THE WESTLAND COUNTY BILL.

West Coast Times, Issue 668, 14 November 1867, Page 2

THE WESTLAND COUNTY BILL.

We take the following from the " Lyttelton Times" of the 11th inst. : — The Westland County Bui. — A correspondent informs us that a rumor is current in Wellington to the effect that the Westland County Bill, through a technical flaw, is unworkable. Clause 14 says that the Council shall consist of seven members, that one shall be nominated by the Governor, four elected by Westland, tivo by Hokitika, and two by Greymouth; in all, nine member. The error was pointed out when the bill was passing through the House, but it is now said that it was not rectified. Major Campbell refuses to alter the bill a3 passed, and tho Act is, therefore, unworkable. We cannot attach much, importance to this rumor. In the latest printed copy of the Bill, containing the amendments introduced, the word " nine" appears in the place where the word" seven" originally stood. It was the duty of the Chairman of Committee to see to and certify that the whole of the amendments by the House had been made. If an error has been made in endorsing the actual Act from an imperfect copy, the blunder is most stupid and unpardonable. Unfortunately telegraphic communication is suspended, so that it is impossible for us at present to ascertain the correctness, or otherwise, of this sinister surmise. The Major Campbell referred to, is the Clerk of Parliaments. If the facts are as stated, we presume that his Excellency will not hesitate to carry into effect the measure. If a Council is ordered to consist of four members elected by the district constituency, and four others elected by the two town constituencies, together with a nominated chairman, it is obvious that the meaning of Parliament was to make the number of the Council " nine." If any technical difficulty really exists owing to the mistaken use of the word "seven," the Government can get a validating Act passed during the next session. We are quite used to validating Acts now.

! The coach from Cristchurch arrived yesterday afternoon at three o'clock. Passengers through to Hokitika — Mrs Packwood and four children, Mr Pearce ; to G-reyniouth — Mr Smith ; and five wayside passengers. The surf was heavy yesterday, and swept high up on the beach between Moffat's and [ Orr's rights-of-way, scooping out the sand and | shinglo from beneath one or two houses. Tho sapling protection was also, in one or two places, laid rather bare, but nevertheless it L», m a whole, doing its work well. The members of the Hokitika Cricket Club seem determined to sustain the prestig* which they have already acquired. On every favorable opportunity, we are informed, they are engaged in practice, and we need not state that persevering practice 13 sure ultimately to lead to success. In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Henry Gregory, for being drunk and incapable, was fined 10s, with the usual alternative. Thomas M'Mahou, for committing a breach of the peace, was fined 10s, with the option of four-and-twenty hours' imprisonment in default of payment.— John Newton was charged on Iho information of the Collector of Customs " with having in his possession or custody, or on his premises, an unlicensed still-head, worm, or utensil for distilling, whereby the said John Newton has forfeited the sum of L 500." At the request of the defendant's counsel (Mr Reid), the case was adjourned till the 14th inst., as the defendant had not had sufficient time to prepare his defence. Bail was taken for the reappearance of defendant. — His "Worship disposed of from thirty to forty cases for small debts, which were devoid of all public interest. It will be seen on reference to our advertising columns, that a special meeting of Justices of the Peace will be held at the Court-house on the 2nd of December next, for the purpose of entertaining applications under the Slaughter-house Ordinance. Persons desirous of obtaining licenses must send in their written applications to the clerk to the Bench, on or before Friday, the 22nd instant. We observe from the Melbourne "Argus" that Mr Bartletfc is taking the necessary steps for engaging a company for the Prince of Wales Opera House here. The weather has undergone an agreeable change, the last two days having been remarkably fine. It is somewhat singular that whilst for some time past we have had wet weather on the western side of the ranges, scarcely any rain has fallen on the eastern, in facb the plains about Chvistchurch are said to be quite parched for want moisture. Tho New Zealand "Gazette" of the Bth instant notifies tho appointment of Mr Fred. Matthews to be Inspector of Diseased Cattle for the district of Wellington. The " Grey River Argus" has a leading article laudatory of Mr Sale as « a terror to the traders in politics with which Hokitika abounds, and who are no doubt looking forward to place and profit." We understand that tho members of th« Caxton Club will give their first entertainment in a short time. The pieces in the course of rehearsal are " The Momentous Question" and "Deaf as a Post." A Bal Masque, which is expected" to ba numerously attended, will take place at the Prince of Wales Opera Houso this evening. Several gentlemen amateurs intend giving a complimentary benefit, on Monday evening, to Mrs R. H. Cox, at the Prince of Wales Opera House. The first piece selected for representation is "On His Last Legs," and the parb of O'Callaghan will be taken by a gentleman amateur who on this occasion will make his first appearance on the boards. About half-past nine o'clock last evqning the firo-bell pealed forth an alarm, and almost instantly Revoll B treeb was thronged with people. The Fire Brigade mustered twentysix strong under Captain M'Farlane, with Lieutenant Hudson Becond iv command. Soon the ongino was whirling along in hot haite to the locality of the firo, but most fortunately the services of tho brigade were not needed, at the alarm was caused by tho

ignition of a chimney in a cottage occupied by a Mr Swords, near the Horte and Groom, North Revell street, and this was quietly extinguished. Mr Swords had only been in the cottnge for three days. After the muster ■evoralnew memberg joined the brigade. Amongst other preparations made by tk« Victorian G-oTernment for the entertainment of tlie Duke of Edinburgh during bis stay with Sir Manners-Sutton at Toorak, is th» fitting-up a new billiard-table of local manufacture. The following notice of tlxii table appears in the Melbourne " Argua :" "It it not likely that a finer piece of furniture was ever manufactured in Victoria — if we except the famous sideboard exhibited at the last Exhibition — than the billiard-table just made to the order of the Government of Victoria, for the Duke of Edinburgh, at Toorak, by Alcock and Co., of Russell strett. To Mr Alcock is due the credit of being the first to fairly snow that blackwood was one of tho finest woods in tho world — so much so tbat in order to get the wood fit for use he has had to procure for himself the trees simply cut into lengths, instead of being roughlyshaped and the best grained portions adzed off as was usual before he entered the market. Ha has, however, never developed the qualities of this beautiful wood better than iv the structure of this now billiard-table, which in other respects is of the beßb make and colonial material. It is so rich in colour, in pattern bo well defined, and of surface so finely mottled, that it looks like tortoise-shell. A cue-rack to suit is also being prepared ; and among the cues is one for presentation to Hii Royal Highness, the handle inlaid with the best colonial woods — myall, encalyptus, myrtle, blackwood, musk, &c, including tulip wood, which as an ornamental wood is almost unknown. The legs of the billiard table are a curiosity in their way, being ' canted,' nob by hand in the ordinary fashion, but by a machine invented and patented by the firm, which cut 3 flutes into the turned legs at tho rate of one minute fifteen seconds per flute."