West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1868.

West Coast Times, Issue 840, 2 June 1868, Page 2

West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1868.

It will be seen that a meeting of the Comtuitteo appointed to prepare a memorial to Ilis Excellency the Governor, praying him to suspend the sale of town lands in Hokitika until the subject has again been discussed in the County Council and further resolutions upon it adopted, has been convened for this evening, at seven o'clock, at the West Coast Times Hotel, Weld-street. We observe it notified in the "Westland Observer," the organ of the County Secretary, that Mr James A. Bouar, the County Chairman, is likely to be called to the Legislative Council of New Zealand. The monthly meeting of the members of the Hokitika Fire Brigade was held last even" ing at their Committee Boom, IJeveU street' Captain M'Farlane 'in the chair. The minutes of the proviou3 meeting were read und confirmed. The Treasurer reported the balance in the Bank to the credit of tha Association to be L 3 0s lOd. Mr Thomas Grade was elected a working member of the Brigade. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Dalrymple. seconded by Mr P. Walker — " That th« Foreman of each Company wear stripes on the arm as a distinctive badge." The roll beiug called, the sum of 25s was collected towards the members' fund. The meeting then terminated. It" is hoped there will be a good attendance on Thursday next at the monthly practice. At a meeting of the stewards of the Hokitika Races, 1867, held last ■ evening, at Osborno's Empire Hotel, Mr Shaw was toted to the chair. The following resolution, pro•posed by Mr G-. Harrison, and seconded by Mr Mcc, was carried unanimously — "That the balance of cash in the hands of the Treasurer bo handed over to Mr G. W. Binnoy, as Treasurer of the Westland Jockey Club." A vote of thanks to Mr B. Osborno, the Treasurer of the Hokitika Ruce Fund, terminated the proceedings. The Westland Light Horse mot for drill last night, at Mr Cozens Auction Mart, Wharf street. Drill was mainly confined to the sword exercise, and we wero glad to notice tho aptitudo and smartness displayed by tho men, who wero kept tightly at work by Sergeant Wilson for about two hours. Owing to the attractions of the Japaneso performance, at tho Duko of Edinburgh Theatre, the drill-meeting of No. 1 Company of Volunteers was but poorly attended last night. Twenty-eight members fell in, and went through the manual and platoon exorciso creditably enough, under tho instruction of Sergeant Carey. Tho men were quietly I watched by Captain and Adjutant Stack, who, for tho first time, attended parade, and when drill was over steppod forward and addrossod the company, complimented, thorn upon their

efficiency, and excused his non-attendance at an earlier date, on the score of a severe cold and rheumatic attack. Correspondence concerning the formation of a brass band was submitted to the company by Lieut. Devore, and it was resolred that the subject should stand over until Friday night, when a full muster is anticipated. A permanent committee of commissioned and non-commissioned officers wns appointod, to communicate with No. 2 Company, with the view of taking immo - diate steps towards selecting a suitable site for a rifle-range, and getting tho same cleared as quickly as possible. The baUotting-com-I initteo afterwards met, and elected a new momber. . At tho Duke of Edinburgh Theatre last night, the Japanese Tycoon Troupe of Jugglers made their first appearance in an entertainment of the most novel, curious, and enjoyable description. Notwithstanding the boisterous weather prevailing, there wa3 as good a house as we have seen for some time past at this theatre, and tho audience, as was natural to expect, touching anything or anybody from that terra incognita, Japan — 'manifested throughout tho liveliest interest in all that was said and done. Most of the tricks, &c, appeared to be of such an incomprehensible character, results following so drametrically opposite to what is naturally expected on thecommencement of each trick, that it was no wonder the audience appeared at times, as it were, in a maze. Tha entertainment commenced with a lecture by Tannaker Buhicrosan, the interpreter to the troupe, on the " Manners and Customs of the Japanese," in the course of which, among other matters, he dilated on the private life of young men and youifg single lad^ra ift particular, giving some interesting items*, for the benefit of those who could not speak Japanese, on the all-absorb-ing topic to young folks of courting, as pursued in Japan, illustrating the various steps in the presence of one of the Japanese ladies, in Japanese coßtume. This portion of the lecture naturally created considerable amusement. He also illustrated the different styles of hairdressing adopted by single, engaged, and married ladies, which different styles, ho said, were adopted to prevent " mistakes," and gave it as his opinion that it was an improvement on the European customs in Buch matters. An interesting specimen of the Japanese game of forfeits, in which the lady sits down on the mat and plays the saim-sie, or guitar, sings some Japanese ditty, whilo two others (all in character) ' commence to sit down on either side, one of whom begins waving her hand gracefully. The , other must follow each movement, or otherwise she forfeits some little trifle. The whole process is very simple, but a very pretty illustration of one of the domestic games of this peculiar people. The lecture over, some remarkable tricks were performed with the bow and arrow — surpassing, we were going to say, the historical feat of the renowned William Tell. At a distance of some twelve feet, Hecoonuskhe, the performer, with three arrows scarcely perceptible to the eye, shot down three upright sticks, lighted on the topof each, almost as imperceptible. Had it not been for the lights suddenly vanishing, it would have been almost impossible to have told whether they had been struck or not. A gentloman from among tho audience hold one of tho lighted sticks over his head, and sure onougli the iuvisiblo dart sent it flying. Some very good aummersaults were next performed, with two swords, one iv the mouth and one in the hand, the revolving body and swords appearing something like a huge star, so rapid was the motion. Tho process of fire-eating, by one of the ladies and the interpreter, was also amusing. But the more amusing feats, however, were those of top-spinning and eggspinnipg by Toorukacho. This old gentleman it appears has been engaged at this " little game" for the last forty years, it is so peculiar to him, that ho set 3 everything spinning ho comes in contact with. He also threw eggs high up in mid nil', catching them again on a hard-polished board — spinning — without breaking them. Top-spinning on swords top-spinning; on threads across tho room, on bamboos, in all sorts of unimaginable spots, in fact, are performed by this old Eastern. There were also some clover sleight-of-hand tricks gone through with great cleverness, and many other curious performances which wo have not spaco to mention. The entertainment was concluded by the performer making a top run up a string — vertically — from the floor to tho ceiling, iuto a lantern called the Temple of Mikado, or Temple of Wonders. Tho top gradually travels up tho string, and strikes some arrangemont in the lantern, which suddenly falls asunder, displaying a host of what we should call curiosities. The stage was tastefully decorated with Japanese lamps of every hue and form, with a temple or " bousonarar " in the background. This troupe, so we are given to understand, is the first that ever left Japan. Previous to leaving their homes, the Japaneso Government required a guarantee of some L2OOO that the various members of the troupe would return to their native land within a period of two years. This is only required in the case of the poorer natives, their patriarchal Government wisoly foreseeing that, deserted in a I foreign land, they would soon be in tho grip of poverty and houseless wandorers. Tannaker Buhicrosan, their interpreter, is tho first who ever brought a female from Japan. The performances, ia a varied form, will be repeated this evening. Mr Luks of the Princess Theatre, on account of the performances of the Japanese Troupe, with groat consideration, closed his Theatre last night, and will do so agaiu this evening, re-openiug to-morrow night. The following is the general return of prisoners confined in the County Gaol, Hokitika, for tho week ending 30th May, 1868:— For trial, mains, 2 ; penal servitude, males, 9 ; hard labor, males, 44 (five of this munbor are employed at the Camp) ; females, 4 ; default of bail, males, 1 ; females, 2 ; dofault of fine, males, 1 ; debtors, mules, 8. • Total, males,66; females, 6. Received during tho week, 3 ; discharged, 5. Wo take the following from last evening's " Despatch" :— ' Perhaps there are no more valnablo and interesting portions of a newspaper summary compiled for transmission to distant readers, than tlio.reproduction of the comments made at the timo upon the marked events that have occurred during the history of the month. There may be different theories in vogue as to the conduct of newspapers ; but that is our theory. It is one acted upon by the whole of the colonial press, with, it now appears, one erratic exception. A mere reproduction of what wo called specially tho iws columns of j

a daily paper can never convey to a home reader a real idea of our political and social life. It is a judicious selection and arrangement of the editorial matter that has been written at the moment, that serves to interpret tho force and meaning of the dry record of facts. The reader of the London " Times " turns from his perusal of the Parliamentary debates to tho "leader" columns of the paper, aadis thus guided to a judgment as to the merits and practical bearing of the discussions. It is perfectly true that the columns "may be overloaded" with expressions of opinion quoted from former issues ; but it is equally true that an editor may have no discretion, and no common sense ; the converse also may be perfectly true. We may express a hope that our leading journal, in its endeavors to render 'the home public an courant with society and news in New Zealand, will continue the course it has hitherto judiciously pursued, of reproducing such of the " leading" matter contained iv its previous issues as will help to throw a stronger light upon, and furnish a key of interpretation to, the history of the month. We understand that the demand for copies of the " West Coast Times" Summary during Saturday and this morning has been unprecedented, and that although a very large number in excess of the usual issue had been published, hundreds of extra copies would have been eagerly purchased if they had been obtainable. Wo believe the supply of this morning's " Times" was exhausted at a very early hour. We remember no previous instance in which there has been so great a demand' for newspapers for posting by the home mail. It will be seen that an extra mail will be made up for transmission by the Airedale for Wellington on Wednesday morning. A special meeting of the Municipal Council will be held to-morrow evening, to consider the subject of Beach protection. The condition of the wharf is fast becoming desperate ; the unfortunate structure is alike neglected by Government and Corporation,* j it is regarded suspiciously by both these great contracting powers, by the one as a nuisance, by the other with very much the same feelings with which the man received the inestimable gift of a white elephant. The question of what will they do with it may bo pertinently put, but will hardly find a ready rejoindor. But whilst negotiations aro pending we would like to know who iB answerable for the condition of tho highway that adjoins the wharf. Are dangerous pitfalls, produced by the wharf's decay, to be tolerated, whilst the Government i 3 driving a hard bargain with the unhappy Corporation. We notice that several large holes hare formed jast were the roadway adjoins the wood work of the lower part of tho wharf. Pedestrians passing that way after dark, are placed in greats peril by these gravel pits which lead underneath the wharf, where there is several feet of water when the tide is in. These gaps require filling or fencing in. At a meeting of the committee of the Hokitika Literary Association, held at their rooms, Revell street, on Friday evening last, with a view of continuing the Society as heretofore, it was ultimately resolved to make one last appeal to the public for support. For the purpose of thoroughly canvassing the town, the following gentlemen were appointed to the localities to which their name are attached, with power to receive subscriptions : — Messrs Sinclair and M'Hattie were appointed to canvas the- district lying between the Hau Hau Tramway and the Montezuma ; Messrs Williamson and Mowat, the district lying between Camp street and Weld street, Revell street, to the beach ; Messrs Pole, Jack, and Reid, Upper Gibson's Quay, Tancred street, and Stafford street; Messrs Whyte and Waller, Weld street, -and Hampden street, from Tancred street to the beach ; and, Messrs M'Farlane and Solomon, Tancred street, Camp street, through Empire right-of-way, to the beach. The results of tlie efforts of the above gentlemen, who have kindly volunteered their services, will decide the fate of the Society. Failing to obtain adequate subscriptions, the Society must inevitably be closed, and we shall thus lose one of the most useful institutions we have in oht midst. The coach for the Grey left town this morning at ten o'clock, taking, as through passengers, Mr Cornish and another, and one wayside. The return conveyance arrived at a quarter to four o'clock. There wrs only one through passenger, Mr Kelloek.