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West Coast Times, Issue 335, 19 October 1866, Page 2

/Three thousand five hundred ounces of gold dust was yesterday brought up by the escort from Ross. Of this amount, 1500 ozs. was purchased by the Bank of New Zealand, 1000 ozs by the Bank of New South Wales, and 1000 ozs by the Union Bank. /

-The fire engine for the Hokitika Brigade was landed from the Alma yesterday afternoon, and in the evening at seven o'clock the members of the Brigade mustered in force to convey it to the engine-house in Revell street. The ceremony of christening it, however, was first gone through, and to Mrs Mumtord (Julia Muthews) was deputed the honor of naming the first fire engine ever lauded upon We^t Coast shores. Accompanied by several lady friends, and surrounded by the Brigade, who ( formed a cordon about the engine, Mrs Mumford performed her part by breaking a bottle of v champagne and naming the engine .the, " Victoria." She declared that it afforded her much gratification to officiate upon such an auspicious occasion, but trusted the town would be long spared that calamity which would bring the services of the engine into requisition. .Mrs Mumford was responded to by three hearty cheers from the Brigade, which were followed by three more for the fair lady, and three for the " little^ Mumfords." The engine was then removed to the edge of the wharf, for the purpose of testing its powers, and the result was most satisfactory, as a jet of water — which reached half way to Revell street — was thrown over Messrs Royse, Mudie, and Co.'s store, and the Swan Hotel. Then the order to limber up was given, aud at double- quick time the engine >was dragged along Revell street to the Odd Fellows' Hotel, where the Brigade went through dry practice, and then returned to the engine-house. The evening's proceedings were a great success throughout, and we congratulate the Brigade in having secured such an excellent machine. Captain Millard assures us that it is perfect of its kind, and in capital condition, and being light and easily managed just the tiling required for Hokitika. It. is one of the many constructed by Mr Merryweather, whose fame as a builder is so wide spread. We, however, heartily echo the wish expressed by Mrs Mumford, that the services of the engine may never be required iv this inflammable town. / The establishment of a police station at Stafford Tcwn was the signal for the desertion of that locality by a great many disreputable characters, who shifted their quarters to the more open country bordering on the sea beach at the foot, of the Waimea track. Their presence was soon felt there, as several daring robberies aud petty thefts were committed during the end of last and the beginning of the present week. An audacious theft was perpetrated upon an unfortunate butcher, who slept in a small tent adjoining the shop whiolT was occupied by his "partner. On Monday morning last, he rose at an early hour, and was absent from his domicile for a short time. Judge of his astonishment when returning to find the tent gone, and a round of beef which was hanging to the ridge-pole. He made close search in the neighborhood, but failed to discover the slightest trace of the marauders. The late heavy floods have not been unattended by loss of life, as at least one unfortunate was swept into'the Tcremakau and drowned, and it Is feared that there are others who shared the same fate. Sergeant Wilson, officer in charge at the Rangiriri station, reported during his recent visit to town, tbat on Saturday last he saw the body of a man floating down the Teremakau, just opposite its confluence with the Rangiriri. The body was dressed in brown clothing, and apparently once belonged to a man of considerable height. A constable was despatched from' town to the Teremakau, to search for the remains, but failed to find them. The benefit of that clever comedian, Mr Allen takes place on Wednesday next at thd Prince of Wales Opera House, under the immediate patronage of the officers and brethren of the Pacitic Lodge of Hokitika, who will, we believe, attend in full masonic costume. The pieces chosen for the occasion are excellent, and the evening promises to be productive of much enjoyment and laughter.

Official notice has been served upon those persons who occupy sections on the Police Camp Reserve, Weld street, to remove their buildings by the 25th inst.

Late accounts from the Arahura rush are not of the most satisfactory nature, as a great many duffers have been bottomed there, totally disproportionate in number to the payable claims in hand. From this it is inferred that eirtier the lead is exceedingly narrow, or that it is disconnected, and consists of scattered patches only. We incline to the latter supposition 1 . It is reported that good gold has been struck iv the~ neighborhood. We hear — but do not vouch for the authenticity of the statement — tbat a party of diggers who are tunnelling into the first high ten-ace back from the sea* beach, struck washdirt which yielded 5 dwts. to the pan.

Last night our respected townsman, Mr Chas. Vcith, held a ball at the Cafe de France, which was well attended, aud passed off with great eclat Ample justice was done to the good things provided, and dancing w&9 kept

up to a very early hour this morning. Every person seemed well pleased, iincl the harmony that lms characterised this, as well as the forme i 1 b:i'l given by the proprietor bf the Cafe de Fiance, should bo a sufficient guarantee for tho future. Wo congratulate Mr Yeith upon the means of enjoyment by him provided. .

The sad intelligence of ihe sudden demise of the lute Captain RandalJ, commander of tho steamship Otago, reached this town on Tuesday lust. As an old and valued servant of the Panama Company, a smart seaman, aud courteous gentleman, his death will,, .we feel sure, be deeply regretted. As a mark of respect to his memory, the different vessels at tho wliarf hoisted their colors half-mast, and those at the shipping agents' offices were also lowered.' It will doubtless bo in the recollection of our readers that a few weeks ago Captain Randall performed 'the daring feat of landing upon tho north beach in an open boat. The following particulars of his death were elicited at an inquest, held upon the body at Port Chalmers. Tbe report is taken from the " Otago Daily Times."' of October 13th :— " An inquest on the body of the late Captain Randall, of the P.N.Z. and A.R.M. Company's steamer Otago, was held yesterday afternoon, by Mr T. M. Hocken, Coroner, at the Provincial Hotel, Port Chalmers. The body had been brought ashore and placed in the Morgue; where it was viewed "by the jury, Captain M'Kinnon being the foreman. The following evidence was afterwards given :—: — Jemima Randall — I reside in Dunedin. The deceased, Thomas Randall? was my husband. We were married on the morning of theJLOth instant, at Christchurch. I left Melbourne with the deceased on the 26th ult. He was master of the steam-ship Otago. During the passage down, I saw him constantly. He seemed to be quite well all the time,, as far as I could see. Tbe Otaso arrived at Lyttelton on the 9th instant, and the same afternoon we went to Christchnrch to be married. We took rooms in the Clarendon Hotel, and he went out with a friend, Mr Lewis, to make arrangements for our marriage on the following morning. * He returned about eleven o'clock at night, or between ten and eleven ; and he then seemed perfectly well, and retired to bis room. . I met him at breakfast at eight o'clock the next morning. He was still quite well ; and after breakfast; we went out to purchase a few trifles. He then complained very much of the heat, and of pain in 'his head. We stepped over to a shady part of the street, not many yards from the hotel, and he looked very strangely at me. I spoke to him, but he did not answei\ and then he commenced to spin round, turned six or eight times, and fell down in convulsions, as I thought. He struggled, and foam came from his mouth. Some gentlemen came to his assiitance, and I fetched water. When I returned, in less than ten minutss, he was not in convulsions, but was insensible. I had him conveyed to the hotel, and he seemed to re-cov^r completely. This was about ten o'clock ; and about twelve, we went to the Registrar's office, and were married by Dr Barker. We returned to the hotel, and he had some champagne. Before we had been in the hotel half-an-hour a buggy arrived, and we drove off to Lyttelton, where we arrived about four o'clock. He went to the Custom House, and elsewhere on his business ; and then we went on board a boat, aud were conveyed to the Otago. We retired to our cabin. He was afterwards away for half an hour, and was on tho bridge, taking the vessel out of port. He then l'eturned to the cabin. v That would be about five o'clock, I think. Dinner was served to us there, alone. During this time he seemed quite well, but once or twice he said that, he wanted rest. He did not make as hearty a meal as usual. After dinner, I fell asleep in one berth ; but before I did so, I saw him, in his own berth, arrange himself for sleep. I awoke about seven o'clock and' called out to him was he asleep. I did so two or three times, but he did not answer ; and then I went to him and tried to rouse him. I could not do so, and I rang for lights. Tlie steward and stewardess came. He was then lying with his face buried in the pillow, his left hand was~dutching part of the berth, aud the other arm was hanging over the side. I believe he was then dead ; for I had tried to lift one of his arms, and it felt quite heavy and cold. I was hurried out of the cabin as soon as the steward aud stewardess had brought lights. Philip Riley, second steward on board the Otago, was examined, and William Clayton, the chief oflicer, was briefly questioned, "without being sworn. Neither of them added any fact to what had already been published, except that Mr Clayton stated that iv two years and a-half, during which he had sailed with the deceased he had seen him in a fit twice : — The coroner stated that Dr Buchanan and Dr Menzies had been summoned ; but they had called upon him and explained that they could not give evidence of any value, as Captain Randall was undoubtody dead before they were called on to give assistance. Such being the caso, he had not thought it necessary to require the attendance of either of the gentlemeji, — John Drysdale, a duly registered medical practitioner, at Port Chalmers, by whom a ponUmvrteni examination had been made, described • the appearances presented by the heart, lungs, and brain ; and said that he had no doubt that d<;ath ' resulted from apoplexy. — The jury at once returned a verdict to that effect. — The funeral took place about half-past three o'clock. Tho body was borne from the Morgue to the Provincial Hotel, and thence to the Cemetery, by the crew of the Otago ; some of her officers being pall- bearers. Amongst those who followed were Mr Clayton, the chief officer ; Mr Broadrick, the Company's agent here ; Captain Thomson, harbor master, aud Captain Dickie, his assistant ; Captains Reuner (Wellington), Jago (Lioness), M'Kinnon, and Malcolm; Mes^sßradshaw, Haugliton, and O'Neill, M.H.R. ; and a number of residents in Duuediu and Port Chalmers. The Rev. E. G. Edwards, of St. Paul's Church, Dunedin, oiliciated."