West Coast Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1866

West Coast Times, Issue 135, 22 February 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1866

Unfortunately tho public have as yet, failed to reccivo any appreciable benefit from the telegraph' line, whic , although formally opened for uso at the commencement of tho month, bus novel been in working- order throughout for any consecutive number of days Yesterday the wire served to flash across from Christchurch the intelligence that tho English mail had arrived at Lyttelton on board the South . Australian. But immediately afterwards communication was interrupted, and our instructions to our correspondents to send us a full summary of news cotild. not be sent across. The presumption, from the indications of the galvanometer, was that the break occurred at v distance of not more than twenty or twenty-five miles from town, and as a very feeble current of electricity was found at times to pass along the wire, it was inferred ihnt the latter 'had at some spot fallen from its support and was lying upon some dry stretch of ground. This is' indeed the ordinary character of bush accidents to the telegraph. In the present instance it isprobablo the defect will be promptly supplied. The official whose duty it is to look after tho wire and repair breaks, was despatched from town as soon as the interruption occurred, and we may anticipate thn.t commuuication will be renewed at an early hour this morning. Had tho telegraph wire, however, done its duty, wo should have been independent of this mortifying mishap and in possession of the English news several 'days ago. It may be assumed that the South Australian was at the Bluff on Saturday, and at Port Chalmers on the followingday, and from either of these stations tho news might have been transmitted.

Hut what are the facts ? Communiea-

tion between Christchuroh and Dunedin is interrupted, and has been so since the Oth instant. Easy as it may be to account for a slight temporary break occurring in a bush country, it is difficult to understand how a suspension of action for a period of a fortnight, on a part of the line where there are numerous stations not very distant from each other, should occur.. Whatever tho nature of the accidont, a day should be sufficient to discover its locality and to effect its repair. Nothing is simpler than to restore the continuity of ho wires wherever broken. Such, 'fit least.

ought to bo the case in all telegraph linos that are destined to bo of practical utility. Tho nature of the ground to be traversed presents obstacles of varying degrees of difficulty to the engineer; but all contingencies likely to arise should bo carefully taken into consideration and provided against. Where the line can be carried along a public road, or across a smooth or gently undulating surface of country, light posts nt considerable distances from each other, may answer all purposes. But a very different class of works is required in districts, for instance, which are subject to heavy floods or exposed to high winds. Much of the bush lying between this and Christchurch is

known to be of a " difficult" character, n ml without pretending to any special engineering knowledge on the subject, wo must say that tho frequf nt breaks and long suspensions of communication

that take place, appear to indicate that some error has been committed or some

precaution neglected, in laying out or in constructing the line. The brief history of the West Coast telegraph has bee. a succession of mortifications. The revenue of the district is charged with the cost to the amount of 1,4833. The most beautiful and finished instruments may be seen" at the Hokitika statiou, perfect triumphs of science and gems of art. Mr. Jones, the manipulator, is a most accomplished telegraphist, ever anxious to make the

best for the public convenience of the difficult and trying- circumstances in which he is pluced with an unworkable wire. The general feeljng of mortification culminated yesterday, when it became known that tho English mail had reached Lyttelton, and that the news, which possibly may bo of the very highest importance and interest,'was arrested on its way to us through the failure of the wire. *

More serious results indeed are likely to result from these frequent interruptions than any disappointment of public curiosity. Business men depend upon the telegraph where it is established, as a means of mercantile correspondence. They effect largo transactions through it; regulate their business by the market quotations they receive, and often carry out speculations involving thousands of pounds in, their issue. In New Zealand many of the loading meroimtile houses' have branch estnb-

lishments or agencies, nml £ho constant interchange of communication with these, can well be understood to be of the most vital importance. It may be said, no doubt, that the facilities formerly enjoyed nre still within reach, and that any occasional failure of the telegraph docs not leave the merchant in a worse position than he hole, before. But this" is scarcely the case. The introduction of the tcicgraph to ft. great extent revolutionizes the customs of trade. It infuses a new rapidity into transactions. Operations are suspended until the latest information can bo obtained at the critical moment, and tho certainty of receiving that information is depended on— as indeed it ought to be in tho case of a work which has been so costly in construction, and the chargos for the uso of wliich are so high. Interrupting accidentsaro not frequent in the othorcolonies, and when they occur they are as often the result of atmospheric disarrange ments as of any other cause. Wo may not, of course, hope for tho same certain and effectivo service as exists in Great Britain, or in the colonies, where tho lines extend along tho sides of railways and other frequented roads. But it is not too much to expect that the telegraph system in a British colony, even if sparsely peopled, shall be at least as well guaranteed against accidont as in the outlying territories of America. Tlioro we find the wires stretch for thousands of miles through an unoccupied territory, and communication very rarely interrupted. To this district it is of tho highest importance that tho telegraph, if it is to bemaintainedatall, should be n thoroughly well working pieco of machinery,. The commercial and shipping relations of Hokitika with tho several provincial ports of tho Middle Island, are very intimate ; but a succesion of accidents frequently causes the suspension of ordinary intercourse with them. At this moment wo havo been for nearly a fortnight without advices from Dunedin, and during that fortnight tho telegraph has been out of work. We write in no captious spirit. It is not doubtud that the gentlemen charged with the practical administration of the telegraphic department, do their best for tho accommodation of the public. But if the breaks that have been experienced since tho opening f the West Coast line are likely to be of frequent -recurrence, as they appear at present to be, it will be absolutely necessary, in justice to tho public, that the line should be surveyed, the causes of interruption investigated, and any engineering or constructive defects at once remedied.

Wo havo great pleasuro in drawing public Mention to an advertiscmont from Mr.Prossor, nliinatiiig his intention to moot tho olectora ol lokitikn nfc tho Shaksporo on Friday ovenhi", and to visit tho Grey on tho Monday evenhig following. Mr. Prosser makes no statement of his proposed course of notion at the prcsout juncture, but it may bo lioped that tho mooting ho hus convened will not soparato without Boino practical measure being organisod to Bceuro tho representation of tho district. Wo aro sorry to learn that tho poor follow, nnmo unknown, whom wo reported a day or two back as being found by Oonslablo'Whylo in a tout on Gibson's Quay, in a stato of cxtromo emaciation, and who was tho next day removed to the hospital, lies in a very procurious slato, and notwithstanding tho careful tending h6 has received, littlo hope it entertained of his recovery. Sinco his admission to tho hospital he hits had a succession of opiloptio fits. Tho other sufferer, Grogan Johnson, whoso caso excited so muck attention the other day, is doing well under tho nourishing remedies ndministored to him, and is expected soon to bo all right again. Yesterday nfternoon, four men were brought into town from tho Tororaakau in custody, charged wiili having assaulted Mr Kleis, landlord of the Teremakau Hotel, It appeared that on tlio previous evening they entered his houso and called for liquor, which they afterwards refused to pay for, and a row ensuing thonssuilt complained of was committed. Information having been laid, some mounted constables went out and arrested them. Tho caso will como boforo the Bench to-day. A few days ago a lad about sixteon years of ngo, Iho son of one of our principal hotel keepers, mot witli a very serious accident Whilst cutting bread with ai harp pointed pocket knifo ho accidentally plunged the knife into his wrist, severing the main artery. The sufl'cror was immediately carried to the house of a medical gontleman, who bound up tho wound to stop the bleeding, whioh was most profuse, and wad then taken to tho hospital, where Dr. llyloy attended tho case, and hating put the lad under tho influenco of chloroform, performed tho opoiation of tying tho radial nrfcery. Wo aro happy to stato that, tho patient is doing well, and al- hough ho has suil'ored some mental excitement, in coiibequonco of loss of bio id, ho is now able to go about with his aim in a sling. Tin's wo believe is the second operation of tho same kind that hns been porf rined at tho hospital within tho last two months.

A formidable additional list of signatures against tho "sixpenny nobblor movement." appears in our advertising columns. It is ovidont that tho great bulk of our hotel kcopors are making common causo. Tho issue of course lies ultimately with tho public. <■ We havo much pleasure in noting tho formation of another mining company at tho Kanieri, who havo mado tho preliminary application for registering undor tho Mining Companies Limited Liability Act of '00. Tho " Kaniori Steam Drainage" is tho naino of tho company, tind tho scono of their operations is on Commissioner's Flat. Tho names of tho shareholders in full may bo scon by areferenco to our advertising columns, also tho declaration of tho company. Wo wish tho Kaniori Stoam Drainage Company evory success.

_We extract |the following passages from a notice in the Melbourne Argus of the late Mr Win. Clark Dailies, who, from tho foremost, and honorable position ho occupied in Victoria during a long term of years, commencing— as far as his ollicial life was eonsorned— with the ciisis uhioh culminated in tho Ballarafc riots, when ho bucjceeded Mr. Foist or, and was tho first secretary in Australia who receive'l his appointment otherwise than by nomination from Uowning-stieet— to his subsequent rctiiemcnt on ho difeat of the O'Shanassy-cnm-Haines Ministry, ought not to be allowed to drop readily out of public noto :— " William Clark Hainos was the f>on of a London suigeon. He landed in tho colony about twenty years ago, and for tome time after Jijs arrival he carried on farming operations on tho Barrabool Hills. On the separation of tho Port Philip district from N««r Mouth Wul«s, and its emotion into tin

independent colony, Mr Huincs was created a tciTitorial>a«ihtr,ite. He was also solecled by Governor La Tioho as n non-elective mom her of the Legislative Council— a bo,dy which consisted of ten nominees and twenty elective members. This appointment was not held long ; it was relinquished at tho closo of twelve months. However, in June, 1853, when an increnso was made in the number of members of tho Council, Mr Haines again took part in- tho deliberations of that body— notas a nominee inemher, but as a representative of the electors of Grant, tho county in which his property was situate. During that, session, Mr. llnincs secured tho passing of a bill to restrain tho careless uso of tfro ; mid his appoinlmont ns a member of tho select committee chosen to framo. a new constitution was a tribute to his business qualifications. Owing (o administrative oxtravagunco, Mr. J. V. F. L. Foster was romovod from tho post of Colonial Secretary in Deeombor, 1854, and Mr llainos was requested by Governor Sir Charles Hotham to fill tho vaoant office In November, 1855, tho Governor roceived despatches announcing that tho Act giving a constitution to Victoriahad passod tho Imperial Legislature, and had been assented to by tho Queen, and that for tho fulu'ro tho colony would havo a Parliament, consisting of two chambers, to whom Iho Government of tho day would bo responsible Sir Charles Ilotham was not disposed to part wirh tho Ministers then in power, but in ordor that thoy might continuo in their seats without prejudice to tho now order of things, His Excel' lenoy released thorn from ofneo ono day merely to recommission tham tho next. By this operation, Mr. ITaincs was converted from a " Colonial" into a " Chiof " Secretary. Tho expiring Legislative Council was sitting at tho time, and remained in session until tho 20th March following, the chiof business transacted being the adoption of tho measures necessary for olecting Iho members for the two Houses provided by tho Constitution Act. Tho oloctions took placo in Soptcmbor and Oetobor, 1856 5 and Parliament met on tho 21st November in that year. One of tlio first measures introduced by (ho Government was an Electoral Act Amendment Hill, which was referred to v select committee, and ultimately becamo law. That measure providod for tho oxtonsion of tho fmnchiso toovory adult malo, a provision which has idontiliod tho name of Mr Haines with manhood euftragoin Victoria. On tho 3rd March, 1857, on tho ordor of tho day for tho Ilouse going into commilteo of supply, Mr O'Slmuassy movod a resolution disapproving of tho conduct of tho Government in obtaining a voto for immigration purposes, which exceeded by L 150,000 tho sum proposod to be oxpondod on that Bervico. Mr O'Shanassy's motion was carried by twenty vino to twenty tlireo. Sovoral lion mombors (including Mr David Moore) argued that tho voto was not ono of no confidence in tho Ministry j but Mr Haines dcolarod it would bo regarded as such, and accordingly Iho Government resigned. Mr O'Shanassy was then entrusted with (ho formation of a Ministry. Mr llainos subsequently roturnod to olllco, and in tho sossion of 1857—8 his Ministry sought to provido for a romodolling of tho electoral districts, on tho basis of population and industry j but tho schedule to thoir bill was rejected, and in conscquonco Mr Haines resigned, and Mr O'Shanassy ngain assumed tho reins of power. For the roinaindor of tho session Mr Haines continued in Parliament, but during Iho subsequent rocoss ho resigned his seat for South Grant, and sailed for England. Ho was absent from tho colony about two years, and whilo away ho paid a visit to America and Canada. On his return to Victoria Mr Haines joined with Mr- O'Sbnnnnsy in tho iormation of a coalition Ministry, and took tho portfolio of finance. Tho existence of that Government was marked by tlio passago of somo of (lie most important measures which lmvo distinguished our legislative annals. Among them were tho Land Act of 1862, tho Common Scluols Act, tho Krai Property (Torrens's) Act, tho Municipal Corporation Act, (ho Local Government Act, and Iho Electoral Act. At tho Intor-colonial conference on tho subject of a uniform tariff, hold in 1863, Mr Haines was ono of tho Victorian delegatos. On tho accession of tho M'Culloch Ministry, in ,1 une, 1803, Mr Hdines again went 1 into Opposition 5 but at tho close of tho general election of 1864 ho found himself without a scat— Portland, which elected him though an absentee in 18G0, now rejecting him for a gentleman utterly 3trango to publii life. Mr Humes subsequently was in 1856 returned to tho Legislative Council, of which Houso ho \vn.s a member at tho time of his death. Mr Haines was closely identified with tho Anti-Transportalion movements of- 1853 and 1863. Ho was a great promolor of acclimatisation, and held for somo time tho position of president of tho Victorian Society. Ho was likewiso a warm patron of athletic' sports, particularly cricket, and took an immonso in I crest in the inlornnlionaland intercolonial matches. At tho time of his death ho was tho provincial grand master of the Scotch section of freemasons—a distinction which ho had occupied for a lengthened period. As an inenmbont of oflico nt tho time tho Constitution Act camo into operation, ho onjoyed for somo yoars a pension of £1,000 per annum. Warm-hearted and tlebonnaire, ho was a good specimen of tho English gentleman, and his place in our colonial society will long be unfilled." Tho robuko of Mr Justice Grcsson, tho remonstrances of tho press, and tho loud muriimrings of an indignant public at tho wretched gaol accommodation providod in Hokitika havo had their effect, tho Government at last having rousod itself, , and issued a contract for tho erection of a now gaol in tho suburbs of tho township. Tho sito chosen for tho now building is on Iho tcrraco immediately adjoining (ho comotery, whoro a considerable area has not only boon cloared of timber, but some progress made with tho struct uro itself. Wo visited tho locality yesterday, and thoro found a number of men busily omployod, some carrying sheets of iron and o'thor material up tho winding pathway leading to (he graveyard, whilst a gang of carpenters were haul at work using it up. At present there are two buildings in hand, one the gaoler's residence, which is nearly finished, tho other being tho gaol, or raher ono wing of it, for on making enquiries of Mr Buchanan, the contractor, we wero informed that ho believed it was not tho s intention of the Government to do more than provide suoh extra accommodation as tho exigencies of the times necessitated. It ivas thoroforo deoided to eiect one wing only, and if from that wo may form an estimate of tho rest of the building, it must needs he confessed that when completed in its ontirety, it will bo not only commodious but most fiandsomo. It is, howover, with tho wing only wo tiro at presont engaged, and this is of an'oblong shapo, 4/1 loot in longth by 22 foot in width. Tho walls between tho two platos aro 10 foot high and tho oxtreme height from floor to ridgo. 15 feet. It is dividod into oight colls, eaoh 8 feet by 10 feet, and built in a most substantial nmnnor, nothing but 6 in. by 5 in. timbor being used lor tho framework. Tho frame for the roof is not yot built, tho lower frame only having been complo(od, but tho contractor believes ho will havo finished his part of (ho work in a fortnight. Corrugated iron will bo used to cover it in, but tho lining nißido will consist of Btrong ono-oigh(h of an inch sheet iron, which will bo further lined with tongucd and grooved bourds. Ouco safe msido thoro will bo littlo fear of tho prisoners escaping, but a fctrict wtilch'will bo needod whon thoy aro out for oxoreiso or at work, as tho donso bush surrounding the olearing offors the most tompting inducomont for a bold dush, aud onco fairly in its recesses a runaway nood hnve litUo fear- of a ro-enntura. W©

certainly think a strong palisado should bo orccteel round tho cleared spneo from eight to ton feet in height, which would prove effectual in keeping the prisoners within bounds. The gaoler's residence ismcrelyafrnmo covered with iion, and is 29 feet long by 13 broad. It will consist of two apartments, one of which will bo used tis a kitohen, where tho prisoners' food will boproparod until further accommodotion is provided. It is to bo hoped that this wing is niorely the commencement, and that tho rest of the structuro will, as soon as possible, be pushed forward, for at tho outsido not moro than forty men should ever be confined in it, and that in our estimation is eight too many. Four to oach cell would be amply sufficient ; for when that number is exceeded, crowding commences. Wo, however, shall leserve further comments until a future dny, when the intentions of tho authorities aro moro olearly expressed . At tho same time, wo aro glad to sco tho work so far advanced, and trust nothing will occur to retard its completion. Tho annual roport of tho Acclimatisation Socioty of Viotorja speaks in tho following terms of tho cxperimont for tho acclimatisation of Salmon in Australia :--" Tho Counoil havo groat ploasuro in being able to congratulate tho Society on tho oontinuod success of tho Balmon experiment. Tho object which tho Council had in retaining a small portion of tho ova in Melbourne has boon fully accomplished. Tho oxporimont of putting tho youug fish into tho Badgor Greek wus mado with a viow of ascertaining whothor tho tributaries ofthoYarra was suitable by temperature and by natural character to servo as the homo of tho salmon in tho fresh water stago of its oxistenco. That oxp'orimonl has been ontiroly successful. It has boon shown that tho young salmon may bo kept in porfect health and condition in tho waters of tho Yarrn, and that up to tho seagoing stage at least, there is no natural impodimonfc to tho acclimatization of tho fish in Victoria. Tho fow fish which were placed in tho Hadgor Greek woro turned into tho Yami ; in May, having been of a siao and condition to warrant tho Council iv belioving that they would bo ablo to thrivo in tho opon river. Those fish should havo procoodod to sea about Octobor lust, and a fow of them, according to their habit, ought to roturn to tho rivor as grilso in December or January. Of course, nothing can bo known with certainty as to their presont condition, nor can it bo expected that the fow who woro tho subjocts of tho oxperimont aro to bo regarded as having stockod tho rivor. Enough, however, has been proved by tho small experiment which tho Council has made, that thoro aro no insurmountablo difllculties in tho way of tho ultimato naturalization of tho salmon in tho Victorian rivers. In Tasmania, which has beon mado tho principal soafc of tho oxperimont for thoso colonios, tho success lias been most gratifying ; both tho salmon and trout may bo looked upon as established thoro. With a viow to huston tho benefits likely to onsuo through tho introduction of theso lishes, tho Taßinanian Govornmont havo again voted a sum of £800 lor a further introduction of ova. This amount has been supplemented by the Council of this Society with £100, so that Victoria will largely participate in all tho advantages of tho expected accossion of fish. Tho Council aro glad to bo ablo to inform tho Society that Mr J. A. Yfhilhas, iv conjunction with Mr Edward Wilson, again consented to undortuko tho arduous and important task ol superintending the collection and shipment of tho ova in London." Wo havo again, says tho Qrey River Argus, tho painful duty of recording a fatal accidont which occurred on Monday, by which a miner named Michael Mulvihill lost his lifo. Dooeasod was travelling from Maori OuUy to tho Waimea Creole, nnd it is supposed ho missed his road, it being dark at the timo, and foil clown a deep prccipioo, his death being probably instantaneous. His body was found yostcrdiiy and brought down to town where it now lies awaiting tho Coroner's inquest. Tho deconsed was a nativo of County Kerry, Iroland, and was about 28 years of age. sßy v, private loiter from tho Knramea tho Grey lUver /Irgus has news to the 10th current, at which period nothing had been struck, although sovoral parties woro out prospecting. Tho original passengers by tho Constanco wero much astonished to find thomselves so closoly followed by about 50, who had proI'ccdod honco by tho Eleanor to tho Buller, but these also soon loft the maidon township and proceeded inland. Our correspondent writos that as soon as anything tangiblo has boon struck ho will make us awaro of it as early as possible Inspector James, who has for* somo timo past beon stationed at Christchtirch, hns arrived at Groymouth to take chargo of tho Tolico Force in that district. Tho business in tho Kcsidont Magistrate's Court yesterday was not of any public interest. Tho Bench sustaiuod in one enso tho ruling boforo given, that nobblcrs supplied over tho bar could not be recovered by action for debt except under special circumstances. Tho Lioness whilst at anchor in tho roadstead on Monday last made a disoovory that may influence- to a very great oxtont tho futuro of Wostlnnd, and in the moantimo prove an immonso boon to its inhabitants by supplying thorn with wholesomo nnd delicious food, besides giving riso to a new industry. Hitherto tho bolioi Ins beon eurront amongst us that this part of tho const is dostituto of any kind of lish, savo a description of herring and a fow small floundors, which aro confined to tho rivers. Tins however is now proved to bo a mistaken idea, for on her return to tho rivor, tho Lioness brought in two splendid codfish, woigliing at least six or seven pounds each. Captain Whitford stated ho believed thoro were plenty inoro whore- thoy wero caught, as tho linos had only boon thrown over just boforo tho anchor was lifted, and tho fish sooinod to bito frcoly. .Thoso who tasted thorn pronounced their flavour as excellent, superior, in fact, to any other fish thoy had over eaten on tho coast. Wo sco no reason why our markots should not for tho future bo well supplied with this nutritious articlo of diet, as thoro aro many idlers amongst the community to whom tho occupation of fishing would bo most congonial, and there aro also plenty of small craft admirably adapted for tho pursuit, which might bo more profitably employed supplying our markets with fish than doponding on low and uncertain froighte to tho Groy or Okurita. A good deal of stir was caused in town yoslerday on tho fact becoming known that two well known storekeopors of tho Groy had suddonly taken their departure from their placo of business, without having first sottlod several heavy claims upon thorn, ofsomo of tho commorcial mon of Hokitika. Tho Resident Magistrate signed a warrant yesterday morning, and an ofHoial was at onco dospatohed to Nelson by tho Wallaby, to demand tho company of tho absontoos on his return trip.