West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 646, 19 October 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1867.

The " Evening Star," which has discovered—since its editor was defeated at the late Municipal Election— that men connected with newspapers ought to have nothing to do with puhlic life, is very severe indeed upon Mr Shaw. Amongst its other discoveries, -it has found out that the proprietor of the West Coast Times is a most unjust man to his employees. On that matter they speak for themselves — spontaneously. Next, Mr Shaw ha» made such an " un-

fair use of the columns of his newspaper in an attempt to advantaga himself,'' that the virtuous editor of the "Star" "cannot refrain from speaking out." -And " spoken out" he has in a most .edifying ebullition of wrath. He says ;M.£}Shaw is not the largest employer of -iaSsbr'in Hokitika — any more than Mr Prosser is the largest dispenser of physic, .or Mr Button the larger holder of briefs. He says that Mr Bartlett has spent more money than Mr Shaw ; and that Mr M'Beth weekly pap more wages than is received by the employees on the West Coast Times ; and that " Messrs Spence Brothers have much heavier monthly pay-sheets — although probably only a small proportion is spent by their servants in Hokitika." We quite agree with our contemporary, that " no logical inference can be drawn from these grounds."

Having "exposed Mr ShaAv's business arrangements, and informed the citizens that he is exceedingly prudent in spending his own money, but most lavish with the public's — perhaps the mildest form that could be suggested of putting a charge of swindling — the " Evening Star " takes up Mr Shaw for his connection with the Separation League. Hitherto the " Star " has been content to let Mr Shaw down easy, but arrives now at the conclusion that it is "only right and just that he should be exposed!" It seeni3 that Mr Shaw has told all sorts of lies — in other words " frequent statements not true " on the platform and " through the columns of his newspaper." In a fit of most benign condescension and mercy, the •" Star " has refrained hitherto from showing Mr Shaw up. But the time has now come. That unfortunate majority polled for Mr Higgin, has brought oil the crisis. What Mr Shaw particularly wants to be " exposed" about, is kis " stepping in " to secure Separation, after the " three men who met together in front of a public building," and the other two men who assisted in. Mr Prosser's back parlor, failed to do anything to carry forward the movement. We have some recollection of a meeting "held at the New Orleans' Hotel, at' a recent date — subsequent to the receipt of a telegram from Mr Stafford announcing the heads of a Bill introduced by the Government to secure the Separation of Westland from Canterbury •— at which a Mr James Browne was one of the speakers, and at which he declared that the League had done all the work, and ought to have all the credit of it. What is the story we are now told ? That Mr Shaw "stepped in." That "taking advantage of a very thinly attended meeting, he gathered his era.ployees and adherents about him, as is usual with him when he has a political object to serve." When did he " gather his employees together ? " Did he wait to see that the meeting was a very thin one, and then send special messeugcrs up to his office to bring down his establishment ? Was it after this posse comitatus of hired servants came, that "Mr Shaw, Mr Bright, and Mr South, balloted themselves in." as officers of the League. Was it owing to Mr Browne's being ballotted out on this occasion, that the Council of the League became " grandiloquent," and that their petition was " windy ?''

As to the " Second League," which we are told was "veiy fortuuately" forned, we confess this is the first time we ever heard of it. Who were the gentlemen who " bullotted themselves in as its Council ? Where were any of its meetings advertised? Who preprepared its petition, and wnat became of it? " It was those gentlemen, of whom Mr Shaw was «o£ one, who obtained that measure of political liberty which has been granted to Westland." Well, it may be so. And it may be also, that there are two such words in the dictionary as Mendacity and Impudence. It was " the other League" that did it all ! The " other League" whose petition obtaiaed a measure of justice from the Assembly. The " other League" that Mr Moorhouse anathematised and denounced as madmen, disappointed printers, mortified politicians, and other " curses." Of eourseitwas! And Mr Shawhas ballotted himself in, and caused a strike amongst his employees by a wicked attempt to reduce their wages, and then gathered them about him to assist him in his political turpitude, and taken the wind out of the sails of the " original" League movement, and been in communication with Mr Stafford, and altogether made himself obnoxious — to the "Evening Star." What could ever have induced him to "step in" when other people were kept out ?

We publish in another column, a letter addressed to Mr Shaw by tho members of the West Coast Times diapol. Tho name of one member only of the Chapel is omitted, in consequence of his being on a visit to Christchurch. We are authorised to say that the statement contained in tho letter is entirely endorsed by tho overseer of our office, and by other gentlemen eDgagcd on tho staff.

The City Theatre was filled last evening to witness a competition iv a clog stop dauco between Johnny Burgess and Mr T. J. Peel. Tho dance was splondidly executed by both parties, but a jury of three — selected from tho audience — awarded tho palm to Mr Burgess. A variety of musical and dramatic performances also formed part of tho evening's auiusoment.

Mr G. W. Binnoy will hold an unreserved sale of books this day, at his rooms, Wharf street. This extensive collection of really valuable books comprises works by the most celebrated authors, and will bo off«rod for unreserved Bale.

Tho sea during yesterday continued making considerable encroachments on tho beach at the back of Revell street. Ono or two of tho holders of property have raado breakwaters by embedding fascines in tho sand, which have hitherto in a great measure broken tho violcnco of tho surf. Wo believe that the fuscino work, which is to be put down by tho Corporation, and which will extend from Moffat's right-of-way to tho Empiro right-of-way, will bo commoncod to-day. The weather yesterday, throughout the

day, wa3 remarkably fine — a fine bright sunshine, .with an almost cloudless sky, causing many avail themselves of the opportunity of indulging in the luxury of an agreeable, as well as healthful promenade. After night had set in the rain came on, and poured down steadily for somo hours.

Mr Shaw will meet tho citizens of Hokitika to-day, as follows : —At 2 p.m., at Lagoon Town "at, 5.30 p.m., [at the Sawyer's Arms, Gibson's Quay j at 6.30 p.m., at the Prince of Wales Opora House; at 7.30 p.m., at Casey's Ballarat Hotel ; and at 8.30 p.m., at 8.30 p.m., at tho Digger's Arm's Hotel, Gibson's Quay.

Tho select committee relative to tho establishment of University Scholarships have presented their report. The report is in favor of the exhibitions, which the committee considers would exercise a very perceptible and bene. ficial influence, direct and indirect, upon the wholo course and chai'acter of education throughout New Zealand. The foundation of eight exhibitions is recommended, two to be opened for competition every year, subject to regulation by a Council of Legislation as in Tasmania. The establishment of a New Zealand University cannot be recommended at present, but it is suggested that the Government should set apart portions of the confiscated lands for the endowment of such, an institution whenever the proper time for founding one may arrive.

The " Otago Times" supplies us witlx the following paragraph : — " Mr Warden Croker, writing from Tuapeka, September 30tli, reports that tlie Waipori River has recently been turned for a sliort distance, at about two miles abore the town, by Wilson and party, who have obtained from its bed during the past month an average of 40ozs per week.

The " Grey River Argus" says : — With the improved weather, communication " with the river diggings has been re-established, and all the boats in tho river trade have been fully employed -carrying goods up the country, where they are much needed. Advantage has been taken in all tho diaLi-iols of tlio late wet weather to wash up, and large quantities of gold may be expected to hand in a few days. We have reliable reports from Noble's Gully, where everything is most prosperous. Many of tho claims have hydraulic machines at work, and are making L2O a week a meta. Thero is plenty of ground in tlie neighborhood that will pay orer' LI a man a week bosides "tucker," but tho miners complain, with what amount of truth wo are not in a position to judge, that every obstruction to prospecting is thrown in their way by the lessee of the station which is bounded by Noble's Gully. It is known that the beds of many creeks on his station would pay at least LI a man a clay, if they could be worked } but it would be necessary for tho miners to work them properly to carrj' their provisions on pack horses, and tliis the station-holder will not allow, as every strange horso found on his station is immediately soized and detained until a fine which ho inflicts is paid. He is said to carry his persecution so far as to refuse the minors permission to cultivate a bit of a garden near their tents on his run ; or allow them to fall a tree for timber. From Moonlight's and many other diggings good reports aro to hand, of which we purposo giving fuller details in our next."

Wo take tho following paragraph, from the "'Grey Argus" of Thursday : — "An extraordinary general meeting of tho Greymouth and Salfcwator Creek Tramway Company was held afc the terminus, Richmond Quay, on Tuesday eTening, for tho purpose of considering the present condition oi tho line. Mr IT. JTenrick was in the chair, and in opening the business ho stated that the shareholders had been called together for the purpose of considering the present position of the Company. The late spring tides had worked great damage to tho line, having washed away largo portions of it, both towards the Greymouth and Saltwater ends. Dut there was something more ssrious for them to consider, namely, that the bank had given notice* of its intention to foreclose the mortgage it held over tko line, unless the amount of tho mortgago was at once paid up. Tho directors had been unable to pay off the amount of the mortgage in consequence of the continual expenditure which had been found necessary to repair tho damage done by the inroads of tho sea. Tho last three spring tides had cost them L 230 13s for re. pain, besides tho stoppage of the traffic, and now the line was more seriously damaged than ever. He read a letter from Mr Roberts, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, which was to tho effect, that unless the amount due to the bank, with interest, was paid by noon on Monday, the 14th inst., instructions would be given to an auctioneer to advertise tho line, plant, &c, for salo on Friday, the 18th iust., and, further, that should the proceeds not cover the amount due, it was b>3 intention to at once sue on the promissory note now in his possession. Mr J. Kilgour, the manager, spoke at some length as to the damage donoj to tho line, stating that it was complotely washed away both at the Australasian and Saltwater. To make their position still more serious, there was tho judgment in thecaseofThompson,oftheßallaratHotel,st ;i l hanging over them. Affcor a conversation, it was moved by Mr Wright, and seconded by Mr Keown — ' That this meeting do request the Bank of ISTow Zealand to dispose of tho lino and plant now in thoir possession, and if by private contract, conditionally on the amount rrlised being sufficient to cover the amount for which tho Bank were creditors of tho Company ; and that this course be adopted as the only way of relieving the Directors of their individual responsibility to Iho Batik on the Company's behalf.' This wa3 carried. It; was then moved by Mr Bain — 'That a meoting be called for the purpose of winding np the affuirs of the Company.' Mr Fitzgerald seconded tho motion, which was carried. Aflor tho usual vote of thanks, tho meeting separated

;pm-ui,- . . . .We understand tho lino and plant of the Groymouth and Saltwater Creek Tramway Company has been sold privately by the niortgagcos to Mr Joseph Kilgouv 5 and it is notified in another column that the traffic will be conducted as heretofore, and it will be well for all persons having contracts with the said Company to givo their attention to these notices. The title of the Company has been changed to 'Tho Greymouth Tramway.' Immediately after the sale, a gang of laborers was despatched to effect the necessary repairs to the lino, and wo are informed that no expense will bo spared to put the tramway into thorough working order. It is announced thatchoap excursions will for the futuro take place to fcho Saltwater and Rutherglon, in conjunction with tho Ruthorglon Tramway, every Suuday at reduced rates."