West Coast Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1868.

West Coast Times, Issue 906, 18 August 1868, Page 2

West Coast Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1868.

The Royal Commission appointed last year to inquire into the convict system of the Colony, have concluded their labors, and their report has been placed before the General Assembly. The Commissioners were Mr Justice • llichiuond, Mr Justice Johntson, the Hon. Colonel Peaeoeice, M.L.C., and Messrs C. E. Haughton and J. O'Neill, members of the House of Representatives. Our space will not allow us to dwell on all the points alluded to in the report which is very full, and appears to have been drawn with great skill and care. It has been generally known for years past " that the management of our convicts was not what it should be, but the facts presented by the Commissioners go to show it could scarcely be worse than it really is. The gaols are all of them described as bad ; some of them on account of their situation, and all of them, with the exception of that at Napier, on account of the insufficient accommodation they provide. They are also said to be built on inconvenient plans, and that any classification of prisoners is usually quite out of the question. Young and old, persons sentenced for first offences, aud hardened criminals, persons committed for trial, and persons undergoing puuiMiment, are, it seems, indiscriminately herded together. The reformation of the convict seems never to have entered the head of anyone concerned in the management, and, under the circumstances described in the report, any attempt at such a process must of necessity prove futile. Again, there' is a different system pursued in each gaol in the Colony. A year's imprisonment in Dunedin is an entirely different matter to the same term of punishment in Lyttelton, aud so on through the whole list. It is scarcely proper to speak of the "New Zealand convict system," for in point of fact there is nothing in the Colony worthy of the name. Prepared as we were to learn that extensive alterations were needed, the actual state of thiugs is very far worse than we anticipated. Even the safe custody of convicts is not adequately provided for; and the Commissioners incline to the belief that escapes are not more numerous because of the mild character of tho punishment, and because, by tho convict prison regulations now in force, a prisoner's term of sentence is, as a matter of course, materially shortened by his good behaviour. With, reference to the supervision of gaols, the report shows that the Visiting Justices have frequently a very confused idea of what their real .lutics are. Sumo of them do not know v/ whom they are appointed; somo cxc; _'d their powers, aud others, do not do what the law plainly tells them. Iv at least one case the Visiting Justices have been directed to do more than the law requires. The " hard labor of the convicts is simply a farce ; th y rather enjoy it than otherwise, and there is no provision for its being enforced when necessary, within tho gaol enclosures.' From first to last the commissioners found nothing to commend, and the alterations they advise are therefore of a most sweeping character. Firstly, they recommend that the laws relating to gaols iuid convicts should be consolidated and simplified ; and that the provisions of the " Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867," should be made use of by the establishment of central reformatories, or houses of correction, to which youthful convicts mightbe sent from the various Provinces — each Province- beiug charged with the maintenance of its own criminals. Most of the gaols now in existence the Commissioners report as suitable for the detention of debtors, persons committed for trial, or summarily convicted, or imprisoned in default of payment of fines, or for contempt; or convicts sentenced to not more than one year' 3 imprisonment with hard labour, or convicts about to be removed to a central penal establishment. ' The Commissioners recommend that all gaols should be under the control of a colonial authority ; that inspectors should be appointed who should visit them at intervals, and to whom the Visiting Justices should report ; and that the inspectors themselves should report to the legislature, such reports being made public. The question of cat.'.biishiug a central convict depot oeou^i.l much of the attention of the Commissioners, and they consider that one is urgently required at the present time, and that a second may be necessary in the future. We need not enumerate all the recommendations with regard to the establishment. It is suffU cienttosay that the Commissioners would have it conducted as such places are in Great Britain. The position of the convict would be gradually improved if he

were industrious and generally well behaved; but during the first portion of the term of punishment each would be separately treated, and the labour would bo severe. The report deals at length with the official management of the proposed establishment; and the recommendations under this head are all of a sound, common-sense character. The Commissioners do not fix 8n a sito ; but they took some evidence on the subject, and recommend that further enquiries should be made as to the suitability of Resolution Island and Taranaki. The report, as a whole, is ably draivn, and although there are a few of its recommendations which we cannot entirely endorse, there is no doubt that ! its authors have faithfully performed their task ; and we sincerely trust that the Convict question will not be " shelved by the Assembly.

Thrice sinco Saturday night the member 3of fcho Fire Brigado have boon called out as for active service, although, fortunately, on each occasion, their services have not been greatly required. Last evening, shortly after five o'clock, the clang of tho fire bell wa3 again heard, and.agaiu tho brigade turned out with their wonted promptitude, hut it was soon discovered that fcho causo was a chimney on fire at tho Provincial Chambers, and this, as on previous occasions, was quickly extinguished. The mouth of Totara is now so completely blocked up that drays and all traffic is across where the stream was, below tho punt; the lagoon by name i 3 now one in reality, mhl will remain so until a fresh comes down, when the river will break out, but where no one can say. Wo hear that another shaft has been bottomed at Redman's with 21 dwts. off tho bottom j three feet dirt at sovenfcy feet. Lust evening a meeting of persons intei'tiaied in developing the mining resources of Weslland, was held afc tho Empire Hotel. Mr M'Beth was called to tho chair, and stated that the object of the meeting was to form a Society for the purposo of obtaining information with regard to the different mining localities in Westland. Such information might in most instances bo obiaiueJ without expense, from diggers who had travelled through the country, and might be turned to a useful account, by statiug to the Government any particular locality to which it might be desirable to form a road. He considered that the County Government, as at present constituted, failed to carry out what was wanted, inasmuch as attention at present seemed to be turned more tc> developing settled localities, than opening up new ones. Ho thought that provision should bo made for opening up new districts, and lhab the County Council should have power to deal with such cases. Mr J. P. Klein was of opinion that if a prospecting association were started, the Government would give every consideration to such reliable information a3 the Society might bring before them. Mr Taifc suggestod that a portion of the money realized by tho salo of Town Lands in Hokitika should be spent in opening up tracks in the country distrlcto. He thought that if 'the people of Hokifcika would consent to lhafc, a small Bill might bo introduced into tho G-cnoral Assembly legalizing such a measure. Mr Mcc thought that the only chanco of saving the country was by opening it up by means of tracks. Ho thought tho Corporation avouUl not object to that if they had the good of tho County afc heart. Tho Chairman was of opinion that the suggestion made fay Messrs Tint and Mcc was premature. Mr Taifc thought that a Comn.'.i'.eo had better be formed to request the Ma^ :»r to convene a meeting of tho oitizens to consider ' tho matter. Mr R. Reeve 3 agreed with the suggestions niude by tho Chairman. Mr Proseer also agreed with the Chairman, aud said that he did not think ifc all likely the Corporation would hand back the money, for if they, did so ifc would only bo given over to the Road Boards, and would go a very lictlo way when divided amongst them. At the present time that money was wanted for formiug Gibson'a Q.uay, and constructing protective works in the river. Ho did not think the General Assembly would sanction such a Biil as hai been proposed, although perhaps the Assembly might assent, to a measure which would enable the Corporation to expend any surplus revenue in opening up tracks in the Kanieri aud Arahura district*. Mr Heawood suggested that a clause should be introduced into tho County of Weslland Act, to enable the County Council to devote a certain sum of money lo opening up tracks in tho country. After some remarks from Mr. Henderson, Mr Palmer said ho thought that if an association similar to the Constitution Association iv. Victoria was formed in Wesfcland, the head onico boing in Hokitika, with brunch offices in the mining districts, a groat deal of useful iuformalion might be brought to bear upon the Government, and induce them to give increased means of communication with the country. It was a facl, that Hokitika wa3 dependent upon a mining community, and if the wants of the miners wero not attended to, they would leave, and Hokitiku must inevitably languish and decay. Mr Klein moved — '• That an association be formed to bo called • The WesfcUud Mining Association.' " Mr R'lwlins seconded tho motion. After some further conversation, Mr R. Reeves moved as an amendment — " That a Vigilance Committeo be formed to watch over the mining interests of the West Coast ; such commifcfcc to consist of members from Hokitika and tho various mining districts." Air Tait seconded the amendment, which was put and negatived. Mr Prosscr moved another amendment — " That an Association ba formed, having for its object the development and advancement of the mining and olhor resources of Westland j such Association to bo called ' The Wesllaud Association,' consisting of members in Hokitika and iho outlying districts." Mr R. Reeves seconded the amendment, which was carried. Mr Reeve 3 moved — " TiiaL fcho following gentlemen be a Committee, pro tern., for the purpose of canvassing for members, viz., Mr M'Beth, Mr Ryan (Kaniori), Mr Robinson (Kanieri), Mr Lord, Mr Graces, MiLynch, Mr Rawlings, Mr Rcevc3, Mr Tail, Mr Prosscr, Mr Henderson, and Mr Wagner." Mr Prossur seconded tho motion, which was ugroed to. Mr Taifc movod— "That fcho mooting bo adjourned until Monday week, afc 8 o'clock, to rcceivo tho Report of tho Committeo pro tern." Mr Prosser seconded the motion, which was agreed to, and the meeting adjourned accordingly, afjor passing a vote of t hunks to the Chairman,

We arc glad to find that tho Volunteers have at last commenced shooting practice, pending the completion of the Government rifle range on Cemetery bill, temporary butts have been erected in a rafe position on the South Spit,'and wero used last week for the first time. We believo that this impromptu shooting movement was initiated by Captain Carey's Light Horsemen, their example, however, being quickly followed by the members of the Ist Riflo Company, amongst whom aro several crack marksmen. Their first shooting bout came off or. Saturday, when eight of the company, under command of Ensign Fisher, proceeded to the spifc, and shot fivo rounds each "at tho 200, 300, and 400 yards ranges. The shooting was really excellent, considering that the men were Strange to their rifle 3 and quite out of practice, whilst oue or two had never before used an Enfield rifle. The following is the score :—: —

Weather permitting, another practice will be held to-morrow afternoon. Twonfcy-five members of the We3fclaud Light Horse turned out upou the boaoh for mounted drill on Saturday afternoon, Captain Carey commanding ; Captain Stack, tho district Adjutant, also being present. The appearauce of both men and howes was particularly good, and the various evolutions were gone through with a precision hardly to be expected on tho part of mou so recently enrolled. The drill was invested with more than usual interest, part of ifc being devoted lo fcho examination of Cornet Preshaw, who put the men through troop aud squadron manoeuvres and field movements, and acquitted himself in a manner that drew forth warm praise from the adjutant, who said he fclfc very great pleasure in "giving fcho cornet a certificate of efficiency. Lieut. Christian then put the troop through a variety of manoeuvres, and finally Captain Carey gave them a sharp bout at the sword exercise. Before dismissing them ho called their attention to the Adjutaufc'sparade, which comc3 off on Saturday afternoon next. Tho tune and place of meeting for the Light Horse is two o'clock, at Jones' saleyard. To-night a general meeting of the shareholders of the Maori Reserve Gold Mining Company will be held at Lynch's Swan Hotel, Wharf street, and business of importance being in hand it is to be hoped that the attendance will be a full oue. We aro glad to hear that the preliminary works of this Company arc being rapidly pushed forward. Tho water wheel will be completed by the latter end of this week, whilst the flume which is lo convoy water to ifc from the terrace will not be so far behind, a3 it was commenced yesterday, and will be of no great length. We have on many occasions dilated upon tho importance of this Company's speculation which has been undertaken with the viow of recovering the lost Maori Reserve lead of gold. And yet not lost for gold was traced some distanco down the side of Iho reef that dips from tho shallow workings into the Companies ground, where wo lmve not tho slightest doubt it will bo found perhaps richer than ifc was on the high ground. The recovery of the lead will be tho signal for a heavy rush in tho direction of the Totara. A public meeting was held afc Greymouth on Saturday evening, Mr Do Costa in tho chair, for tho purpose of selecting a number of gentlemen as candidates for seats in the Borough Council. A number of gentlemen were proposed, and a Commifcteo having been appointed^ to secure the return of nine of the candidates, the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

We tako the following from la3fc evening's " Despatch" :— We are happy to be able to inform members of tho craft that a communication has been received from tho Provincial Grand Lodge of Canterbury, that a dispensation to open tho Totara Lodge, under tho English Constitution, at Ross, will shortly bo forwarded. Aa soon as tho Dispensation arrives the Lodge will be opened, and consecrated with Masouio ceremony. This morning about half-past seven o'clock tho Cre bell again rang forth an alarm, and again the Brigado turned out with their wonted alacrity ; again, however, it, was fortunate that tlii-ii' valuable services were not required, as the causo of alarm was a chimney on fito at the Otago Dining Rooms, and which wa3 quickly extinguished. The Cricket Season was opened in Hokitika on Saturday, by a Scratch Match between certain members of tho club, Mr Mace and Mr Rees being the respective Captains. Only ono innings was played, Mace's side going first to fcho wickets, and scoring 41 runs, Rees' side scored 71, thus being the victors by 30 runs. A telegraph station is now open at Charlostou. Tariff, twopence per word. A meeting of tlio lovers of cricket in. Hokitika was held on Saturday evening, afc the Empire Hotel, Mr Heo3 in tho chair. The chairman stated that tho lion. John Hall had been communicated with respecting tho right of tho cricketers to the ground they had prepared on the Cattlo Reservo, and ho (the chairman) recommended that trustees -Jhould be named in whom tho ground could be vested, j A deputation, consisting of Messrs Mace, Osbornc, Pocock, and Klein, was appointed to wait upon tho County Council, to see what could be done to enable tho Cricket Club to obtain control of tho ground. The following officers were appointed for tho ensuing year :- Treasurer, Mr Mace ; socretary, Mr Henderson ; committee, Messrs Rees, It. Bowen, Bloxam, Heawood, Arkell, Tonnant, Pocock, Osborno, E. W. Jones, and Staito. The onlrance-feo for new members was fixed at 10s 6J, and tho annual subscription afc £1 Is. Subscriptions to be payable on Ist September noxt. It was also determined to enter into communication with the Groyraouth club as to tho means to bo taken to induco tho Christchurch club to visit Westland oavly iv the season, to play fcho Hokitika and Groytnoufch clubs, cither separately or conjointly. Messrs Maco, Rees, aud Bloxam wero appointed the fiold-commifctoo for tho ensuing season. Mr Pocock stated that he beliovod tho Hokitika Christy Minstrels would bo happy to give their services in an entertainment to be got up in uid of the funds of tho Cricket Club. After a vote of thanks to the obairman the meeting adjourned to Ist September.

Name. yds. yds. yds. Total. Sergeant Staito ... 8 Ensign Fisher ... 11 Sergeant ITorsyth ... 9 Corporal Banting ... 7 Volunteer Mowut ... 13 Corporal Chamberlain. . 7 Volunteer Slonebridge . 6 Volunteer Carter ... 0 8 17 33 9 10 30 12 4 25 14 3 24 0 6 19 7 3 17 6 3 15 0 0 0