West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 640, 12 October 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1867.

Wk have been favored with a copy of the evidence taken the Select Committee of the Provincial Council, appointed on the motion of the Hon. Major Richardson, to consider and report upon the petition of the Westland Separation League. It will be interesting to know how the various allegations in the petition were dealt ■with, by witnesses in the majority of instances unbiassed by any special sympathy wifh this district, and in at least one case, inspired by v very natural desire to -weaken the cause of the petitioners. Tho Select Committee consisted of the Hon Major Richardson;

the Hon. Major Richmond, C.8. ; the Hon. Mr Aeland, the Hon. ;Dr Buchanan, the Hon. Mr Menzies, the Hon. Mr Johnson, and the Hon. Mr Seymour. The witnesses examined were — Dr Bennett, the Registrar General ; Mr Seed, the Controller of Customs ; Dr Hector, Colonial Geologist ; Mr Balfour, Marine Engineer ; the Hon. Mr Hall, Postmaster General; and his Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury. Ifc 13 to be regretted on many grounds that no delegates from this district presented themselves for examination, as had they done so they would have been able to afford the Committee much fuller and more accurate information on many points than the knowledge possessed by most of the witnesses enabled them to do, ami to have corrected mauy of the false statements matle with reference to details.

The first point on which the witnesses were examined aad reference to the estimated population of Westland. It may be remembered that the Petition computed the population of the district " after due enquiry in the absence of official Census returns at not less than fifty thousand persons. On this point Dr Bennett said that " it was not in his power to furnish the information. No reliable estimate of the population of the respective Provinces could be formed on the years iv which the census was not takou. The difficulty existed of course more strongly with, regard to more limited districts, and as regarded Wcstlaud especially it was obvious that the census of 1864 would "not afford the slightest guide to its present population." Mv Moorhouse being examined on the same point spoke candidly enough, He said, *' paragraph 5. I think the population is slightly overstated, I estimate it at from 40,000 to 45,000, including the Nelson diggings."

Mr Seed's evidence bore chiefly upon the value of exports and imports, the tonnage of vessels employed in the West Coast trade, and other cognate subjects. With reference to the value of the exports from the two ports of llokitika and Groymouth, the petition put it down at L 4,085,512 sterling. iUr Seed returns the figures at L ±,099,43 7, an excess over the estimate of L 14,000. The petition set down the amount of revenue in the shape of gold export ,duty, at L 127.694 -; Mr Seed gives the 'figures at L 128,332. The quantity of gold shipped from the two ports was stated by the petitioners to have been 1,021,553 ounces, or forty-two and a half tons weight, reckoning twelve ounces to the pound ; by Mr Seed, to have been 1.026,650 tons troy, or thirty-one tons and a-half avoirdupois. The Import duties for the same period, the petition set down at L322,592— Mr Seed at 326,353. The return of tonnage of vessels entejed inwards at Hokitika and Greymouth, was according to the League, 280,665 ; according to Mr Seed, 95,185. The latter return, however, referred to " vessels beyond seas, returns of coastwise tonnage not being furnished to this ofSee."

It will thus be seen that according to the evidence of the Collector of Customs, the statistics gathered by the Council of the League under the several heads we have referred to, were under tho circumstances remarkably accurate, whilst the offici.il returns in, every instance more than sustain them.

Following Mr Seed's evidence, is a telegram from Mr Stewart, the Provincial Secretary, which needs explanations that do not appear. It is headed " Particulars (asked for) of Westland Revenue," but evidently refers to a limited period of time which is .not stated.

Dr Hector gave evidence on the geological formation and -mineral and agricultural resource's of Westland. He commences with stating his entire agreement with paragraph 12 of the petition, which has reference to the Grey Coal Fields, " except with regard to the capital of L 30,000, of which he is not informed." He says it is of the greatest importance to the colony that the coal mine in that district should be worked, because of the superior character of the coal, and the ease with which access may be obtained to it. He estimates tho coal area on the Canterbury side of the river at at least four square miles.

Dr. Hector is questioned as to the alleged desire existing on the part of many of the inhabitants to purchase land and settle ; but he considers that such au inclination is confined to those who have gone into permanent works, such as deep sinking by aid of machinery and large sluicing- operations, whilst there is no indication to engage in permanent agricultural operations, independent of gold-mining pursuits, and the production q£" supplies ibr diggers. Dr. Hector expresses his preference for the freehold system over the issue of agricultural leases, " if it could hs so administered as not to inter/ere with (he diggers."

The next point on which the doctor's views are tested is the extent and probable permanence of the gold deposits of the district. He is asked by the chairman — Do you consider the mineral resources of the West Coast of Cantorbnry^are very great, or, as the petitioners say, " exbfiustless ?" The witness answers, with a caution which is natural to him. that the mineral resources of the district beyo"id gold, tire " not ascertained to be in excess of many other parts of the Colony. Of the diggings he says — " They will arrive at a minimum yield at a not very distant period ; but they will maintain that with a permanence perhaps greater than auy other goldfield, and probably support an actual digging population of 5000 or 6000. The couutry has been much better examined than is often represented." With tho following extract from tho

Doctor's evidence in this mutter, we must defer our further notice of his examination : —

Question 11. — What is the manner of the distribution of tho gold in tho Westland District of the Province of Canterbury ?

Answer. — The extent of the auriferous lands cannot bo estimated. Tho diggings may bo classed under four groups :—lst.: — Ist. High-level leads of coarse gold ; these i'C3t on the terraces and underly the gravels, and tend in a N.N.E. direction, parallel with the enst side of the great valley that is continued from Blind Bay to the West Coast, which valley is bounded on the east, by the main ranges of palcezoic rocks, tilted by tho mineral-bearing ptutonic rocks ; and on the west by isolated hills of crystalline rocks, flanked and enveloped iv mesozoic and tertiary strata with coal seams. The high terrase lands run out on the coast about Okarita, and extend north into the Province of Nelson to an extent not yet ascertained ; but there are many gaps in tho line yet untested. The first-mentioned leads thus h ing parallel with the mountains have been cut through by the rivers dc3C2ndiug to the 6ea., and the gold redistributed to form the 2nd class oi 1 river terrace diggings. Most of the diggings of this 2nd class attracted the early attention of tho diggers, and in somo cases they will afford continued employmcut for capitalists (as at Kanieri and Ross.) The 3rd class are the beach terraces on which tho fine gold earned out to sea has been cast up at various levels reaching to 250 feet above the present coast during changes in the elevation of the coast.

The present beach deposits of gold are still in progress of formation, and their richness must havo been greatly increased by the disturbance of the auriferous drifts by the diggers in the country back from tho coast. All' the gold in this class of diggings is very fine in grain, and the richness of the deposits is, iv some cases, very oxfcvaovdiuory. The raised beaches will not make permanent diggings as tho soft sandy naluro of the bottom on which the " wash" rests, will not permit of re-working the claims when once abandoned, as is douo iv most kinds of diggings. The existing beach will, however, be a lasting source of wealth and employment for labor. , 4th. The gold is deposited on the headland valley terraces of the uppei 1 portions of tho rivers before they enter tho torraue country. This affords sluicing ground and has attracted very little attention as yet. Tho Tiapo River Diggings mid the Greenland Diggings, behind Ross's, in which the gold extends to an altitude of 2,400 feet above the sea, aye almost the only dsgging3 belonging; to this class. The prospectof quartz reefa occurring in the Western Districts tire much better than in Eastern and Central Otago, owiiig to tho manner in which the strata have been mechanically disturbed ; but ifc may require a long period ibr their development."

Sergeant Bennett states that 1409 sheep 265 head of cattle passed the Rangiriri Station on the way to Hokitika during the week ending 9bh October.

We are pleased to find that the people engaged in tho Kelson coal mines, Grey Eivei 1 , have established a Choral Society, under the able leadership of Mr G\ Edwards, and judging from the numbers present, and their performances on two evening's practice they have already had, wo havo no doubb that iv a shoib time this will be a most proficient society, and a credit to tho district. Through the liberality of friends, funds already almost sufficient have been collected to purchase the necessary books and music for tho commencement.

A man named Oharlas Glowij, a niincr> aged forty -four yeai-3, in the Hospital yesterday.

The official declaration of tho poll for the election of Municipal Councillors will take place to-day afc noon, at tho Council Chambers, Ilevdl street.

Owing to the inclement weather of last evening, Iho lecture which, was to have been delivered in connection with the Hokitika Literary Society, at the Court House, wa s postponed to Thursday evening nest.

The weather has been unsettled during the last day or two, and yesterday morning there Avas a sevcro storm of hail, many of the hailstones being of large size. During tho after" noon and evening the rain, at intervals, for very heavily, and tho evening was dark and tempestuous.

1 ' Many of the willow trees — tho gift of his Excellency Sir G-eorge uvey to tho town of Hokilika — havo been planted on G-ibson's Quay, each tree 'being protected by a fence around it. Preparations are also being made for planting another portion of the tree 3iv Wold street, tho spot whero each tree is to stand having been fenced in. No tree is easier or moro rapid of growth than the willow — tho only necessary requisite being plenty of moisture, and in this respect the locations on Gibeon's Quay and Weld street havo boon judiciously chosen. Tho City of tho Plains owes much of its boauty to the willows and poplars which lino the banks of its clear river, and which are profusely plantod iv tho outskirts of the town ; and when the trees which arc now being plncod as ornaments on tho river banks and streets of Hokitika attain a comparatively large size, then* graceful pendant foliage will add grently to the attractions of marine, river, and mountain scenery already possessed by the metropolis of Westland.

The performances at tho Prince of Wales Opera House last evening were for the benefit of Mr G. Ingles, but we were sorry to observe a thin house on the occasion. I'bbin's fashionable comedy of " Tho Honeymoon" was well put upon the stage ; the various cnaracters, notwithstanding tho thin house, being sustained with great spirit. To-night "Don Caesar de Bazan" and " Michael Erie" will be presented. This being tho closing night w e predict a full house.

The " Wellington Independent" of tho Ist iusuiut, says : — " Tho report of the Select Committee appointed to consider tho allocation of colonial liabilities was brought up yesterday, and excited some amusrmenl, especially when tho name of ' Julius Vogcl,' chairman, was road. The cause of this mirth will be seen on referring to the report itself. Mr Yogel also read a protest, signed by himself, Dr JFealherston, Mr Macandrow, and Mr Williamson declaring their dissent from the report. A little 'chaffing' discussion then took place, without any particular object,' and the report was finally ordered to lie on tho 'table. It runs a3 follows : — ' Tho Committee appointod to consider whet hoi 1 tho liability of the Southern provinces for Norlhoru expenditure can bo so limited, and if so, whether uny recommendation can bo made lor au equitable apportionment of colonial and provincial liabilities,^ aud whether and if so, in what man-

ner the control of native affairs can be conferred on the Northern provinces within their respective limits, have the honor to report that in thoir opinion, the liability of tho Southern provinces for Northern expenditure has greatly diminished, and that this Committee does not see its way to the adoption of any policy by which further relief can bo extended to the Southern provinces, beyond that which is embraced in the financial proposals of the Government. That in the opinion of this Committee the control of native affairs ought not to be conferred upon tho Northern provinces within their respective limits. Julius Yogel, Chairman— Dissentient.' "

In connection with the Bill lately passed by the G-encral Assembly to reduce the salary of the G-overnor, the following despatch from tho Duke of sßuckinghoms ßuckinghom and Chandos, with reference to a similar measure passed in Tasmania, will havo some inteiest : — "Downing street, lOfch July, 1867. Sir,— l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 9, of the 9th of February, forwarding a copy of an Act of tho Legislature of Tasmania, to reduce tho salary and allowance of every future G-overnor of the colony, which you had reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. I regret that I cannot advise Her Majesty to give effect to this Act. It is a matter of tho highest importance to secure for the government of a colony the services of men of proved judgment and ability ; and that the means of these officers should not be so cramped as to preclude them from taking their proper position in the colony by the exercise of a well regulated hospitality, by visiting, when necessary, different parts of the colony, and by taking a part in the charitable and other organisations which are called for by the state of the colony, or of society. After careful reflection and inquiry, I am satisfied that the existing emoluments of tho G-overnor of Tasmania are not too high for this purpose ; that for the proposed salary her Majesty's G-ovomment would not readily, if at all, find a> person properly qualified and also willing to accept tho government; and further, that any person so appointed would find himself \mable to discharge the social and other duties in his office in the manner which is 'required by the interests of the colony. I regret greatly the present pressure on tho finance of Iho colony which has led your advisei'3 to propose the measure. I trust, however, that the grounds of my decision will satisfy your ministers and tho members of the Legislature, that such a measuvo would not be Hkely to conduce to the general advautage, and that the position of the G-ovi-vnor shoull bo maintained ia its integrity. I have the honor to bo, sir, your most obedient humble servant, Buckingham and Chandos. Governor Gore Browne." The despatch is to be considered on an early day, when the Government will notify what 6teps they intend to take.

Mr Edward Hammond Hargreaves has commenced an action against Messrs Wilson and Mackinnon, the proprietors of the Argus, to recovci 1 the sum of £5000 damages for a ] : bel published concerning him.

Letters from Mr Fox (says tho " Indeponpendent") have been received by the last mail, from which wo learn that he will certainly leave by the November Panama mail. Long before the meeting of tho next Assembly, Mr Fox will ro doubt, find a seat for somewhere, and then, Greek meeting Greek, there will indeed come the tug of war. Auckland members plead their poverty as au excuse for their ratting during the present seesion ; they say their poverty and not their will consented. We aro afraid that if the consideration for Auckland votes next session is to be of the same valuo as that during this session, thoy may go further and fare worse. They aro not likely to get three hundred thousand pounds out of Mr Fox. They will have again to place themselves under the protection of that cherub in tho gallery who watches their proceedings so narrowly, and who hns only to give an extra turn of tho screw to oblige them again to " stick to Stafford as their best chance."

A new San Francisco journal, tho " Commercial Herald," in a review of mining matters in California, says :—": — " Tho experience of quartz miners iv California during the past ten years has exploded many antiquated notions concerning tho geology and mineralogy of gold. It had become an almost universal belief that quartz wa3 the only matrix of this metal ; that no matter where it might bo found, it must have come from quartz originally. This has been found to be falso teaching, which has caused serious loss to many. We could mention almost innumerable places where gold is found in situ, in its original matrix, in which there is nob a trace of quartz, except as a silicate of some other mineral. We shall on this occasion only refer to a few prominent cases. At a place between the Spanish Dry Diggings and Spanish Bar on the Middle Fork -of the American River, El Dorado county, there exists a body of talcoso materials of enormous proportions, which was accidently found to be rioli in gold. The discoverers tooK out 135 ounces in two weeks by moans of a hand mortar, the gold being generally coarse. A similar body of mineral has been since .found in Sierra county, in which the gold is so exceedingly fine as to be difficult to save. The famous Quail Hill mine, in Salt Spring Valley, Calavoras country — from which was taken the first copper over mined in the State — ia another case. This is absolutely a very valuable copper mine, but is at present of infinitely more value for the gold contained in its ' GrO3san,' or oxidized portion of the lode, which is very rich in both gold and silver, though there is no quartz in the lode. So at tho Harpendmg mino, near Lincoln, Placer country. The material hero comprises a broad hill, and consists of a silicate of magnesia, of almost every conceivable color from white to black. This contains au enormous quantity of gold all through it. The material does not contain any rich 'pockets,' such as nro frequently found in quartz mines ; but the uniformity in the distribution of the inotal, and the facility with which it can be extracted, render it one of the most valuable mines in tho State. During iho past month, with only twenty stamps in oporation, the company havo crushed an average of 125 tons of the ore per day, which cost seventy cents per ton to mine and run through the mill. The average yield was 3 dol. 87 c. per ton, leaving a net profit of 3 dol. per ton after all expenses were paid. This mine forcibly illustrates the losses men sometimes sustain by taking for granted what they read in the books. The men who originally owned this mine worked it as a placer, and took a large amount of gold fi'om the decomposed materials on the surface. When thoy had thoroughly stripped it, they thought there must have been a viiluublo quartz lodge in it to yield so muck coarso gold ; thoy ac- j cordingly sunk a number of shafts, some of them to a considerable depth, in anticipation of striking quartz, which they never found, as there is nono in tho hill j but tho dirt they I dug up with so much labor was full of tho metal they were seeking, but did not find, because thoy never thought of looking for it except in quartz. Such a enso should be of value to every miner, by causing them to test and examino every strange mineral they meet with while prospecting or mining. Tho most valuable of the discoveries recently made have boon of materials that rprononted no appearance of value."