West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 613, 11 September 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11, 1867.

If the Municipal Council of Hokitika have paid little attention to the insinuations made against its members, of misappropriation of the public funds, and a design to appoint auditors who would connive at a falsification of the accounts in order to conceal that misappropriation, it is probably because the charge itself was too absurd and too malicious to be seriously dealt with, and because the members of the Corporation had a well-founded conviction that no section of the public endorsed it.

The object of a public audit of accounts is not, however, merely to ascertain that money has been spent honestly. It is to show, for the satisfaction of those who are its contributors, that it has been expended in due conformity with the objects for which it was placed at the disposal of the public trustee. The Audit system is not necessarily based upon any assumption so offensive as that of a corrupt appropriation of public moneys. It is a recognition of the principle that the people have a right to know, not only with what honesty, but also with what wisdom and discretion, their funds have been applied to the purposes for which they were contributed.

By the 97th section of the Municipal Corporation Ordinance, it is enacted that the accounts of the Corporation shall be balanced twice a year, and a balance sheet for the year ending the First day of September in each year, be prepared by the Town Clerk, and delivered to the Auditors for examination, within thirty days next after. The accounts so handed over to the Auditors, are to be accompanied by tho audited accounts of the preceding year, and by all books, papers and vouchers relating to the Corporation accounts which may be required by them.

By the 98th clause it is provided that an account of all moneys received and expended undi-r the Ordinance, signed by the Mayor and Town Clerk, and certified by the Auditors, shall be " printed and published for distribution among the citizens, or advertised for public information, as the Council may direct," on or before the first clay of December. Such audited account is to specify " the total sum received from each source of income, and the total annual revenue, and the total amounts disbursed under each head of expenditure, and the total annual outlay," made up to the First day of September.

It is certainly a defect in the Ordinance that tho publication of the audited annual statement is not made compulsory before the date fixed for the election of new councillors, which takes place on the ninth day of October. As retiring members of the Council are eligible for re-election, it is of the utmost importance that the burgesses should have the fullest opportunity of ascertaining in what manner they have discharged their trust during their term, of office. And nothing is so well calculated to throw light upon this subject as the Auditor's report upon their stewardship of the public funds. It appears to us that the 98 th clause of the Ordinance was framed without due regard to the date fixed for the election of Councillors. The financial year closing with the end of August, and the election taking place on the ninth of October, ample time would be allowed for the posting up of the year's accounts, and the publication of the Auditor's report, within the month of September. We are glad that the Municipal Council have put a practical interpretation upon the Ordinance in accordance with this view. Already the accounts for the financial year, up to the Ist September, have been hauded over to the Auditors, and already these gentlemen have entered upou their task. It is not to be anticipated that more than a few days will be required to enable them to complete their work ; and long before the day of election, therefore, the ratepayers will be put in possession of all the facts, sufficiently attested, that may be necessary for them to judge of the mode in which their money has been expended. The sum oolleoted by ratea has been i iwgQ j but tog work? that havo been

undertaken by the Corporation were, for the most part, of an imperative character. No doubt much has been left undone that was required to be done. But that is not a complaint to be urged by those who, in the same breath, complain that they huve been too heavily taxed. And* it must be borne in mind that if tho rates have been heavy, this has mainly resulted of the failure of the Government to fulfil its promises to hand over to the Corporation the proceeds of the sales of Town Lands. It must be remembered that Hokitika— a young town with urgent necessities — has received no endowment whatever at the hands of the Provincial Government of Canterbury. All other municipalities within the province have been subsidised. To Hokitika the pledge was made of the payment to the Corporation of the whole of the town land revenues, after deducting the original cost of survey ino-,&c. If this promise had been kept, the Corporation would have been in possession of funds for making the town, and would only have been under the necessity of calling for rates for the purpose of the maintenance and repair of public works, and the ordinary charges of municipal government. It will be only fair to let this fact have fall recognition accorded to it, when the burgesses come to scrutinise the expenditure of the Council for the past year. When the election of new members comes on, it will be well that this long-standing Government pledge shall be dwelt upon, and such a demonstration made on the subject as will give evidence that it is not forgotten, aud that those who made it are not going to be allowed to evade it. It is necessary that the people should be pertinacious about their rights; and that no -repudiation should be submitted, to of formal and deliberate public engagements. The town is entitled to the proceeds of the sale of its soil for its own uses. So said the Superintendent: so declared the Government of which the Goldfields Secretary is a member ; so admitted the Provincial Council. If the immediate fulfilment of this engagement is secured, the burden at present resting upon the ratepayers will be materially lightened.

The audit of the accounts of the Hokitika Municpal Corporation was commenced yesterday afternoon, at the Municipal Council Chambers, by the auditors— Messrs Wilkinson and Homer.

Tonders aro invited for carrying the mails! between Hokitika and Greymouth, HokitikaJ and Ross, Hokitika and the Waimea, HokitUm and the Kanieri, the Six Mile Beach and Chesterfiold, and Hokitika and Okarita. These tenders will be received at tho Post Office, Hokitika, until the 30th instant, and are to be addressed to the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

• At a meeting of the members of tho Pacific Lodge of Freomasons held last evening, P.D P.G.M. Lazar, of the Otago district, delivered a lecture on the tracing board on the second degree. A largo number of the craft, including many visiting brcthron, were present.

Mr J. P. Hydes, who takes his benefit at tho City Theatre this eveniug, has more than the ordinary claims of a colonial actor to public patronage. At a time that now seems remote ; in the enrly gold days of Victoria ; he was the lessee and manager of the old Queen's Theatre in Melbourne, and did good service under circumstances of no little difficulty, in providing a high class of dramatic entortainment. It was under his auspices and management that the Starks. tho first artists of real merit, who made their appearance on tho Melbourne boards, played a very successful engagement. Mr Hydes mny be regarded almost as the pioneer of the drama in Victoria, laying the foundations upon which other men huve built. We are sure the Victorians amongst us who remember the old " Queen's" days will bo glad of the opportunity of showing to-night that they have not forgotten J. P. Hydes. The pieces announced for his benefit are the domestic drama of My Poll and my Partner Joe ; and the comic drama of Dominique tho Deaertor; with an interlude of Selections by Misa Harriet Gordon. Tho pieces will be sustained by the fidl strength of a company rendered unusually effective by the circumstance of the other theatre being closed.

Some persons appear to take pleasure in damaging other people's property, and whether this be done by way of " a lai-k" or with intent to injure the owner, tho practice is equally reprehensible. A short time since we noticed that the glass of an expensively decorated bar window of an hotel in Revell street had been broken, and now we have to state that on Monday night tho window of a shop next tho Duke of York Hotel, lately in the occupation of Mr Hawkins, dyer, was broken. Such wantou acts deserve severe punishment, and we trust that the perpetrators will be discovered and made to pay for their miscoudu.'.t.

The first annual general meeting of the Hebrew congregation was held at the Synagogue Chambers, Tancred-street, on Suuday Bth inst., for the purpose of electing honorary officers for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen were electod to the various offices : —Mr H. Cohen, President; F. H. Isaacs, Treasurer ; Moss Levy, Secretary. The following gentlemen were elected members of the committee : — Messrs. J. Alniuu» J. Hirsch, C. Louisson, S. M. Salomon, and Mr A. Luvi. Last year's balance sheet having been submitted, showed a favorable balanco to the credit of tho congregation.

We have much pleasure in calling atteution to tho next lecture of tho series given under the auspices of the Ilokitika Literary Society, which will bo delivered on Thursday ovening next, at tho Court-house, by Mr South. Tho subject is " Geology," and a variety of interesting and useful information will be given as to tho geological formation of tho West Coast. From the well-known ability of tho lecturer, and the attractive nature of his subject, a large attendance may be anticipated.

It is reported Jthat a company is about to be formed for the purpose of taking up and working a largo lease of ground on Commissioner's Flat, Kanieri. We hope tho report will bo substantiated, feeling sure that tho undertaking will nay well — if proporly car-

In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Robinson Reynolds was fined LI, for using abusive and insulting language in tho presence of a constable. — A considerable number of civil cases, for small debts, were disposed off, but they were devoid of all public interest wlntsver ; with one or two exceptions judgment was either allowed to go by default, or they were dismissed for nonappearance.

The following is the return of cattle and sheep driven past the Rangiriri Police Camp, on their road to Hokitika, during the week ended 4th September, 1867 : — Cattle, 236 j sheep, 850.

Deposits to the amount of L2BO were received at the Hokitika Savings Bank during tho past week.

The existence of platinum on the West Const, and iv payable quantities, is now placed beyond all doubt, a miner having arrived in town, some few days since, with two ounces of the metal, which ho disposed of to Mr Proctor, Revell street. The man stated that he procured it out of the beach at Jackson's Bay, whore it abounded, and that he knew of another locality further on where it w<is yet more plentiful, as working with a tin dish only ho could wa^h out from 6 oz. to 7 oz. per day. We hope to hear more of tliis platinum question, as the establishment of another mineral resource would be of great benefit to tho district.

We are glad to hear that the Great Western Company, Kanieri, have applied for and obtained an extension of their ground to nine acres, tho shareholders of the four claims which made up the original lease, and which have been so far worked separately, having resolved upou a closer coalition, with the view of thoroughly testing the main bottom so soon as the stratum of wushdirt they are now working in is exhausted. It is to be hoped that another, equally rich, will be found lower down. The upper level has paid handsomely, one of the claims (Murphy's) having given a good pile to the shareholders, and has held out well to the last, 3000z3 ldsvt being the return of gold out of tho latest paddock lifted. Another of the samo size, 30ft. x 30ft., will finish the level.

The sluicing claims ou tho Kanieri Terrace, maintain a fair yield, the returns of gold from them during the past week being close upon 300ozs. This quantity was purchased by the gold buyers of Kanieri town, but that the absolute yield should be in excess of that amount is not improbable, a 9 it is believed that several parcels from the above locality were disposed of in Hokitika.

We are requested to call attention to the sale of the slock, furniture, cooking utensils, &c, &c,, at the Melbourne Restaurant. Wo rujty add that the premises are not for sale ; i^liey were advertised by mistake.

i We are indebted t> a gentleman who arrived in the Bruce, from tho Buller, for the following information, by which it would appear that there has been some foul play hi that district. On Monday the body of a man was picked up at the mouth of the Oriwaiti, having two deop wounds, one in the shoulder and Ihe other iv the cheat, as if they had been inflicted by a stab from a knife. The body is supposed to bo that of John Lawler, a miner. Last week the body of a mau, name unknown, wa3 found in Deadman's Creek. Three deep wounds in the head, as if given by a, tomahawk, clearly showed tho cause of death. Wo hear that considerable sensation lias been occasioned in the neighborhood by tho discovery of these apparent murders. With reference to one of these cases the " Wesfcporb Times," of Saturday last, has the following local, in addition to a report of the Coroner's Inquest, at which a verdict of "Wilful Murder" against some person un; known was returned : — " Every exertion is being made by the police to bring the murderer or murderers of the uufortunate unknown to justice, but as yet, we are sorry to say, no clue has been obtained to tho perpotrators of the ntrocious deed. The difficulty has arisen entirely through want of identification, for although three hundred persons have viewed the body, not one has been able to identify tho deaeased. On Thursday somo persons came down from the Mokihinui, thinking from the description forwarded there that they knew the man. The coi'pse had been buried on the day of the inquest, and it was necessary to exhume it, which was at once done, but though in many respects like a supposed man, a deep scar ou the tuumb was not on deceased, and consequently no identity could be proved. At present tho whole affair is shrouded in deepest mystery ; but, as we are told that murder will out, wo hope the murderous scoundrels .'concerned in this one will, ere long, bo captured and rewarded according to their deserts. Since tho above was in type, a rumour is current and probable, that the clothes of decoased and other articles have been found buried within fifty j ards of whore the body was discovered. Detective Lambert and several other experienced officers are on the track, and there is every hope that justico may yet bo done."

With reference to tho new rush to the Mokihinui, the '• Westport Times," of tho 7th instant, aays :—": — " A week ago, a payable terrace was discovered in this locality, but the latest ground opened has caused a perfect stampede, aud, judging from what the steamer Murray has taken away, added to the troops that have trudged it northward, we should guess that a thousand men are now on the ground. The prospects, wo aro happy to say, fully justify such a number, and it is still more satisfactory to find that every hole as yet bottomed lias payable wash, averaging about three feet and a half in thickness. Tho yield is excellent, the beat, we aro told, fully 3dwts to the dish, of coarse flat scaly gold. Whether it reaches that amouut or not, we are not prepared to vouch, but one of the fortunate holders positively assured us so, and our readers must take tho statement for what it is worth. Bo it as it may, however, all who have sunk are satisfied, a pretty good proof of tho probability of its being at loast approaching to the truth. The last diggings opened in the neighborhood are situated about half a mile from the pro-" sent township, close to tho beach, and enly a few hundred yards from high water mark. They are in a'.tsmice, running parallel with the beach, and the holes bottomed have been sunk about forty feet, though there are some deeper than that that have not yet bottomed. All that have as yet reached tho wash have found it perfectly dry, "and the sinking easy. Tho gold is as stated above, coarse and heavy, and already more than half a mile of claims aro pegged out. This, however, does not djucQWftgo tit? fu,rthe>t<. for thwe o&n b& iitfclo

doubt that a well-defined lead exists, and to reach the gold is only a question of time and labor. A vast number of business men have gone up -with a view of establishing branches, and on the two trips of the Murray a large number of both miners and storekeepers went to try their luck. The fact of the township being approachable by steamers is a great point, and we look on the Mokihinui as likely to bo one of the most prosperous places on the coast. In our next issue wo shall be prepared to give further and fuller details."

By each steamer from Melbourne during the past month (aaya the Otago "Times") numbers of Chinese passengers have been brought to Otago, and lately the Chinese appear to have been more numerous in the streets of Dunedin than at any time since their countrymen firat visited the Province. Gradually they are being drafted off to the different parts of the Goldfields. A few of their number seem disposed to settle about the city, and in different places they have leased portions of ground, and are already at work, trenching, delving, and otherwise preparing their sections for the cultivation of produco. It is stated that as many as 5000 or 6000 may be expected to arrive here from Victoria during the ensuing summer. Those who are now coming to the Province, are doing so on the invitation of those of their countrymen who have already settled on the Otago Goldfields, and who have there found more profitable employment as diggers than they have done iv any other part of the colonies.

We take the following from the "Daily Times," of the 4th inst. : — Referring to the renewal of the postal contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, the Sydney " Herald" says : — "It has been whispered that for parts at least of this service there will be considerable competition. Steam navigation in the Eastern Seas is no longer a mystery nor a monopoly. Several local companies have been established east of Suez with more or leas success, and are ambitious of extending their operations. The heavily subsidised French Company is also fairly established, and would not object to carry the English Mails for an adequate consideration ; and it is rumored that the Cunards, who are about to lose their long-en-joyed subsidy for the American mail service, are looking wistfully to the Eastern Seas to find employment for some of their fine fleet of vessels. The Australian" Service is of course involved iv this general competetion. It may be tendered for separately aa a detached branch line, or to be taken up by any company which tonders for the whole Eastern service. But whoever gets the contract between England and Alexandra, and between Suez and Galle, will most likely, though not necessarily, get the Australian line also. When the Direotors of the P. and 0. Company next meet, it will be to announce either that they have re-secured their old contracts, or that they have lost some portions to more successful competitors. But the company stands the best chance of getting the business. In the first place it has all the experience. No new company could improvise fifty-one Beagoing steamers, of an aggregate burthen of 85,000 tons, adapted for the special requirements of the service. If possession is nine points in law, it is nearly as many in the chances of a contract. To be on the ground, and with all the adequate appliances, is to occupy a position of great advantage. Nor is it only ships that the company possesses. Ifc has establishments at nearly every port. Mr Cameron, in his recent work on Malayan India, says of the company's property at Singapore, ' I should judge that the marketable value of the P. and O. Co.'s premises at New Harbor alone (lor they have coal-sheds at Singapore beside) is very little under L 70,000. No new company could provide itself with shore establishments of equal convenience except at great expense. Still further to strengthen its position, the capital of the company lias been increased by another million sterling. With such a large paid-up capital, with such a large and efficient fleet with such valuable shore establishments, with a competent staff, and with the experience of twenty years, the company ought to be in a position to defy successful competition."

We take the following from tho Otago " Times" Summary : — ■" An organised attempt is about to be made by a number of influential citizens, to test and to work the coal strata known to exist at Preservation Inlet, one of the magnificent harbours on the southwestern extremity of the Middle Island. Application for protection for prospecting purposes has been granted by the Waste Landd Board, and a mining surveyor, with assistants, has been despatched to the locality. It is said that coal from seams on the beach there was used on board H.M.S. Acheron, when that vessel was engaged on a survey of the coast, and they wero cursorily examined and favorably reported on, by Dr. Hector. Interest iv the subject was revived by the stoamer William Miskin bringing to Dunedin a Bample of tho coal which she had received from a Bchoonor along with which she had taken shelter in Milford Sound, and by the report received from those on board the schooner, that some men were working the coal at Preservation Inlet. The coal appears to have much more the character of true coal than any samples which have yet been obtained in other parts of the Province of Otugo. It is of a darker color, with bright resinous-looking streaks distributed through it, and it burns freely, with a clear flame, and indications of being capable of producing a good quality of gas. From the quality of the sample obtained, it is believed that it only requires the seam to be wrought properly to be made productive of a very valuable coal. At present, such coal as has been obtained has necossarily been taken from the surface, where it can scarcely be expected to be of a quality equal to that of the body of the seam. Should it be found that the coal improves as tho miners advance from the surface, and that it is even of average quality, it is scarcely pospossible to over-estimate the value of a regular supply being procurable at Preservation Inlet. To the Melbourne steamera it might occasionally prove of valuable service; and now that a regular steamer trade lias been established around the Middle Island, it would be of the utmost advantage to coasting vessols to liuve a coal depot at that particular point of the coast, where they are usually most in need of renewing their supplies. Though the existence of a deposit of coal at Preservation Inlet ha 3 long been known, it is only now that any regular attempt has been made to turn it to practical account, and the experiment is one the result of whioh must be looked forward to with considerable jntoroaN"