West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPT. 17, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 618, 17 September 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPT. 17, 1867.

We are bound to say one thing of Mr Moo^liouse: and that is, that he has been singularly uncommunicative with his constituents ever since he took his place in the House of Representatives as the member for Westland. It is true that during his occasional visits to us he has to some extent remembered that he holds the two and totally distinct positions of Superintendent of the whole province, and representative in the Colonial Parliament of the Westland portion of it. At the public meeting held at the Prince of Wales he favored us with a discourse on colonial politics which was exceedingly interesting and full of information — but in one souse exceedingly disappointing, inasmuch as it scarcely touched the skirts of any of those questions which are of paramount because of local interest to ourselves. The impression left on the mind by Mr Moorhouse's very able exposition, Avas that between provincial and general politics there was very little in. common.

Many matters, however, that have engaged the attention of the Assembly during the present session, havo had a practical boariiig upon provincial affairs ; and it was only right that public opiuion here should have had a timely opportunity of expressing itself upon them. Scarcely a copy of any of these measures has veached the district, and we are indebted for such knowledge as we possess of their contents, to the resumes of them given in the Christchurch and Wellington papers. So far as Mr MoiU'liouse has sot himself forward in the House to demand certain concessions to Westland interests — and he appears from the records to have done so frequently and zealously— he lias very wantonly deprived himself of the support of the public here, because he has in no case consulted his constituents. .

We are informed by a recent telegram that Mr Moorhouse has brought under the attention of the House of Representatives the subject of a Marine Survey of the West Coast. Our telegram was dated on Friday and received on Saturday morning last. We have no Wellington files of nearly so late date as Friday, and know nothing therefore of the precise kind of action which Mr Moorhouse has taken on tliis important matter. We gather, however, that the estimates of expenditure laid on the table contained no vote for the work, and that Mr Moorhouse either moved or gave notice of motion in committee of supply of an address to the Governor praying the necessary sum to be placed on the estimates. If his intentions to do this had been communicated to his constituents, h,c would surely have been

strengthened by petitions from the Corporation and from the mercantile community, in the absence of a Chamber of Commerce, in Hokitika. Under tho circumstances we think it exceedingly doubtful whether the motion will be assented to.

Yet it stands recommended by every consideration. Remembering the vast extent of our commerce, the necessity that often arises for vessels to hang on and off the coast, waiting the opportunity of wind and tide for crossing the bar-harbors ; and the dangers which are consequently incident to ship, cargo, and crew, along the whole of this coast, it is impossible to estimate too highly the importance of prosecuting, to somethinglike a satisfactory issue, the Marine Survey of this portion of the Middle Island. Speaking of the whole of the Colonial seaboard, we believe' we are correct in saying that the work is in a most unsatisfactory state. The actual sites of many of the disastrous wrecks that have taken place remain yet unascertained ; the set of the currents on the coast — one of the causes most conducive to wreck — remains to be fully investigated and marked down. We speak of our own portion of the colony, however, only. Here, frequent complaints are made by masters of merchant vessels, of the unreliability of the information supplied them by the Admhalty charts, "whilst the merchants of the neighboring colonies who export to us, complain still more largely of the enormous rates of premium they arc compelled to pay, to ensure vessels and cargo consigned to Westland ports. The Insurance Companies cannot be blamed for what many may consider an excess of caution. Thoy have heard of many actual, and no doubt of many merely supposition, dangers on this coast, and the bad impiession they have formed is increased by the vague and indefinite character of the information supplied. If they take in hand one of tho charts which a trading vessel is required to sail by, they find there, in the form of a foot note, the acknowledgment from the Hydrographer's Department of the Admiralty, that the coast line on this portion of the- colony " has been filled in from data furnished by Messrs Hcaphy and Bruriner, from an exploratory journey in 18-iG !" In other words, no marine survey of our const has yet been undertaken, whilst it is known to those who frequent tho coast that many small and available harbors of refuge exist on our coast-lino especially suitable for coasters, but for which masters of vessels will not run in consequence of the want of an effective survey, and the absence of proper sailing directions. We do not, of course, speak of the case of masters of coasting steamers and other craft, to whom the outlines of every headland and the soundings of every bay are as familiar as the well-worn *field path of the schoolboy. Yet, we remember, on a somewhat memorable excursion down South, some few months back, that the smartest steamer on the coast had to feel her way by soundings whilst travelling over several miles of " reef ground." It is, however, the case of shipmasters from the neighboring colonies, who have less intimate actual acquaintance with the coast, aud who depend for guidance solely upon their charts and sailing directions, that has specially to be provided for. On such official charts as are available, we believe it is a fact that there is scarcely a single point or bay of the West Coast of Canterbury that is correctly laid down. The town of Hokitika itself is five miles out of its proper position.

The Colonial Government have several small steamers at their disposal, admirably adapted for this work, and they could not be employed in a move useful or profitable mission. Nor would it occasion any considerable expenditure. "We may mention the St. Kilda, which with a competent surveyor and a small staff, aud a couple of boats' crews, might perform the whole work in a period probably of six mouths or less. Whatever the cost of a service so economically performed might be, it must be infinitely small compared with the great saving it would immediately effect in the rates of marine insurance, and the consequent cheapening of all imported goods — to say nothing of the additional safety of human life. When M r o take iuto consideration that during the year 1866 no less than 232 vessels — not including the coasting trade at all — with an aggregate of 00,000 tonnage ; with 0897 seamen, and ,up wards of 15,000 passengers on board, made up the complement of the West Coast trade ; that the value of the imports (other than coastwise) during that year was L 821.000, and of exports, L 2,206,000 ; and that the whole of the great interests thus represented depended more or less upon the safety of our coast for shipping ; it is surely* not too much to ask that a complete survey under competent direction should be made, aud that every portion of the coast, every danger, and every harbor of refuge, should bo correctly laid down and published for general information.

It is to be hoped that Mr Moorhouse has supported his motion with argument of sufficient cogency to carry the Colonial Treasurer and the House with him ; and that he will not need the support ho has not asked, of an expression of public opinion here, in his endeavor to effect this very wise and necessary work.

The completion of another lai'ge head-race in tho Knnieri district was the occasion of a most interesting ceremony that took placo on Friday last, and was participated in by a great many of tho miners and business pcoplo who aro located upon tho Uau Hau and Blue Spur leads, During tho last eighteen months Messrs Roach and Co. have boon constructing a large ditch from the right-hand branch of tho Three-mile creek at such a level that whon terminated, the raco would command every part of tho Hau Han and Three-mile workings. Tho raco was costly in constructing, as a great deal of flaming was required. One gully had to be spanned by a bridge 125 foot high, whilst lesser but at the same

time heavy flumes were needed to convey the water across the many rugged places intersected by tho surveyed line of race. But tho great natural difficulties of the undertaking wero successfully surmounted by the perseverance and skill of tho company who as we havo above stated,' put the finishing touch upon it on Friday last, by issuing invitations far and near to the christening. A very ploasant assemblage was the result. Abundance of good things were provided in the way of refreshment, to. gethej. 1 with music, to lend a charm to tho scene, whilst upon a fair young damo, a Miss Percival, devolved tho honor of performing the baptismal rite. She acquitted herself admirably, naming the race the " Independent," amidst a storm of hurrahs that made the arehc3 of tho old forest ring again. Toasts and speeches followed this part of the ceremony in quick succession, and shortly before sunset the company broke up, having spent a a most enjoyable afternoon. The Independent Company, who commence sluicing immediately, look forward to at least twenty yeai-3 of highly remunerative work.

The Criminal Sittings of the Westland Circuib Court commenced yesterday morning before Ilis Honor Mr Justice Richmond. His Ilonor in his charge to the Grand Jury, pointed ont the present defective state of the machinery for conducting prosecutions, the result of which was frequently a failure of justice, Ho suggested that some professional person should be appointed to conduct the cases from their commencement until they came to trial. Two prisoners were tried, viz. John Allen, who was convicted of stealing certain deposit receipts, and the second of a bill of exchange, the propety of John Whyte ; and John Twiss, -who was acquitted on a charge of larceny as a bailee. The former prisoner was remanded, a3 there is another indictment to be preferred against him, and the latter wa3 discharged. The Court adjourned to this morning at 10 o'clock. The Grand Jury wero relieved from attendance until Wednesday morning.

The following is the return of nokitika Gaol, for tho week ended 11th September, 18G7 :— Males— For trial, 10; ponal servitude, 5 ; hard labor, 3G ; imprisonment, 2 ; default of bail, 3 j default of fine, 4 ; debtors, 4 ; remand, 1. Total, C 5. Females— For trial, 1 ; hard labor, 3. Total, 4. Receive d during the week, 1 ; discharged, 4. Of the 3G males for hard labor, eight are employed at the Police Barracks.

We can scarcely imagine any event so likely to benefit Hokitika, as the discovery of a payable goldfield in that largo block of country contained between the Hokifcika river and the Totara. Intersected by at least tho line of every lead yet discovered upon the coast, the section of country wo refer to has ever been favorably regarded by tho miners, and not a few prospecting parties have penetrated its recesses, hoping to discover a payable lead that would connect the rich diggings about Ross, with those of tho Kaniori district. Failure after failure resulted — as the ground proved to be both deep and wet — not even a false bottom being found in any of tho gullies and terraces that were tested, and hence it was concluded that if payable gold did exist there, it would bo found at a great depth upon tho main reef. Acting upon this idea, a well equipped pavty o£ diggers commenced a shaft upon a terrace situated about three miles from the beacli, in a direct line with Hannol's Accommodation house, and during the last three months have been working hard to bottom it. They have reached a depth of seventy feet, and from the appearance of the last stratum of drift Blruck, feel convinced that either a false or main bottom carrying gold, i 3 at no great distance below, but having exhausted their means they ara unable to proceed with the undertaking, unless a little assistance is rendered by the public. Although decidedly opposed to the system of paid prospecting, we think that in this case aid might be extended judiciously, as the shaft being so for sunk a moderate sum would easily suffice to bottom it. We have conversed with one of tho party, a Mr Guy, and advised him to apply to somo of the lcading'morchants of this town.

We have been kindly supplied by Mi- Reid, who but the other day arrived in town from Okaritn, with tho following items of mining news concerning that district. It appears that about seventy minors, half of them being Maoris, are working. at Bruce Bny, and although so far removed from centres of civilised life, they express themselves as quite content with their condition, and state that any man who chooses to work there can earn from 15s to 30s per day. The deserted beaches of Okarita arc gradually being taken up again upon tho extended system, and those miners who — provided with proper appliances for working old ground — have tried tho experiment, pronounce it to pay well, as the ground was scarcely half exhausted by the firot workers. Moonlight Beach is held by a fuv. r parties of miners, of whom two, viz., M'Donald's and Wallaco's, aro bringing in a largo water-race from a neighboring creek, and have applied for, and obtained the grant of an extended area of old ground — to be sluiced. Two other extended claims were granted last week on the Old Five Mile Beach to Blanchard and party and Uallaghan and party, for the purposes of sluicing. Although tho Okarita district is very sparsely populated, the few diggers remaining ihero appear to bo doing well.

According to the " Wesfcporfc Times " about 200 holes have bottomed at Waito's, Pakihi, and that about tliirtccn or fourteen are on gold.

We (" Grey River Argus ") intimated an issue or two ago that it Avas our intention to republish to-day an article on the use and properties of sodium amalgum in saving gold. Wo regret however to have to state that through some unintelligible reason the sodium amalgum imported by Mr Williams of this town has proved to bo quite impossible of manipulation until somo more definite information concerning it has been obtained. At present tho metal is simply highly dangerous, as it explodes on immersion in water. Either tho articlo received is incomplete in some of its ingredients, or tho modus operamU is imperfectly understood. Mr Williams has however taken steps to ascertain the propor method of using tho substance, or to discovor whether that which he has received is gonuino or not.

A gentleman just returned from Mclbourno says that on tho 6fch inst. the unusual phenomenon of a fall of snow was witnessed in that oity.