West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21,1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 389, 21 December 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1866.

Mr Stewaut on behalf of the new Government has promised a policy of strict " retrenchment ;'' and it is understood that the amended Estimates will show a totally different set of figures from those exhibited by the last. "We do not speak of the ordinary Estimates providing for the departmental expenses of the public service, which have already passed the House, and which do not admit of much, if any., reduction. So long as the provincial system continues, provision must be made for the maintenance of a staff of provincial officers and otherwise, for the machinery of administration. The ordinary Estimates as brought down, were accepted by both sides of the House as framed with a proper regard to economy. This was proved by the very few instances in which a division was called for on any of the items. Almost the only cases in which the Committee divided, wero connected with small questions of principle, not with any involving large sums [ of money ; and not, therefore, affording 1 any scope for material reduction of expenditure. Such was the vote for the Mechanics' Institute at Christchurch, the vote for the Volunteer band, the grant in aid of Agricultural Associations, and the proposed vote for the encouragement of Public Amusements. We presume, therefore, that the ordinary Estimates, as already passed, will be allowed to stand. It is the Land estimate, providing for expenditure on public works, that will provide tlie available basis for a large retrenchment. Very heavy sums wereinthefirstinstance set down for extensive works, such us bridges over the rivers dividing the province from Nelson to the north, and Otago on the south. The object was rather to secure the lawful appropriation of the amounts necessary for these undertakings, than to take immediate measures for carrying them, out The appropriation now to be voted provides only for the remainder of the present financial year. Within that short, period it would be impossible to spend the very considerable sums set down under those heads for the service of the ypar. There is no reason, therefore, why they should be retained in their present shape upon the Estimates, seeing that their omission, and the omission of other items of a cognate character, will have the effect of altogether altering the look of the balance-sheet, and of allowing votes to be put down for the payment of some of the arrears due to the Road Boards.

The Westland Estimates stand on a distinct basis of their own. They provide for the expenditure upon our own wants of our own resources. We believe they meet with the general concurrence of the members for Westland, as a judicious appropriation of the revenue of ttic district. There are two items that will provoke debate. One i is the sura of L 30,000 additional, set down under the head of the road across the range ; the other is tlie item of L 30,000 on the side of receipts, under the head of Lund Sales. Of the first sum a large proportion represents, we believe, not an annual charge for repairs, but the balance of the original cost of the road, and should therefore be transferred to the road account, whenever that is adjusted, and not made a charge upon the revenue of the year. It is hardly probable that any land sales yielding a. sum approximating to L 30,000 will be effected during the remainder of the present financial year. Iv fact the item may be altogether omitted from our present calculations. When any proceeds of the sale of country lauds come to be dealt with as a tangible revenue item, there will be the battle to be fought as to its appropriation. The anti-Westland party iv the Provincial Council will claim that it shall be lodged as against the debt alleged to be due. On the other side it will be urged that the proceeds of the sale of our lands must be applied to the execution of local works for the development of the district, subject only to such reduction as may be necessary to pay interest upon whatever debt the commissioners about to be appointed may determine to be dve — always with the proviso "if any," i

Under present circumstances the allegation that a debt is due ought not to be allowed to affect any financial regulations respecting this district of the Province. The question is to bo referred to a qualified tribunal to report upon it, and until that report is made the whole revenue of the district should be made available for its use.

J?roiu a cotumilnieation received yestci'day from Christchuroh wo learn that the re-election of Ministers is proceeding, and that afc Fapanui the show of hands resulted in favor of Messrs Duncan aud Siewarfc ; the numbers - being Duncan, 22; Stewart, 18; St. <$u<iitfen, 9. A poll was demanded) tuul fixed to take place on Monday next, but the result is considered exceedingly doubtful, as a most vigorous and active opposition is at work against the Stowa'-t Ministry. Nothing is said of tlie chances of Mr Ueswick. A public examination of Ihe pupils attending Mr Malcolm's school took place yesterday, afc the Fire Brigado nail, Revell street, before a number of visitors, consisting of parents of the children and their friends. Mr Brnar, chairman, of the Municipal Council, presided. The proficiency of the pupils in their several studies was very satisfactory, the successful competitors for prizes standing as follows :—: — First class : T. Hewifc, 1 ; M. Berndt, S ; E. Wanner, 3. Second class : Reading— E. Edwards 1, F. Oiraril 2, G Waguer 3 ; Spelling — G. Godfrey 1, G. Wagner 2, W. Cameron 3. Third class: Reading— W. Sheih 1, F. Edwards 2, li. Little 3 ; Spelling— W. Shein 1) — Dean 2, H. Dodd 3. Scripture History : — Kidd 1, F. Edwards 2. English Grammar : W. Goodrick 1, J. Cameron 2. Geography : G. Counon 1 , W. Goodrick 2. Dietati6n and Spelling : W. Goodrick, 1, .1. Swfger 2, W. Reynolds 3. British History : W. Goodrick 1, — Kidd, 2. Etymology : J. Cameron 1, W. Goodrick 2, W Reynolds 3. Arithmetic : senior — W. Goodrick 1, J. Cameron 2 ; junior — D. Keir 1, T. Edwards 2. General good conduct : W. Holmes 1. In the girls' department the following pupils took each ono prize for general knowledge r Misaes E. Edwards, M. Cameron, H. Bastings, E. Thorn, HendcrsOn, Keir, Orams.

Tlie bakers (says the Fox's River correspondent of the Grey "Argus") have been literally besieged with hungry claimants for a loaf. It was to me a novel sight to see some thirty or forty men struggling with ontstrefcehed arms and money in hand for a loaf of bread, hustling and pushing each other in no friendly manner for the first chance. Tho bakers seem to have been put to their wit's end in endeavoring to keep up a supply of bread equal to the demaud, tho population is streaming in so rapidly. Ifc is a notable fact that we have some chance of enjoying a steak again, some fine fat cattle having arrived — the first for a considerable time — nothing but mutton afc from Is 3d to Is 6d having been ohhiinable. /Ko branch of tho Government service in Westland has by its labors conferred great or benefit on the community at large than the unassuming Survey Department, which has, notwithstanding the great difficulties to be encountered hi running lines through so dense a bush as that of tho West Coast, succeeded in opening up, by means of narrow tracks, a veiS largo extent of country. These are much used by the diggers when prospecting or travelling, and many a blessing has been bestowed upon the Government by tho wandering race, for the initiation of a work which has more than any other yet undertaken iv the district, proved of direct practical use to those whose real interests have been sadly uncared for. Several patches of really rich ground were discovered chiefly through the instrumentality of these tracks, and to instance a case in point, the rich lead now working in the Big Paddock was hifc upon by following the supposed lino of a branch lead that ran out of the Ho Ho, straight through, flip bush, along the surveyors' line that extends from the Kauieri to' the Three Mile Creek. Hitherto the survey has been confined to that seciion of country bordering upon the co.ist ; bub we hear ifc is intended to cut tracks straight from the beach to the foot of the -ranges, and that ono is already commenced afc tho mouth of the Waimea River, and another between the Totara and Hokitika. The utility of these works can hardly be overestimated, as a way into tho very heart of the land will be thus opened, and miles of country that must in the long run prove auriferous re»dered aecessable to the researches of the miner. Insignificant as these tracks appear at first sight, there construction costs no slight sum, and it is therefore most desirable they should be kept open or so much money is thrown away. We say '• kept open," for it is well understood that the growth of vegetation in this most warm climate is extremely rapid, aud could hardly fail in the course of a year or two in completely obliterating every trace of such

' If the rumor is worthy of credence there !is cause for congratulation, as payable gold has afc last been discovered many miles up the Kanieri River — quite in the back country — for ifc is stated that two men who have been [prospecting in that direction liit upon several narrow gullies, out of which they obtaiued large, heavy gold, of good quality. Some of the piece j "are described as resembling peaIpods in t.ize and shape. Wo p'iyc this for 'what it is worth, but hope that in a few days we shall bo ablo to supply our readers with authentic information on the subject. Scarcely a day passes without some further indication of the rapid progress of Hokitika, and amongst the latest imitations of the fashions of the " Old Country " we arc pleased to mention tho est ablishment of a Refreshment and Dining Room in connection with the Terminus of the Rokitika and Grcyraoulh Tramway Company, in Rsvell street North. This convenient hostelry is immediately adjoining the Railway Station, and has been furnished and arranged in v style which can hardly fail to secure the custom of the large number of travellers by the line. Everybody, we suppose, can recall to his memory tho unpleasant haste with which ho has refreshed himself with a glass of ale or a cup of coffco and a sandwich, at a Railway Station "at home," and judging by the aecomodation provided by Mr Smetluirst, which includes waiting rooms aud private apartments for ladies, there is no doubt that the opening of this desirable addition to the works of the Tramway Company will be hailed with fuvor by all classes. / The Amateur Dramatic Club of Hokitika gave their first performance last evening at tho Prince of Wales Opera House for the benefit of the local Hospital. The pieces comprised the comedy, " All that; Glittera is not Gold," ;md the farce of " Brother Bill and Me." Independently of the iact that the object of the exertions of the gentlemen engaged was so praiseworthy as to disarm criticism of more than half its rigor, amateurs are generally disposed to claim a lull share of consideration on the score of inexperience, &c. ; and so we shall refrain from any examination of the manner in which they acquitted themselves, merely remarking that less reliance should bo placed on the prompter, and a little more attention be given to the text. This, however, will probably be more regarded as the amateurs gain experience and confidence. Mrs Crosby, Miss Rosa Cooper, and Miss Kate Grant, acted very well, and contributed in no small degree to the satisfaction of tho audience and the success of the pieces. Wo must not forgot fc^ mention that a gentleman, whose name wo wore unable to ascertain, but who is possessed of a remarkably good tenor voice, sang two songs really well, and wus deservedly applauded. The house was well filled in the dress circlo and the stalls, the atfcendanco in tho pit. being rather small ; and wo should imagine that the funds of tho Hokitika Hospital will be considerably benefitted by the praiseworthy exertions of tho Club, the members of which we hope soon to sco again gxerting themselves in the cause of humanity and charity, . . „