IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

West Coast Times, Issue 177, 13 April 1866, Page 2

IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

The usual weekly meeting of the Improvement Committee was held at Bracken's Qucenstown Hotel last evening. The following members were present— Messrs Eickc, Anderson,' Bracken, Clarke, Ecclesucld, Palmer, and Prossev. Mr Clarke having been voted to the chair the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. It was then moved by Mr Ecclesh'eld. seconded ■by Mr Bracken and carried—" That Messrs Anderson and EickcJ be requested to gather as much information as possible respecting the land regulations of the province, and lay the same before the next meeting of the Committee." The following letter from his Honor the Superintendent, concerning the formation of a llokitika Municipality was read— " llokitika, March 28th. "Sir, — On reconsideration I am of opinion that sufficient powers exist to constitute the town of Hokitikaa Municipality, but there seem to bo certain peculiarities in the case of this town which will probably render it desirable to pass a special ordinance for the purpose. " On my return to Christchurch the matter shall be thoroughly investigated, and a copy of the Municipal Council Ordinance forwarded for your information and fuidance. Any suggestions made by the mprovement Committee will be duly considcrcd. I have the honor, &c, Samuki, Beamy, Superintendent. Samuel Palmer, Esq., llokitika." It wao then moved and carried — " That the letter be received." Another letter from the Provincial Secretary, which accompanied a copy of the Municipal Council Ordinance, was read. Mr Palmer moved and MrJßracken seconded—" That the letter be received and replied to." Carried. Mr Prosser proposed and Mr Palmer seconded—" That steps be immediately taken to prepare a petition to the Superintendent for the purpose of having llokitika declared a Municipal District, and that Messrs Eicke, Palmer, Ecclesfield, and the mover, for a sub-committee to carry out the object." Carried. Moved by Mr Prosser, seconded by Mr Balfour and carried,— That the clerk be directed to write to Mr Sale requesting him to furnish this Committee with a copy of Mr Balfour's report on the River and Harbour works of Westland, and also that he write to the Provincial Secretary requesting that copies of the Government Gazette be forwarded regularly. Moved by Mr Eicke, seconded by Mr Bracken, and carried—" That Messrs Anderson and Palmer be a deputation to wait upon Mr Sale, respecting the improvement of Beach street and the right-of-way leading into it from lievell street, next the Empire Hotel." Moved by Mr Prosser, seconded by Mr Palmer, and carried—" That Mr Sale be written to, and the necessity urged upon him of at once proceeding with the formation of a road or track from the south bank of the river to I<agoon town,"

As an instance of tho faoility with whioh acoidonts may .happen, says tho Christohurch Mail of tho 4th inst., wo adduce a case that occurrod in port to-day. Mr Walter Camoron (of tho ilrm of Camoron Bros.), lighterman, was this morning on board the lighter William, • assisting at tho discharge of some goods. Fooling thirsty, ho was about to tako a draught of water, when a man on board recommondod his mixing it with some of tho contents of a bottle whioh ho supposed to bo lhno-juico. W. Camoron did so, and swallowed a portion of tho mixture. Ho immediatoly exclaimed, "I am poisoned." On oxaming tho bottlo, ifc was found to contain ohlorido of zino, considered to bo a currosivo poison of tho worst class. With great proeenco of mind, W. Cameron aoized hold of a small bottlo of castor oil, which providentially was at hand, and swallowed half tho contents. Ho was thon assisted homo in a vory fooblo stato, and brought up a quantity of tho poisonous stuff. Prompt assistance was rondorod to him, first by Mr Fussell, ohemist, who administered whites of eggs aud other antidotes •in tho first instanco ; after which, Drs Donald aud Mottloy arrived aud took tho caso in hand. It is oxpootod that tho measures so promptly takou will prove offioacious, as ho is alroady considorod out of danger.