THE FORTNIGHT.

West Coast Times, Issue 591, 16 August 1867, Page 4

THE FORTNIGHT.

We notice that in the early part of the month Surveyors have been engaged in pegging out sections of lani in Revell, Tancred, and Sewell street*, we presume preparatory to a sale of the land.

Considerable progress in being made in removing the stumps of trees and draining the ground on which the uew Police Barracks are being erected. We observe also that despite the refusal of the Provincial Council to vote the sum of L2OOO for these necessary buildings, that workmen are busily engaged in completing them.

At the meeting of the Discussion Class in connection with the Hokitita Literary Society the subject for debate was — " Is reason confined to Man." — Tho subjeot was opened in the affirmative by the President of the Society, Mr. C. E. Button. Mr Dalrymple following in the negative. An animated discussion took place, which terminated in the negative of tho pi-oposition being carried unanimously. The class will meet to-night. The report as to the discovery of a payable pnlrifield in the Province of Auckland is revirad.

A serious accident occurred on Saturday, at Doolt-y'si soda-water manufactory. A man named Sugden was engaged in bottling aerated water, when one of the bottles burst, and a fragment striking him in the eye inflicted a se-ious injury. Dr Young was sent for, and administered medical aid to the sufferer, who we hope may do well. We understand that twice or thrice lately, the large bar window of the Royal George Hotel has been broken by some malicious person. As this window is of plate glass and highly decorated, the cost of repairing it must be very considerable. Wo trust that the perpetrator or perpetrators of this cowardly act will be discovered and brought to justice.

His Honor the District Court Judge sat in insolvency cases on the 2nd inst. No new declations were made, the only business transacted being the granting of an order for the sale of a portion of an insolvent's estate.

The following is the return for Revell street gaol for the week ended 3rd August, 1867 :—: — Admitted during tho week, six males; discharged, three males; remaining, twentythree males, to hard labor.

Deposits to the amount of L 205 2s 6d were received during the week ending- 3rd inst. at the Hokitika Savings Bank.

The ravages committed by the gale of the Brd inst. amongst the giants of the forest were something surprising. On the Stafford Street Tramway numerous large trees were uprooted, and in their fall came crashing down upon some of the small houses erected in that locality. Most fortunately none of the inhabitants were injured, but in some cases were necessitated to remove. On the Kanieri Tramway several large trees were blown across the line, but without doing serious damage. These freaks of ihe gale were as nothing when compared with its effects on the forests bordering on the line of road acres of bush have been comple'ely denuded of trees, which were blown down by the wind. In the Otira gorge so furious was the gale that it completely laid bare the cha' nel of the river, tossing the water into the air in the form of spray, and when the men first commenced clearing the road the work was very dangerous, from the large hrnnches of trees whirling about in all directions.

The adjourned inquiry into the cause of death of a seaman (name unknown), who met with his deuth on board the brigantine Clara, and whose body was brought on shore by the steamer Yarra, was resumed last Friday afternoon, at tho Post Office Hotel, before Dr Beswiek, coroner. The inquest had been previously adjourned for the attendance of witnesses from on board the vessel, but during the late gale she put to sea, and has not since been seen. As there was no -evidence how deceased came by his death, except what had been previously stated by Captain Nichol, of the Yarra, thnt he had been told by the captain of the Clara that deceased had fallen from the maintop on to the deck, the jury, under the direction of tho Coroner, returned a verdict — " That there was no evidence to show how deceased came by his death."

There was no business transacted at the Municipal Council lait Friday, in consequence of there not being sufficient members present to form a quorum. Those present were his Worshiu the Mayor; Councillors Shaw, Gumming and Anderson; and after waiting the usual timo, his Worship adjourned the meeting until Friday evening next.

The escort under tha oharge of Sergeant Wilson, arrived from Ross last Friday afternoon, with HOOoz of gold for the Union Bank.

The gale which occasioned some damage in the environs of Hokitika on the 30th ult., played similar havoc at the Buller. We are informed that at Westport a large house was blown down, and the windows of several others were dashed in by th? force of the ■wind.

The Nelson Council have voted the. sum of L 24,000 for roads and public works on the West Coast. The Government asked the Council to vote the amount set down for public works on the goldfields in one sum, as it would be unwise to adhere to, the apportionment of this fum as set down on the Eftimiites, because the strictness of the Audit Act allowed only of Expenditure of money on the -work for which it "vrna voted, and if the specific votes were passed, and from change of population the works were not found neces•arv, it would not be in the power of the Executive to spend the money on any other work which a new rush might require to be immediately spent, which they could do if the amount was voted in a lump sum.

The " Grey Argus" has a weather local ■which we extract: — On Monday the falling barometer clearly indicated that bad weather of some sort was impending, the mercury indicating a pressure of 29.32. And sure enough on Friday the heavens became overenst with a confußed mass of storm tossed clouds, whose serrated edges marked the exisfenoe'of a storiny.SE. wind, which descended with full /orce in the evening, and raged in fierce and fitful squalls all night. We do not remember the- wind to have been so strong here before, but being unaccompanied with r;iin, it did not do much damage. Several chimnies were blown do%vn, a good many trees up-rooted, and the whole front of a portion of tho Alliance Hotel was carried away. The tide was unusually high and the surf very heavy along the beach, and burst over the bank in places.

We notice several improvements which are pohip on in town, and -which go to prove that Hokitika, although some may complain of the dullness of the times, is steadily advancing in progress. Messrs Mace and Dixon are erecting a targe iron building in Hamilton-street, which i» being mosi completely fitted up as a cordial and soda-water manufactory. In Revellstreet, thß fcuilding lately occupied by Messrs. Marks and Isaacs, and which some tune sinca ■was purchased by the Melbourne firm of Messrs Shaw and Co., is undergoing extensive alterations preparatory to being opened as an ironmongery store. In Weld-street, great improvements are being made in the large establishment of Messrs. Pizzey and Co., ale and porter brewers, and amongst these we notice they have, at a cinsiderable expense laid on tlie water from the Hokitika river by means of a series of underground pipes.

The following is the return of H.M. Gaol, Hokitika, for the week ending August 3, 1867. Remaining last week, males — penal servitude, 5 ; hard labor^ 31 ; for trial, 11 ; imprisonment 1 ; debtors, 7 ; default of bail, 3 ; default of fine, 4; remand, 1. Total males, 63. Females— hard labor, 4. Grand total, 67. Received during the week, males— debtors, 1 ; dofault of bail, 1 ; default of fine, 2. Females, nil. Discharged, males — hard labor, 2 ; debtors, 2. Total 4. Females— hard labor, 1. Grandtotals, remaining, males; penal servitude 5 ; hard labor, 29 ; trial, 11 ; imprisonment, 1 ; debtors, 6 ; default of bail, 4 ; default of fine, 6 ; remand, 1 ; total, 63 ; Females, hard labor, 3. Grand total, 66. Of the 29 males for hard labor, 10 are at tho Police Camp.

A report prevailed in town on the 4th instant that a vessel had been wrecked on the Waimea beach. The report originated from the fact that a flock of some tl irty to forty tame geese were seen on the Waimea beach which are supposed to have escaped or have been thrown overboard from some vessel.

Serious fears are entertained for the safety of Beach street, as the sea continues to encroach almost daily in that locality. We observe that an attempt is being made to defend the Wharf Hotel from the inroad of tho waves, by placing a number of bags filled with sand around the building. A similar attempt waß made at Messrs. Cobb and Co.'s stables, but it failed, as the bags were not only moved from their position, but many of them were carried out to sea. We hope that the present experiment will be more successful. The announcement, on Tuesday, 6th inst., of the renewal of telegraphic communication with all parts of New Zealand reached by the wires was received with the greatest satisfaction in town, and the Telegraph Office was fairly besieged by an eager crowd of business men anxious to send advices to friends and agents. Messages poured in thick and fast upon the telegraphist, who between sending and receiving was kept hard at work until the closing hour — five o'clock. Some of the messages received on Tuesday bore very ancient dates, having been rudely suspended during the course of their transmission by the accident that rendered the wires useless. We were shown a telegram from ' Dunedin dated July 29, and another from the Bluff July 30. An inquest was held on the 6fch inst. at the Hospital, before Dr Beswiek, coroner, on view of the body of Thomas la 'ln tyre, a miner. It appeared from the evidence that deceased had been working with others on the Tunnel claim near the Waimea. On the 22nd ult., as deceased was being drawn up a shaft, which was forty feet deep, when within six feet of the top he let go his hold of the rope and fell to the bottom of the shaft. He was taken up insensible, and conveyed to the Hospital, where he died on tho 2nd inst. So great was the force with which he fell that his legs were blackened to the knees, and one ancle was dislocated. The medical evidence disclosed that deceased died from concussion of the brain, aud the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

The Wellington papers contain an account of .the death of Ferdinand Meyer, Esq., the recently appointed Sergeant-at-Aras to the Legislative Council, which took place on the 24th ult. The deceased gentleman served us lieutenant in tho Prussiau cavalry at the battle of Waterloo, and prior to his appointment as Sergeant-at-arms, was connected with the Customs of New Zealand.

A miner, who -had beon working at German Gully, was taken to the Hospital on the 7th inst. with a broken leg. Tho accident occurred a3 follows : — In tunnelling a claim, the roots of the trunk of a large tree were cut away, and as the party were at work the ground gave way and ihe tree fell upon the miner whom we* have before mentioned. On taking him up his leg was found to be fractured. He was at once placed on a stretcher and brought into town, which he reached on Tuesday evening, but as it was too late, and the weather was too tempestuous to convey him across the river to the Hospital, he was taken to the Southland Restaurant, where every attention was paid to him. Tin's case, as well as others we hove noticed, points to the necessity of establishing as soon as possible an emergency hospital on this side of the river. There are plenty of medical men in town who could render their services to such an institution, which would be most invaluable as a moans of alleviating suffering, and in some cases porhapß of saving life.

The escort under the charge of Sergt. Wilson, arrived from the Waimea yesterday week, bringing down about 3,200 ozs of gold consigned to the various banks. The business premises late in the occupation of Messrs Thorn and Bullen, drapers, Revell street, were sold by auction on the 7th inst. by Mr J. Qraig for L4OO cash to Mr Coulson. The auctioneer stated that he had received a telegram from Dnnedin offering L 550 on terms, but his instructions were to sell for cash.

The Hau Hau Tramway Company have leased tho line for twelvemonths to Mr Kellock, at the rate of LIOO per month. We should imagine that the lessee will realise very handsomely by this speculation. We gather, from the " Okarita Times" of the 27th ult., a few items concerning the Haast diggings, supplied to our contemporary by a party of diggers who had lately left the place. Their account of it was truly distressing, the number of miners left there being reduced to less than thirty, the majority of whom were on the point of starting for Jackson's Bay, so that by this time the Haast is probably deserted. There is a great scarcity of coal in town, and the price is accordingly high. A few cargoes, either of Grey or Newcastle coal, would meet with a ready sale.

We are informed by a miner, who arrived in town yesterday week from the Taipo, that when lie left on Wednesday the snow was lying one foot deep upon the ground and upon the higher land piled up in the form of avalanches. The party of miners, who have for so many months been working on a tributary of the Taipo are reported as doing very well, tho ground being rich enough to give from LlO to Ll2 per week each share. The gold is both heavy and water-worn, loz. and 2oz. nuggets being occasionally found. This is the first scrap of definite intelligence we have received from the Taipo diggings for many weeks, and leads us to again hope that a payable extensive field will yet be discovered in the locality.

The sea is making terrific encroachments at the back of Beach street and the Empire right-of-way. Where the extensive stables of Messrs Cobb and Co. once stood is now jjart of the beach, which at high tide is covered with water, which now washes up to the back of Mr Dixon's residence on the other side of the right-of-way. There is a somewhat singular case iv tho District Hospital of a boy who dis ocateel his shoulder, and fractured the humerus, by tho more mechanical action of throwing a stone. The boy is what is termed small boned, and very spare to boot. Ho his rapidly mending, and will be out of the D&clor's hands in a day or two. This is the second time he has suffered a (similar accident, from a similar cause.

The Christchurch road is for a very considerable length of it almost destroyed, and it will cost an enormous sum, probably from twenty to thirty thousand pounds to 1 estore it. Is it worth while to repair and maintain at this cost, which may be perpetually recurring, a road from which so little practical good

results ? Let it at all events be understood boforo the money is spent, out of which purse it ia to come — the Eastland or the Westland.

During tho past week deposits to the amount of L2lO 17s have been placed in tho Hokitika Savings Bank. The Scandinavian Gold Mining Company at Ross are making splendid progress, as we see that another dividend, amounting to L2O on each original share, was to be paid on Monday. The total return of gold from the claim for the fortnight ending tho Bth inst, was 210ozs.

We havo seen a side of bacon which has been privately cured in Hokitika, and which is of very prime quality. It is hardly probable that the curing of bacon will be followed as an industry in Westland for some time to come, but as we know that fir3t-class pork is now produced here, it naturally follows that as tho pigs increase, so bacon may be expected to be manufactured at least for home consumption, if not for export.

The keeping and breeding of poultry seems to be coming into general practice in Hokitika and its suburbs. Taking a stroll, as we do, occasionally, we have observed several firstclass birds, which, if well looked after, will yield a profitable return to their owners, and be the means of supplying the market at reasonable rates not only with eggs, bub in a short time with poultry also.

Messrs Cobb and Co.'s coach started for Christchurch on Tuesday morning. Amongst the passengers was his Worship the Mayor, Mr J. A. Bonar, who, we presume, is proceeding to Christchui'ch to receive instructions prior to his assumption of office as Goldfields Secretary.

The following is the return of H.M. Gaol, Hokitika, for the week ended 10th August, 1867 — Remaining last Week : Males — penal servitude, 5 ; hard labor, 29 ; for trial, ]1 ; imprisonment, 1 ; debtors, 6 ; default of bail, 4 ; default of fine, 6 ; remand, 1 ; total, 63. Females — hard labor, 3. Grand total, 66. — Received during the week: Males — debtors, 2. Females— hard labor, 1. Total, 3. — Discharged : Males — debtors, 1 ; default of fine, 1 ; remand, 1 ; total, 3. Females — nil. — Remaining : Males — penal servitude, 5 ; hard labor, 29 ; for trial, 11 ; imprisonment, 1 ; debtors, 7 ; default of bail, 4 ; default of fine, 5; total, 62. Females — 4 to hard labor. Grand total, 66.— 0f the 29 males for hard jlabor 10 are at the Police Camp. The following is the return of Revell street Gaol for the week ended August 10th, 1867 :— Admitted, nil; discharged, 1; remaining, 22 males, sentenced to hard labor.

A meeting of the members of the Westland Separation League, which the general public were specially invited to attend, took place on Monday night, at the Empire Hotel. The Chair was taken by Mr South, the President of the League, who stated that the meeting had been called for the purpose of receiving the report of the Council and electing by ballot five additional members of tho Council. The President made a statement as to past session. Mr Prosser addressed tho meeting at some length, and after dwelling upon the desirability of ascertaining the views of the general public as to what kind of separation should be adopted, and pointing out that in order to give force to the movement it was necessary to obtain the views of the people of Greymouth and other centres of population, moved that tho meeting do adjourn to Saturday evening, for the further discussion of the subject. At the same time he stated, that ho had never read the Petition which had been issued by the Council of the League. Mr M'Beth seconded tho motion, and complained that the petition had not been fully discussed at the meeting of the Council. That is, that it had not beeu discussed clause by clause ; and he stated that he dissented from the prayer of the petition being adverse to Provincial Institutions, and in favor of Westland being under the control of the General Government. Mr Brown supported the motion, complaining that the petition was too verbose — in fact, the whole of it might have been comprised in a nutshell, and it was this — that as Westland had not had justice done it in -the Provincial Council, some rempdy must ~be sought for— and the people ought.to be consulted on the matter. He stated also, that the Council was self-con-stituted, and this he did not think to be right. Mr Shaw saw no reason why the meeting should deviate from the course originally proposed, as he could not see why they ahould again enter on the rediscussion of subject which had already been discussed and determined on at a previous meeting. Ho contended that the petition, which he had no hand in preparing, was most exhaustive of the subject, and at the same time ho would inform the meeting that it was necessary that certain grounds for Separation should be fully set out before the petition would be entertained. Mr Bright, complained that the petition, which had been the result of great labor, had ever since its appearance, with those who had prepared it, been subject to an incessant battery of ridicule, misrepresentation, and abuse. He denied that the Council of the Leaguo was self-constituted, but on the contrary, with the exception of the five members of the Provincial Council, each member of the Council of the League was appointed by ballot at a meeting of the members of the League, publicly called. A lengthened and warm discussion took place, when Mr. Shaw moved as an amendment that the meeting do proceed to the business of the evening, which was put and carried! The meeting then proceeded to the election of six additional members of tho Council, viz., five extra recommended by the Council, and one in the place of Mr M'Beth, who resigned. The names of several gentlemen were proposed, and it. was ultimately determined that the ballot should take place on Wednesday next. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the President. A full report of the procedings, which terminated at a late hour, will be published to-morrow.

Mr G. W. Binney wielded the hammer on Saturday last to some purpose, and we should imagine to no slight profit, as ho disposed of a great deal of valuable property, including Messrs Levi and Raphael's Store in North Revell-slreet, for LllO ; a three-roomed cottage in the same thoroughfare for L7B ; and tho Ho Ho Tramway Company's horses, six in number, at prices varying between L 36 and L7B per head.

We are informed that a mob of cattle are on the other side of Porter's Pass, en route for Hokitika. There was also a flock of about 200 sheep at the Bealey, coming on to Westland. Mr Crawley also states that in passing Alexander's, when bringing the mail, on Sunday morning, four or five sheep dogs rushed out at tho horses, and that lie saw smoke rising from the bush, as if from a camp fire. Mr Colin, the agent for the firm of Messrs Petei-sen and Co., of Christclnirch, working silversmiths and jewellers, arrived on Monday from Groymouthby the coach, for the purpose of exhibiting at the Empire Hotel specimens of art in silver and gold, manufactured at the establishment in Christchurch. We have had the pleasure of inspecting Messrs Petersen and Co.'s workshops in Christchurch, which are very complete, and have seen some of the articles manufactured thero, which are very elegant and chaslo iv design and finished in execution, combining artistic effect with elaborate workmanship. A visit to the Empire Hotel to inspect the specimens which Mr Cohu has brought with him will woll repay itself.

The Otago papers contain an account of a serious nccidont, which might have been attended with fatal consequences, whioh hap-

pened to one of Cobb's coaches on the Tokomariroroad. The coach was proceeding down one of the deep sidlings when one of the leaders took fright. After a narrow escape from being turned over the precipice, the coach was, by the dexterity of the driver, capsized on the hill side, and the accident resulted only in the fracture of the leg of Mr THslop, the Inspector of Public Schools, and other non-fatal injuries to passengers.

At the meeting of the Council of the Separation League held yesterday week, a great deal of important business, was transacted. A resolution was passed to the effect that the Council understanding that Mr Barff was about to proceed through the mining districts, lie bo requested to act as the representative of the League in addressing public meetings and otherwise, and to take charge of copies of the petition. The President was instructed to telegraph to the Collector of Customs at Greyniouth asking for returns supplementing those obtained by Mr Eobinson. Other business of an important but routine character was transacted, and substantial progress made in forwarding the movement.

We understand that Mr Button delivered a lecture last Tuesday evening on the subject of electricity, at the Presbyterian Church, the proceeds being devoted to' the church funds.

One of the last three women left of tho aboriginals of Tasmania, died lately in the hospital at Hobart Town. She was known as " Patty," and was upwards of sixty years of age. Both of the other women, one of whom is still older than " Patty," were, ov are inmates of the hospital. The last male survivor of the tribe, it will be remembered, left Tasmania for -England a few months ago, having ail irresistible longing to see the Queen.

The Wellington correspondent of the Nelson " Colonist" thus remarks upon the recently established New Zealand " Hansard: — " The chances are that this concern will yet break down ; there are already not wanting symptoms of dissatisfaction as to the manner in which Opposition members are reported. We have a notable example of this in the report of the late debate npon the delegation under the Goldfields Act. The speech of Dr Featherstone, decidedly the best and most convincing upon the occasion — the best, indeed the only speech which has been uttered by him for years — is just intelligable, and that is all, while that of Mr Stafford is fully reported in the first person. Mr Macandrew's remarks as well as those of others on the same side have beeu similarly treated to that of Dr Featherston. There can be no question but that one-half or one-fourth the annual expenditure by the Government upoii its " Hansard," would, if paid to the local press, afford a much nwe complete daily report of the proceedings than is now being furnished."