West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30,1868.

West Coast Times, Issue 943, 30 September 1868, Page 2

West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1868.

The Grey River Argus, or, we suppose we had better say at once, Mr Harrison, the editor of the Argus, and the member for the Westland Boroughs in the General Assembly, is excessively wrath with us, mid. with the people of Hokitika, for the action taken here iv sending n, delegate to Wellington to present the petition of the Couufcy to the General Assembly, to plead its cause at the bar of the House, and to endeavour to avert the gross injustice which the financial proposals of the Government threaten to inflict upon Westland. Mr Harrison would have been better advised if he had refrained from ail manifestation of jealousy or reseu tinent on this occasion. He has shown himself very imperfectly " up" on the question of Westland finance, and his speeches in the General Assembly, able as they have been in some respects, have indicated a want of practical knowledge both of facts and figures which must have greatly detracted from their weight. We should not say so much but for the extreme sensitiveness manifested by this gentleman to any word of criticism. Because he has been returned to the House of Representatives, by a very small majority, under very exceptional circumstances, he appears to consider every comment made upon his public conduct a species of personal affront • and when the interests of the County are deeply involved, and the people of its capital town — deprived of any direct representation in the Assembly — prepare a memorial to Parliament, and despatch a delegate to take charge of it to give it special importance, Mr Harrison takes umbrage, assumes the sirs of an injured man, and asks in effect, who dares to interfere with his functions ? Mr Harrison has tho ill-grace even to ignore his own colleague. He has no resentmeut to spare for Mr Barff. Yet Mr Barff is the representative of a far larger and more widely distributed constituency than Mr Harrison. Mr Harrison is tho member for Greymouth solely, although he enjoys the honorary designation of member for tho Westland Boroughs. It was Greymouth that retnrned him to Parliament. In Hokitika he polled ouly a small minority of votes. Greymouth was faithful to him almost to a man ; and he testifies his gratitude by a never-slnmbei'ing antagonism to liokitika. The latest oftenee is that liokitika lias dared to send up a delegate to assist him with information which he could not otherwise be iv possession of, and to help him to make out a fur bo ler case for the County than his own piivate sources of information could enable him to do. If Mr Harrison could have taken the thing in its right light, -he would have welcomed tho

arrival of a. special delegation from Hokitika as a- high compliment paid to himself and to his parliamentary position. If he Avere an effective orator, he could point with proud gesture and defiant voice to the presence of tlie gentleman below the Bar, as an evidence of the deep interest felt by his constituents in the question before the House. Ho might have said— "This gentleman has been sent here to illustrate my arguments by his practical knowledge; to strengthen and establish the case I have laid before you ; and, afteV his examination at the Bar of your honorable House, I challenge you to dispute the accuracy of my facts, or the logic of my reasoning.'' Bui Mr Harrison has displayed the weak sensitiveness of a young and inexperienced politician* He has committed a blunder which no man accustomed to the harness of public life could have been guilty of. He has repudiated a public movement honestly intended to strengthen his hands, and publicly denounced it as an unwarantable and impertinent interference with his independence as a member of Parliament ! Is our new fledged representative wise in the adoption of this tone? Can he thus afford to kick away from him the ladder by which he has risen to his present elevation ? What is Mr Harrison in the House except as the member for West> land Boroughs ? He has no political antecedents or prestige. He is no old politician. He could command no other seat if he lost the one which Was was given to him by an accident of an accident. His only political chance is to cultivate tbe favour of his present constituents. If he secure their confidence by an honest and faithful service of their interests he may rise to political status and influence. But he must not resent the action taken by men who have a deeper, stake in the prosperity of tho County, and who deem it a wise course to protect its interests by assisting and instructing him in his advocacy of its cause.

Why should Mr Harrison take special offence ? He is not the only Westland member. Is Mr Barff to be thrown altogether aside ? Whatever Mr Barff's shortcomings as a Parliament man, he has done infinitely more good for Westland than Mr Harrison has. Not that he is a man of greater ability, of better trained habits of mind, of more political knowledge or experience. But he has well and faithfully served his constituents in the Provincial Council, taking- part most prominently in matters connected with the development of the gold fields of Westland. To judge from the tone of our Grey contemporary, Mr Harrison would appear to bs the only Westland member in the General Assembly. At the public meeting held at ihe Union Theatre, on Saturday afternoon, the j idea appeared to prevail that although Mr Harrison was nominally member for the Westlund "Boroughs," his "constituents" were the elecfors of Gfeyniouth. Well, as they have sent him a tolerably handsome donation, we dare say the honourable member will be very happy to regard them in that light. One speaker had the good sense to tell the meeting that they ought to make Mr Harrison's position in the house as influential as possible. But we question much if this is likely to be done by representing him to the house as fhe memberforGi-eymoutlionly,by sending him a purse to encourage him in snapping his fingers at the Hokitika people, and in thus exhibiting the County to the Parliament as a House divided against itself.

We have every confidence in the effectiveness of Mr Harrison's advocacy of the interests of Westland in the Assembly, if he will condescend to accept information for the purpose of making use of it, and to welcome a marked demonstration of sympathy and support in the cause entrusted to him, ad something- else than an impertinent interference. There are few young politicians who would not have felt complimented, by the opportunity afforded them of introducing a delegation from their constituents to the House. Most men would think it, added greatly to their importance — and to the importance of their cause.

It is with great regret we have to record the death of George Samuel Evans, L.L.D. at one time member for Richmond in the Victorian. Legislative Assembly, and Post-master-General for the Colony of Victoria under the first O'Shanassy Administration. Dr Evans held a distinguished position amongst the members of his profession at home, and was a notable man in political and newspaper circles in Victoria. lie iras for a considerable tiiuo editor of the Melbourne Morning Herald. He had extensive property in New Zealand, and one of Punch's happiest cartoons was that which represented the heavy black-letter lawyer as a Maori chief during lii-s temporary absence from Melbourne on a visit, to this colony. Dr Evans was a man of solid le.irniug, but better adapted to tho circumstances of an old society than to a young goldfielJs comnmnity.-

Mr Ecclesfield will address the ratepayers this evening at half-past eight o'clock at the Empire Hotel, and at half-past nine o'clock at the Ballarat Hotel.

Mr Macfaiiaue will address the electors this evening as under :— At the Empire Hotel at 8 p.m., and at the Ballarat Hotel at 9 p.m.

Mr Jack will address the rate payers at half-pasfc seven o'clock this evening at the Gibson's Quay Hotel.

We publish a report of proceedings in Chambers in the ease of D.xlzcll v. Living, stove, which was heard yesterday before his Honor Judge Clarke. During the hearing of the case, his Honor remarked that in his opinion the press ought to be present at inauy of the Chamber Sittings, especially when witnesses were examined. , , His Honor Judge Clarke held a sittings oi! the District Court in Bankruptcy yesterday, but the business trauaacted was purely of a

formal character. The next sitting of the District Court in Bankruptcy will be held on the Bth December. I

No. 2 Company Westland Rifles musterel last night at Hansen's Assembly Rooms, under command of Captain Evans. A fttiv number of the members of Ihfe company were present, aud Cu^taiu Evans, after proving then?-, inarched them to Weld-street, whore Sergeant Carey put them through several evolutions of company drill, which they performed very creditably. Aftor about an hour and a half smart drill the company marched back to Hansen's room, wfcefe candidates for promotion vreie proved. A new committee was then elected, after which the ' company were dismissed. Captain and District Adjutant Stark returned to Hokitika to-day in the Charles Edward. We are exceedingly sorry to record that, while stepping on board the steamer at the Grey, by some midebance lie severely sprained his tinkle, and is now confined to bis bed; Hfe is attended by Dr. Dermott, and will probably be able to resume his duties in about a week. 'Z££

We are requested to notify that the volunteer drill-instructor Sergeant Carey will not leave Hokitika until further orders.

Considerable uneasiness is felt on the Greenstone at the unaccountable ab3euce from his home of a miner named Kelly. He has been missing since Saturday last, aud despite of every inquiry that has beeii made his whereabouts cannot be discovered. For orra time previous to his disappearance Kelly had been drinking heavily, and consequently his absence from his claim was not noticed at first — his mates thinking that he might have been knocking about some shanty, but now they are considerably alarmed. Kelly wken last seen was attired in a pea coat, moleskin trousers, and a wideawake bat.

It is rumoured, and with some foundation (says a Melbourne paper), that an lion, gentleman of the Upper House will shortly be compelled to vacate his seat, owing to certain proceedings which leave him altogether without a qualification.

An incident of a tragical nature came to light last week, which affords much reason (says the Kilmore Examiner) for entertaining fears that a horrible crime had been committed. On Friday last, between Donnybrook aud the Deep Creek, the body of a man was discovered lying in the bush, with a terrible g.ish in his throat, resembling a wound that might be inflicted by an a:ce or sonic other sharp instrument. A very mysterious fact is connected with the incident — that the body, when found, was almost in a state of nudity, a pair of. trousers being the only covering, and no visible traces of any other clothing. The unfortunate victim of so violent a death, in appearance, would be about forty years of age. The district coroner held an inquest on the body, at Donnybrook, on Saturday, when an open verdict was returned.

The Japanese civil war forms the subject of certain orders in council, published i.i the Victoria Gazette of the 15tli inst. It is notified that if any British subject, without the license of her Majesty, take part in the operations of the war in the service of the Mikado, or of any other power or person engaged in carrying on such hostilities, or shall aid or abet either of the contending parties, fry delivering or causing to be delivered to them any ship or vessel fitted out or armed with intent of being employed iv the military or naval service of either of the contending parties, every person so offending shall be guilty l>f a misdemeanour, and shall be liable, iv the discretion of the court before which he is convicted, to be punished by imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years, with or without hard labour, and with or without a fine no*t exceeding 5,000 'dollars, or by a tine not exceeding 5.000 dollars without imprisonment.

The Aye of the 15th inst. says:— "The great equatorial telescope is expected in the course of the ensuing month. Advices have been received of its shipment on board the Empress of the Seas, which left England about the middle of July. By the time the vessel arrives, the groundwork and supports for the telescope will have been constructed, so that the instrument can at once be erected. The work of makiug the Post Office clock will shortly be proceeded with. It is intended that the large castings shall be undertaken by the Railway department, at their works, and the finer portions o£ the time-piece be tendered for by the watchmakers. As the measurement aucl details of the clock are based upon the size of the present tower, it would seem that there is but little likelihood of the plans of Mr Michael Egan, jun., to raise tho present tower, and to increase the diameter of the clock face being carried into effect. -

The following account of a desperate struggle with Chinese thieves is given by the Bendigo Advertiser: — "From information forwarded to the police at Sandhurst, it appears that for some time past one of the crushingmachines'at Ingle wood had been frequently robbed, and Chinamen were the suspected persons. One of the men belonging to the works aud a constable Avere watching the machine on Saturday night, and about three o'clock on Suaday morning two Chinamen were seen entering. The watchers attempted to take them into custody, when a desperate struggle ensued. The r<.vo Chinamen were armed with stout iron bars, with which they struck at the constable and his assistant, and eventually they effected their escape, leaving both the constable and the other man very severely hurt. The constable especially has received very serious injuries about the head aud face from the iron bars used by the Chinamen. The detectives and police of both Inglewood and Sandhurst are in active pursuit of the two Chinamen, although it is doubtful if they will succeed in arresting them."

Yesterday's Grey River Argus says :— " A public meeting was held on Saturday afiernoou, for the purpose of considering the conduct of the member for the Westland Boroughs in the A&senibly. Considering the short notice given, the meeting was well-at-tended, and a resolution affirming the confidence of the electors of the Grey district iv their representative was carried almost unanimously, aucl would havo been so without a dissentient voice, had there not be€n appended to it a clause condemning the recent action of a committee in Hokitika, in reference to the political conduct of Mr W. If. Harrison, as impertinent and unsanctioned by the people of Westhmd gcuerally. Only

two g"iitleineri opposed the latter clause \ nut evert they expressed themselves as. b"eing strongly in favor of the vote of confidence in our representative. We have no hesitation in saying .that the resolution which was then carried will meet with the unqualified approval of the entire body of electors in this portion of the electoral district of the Westland Borouglis, and will meet with many supporters hi Kokitika. Our residents did not Conflnc their approval of Mr Harrison's conduct to words, but; irlong with the resolution, transmitted to him a substantial testimonial, which speaks more for their earnestness than all the resolutions of confidence it was possible for them to pass."