West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1566.

West Coast Times, Issue 383, 14 December 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1566.

A prh ate telegi'am received from Christchurch yesterday contains the following items of news on political matters : — All the day has been spent iv conference by the members of the majority on the want of confidence motion. A bitter personal feeling exists between both sides. Mr J. Strange Williams still haugs back, aud twice to-day has made answer that he is still Undecided. Mr Jollies friends are working hard for him, pud a diflictdty is felt because -of the evenness of the votes the other night. Mr Stewart will certainly form a Government, either wit'i or without Mr Williams. If the latter should ha the case there will be plenty of more fighting in the House. Mr Williams is to give a positive answer to-night. Then there will be another week's adjournment, and then the House will havo to work day and night to pass tho Appropriation Bill. before the first of January, as positively requited by the new Audit Act. The appointment^ of Mr Harris, clerk of the Resident Magistrate's Court, Cobden, to the office of Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages for the Distrht of Westland, is gazetted, in the room of Mr Patten, of llokitika. Whilst we are glad this appointment has been made for the convenience of tho Gray district (says tho Argus) we must express our aururisa that the Government should have betrayed such iguorance of the necessities of other places as to imagine that a Registrar at Cobden will answer for the whole of Westland. It appears that until some fresh arrangement is made, persons in Hokitika requiring registration ot cither bii'tlis, deaths, or marriages, will have to come to Cobdeu for the purpose — an arrangement that Avill be productive of immense public inconvenience.

A gentleman who arrived yestcrJny from Fox's River by the p.s. Bruce, gives a very discouraging account of the place, which he describes as frightfully overdone. It is estimated that at the lowest calculation there cannot be fewer than 6000 miners assembled in the vicinity of the river, and of this number not more than 500 are on gold. In fact it is doubtful whether there are so uymy, as only one ttrrace is opened, upoa which from thirty to fifty claims arc on gold. Calculating upon the larger number, and allowing sis men to a elaini, would give 300 only, which it must be admit! ed is a voiy miserable minority indeed. Crowds of diggers, who are loud, in their expressions of disgust at the prospects before them, swarm tho street of tho already extensive township which has sprung into existence upon the shores of Woodpeq^r Bay, and they do not hesitate to aflimi that the rush to Fox's River will iv its results prove no less disastrous than the nover-to-be-forgotlcn atampedc to Bruce Bay.

The " Grey Argus" notices that the Bank of New South Wales has despatched a complete smelting apparatus to Fox's River. This , Avill be a great, convenience to the miners, and advantageous to the Bank, as it is cliieQy owing to the inferior manner in which tho gold has hitherto been smelted, that ha;, led to the low price given by the Banks. Messrs Prichard and Co., drapers, of this town, tire reminding the 'public of the near approach of tho Christmas festivities, by tho insertion of a most alluring advertisement, sufficient to turn the head of every young lady i who reads it. The notice in question is, how- 1 ever, fully borne out by the appearance of the show window of the establishment, as therein may be seen a display of silks, moire antiques, and other dainty materials held iv high favor by the ccx, that would be no disgrace to a first-class London house. Truly the drapers of Hokitika are progressing apace.

On mining matters in the Grey district the " Argus" of yesterday contains the following iteuis: — "We mentioned a few issues ago that a now rush had taken place to Sullivan's Gully, near Red Jack's. We now' learn that an entirely new lead has been opened in that locality, the prospects of widen are excellent. Three days ago there wore about 300 men on the ground, and a new township had been laid off by Mi- Wardeu Lightband who was fcutily engaged settling disputes, and get. ing the diggings into order. The vow lead is situated about one mile above tho old lead. On Monday it was reported in towu that the lead of gold had been traced back from the New River diggings, aud that excellent prospects had been obtained. We refrained irom giving publicity to the rumor until we hud made further enquiry, and we' are now glad to be able to state that it is substantially true. Wo are without precise details, but are asiured that the lead has been recovered, and that consequently a number of those who were intending to proceed to Fox's rush havo made up their minds to remain. The diggings are about a milo and a half from tho deep lead, ou tho top of a terrace near a place called Diamond Gully. Several paddocks have bocn taken out with good results, and it is the opinion that tho diggings will bo payable and lasting."' A Vo extract tho following from the f< Southw#w ft?>s ptas> in tii3 #upwsv Oowr ?$

Saturday. An u|j;tenl fry in the decision of lL° Resident Miigibtmto nt T.imimki was called on for argument. Mr Grihies fitated that ho would have to tisk for an adjournment, an although ho \\u9 retained in tho matter, ho could not sny on which side ho had to nrguc. Mr Weston rose and Btated that he was in a s>?inilar difficulty to that in which hi 3 learned friend found himself — he also was retained, but at the moment was. not prepared to state fcr which of the parties ; however, ho would agree to Mr Gillies' request. The learned Judge, amid some laughter, in which lio himself took part, adjourned tho argi ment to the 9th January. It is to bo hoped that the learned counsel will kuow to "whom to apply for their fees.

We learn from Melbourne that the Rev. Mr Booth; whose brutal conduct to a dog in a church nt the Ovens wo have already given an account of, has declinod. to tender his resignation because the Bishop of the Diocese said that if ho did so ho could not give him another cure.

We understand that the benefit of Mr Andrews, which was announced to take place on next Tuesday night, at tho Prince of Wales Opera House, has been fixed for Monday evening instead, to prevent any clashing with the Church of England tea meeting, which is to bo held at the Court House, Sjwell street, on the former evening. We consider that this deference to the Church, although a duty, is jio less a graceful aco on the part of Mr Andrews, who wo 'feel certain will lose nothing through this alteration in his arrangements.

There promises to be a very brilliant assemblage at the Prince of Wales Op-ra House this evening, upon the occasion of the benefit of that pleasing- actress Miss Rosa. Cooper. The performance will be under the patronage of Mr Commissioner Sale, Mr Fitzgerald, the R.M., the gentlemen of the civil sorvieo, and the members of tho legal profession in Hokitika. To these the name of the Hokitika Fire Brigade may be added, tho members of which will appear in full uniform. That delightful comedy the " Ladies' Club " will bo introduced for tho first time upon the boards of the Prince of Waled, and the characters will be supported entirely by gentlemen amateurs. We hope Miss Rosa Cooper -will rcceivo at the hands of tho public the ovatiou she so highly deserves.

The Nelson " Evening Mail " is responsible for the following : — A remarkably good inslanco of improving the occasion is talked of jus*; now. Whilst tho jury were locked up, in the late libel ease (Ouvtis Bros. v. Nation & Luckie), and suffering from the intolerable ennui of their situation, one of them jocosely asked a toother juryman to enliven the proceedings by delivering a sermon. The brother so addressed having had considerable experience in holding forth, was nothing loth to comply with the request. He took a text suited to the occasion, and' enlarged on it to an extent that showed he was as intimately acquainted with divinity, as Judge Johnston is with law. We have not heard whether the impromptu sermon had the same effect on the jurymen, that Sydney Smith's sermon had on the friends to whom he lent it, when they complaincil of being unable to sleep ; but doubt not that it had a soothing iufluence on the minds of men irritated by the pros and cons of a two days' trial.

We extract the following from Thursday's " Groy River Argues," an.i are happy to see that our contemporary and the public participate iv the feeling prevalent in Hokitika :—: — "At a meeting of the directors of the Greymouth Steam-tug Company, held on Monday, the conduct of Captain Macmeikan, on the occasion of the recent accident to tho Dispatch, came under discussion, and ultimately it Was decided to remove Captain Macmeikan ftom his command. We must express our surprise at the very un-English nature of this proceeding, which wo have no hesitation in declaring to bo in the highest degree unjust, and unfair. With the merits of Captain Macmeikan as a commander we have nothing to do ; he may or may not have deserved the summary treatment he has received. But on thu grounds of public justice, we protest against condemning a man without ample enquiry. Instead of adopting tho straightforward course of making a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the late accident, and tiding on whatever the result of such investigation might be, the directors hastily dismiss Captain Macmeikan first, trust ing, wo suppose, to tho subsequent enquiry to justify their conduct. A very strong feeling of dissatisfaction has been created by ihia proceeding, and it is due to the shareholders that the directors should give ma ample explanation of the rensona for the step they havo taken. With such an example of unfairness before him, no efficient shipmaster will c.ire to serve a compuiy which first dismissed summarily the captain who brought the vessel over, and then liia successor —in each caeo without showing that they had sufficient cause for doing so. It is, no double, a matter of the first moment that the property of the shareholders should bo placed in the hands of an efficient and careful commander ; but until proof is given that Captain Mncnieifom was no longer worthy of the confidence of the shareholders, we shall continue to hold the opinion that he has been most shabbily treated — an opinion which a great proportion of the shareholders will no doubt entertain also.

The unfortunate man Patrick Lanigan, whose case we mentioned iv yesterday's issue, Mas released by death from his sufferings, on Wednesday night. He died iv a destitute condition, and a subscription was set on foot, and sufficient money collected to defray his expenses. Tho interment takes place * this morning. The following i<? the manager's, report to the directors of the Maori Rsservo Gold Mining Company : — Gentlemen, I beg to inform you that tho tail-race, contracted for by^E. Morgan and Compauy, has this day (Thursday) been completed. The entire length of same is sixteen and a half chains, but on account of extra work done by tho contractors, 1 have allowed half a chaiu, making in all, seventeen .chains. The work has been done entirely to my satisfaction, and Iho delay in its completion, according to the time specified, was occasioned solely by bad weather an.i a succession of floods. X nin, &c., Gcorgo Royan, Manager. We notice that a tea meeting and concert will be held at tho Supreme Court House on Tuesday evening next, in aid of the funds of All {Saints' Church. The movement is regarded with much favor by the public, ha nearly 200 tickets have buen already disposed of, and as several of tho leading ladies of Hokitika have undertaken to provide '" tables" and take part in ihe concert) in which they will bo aided by one or two professionals, wo fed confident that a most superior entertainment will be the result. The object i 3i 3 most worthy, and merits the support of all, independent of creed or sect, and wo trust to see tliejConrfc House filled <o overflowing on the evening in question. The "General Gjvernment Gazette" announces that the Resident Magistrate's Court Extended Jurisdiction Act has been brought into force with respect to the Resident Ma-is-tratc's Court at Cobden. We (" Grey Argus") understand that some time ago Mr Kynnersly, R.M., represented the necessity of applying the extended jurisdiction to the district between the Grey and Buller, but he did not desiro it specially for Cobden. As it is, the usefulness of the measure is rendered comparatively small, us although Mr Kynnei^ly's duties extend over a wide didtrict, he can only hear eases under the extended jurisdiction at Cobden. Some public misapprehension np- ! pears to exist, with regard to this matter, it beine; supposed that Greymouth rcsidcnts'will bo able to avail themselves of Mr Kynnorsly's Court for the recovery of amounts above L2O. Such is not tho case, as unless the debt has been contracted within tho jurisdiction of Iho Cobden Court no proceedings run bo taken thereon iv that Court. Tho law is quite clear oo tliis poinl, and it ig tJwefore-iueompDtent wUH row biyena n»* <m«j ftUttitii

Wo understand that yesterday Mr D. Jones disposed of, by auction, fcho Exchange Hotel, Kanieri, at a very satisfactory figure, which | quite dispels any doubts (.hat might have been entertained of the value of • property in tho Kanieri township. Tho New Zealand "Ga^ctto" informs us that on and after January Ist, 1867, the Post Office Act Amendment Act will come into force, whereby tho present rates of postage will undergo a slight alteration. The charges on town and country letters will continue the same, but upon intcrprorineial letters an extra fee of lil on the half-ounce and 2d on the ounce will be imposed. In other words, we shall pay 3d instead of 2d upon under-weight letters to Dunedin, and 6d instead of 4d of over. Upon every ounce over an ounce 6d will bo charged extra. An enquiry into the death of a woman, named Margaret M'Donnel, was held by the police on the Bth instant, at Maori Gully, Arnold district. Several witnesses woro examined, avlio all bore testimony to tho intemperate habits of deceased, who has bcenknowu to drink a pannikin of brandy at one draught. She was a domestic servant at a store in tho G^ully, and on the sth instant complained of indisposition, became worse, and , gradually sank until death supervened on the Bth. She died quite destitute, leaving behind a littlo girl, aged about seven years, A verdict of — " Died from the effects of intemperance," was returned.

Iv reference to the feara entertained by our G-i-ey contemporary, that owing to an oversight made m the fi aming of the Goldfields Act, no license fee can be collected from publicans on the goldfiulds, we may state that, action can be taken xmcler the " Public House Ordinance, 1866," to enforce the payment of both wholesale and retail liquor license fees.

Oncof those exasperating occurrences took place in our yelterday's issuo, that more tban anything prove tho dependence of wretched editors on the erratic genii who "set-up" their lucubrations, and whose obtusencss so often mars the effect of the most careful writer. In our remarks on Mr Button's lecture wo quoted the celebrated French philosopher and poet Voltaire as the discoverer of voltaic electricity, aud substituted the unknown cognomen of G-al vain for that of Galvani, tho father of galvanism. Our composi or avers that we crnnot Write, aud we arc as equally ready to declare thnt he cannot read; and as there is, doubtless, a great deal to be said on botli sides, we trust our readers will accept our apology, and for the names printed read Vttlta and Ualvani.

A correspondent Of the " Grey River Argus" advocates the establishment of a bank fi>r West land, and the editor, in a leading article, abiy debates the question, concluding as follows :—": — " Taking into anuount the lur^e and increasing commercial relations of tlie West Coast ; its population, and the rapid accumulation of capital which the goldfields produce, it does not appear to us to bo difficult to establish a bank, which would be in every way conducive to the progress and advancement of tho district."

Tho Melbourne "Argus," in its summary, published on the 27th ultimo, says : — Tjie total amount of gold exported from the colony since tlie beginning of the year is 1,691,608 ounces, of which 325,885 ounces were transshipped from New Zealand. During the corresponding period of tlie previous year the entire quantity exported was 1,499,368 ounces, and of this total 142,540 ounces were from New Zealand.

As a specimen of New* Zealand postal vagaries, we take the following from a recent copy of tlie ''Southland News" : — "\V) receivedyesterday a Hokitika 'Leader,' posted »ome months since to our address here, but mi&sunt to London. It looked quite fresh after its journey of 32,000 miles."

A telegram to the " Sydney Empire " 6ays that the office of Government printer at Ailclaide has been given to Mr George, publisher of the Melbourne " Argus." It will be recollected that Mr Oeorge wub the gentleman who wai locked up by order of the Speaker of the LegislativeAsocrnbly, in consequence of articles that appeared in the "Argus," commenting rather forcibly on the conduct of Ministers