West Coast Times TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 702, 24 December 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1867.

We regret to have to announce that there is no probability of the arrival of the Hon. John Hull in Ilokitika until the I Oth or 1 1 th of January.

It appears that an unexpected delay is likely to arise in the actual commencement of the working of the Comity of Westland Act. A delay which circumstances have rendered totally unavoidable ; for which the Colonial Government cannot be held to be responsible ; and the causes of which it is especially due to Mr Hall should bo explained.

When the Ist of January was fixed for bringing the Wesllaud Act into force, it had been officially intimated that the new Governor, Sir George Bowen, would arrive in New Zealand somewhere about the middle of the present month of December. Although, therefore, the necessary Orders in Couucil and Proclamations for working the Act could not be issued before the Ist January, when the Act, actually comes into force, we believe it was intended that they should be issued o;i that very day, so that ,not the least avoidable delay should take place. We understand that the whole of these documents were prepared accordingly, and are now in type waiting the official authentication. The Government have, however, received information that Sir George Bowen will not reach Wellington until the Bth January ; and as Sir George Grey has gone to the Kawau, and is not likely to return to Wellington until the 7th January, there wil be no possibility of getting the necessary documents passed through the Executive Council before the' first week of the new year. It is understood to have been the intention of the Government, that the elections for the County Council should havo taken place in sufficient time to enable the Council to meet during the month of January ; but the delay we have explained will now render this impracticable.

Under these circumstances, Mr Hall, we believe, intends to proceed to Wellington, in order to get the Westland business settled at the earliest possible moment after tho arrival of His Excellency Sir George Bowen, and to proceed from thence direct to Hokitika, which lie will probably reach, as we have said, on the 10th or 11th January. Probably the only actuil inconvenience resulting will be a week's delay in the payment of some account's. For this, however, circumstances, and not MiHall or the Government, must be held responsible. We hope, in an early issue, to be in a position to explain the arrangements determined on for the election of the ; 'members of the County Council, as well as of the members of the several Road Boards. It will, doubtless, be seen that the object of the Government has been to render them as simple as possible.

TnE news of the death of Mr Crosbie Ward will be received throughout New Zealand with feelings of profound and universal regret. He wa9 not many months ago a visitor amongst us, hav-

ing assisted at the opening of the Hokitika and Arahura Tramway, and was one of the leading statesmen of New Zealand who have made a personal acquaintance with the West Coast. Mr Ward was ono of the founders of the Canterbury Province; and from his high and distinguished abilities, at an early date after his arrival in the colony, took a leading part in its politics. He may be regarded as the founder of the press in — what may still for a few days be called — the Province of Canterbury. Mr Ward went home some months ago as the accredited Provincial Agent, without salary. He was charged specially' with the negotiation of the Provincial debentures, and it -will be remembered, that the last mail from England brought letters from him, announcing the success of his mission. Mr Ward -went to Europe by the Panama route, which he -was mainly instrumental in opening. His loss is on all grounds deeply to be lamented. He served the Colony faithfully whilst he was one of its leading men here. He would have served it with honor to himself and with great advantage to New Zealaud, if a longer tenure of life had been allowed him. It is very sad to think that we shall no longer have to speak of Crosbie Ward, as amongst living men. Contrary to the expectations raised by our last advices, there has been a renewed occupation of Home by French troops, and the Kingdom of Italy seems to have lost a move iv the game which the whole world is so keenly watching. The Garibaldian movement has been a failure, Rome is not yet to become the capital of Italy, and the temporal power of the Pope over the states of tho church is gauranteed for a time. > What the limits of

that time will be, can scarcely be a matter of conjecture or- doubt. The successors of Pius the Ninth will hold their supremacy over the Catholic world as its spiritual head, the cares aud responsibilities of secular government passing into political hands. For the present, the failure of any show of active sympathy by the Italian Government with the movement for the incorporation of Home in the new kingdom, and the determined policy of France,

have averted the threatening prospects of a new revolution.

The English mails may bo expected to arrive by the coach from Christchurch aud be delivered in town on Saturday evening next.

From a letter received from tho Provincial Secretary by Mr Barff, which that gentleman has shown us, we learn that Iho new Goldfields Regulations are being printed in tho form iv wbich they wero originally passed by the Mining Conference, of which Mr Barff was chairman, and that they may be expected to be out of the printer's hands in a day or two. The "Wardens' Rules" it appears are at Wellington, awaiting the necessary approval of the Governor — prior to their publication.- With reference to tho Mining Regulations, we may mention that the draft agreed to by the conference was amended in many important particulars by tho local authorities. Tho whole of these amendments have been disallowed, it appears from Mr Stewart's letter, by tho Provincial Government, and tho recommendations of the conference adopted in their entirety.

Expectation is on tip-toe respecting the ensuing races which promise three mo3t enjoyable tiaj-3 to the legion of folks who we feel sure are ready to lloek from all parts of Hie district to. the grand annual gathering of the Weslknd sporting fraternity. Everything bids fair for the' success of the races, tiptop horses having arrived to contest the events which have been judiciously laid off by the committee who nro also sparing no piins in other matters to render the racveourso as attractive as possible, and to ensure tho comfort and safety of visitors. Particular attention has been paid to tho Grand Stand which has been strengthened by a great many extra joists, and effectually screened round the siflcs and in tha bottom. It has also been determined to allow no booths underneath it, but to devote the space there solely to tho purposes of a weighing and steward's room, and police accommodation. Tho booths will stretch, as they did last yoar, on each side of tho Grand Stand. Mr Clapcotfc may be congratulated upon the vast improvement that has taken place in the appearance of his charming property siuco the racemeeting last year. Then the ground was only partially grassed, but now an unbroken carpet of thick, verdant turf extends to overy part of tho course, and is Btrongly suggestivo of croquot and picnic parties. Certainly tho race-course is a delightful place to foregather in, and wero it not that it is situated so far from town, and can only bo reached by crossing tho river, we are euro that trysfc would bo often kept there, and many a jovial party assemblo on its green sward. In fact it is more than likely that Mr Clupcott would Imvo cause to complain of too much attention on the part of the public. Tho attractions of the locality, however, are not confined to tho race-ground, as a walk through the lane that leads past it up tho river brings Iho visitor to a number of beautifully laid-outand cultivated gardens, of which the most conspicious, both as regards tasteful disposing and variety of contents, is one owned by Messrs. Bathe and Richardson. It is not tho first time we hare mentioned this garden, our special reporter in days gone bye, having on more than ono occasion alluded to its excellence. It has of course suffered nothing by the lapse of time aud now presents a soeno of luxurious but judiciously restrained growth not to bo sui'Biirpasscd in Wostland. Vegetables of till kinds nourish and nbouud there, and nearly every kind of fruit troe — suitable to Iho clinmtc — Ims been planted, and i* struggling towards perfection. Wo noticed a most magnificent bed of strawberries, many of (ho plants loaded with fruit; the proprietors stated that, ncxL season they expect to roceivo a houvy crop from this bed. The ground in fi'ont of tho cottage is ornamontcd by a tustofully laid out flower garden, containing many raro and beautiful plants, besides enough of tho common or sorts to supply half the town with posies. Floriculture has not been neglected by Mr Clapcott, who has a well-kept garden iv front of his prettily situated cottago. In ono corner of tho ground there is a largo bed of " sweet williams," whoso mass and varioty of colors aro absolutely dazzling.

Tho City Theatre will be re-opened this evening, with a Grand Bal Masque. Considerable alterations and improvements have been made, with a viow to the accommodation and convenience of the public, and there is no doubt that during the forthcoming festivities tho proprietor will meet with a clue share of patronage. Great preparations are being made for tho decoration of tho theatre for tonight, with flags and evergreens tastefully arranged, and ample accommodation is provided for the convenience of guests.

Tho following is the return of Hokitikn gaol for the week ended 21st December, 18G7 :—: — Males — for trial, 4 ; penal servitude, 5 ; haivl labor, 28 ; imprisonment, 1 ; default of bail, 2 ; remand, 1 ; debtors, 15 ; total, SG. Females— hard labor, 4. Of the twenty-eight males to hard labor, seven are employed at tho Police Camp. Received during the week, 6. Dischai'ged, nil. The children attending tho Sunday and day schools connected with All-Saints Church, numbering one hundred, assembled yesterday at one o'clock, at tho school-rooms, aud, with their teachers, headed by the Drum and Fife Band, marched, carrying flags and small banners, to tho Cricket Ground, where the afternoon was spent in a variety of sports. The children having been plentifully regaled with cake, tea, gingorbread, &c, then returned to tho school-room, whore they wore dismissed for the holidays.

A mooting of the Gibson's Quay Sports Committco w&b held yesterday afternoon, at tho Melbourne Hotel. Mr Camoron in the chair. Final arrangements respecting tho sports wero agreed upon, Mes3rs Farwig and Sadler wore appointed working managers. Tho treasurer reported favorably of the funds in hand, and thero will, no doubt, bo a firstclass prize given for the grand handicap on tho third day.

A Government notice appears in our advertising columns to the following effect : — Persons who have not received Household Forms for making tho returns on the 19th instant, aro requested to inform tho Enumerator, addressed to "A. E. Tcnnant, Esq." We fancy this is a somewhat new stylo of official announcement.

Wo should like to know how much longer lives and limbs of tho inhabitants of this town aro to be placed iv jeopardy by th-3 droves of horses, which unchocked, aro permitted to roam the beach and streets. Timo after time have wo called attention to this nuisance, but latterly havo withheld our pen, hoping that the establishment of a pound, and tho appointing a pound-keeper would bo tho means of checking the evil. It however continues unabated, and excepting for tho name of tho thing, the town may as well bo without the above-named institution, so little good is effected by it. Only the other day the son of Mr Beck was knocked down and severely injured

byahovse,which,witli afew companions madly

galloped down Eevell street, and not a day passes but the mad gambols of horses, either

singly or in droves, aro witnessed in tho

principal thoroughfares of tho town. We hope this subject will form part of the

Municipal Council business next meeting.

A correspondent informs us that great preparations are making at Greymouth for the due and proper celebration of the coming

Christmas. Town decorations have been com

menced, many of the shops being tastefully decked out according to the most approved

fashion. Our neighbors anticipate a stirring and jovial season and a grand flocking in of diggei-3 from up-country to participate in the sports provided.

We are glad to hear of the opening of new and payable ground near tho Grey and Saltwater tramway. A correspondent informs us that n party of prospectors sunk a shaft to the depth of eighteen foet, and being misled by tho appearance of the stratum arrived at, which looked remarkably like a false bottom, left it for a duffer. Tho shaft remained unoccupied until last week, when another party took it up, sunk it four feot deeper, and struck a bed of washdirt that yielded very good prospects. Thoy applied for and obtained an extended claim, and a smart rush resulted. It is said that every yard of available likely ground in the vicinity has been taken up.

There wa3 a very gooil house indeed at tho Prince of Wales Theatre last night when Tom Taylor's comedietta of " Nino Points of the Law" was produced. Mr Stuart O'Brien's Ironsides was a complete piece of acting, lifelike in every part of it ; and Miss Juno's Mrs Smylie Gttod it exactly. Tho two played well together, and gavo effect to the situation and plot of the piece. Mr B.irtlett's Rollingslone was a good piece of acting in itself, but was in sorao respects scarcely appropriate. We think that few returned diggers courting a young widow, handsome, ladylike, and presumed to be rich, would ruako thoir cigar so incessant an accompaniment of their drawing-room wooing. Mr Dunn was hardly up to his usual mark as Cunnhigame. It would have bean moro natural for him to have carried on his legal controversy with Mrs Smylie, with his hat off, considering that ho was in that lady's parlor. Wo might mention many other defects aud mistakes of tho samo kind ; and they arc worth referring to, bocause in theso light comoilies very much of the effect depends upon the extent to which life is re-produced in its conventional reality. Tho piece -went very smoothly. It was succeeded by the play ol 1 " Andy Blnke," in which Mr Small and tho Natlniu Troupe havo distinguished themselves, aud of which nothing more needs to bo said in way of commendation. The performances concluded with a burlesque of the " Happy Man," entitled " Paddy in India," written, we believe, by Mr Small especially for fie Nathan children. It was capitally done, and tho young actors, especially Miss Seliua Nathan and La Petito Marion, gavo a new proof of their woudorful dramatic ability. Wo need scarcely say that the performances wero received throughout with marked applause To-night tho samo programmo will be ropeatod.