West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 555, 5 July 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. FRI DAY, JULY 5, 1867.

It is to-be regretted that the motion brought forward, by Mr Hoos for the appointment of a Responsible Minister for Westland, holdirfg a seat in the Provincial Council, was not introduced with more concert of action on the part of the representatives for this district. It will have been seen from our report of the adjourned debate on the financial statement that Mr Bright concluded his opening of the Westland case without moving any amendment on the Government resolution ; and we believe the understanding had been arrived at that the discussion should be allowed to assume such developments as it might, before the precise action to be taken by the Westland members was determined on. We may take the silence of Mr Cassius throughout the [debate as a proof that no definite course had been agreed upon. It is not difficult, indeed, to understand that after the first cursory indication of the new Government policy, great uncertainty prevailed as to the real meaning and effect of the changes proposed. One great object of the speech of the member for Hokitika was to challenge a fuller explanation. That the explanation was not satisfactory to the great majority of the House, was evidenced by the. fact that Mr Ormsby's amendment being carried " on the voices," the Government "not caring or not daring," as the '• Lyttelton Times" puts it, to demand a division. It appears, however, that Mr Hoos felt that the disavowal thus expressed of the financial policy did not go to the root of the evil," and at a very late hour he submitted as a further amendment the proposition that a Responsible Minister for Westland should be appointed. It was protested by independent members, and still more strpngly by the Provin - cial Secretary on behalf of the Government, that the suggestion was of too critical a nature to be then hastily disposed of ; and it was postponed on the understood and indeed expressed condition that a full evening should be devoted to a consideration of its merits. It was accordingly placed first on the notice paper for the following. day. We have seen how it was disposed of by a coup de main ; how Ministers, who w ( ere expected at once to speak, remained silent ; how the motion was suddenly and rapidly put from the chair ; how Mr Cassius, recovering from his surprise, started to his feet to support the motion, and was told that he was " too late," the Noes having been put ; and how the House then divided — one side not able to conceal their exultation at their victory, the other feeling that they had been out-manoeuvred by men in whose spirit of fair play they had placed too implicit a trust. The majority was two to one against Westland. Government have snatched a victory ; but it may possibly prove as dear a victory to thcux as they have ever* won. They might have acted with infinitely more grace, and at the same time with infinitely more prudence and policy. They might have opposed the motion, but in a tone of conciliation. They might have represented difficulties and embarrassments likely to result from the adoption of the scheme suggested ; they might have appealed to the West Coast members to trust to the good intentions of the Government as constituted, and not tq attempt to create a sectional department. But, strong in the consciousness of the support of the Eastlaud members, into whose arms they have now thrown themselves as a sort of atonement for having coquetted with Westland, they J disdained all these arts, and refused to lend even such countenance to our demand for a responsible system of administration as might be involved in their even noticing the arguments put forward in its support. Yet, last session the Provincial Secretary assured the n/ember for Hokitiku that the Executive were most anxious to give effect to any practical suggestion that might be submitted to them with the view of introducing the responsible element into the Westland administration. The Provincial Secretary has, during the present session, so

far altered his tone as to say some words about " despotism being best %> — which we do not care to interpret too lit'eralty. tt is very clear, however, that neither the project of a "Westland man as a member of his Executive," which Mr Moorhouse announced in his first speech in Hokitika, at the Shakspeare — nor the other project of a Minister for Westlaud chosen from among the forty-four members of the Provincial Council, now find any favor with his Honor or his Executive. What surprise can we feel, however, when the " Commercial window" policy is so conspicuously abandoned, and th« word of promise to the ear, of " All Westland's revenues to be spent on Westland's necessities," is broken to the hope, by the proposal to seize L 26,000 a year out of our gold receipts, to be paid in to the credit of the Harbor and Railway Loan account ? . The necessity of superseding the present arrangement, by some more responsible system, has never ceased to j be urged upon, the Council by the Westland members. It is strongly re- ; commended in the Report of the "Westland Commission, the constitution of which is defended, by the Government, on the ground that it consisted of men who might be supposed to understand better than any other men who could have been selected, the real necessities of tlie district, and the best practical remedies for them. But more than this, a similar recommendation is contained in the Report of the Civil Service Commission, upon which not a single West Coast man, or a single man suspected of "West Coast proclivities, had a seat. This report bears the signatures of Mr Ollivier, the present most worthy and able Provincial Auditor, and late Speaker of the Provincial Council ; Mr Bowen, the Resident Magistrate of Christchurch ; Mr Maude, Mr Blakiston, and others. These gentlemen .unanimously recommend that the present Executive arrangements shall be so modified •as to entrust to one minister the whole of the political duties hitherto^ discharged by the Secretary, Treasurer, and Minister of Works, " So far as they relate to the East Coast of the Province," and adds " a West Coast Secretary, the expenses of whose department would be charged against Westland revenues, might fairly relieve the Provincial Secretary of a very arduous portion of his present "duties, besides assisting to support the Government policy in the Provincial Council ; " and again, "The Provincial Secretary thus relieved of West Coast business and of much Treasury routine, would be able to undertake the control of the Public Works and Provincial Engineer's department, which ye propose to reconstruct and amalgamate." It will thus be seen that the very reform which is demanded by the members for Westland on grotinds connected with the better administration of affairs in this district, is very strongly recommended by the Civil* Service' Commission on grounds of public convenience and economy to. the whole Province. It is a reform that must be insisted on as an indispensible condition of our continued connection with East Canterbury. The time has come to be outspoken and determined on this point. The experience of the present session will have removed a cloud of misapprehension and delusion from men's minds. The people of Westland will no longer be the trusting and sanguine race they have hitherto proved. They will have learnt the folly of too implicit faith in any man, or any set of men, and the wisdom of more material guarantees than they have hitherto enjoyed of an administration under which tiieik will and their sense of the public requirements of the district shall count for something as well as the strong, determined and obstinate will of their rulers.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, Henry Hopkinson and John Treasure were each fined 10s., or in default of payment to be imprisoned for four-and-lwenty hours. There were nineteen cases in the extended jurisdiction sot down for hearing, but as it appeared Unit the summonses had been issued prior to the Ist of July— the'day from which the jurisdiction of the Court was extended — his Worship declined to hear them, stating that fresh summonses, returnable on fche 11th instant, would be issued free of cost. One case — Beit and Boss r. O'Donncll, a claim of L 2 8s 6d, for bread — was heard, and judgment given for the amount claimed. The defendant had filed a set-off, but as he hattfuitcdSte serve a copy of the set-off upon tho plaintiff Jiis Worship declined to entertain it in connection

with this caso.

In his fortnightly report from the 'Waimea, written on the 29th ult., Mr Warden Koogh says — " Two new rushes have occurred since my last report — the first to the fourth Scandinavian Torrace, tho second to Piper's -..Flat. As to the first, sufficient information is not to hand td enable mo to form a just estimate of its value. Of the second, on Quinn's Terrace, adjoining Piper's, I am inclined to hope favorably, though here also the discovery is too recent to allow of a correct opinion being formed. The Chesterfield (new Lamplough) diggings are now thoroughly established as a well-defined lend, which, though narrow (scarcely exceeding fifteen feet), is rich and easily worked. Great hopes arc' entertained of tracing tho lead across the Kapitea Creek, and numerous parties are searching for it. Indeed, so sanguine are the miners, that a small rush occurred there yesterday, but I havo been unable to ascertain as yet what grounds existed to cause ifc. The population of tho Waimea district may bo estimated at 5300 in number, including 700 men o£ bv\siness. Forty-five cases received adjudication during the fortnight, six out of that number being disposed of in the field.

Writing from the Kaniori, on June 29, Mr Warden Schaw, in his fortnightly report, informs the Government as follows :—": — " Last week I visited the workings up the right-hand branch of tho Kanieri river, to settle some disputes in that locality. I found the diggers about sixty in number, doing very well, aud perfectly satisfied with the prospects obtained. I then proceeded onwards to tho Kanieri Lako, which is thirteou miles from tho Kanieri township. Tho scenery aboxit the lake is

most beautiful, alid would require the descriptive powers of a Melville to do it justice. The terraces fall from the high overhanging hills to the brink of the lake, and in most places the sides are steep and perpendicular. Lord and party havo commenced making a pack road from the Kanieri township to the left-hand branch, to join a track cut by Mr Simpson, which runs three miles up the last mentioned stream. The intention is to continue the track lo the Arahura river some miles above tho Christchurch road, and then down to the said road. All the country mentioned is highly auriferous and worthy the attention of tho gold miner. On tho south side of tho Holutika river one hundred' and fifty miles of tracks have been cut by Lord and party, and a line is now open from KanTeri to Eoss. The population of the Kaniori district amounts to j 3000, of which number 500 are engaged in pursuits other than mining. Seven mining cases were disposed of in Court during the fortnight. We hare been supplied with the following statistical returns of the population which is scattered through the Waimea district by [a gentleman who has lately made a tour of the various diggings in work there :— German Gully contains about 100 miners, who eani from L 3 to L 6 per week each man. At present their operations are much retarded by a great scarcity of water. About 80 miners are at work in Maoi'i Gully, and being tolerably well supplied with the element, make very fair wages, the better yielding, from L 8 to LlO a man weekly. A great deal of poor ground is in hand that will not pay more than from L 2 to L 4. Callaghan's Gully 13 almost destitute of water, nnd only retains a population of about 60 digger?, tho majority of whom hold good claims, but are compelledrto stack the washdirt pending the advent of rain. The gully is covered by immense heaps of auriferous dirt, which, from the prospects washed, promises to yield very richly indeed. Italian Gurty is held in ill repute, but for all that carries nearly 100 -Jiggers, who make but low wages, the average earnings per man being 'estimated at about L 4 weekly. Scarcity of wnter is tho cause, in a great measure, of this low return. Tho s.ime may be said of the Left-hand and Middle Branches of the Waimea, where 200 miners are at work, some of whom succeed in " knocking out" as much as Lo and Ui pel' week, but tho majority find it difficult to make " tucker." Tip the right-hand branch of tho Waimea and the adjoining gullies, 050 men are assembled, and having a good supply of water at command, they are enabled to secure payable returns, which are quoted at LlO and Ll2 weekly. The poorer ground yields from L 3 to Lo. In the Waimoa proper, including the track as far ns Stafford Town and a few adjoining gullies, 700 miners are busily onployed sluicing and tunnelling. They obtain very fair wages, about L 5 per man weekly being the average return. A few fortunate ones who aro working in Tunnel Terrace make Ll5 per week. The Scandinavian lead may be set down as being occupied by 400 men, who are very highly paid, whilst Peer's Flat is accredited with 700— this large numbor being the result of the late rush there. The gold escort from Eoss arrived in town last night, with a very small quantity of gold, COOoz being the total nmount forwarded by the Union Bank. The other two banks have heavy parcels on hand, but were not ready to transmit their collections to head-quarters. The next escort will be proportionably heavy. So very few of (he inhabitants of Hokitika being Americans will account, wo presume, for the lack of demonstration yesterday in honor of the celebrated 4th of July, Flags wore hoisted by one or two American Houses. the Empire and Shamrock Ilotels being conspicuous by a profuse display of bunting, tho " Stars and Stripes" of course holding prominent place. Mr Wagner, proprietor of tho last named house, gave a ball and supper last night, which, we were glad to sec was well attended. The large billiard room was elegantly decorated with flags and evergreens, and converted for the nonce into a saile lie danse that shortly after midnight was crowded by tho worthy host's friends and acquaintances, who footed it right merrily the long night through. A magnificent supper was-laid out in the eat-ing-room, quite equal to the one he provided at tho late Bachelors' Ball. The spread was profuse- indeed, comprising a host of delicacies, poultry, game, rare • confectionery, ,&<?., the table was evidently arranged by tho hands of an (irlhle. The anniversary of tho glorious Fourth was celebrated last night at the City Theatre by a grand fancy dress ball, which, considering dull times, was very well attended. The room was carefully prepared for the occasion, beiug very beautifully decorated with Hags, devices, and evergreens, whilst by tho judicious placing of one or two " scenes" the general effect was agreeably heightened. Tho floor of the room was chalked with an appropriate dovico in allusion to the day—" Ninety-first Anniversary of American Freedom" being written in largo letters, very tastofully executed, and surmounted by the eagle, which in this instance looked less like a barn-door fowl than it usually does when put to such uses. The theatre^ band performed well-selected music with its uStyil spirit, and dancing was kept up until daylight. A meeting of the Westlaud Special Committee was held last night, at Osborne's Hotel, when certain l'esolutions were prepared, and a public meeting fyfed to take place tomorrow afternoon, at three o'clock, at the Prince of Wales Opera House, for the purpose of publicly considering the question of the Separation of West from East Canterbury. The "Southland News" tells us a queer story to the following effect : — " Two or three days ago a respectable looking person of quiet manners walked into our office, and requested to be shown a copy of the News of the 11th inst. The file was of course handed to the visitor, who with infinite gravity pointed out an extract paragraph from the " Hampshire Advertiser" (respecting the Tichborne romance) and with a look evidently intended to be at once mysterious and solemnly impressive said,— placing tho point, of his indox finger under the words "Sir Eoger Tichborne," I am that person. Naturally we felt a gentle surprise at the announcement of a duplicate baronet. The new Sir Eoger further informed us that he intended to take passage to England immediately, and after some few common placo remarks he left without having introduced tho subject of a loan." It seems, however, that the baronet, who turns out after all to be a shoemaker with the very plobiau uamo of Thomas Whelau, uiado some purchases nnd paid them in cheques

signed R. C. Tichborne, for doing which he has como to griof, and is now in custody of the police at Invercargill. It is supposed that the unfortunate Baronot is ' cracked." The "New Zealand Advertiser" tells the following melancholy tale : — " With the approach of winter destitution has again made its appearance in the Taranaki province. Twenty-three men, fourteen of whom are niai-ried, and have in the aggregate forty-ono childron, have sent in a memorial to the Provincial Council stating that they aro out of employment, and have no means of keeping themselves and their families from starvationNor can we suppose (says a local paper) that this destitution it confined to persons who signed the memorial; there are, without doubt, many others equally distressed, but who, either jfroni dislike of publicity or from chance, did not Attach their names to this document. The Government propose td meet the present emergency by employing the laborers in the country road districts, paying wages Bomewhat below the ordinary rates, so as not to compete with private employers, and giving additional sums in the way of relief to the wives and families of the destitute." The " Southern Gross" says — " The cutter Emma, which belongs to the Ngatipaoa natives, arrived yesterday from Taupo, Firth of Thames, with some provisions, which have been sent by the natives there for distribution amongat the dostituto in Auokland. There were on board twenty kits of potatoeß and kumeras, two bags sugar, two bags flour, and one bag of biscuit, which were landed during the day, and given in charge of the relieving-oflicer, Mr J. King, who vas instructed to distribute j them. These provisions were the gift of j Harata (Charlotte) Pateue, Tua te Aouru, and Ifata Haora, three ladies who, we preiume, will be forthwith made honorary members of the Ladies' Benevolent Society. On the provisions being handed over by the donor, Mr Macky, who is now at Taupoj thanked them I in the name of the Superintendent. The ! Emma sailed again for Taupo in the evoning, taking a letter from the Superintendent, in which, wo siippbse, Charlotte and her friends j were thanked for their gift." i In the "Southern Cross" of the 17th inst. appears the following : — " Wo have been in the luibit of reading many amusing as well as disagreeable communications in the course of our professional career ; but we think the number of the latter description received by us on Saturday last was greater than on any one day formerly. For a length of time past wo have been used to receive polit ; intimations from legal gentlemen, to the effect that A, B, or C hud ' filod hi* petition for relief ' under tho Debtors and Creditors Act. "We made no complaint at the recoipt of these notices, although they came much too frequently to be pleasnjit — as many, ofteiij as ono daily for an j entire j week; but 'our feelings can better be imagined than described ' when we suddenly found the sky change for the worse at the clono of last week, and the constant droppings succeeded by a regular shower. On Saturday we were treated to a persual of fire of these polite noticed We trust tho shower ! of Saturday may be the preclude to settle weather, for really it is too bad to have one's equanimity disturbed by the persistent flight of timid and desponding souls for relief to the precincts of that Court in which Judge Mooro sits enthroned as the friend .of the poor and needy. In" f.Ay'amendment i»f the Debtors and Creditors Act, wo expect that it shall be wisely provided that no debtor can obtain relief who has not first satisfied the Court v ; Ihnt he has paid the printer. [We fear if that is to be a sine quit non to any debtor obtaining his relief very many will take lodgings at 5s per week, paid by somebody else. — Ed. ' N.Z. Advertiser']." [The little missives alluded to by our contemporary are by no means peculiar to the Cifv of Auckland. — Ed.W.C.T.] * I The "Lyttelton Times" of Monday says that — " On tho occasion of his Honor formally opening the Moorhouse Tunnel, he made a ' handsome present to the workmen, and in return they iuvited him to a dejeuner in the tunnel, which took 'place on Saturday last. A section of tho tuunel, in tho centre, extending j for thirty yards, was fitted up with flags, banners, <&c, forcibly reminding the spectator of the old Moorish Halls of the Alhambra. At one end an impromptu orchestra had been erected, in which was stationed the excellent ' band of No. 8 Company Canterbury Eifle j Volunteers. The chair was occupied by Mr E. Walker, foreman of works at the Lyttolton end, aud the vice-chair by Mr Smith, foreman at the Heatheotc end. At the centre table we noticed the following invited guests : — His Honor the Superintendent, Messrs F. E. Stewart, Provincial Secretary, G-. Hart and J. S. Williams, members of tho Executive, E. Dobson, Eailway Engineer, J. Ollivier, Provinciaj. Auditor, G-. Holmes, E. Kichardjou, the contractors for tho railway works, Drs. Donald and Rouse. Tho dinner, which comprised all the delicacies of the season, was provided by Mr A. Cuff, of tho Queen's Hotel, Lyttelton, in his usual stylo of excellence, i After the removal of tho cloth, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and duly honored. In" responding to the toast of the Superintendent; Mr Sloorhouso paid a high compliment to tho managers, workmen, and all connected with the great work, and expressed his belief that on the opening of the railway for traffic, a large export trade would be developed, which would help to disperse the temporary depression under which the province had hitherto labored. Under tho headings " a caution," the "Wanganui Times" says : — A well-known clever pensman and f would-be play-actor, made an abrupt exit from the scene of his late performances at Wanganui for the Buller by the s.s. Ahuriri on Sunday last. Many of the business men of Wanganui are left to regret the clever professor's sudden disappearance. Fortunately for somo of them, the b.s. Wallaby will leave here for the saino port this day, and convey to Mr , through thß Resident Magistrate's Court, some tokens of their regret at his forgetfiilness in not having settled their" little bills." The professor was only a few months inWanganui, but exhibited a good deal of cleverness in money matters during that time. We trust he will not hare equal success in every respect upon the West Coast goldfields. " In commenting upon the late floodi tho "Hawke'i Bay Herald of the Bth sayg — "First, then, tho floodßhavo utterly destroyed the caterpiller, locust, and others of the insect tribe which promised to become torriblo scourges. At ono time the Cap© of Good Hope was rondered thoroughly ( desolato by thia tribe, myriads of whom; spread oyw tho

country and completely denuded ifc of every ear of grain and blade of grass. This was after a succession of dry seasons, sucli as wo hare experienced here, and there is little doubt that, next year, but for the present visitation, the same plague would have ravaged this province. Quite possibly we have escaped the great evil by enduring the less. Second, if pastures have been buried in soil — in many cases from six to eighteen inches, completely obliterating evey vestige of herbage — 'the benefit of such new soil will in course of time be felt. Its quality is generally good, alumina only being held in solution — eilicea having been left behind j und excellont crops or grass, as the caso may be, will be raieod from it in due time. The fact, too, of low land having been raised a foot in height will doubtless operate as a protection to some extent agahi9t future visitation of this nature."