West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1869.

West Coast Times, Issue 1113, 16 April 1869, Page 2

West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1869.

The results of yesterday afternoon's meeting were satisfactory in every respect, and the action of tba Mayor in convening it has met with the approval of every citizen in Hokitika. If the Duke of Edinburgh is tl advised " to leave this County unvisited, as least it will be through no waufc of invitation or lack of courtesy on the part of its residents. As Mr Button said, should the visit be not paid, great and deep disappointment will be felt, and tho Westland people will have every reason to think that a slight is put upon them. As was repeatedly stated by the various speakers, in no place would the Prince be more heartily or cordially received ; and, though we could not afford him the glittering welcome of older communities, we can at all events offer him one equally, or perhaps more sincere. For a host of reasons tho royal visitor 1 should not pass us by, and it is to be hoped if such an intention exists, that the despatch of the deputation may change it. The wealth of the West Coast is well worthy of the inspection even of a Prince. The magnificent scenery of this side of the island cannot be equalled in any part of Europe, and the loyalty of the community that populate it is without stain. More than that, old wounds that are now we may say completely cicatrised, would be permanently healed by such a visit. There is not a man in all broad Westland but would hail the visitor with the utmost enthusiasm ; and his arrival would cement the good feeling that has of late arisen, and would render any future national differences impossible. The deputation, however, have a delicate task before them, and what is more, they have certainly a passive and possibly active opposition to contend with, the more dangerous because it i 3 not visible and open. There is no doubt that there are intrigues without end going on to secure the Duke's presence in various parts of the island, aud it is equally certain that, those who have the most; political influence with the advisers of tbo royal gueßt will have tho largest shnre of his company. As far as thaf, goos, wo fear Westland, in spite of the devotion of its representatives to tho Ministerial cause, will scarcely have equal chances with some more favored spots; and, on this ac- j count, all the extra address that the deputation can command will be required on tho occasion. Abettor selection to eaßay the matter, however, we think could scarce iv have been made

thau that of yesterday, for there is no doubt that a more able two could nofc have been picked from this part of the Colony at all events. The Chairman of the Council, we learn, is going 1 in solitary dignity to pay his respects, but we trust that he will affiliate with the Borough Council in so desirable an undertaking. All the late unpleasantness has passed away' and, as was last night stated, divided forces, as a rule, are anything but conducive to a successful attack. There cannot be, we trust, any petty or paltry jealousy on either hand, and an amalgamation, with a member of the County Council thown in, would be, no doubt, attended with the best results. The Corporation have made a good beginning, and will, no doubt, follow it up. The Chairman, though apparently her-mit-like in his habits, has very properly resolved on crossing 1 the range on such an occasion, and it is to be hoped that united Westland may be successful in bearing off the prize they seek. We must admit that we agree with Mr Careras in thinking that Nelson should be the place for the deputation to meet the Dnke ; but possibly the decision come to may be the best. At least we hope so. We fear that the representations that will probably be made as to the dangers of the route, the rivers, &c, &c, may prevent a visit, if the raugo has to be ! twice crossed in order to pay it ; but [ we shall be only too glad to find that I our doubts on this hesiu ate unfounded. ! We may state, however, that the present tedious journey will bs very materially | abridged, should the Prince come, for j we understand that relays of horses will ! be provided to such an extent as to enable j him to perform the trip in twenty-four ! hours, and arrangements will be made i to secure bis thorough comfort and i safety during that time. The matter, 1 however, now rests with the deputation and the Chairman, and on their tacfc everything will dwpend. In eomj man witji; ovqryone \u Westland, we

mission, and fervently hope that Queen Victoria's son may, through their agency, be induced to visit Westland.

The County of Westland Gazette, of the 15th, is to hand. Amongst other matters, it contains an account of land in cultivation' and of the agricultural produce thereof, in tho County of Westland. There arc 93 acres of laud broken up, but not under cultivation, 25 acres in oats, 1 acre in barley, 55 in hay, 379 in permanent artificial grass (including land in hay), 178 in potatoes, and 99 acres in other crops. There is also a return published of all sudden and accidental deaths reported to the Westland police force, from the year 1864 to 1868, both inclusive, from whioh we find that 180 males and 3 females died from drowning, 25 males from accidents iv mines, 1 0 males and 2 females from committing Buicide, and 102 males and 1 1 females from other causes. Of the drowned U bodies were not found, aud 18 were uot identifiable. In tho return and disposal of prisoners taken into custody by the West-laud police force, during the year 1867, 1301 males and 99 females are set down as having beoa taken iuto custody. Of these 204 males, and 36 females were discharged by the Magistrate; 1038 males, and 58 female.^ summarily convicted or held to bail ; 58 males, and 5 females, committed for trial; 33 males and 2 females convicted and sentenced; 21 males, 3 females, acquitted; and 1 male, for larceny, uot prosecuted. For the year 1868, 1125 males, 103 females were taken into custody; 113 males, 22 females discharged by the Magistrate; 958 males, 7a females summarily convicted or held to bail; 42 males, 6 females committed for trial ; 27 males, 3 females convicted and sentenced ; 16 males, 2 females acquitted; and 8 males, 1 female not prosecuted. By comparing the returns for the two years it will be seen that crime has considerably decreased, there being 1400 males and females taken into custody for the year 1867, against 1228 for the year 1888. •„ There does not appear to be any truth in the statement made by our morning contemporary, of yesterday, to the effect that the body of the Maori recently drowned was found in the Three Mile Creek. Inspector Broham went to the Waimea yesterday, and a trooper was out during the day looking for the body, but up to a late hour last night no j news of its discovery had reached the Camp The woman Ilardinan, who attempted to commit suicide by taking essence of almonds, was not sufficiently well to be brought before j the Resident Magistrate yesterday, but now being convalescent she will be tried this morniug. The County of Westland Gazette, of yesterday, contains the announcement of the appointment of George Thompson, Deputy Harbor Master at Hokitika, to the office of Pilot for the same port; John Arthur Whall Esq., is appointed Fire Inspector for the borough of Greyraouth. The regulations ] under which head water-race companies may receive guarantees from the County Council are also published. The usual weekly parade of Nos. 1 and 2 Companies of the Westland Rifles took place last evening at. tho Drill Shed, under the command of Lieutenant Dovore. After the companies were proved, they were handed over to the tender mercies of Sergeant Carey who put them through the bayonet exorcise* which they performed iii a' very creditable j manner. Lieutenant Devorc then put them through their company drill. Tho roll was called, and tho companies dismissed. After j exercise was concluded, the intending com- j potitors for Mr Bwi. Osborne'a gift cup were j formed into Ihrce 'squads, the total number j being about, twenty-five. Sergeant. Carey, ! by universal consent, was selected to conduct the match, which will come off on Saturday next at tho Butts. The attention of all was called to the fact that, on next Saturday week there will be a general parade of all rifle volunteers, vhen blank cartridge will be served out, aud they will be marched to the Cricket Ground, for practising skirmishing drill for the frst time in Westland. At six o'clock, yesterday morning, the coach left tor Greymouth with one passenger — Mr Fraser. The down coach came in at half-past ten, with no passengers. Mr G. W. Binney disposed by public auction, yesterday, of the cottage in Weld-street recently occupied by Mr J. J. Bartlett. After some very spirited competition, the house was knocked down to Mr Pizzey, for £200. The furniture was next sold, and also realised exceedingly good prices. The s.s. Rangitoto will most probably bring on the New Zealand portion of the English mail, which was due in Melbourne yesterday. The Rangitoto comes direct, and will arrive on or about the 20th. The Dobson Memorial is now in a fair way I of presenting a sightly appearance, for we notice that stones are being prepared to support the iron railings, which, we hear, are very nigh ready for erection. We {Southern Cross) observe that the Hero has taken seventeen tons of dried flax for the use of the New South Wales Paper Manufacturing Company. The material appeared to be thoroughly dried, and in much better condition than the first sample noticed aud we trust it will maintain the character of the fibre as a first-class article for the purpose.

The Auckland Weekly News says: — " We have seen returns which have been drawn up respecting the export of gold from the Thamesi representing the total yield up to the llth January (exclusive of that in the Bank of New Zealand for future shipment) at 80,978 ounces, of the value of about £200,000, or something over thiß sum. The total exported by the various banks are as follows : — Union Bank of Australia, 40,897 ounceß ; Bank of Australia, 20,227 ounceß ; Bank of New Zca. land, 17,835 ounces ; and Bank of New South Wales, 2010 ounces."

Tho Auckland Weekly yews, of April 3, says :—": — " On Sunday, March 28, information was brought to the Resident Magistrate that three men bad been stabed at Cambridge by one of the Armed Constabulary. He aud Dr Carey at once started for that place. The would-be assassin is one of the contingent that arrived seme . time ago from Wanganui, named Little, and his victims are Messrs Lesuiere, Maun, and O'Neill. It appears that one'of them had a quarrel with Little at the Duke of. Cambridge Hotel ; it came to blows, when he cried out, « The wretch has stabbed me.' The other two vusbed to We receiving some wwv pu#j, Tlwt fm\ m UW^ to »w?w»"