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West Coast Times, Issue 364, 22 November 1866, Page 2

The Ross Hospital Committee are most active in their endeavoi'3 to provide funds for the support of an institution which has already worked so much good. On Monday next, a concert will be given in aid of the funds, and on Christmas Ere a monster tea meeting for the same purpose. The Wesleyan Church Committee have kindly promised the use of their chapel for the occasion, and have most generously agreed to postpone a i Meeting of their own body, which was fixed tor the same night, to some future date.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court ye^r-i-day, five drunkards were respectively fined in the sum of five shillings, with the usual alternative. Mary Jane Smith, charged with being of unsound mind, was discharged. James Randwick, charged with larceny, and Joseph Evan Whidby, with forgery, were, at the request of the police, respectively remanded till the 24th and 28th instant.

The most praiseworthy efforts are boiug niiiile by tho residents of tho thriving little town of Ross, to establish a Church of Englnml there, nnd wo arc glad to wo that success is likely to attend (hunt. It. is satisfactory to notice that the co-operation of Archdeacon Harper was vory heartily accorded to tho movement, as on the 15th instant lie prosidod at a meeting which was held at Ross for the purpose of forming a committee, and adopting such o*her initiatory moiuurus that might be considered ad visible. The first resolution which set forth the durability of at once building a church, was carried nem. con., after, which a church committee was elected, composed of the following gentlemen : — Messrs Aylnier, Moss, Gow, Lapham, Cornish, Gibson, Kerr, Netherwood, and Monteith. A subscription list was then opened, and L 62 I3s collected from those assembled. Thus there is every likelihood Ihat in a few weeks a third church will be opened on the West Coast, and wo hope that our Greymouth friends will not be backward in adding a fourth to the number. But although it is comparatively easy to run up suitable edifices, a great difficulty will we fear be experienced in providing a suitable minister, as to obtain one direct application must be made to Englaud. At present the Archdeacon is the only church minister on the coast, and of course he will find it impossible to hold a regular Sunday service in more than two churches. He directly alluded to this when addressing the Ross meeting, but said that he expected an assistant from England about Christinas next, when either one or the other would officiate at Ross every fortnight. In the interim he should be most happy to hold service at Ross once during the week on an ordinary day. He urged upon the meeting the desirability of active measures, and hoped that by the time tho church was completed he should be able to alford thorn a fortnightly service. Several gentlemen spoke to the subject, and in expressing an anxiety to forward the work, seemed but to echo the wishes of the large and influential body of citizens assembled, and the hearty vote accorded to the chair attested that the presence of Mr Harper was thoroughly appreciated. On the following day a committee meeting was held, and Mr Monteith elected secretary, and Mr Lapham treasurer. Tho district was then divided into four parts; and two committee men ap pointed to each, to thoroughly canvass for subscriptions. Our very best wishes go with them. The " Grey River Argus " of Tuesday informs us that " The excessive wet weather of the last week or ten days has had the effect of cutting off almost nil communication with the up-river diggings. A few men have come in from the Pakihi during the week, and from them and from other sources we learn that the most important diggings in that neighborhood are likely to bo at Fox's River, or as it is called by the Maoris, the " Ana-o-iuufuku" river, distant about ten miles from the Pakihi. We have information of a fully reliable character that a very large rush has occurred to the beach north of Fox's River, on a line of high teri races very similar to Herbert's terrace, belyond the Darkies, on the north beach of the Grey. The prospeete are said to be very good, twelve feet stripping, black sand wash. Mr Warden Kynnersley, who is on the diggings, is establishing a police camp at Fox's River, and is causing roads and tracks to be cut in various directions At 'tho Pakihi things ure said to be quiet but steadier, and the impression is gaining ground (hat it will be a pluce of some permanence for a limited population." We would remind out' readers that that admirable institution, the Savings Bank, will again open to-day, in the old Courthouse, Revell street, for the transaction of business. Deposits will be received between the hours of 2 and 4 o'clock in the aftci* noon. At a late hour last night information was received at the Police Camp, that the body of the boy, John Day, had been thrown up on the bench, close J.o the Totara lagoon. A pucker, whose name has not transpired, made known the circumstance to a boatman named Clarke, and stated tlmt tho remains were vemoved to the punt on the Totara River. We presume the inquest will beheld either to-day or to-morrow. Cobb and Oo.'s Chvistchuveh coach arrived iv town in advance of time yesterday evening, and landed the mails ia good condition. The driver reports the road to be in excellent orier, and no difficulty was experienced passing over the damaged places at Rocky Point and the Waimakariri. At Rocky Point a gang of men are at* work re-cutting the road, and at the Waimakariri a large party are employed constructing a road which, when completed, will do awaj with the necessity of crossing that stream. The following passengers arrived by coach last night : — Mrs Keig, Messrs Duke, Osborne, Wilson, Burr, Neilson and J. Neilson. The beach road between nokitika and Gtc\ mouth is "n a very bad condition through the Hooded state of the numerous small creeks intersecting it, and the prevalence of quicksands on their banks. The Grey coach was detained nearly four days, a", bince Saturday morning, no conveyance reached JJokitika until Tuesday evening. We hope that it will be a long time ere another such delay occurs. Evidences of murder appear to be daily coming to light. The " Grey River Argus," of the 20th iust., mentions the following circumstances relating to another supposed tragedy :—": — " We have received information which leads us to the belief that another foul murder has beeu committed on this coast. On Thursday last a party of men, while working at the new rush at Fox's River, were informed by a digger that while passing along the beach he saw tlie body of a man cast up by the surf. With praiseworthy alacrity the men at once proceeded to the spot, indicated, and there found tho remains of the deceased. The trunk of the body alone was left, the legs and the top of the head were gone, and the features completely obliterated. The lower part of the arms were perfect, but the upper part appeared to have been eaten by lishes. On turning over the body, the men observed a deep incised wound about two inches long in the right breast of the deceased, which presented all the appearance of having been done by a sheath knife. When this was noticed, the men present — W. Harvey, C. Craddock, R. Wedilal, P. Stewart, P. Shield, and A. Callen — formed themselves into a jury, and made a minute examination of the bu>dy, previous to burying it, as they were on a lonely pan of the beach, and far from any police assistance. The particulars were carefully noted down, as

the men felt convinced that tho doceased had been murdered, and wore transmitted by a special messenger to Mr Warden Kynnersloy at the Pakihi on the following day. Tho decoasei was a tall man, with dark brown hair aud sandy whiskers ; the body had the appearance of not having been long in tho water." By way of California and Sydney we have received New York dates to tho 4th September. Wo extract the following item : — " Tho following despatch was received to-day, and is believed to be the first instance in which a message has been sent from mid-ocean to Europe, and thence to America on, the same day : — ' On board steamship Great Eastern, Atlantic, September 4, 1866.— T0 D. H. Craig, General Agent Associated Press, New York. — Just received telegrams from London, saying there is a serious outbreak in Canada. Please advise me accurately by cable, via Heart's Content and Valentine, in regard to the same. We expect to arrive at Heart's Content, Saturday next. All going on well.— Cyrus W. Field.' " A meeting was held at Gibson's Victoria Hotel, Revell street, last evening, for the purpose of forming an Amateur Dramatic Club. The attendance was good, and the rules submitted by Mr Watkins for consideration were adopted. The next meeting will take place at the above named hostelry on Monday, the 26th November. The " Grey River Argus" says : — "The Nelson and Canterbury Governments have not yet oomo to any definite understanding with regard to an equitable division of the gold and customs duties collected at the Port of Greymouth. Messrs Kynnersley and Sale have been appointed by the respective Governments to examine and report on the subject. We hear, however, that those gentlemen take decidedly opposite views of what they consider to be the basis of an equitable arrangement, so that it is very probable the question will have to be settled in another way." The " Provincial Government Gazette," of the 15th inst, contains a notification that Michael Albert Cassius, Esq.. has been dtdy elected a member to represent the town of Hokitika in the Provincial Council, in the room of Richard Reeves, Esq. , resigned ; and thiit Jeremiah Joucsj George Cozens, and David Jones of Hokitika, have been duly licensed as auctioneers. The annual races at Loithfield appear to have been a success, according to the Cln-iat-church papers. The first event was a hurdle race, for which there were four entries, but only three came to the post ; Pre-emptive Right refused the first leap, and at the second Banshee baulked and threw her rider, leaving the raco to be won iv a canter by Mr W. D* Barnard's Brown Stout. Tho hack hurdle race, for which there were three entries, was won by "Mr Paget's Dilemma. The Sefton race was one by Mr Ashley's Don Pedro. For the Hat race five horses started, Mr Webb's Presto winning, hard held, by twenty lengths. In this race an accident occurred, Pre-emptive Right's saddle slipping back and. turning round, which caused the jockey to be thrown wiih great force to the ground, where he was galloped over and seriously hurt. The " Grey River Argus" reports :—": — " Mr Dobson, the Provincial Engineer, is on an official visit to the West Coast. He is expected in Greymouth shortly to examine the river bank, aud report to the Government as to the best means of preventing the inroads of the river. We understand that Mr Haast, the Provincial Geologist, is also coming to Westland on a professional tour." The "Evening Mail" of the 16th iust. says : — " On Wednesday night, about eight o'clock, the Queen's Hotel, Lyttelton, had a narrow escape from fire. As police constable Willis was on duty in London street he discovered 3moke and fire arising from the roof of the balcony of the Queen's Hotel. He immediately ran into the house and gave the alarm, exciting the attention of Mr Cuff, the proprietor, who hastened with him to the spot, and, with the aid of other*, soon extinguished the fire. It «as very fortunate that the fire had not got much hold when discovered. Otherwise, in consequence of the want of water and proper appliances, the consequences might have been serious. The accident can only be accounted for, by some one throwing a lighted match out of the window which ignited tho shingles." The Debating Society met last night to discuss the question of the sale of the waste lands, and how far it would be beneficial to Westland. Judging from the number present, the subject seemed to excite a lively interest among the members and a portion of the public. The discussion, which was opened by Messrs M'Farlane and M'Haffie, was adjourned until Wednesday next. At the close, we purpose giving a digest of the views oxpressed by tho various speakers on this important subject.. The Christchurch papers contain telegraphic intelligence as follows :—": — " Nelson, November 14. The ' Southern Cross ' of November 12, reports a threatened disturbance at Tiiuranga. A party of natives opposed the party engaged in surveying tho confiscated lands. The survey is to be made under the protection of 200 men of the 12th regiment. The natives threaten bloods-lied. The Superintendent of Nelson has announced his intention of resigning shortly, as he is going to England. A meeting of the Provincial Council, summoned to confer on tho railway measure, authorised the Superintendent to offer the use of the railway, when made, to the contractors at a nominal rental. Dfnedin, Nov. 15. — Iv the Provincial Council, Mr Vogcl consented to try to form an Executive, if time were granted, and stated that Messrs Dillon Bell, Maddock, and Mouat had consented to join. The Council adjourned till the 28th. Nov. 16.— The annual meeting of the Southern Steam Navigation Company took place yesterday. The directors, in their report, congratulated the shareholders on the comparatively successful operations of the year. The receipts amount to L 14.325, and the expenditure L 14,282 7s 2d. The new steamer Pareora is expected to arrive in two months. Escort — 7163 ozs. 8 dwts. Wellington, Nov. 16* — The Commodore has returned from the front. It is rumore 1 that there is an estrangement between the Governor and the General. No more fighting has taken place lately, the natives having left. The Governor is at Wanganui. He transhipped the baggage of himself and suito late last night, ostensibly intending to go to Taupo. The Lord Ashley reports the appearance of a large bod) of Hau Haus at Tauranga. The troops were under arms. At Napier, the militia and volunteers were again called out iv consequence of the threatened approach of the Hau Haus.." •• - .• ' •

The building to bo used by the prisoners at the Revell-streot Camp as a moss-room having boon erected, the offices of the Municipal Council have been transferred to tho old Court House, in which the next meeting (on Friday evening) will be held. It is also used as the office' of the Savings Bank.

If (says the " Grey River Argus ") instead of the railway Bchenie, the Government would propose to bridge the rivers between the Grey and Hokitika, it would be doing something that is really needed. At present communication between the two commercial ports of the West Coast is most unreliable, and subject to constant interruptions, to say notliiug o the daugers attending it. The Government ought to do something in the mutter without delay, as it is not probable that even the most liberal encouragement will induce private parties to bridge such streams as the Arahura and Teremakau. It is hardly likely that either of the tramway companies will be able to enter upon works of such a costly character. There only remains the Government to look to, and it is very desirable that the Government should devote some attention to the subject of facilitating communication between Greymouth and Hokitika.