West Coast Times.

West Coast Times, Issue 168, 3 April 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times.

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1866.

Thebe aro no two journals in the colonies, wo believe, that so systematically live on tho pabulum of mutual abuse, as tho. " Lyttelton Times" and the "Canterbury Press.'' Although their editors do not quite descend to the low vulgarism of Eatanswill, they undoubtedly hate each other with a hatred equal to 1 the hatred of the Potts' and the SI arks of that renowned borough. At the present moment the particular subject - matter of their quarrel^ is furnished by Mr Moorhouse 1 and the recent West Coast election. The "Times" thinks that Mr Moorhouse is an honest man, and the " Press" holds the •• Times" to be very shockingly the reverse of a truthteller for calling him so. The " Times" thinks that Mr Moorhouse has saved the province .from a jgreat disaster in preventing "an alien representative from sittinjLfor. a Canterbury seat ; " and tho "Press" holds Mr Moorhouse's triumph to be ono of no worth to him. as a public man, having been gained only over the " editor' of a newspaper that writes nothing but " nonsense." Both papers display about an equal amount of snobbishness in their affectation of superiority for themselves, and for their sido of tho province Tho "T^mcs" congratulates tho two huudred electors of Westland .who have secured for it, in tho person of Mr. Moorhouse, a saviour from the Hfinumorablo wrongs which its public journals havo sot forth ; and the " Press" retaliates injthc following sublime strain: — " It is a pity to find a Christchuroh journal echoing all the nonsense written by the Hokitika newspaper as to the feeling of the miners for the dwellers on this side of the hills. It has been the object of a few traders in Hokitika, and of the newspapers at that place, to abuse the Government of Canterbury, and everything that belongs to it." Those who aro acquainted with thd mining population know that they do not share those feelings, and the proof is that the editor of the newspaper itself which expresses them, not only was beaten in his election by a stranger, but actually was unable to. get moro than 162 persons out of that immense, constituency to take the trouble to vote for him at all. The Westland folk, at all events, do not appear very grateful to the press for expounding to them their wrongs." Holding such an opinion of tho Hokitika journals, it is not surprising that the " Press" should endeavor to get its own " nonsense" from the West Coast, from original sources of its own. Since the failure of its pet project for getting the gold of the Westland fields carried across the range in wagons, protected by musket-proof rifle turrets, exposing only the driver to death in case of a hostile attack from bandits, Westland has dropped out of favor with the " Press. 0 It is true that it expounded a scheme lately for the establishment of a sort of independent government here ; but that was when there was a strong probability of tho district deciding in favor of Separation, whilst a chance remained of its being weaned from that project by a bit of claptrap. The "Press" never accepted the invitation addressed to it, to discuss tho best modo of removing tho obvious practical difficulties that were likely to impede the realisation of its plan, and contented itself with complacently parading every scntenco that oould bo extracted from the West Coast press, capable of a favorable or flattering construction. Having given an extract from one of. the two leading ' Eastland journals upon tho subject of ±his election, wo find the temptation irjj^istablo to quote the following racy pssago from the other. It is now the "Times", that Bpeaks|:— -"Mr Moorhouse found himself nominated against a Mr Shaw, of whom all we know is that ho .

is connected with Otago and Melb6uVnc, and presumably hostile to Canterbury. The Mount Herbert electors will judge for themselvos whether it w6uld haVo boon well that Mr Mo6rhtfus.e, With a prospect of filling the seat for Westland, should have •ddciiMrt to go to tho poll, and havo left It in tho occupation of a 6trafigct s and enemy to Canterbury. Mr Moorhouse has not only won the affections of tho West Coast people for himself, but ho has secured Westland {toeYf ' to Canterbury. He }\as pMehted an alien vepvesontativd from sitting for a Canterbury seat\ Voting with Otago, aivdse'ekirig' lo split up tho province." Many things . aro patent from those extracts, and from tho general tone in which tho lato olection for Westland is discussed in the Christchurch newspapers. Tho first is tho utter ignorance thoy display as to local matters and local men, although "presumably" — as one of them words it — kcptwellpostedup by their ow«.]corrcspondents. The second is the total want of appreciation shown of tho real significance of tho little contest which resulted in the return of Mr Moorhouse, by a majority of forty votes secured for him chiefly fronl Christchurch friends in lldkitjka, whilst on the only goldfiold in which tho voters camo in anything like numbers to tho poll, ho was very far behind indeed. But tho most impressive and most useful lesson we leafn from theso notices of Westland in the Christchurch papers is, the alien feeling towards this district, of which they are the exponent. It is only another proof afforded us that tho f old identity" sentiment is tho one that predominates on tho other side of tho range. The tradesmen and other business people who have not matriculated in Christchurch, but havo come in the spirit of an adventurous enterprise from Otago and Melbourne, to help in the great work of developing tho vast resources .of this district, aro '' strangers " and "aliens," and "enemies to Canterbury." Every " local man " hero comes under this category of denunciation. It is to be regretted that this languago was not used Openly before the late election. In that case, much as Mr Moorhouse's personal and public character was respected, we question greatly if the fact of his being a Christian man would not have proved fatal to his chances of being chosen as the representative of Westlnnd in tho General Assembly. We have too much faith in his political honesty to suspect for a moment that he has any sympathy with the tone of the journals we have been quoting from; but there is something unpleasantly suggestive in the fact that both the newspaper that most warmly support his candidature for the Superintcndoncy, and tho ono that most violently opposes it — whoso two editors' daily employment it is to aliuso each othor — find one only chord of sympathy in thoir depreciation of Westland and its " aliens." It may yet bo found that too little 'heed was paid to Mr Prosser's warning, not to put too much faith in the generosity or justice of tho " other side."

In our present issue will be found an advertisement from Mr Brittan, the Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, announcing that the first sale of* Hokitika Town Lauds will bo hold at tho Supreme Court House this morning, at noon. Wo also publish a letter from Mr MoHoific, complaining, with very great justice, of the practical denial to the owners Qf improvements on sections, of the right of appeal against the official valuations, promised to them in tho Government minute published by us on the 24th February last. Further, -\yo distribute with this morning's " Times," copies of tho official "Conditions of Sale" issued by the Chief Commissioner. Either Christchurch does not speak tho same language or use the samo grammar that obtain on the West Coast, or the " conditions" aro in some respects very much more liberal both to tho present occupiers of land and to speculators, than could reasonably have been anticipated. It appears that certain sections, viz : Nos. 6 ; 945 to 954; 970 t, 985; 1077 to 1080, and 1082 to 1086, inclusive, have had deposits made on them by some person or persons who desire to obtain them from their present holders This is quite witliin the provisions of the Canterbury Land Regulations. It follows that any .present depositor who wishes to buy any one of these Sections, must bid an advance on the upset price, on failure of his doiug which " it will bo knocked down to the occupier at the upset price." The lauguac© is precise and positive. The depositor has no reason for any fear of competition ; no ono will have any right to bid against him at tho auction ; unless the " present occupier" has made his advance of ten per cent. " Otherwise it will be knocked down to the depositor at tho , upset price." A subsequent condition states that every bidder will have to advance ton per ceut upon tho previous bid ; but why should all other bidders than tho present occupier bo excluded from competing in tho auction room with tho depositor, unless the regulation is dictated by a spirit of excessivo consideration for tho interests of tho Speculator ? With reference to tho remaining sections from 316 to 1560, tho condition stated is that " any present occupier' will havo the opportunity of buying these at the upset price ; but in order to do so ho must bid the upset price when the section is offered for sale." If there is any meaning in this, it is clear that all competition as against him, will bo shut out, provided Uo make the proper bid of tho upset price at tho proper time.

Other clauses are les,s hicar. F*or instance ye fail to 'calch tho precise meaning 'of iho statement that "after every sale of ten sections, the purchase money will be received by the Treasurer." What purchase money ? Fpr every ten sections ? And what is tho meaning of " every sale of ten sections" seeing .that, every, section Jife to to be f'put qi singly V" . % Weifttßtthat tho Chief Commissioner will get through his task, and that purchasers nnd bidders will be able to understand what they aro about. Wo must say, however, speaking in all seriousness, that the conditions are exceedingly difficult of preciso interpretation, and that much greater caro should have been, taken m drawing 'them, vp — especially as thoy are annouueed only at the ltlst moment, when thore is no opportunity whatever left of discussing their true meaning. If by tho words "after cvory sale of ton sections tlie purchase money will bo received," it is intended — after tlio fcal'e of every tenth section, the purchaso money for each lot will bo taken from tho buyer — tho consideration suggests itself, What will bo tho effect on the validity of the sale of any section included within the ten, if the purchaser of any other section prove a defaulter ? The clause providing for tho payment in cash or by marked cheques, will necessitate the attendance in the auction room of a ciei'k from eacn df tlie Banks with which intending purchasers, proposing 'that mode of payment, may havo accounts.

Whon tho Konnody loft ' Bruco Bay on Saturday oven ing, a small craft had cleared for Jackson's Bay with tho intention of picking up sonio twenty miners who wore waiting thoro, anxious to find an opportunity of proceeding to tho roported new goldfiolds at Rivor ton. Tho Canterbury Times of tho 24th ult., says : — " Tho committeo of tho Total Abstiuenco Society has mado another attempt to pledge tho mombors to oppose tho election of Mr Moorhouse, and without success. The result of tho meeting was a proposal to caU upon llio three candidates for the Suporintondenoy to explain their viows with regard to subjects spoo ally interesting to tho disciples of total abstinonco. Wo shall be curious to hear why Messrs Lauco and T ravers aro so favourably regarded by a soolion of tho Society in question." Two men wore yosiorday arrosted in town, charged with boing ringleaders in tho late outrage at Bruoo Bay. They camo up as passengers in tho Lioness, biitworo recognised by, wo suppose some of tho sufforors, and pointed out to the police Their ease will bo hoard in tho Residout Magistrate's Oour fc to-day. Mr Kcogh, our lato Postmaster, has boon appointed ono of the Goldfields' Wardons for tho West Coast, and has arrived in 'town, "to commonco tho official duties of that office. Wo beliovo Mr Keogh will 'at onco proceed to Bruco Bay, and relievo Mr Matthow Price, tho Warden of Okarita. Wo loam upon good authority (says tho Wellington Advertiser) that Captain Vino Hall procoeds to England in a few months, and that he willibo succeeded as Managor of tho P.N. Z. & A.R.M. Company hero by Captain 11. B. Bonsou. Wo boliovo, howovor, that the former gontloman will still be conneoted with tho Company in London. Captain Hall is now in Australia, and ho may bo expected to arrive in Wollington about tho ond of April or tho beginning of May, to mako final arrangeinonts." Tho nuinbor of prisoners confined in tho Hokitika gaol on Saturday tho 31st ult., was 41 , classified as follows. Undor committal for trial at tho noxt session of the Supromo Court, 15. Undergoing eontonco, 15. Remandod, 3. Debtors, 8. During tho week onding tho above date, 2 wore committed for trial, 3 sentensed, and 3 debtors imprisoned ; and 4 sentenced mon, 3 dobtojs, and 1 lunatic discharged. 2 who had been merely imprisonod wore also discharged. A now company of gymnasts and trapozo performors havo arrived, tho eolobrated Leotard troupe beiugpnssongorsby tho South Australian from Molbourno. Tho Southland Times says, with rospoot to tho coal on tho Grey Rivor: — "Wo havo tostod tho quality of sorno coal from tho Groy Rivor. It is deoidodly tho best yot produced in Now Zoaland. It burns with a brightness and throws out a heat equal to tho best Nowcastlo. If it can bo obtained in quantity, and wo understand it call, it will bo a valuable addition to tho resources of tho colony. Tho cargo whioh htis arrived is boing disposed of at £4 per ton." Tho Wellington Independent of tho 27th instant, says :—": — " Tho ship Woymouth has been chartered to convoy *tp tho Colony the cable for tho Cook Straits' telegraph. Tho cable was to bo on board tho Woymouth by tho 20th of February. Tho cost of tho manufacturo of tho Telegraph was to bo £20,000, and tho freight, laying down, and maintaining it in repair for a year, would cost £11,000 in addition, making a total of £31,000." Tho Liouoss, whioh loft Bruco Bay on Sunday morning, brings up tho very latest iutolligonco from that locality, and its tonor is such as to causo tho gravest apprehensions that tho result of tho rush will bo moat disastrous. We aro informed by a miner who roturned in hor, that on Saturday night "Dublin Jack" and tho Maorios (who wero the last parties out searching aftor Hunt) had roturned to tho Bay unsuccessful, although thoy very nearly succeeded in capturing him, as thoy brought in with thorn his Bhirt and blankot. Ho, howovor, though so olosoly pushed, succeeded in oscaping them. It is foarod that sovoral minors havo porishod in tho bush, as ono man is known to bo missing, and also that ho is totally unprovided with food or sholtor, savo such as tho forest may afford him. Two moro unfortunates wore loi't bohind by mates who woro too muoh oxlmustod themselvos to aid thorn furthor. Ono of theso mon had unfor«

tunatoly fnllon and broken his leg, and tho other had, through ovor-oxortion, Lursfcablood vessel. Unless quickly found, and resouod thoir fate is sealed. Our informant further stated that tho bolief is rapully gaining ground amongst the diggers that Hunt Iron porpotratod a cruoi and daring hoax upon them in re taliation for tho troatmont ho rocoivod whon on tho Greenstone. Politioal controversy appears to wax hot at tho Wakatip. Tlie Mail refors in tho tormt following to ono of the oandidatoi : — "A gross untruth has been told, a gross untruth has been circulated throughout tho ontiro district comprised in tho Goldflolds Bbr'oug'b'B, tthti wo are in a position to namo tho culprit — Mr Mandors! Again, wo repoat that at tho meeting in Queormtown, whon ho aßsertod that a- 'deputation of squnttora waited on the Executive with regard to tho 28th clauso of tho Goldfiolds Acts Aniondraont Aot, ho did giyo a circumstantial accouut of his convorBation with Mr Moss, tho Provincial Treasurer. This assertion iB neither moro nor less than a political lie— wo do not miucomattors-— a lie ! Mr Moss in a roply to tho lettor sonfc him by Mr M'Redmond, as chairman of tho mooting (we havo to doal with this porsou presently), positively say no suoh deputation over waited upon tho Government. No conversation of tho naturo described could thorofore have taken place. It is useless to go on with reitorations. In a jpormor ar'tiolo,wo said that 6no or tho othor was guilty, '4nd now wo say the guilty ono is MrManders. No languago is too strong; uo languago can be Btrong enough, to oxpress our detestation of Buoh a contemptible, paltry/ ill minded political — lie. Wo aro putting tho best construction wo oan upon it, by calling it a political lio j mon in ordinary lifo might omit tho adjective. Wo aro informed (says the Nelson Colpnitt) that threo of tho Pahania, Now Zoaland, and Australian Steamship Company's boats will bo fcofc apart for a sproial voyage, which will last for three months. Tho route to bo adopted embraces tho four colonies of New Zealand, Victoria, Sydney, and Tasmania. A steamer will lcavo Sydney on tho 15th of every month for Auckland, and go from thence to Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, Otago, and the Bluff' From thence *ho will go to Melbourne, thence to Hobart Town, and returning direct to Melbourne, will await tho arrival of tho English Mail, which she will convoy to tho Bluff; Otago, Lyttelton, Wellington, Pioton, and Nolson. From Nolson she will go to Hokitka, and return again direot to Nelson, from which she will sail for Sydney, and bo ready to repeat the round. Tho tiiuo. to perform theso voyages, will, as wo have said, bo in all three months. Tho intelligence which yesterday roachod us jfrdm Griymouth, concerning the rush to tho Little Grey, is so unsatisfactory and conflicting, that wo wonld most earnestly impress upon minors at a distance tho advisability of waiting awhilo, ore thoy risk a journey to that out of tho way and impenetrable country. From a reliable source, we were informod that tho rush was a failure, and that the Greyinduth people were surprised at the numbers of miners flocking in ; whilst Mr D. Gird wood, who loft Grey town' at the same time, declared that it was currently reported aud'boliovod that the minors on tho Little Groy wero making from 4oz.' to Goz. weekly, and some doing much bettor. Tho Wonga Wonga, wlu'oh loft tho Grey yesterday morning, reports that tho boatmen of that river had all loft for the now rush, and that, in consequence, it was oxpected freights up tho river to tho Twolvo-milo would in a day or two bo raised very considerably. We give theso roports as we get them j but as in a day or two authentic information will bo cortain to arrive, wo think ii most advisablo that in the moanthno no action Bhould bo takon by those who aro meditating a start to tho now field. Wo did hoar, but do not credit, the rumour that a mob of enraged diggers had proceeded to tho office of our contemporary at Greymouth, and demanded the name of the party who had reported tho rush, threatening, in tho event of a refusal, to pull tho offiso down, and throw both editor and type into tho rivor. With roferonco to tho completion of the road across the dividing range, the Lyttelton Times states: — "In August last Mr Hall promisod tho public a" good coach road in three months from that date, but. considering tho onormous difficulties that havo beon mot with, and tho fact that tho late Secretary for Publio Works had very little personal knowlodgo of the faots upon whioh lie based his promise, a delay of four months cannot be considered out of the way. The road itsolf is roported to be in a very fair state, and tho fact that Oobb and Co. havo accomplished the journey well within thirty-six hours spoaks volumos for the truth of the statement. A break occurs in tho journey at the Taipo, which has to be orossed by punt 5 but it is intended to bridge this rivor sooner or later, whon tho journey will bo performed with groater eaao and in less tinio. We trust that tho Government will at once provide additional mall services. At present tho mail runs only onco a wcok, though tho coach passos twico. If, as may bo oxpeoted, the coaches fill well, Messrs Cobb and 00. will no doubt soon make tho servico tri-weekly. Every means should be employed to turn tho largo outlay embarked in tho road to profitable account, and cortainly no coaoh should bo allowod to run without carrying a mail. The population of Wostland is wealthy and busy, and v/o hope to boo Ohristohuroh men of businoss yot make an effort, though lato, to improvo businoss relations with Hokitika." T)jo Okarita Times of the 31 ult. informs us that mining in that district is progressing favorably, although it is caloulatod that 2000* miners had left for tho Bruce Bay ruih. Tho Fivo-inilo Beach was still yioldiug very well, and it is believed that a tocond bottom, or rathor false bottom, will bo found thoro. Very encouraging accounts had arrived from the Lako diggings, whero a good nnmber of minor* wero collcoted and getting hoavy gold, but tho great difficulty of conveying provisisns to tho aotno of operations militated considerably against tho development of tho locality. A traok, howovor, ia in tho couwo of construe'

tion from the township, which will, whqn comploted, prove an immonso boon to, the minors, enabling them to obtain,, provisions afc sdmothing less than' famino prices,^ \ : , 1 „ Tho Southland Times of tho Mh. insiant reports c, dobato in the Provinoiat Council oil v a proposition to re-unite tho Provinco with Otago. Tho dobato was oponod by tho Provincial Troasuror, who moved, " That tho communication of dato 11th January, 1865 relating to a proposal for tho ro-uniou of Southland and Otago, bo taken into consideration." Tho propoim} for re-union was ap l proved by Mcßßr«. Johnson and Hodgkinsblij aftor which Mr Cbw'an moved, " That it is the opinion of thU Council that arc-union of Southlaud and Otago is not at prcsont desirable, Mr Armstrong seconded tho motion, and said ho would sooner be at tho tender iucrcic» of tho General Government tlian lit th'opo of tho Provincial Council of Otago. Mr Cuthi borleon then moved, us an amendment " That tho union of Southland and Otago was not desirablo, and that a respectful Addrc»i bo presented to his Honor tho Superintendent, requesting him to communicate that d<ciiion to his Honor tho Superintendent of Otago." After sovoral other momboru had spokoD, Mr . _ Cowan asked permission to withdraw his motion in favor of tho amendment; *• A most clistre'ssing and mo'laricho'ly evonfc occurred On Saturday night whon the lona, •choOnor, was leaving the river in tow of th Bruco. It appears that tho mato, whoso namo was William Bonnott, just before tho vessel loft tho wharf came on board slightly inobriatod, but not sufficiently so as to prevent him attending to his duty, and as sho was rounding the north spit, ho in Borne unaccountable manner fell overboard. Captain Smith, who obsorvod the occurrence immediately hove him a ropo whiclt ho iriade no "attempt to sei^e, but struck out bravely for the leach. Ho however never reached it, for ho has not since boen soen or hoard of, and moreover the police havo mado every enquiry and search for him, but without avail. The unfortunate man boro an oxcollont character, and Captain Smith states that ho never saw him in the slightest degree intoxicated before; Yesterday inomirig a further detachmont o£ police wero placed under orders to proceed immediately to Bruco Bay; but tho order ' was, at a later hour in the day, countermanded.