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West Coast Times, Issue 970, 31 October 1868, Page 2

Our readers Avill observe in another Column that the " Westland Naturalists' Society" has officially taken its place amongst other scientific societies iv the colony, by being incorporated Avitli the " Ngav Zealand Institute." It is to be Avoridered that so much apathy has hitherto been displayed by the general public, Avlien avc consider the advantages the community Avill derive from such an institution, which must tend greatly to open out the resources of the County, and only requires patient research to obtain that object. Circumstances with which the public have now become so much familiarised that we need not any longer allude to them, have thus far prevented our doing full justice to the performances of the Gourlay family, Avho undoubtedly possess far higher talent than any company of the same class that has hitherto appeared in Hokitika. Mr Gourlay is inimitable in his varied impersonations, and in a monologue entertainment Avould rank Aviththe highestof the performers belonging to that class. Master Johnnie is Avhat avc were going to call a youngster precociously clever, but it is the genuine legitimate cleverness that will grow with years and cultivation. He is not a young lioscius. We have never been able to bring ourselves to believe in young Ilosciuses. Genius, of the highest class unduly forced, is sure to become stunted. But such genius as consists in the hearty appreciation by a boy, of the humor and comicality of the part he impersonates, the young Gourlay shows himself fully possessed of at present, and it is a class of talent that is under no law of natural decay as the lioscius precocity is. Mrs Gourlay is a very able and pleasing vocalist, and h;is her own good share of the special talent that lends its charm to character singing. We do not hesitate to say that that an entertainment possessing more substantial claims to the public sup port— more refined and more humourous— has not been presented in Hokitika. We hope the Gourlay family Avill make many more appearances in Hokitika, notwithstanding their announcement of an early termination of their engagement. We bolievo they are about to visit so:ne of the up-country districts, but after their tour will give another sories of popular entertainments iv town prior to their leaving the County. A close contest is anticipated this afternoon between the married and single Elevens of the Hokitika Cricket Club. We notice a very decided improvement is being effected in the ground, Avliicli now in truth begins to assume the appearance of a cricket ground; and it is no doubt owing to this that large numbers resort there on a fine afternoon. In addition to the attraction of a game at cricket, there are two or throe sets of quoits provided for the use of the members of the club, a list of whom is posted up in the pavilion. The -Match Committee will, we are informed, be guided by the play this afternoon in selecting the eleven to play against Greymouth on Tuesday Aveek. The following are the eleven married: — Messrs Rees, Tennant, Cochrano, Osborne, Upham. 11. Staite, Shirley, Halliday, E. Prosser, Jones and Frew. Single — Messrs Pocock, Daley, W. S. Staite, Fisher, Brown, Laishlie, Dacre, Saxon, M. South, E. W. Jones> Buckingham and Arkell. The Aveekly meeting of "the Borough Council was held last evening, when a considerable amount of business Avas transacted. The Council adjourned to Friday evening next. At the Resident Magistrate's Coxirt, yesterday, John Lowia Avas committed for trial for conspiring with one George Lewis to defraud the creditors of the said John Lewis. His Honor Judge Clarke held a sitting yesterday under the Debtors' and Creditors' Acts. The whole of the day Avas occupied iv the examination of witnesses in the case of Philip Sternberg, the object being to disallow a claim made by Messrs Marks and Fuerst on the estate. His Honor reduced the claim, but stated that ho bolieved Mr Bernard Marks has been money out of pocket through the injudicious manner in Avhicb he had acted, although, at the saino #me,;hc must say that he thought Mr Marks had behave. l very fairly to the creditors, suffering in. pocket through his injiulioiouaness. Tho Court adjourned

A late Melbourne Arfjus says :—": — " The re | form of the Legislative Council, so far as i desired by itself, and. as expressed by ili't ! Bill recently forvrardefl td tlio legislative Assembly-, may iiO'.v be considered an accomplished fact. On the motion of Captain I MaeMalion, the measure Avas last niglifc read a second time, and passed through all its remaining stages in the Legislative Assembly. It was generally regretted that it did not go further, and reduced the tenure of office of members of the Council from ten to five years. It Avas, therefore, only accented as an instalment, but it was contended that even the small measure of reform effected by ifc Avould so alter the constitution of the House, i that other and more important reforms i would subsequently and easily M obtained j from it. Mr Higmboiham, Avlio spoke at some lehgth, objected to the Bill, because he believed that, by widening the representative basis of the Couucil, its power would be enlarged Avithout its responsibility being increased, and thus it would become more dangeious to the liberties of the Legislative Assembly." The Timaru Herald, of October 24, discharges a pleasing duties in the following terms : — We learn with great pleasure that a requisition has been set on foot asking Mr Stafford to allow himself to be nominated to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr Cox. We could not possibly have a. better representative, or one more worthy of the confidence of the electors. Mi" Stafford has ever been in favour of extending local self-govormvrer.t, and has shown himself so firm in his desire to cany on the government of the country with economy at a time when care and prudence are greatly required, that he is entitled' to our lasting gratitude. The petition gives the reasons for asking Mr Stafford to accept a seat for Timaru, Avhich are as follows :—" That you Avero the 'author of the Financial resolutions in 1856; that you have consistently maintained their inviolability before the House ; that you have pledged yourself to maintain the unity of the colony, and at the same time to encourage districts newly formed and fast rising in importance in their legitimate desire for an extension of local government in a form suited to tlie present political and financial condition of the colony." An extra published by the Wanijamd Chronicle, informs us of another murder having been committed by tlic Hau-baus, the victim in this case being a man named Collinp, a brother of a settler in this province. It appears that Collins, in company with a ■ Patea settler, Mr J. Southby, were journeying overland from Wa'iron to I'aten, when they fell into art ambuscade of rebels niLhvay between Wairoa and Whenuakura. The two endeavoured to turn their horses and ride for their lives, Soutliby was fortunate enough to succeed in this ; but his companion's horse got restive, and the sad result awis that he fell into the hands of the enemy, and was cut down by their tomahawks. Soutliby, on reaching ths Wuirba redoubt, reported the circumstances, ancT Captaiu Hawes and a few men went to Patea by a different route next day, and having obtained an escort, they returned by the particular track taken by Soutliby and his companion. They discovered the body of poor Collins in a sadly mutilated state. The head was cut off and stuck on a pole ; the. limbs were also severed f iom the body and the latter mangled terribly. Captain Hawes gathered up the remains and gave them burial.