INDEPENDENCE OF WESTLAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 631, 2 October 1867, Page 2

INDEPENDENCE OF WESTLAND.

SECOND READING OF THE COUNTY BILL CARRIED. The following important telegram from tlie Hon. E. W. Stafford, addressed to the President of the Separation League, was received in town early yesterday, and its contents made generally public before noon : — "Wellington, Oct. 1, 1867. " Mr South, Hokitika. "County of Westland Bill debate continued to-day. " The Bill was opposed by Messrs Moorhouse, Parkes, Baigent, and Macandrew — who moved an amendment — and Yogel. " It was supported by Messrs Stevens, Carleton, C. Wilson, Hall, and Stafford. " The second reading was carried on the following division :—: — Ayes 27 Noes fr2o^^'f r 2o^^' I Majority . . . . 7 "The Bill is to be -committed tomorrow. "E. W. Stafford." The following reply was immediately forwarded :—: — " Hon. E. W. Stafford, Wellington. " Telegram received. Intelligence of second reading gives general satisfaction. Westland relies confidently on action of Ministry. "S. M. South."

The Municipal Council of Hokitika sat yesterday morning at eleven o'clock, in the Council Chamber, as a Court for the purpose of revising the citizens' roll. Present — His Worship the Mayor, Crs Ecclesfield, Shaw, Anderson, Prosser, anfl Cumming. Mr Harvey, the Town Solicitor, attended the Court as legal adviser. There were sixty-six applications from persons claiming to have their names inserted on the roll, the whole of which were allowed. Notices of about forty objections had been received, but they were principally of a formal character, made in consequence of tho transfer of property, or because the parties whose names were on the roll f had left, and given up possession of the property in respect of which their names had been inserted J on the roll. Aftor the roll had been revised and signed by tho Mayor, the Court rose. The next lecture in connection with the Hokitika Literary Society, will be delivered to-morrow evening, in the Court House, at eight o'clock, by the Rev. Mr Grow. Subject :—": — " What we know of the relation betwixt mind and matter." Amongst sovcral improvements now going on in Hokitika, we notice that the old premises formerly known as Brunton's Melbourne Restaurant, have been completely remodelled, and opened in first-rate style. A handsome front has taken the place of the old unsightly stnictuvo, and the interior has been fitted up so as to secure comfort to the guests. This establishment now takes the name of the European Restaurant, the proprietor being Mr James Say. Wo understand that tho Hau Hau Hotel, Hokitika, has been re-opened by Mr Robertson, who, as we are informed, intends effecting extensive alterations and improvements, so as to convert it into a concert hall. Wo understand that an opening ball will take place there on Friday next. The following is the return for the Hokitika Gaol for tho weok ended 28th September, 1867 : — Males — For trial, 2 ; penal servitude, 5 ; hard labor, 36 ; imprisonment, 2 ; default of bail, 3 ; default of fine, 4 ; debtors, 5 ; remand, 1 ; total, 58. Females — hard labor, 4 ; debtor, 1 ; total, 5. Of the 36 males for hard labor 8 are employed at the Police Barraoks. Received during tho weok, 2 ; discharged, 7. The rain which has been eagerly looked for for spine timo, has now come in downright earnest, inuoh to tho joy of tho wining population, jyUq ftp «ome timo past \\m hrn

almost at a standstill for a want of water, as well as the citizens, whose cisterns and watertanks have been getting very low. Yesterday morning, tho sky was heavily clouded, and as the day advanced some smart showers fell, which in the afternoon increased to a continuous pour. In tho afternoon, it came onto blow strongly from the north-west, and the evening was very dark, with frequent showera, accompanied at times by vivid lightning. A strong fresh was also setting down the river, which — as tho rain melts the snow on the mountains ' — will probably, ere morning, have increased very considerably. The Jewish new year, 5628, commenced on Monday the 30th ultimo ; prayei'3 were read in the Synagogue by the Rev. M>. Zacchavi, the officiating Rabbi, and Mr Singer. An appropriate lecture was very impressively delivered by the Rabbi. Upwards of sixty of the members of tho Hebrew congregation were present. A very neat gallery, which had been erected for the accommodation of ladies, was opened for tho first time on the occasion, and was well filled. In front of tho ark was hung a costly curtain of white satin damask, richly embroidered with gold, and ornamented with crimson velvet, on which were displayed the royal crown, the shield of David, the date of ijhe year, an and inscription in Hebrew, of which the following is a translation : — " Presented to the congregation of Hokitika by Rebecca, the wife of B. Marks." We need scarceiv remind our readers that the donor of this magnificent gift is the lady of the late president of the congregation. The day, which is a festival, was observed as a close holiday, all places of business belonging to members of the Hebrow persuasion being closed. The great fast of the Jews known as " the Day of Atonement" commences on Tuesday evening next, and continues until sunset on the following evening. Prayers will commence on Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock; and, ako, on Wednesday at 7 a.m.. aud will be continued until sunset. This fast is most rigidly observed, neither food nor drink of any kind being partaken of from sunset to sunset. On the 26th ultimo Mr George Pries, the engineer of the steamer Huntress, now on the South Spit, was admitted into the Hospital, suffering from a severe bruise and laceration of the toes oE tho left foot, caused by thoir being jammed between the crank and the beam of the engine on the night that tho Huntress went on shore. Yesterday mortification set in in the four smaller toes, and was advancing so rapid that tho Surgeon-Superintendent, Dr Ryley deemed amputation to be necessary, and the operation was accordingly performed by him — the patient being first placed \mder the influence of chloroform. Although it is to be feared that the patient may yet lose a further portion of his foot, yet we understand that Dr Rylcy has hopes that Mr Price will escape with the loss of the members we have referred to. The following is a return of Missing Friends advertised in our columns during the past month : — G. Le Pearniaiu, late master of tho Rangoon ; apply to Edward Reeves v and Co., Hokitika. John Milne, late of Wood's Point, write to Daniel Whelan, Casey's Ballarat Hotel. Thomas Hetfernan, write to Miss Luscomb, Post Office. William Groves, Ilfracombe, send address to W. Isaac, Esq., care of_ Mi?' Prosser, Chemist, Hokitika. Hugh Kernohan, Lettersjat Post Office, Hoki" tika. — Kingwall, from Bovey Tacey, Devonshire, write W. Lamble, 173 Little Bourke street east, Melbourne; --IPati'ick and Petor Farley, write to brother John, Union Hotel, Heathcote, Victoria. Edward>Spicer, late of Taranaki, write to Mrs A/Spicer, Bouvara, Drummond street, Ballarat, Victoria. John Hearn, of Waterford, write T.^Toppiu Christchurch. , '£* The first vessel of what we hope will heroafter be a substantial fishing floet, with Hokitika for head-quarters, is now lying in' theriver ready to engage in an occupation that has proved a mine of wealth, to the old country both in men and money. Teeming with fish of several varieties as West Coast watei'3 undoubtedly are, we have often wondered that no systematic attempt was made to convert them into a marketable commodity at reasonable prices, feeling sure that the speculation must prove amply remunerative, if a constant «upply could be depended upon by the public. Butcher's meat is now ruling at almost famine rates, and thus is next to unobtainable by the poorer classes, who, we are certain, would gladly substitute a cheap aud wholesomo fish diet for the expensive beef and mutton, that too often arrives here in doubtful condition from overdriving, or the depreciating effect of » sea voyage. Tho experiment is about to be made by Captain Stewart (an old fisherman), who some week ago purchased the ketch Mary Anne, and has since been fitting her out at Lagoon Town, with the necessary appliances for deep sea fishing. He intends to at first confine his operations to the immediate vicinity of this port, and as crossing the bar under canvas is seldom practicable with any degree of safety, whilst towing rates would make sad I havoc with fishing profits, ho proposes to send the fish on shore every day by either of the harbor steamers that may happen to be available. An agent will dispose of them, and should the result of the speculation bo satisfactory, Captain Stewart intends to fit his vessel with a well and trawl net, and make [ other preparations for fishing on an extensive scale. The Mary Anne's departure was fixed for yesterday, but was postponed in consequence of the bad weather which then coin1 menced. She will leave upon the first favorable opportunity, and may success attend hei 1 . I Owing to tho very inclement weather there j was but a thin attendance afc the Prince of Wales Opera House last evening, when the sensational drama of " A Life's Revenge " was presented. The scenic effects, as well as the situation of the characters, were very well managed, and together with the appropriate musio contributed greatly to the success of the I piece ; which was followed by tho laughable farce of " A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock." This evening the same bill will be repeated. To-morrow evening, Mr R. H. Cox, an old and popular actor in the Colonies, will make his first iod last appearance in Hokitika. Mr Cox— for whose benefit tho performance is given— will sustain tho chavaoiev of tho Oav. ainal, infiuUrevliyttim'ft iivlolnsUod pUy of

" Richelieu" ; Mrs Cox taking that of Fran cois. The farce of « The Clockmaker's Hat " will conclude the entertainment. The " Otago Daily Times" of tho 21st ult. reports:— "We understand that, after all, Mr Hall is not likely to retire from the Government. Mr Richmond is, it is said, to be Resident Minister at Auckland ; and Mr Fitzherbert, it is whispered, will go home to negotiate the consolidation of the Loans." The "Wellington Tunes," which is the avowed organ of the General Government, thus speaks of the Thnaru Board Bill having passed the third reading : — " At an early hour this morning (Tuesday, Sept. 24) the House of Representatives passed through its final stage a measure, the ulthnateeffect of which it is impossible to regard a3 other than a complete substitution of Local for Provincial Government. The third reading of tho Timaru and I Gladstone Local Board Bill was carried by Mr Cos and his colleagues, backed by the I Government and the Auckland members, on a division of thirty-six for, and seventeen against, its passing; and thus is settled quietly but surely the most interesting issue which the Assembly has had before it the whole session. We do not suppose, or pretend to believe, that each of the ayes has deliberately given his vote for the pure policy of anti-provincial-I ism, but we have no doubt that by far the largest number have thus voted from a gene' ral desire to have a fair test applied to the local administration principle embodied in the bill now passed. The beginning of the end of Provincialism is not far off.", In the Legislative Council, on September 5 the hon. Mr Menzies asked the Hon. Major Richardson, whether it was the intention of the Government to publish any notice explanatory of 01* modifying the notice to officials of the General Government, published in the New Zealand " Gazette;" No. 28, 7th May, 1867 ? He asked the question because he had found that tho notice in question had, on different occasions, caused considerable inconvenience to the public, owing, he believed, to its having been misconstrued hy Government officials, who, in consequence of the notice, had withheld infoftnation which had hitherto been freely communicated, and which was of great public value. He might mention that hitherto he had been in the habit, before coming down to attend the session, of obtaining from the Custom House, through the courtesy of the collector, certain returns. He applied as usual, before leaving on the present occasion, but he received a letter from the collector declining to give the required information in consequence of the , terms of tho "Gazette" notice. He did not at all believe that the Government had intended the notice to apply in that way, but it had been too literally constructed by officials, to the* great inconvenience of the public, and he thought, therefore, that a notice explaining or modifying that already issued was required. The hon. Major Richardson said that the Government had found it necessary to issue the notice in question, because they found that important information, which it was very undesirable should be made public, had managed to ooze out even before the matters in question had been decided — indeed while they were in a transition state. It' was, therefore, found desirable to bring into operation new arrangements which were in force in. other places, and to warn officials that the information with which they became officially acquainted, was to be treated in every respect as of a confidential character ; but as soon as.* tho Government found that the order) by mis- " ' interpretation, interfered with the disaemiaa- ! tion of useful information which it was desh lable should bo circulated as early as possible, the officials on the West Coast, where the difficulty first aro3e, were at once telegraphed to give such information as heretofore, and he believed that similar instructions 1 had since been sent to all officers, in order that they migkt give the public tho3e facilities, which had been enjoyed heretofore, for obtaining information. Beyond this it was expedient that the order should •be strictly enforced, with a view to the protection of important public interests. In the Legislative Council on September 3, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore ashed the hon. member representing the Government whether the Government had auy intention to.intrp-' duce during the present session any bilt to provide for the case of provinces desifing to renounce the administration of their provincial estate, and to pub an end to then? present form- of local government ? It was comtuonly reported that there were some provinces which could not continue to carry on their present system of administration until the next session-of -tlie^&pbly. If that was the case, very great inco&vemence would naturally arise if no Act was in~isastence to meet such a contingency. He rathjjr&exgected that the lion, gentleman .would toll-^e^&afc one if not more provinces hadakajdypl|icai;eda desire to renounce the aeministratio^ of their own. estate. If a bill of the kind he Indicated * ' was prepared and passed, it would be exceedingly useful in\case of emergency arising, and the measure could do no harm. The Hon Major Richardson said that the Government was not aware that any province in the colony was likely, before the next session, to be placed in such a position as to induce-a desire to renounce the administration of their own affairs. It was of course tho duty of the Government to anticipate the probable wishes and wants of the community, but they did not at present see any immediate necessity for such a measure as the one proposed. If they did, they would introduce it. The now Wellington journal (tho "Times") of Sept. 23, states — " It is currently reported in well informed circles, that Lord Lyttelton will be his Excellency Sir George Grey's, successor. Before Colonel Gore Browne, C.8., was removed from the Governorship of New Zealand, Lord Lyttelton applied for the appointment, and offered to take it without salai'y. His Lordship has ever taken a -deep interest in the affairs of the colony, is well acquainted with them, and has, we understand, invested a considerable amount of capital in the Middle Island." A Nelson contemporary, writing on the same subject, has the following : — " We learn that private letters have been received by the last mail, stating that rumors wore prevalent in cirles likely to bo .well inforniod on such subjects, to the effoct that Mr Pope Hennessy would probably be the new Governor of New Zealand. It is a matter of notoriety that Mr Hennessy, who has recently been appointed Governor of Labuan, and Consul-General of Borneo, has had. six months' leave of absence extended to him on the understanding that should any vacancy in the Colonial Department, of a more eligible character or nearer home, occur before the- expiration of that period, Mr Hennessy's strong claims on the consideration of the party with whom he cooperated in Parliament will receive more satisfactory recognition from -Jjbrd Derby's Government. Although MiNjHennessy has not filled any appointment' of a similar character, he is acknowledged, on aO, hands to be possessed of abilities of tho highest, order, and the rumor seems to have some substantial foundation, if only in the terms on whioh he 'has accepted \)w appointment' of Govwriw of JjftbYWb"