West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1868.

West Coast Times, Issue 914, 27 August 1868, Page 2

West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1868.

Ik these dull times a penny or two in the price of a pmnd of butchers' meat is decidedly "an object." It is hot good to pay a shilling when eightpence should suffice ; and although diseased beef is dear at any price, we should make ourselves sure -that it is diseased before we condemn it,- for rejecting it may necessitate our paying a heavier figure elsewhere. Our remarks are caused by the cessation, of the cattle trade between Canterbury and Westland, in accordance with an Order in Couucil of the 25th of June last. If this stoppage has not hitherto occasioned any great rise iv the price of meat in Westland, it unquestionably has a tendency in that direction; aud unless the embargo be quickly taken off, lessened supplies must inevitably be followed by more formidable butchers' bills. The prospect is not pleasing, and it is worth while inquiring why His Excellency was advised to issue an Order, which 13 alike injurious to the squatters of Canterbury and the beef-devouring commuuity of Westland. In the House of Representatives, towards the latter end of last mouth, Mr Rolleston, the Superintendent of Canterbury, sought for similar information from the Government. He said, truly enough, that " there was a large mining population in Weatland who, of course, had no objection to obtaining Cattle for slaughter. It was well-known that Westlaud was not a pastcral country, therefore it could do the country no harm in taking cattle there for slaughter. It was only recently that Westland ceased to be a quarantine ground. It was said that the cattle imported into Weslland from part of Canterbury were infected, but there were other infected districts from which cattle were taken into Westland." Mr Hall's answer was to the effect that some time since pleuro-pneumonia ' broke out in the northern part of Canterbury, and that it had been considered necessary to prevent the removal of cattle thence to any ot.ier part of the Province. There were a number of cattle in Westland, and tho Government thought it right that they should be protected from the danger of iuieetion. That was the reason for the Order-iw-Couucil. Ho also said that Westland had been declaied a quarantine ground, not because pleuro-pneumonia had made its appearance, but in order that there might be liberty to import cattle from the Australian Colonies. Whereupon Mr Harrison slated that Westland was in no way affected by the stoppage of the cattle trade with Canterbury, as she drew unlimited supplies from other places by the sea-board. The facts so far as Canterbury is concerned are given in an article published in the " Lyttelton Times," on August 20. The writer says: — "Most of our readers know the history of the recent outbreak of pleuro-pneumonia iv this province—how a mob of diseased cattle were driven over the border from Nelson, and how, as soon as it became known, the Provincial Government took the requisite steps for checking the spread of the disease. The particular mob of cattle was confined within a certain spot, aud . a given area was at once declared to be an infected district, in order to prevent the further communication of the disease among the herds of the province. The fact remains, that with the exception of a few head of cattle driven off the run before the necessary uuthoyity could bo ob»

tmuwl ftVin Wellington, no contact ! has been possible between this isolated mob and tho sixty thousand head of cattle in the province." In the same article the case of We&tland is thus put : — v Cattle sent from Canterbury to Westlaud, are sent solely for the purpose of slaughter. Westland has few facilities for grazing, and store cattle are very rarely sent over the range. Large mining populations, who require a steady and continuous supply of meat, invariably desire that all restrictions should be removed which stand in the way of free trade iv cattle. Ywu*s ago, whert a party representing the squatters in this province desired to btop the introduction of catile *nlo Westland from Australia, \luder the plea of disease, we denounced the scheme as a job, aud it was only carried out for a short period. Westlaud v/aa then thrown open — by being made a quai'iintine ground — to cattle from all parts of Australia. And so it continued up to a recent period. Australian cattle from infected districts have been freely admitted into the ports on the West Coast for years past. And yet the moment we are threatened with a visitation of pleuro-pneumonia, and a vigorous and successful effort is made to confine the disease within a corner of the province, the Hon. Mr John Hall pounces upon Canterbury and prohibits the exportation of cattle from a considerable portion of the province." The " Lyttelton Times" says a great many hard things of Mr Hall, and appears generally .to hold him in detestation. With that, however, we have i\othing to do. Our object is merely to draw public attention to the facts connected with the cattle-trade of Westland, and to elicit ftn opinion as to the advisability of continuing to forbid the importation from Canterbury. What the " Lyttelton Times'' says of th« former stoppage of the cattle-trade between Australia and Westland is perfectly true. The outcry at the time was very great ; and everyone on this side of the range was of opinion that it was far better to risk the danger of introducing pleuro-pneuulonlaj th'ah undergo the certainty of dear meat if the Australian cattle was stopped. It seems to us that there was far move danger of the introduction of the disease from Australia than there would now be if the importation of cattle from Canterbury were again alii wed. It is not as though pleuro^pneumonia had made its appearance iv Various portions of the Province. It is confined merely to one spot, aud to one mob which was driven from Nelson. Nor is it propo^Pfl or contemplated that any of that mob should be driven over. The people of Westland should ask themselves this question— ls it better to keep out of the market large quantities of excellent meat, and consent to a rise in pl-ice 6, or to put up with the minute risk of introducing pleuro-pneumonia from the plains of Canterbury ? After agitating for permission to import from Australia, where there is plenty of pleuvo-pneu-monia, and for years eating without scruple the beef obtained from that source, it would c'c-rtainly bs strange if the poople of Westland declared themselves in favour of the Order-iu-Council remaining in force. Mr Harrison was in error when he stated that Westland was not at all dependant ou Canterbury for her supplies of cattle. Excellent beef has, no doubt, been imported from Australia, but freights are high, and cattle liable to bs knocked about on ship-board, and kept in the roadstead for weeks at a time. Unless for better reason than has been shown, it would we think, be unwise to continue the prohibitions of importations from Canterbury.

The mortal remains of tho late Mr Saudford Fawcetb Rowe will bo interred this afternoon in tho Hokitika Cemetery.

An interesting ceremony look place at a meeting of the Westland Kilwianing Lodge, S.C., which wa3 held last evening, in the Masonic Ilall, Revell street. Tho ceremony, which was the installation and investiture of the Right Worshipful Master of tho Lodge, Brothe? Gonrge William Harvey, as Provincial Grand Steward, was performed by P.D.D.G.M. Lazur, acting under a waivanb from the Right Worshipful tho Provincial Grand Master of New Zealand, Brother Vincent Pyko. At the conclusion of tko ceremony Brother Lazar feelingly addressed the Provincial Steward, congratulating him upon tho high honor which had just been conferred upon him. Brother Harvey having briefly returned thanks after the transaction of business, the Lodge was closed in peace and harmony. Tho brethren (hen adjournod to tho Cafe de Paris, whero Brother P. Solomon bad provided a splendid banquet, consisting of tho delicacies of tho season and tho choicest wines. Ample justice having been done to the repast, and a choice dessert placed upon the table, the Chairman, Brother Lazar, who was supported on tho right by Brother Harvey, and on tho loft by Brother Past Master Taylor, rose and gave "The Queen and the Craft," which was drank with Masonic honors. The remaining tonsts, which were given from the Chair, vcro also honored masouically, viz. : — " The Three Grand Masters of England, Ireland, and Scotland." " The Provincial Grand Stoward," responded to by Brother Harvey, " Tho Officers of tho Westland KiUvinning Lodge," responded to by Brother Tuko, " The Officers of the Pacific Lodge," responded to by Brother Taylor. The health of P.D.D.G.M. Lazar was proposed by the Right Worshipful Mastor of the West}i(iid Kijwmm'ng kodgo, duly lipnoye^ «nc|

responded to. Harmony succeeded uutil high twelve, when the Chairman left the chair, and the banquet terminated.

The coach from Christchurch, due in Hokitika yesterday afternoon, had not arrived up to tho timo of our goiug to pres3. It is supposed to be snowed up in Porter's Pass. The meeting of tho Chamber of Commerce, which was convened for four o'clock yesterday afternoon, lapsed for want of a quorum. The members present were Mess.-s Cassius, Boyle, J. White, Cr. W. Biunoy E. W. Jones, and Ecclesfield.

We have to direct attention to the sale by auction, tlii3 day, at 11 o'clock sin the vestibule of the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, of superior household furniture, aud a fino collection of choice engravings and articles of Vcrla. Mr R. Reeves is tho auctioneer;

Tho Imperial Government nave ariuuged with the Government of l*Tew South Wales to send out to that colony a shipment of bro-n/.e coin, of tha nominal value of £LO,OOO. Tho " Sydnoy Morning Herald v " publishes ia'ftjw mation rfcapebllng it:— "this coin will be issued to the public at its nominal value — that is to say — two hundred and forty pennies for the pound sterling, and will be conveyed by the Deputy-Master of tho Mint to any part of the colony, when required, free of coat to the purchaser."

A few weeks ago Bishop Selwyn attended at tho village of Curbar to consecrate a now church. In responding to his health at a luncheon which subsequently took place, his lordship) referring to tho work that had called them together that day, expressed a hope that they would not cea3e iri their endeavors in connection with this cliiireli until schoolrooms and a pai'souago had been also erectedLet them on no account havo a bazaar. He. thought thai was a very unmanly way of raising nioney. Ths meanest thing men could do was to throw work on the women. He said that advisedly, becauso having lived 25 yeai-3 among savages he recognised that their distinguishing mark was to muke women do tho work of men. 'lhat was the system on which bazaars were held. Ho hoped they would complete their endeavors by diroct taxation) not indirect. When he returned from New Zealand he hoped ho should find the remainder of the money necessary for the schools aild parsonage had Ijee'ri l'aiaed. But his last words were, "don't have a bazaar."

Fashion, after exhausting all the world of nature and art, has now* called upon science to supply hor with new charms. For ornament, electricty is coming into use ! You may see, at a fashionable ball in Paris, a lady, on the top of whose head sits a Tjutterfly or a humming birfci'. Tlio fly and tlie bird flutter theii 1 wings in the most natural way possible. How is it managed ? Why, within the chignon aro concealed a small battery and a minute Rhumkorff coil. On the bosom of another lady may be a brooch, with a head upon it, tho eyes of which turn in all directions. This, too, is accomplished by the use of a battery and coil so minute as to be concealed, within \\ie brpdcli, itself. Tllo small batterieS) Baglly carried about the person, are of zinc excited by a solution of sulphate of mercury, which is enclosed in vulcauite cells, so that the exciting solution cannot escape to tho damage of the wearer. A little more, and the toilette-fcablo of Beauty will be like a laboratory, •with chemicals in place of washes and swcot waters, and induction coils supplanting hair-pins. What next, arid next? Shall we not havo electric telegraph wires for confidential messages) imcl gentle shocks administered in place of Nature's telegraphy of a tender pressure of hands? Tho electric light as au ornament in place of jewels will of course follow ; and the phrase, "I am positively electrified' 1 will be but an exact scientific description of the condition of the fair speaker.

The Stafford Town Amatear Dramatic Club purpose giving an enterfeainmsnfe on Wednesday ns\t, the proceeds o£ wbiek vnß. be devoted to relieving tha distresses t>£ a. Mrs Lahey, a resident of Stafford Town^ whn is left entirely destitute with & large family. The entertainment is under the psfcroaagt of the Oddfellows.

The Ist Company of Volunteers met last night for the purpose of drill at Hansen's Room. Twenty-live members attended.

Wo are glad to notice a very marked improvement last night in the attendance at Foley's menagerie. The occasion was tho benefit of tho Sendr and Senora Fernandez, both of whom performed some daring feats With the savago animals they havo succeeded in bringing under such wonderful control. The menagerie will continue in view a few days longer only, and as it is doubtful when such another colleetidn of wild beasts will bo exhibited iii Hokitika, we would strongly recommend those of our fellow-citizens who have not yet patronised Mr Foley, to pay his establishment a visit.

We take tho following from last evening's " Despatch" : —

The newly-elected Road Board for tho District of Kauieri appear determined not to allow grass to grow under their fcot. We perceive that they call for tenders for tho formation of fifty chains of track (more or less) on tho branches of the Kanieri. Tenders will be received up to tho 2nd proximo.

Mr G. AY. Hurvey has received a warrant under tlie hand of His Excellency the Governor, appointing him revising barrister for the County of Westland, under "The Friendly Societios Act, 1867."

The studio of Mr Rudolph Haigh, photographic artist, 13 well worth a visit. Mr Haigh has removed into premises in Revellstreet, formerly occupied by Messrs Perkins and Co., and which aro replete with every convenience for the prosecution of the photographic art. But it is not in the mero mechanical part of the art that Mr Haigh's excellent appears, it is in catching a happy expression of countenance in securing case of position, and tho natural grouping of his modfls, combined with his exquisite coloring, that tho artist is shown, aud iv possessing these wo can assort that Me Haigh need fear but low rivals. His portraits aro not mere lifeless resemblaucos but life-like pictures, and tho colouring of the smaller ones gives them the appearance of finished miuiaturos.

An inquosc was hold this afteruoon at the Globo Hotel, Hampdon street, before Dr Beswick, District Coroner, on view of the body of Sandfoi'd Fawcotb Rowc, a member of the theatrical profession, and better known by the name of Fawcett. It appeared that the deceased, who resided on tho Hau Hau Tram* way, had been ongagod painting fcho " Casino fo Yenise," and hat] ponipteinefl of pains iv

the region of the heart. On Tuesday he felfc so unwell that Dr Mourillyan was sent for, who advised him to go to tlie Hospital at once. Deceased had hardly got as far as the door before ho fell down aud expired. Dr Young held a ]>ost mortem examination of the body to-day, and gave it as his opinion <»afc deceased died from " Disease of the Heart," and the jury returned a verdict in accordance. Deceased was 28 years of age.

Several numbers of tho " Illustrated London News" reccivod by tlie last Suez mail disappeared from the table of tho reading room of the Hokitika Literary Society. It is to be hoped that tho person who has borrowed them without permission will return them at once as they arc much wanted. We have used the ter.n v borrowed," as we eait scarcely think that arty person frequenting that rdoni would bo so despicably mean as to steal from euch au institution. , , ■ ' v As wo anticipated snow has fallen heavily amongst ths mountain ranged. Au the Bealey the snow is reported to bo five feet thick, and as telegrams received from Christchurch"ycsterday staled lhat it was hailing and snowing in the City of Iho Plains it is not improbable that at Porter's Pass the snow may be as deep as it is at the Bealey.

We understand that a letter has been received, by the Panama mail, by P.D.D.G.M. Lazar, containing an announcement -which wiE be interesting to members of the craft. The loyal address from the Mason 3of Hokitika to H. R. H. tlie Duke of Edinburgh, congratulating him On his escape from an aseas' sin, had been duly received and presented to his Eoyal Highness by the Right Worshipful the Grand Master of England", the Earl of Zetland.. The County d-overnment call for tender^ for the supply of groceries and drugs to the Hospital, Hokitika, and for repairing the the Warden's house at the sea end of the Waiinea track.

A very beautiful collection of early spring flowers from the nursery of Mr J-. Marshall, was exhibited this morning at the establishment of Mr A. Walker, seedsman, Eevell street. Theso floi'al gems cdnsisb df a double white primrose, the pale yellow English prim; rose, several variiiss of p'olyauthus, a, white" anemone, and tlie silver ; edged p'eriwiukiei AS specimens of pot-culture in Hokitika, these plants are interesting as well as for their healthiness as their lovely appearance.

Tho Grreymouth coach left town this morning at nine o'clock. Passengers — Mis 3 Murray and Messrs Butler and Hunt.

The down coach came into town this afternoonj at half-past one, with no passen-

office for publication, previous to which time I had not the slightest idea of a meeting being intended. I was at the meeting by invitation, in order to give an explanation of the reS\xlt of the memorial previously forwarded to the Municipal Council ; and beyond the statement I made, I publicly declined to take any active part in the meeting, although I was aslcd to iato the chair and speak lo the resolutions. I shall not here express any opinion ot the wisdom of that mooting, or oi the policy of the Council in refusing its prayer; but I must express my astonishment that any councillor should complain of his acts being canvassed by his constituents, as I have always understood it to h6 tho proud privilege of every British subject to have the right to discuss tho Conduct of all public men m public matters. Throughout the entire British dominions this right is acknowledged. jNeither of the English Houses of Parliament- are exempt from criticism or censure, and upon what grounds Hokitika public men should claim an immunity, I have yet to learn. Apologising for tho length of my epistle,

I am, Sir, Yor.r obedient servant, P. Zoheab.

Hokitika.. August 26, 1868.