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West Coast Times, Issue 256, 18 July 1866, Page 2

The Memorial Conimittco met at the Cafo lust evening, and the address of condolence to the father of Mr Oreorge Dobson was signed forpresentation, and the Secretary instructed to transmit it to Christchurch by tho first mail. It was beautifully written on vellum by Mr Browning, and reflects great credit upon tho taste of that gentleman. The document reads as follows :—": — " Hokitika, July 14, 1566. — Dear Sir : Wo, the undersigned, members of a committee, chosen at a public meet ing convened by tho residents of Hokitika for that purpose, beg to,convcy to you the sincere sympathy which is felt wilh you in your late bereavement. To the qualities of a useful and talented public servaufc, honest nnd indefatigable in tho discharge of his arduous duties, Mr George Dobson united an amiable and unassmning disposition, which endeared him to all with whom he came into contact. By this expression of deep sorrow at the loss of your son, and by tho reflection that few public servants, so young as he, have earned an esteem at onco so sincere and universal, we trust that the yrief of your family may in come measure be lightened, and beg that you will accept tho heartfelt condolence of the people of Westland. We aro, dear sir, yours very respectfully—Thos. L. Bright, M.P.C., chairman, Jno. S. Browning, B. Prosscr, William 'Shaw, W. M. Cooper, James Rochforfc, Jas. Geo. Ilawkcs.M.P.C, R. Mitchell, Thos. Turnbull, Gerhard Moeller, Mark Sprol, John Whito, E. Winter, H. J. Jones, S. M. South, Edmund Barff, M.P.C., G. S. ;Sale, treasurer, Fred. Eaton, hon. sec." The committee afterwards directed subscription lists to be placed iv the hands of the members, and distributed in the Banks, the principal hotels, and other public places.

By the Dispatch we have Dunedin papers to the llfch instant, for which we are indebted io the courtesy of Messrs Carey and GKllec The contents are very unimportant, the only items of interest being the withdrawal^ of M.v J. H. Harris's candidature for the Mayoralty of Dunedin for the ensuing year, in consequence of the consent of Mr Mason to continue in office if re-elected : and a very brutal assault committed upon Mr Donald lloss, the bailiff, whilst in the dischargo df his duties.

The departure- of the Keera is postponed until to-morrow, which will give her an opportunity of reaching Nebon in time to enable a eupjDlementaiy mail to be taken on to "Wellington for despatch by t'ia Ruahine. Should inducement offer, we understand the Keera will proceed on to Wellington, from Nelson.

A- rush has set in to Jones' Cro?k Flat on each side of the road that runs from Rosstown towards tho bbach, that promises to be of some importance. Lp«st week a layer of payable drift was struck in a shaft at almost thirty feet, and some very fair prospects obtained. Tin's caused a rush, and, although no other holes have reached tho earae depth as the prospectors', gold has been found in a vein of gravel eight feet from tho surface, out of which fair prospects were obtained.

S(sme new ground ha 3 been opened on a terrace which bounds Commissioner's Flat (Kanieri) to the N.E., and excellent prospects obtained out of the first shaft bottomed, on Monday last. 1 dwt. 13 grs. of gold was washed out of the first dish of dirt, and we hear that the bottom of tho shaft yielded 1 oz. 11 dwts. It is supposed that this is a continuation of the lead lately struck on tho ter. race higher up the flat, as the depth of sink* ing is about the same, and the waehdirt similar in appearance.

On the Bth inst. a man was unfortunately drowned iv attempting to cross the Mikanui, and the day after a body was picked up on the beach neai 1 the Waita River, which, by its fresh appearance, had evidertly not been in tho water longer than a day or two. There is a probability, therefore, that it belonged to the party who waa drowned the preceding day. A. boatman plying on the Waita picked it up and buried it. He describes it as that of a fresh-complexioned young man with light hair, denuded of all clothiug save the remains of a pair of navy duck trousers. As navy duck is not commonly worn in Westlund, tliis fact may perhaps form a clue to its identification.

On the 12th instant a digger, whose name has not transpired, narrowly escaped drowning whilst attempting to cross Cook's Kiver. The stream was not flooded at the time, but it appears he mistook the fording placo, and the current being very rapid and intensely cold, he lost his footing and was swept a considerable distance downward. Fortunately he managed to disentangle himself from a heavy swag which he carried, and, after a desperate struggle, succeeded in reaching the shore. The swag was carried out to sea.