West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1869.

West Coast Times, Issue 1187, 13 July 1869, Page 2

West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1869.

Mr Fox has been more fortunate than might have been expected in havinghis trial resolutions passed almost without discussion, but danger is in store for him from his own side of the House, or rather from amongst the ranks of the victorious majorit}'. Mr Stevens has given notice of a series of resolutions which will be brought forward to-morrow night, and which will, iv all probability, at least shake the throne of the ruling powers. They seem, however, to hardly go far enough for one section, whilst they greatly exceed the views of the Ultra-jirovincialist portion of the Assembly ; and on which side a compromise is made, if one is made at all, remains to be seen. The Fox Administration is the most purely provincial Grovernmeut that has held office for many years. The Premier himself is the very champion of this form of Government ; Mr M'Lean as Superintendent of a petty sovereignty at ITawke's Bay, is wedded to the system. Messrs Yogel and Cargill have declared themselves fully on a hundred occasions, as favorable to the same, and have in addition held protracted terras of Provincial office in Otago. Mr Gisborne, no doubt, would not have been sent to the Upper House as Colonial Secretary, had his politics not been thoroughly in accord with those of his chief abdicating that office in his favor. The last Minister ■who, rumor says, is to be appointed — Mr T. B. Gillies — is as hot a Proviucialist as can well be, and so far the triumph of this party is complete. The next question is, in what light will they regard Mr Stevens' resolutions. On the division this gentleman •did not speak, but he voted with Mr Fox, and now he submits resolutions that are diametrically opposed to the understood, if not the declared ; policy of the party he assisted to place in power. It is certain that under any circumstances these must in some degree loosen the very unstable bond that connected the late majority together, and it appears probable that Mr Stafford and his following will support Mr Stevens, with the hope that even if his propositions do not go far enough, they will at least be a very large instalment of what is looked for. It is questionable, however, wb.etb.ei', in case of the resolutions being carried against the Fox Ministry, the latter would feol called on to resign, inasmuch as up to the present time the new Cabinet, since taking* office, have not expressed any opinion en the subject. Again it is possible that Mr Stevens may be in the confidence of Mr Fox, aud that these resolutions may be a sacrifice to the central Government party, put out as feelers. At the same time they are so sweeping in some particulars that the latter hypothesis can scarcely be accepted as probable. In the first place, Mr Stevens lays down as a basis that no further sub-division of the Colony shall take place which shall receive a share of the Consolidated Revenue. As no legislation that could arise out of the resolutions could be retrospective, it cannot affect this County, but must, if agreed to, materially influence the future of the new Counties that are endeavoring to struggle into existence, After assuming this as a fundamental principle, the first of the series affirms that no further taxation, excepting such as is necessary for the general charges of Government, shall be levied, and the next says that the taxation of the country shall be immediately reduced, in accordance with the above resolution. The third, however, is the most important, and strikes at the very root of the tree that Mr Fox and his colleagues have fostered with such care, and have displayed such solicitude on behalf of. It runs, "That Provincial Governments should cease to exist, and a system of local government be established throughout the Colony." This is clear enough, and the language used is sufficiently expressive to convey its exact meaning. The following 1 clause is also satisfactory :—": — " Local organisation should he constituted in every district which returns a member to the [ House, possessing full powers for the I management of local affairs therein."

The remainder of them refer to loan charges by General Government, the repayment out of land fund, &c. If the two resolutions we have quoted nre carried, it follows that legislation in accordance with them must i)O introduced, aud, as a matter of course carried, thus destroying completely the leading Fox chimera. That provincialism must be swept away shortly is undoubted, and whether Mr Fox recognises the fact or not, its doom is sealed. As we have before said, however, this may not be accepted as a Cabinet question, at all events until legislation arises out of it. Should Mr Steven's motion bo successful^ active measures to give effect to the wishes of the House will speedily be taken, and the Ministry will be forced either to yield or fight. The Native question has, at least for the present, been disgracefully hushed to rest. It may crop up in another form, and yet be the rock on which the existing State vessel may wreck ; but Provincialism is apparently likely to prove the most | immediately fatal. On the preliminary verdict of the House to-morrow we j conceive the ultimate fate of theAdmi- | nistration greatly depends; at all events, the action of Mr Stevens will afford some grounds for forming an opinion as to the next move on the political board, and the probability of success, in case of an attack on the Ministry being made.

On Sunday last the new church at Goldsborough, "Waiinea, was opened with Divine service by Archdeacon Harper. The church is a very pretty and substantial structure, designed to seat about ninety persons with ease. It is well proportioned, wi.h a handsome roof, and narrow-pointed windows. It is fitted inside with well-arranged seats, and al^ the requisites for Divine service; and whether looked at from williin or without, presents a thoroughly Church-like aspect. The opening service was well attended by a congregation that quite filled the building, and took their part in the solemn service and hymns with great reverence and heartiness. The offertory collection amounted to £16 ss; this was devoted to the Church Building Fund. It is greatly to the credit of the committee that they have thus succeeded in raising their church within the short space of three months, and, by their assiduons efforts, have entirely clea'-ed it of debt, with the exception of a few shillings. They have had to provide a total sum of about £170, and have been at considerable personal trouble to clear the ground, aud make the approach to the church. Their complete success in this good work is indeed a matter of most honorable comm3iit.

The session of . the County Council will commence at noon, to-morrow. The District Court sittings not being concluded the preliminary ineeungs of the Corncil will be held in Hausen's Assembly Rooms.

A special meeting of the Borough Council will be held to-night, at which the proposals for a permanent water supply for the town will be adjudicated upon.

In the District Court, yesterday, a number of applications in bankruptcy were disposed of. They were all applications for final orders, and, there be'ng no opposition, discharges were granted. His Honor the Judge being indisposed, the court was adjourned until to-day.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court, yest rday, the charge of perjury preferred against Joseph Ritson was gone into. Mr Inspector Brohain conducted the prosecution, and Mr South appeared for the prisoner. The latter was commit ted for trial, bail being allowed.

The contractors for the deepening of the W eld-street well have not only gone to work energetically, but scientifically. The invention, for there are so many novelties in the simple 'yet efficient apparatus they use that the word is well applied, is one for which they deserve great praise, and which will, we believe, be much used in future in mining operations. It is not our intention to describe the means used, for we believe that an application for its registration will be made. All we can say is that our Government and our Corporation woul d be greatly gainers if more practical men like Messrs Carreras and Ailken undertook works of pubL'c utility.

The County Engineer calls for tenders for the erection of a bridge across the Saltwater Creek, from the coal pits to the Arnold.

The Duke of Edinburgh Theatre was again fairly filled last evening, and there is not the slightest doubt now that the exhibition has been stamped with the favor of the public. During the exhibition of the scenes of the American War the interest of the audience was sustained throughout, and there were frequent bursts of genuine and hearty applause. The mechanical effects were perfect, and excited the astonishment of all, while the musical accompaniment added greatly to the enjoyment of the entertaiument. We must not omit to notice the great improvements effected by Mr Strasser in the refreshment rooms. The dress circle cafe has undergone a wonderf ui trausformation,and is now a neatly-decorated, comfortable, aud attractive room.

It is with regret that we have to record that defalcations on the part of a well-known land and estate agent of this town have been brought to light. The criminal, against whom warrants upon charges of embezzlement have bten issued, has absconded.

'< The Prince's Prodigal Presents" is the title of an amusing cartoon in last week's . Sgdncg Punch. The Prince is lounging on a chair, and Elliott Yorke is presenting H.R.H with a copy of the London Times— representing £3500 as the amount charged by the Prince for his presents on his first voyage to these colonies. Punch takes' as his text— " Nothing extenuate nor set down oughts in malice."— Shakespere, slightly altered by the House of Commons. And then he gives the following :— « Prince— l say, Yorke, here's a vice state of things. I told you to charge for what we really spent, £35, and you've

done it so clumsily that they have mistaken it in England for £3500. Yorke — My dear Prince, I hope I may never serve you less clumsily. Prince— Yes, but two oughts are more than one ought to add to his account, dear boy "

The Taibot Leader says that a 10 oz nugget was got last week at the new rush at Adelaide Lead by a miner and his wife. The lady, while sharing in her husband's good luck, also divides his labors, for she takes her turn below or winds up the dirt at the windlass, just as a man would do.

The Age of the 28th instant saj'S :— " The name of the Barb appeared on the notice board of the Albion Hotel, on Saturday evening, as scratched for the Melbourne Cup, and signed R. Goldsbrough."

Another attempted highway robbery was reported to the Melbourne police lately. In this case a boy of twelve years of age, son of Mr Greenslade, fruiterer and confectioner? Swanston-street, was going from Melbourne to his home, Bridge Road, Richmond, through the Fitzroy Gardens, with a small parcel under his arm. When in a lonely part of the gardens a man came up to him, and asked "what he had there ?" and to give it up to him. This the boy refused to do, and ran away ; the man followed him for a short distance, and then stopped. The offender is described as a low-sized, stout-built man, with sandy whiskers, and wore a dark tightfitting coat, buttoned up, light trousers, and light-colored felt hat.

The arguments on the rule nisi obtained to rescind the order made by the Chief Justice in chambers, releasing Hugh Glass from custody, were heard before the full Court. Mr Ireland, Q.C., Dr Hearn, and Mr Adamson argued briefly against the rule, the substance of their remarks being that the order of a single judge discharging a prisoner on a writ oi habeas corpus was final and could not be reviewed by any Court whatever. Mr Michie, Q.C., and Mr Billing, who moved the rule absolute, declined to adduce any arguments in support of their case, Mr Michie saying that he wished to leave the matter entirely in the hands of their Honors. The Chief Justice, after a few minutes' consultation with his brother judges, said they would take time to consider their judgment. Later in the day, his Honor delivered judgment, discharging the rule without any comment. The nature of this application to the Supreme Court may not be exactly understood by the general public, and it will be as well for us to explain it The decision given in chambers is technically considered only as that of the Chief Justice, although as a matter of fact he obtained the advice of his brother judges. An appeal cannot be made direct to the Privy Council from a judge in chambers, but the full court must be applied to first to reverse or confirm the decision. Of course the judges had it in their power on Saturday to alter the former decision, had they changed their opinion in the meantime. The order of the Chief Justice to free Mr Glass would in that case have been rescinded. Now they have intimated that their opinion remains unchanged, and have refused the rale to rescind the Chief Justice's order. The appeal to the Privy Council must be not from the decision in chambers, but from the similar decision just given by the court.

As constable Cash was passing up Little Bourke-street, Melbourne, he heard a man calling " Police !" Upon proceeding to the spot whence the cries came, he found a seaman named Kelly, belonging to the steamer Rob Roy, groping about the street, in a state of partial blindness, from the effects of some chemical which had been thrown in his face. He was immediately taken to the Hospital, and he then explained that about eleven o'clock on Fr'day night he met a woman and accompanied her to a house of ill-fame in Little Bourke-street, and being under the influence of liquor soon fell asleep. About four o'clock in the morning he was awakened by feeling- somebody's hands in his pockets, and he discovered that he hd been eased of £4. He commenced making a disturbance, and a man came out of a neighboring room with a bottle in his hand containing a whitish fluid. With an oath, he broke the bottle, and immediately a powerful vapor filled the room, which almost suffocated Kelly, and for the time caused blindness. He managed to grope his way out of the house, and was proceeding down the street when he fell in with the constable. From the description given the police have arrested a woman of the town named Mary M'Goverton, and a man named John Byuan, and they have since been identified by the prosecutor, who yet remains in the hospital.

Mr Fox's Ministry (says the Wellington Independent) is a very weak Ministry indeed % aud those persons who based their opinion of Mr Fox's real power to form a strong Government on the large majority which he recently obtained for his no-confidence vote will probably experience a feeling of disappointment that he should not have been able to form a stronger Government than this during the many days that have been afforded him for negotiation. Many of those who voted for his no confidence resolution, did so simply with the view of ousting the Stafford Ministry — some members of -which they thought incompetent— and establishing a new basis of operations, which would result in formation of a new and powerful Ministry, possessing the confidence of the House, and supported by a large working majority. Somehow, there seems to be a general feeling of doubt whether Mr Fox can form such a Ministry from the ranks of those gentlemen who are the special supporters of his supposed policy, as shadowed forth last year. Of course, we do not know what modifications may have taken place in Mr Fox's views since that time, because as yet he has made no fresh revelation of his intentions; but this much we do know, that if he comes before the House with his present colleagues, and states his adherence to the policy of last session, he will foil to find adequate support; while, if abandoning former opinions, he accepts the main features of Mr Stafford's policy, he will lose many of his special supporters who helped to secure l>'m a triumph in the recent division.

The great improvement which has taken place during the present session of the Assembly in the Hansard reports has been evident to all who perused them. This fact appears to bi recognised by hon. members themselves, r, on the 22nd ult., Mr Carleton, in corr ctii ! r slight error which crept into one oi speeches, said ;—"; — " It was,

perhaps, his own fault, because the proofs were handed to him for correction ; but the fact was, the reports were so much improved in quality that he had got careless in correcting them."

Quite a unique petition was brought before the Avon Sliire Council at its last sitting. The inhabitants of North Gipps Laud prayed that the Hon. the Commissioner of Trade and Customs would establish a branch immigration depot in Sale, because all the male servants were investing their savings in land and becoming settlers under the 42nd section, and all the women servants were getting married." Upon this the Qipps Land Times comments: — "We believe the statements made as the basis of the petition, though startling and novel, to be substantially true."

During ms late passage from Auckland to Wellington, His Excellency the Governor spent a short time at Napier. The inhabitants of that town, however, appear not to have treated him with any great ceremony, as His Excellency on taking his departure commented on the scanty attention which had been bestowed upon him by them. On arriving at Wellington, however, still worse awaited him, as, with the exception of a solitary policeman, no one saluted him on anding.

The manufacture of the essence of meat has been begun at "Wanganui, for the first time in New Zealand, by Mr IT. B. Roberts. According to the Wellington Independent, the essence is contained in small compass, is in the form of a brown paste, and a spoonful of it makes excellent brown soup, strengthening but yet requiring a few vegetables to give greater sweetness and flavor.

The reduction in the telegraphic charge throughout Tasmania to one uniform rate of Is for ten words has been attended with success. The business at the telegraph office has materially increased, and the treasurer's chest, as well as the State, will be materially benefited.

It is estimated by a South Australian journal that the importation of flour that will be required for New Zealand before next harvest will be 11,518 tons.

The parties at work in the Longwood Ranges, Southland, are reported to have met with increasingly numerous indications of the auriferous character of the spurs on which they have been at work. Several specimens of quartz obtained t>y them are stated by competent judg es to be as rich as almost any hitherto found in the Colony.

It is said that the Colonial Treasurer intends to resign office at the close of the present session. As it is intended to end iv six weeks, Mr Fox's difficulties promise to increase instead of diminish.