THE MONTH.

West Coast Times, Issue 630, 1 October 1867, Page 2

THE MONTH.

The nisi priiis sittings of the Westland Circuit Court terminated on Saturday evening, ■when at twenty minutes to nine o'clock the Special Jury who had been empanelled in the case -of Edgar v. the Hokitika and Kanieri •Company (limited) returned a verdict for the ! plaintiff with L 636 damages. In the judgment of the Court of Appeal, in the case of Sinclair versus Wragge, which called into question the validity of certain Provincial Councils Municipal Ordinances, we notice that an important principle was laid down by Mr Justice Chapman. His Honor said :—": — " I think that Acts of the Provincial Legislatures should be sustained unless they are clearly repugnant to the 19th section of the Constitution Act ; aud that they should never be pronounced invalid to a greater extent than is necessary to eliminate the vicious ! portions." l The " Southern Cross," in its summary for Europe, on the 11th ult., says, " Sir G-eorge j Grey proposes to reside permanently at tho Kawau, where preparations aro being made to receive his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh." The " Grey Argus" " believes that a large shipment of gold will be made from this port by the branch steamer to Wellington, for conveyance to England via Panama. The Bank of Zealand will probably ship about 10,000 ounces ; we aro not aware if any of the other banks will ship by this route." "As punctual as Cobb's coach" will soon become a proverb in Hokitika, so unfailing is the regularity with which the Christchurch "conveyance now makes its overland journey. For many weeks past MrSheppard has managed to land hi 3 splendid team in Hokitika between four and five in the afternoon. We remember that on more than ono occasion tho coach arrived before the earlier hour. The last journey was made iv excellent time, as the coach drew up at the Empire precisely at four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and delivered a heavy parcel of freight aud mails, and Mrs Taylor aud family as passengers. Tho road is in capital condition, and the various streams are at a low ebb. The old Police-camp in Revell street will soon be numbered amongst things of the past, as its tumble-down buildings are at .last vacated for the commodious barracks in '. Weld street. The removal of tho police to then* new quarters was completed on Saturday. We understand that tho old camp buildings will be sold by auction at an early date, and the site revert to the Town Council. The nomination of candidates for the Town Council will take place on Saturday next. The nominations must be in writing, and must be delivered at the Town Clerk's office before noon on the day named. Printed forms of nomination arc to be obtained on application. Constable Coonan, of the New South Wales police force, and who in stationed at Wellington, in that colony, arrived by the Claud Hamilton last week, to take charge of a man named Coghlan, who has been apprehended by the police here, on a charge of obtaining, under false pretences, thirty horses in New South Wale 3. A telegram from Wellington, dated the 19th instant, says — "Government supporters are privately sounding members with a view to proposing a supply for two years." A subsequent telegram states that the Treasurer incidentally observed that annual sessions of the General Assembly could well be dispensed •with. A still later telegram reports that a motion by Mr Reeves, against biennial sessions, was carried nem. con. Some alarm was occasioned on Tuesday night, in the vicinity of the Hau Hau Tramway, about a mile and a-half from Town, in consequence of a man named Benjamin Jones stating that he had taken poison, viz., phosphorus paste. Dr Young was immediately sent for, and administered tho usual remedies but could not detect neither symptoms nor traces of the poison. Two men have lately been received into the Hospital, Buffering from severe injuries by burning, in consequence of their tents taking fire in the night whilst tho inmates were osleep. In both cases the tents were observed to be on fire, and the parties were dragged out hi a state of stupefaction arising from the smoke. The tents are supposed to have ignited from the practice of leaving a fire at night burning outside the tent. We notice that the Roman Catholics, with their wonted zeal in such matters, are erecting a neat wooden building on the Church reserve, Stafford street, designed as tho future residence of their pastor, Father M'Donough, and his coadjutor. The grounds have been well drained and cleared, and when finished the presbytery will make an agreeable change in the appearance of that hitherto much | neglected part of our town. We are indebted to the courtesy of tho Hon. John Hall — who, notwithstanding the recent announcement of Ids retirement from the Government, appears to still hold the office of Postmaster-General — for copies of the following Parliamentary Papers : — A Bill to amend tho Goldfields Act, 1866 ; the New Zealand Municipal Corporation Bill ; a Bill to prevent the introduction into New Zealand of convicted felons ; a Bill to constitute in New Zealand a Court of Divorce and Matrimonial Causes ; a Bill to consolidate and amend the laws relating to Resident Magistrates ; a Bill to provide for the care and custody of neglected and criminal children ; an Act for establishing Courts of .Sessions of the Peace j and further despatches from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the Governor of New Zealand. The Bill now passing through the General Assembly to Amend the Goldfields Act, 1866, provides for Wardens of Goldfields to cause Rolls of Assessors to be made, of not less than fifty in number, to he summoned to sit at the hearing of complaints or causes in Wardens' Courts, and declares that Regulations made under the Goldfields Act, 1862, authorising holders of Miners' Rights to construct water-races and divert water from Crown lands, &c, shall be deemed valid, and $o "have had the force of law from the making thereof until the expiration or cancellation thereof."

The* coast-line appears to be swarming with I codfish, largo quantities of which have been ! caught and hawked about the town for sale. i These fish, which are delicate eating, are usually caught in deep waters, but at present they are found just outside the surf. The steamer Huntress, which arrived on tho 20th ult., from the Buller, anchored just outside the break, and her crew commenced fishing and caught thirty dozen of remarkably fine fish. A large quantity were also caught by the same vessel off the Grey. The brigantinc Hector, which had been lying in the roadstead, was towed in with several dozen of these fish on board. The crew of the steamer Bruce, which arrived hero on the 21st ult., caught whilst the vessel was lying in the roadstead some twenty or thirty dozen. The river too has largo shoals of herring and whitebait, and the codfish have either come in to spawn, or have been attracted by the plentiful supply of food coming down the river. A numerously-attended meeting of the members of tho Caxton Dramatic Club was held on Saturday, 21st ult., at the Post Office Hotel. The draft rules were rovised and adopted, and a committee of four was appointed to carry out the objects of the club. Mr Galvin was elected treasurer, and Mr Buchanan secretary. A piece was chosen for rehearsal, tho public performance of which will', we believe, be shortly announced. Wo wish tho members of the Caxton Club every success in their dramatic efforts. A meeting of tho Council of the Separation League was held on the 23rd ult., at Richinond'sNew Orleans Hotel. Mr Shaw, the vicepresident of tho League, was iv the chair. Extracts from private letters received by Mr Barffand Mr Bright, from the lion John Hall, were read. A resolution was adopted instructing the Secretary to telegraph next morning to Mr Hall directing his attention to the telegram previously forwarded to the Hon Major Richardson. Mr Shaw then said he had a very important matter to bring under the notice of the Council. From various causes it had happened that a large number of citizens had not identified themselves with the movements of the League, and he thought tho time had come when it was most desirable that the co-operation of all sections of the community should be secured. A good deal had been effected in enlisting the sympathy of two leading members of tho Government, Major Richardson and Mr Hall, and if the people were in earnest they ought to make the most of the advantage they had gained, and strengthen their position by securing a union of tho people on a broad basis. The creation of a new province had been asked for because it was understood that any local Board established could only w be invested with control over tho expenditure of local rates. If any system of local government could be established which would secure to tho district the control of all the local revenues, including the gold duty and the proportion of Customs, and the control of the Government departments, the real necessities of the district would be practically met. He thought this was tho view of many who had hitherto held aloof from the League ; and ho suggested therefore that now the views of the Government on the subject had been ascertained from the telegrams and letters received from Major Richardson and Mr Hall, the members of the League and the gentlemen named as the' original committee at the meeting held at the Prince of Wales Theatre, should be invited to a conference with the Council, with a view to the union of all parties in support of a further movement to secure local self-government. Mr Shaw's views were endorsed by the whole of the members of tho Council present, and the Secretary was instructed to call a special meeting of the League and the original committee for Wednesday evening. A public meeting was held on Monday the 23rd ult. at the Prince of Wales Opera House, for the purpose of considering tho propriety of requesting the whole of tho members of tho present Municipal Council to resign. Messrs Cassius, Mqc, Rees, James Browne, Bartlett, and Klein were on tho stage. Mr Cassius in tho -choir. Resolutions were passed affirming that the conduct of tho members of the present Municipal Council was reprehensible, and deserving of severe censure for persisting in retaining their seats in opposition to the long expressed wishes of tho 'ratepayers. Also, that the meeting requested the whole of the Council to resign before the 9th October next, and further, that the chairman bo requested to communicate the wishes of the meeting to the Municipal Council." The meeting was addressed by Messrs Mcc, Browne, Recs, and Klein ; also by Cr Anderson, who said if ha was not ballotted out, ho should resign. Mr Mowat, who stated that he; believed the whole of the present Council would resign, and Cr Ecclesfield, who also stated that if parties had allowed forty-eight hours to elapse before calling the meeting, ho thought there would havo been no occasion for convening it. Tho meeting terminated with a vole of thanks to the chairman. A low rumbling noise, followed by a dull thud, as of the fall of -a heavy body, startled the quiet residents of Sewcll and Hamilton streets on the 23rd ulfc., aud even penetrated the sanctum of the Supremo Court, where his Honor Judge Richmond was busily disposing of sundry bankruptcy cases. The sound was at first attributed to distant thunder, but soon a rumor spread that the large store erected by Mr Stevenson and Co. nearly eighteen months ago, and latterly used as a warehouse by Messrs Jamos Chesney and Co, had met with an untimely end by falling off the piles that supported it. Such proved to be the case, for unable to withstand the pressure of nearly four hundred tons of goods (chiefly bran and flour) which had been crammed into tho store, " tho piles gave way and down camo tho the building with a crash, ono of the sides being burst out, and so muchdamago indicted upon every part of tho odifico that (to use a nautical expression) it was reduced to a perfect wreck. Hamilton street was strewed with bales of chaff and bags of flour and bran ; aud but for the late lovely weather which has converted that usually swampy thoroughfare into solid dry land the loss through damage must have been considerable. As it is Mr Chesney trill be a heavy loser, the reconstruction of the

! store being unavoidable, and where its con tents will find shelter in the meantime is a question not easily answered, as storeage room is one of the scarcest commodities in town just now. The escort, under charge of Sergfc. Wilson, arrived from the Wahnca on the 23rd uIU with IGOOozs. of gold for the banks. During the sittings in Banco on 2 ith ulh, Mr Justice Richmond remarked/ that some of the members of tho Assembly were going in for ' the concentration of the judicial poAver of the colony. There was no doubt the Bench and the Bar in New Zealand would never rank as high without such concentration us wasadopted in other colonies, but on tho other hand the present 'system tvns a great convenience, and gave grout facilities for tho transaction of business. The proposition, of course, had no reference whatever to the trial of issue of fact, whether of a civil or criminal character^ but i r eferred solely to sittings in Banco." Wo presume that should this proposal be adopted, judging from His Honor's words, that the Judges would go periodically on circuits the same as in England. Wo publish tho following additional particulars respecting the late attempt at suicide which look place at Greek's Gully, Waimea District, on tho 23rd ult. It appears that the unfortunate man, whose name was Walter Dalton, is a miner, and in company - with Robert Egau, John Simpson, and John Christie, was working a claim at Greek's Gully, where they resided in a hut not far from the claim. Early on Monday morning Egan, Simpson, and Christie went to work, leaving Dalton alone in the hut. Iv a short time a man named Robert Jackson, who is also a miner at Greek's Gully, came running to them saying that Dalton cut his throat. They immediately went to tho hut and found tho report to be too true. Jackson stated that as he was entering the hut he saw Dalton fall on tho floor, with the blood issuing from a wound in his throat, and a knife besmeared with blood lying by his side. Dr Wheeler was quickly iv attendance and dressed the wound and the police, with the assistance of Dalton's mates, conveyed Mm into town, whence ho was conveyed to the Hospital. We understand that, although the windpipe- is wounded, yet that the arteries have not been injured, so that hopes aro entertained of his recovery. We hear that Dalton was drinking heavily in Hokitika last week, and that at times ho seemed much depressed in spirits, being at one time found crying in his bedroom,- no other canse can be nssigued for the rash act. . Another magnificent haul of fish was brought into port on tho 23rd ult. by the cutter Hope, the crew of which vessel caught, during a few hours' stay outside, no fewer than 500 beautiful cod fiah, varying in weight from 31ba to lOlbs. Tho lot was soon disposed of to hawkers,' who loat no time in vending their wares to tho — if not very musical — at least welcome cry of '•' Fish Oh," and appeared to find a ready sale for them at what wo consider as oxhorbitanlly heavy rates. When will a fishing company be established to supply the town with this delicious article of diet at "moderate prices. We take^the following progress note from the " Grey River Argus :" — " We have several times latoly had occasion to refer to the signs of improvement that are manifesting them-, selves on the various diggings up the river ; and we aro [now glad to be able to state, on the authority of. a gentleman who has just returned from a trip in the interior, that the present aud future prospects of the Grey- dis- j trict are in the highest degree cheering. It is not only that the diggings themselves are prosperous, but .that there are striking evidences of the gradual permanent settlement of the £ country in the occupation and cultivation°of tho soil. Our informant was astonished to find so many fertile gardens and thriving farms as ho >met with beyond the Twelve-mile Landing. Most of tho storekeepers, aud not a few of the miners, havo good gardens, which pioduco ovcry description of vegolablo in great abundance and of extraordinary excellence ; whilst there are also a few farms of ' from twenty to fifty acres which havo already produced large profits to their owners, and will continue to do so. Thoro is a largo extent, of arable land and the quality of tho soil is of the best description. Tho climate is mild and agreeable, and capablo of maturing cereals ; indeed, our informant says he could not desire a more agreeablo climate. The diggings are gradually extending all over the valley of the Grey, every creek and tributary being more or less gold-bearing. Many of the creeks and water-courses havo been worked out, but tho diggers have found that the torracos are equally auriferous, and their systematic working has been commenced with the most cheering results. At Moonlight Gully the diggers/ appear to be doing extraordinarily well, th'e\ gold being found in plentiful quantities and in heavy pieces. Ifuggofc3 of from ten to forty ounces are by no means uncommon, and the gold is generally heavy and coarse. At Nelson Creek, Slatey Creek, and tho minor diggings, tho miners aro all profitably engaged, aud in almost every case the terraces throughout the whole district have been proved to be auriferous. So well, indeed, aro the miners and business people doing that, it is difficult to get information from them, and they are dinposed to under-rate rather than exaggerate matters, because they do not wwfc a rush. It is satisfactory to be able to say that tho population is increasing daily, it being estimated that nearly fifty men per diem havo passed tho Twelvc-milo during the past week." The bill for the consolidation of tho provincial loaus was road a second time on the I7fch inst. All discussion upon its merits was avoided by Mr Filshorberl stating that the Government merely wished the House to givo an expression of opinion on the principle of tho bill — the advisability of consolidating the provincial loans — and, as upon this question all parties are agreed, debate upon ifc was unnecessary. The mode in which the consolidation can best be effected Mr Fitzherberfc proposed to refer to tho consideration of a select committee, whoso names ho mentioned ; and as tho impartiality of the choico of members that had been made could not be disputed, it was at once appointed, a hopo, however, being expressed that it would get.t hrough its labors as quickly as possible, so aa to expedite the passage of the bill.

On Wednesday a fine little boy named Atwood, aged two and a-half years, met with a sad accident, whilst playing upon the tramway that leads into the bush from tho upper saw mill, Gibson's Quay. A truck was passing, and it appears that the driver failed to notice the child who was knocked down by the truck, and one of his thighs severely lacerated. Dr. Dcnnotl was immediately sent for and attended to the little sufferer, whom he pronounced to be seriously but not fatally injurec*. Tho Christehnrch coach arrived in town at 4 o'clock sharp, on Wednesday afternoon, after a most delightful journey through the ranges. Messrs-Robinson," Lord, and F frost, where the only through passengers. ' . In reference to the late stabbing caso at Stafford Town, we are happy to state that the sufferer, Patrick Gavin, who is in the Hospital, is now considered out of danger, although some timo musfc elapse before his complete recovery. The promises occupied by Mr Samuel's, ironmonger, Revell street, near the Prince of Wales Opera House, had a narrow escape from being burnt down on Saturday week. Ifc appears that about six o'clock a large keroaone chandelier, which was lighted, suddenly fell from the ceiling to tho floor of the shop, and tho lamps being broken by tho fall tho kerosene becamo ignited, and a sheet of liquid flame soon spread over the shop-floor.. The alarm was instantly given, and the neighbors as speedily came to assist. Wet blankets wore thrown over tho flame 3, which were thus quickly subdued. Meanwhile the fire-bell was pealing forth its ominous tones, thousands soon thronged the street, tho Engine-house was opened, and the engines wcro got out, and the Brigade mustered in force, but; their services were not needed, as tbo fire was extinguished before they could arrive on tho spot. It was indeed most fortunate that such prompt measures wero taken to extinguish the fire, for had a few more minutes elapsed nothing could have saved Mr Samuel's premises, and perhaps a large block of buildings from utter destruction. We are indebted to a gentleman who arrived in the Bruce, from the Buller, for the following information, by which it would appear that there has been some foul play in that district. The body of a man was picked up at the mouth of the Oriwaiti, having two deep wounds, one in the shoulder and the other in the chest, as if they had been inflicted by a stab from a knife. The body is supposed to be that of John Lawler, a miner. Another that of a man, name unknown, was found in Deadman'B Creek. Three deep wounds- in tho head, as if given by a tomahawk, clearly showed flic cause of death. Wo hear that considerable sensation lias been occasioned in the neighborhood by tho discovery of these apparent murders. With reference to ono of these cases the " Westporfc Times," of the 7th ult, has the following local, in addition to a report of the Coroner's Inquest, at which a verdict of "Wilful Murder" against some person unknown was returned : — " Every exertion is being made by tho police to bring the murderer or murderers of tho unfortunate unknown to justice, but as yet, wo aro sorry to say, no clue has been obtained to the perpetrators of tho atrocious deed. The difficulty has arisen entirely through want of identification, for although three hundred persons havo viewed the body, not one has been able to identify the deceased. On Thursday some persons came down from the Mokihinui, thinking from tho description forwarded there that they knew- the man. The corpse had been buried on the day of the inquest, and ifc was necessary to exhume it, which was at once done, but though in many respects like a supposed man, a deep scar on the thumb was not on deceased, and consequently no identity could bo proved. Afc present the whole affair is shrouded in deepest mystery ; but, as we aro told that murder will out, we hope the murderous scoundrels concerned in this oue will, ere long, be captured and rewarded according to their deserts. Since the abovo was in type, a rumour i 3 current and probable, that the clothes of deceased and other articles have beoajibund buried within fifty yards of where tho'Jbody was discovered. Detective Lambert arid several other experienced officers aro on the track, and there is every hope that justice- may yefc be done." v^.Oji the 13th uit. a little girl named Godfrey, whose parents reside in Beaeh-st., met with a severe accident.* The child, who is about six years of ago, was lying in the street when as a greengrocers cart was passing, tho driver, not observing the girl, the wheel passed over her leg, fracturing the thigh and severely bruising the toes. Dr Mourelyn and Dr Beswick were promptly in attendance. The child was taken to her parents house, when Dr Boswick administered surgical aid to the sufferer, who we trust will do well. I The first annual general meeting of the Hebrew congregation was held afc tho Syna- | goguo Chambers, Tancred-street, on Sunday Bth ulfc., for the purpose of electing honorary officers for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen wore elected to the various offices : —Mr H. Cohen, President ; F. W. Isaacs, Treasurer ; Moss Levy, Secretary. The following gentlemen were elected members of the commitfcoe : — Messrs. J. Aluian, J. Hirsch, C. Louisson, S. M. Salomon, and Mr A. Ljvi. Last year's balanco sheet having been, submitted, showed a favorable balanco to tho credit of tho congregation. Tho following is the return of cattle aud sheep drivon past tho Raugiriri Polico Camp, on their road to nokitika, during tho week ended 4fch September, 1867 : — Cattle, 236 ; sheep, "850. V Deposits to the amount of L2BO were received at the Hokitika Savings Bank during tho week ending the 7fch ult. " Wo have much pleasure in announcing that between six and seven hundred volumes of books havo arrived from Melbourno for the Library of the Hokitika Literary Society. We understand thafc they comprise somo valuable standard works, useful for study and reforence, together with works of fiction by the best authors, so that the tastes of all classes of readers Avill be gratified. We hail with satisfaction the formation of a Library in connection with' the Hokitika Literary' Society, believing it to bo the nucleus of a valuable public library for Hokitika. We wero much gratified on the 17th ult. in seeing so largo an audience assembled in the court-houso on tho occasion of tho delivery of tho second of a series of lectures in connection with the Hokitika Literary Society. Tho chair was taken by the President, Mr Button, who very briefly introduced the Lecturer, Mr South. The subject chosen was "Geology," and it, was treated in a masterly and comprehensive manner, yet withal, so diversified with anecdote and illustration, as to render ifc interesting oven to thoso scientifically inclined. Special reference was made to the geological structure of Westland, and to the action of the sea upon our coasts and beaches. The Lecturer was repeatedly and warmly applauded, and at tho conclusion of the lecture a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to him. Masonry appears to bo making great progress in Hokitika, judging from the largo attendance of brethren afc the meeting- of the Pacific and Kilwinuing Lodges, held during tho month. A joint Lodge of Instruction has also boon formed, which will meet in a few days. Wo congratulate the members of tho craft on the?e auspicious circumstances, and trust thafc both lodges will long continuo to work for the common weal in " peaco and harmony."

On the evenings of the lOlli and 11th ult., a gift auction was held at Grey month, in aid of the Olmvch of England building fund. In the preceding week, the town was canvassed for contributions, and the appeal was most liberally responded to. A great variety of Useful and ornamental articles were collected. Mr M'Lean volunteered his services as auctioneer for the occasion, and well did he perform his duties, getting through nearly 600 lota with an amount of ability and ready humor which few could help admiring. A sum of no less than L 177 was collected and paid into the Church account, which was enough not only to pay off the debt still remaining on the church, but to leave a balance of LIOO to the credit of the committee. Every liraise is due to the hearty and spirited efforts which the inhabitants of Greymouth have shown in the prosecution of this worlr, and we believe that few churches in Sow Zealand, finished like Trinity Church, can boast of having been fully paid for within two months of their erection. The total sum expended on the church has been L 560. The existence of platinum on the West Coast, and in payable quantities, is now placed beyond all doubt, a miner having arrived in towiij some few days since, with two oimcc3 of the metal, which he disposed of to Sir Proctor, Rpvell street. The man stated that ho procured it out of the beach at Jackson's Bay, whore- it abounded, and that he knew of another locality further south where it was yet moro plentiful, as working with a tin dish only he could wash out from 6 oz. to 7 oz. per day. We hope to hear more of this platinum question, as the establislunenfc of another mineral resource would bo of great bonefit to the district. Wo hear that the sea has been making great inroads on the shore, all along the lino of coast from here to the Buller. At Fox's the tide swept up to the back of the dwellings erected on the beach, and, in some instances, passed through the stores. Banks of gravel heavily timbered, have been washed away by tho action of the surf along the line of coast. Another daring attempt to escape from the Uokitika Gaol was made on the 9th ult. by a prisoner named John Hartley, who was convicted of larceny at tho last sittings of the District Court, and sentenced to twelve months hard labor. The gang which numbered twenty men, were sent to the bush to work, in charge- of four Warders, including Sir Brown, overseer of the works. The prisoners quietly performed their allotcd tasks until 10 o'clock in the morning, when Hartley was observed to suddenly throw down his tools and dart into the bush, and refusing to stand when challenged was fired at by tho three Warders in succession, the last shot bringing hun down. The wound could have been but slight, as he was up' again immediately and continued running, pursued by Mr Brown, who, after a hard chase, succeeded in capturing his man. The sound of the firing aroused the gaoler, Mr Cleary, who at once hurried to the spot, and joined in the chase after Hartley, whom he assisted to capture and convey back to the gaol. The prisoner was covered with blood, and that he escaped instant death was almost miraculous, the rifle bullet having struck Ids temple, inflicting a flesh wound that reached the skull. Dr. Young, who was immediately sent for. dressed tho hurt, and pronounced tho sufferer to be in no danger. This is the second attempt to escape from the Westland gaol that has occurred since the control of that establishment was assumed by Mr Cleary, bo Hi having been frustrated by the prompt action of himself and staff. We are happy to notice the marked improvement that has been effected lately in the discipline of the gaol. Eeforring to our remarks upon the little notice the Westlaud Separation movement seems to have excited in Canterbury*sHhe "Press" says: — "But the fact of the matter is tha6\this separation movement is none of our business. We came to the conclusion long ago, before the presenfc/'cry was raised on the West Coast, that Westland ought to be divided from Canterbury and placed under a Government of its own. We gave our reasons for so thinking, and have never seen cause for altering our opinion. Bnt now that the public of Westlaud have come to see the matter in the same light, we have nothing further to do than to wish them success in their endeavor to obtain separation —of which, however, as long as so much jealousy and opposition exist among the several districts, wo see but faint prospect. The goldfields on the West Coast have been no gain to Canterbury, quite the reverse; she would be better off at the present moment if they had never been discovered at all. All goldfields are a source of expense to the country in which they are situated, but they are a source of immense profit as well ; whereas Canterbury has had nothing but the expense, and tho profit has been enjoyed elsewhero. The goldfields have taken away population from this side of tho province, have stopped its immigration, and abstracted a large amount of revenue, while they have given nothing in return. .When, therefore, Westland wishes to break off the connection it is not to bo expected that we should raise any objection to the retirement of so expensive and so unprofitable a partner. Wo have too much to gain rom Separation to feel the slightest desiro to oppose it. We may indeed feol some uncertainty as to the futuro of the new Province. We may doubt tho permanence of its resources ; wo may bo well aware that the discovery of any extensive goldfield in the North Island — no improbable contingency — would empty it at once ; wo doubt whethor ifc has men capablo of taking part in the work of government ; but these are questions of which Westland can -judge for itself. If it is willing to try tho experiment, by all means let ifc do so. We have performed our part in pointing out these difficulties, and suggesting other alternatives than that of being constituted a separate Province, but if Westland prefers to bravo the risks of an independent career, we bid her hon voyage, glad to get rid of her as a partner, but as a neighbor wishing her all prosperity." A soinowhaL singular instance of tho recovery of lost, if not stolen property, has been brought under our notice by the police, and shows how a careful observant detective officer succeeded in killing two birds with one stone. We dare say many of our readers remember a strange advertisement that appeared in the paper, in June last, requesting the conscientious individual who borrowed a pair of field glasses from tho steamer Yarra, to call upon the Captain, and the case belonging to the glasses would bo presented to him. The party in question did not present himself, but the advertisement caught tho eye of Detective Browne, who remembered that whilst searching a number of outward passengers for gold, on board the steamer Yarra, a few days previously, he remarked that one of them had a hard substance (which felt »like a pair of glasses) concealed under liis coat. He mechanically noticed the man's appearance, although his suspicions were not excited at tho time, but on reading the advertisement ho felt certain ho held a clue to the missing articles. The passengers searched on board tho Yarra were proceeding to Melbourne by the steamer Gothenburg, aud amongst them was a member of tho Victorian detective ibrco en route for head quarters, after transacting a littlo professional business in Westland. By tho next steamer which sailed for Melbourne, Detective Browno forwarded a communication to this party, describing the 1 appearance of the man whom ho searched,

and stating his suspicions. The letter reached its destination in due course, and some few weeks afterwards an answer was returned, containing the satisfactory intelligence of the recovery of tho field glasses. The suspected person had, ifc appeal's, been traced to Ballavat, there discovered, and taxed with the theft, which he stoutly denied, but admitted having found a pair of glasses on the Yarra's deck, and thinking they lacked an owner, had quietly appropriated them. As it would have been very difficult to convict him on a criminal charge, and, moreover, as ho appeared quite willing to restore the glasses, the detective contented himself with their recovery, and let the man go. The glasses will, we believe, be sent over here by the next steamer. In opening the Tasmauian Parliament on the 20th ult.,his Excellency Col. Gore Browne said: — "You will rejoice to hear that the efforts of those gentlemen who have labored so long and so energetically to introduce salmon into Tasmanian waters have been crowned with success. There is no longer any doubt that the salmon is now acclimatised in this colony, and it is equally certain that our fisheries will become considerable sources of wealth to our people." The surf has wrought a marked change in the coastline between the rivers Hokitika aud Totara, the latest formed outlet from the Totara lagoon having quite closed, aud the water being thus backed up the lagoon has again assumed its original lovely proportions. Considered in a purely practical light, this alteration is to be regretted, as the fordingplace across the upper end of the lagoon is thereby rendered next to impassable even in fine weather ; but as the strip of beach separating the lagoon from the sea is reduced in width to a mere thread, we shall not be at all surprised to hear of the entire removal of this feeble barrier, and the consequent effectual draining of tho lagoon, which considered as a piece is lovely to look at, and well worth a visit. Major H. A. Atkinson has given notice that he will move, in the House of Representatives, as an amendment to the motion forgoing into Committee of Supply, two resolutions, reducing the sums to be voted under clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, to L 320.00 0; aud instructing the Government during the reces3 to take such measures as will reduce the total sum required next year for the services provided for under these clauses to L 250,000. An inquest was held on Tuesday 17th ult., at Okarita, before Matthew Price, Esq., coroner, on the body of a man named Matthew Scanlon, found drowned on the banks of the Little Wauganui River. After hearing the evdence, the jury returned an open vei'dict. The deceased was thought to have been insane, and to have wandered into the river. Two leases were issued yesterday (says the Melbourne " Argus") by the Minister of Lands, to which more than usual iuterest attaches. The one was to Mr Morton, of the Criterion Hotel, and the other to Mr Joske, wine and spirit merchant, for lands lying contiguous, pretty far back in the ranges beyond Ballan. Ifc has been known for a length, of time that a spring of mrated water existed there, of the same class as the seltzer-water of Baden Baden, and of a quality scarcely, if at all, inferior. In winter, the water is less strongly characterised by it 3 peculiar ingredients, though it is still very fine, but in summer ifc is very strong. Ifc issues from rocks of Silurian formation, and the stream has forced its way through a natur.il bed of i sandstone, from which its puffs and effervesces down to the creek below. Ifc i 3 the intention of the lessees to do as is done in Germany — to place a silver syphon over the outlet of the water, artd tobottle it on the spot, just as ifc issues from the rock, for the Melbourne -ituarkefc. The work will be commenced in a few days, and long before tho hot weather sets in thirsty souls will be enabled to refresh themselves with a colonial tonic water not inferior to the famous seltzer. During the week-ending the ,18th ult, 74 head of cattle and 797 sheep, from East Canterbury, were driven past' the Rangiriri station, on their way to West Coast markets. A meeting was held on the&Oth ult, at tho Empire Hotel, for the purpose 'of taking the necessary steps to form a cricket* club in Hokifcika. Mr Rees was hi the chair. Itwasproposed by Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Mace, and carried — that a provisional committee be^orraed for the purpose of taking the necessarpsteps for the formation of the club, such committee to consist of Messrs. Rees, Mace, Pc/cock, J. R. Anderson, Flanagan, Frew, Hawkins, B. Osborne, Bonar, Sale, Tennant, Henderson, C Mace, Bloxam, E. C. Osborne,' !& South, Klein, Morton, Gilles, M'Cheyne, r =Marfcin, Preshaw, Byrne, S. M. South, Andrews, Mcc," Almar., Prosser, Staite, Chesney,- Devore, Evans, Fisher, Spence, Carey, Cassius, Harvey, Blake, Reid, Hazoldean, Mannerirtg, Etheridgo, Stephenson, and Shaw, with power to add to their number. 'Mr Poeock was appointed secretary pro tern. A sub-committee after was also appointed; with power to make contracts for the purpose of carrying into effect tho objects of the club. It was also determined that subscription-lists bo at once opened in order to defray the expenses consequent on making and fencing-in the cricket ground, and that tenders be immediately invited for preparing and fencing such ground. Messrs. Mace, Anderson and Klein, were appointed to canvas for subscriptions. A splendid sample of gold, extracted from the Taipo diggings, was submitted to our inspection on the 16th ulfc., audfroin its appearance we are inclined to believe that it had not travelled far from its matrix, as each picco was more or less impregnated with quartz, and only partially water-worn. The sample consisted of several little nuggets, weighing fromtwo or three grains to ouo pennyweight each. We believe that payable quartz-reefs must exist in the country about the Taipo aud upper Greenstone, and that the line of quartz gold will in time be traced iv that direction from the reefs in Moonlight Gully. The course is about tho same that quartz-reefs on this coast would be likely to take, judging from the lay of the great mountain chain in the baok country. Oneof the most shoskingly deliberate cases of stabbing that ever occurred in the district, threw the inhabitants of Piper's Flat (Waimoa) , into a state of immense excitement on Monday night, the 16th ult., and so onraged the miners, that they were with difficulty restrained from dealing with the culprit a la Judge Lynch. We shall merely give the facts of the case as communicated to us by a gentleman who arrived in town from Waimea on Tuesday. Amongst the buildings which are comprised in the littlo township of Piper's Flat, is a large hotel and dance house, which is much patronised by tho miners, who nightly throng the room to indulge iv a pastime they have ever delighted in. Amongst the company was an old man, who having selected the youngest girl in the room for a partner, was "chaffed" by some of the onlookers, one of whom— a stalwart youug Irishman, named Patrick Galvin, was rather pointed in his remarks. These so enraged the other that he coased dancing, and challenged Galvin out to fight with either knives or pistols, but being met with a laughing refusal, he rushed from the room, was seen to sharpen his knife upon a grindstone outside, and then returned and made a deadly attack upon poor Galvin, who being taken unawares received two frightful stabs, one in the loft thigh, two inches below the groin, another under the left ribs. A rush was immediately made by the bystanders to prevent further mischief and secure the

would be assassin, who desperately resisted, striking right and left with his knife, and in the melee wounded one man in the hand, and cut the trousers of another across, missing his" thigh by the merest chance. He was at la's* disarmed and bound, and the mob being frightfully excited, were proceeding to extreme measures, his immediate execution being loudly advocated, when the police opportunely arrived, aud by dint of persuasion induced the diggers to let the law take its course. Meantime, the wounded man hod been removed to his tent, where his hurts were roughly dressed, and the following day ho wa3 brought into town, and conveyed to the Hospital. He was ab first considered to be' in a dangerous condition, but youth and a good constitution carried him through, and in a few days he was declared convalescent. Deposits to the amount of L 322 6s 6d were placed in the Hokitika Savings Bank during the week ending Saturday 14th ult. The monthly practice meeting of the Fire Brigade was hold on tho llfch ult. when the members mustered in goodly numbers, and proceeded with the engine to try the wells lately sunk in the streets by the Municipal Council. The well afc the corner of Stafford i street was found to contain only about 18 inches of water, and was soon exhausted, whilst that at the corner of Hampden street had still less water in it ; the Weld street well, on the contrary, yielded a continuous and good supply. The engine was in capital order, and worked splendidly. The secretary of tho Brigade was directed to write to the Municipal Council, respectfully calling their attention to the necessity of sinking the wells deeper, so as to procure a larger supply of water. Walter Dalton, who cut his throat at the Waimea, on Monday week, and who was removed to the Hospital, is progressing favorably, and is expected to recover. On the 13th ulfc. a deputation, consisting of Messrs J. R. Anderson, H. Mace, and B. Osborne, waited upon the Goldfields Secretary, for the purpose of endeavoring to procure a portion of the cattle reserve, to be set apart as a cricket-ground. The deputation were courteously received by Mr Bonar, and iv reply to their request the Goldfields Secretary said that the land having been set apart as a cattle reserve, ifc became a question whether it could bo alienated from that purpose. He should, however, be glad to render them every assistance in securing a suitable piece "of ground to be set apart as a place for public recreation. Ifc was idtimately arranged thao r the deputation should communicate in writing" with the Goldfields Secretary, who promised to give tho matter his best consideration. Tho Gold Escort arrived from Ross oil the 11th ult. bringing 2000ozs of gold, consigned to various banks. On Friday, tlio 6th ulfc., two men, whilst walking on tho beach on the south side of the Chesterfield track, picked up a boot containing the bone 3of the foot of a human being. They took the boot to the nearest police station, and reported the circumstances under which it was found. The boot, which is for the left foot, is a light Wellington, and not of the kind usually worn by diggers. Inside ifc was a woollen sock, aud the bones within the sock seemed as if they had parted from the leg afc the ankle joint. They were much decomposed, and appeared to have been in the water for some months. These remains probably belonged either to some unfortunate person "who was drowned whilst endeavoring to crosaLa river, and whose body was washed out to sea, - or to some one who had met his death by drowning by falling overboard from one of-the vessels trading to one of the *,porfcjtfpn v the",* Wesb Coast. \ jflßf ■ . "' The country in the neighborhood or^-MoJd-hinui river is described by the " Grey River Argus" as consisting of a series of terrace's similar to those which, further south, havp proved so rich in gold. The ground is densely covered with bush, but otherwise presents no special physical difficulties. There is said to be a large extent of country resembling that ■ were the first discovery of gold has . been made, and as tho port is a good and accessible one, ifc is probable an important township may spring up there. There is no bar to the harbor, the entrance being between high bluffs, aud is sometimes fordable afc low water. Afc high tide there is from seven to ten feet of water in the harbor, and the anchorage is sheltered. Coal of good quality exists in abundance a short distance up the river, attempts to work which have been made by Batty and Co., but owing to the expensive works required in the shape of roads and bridges, they ware compelled to give up the undertaking. The Christchurch correspondent of the " Tiinnru Herald " says :— " As Christchurch treats Timaru, so Auckland Raglan, and your petition for relief from grievances will not be the ouly testimony raised against the administration that has hitherto* obtained of Provincial Governments.***M£ Travei-3 took the opportunity in the " G-eneral Assembly of quizzing (hardly cfiticismg)\pur Provincial Council. He taxed ifc with conceit, and lay conceit to the charge of our Superintendent, and attributed a special presump'taonj&Canterbury to the inordinate beauty of the'Jfine hall in which our local legislature 'liolcVits sittings., > By parity of reasoning, the political modesty^ of Nelson (of which Mr Travels commendably is a stout vauuter) is no doubt referable to some little architectural shortcomings in its Council Chamber. Against this style of argument I can only say that a Provincial Council never to me seemed of more dignity than when it was inaugurated in Mr Thatcher's house by the rive», in a room about twenty feofc by twelve, with a lean-to for a strangers' gallery, and another for his Honor and Mr Speaker. Since then, time 3 have changed, and, doubtless, we with them." Tho folio whig is the rcturu of Rovell-street, 1 gaol for the week endod 14th September, 1867, .A dmitted, 1 male, sentenced to hard labor j discharged, 3 males ; remaining, 19 males, sentenced to hard labor. The finances of Tasmania appear afc last to! have been placed on a more satisfactory footing than hao been the case for some years past. During the last four years the revenue had fallen short of the expenditure by H03,235 in the aggregate, but the present Miuistry has besn able to pay of the arrears they found due on entering office, and to extinguish a debt of L 13.000 to the banks. Mr Chapman estimated his revenue for the year afc L 191,242, and his expenditure at L 199,621, and expressed a hopo to Parliament that he would be ablo to carry forward a balance of L7OOO to the following year. The calculations for 1863 were almost identical with those for 1867. On the 10th ulfc the fire-bells pealed out an alarm, and almost instantaneously the streets were thronged with thousands of people, all anxiously enquiring " where is the lire?" Most fortunately there was no cause for alarm, as ifc turned out that there really was no fire, but that tho bells had been rung for the purpose of putting the members of the Fire Bn- | o-ade on the qai vice and summoning them to I practice. Tho alarm, at all events, answered this purpose, for the members of the brigade turned out with commendable alacrity, and mustered iii considerable numbers afc the station. The "Independent" announces that among the passengers by tho Otago to Lyttelton was Mr Travers, who proceeded to Canterbury, for the purpose of fiually winding up his affairs, preparatory to peimaneutly taking up his residence in Wellington.