoolroom was nearly filled by a large and attentive audience to hear the Rev A. Reid's lecture on " Characters and Scenes in Early Church History." The Rev J. Aldred occupied the chair, and after devotional exercises, briefly introduced the rev lecturer. The lecture was delivered with much vigour, and afforded a vast amount of information. The rev gentleman, on its conclusion, received a very hearty round of applause. The choir of the church also sang several suitable selections of music. It was announced that the next entertainment would be given on that day fortnight.

Southland Railway.— The construction of the Oreti railway, Southland, is now well advanced. The steam engine can now travel over sixteen miles of the line, and the bridges and culverts are ready for the rails a-head of this, but some 8000 chains are still short of the number required, owing to their being of heavier weight than anticipated. Probably this may cause delay in the completion of the line, unless the deficient number can be supplied from Australia. The general traffic to and from "Winton is now conveyed by rail, the roads being so bad that up-country teamsters prefer to make Winton their terminus. The Bank of Otago have just opened an agency at Winton. Dinner. — On Monday evening a number of gentlemen met at the Queen's Hotel, Lyttelton, the object being to bid farewell to Mr W. H. Brewer, of her Majesty's Customs, who is about to leave this province for Napier. Fifty gentlemen sat down to an excellent .repast, which was well served by Mr Littledotfc"—The chair was ably occupied by Mr W. Mills, H.M.C., and the vice-chair by Dr J. T. Rouse. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been proposed and responded to, the toast of the evening was given and was drunk with great enthusiasm. Mr Mills, on behalf of some brother officers and friends in Christchurch, then presented Mr Brewer with a handsome gold pencil and gold pen, as a tribute of their esteem and regard. Mr Brewer responded to the toast in feeling terms, expressing his deep regret at leaving so many old friends. The evening's proceedings were enlivened by some excellent songs, and the party did not separate until an early hour next morning. What is the Position of Westland ? — The Greymouth paper of a recent date gives the following answer to the above question: — 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 it takes fully £18,000 a year to cover this item. All that Canterbury has expended for the maintenance of its portion of the road is £2500 during two years. It 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, the revenues of the West Coast averaged nearly £100,000 per annum ; the year 1867 they amounted considerably above that sum. Two years later the whole revenue of the County was £76,000, showing a decline of 25 per cent., and the present year it 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 the Council nor the Government generally are responsible for, although they might have done more than they have in meeting the exigencies of the position. We have made these explanations so that the true state of Westland's affairs, and some of the causes of her embarrassments, may be understood by the public, and due consideration given to the qnestion which must arise, ' In the event of the Government's refusal of assistance (a very probable event) what will become of Westland "? That a change in the present system must take place is clear — in what direction will that change be ?" Tub Nelson and Cobdkn Railwat. — The Nelson papers are naturally very much elated at the prospect of the above railway being commenced shortly. His Honor the Superintendent recently gent down the following message to the Provincial Council : — " The Superintendent has the satisfaction to inform the Provincial Council, that although he has received no official communication upon the subject of the Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Railway, by the mail which arrived this morning, he is in possession of private information of a very favourable character. By confidential letters, from one of the New Zealand Commissioners, and others, the Superintendent learns that the legal difficulties referred to in hia Message, No. 3, of the 3rd instant, have, as he anticipated, been overcome by the assistance of the Commissioners, who have pledged the Colonial Government to use their influence with the General Assembly to that end. This pledge proving to be satisfactory to the proposed contractors, and all ether conditions, with some slight. modifications sanctioned by the Commissioners, having been agreed upon, a draft preliminary contract was in course of preparation when the mail left, and also a draft bill for the satisfaction of the technical objections raised. A deposit of £5,000 was to be made on the signing of the preliminary contract, and a further sum of £15,000 as soon as the bill referred to shall have received the assent of the General Assembly. One stipulation of much importance has been made and agreed to, namely, that the short line from the Brunner coal-mine to Cobden shall be commenced at once, and the mine worked while the survey of the main portions of the line is proceeding. The Superintendent cannot anticipate any further difficulties or delays in this matter, but of course until the n-.cessary documents are actually signed, no absolute certainty can be entertained." We also learn that as soon as the preliminary contract is signed, an engineer of high attainments will be despatched here to verify the survey made by Mr Wrigg for the Provincial Government ; and if that gentleman's report be found to be a reliable one, the construction of the railway will at once be undertaken. But under any circumstances, the contractors will bind themselves to at once construct a railway from Cobden to the Brunner coal misc.

Winter Entertainments.— A general meeting of the Entertainment Association was held at the City Council Chamber yesterday afternoon. Mr Wynn Williams presided, and there were also present W. R. Mitchell, Capt. G. H. Wilson, J. A. Bird, R. P. Crosbie, John Thomson, J. Ollivier, J. G. Hawkes, Dr Haast, and G. Gordon (hon. sec.) The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The sub-committee appointed at last meeting brought up a draft programme for the opening entertainment of the season. After a few trifling alterations, the programme was adopted. The secretary reported that seven gentlemen had signified their intention of competing for the recitation prize, and the competition was appointed for Tuesday week. The Very Rev. the Dean, the Rev. C. Fraser, J. Ollivier, J. G. Hawkes, and Wynn Williams were appointed to officiate as judges of the recitations. After agreeing for the committee to meet on Friday next for the purpose of making final arrangements for the opening entertainment, the meeting terminated. Mining in Nelson.— We extract the following items from our latest files : — The majority of the men who left Wakamarina and Havelock for the newly discovered goldfield in the Wairau Valley, returned on finding the ground which promised to be auriferous taken up. This proves very little, as we remember the early prospectors in the Grey would have abandoned the district had they the means of returning. Intelligence from Wangapeka has reached town, that Culliford's reef has been struck at a depth of forty-five in the trial-shaft, at some distance from the out-crop of the stone. The reef has now been absolutely traced for some distance both north and south of the outcrop, and this, with the specimens of stone obtained at different spots, settles the fact, that the reef on being worked will yield a large return. A small two-stamper battery, received yesterday from Melbourne by Messrs Buxton and Co., will, we understand, be erected at once in Nuggetty Creek. The shaft sunk by the Pioneer Company, at Collingwood, to prove the copper lode, has been highly satisfactory. The lode improved, both in richness and size, the deeper it was examined. In the estimation of the best practical authority, the prospects of the company are highly promising. A meeting of the shareholders in the Lucky-hit Company was held on Wednesday evening, May 25. A bag of stone obtained on the company's claim was exhibited, in every piece of which gold was clearly visible, while some was evidently very rich. It was stated that the drive>Cwhich is being carried into the hill in expectation of striking the reef, was proceeding but slowly, owing to the hardness of the stone, all of which, however, was auriferous, and would pay for crushing. The latest intelligence from the Perseverance claim leads us to expect that crushing will be commenced towards the end of the ensuing week, or, at the latest, at the commencement of the week following. The coalworks at Collingwood are so far advanced, that shipments of fuel will be commenced in three or four weeks. «-\ The Wairau Goldfibld. — The follow-! ing are the latest particulars from the Marl-j borough papers :— A number of holes were sunk along the creek, and in no one case was] anything found — in fact, I don't think, outside the prospector's claim, a quarter of an ounce of gold has been got altogether ; but this does not say there is no gold there, as: the appliaaces, so far, are the primitive tin! dish ; but were there much gold, some onej would be sure to obtain a prospect, whereas] hundreds of dishes from oil the bottom were washed, and not the colour obtained. A few Bpecks were got from off the reef, which is certainly as fine a looking rotten reef as onej would wish to see. I would not advise wafone to go at present. A number of Wakamarina diggers assisted the prospectors to sluice for about three hours on Wednesday, in order to satisfy themselves as to its genuineness, and got about half-an-ounce of coarse, shotty gold ; and if all the chums were as good as the prospectors', it would be no catch, for they have done a deal of work to get a proper fall to work on. The gold that the prospectors have got in the creek (about five ounces) has taken them six weeks to get, although they say they have not worked more than half their time. This may be true, but an immense deal of work has been done for the gold they have got. The creek may turn oat better than appears at present, as patches may be found, but I will stake my reputation that for every ounce of gold got, ten pounds of labour will be spent to get it. Two persons have started stores here on a small scale. The Government are greatly to blame for their precipitate action in proclaiming it a goldfield, and so causing a rush of people from distant places. On Wednesday, May 25, Inspector Emerson was despatched to the field, and on his return last evening he kindly supplied us with the following particulars as to what had been done in the several claims, beginning at the top of the creek. Pike and party, 4 dwts to two dishes of wash dirt. Gibbon and party had got a good prospect, but while absent to obtain miners' rights, had their claim jumped by Pringle and party, who held rights. Others stated they had obtained fair prospects, but would not reveal to what extent. Cawte and Ragg had their claim challenged by two men from Deep Creek, who got 15 dwte in two hours sluicing Griffin and party got 15 dwts in half a day out of Robinson's claim. Croft and party got 10 dwts in half a day. M'lntyre and party, 4 dwts on Thursday, and were satisfied. There are several made terraces on the upper bank of the creek, and the men generally believe that the gold has been washed into the creek from them. About 150 men are on the field, and very little real prospecting has been done so far. Inspector Emer son sold seventeen rights to persons on the' ground who have struck gold. All hands are commencing to make boxes, and go in for sluicing properly. The sinking averages about three f«et." , .^^^^ .. ,^

Flax. — A correspondent of an Otago con temporary declares that an important item with regard to the preparation of flax for the home market has been quite overlooked, viz., the fact of its being out of season during a portion of the year, when, as has been proved by experience, it is quite useless, and so rotten has to tear across the blade. Surely this is worth investigating now that bo much is being dressed, for a shipment of flax in thi3 state would seriously affect the sale of good samples, and throw discredit upon the whole. Lyttelton Borough Council. — The Council held their usual weekly meeting on Monday. Present, his "Worship the Mayor, Councillors Allwright, Young, Stout, Bunker, and Chalmers. The minutes of the former meeting having been read and confirmed, the following correspondence was read : From Mr Blakiston, asking for information as to the annual value of rateable property in the borough of Lyttelton. The reply from the clerk was read, stating that it amounted to £ 1 6,800. The Inspector of Nuisances' report was read and approved of. The Mayor then said that Mr H. Hawkins had applied to him to have the kerbing laid down on the foot path fronting his premises on Norwich Quay. This matter was referred to the Works Committee to report thereon at the next meeting of the Council. After some discussion respecting the supply of timber for the use of the Council, sundry accounts, amounting to £17 19s 9d, were passed for payment. The Mayor suggested that, as the time was very near for the sitting of the General Assembly, the attention of the member for the town (Mr Peacock) be drawn to the question of the rating of the reclaimed land, and it was resolved that he should be written to previous to his departure for Wellington. The Council then adjourned. The San Fbancisco Mail Sebvice. — From our Auckland files, we learn that a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held at the Mechanics' lnstitute, the president, Mr Thomas Macff arlane, in the chair. A resolution was passed affirming the desiraI bility of continuing the present postal route from Sydney to San Francisco, via. Auckland. A second resolution was passed, in which the Chamber expressed its determination to send a deputation to Sydney to lay the whole question before the Government there, with a view of Auckland being retained the port of call. It was agreed that a report of the whole proceedings in connection with the postal route should be drawn up, and forwarded to the Chambers of Commerce at San Francisco, Australia, and New Zealand. The Wellington evening paper of June 4 has the following -. — We learn that letters have been received from Messrs Rhodes and Pharazyn, announcing their safe arrival in Melbourne. They had, of course, only been a short time in that city when they wrote, but they had learned that there was a very strong feeling existing in favour of establishing steam communication with San Francisco. Captain Mackie, of the Rangitoto, informed a friend of ours that a modification of the scheme proposed by Mr Collie was favourably spoken of in Melbourne, and had been mentioned in the Chamber of Commerce, viz., to make Wellington the terminus of the ocean line, and to connect with Melbourne and other Australian ports by M'Meckan and Blackwood's boats. Of course as yet we know nothing of the intentions or wishes of the Victorian people, but it is evident that they are favourably inclined to the general scheme of steam communication with California ; and if we had a Government prepared to foster the feeling and ready to adopt such measures as would be conducive to the general good of the colony, we might have an efficient steam line started at once. The powers that be are, however, obstinately determined to adhere to their one-sided, or rather one ended, arrangements, and it rests with us, and with the South generally, to drive them from their position. Woodend Chubch Scuools. — The annual treat to the children attending these schools took place on Whit-Monday, at the Schoolroom, and consisted of a tea and entertainment. The children met at 2 p.m., and indulged in a variety of sports until 5 p.m., when they were regaled with an excellent tea, provided by Mesdames Bowie, Eldridge, fctackwood, McGowan, Horrell, and the Misses Little, Sanderson, and Bowie, to which the juveniles did full justice. As soon as the children's tea was over, their parents and friends were admitted to witness an entertainment, given by the children themselves, consisting of recitations and singing, the whole of the pieces being delivered in a manner that reflected the greatest credit on the young performers, and their instructress — Miss Hicks. The programme commenced with a mock trial, which was very amusing, the performers being well up in their parts. The recitations were delivered by Mary Horrell, Ann WoodiDg, Ellen Matthias, Jessie Bowie, Elizabeth Stevens, Mary Zwiebruck, Mary Sanderson, Alice Sanderson, Ann Hadler, William Sanderson, Charleß Eldridge, and Arthur Little. The music consisted p incipally of songs with choruses — " Come Home, Father," and "Lullaby" being especially noticeable. After the entertainment, the Rev. J. W. Stack addressed the meeting, thanking the ladies who had provided refreshments, and passing a high eulogium on Miss Hicks for the manner in which she had brought the school forward since she had become school-mistress. He hoped they should long benefit by her services. The entertainment the children had given had both surprised and delighted him. He hoped Miss Hicks would allow some of them to assist at the Winter Readings, which would be resumed in a fortnight's time. Three cheers were then given by the children for the .Queen, Mr Stack, Miss Hicks, and the ladies giving trays ; the entertainment concluding with the National Anthem, after which the children went home, while their seniors sat down to an excellent supper. We had almost forgotten to mention that the schoolroom was most tastefully decorated for the occasion.

Rifle Association. — A meeting was held last night at White's Hotel, the following members being present :— Messrs Wynn Williams, Bishop, Thomson, Barnes, Simmonds, and Alport. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and after passing accounts for payment, and the transaction of some other routine business, the meeting terminated. Private Boxes at the Post-office. — A proclamation in the New Zealand Gazette makes the following regulations regarding private boxes at the Post-office. The regulations date as from May 1 : — The fees payable in respect of each private box shall be— For a term exceeding six calendar months and not exceeding one year, two pounds (£2). For a term exceeding three calendar months and not exceeding six calendar months, one pound ( £ 1 ). For a term not exceeding three calendar months, ten shillings (10s). For* term exceeding six calendar months and not' exceeding one year, when the box has been already let to the same person for a term or successive terms exceeding in all six calendar months, expiring within a week of the beginning of the new term, one pound (XI). For a term not exceeding six calendar months, when the box has been already let to the same person for a term or successive terms exceeding in all six calendar months, ten shillings (10s). All such fees to be paid in advance : Provided that no private box shall b» let save for a term ending on the 31sfc day of March, the 30th day of June, the 30th day of September, or the 31st day of December next after the day on which the same shall be let ; and that, where there are two or more applicants for the same box at the same time, the preference shall be given to the person desiring to have the same for tha longest term.