West Coast Times SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 700, 21 December 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1867.

We have Melbourne dates to the 14th. inst., from which we are able in our present issue to make very few extracts, in consequence of the pressure of advertisements and local matter.

Tho Goldficlds Secretary announces by advertisement, that the Government Offices will be closed from Tuesday to Thursday next, both days inclusive ; and also on Tuesday, the 31st December, and the following day, Wednesday, the Ist January. Notice is also given that miners' claims will be protected during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Yesterday was the day appointed for colleting the census papers throughout the colony. They were to furnish a record of all persons sleeping in tenements on the night of the 19th instant. At the time of the Alhambra's leaving Melbourne there was no sign of the arrival of the English mail, although it was then over due two or three days. The Caxton Amateur Dramatic Club make their first public appearance at the Prince of Wales Opera House this evening. This club is composed entirely of amateurs connected with the two newspaper offices in town, and from that circumstance their club derives its nance. Several of the members have already appeared in recent amateur performances, and have been exceedingly well received by large audiences. The pieces selected for to-night are Sheridan's splendid comedy of " The School for Scandal" and the farce of " Deaf as a Post." j A trifle, in the shape of a' prologue, written for tte occasion, is also announced. The performances are under the patronage of the Mayor and Town Councillors, and the United Order of Oddfellows. We desire to call special attention to the announcement that the curtain will rise punctually at half-past seven o'clock — this early hour being rendered necessary by the length of the performance and the fact of this day being Saturday. We have every reason to believe that Sheridan's comedy will be capitally played, tho members of the club being well up in their parts. The amateurs will receive valuable assistance from the professional ladies connected with the theatre — Mrs Crosby taking tho part of Mrs Candor, and Miss Kate Eydcr that of Lady Teazle, Miss Buckingham, Miss Ashton, and Miss Graham also assisting. Tho proceeds of the performance will be devoted to the formation of a Caxton Club fund, which will help to place the club in a position to give future assistance to many charitable and public objects.

The City Theatre will be re-opened by the proprietor, Mr Luks, of the White House, °n Tusday evening next (Chrismas Eve), with a fancy dreas ball. We understand that soveral professional engagements are in contemplation to render the City Theatre a popular and attractive place of entertainment.

Christmas time is the season for prosentmakiiig, and those who are disposed to indulge in the amiable pastime hare no lack of opportunity. At Messrs Susrnau, Behvend, and Co.'s establishment, in Weld street, we notice a very fine and almost exhaustless collection of fancy and art goods, suitable for presents. It certainly speaks well for Hokitika that so fine a collection of articles of this class should be available for those who wish to pay Christmas compliments. Books are a favorite form of Christmas present, and a very handsome selection is offered at all the booksellers' establishments in town. Many of these are well known and need not be specially named ; but M r Crerar's book depot in Revell street is entitled to notice. His shop is a very fine one, and is well supplied with books and fancy articles suitable for presents. A very sad and serious accident happened on board the Alhambra whilst she was lying in the roadstead yesterday afternoon, whereby six unfortunate men were severely injured,two of them we fear seriously. We have heard several versions of the affair, and publish the following account as being the most roliablo : The last of the Alhambra's cargo having been discharged into the lighter Isabella, orders were given to get her under weigh, preparatory to starting for Greymouth, and whilst the crew were engaged upon the more intricate \ routine of ships duty, a number of passengers, bound to Greymouth, manned the capstain, which we may remark is contracted upon one of the latest patented principles, and

works the chain without the aid of a messenger. All went well until the anchor was short stay apeak, when the steamer gave a heavy pitch, [and tho chain tightening with a sudden jerk brought a strain upon the capstain more than the men working it could resist, and in consequence they were whirled round with great violence, one man being hurled overboard, and the others thrown in all directions on deck, five of them receiving frightful blows from the revolving capstain bar3 — the steamer of course having run away with the chain. It was at last nipped and tho injured men were then picked up, two of them being inscijsiblo ; the one thrown overboard was rescued by the crew of the Isabella. They were at once transferred to that vessel for conveyance on shore, as the Challenge was seen steaming out for her, and an hour afterwards they arrived at the wharf, and were immediately taken to tho hospital, four of them by Captain Turnbull in tho harbor boat, and two by Captain Nicholl, of the Yarra, in a waterman's boat. As daylight was then fast disappearing, and the river exceedingly dangerous to traverse in the dark owing to the heavy surf running in, Captain Turnbull was obliged to leavo before Dr Ryley had examined tho poor fellows, so we are unable to make known the condition further than that two of them woro helpless and appeared to suffer acutely, whilst the others were able to walk — although not witb,-

out difficulty. We understand that one of them as at least funds — fifty sovereigns and a bank order for L3OO, being fund upon his person.

Despite tho threatening weather and the muddy 6tate of the streets, there was a splendid house at the Prince of Wales Opera House last night, when the talented Nathan Troupe, assisted by Mr J. Small and Mr Chambers made their second appearance in Hokitika. The bill of the previous evening was repeated, and the applaii3o was most frequent and enthusiastic. Little Marion was called before tho curtain more times than we can well count. To-night there will be an intermission in the regular performances, the house being engaged by the Caxton Club for their first appearace.

Mr Allen, a packer, who arrived yesterday from Okarita, informs us that on Tuesday laßt a small rush set in to the lower end of the Five-mile beach. So unusual an occurreacs created a slight excitement in that usually quiet locality, and caused the partial desertion for the time being of some of the extended claims, the owners of which followed the crowd. Nothing' definite, however, concerning the value of the new ground was known when our informant left, and as exaggerated rumors about the find were current in town last night, he called at our office with the • above statement, fearful that they might be attributed to him as the originator — he being the only packer who had arrived here yestorday. At a later hour hi the evening a letter dated 17th instant, from Mr Freeman, of Okarita, to a friend residing in the town was submitted to us, and we publish verbatim the following portion of it relating to tho new rush :—": — " I write to let you know that a rush has taken plaoe to the Five Mile. They have struck a new lead south of the old one, which promises to turn out exceedingly well, and although the extent of ground taken up is very small, lam of opinion, from the prospects I have seen, that the new lead will be equal to the old. Things down here are assuming a more flourishing aspect than heretofore — everybody seems to be doing well. If there is anything more to be communicated about this rush I will advise you privately. If you could get this letter published you would oblige, as the particulars are authentic."

A meeting of the hotel keepers of Hokitika was held yesterday afternoon, at the Shakspere Concert Room, Revell Btreet. Mr Turner was called to the chair. Previously to the business commencing a resolution was carried, to the effect that those present not being hotel keepers (with tho exception of the reporters), be requested to leave the room. The Chairman briefly stated the object of the meeting, which was to endeavor to put a stop to the system of sly-grog selling, which at present prevailed to a great extent in Hokitika. Tho following resolutions were adopted unanimously : — " 1. That we, the publicans of Hokitika, pledge ourselves not to patronise any cordial or lemonade manufacturer who serves unlicensed houses for tlic purposes of sale. 2. That we, the publicans of Hokitika, pledge ourselves not to patronise any brewer that serves unlicensed houses for the purposes of sale. 3. That we, the publicans of Hokitika, pledge ourselves not to patronise any storekeeper who retails single bottles of ale, porter, or spirits, to persons known to keep sly grog shops." It was also resolved — "That a Licensed Victuallers' Protection Association be formed out of this meeting." - A committee, consisting of Messrs Casey, Turner, and White, was appointed to wait upon the brewers, cordial manufacturers, and storekeepers. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the procedings.

Return of cattle and sheep driven past Rangiriri Police Camp, on their road to Hokitika, during the fortnight ended the 18th December, 1867. Cattle 341, sheep 660. . We, yesterday, published an account of tho finding of the body of a miner named Hugh Carmichael, at German Gully, Wairaea, under circumstances which excited fears that a dark deed of blood had been committed. When found the body was much decomposed, but a medical examination by Dr. Dermott has proved that the unfortunate deceased has been tho victim of a foul murder, for two deep wounds, inflicted apparently with a hatchet, have been found in his head. An inquest, which was commenced yesterday before Dr. Beswick, Coroner, has been adjourned for a fortnight. Tho man Douglas, who was apprehended on suspicion, is still in custody. _^___