AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1869.

West Coast Times, Issue 1269, 16 October 1869, Page 2

AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1869.

The fact that two prospecting claims have been granted in two different localities, but both within some five miles of Hokitika, is one that will effectually dispose of all the croaking that has been unfortunately too prevalent for some time past. The importance of these discoveries to the district is vast, and their influence will be felt in a variety of ways. In the first place, our readers know that prospecting claims cannot be granted excepting at certain distances from worked ground, and this ensures certainty that whether there is any wide area of payable ground or not, where such claims are granted, there is at least a large extent that has not been touched, a portion of which is probably as auriferous as the claim of the prospectors. Taking this view ouly of the claim granted yesterday near the Omeo lead, it is almost certain to bring fresh discoveries in that direction. But very much greater interest hangs on the claim to tke south of the Hokitika, inasmuch as it is extremely probable that the theory so staunchly believed in by many practical diggers as to the old lead on this side extending down south for miles is about to Be proved correct, and that the present claim is ouly one of a chain that will give employment to thousands, and dot the whole distauce 1» the Totara. We do nob say such is the case, for one swallow does not make a summer, but it is at the same time highly improbable that tbe lucky party have hit on tbe only auriferous patch m a long stretch of untried, or comparatively untried

country. The miners have now a point by which they can draw a line, and we have every confidence that further discoveries will immediately follow on the present. Irrespective of the direct benefit derivable from new ground being opened, a feeling of confidence will be created amongst business men owing 1 to the welcome news, which will do much to revive trade generally. The success too that has attended these two parties will now induce many others to prospect with, we doubt not, equally successful results in many oases, and to infuse a spirit of this kind into the mining community will be no small gain. The Auckland goldfields had already began to lose their brilliancy in the eyes of people on the Coast, but the undoubted fact of two prospecting claims being granted on one day will effectually, for the present, at least, cure the Thames fever that so lately raged. Now is the time for the recently formed Prospecting Committee t© come forward and fan into a flame, if possible, the glow that this news ha^ created. let them strike whilst the iron is hot. The public will be in a fitting mood to respond liberally, as they can now see tlie benefit derivable. The diggers will be as anxious to set out, if the least encouragement or assistance, such as the Committee promise to afford, is given them, and any much more favorable condition to commence operations could not have been , wished for or have happened. If active search in many hitherto neglected districts was inaugurated, we should look as a- matter oorf r - course for prospecting claim applications to be sent in, and one or two more or less would neither excite surprise nor cause unreasonable excitement. It rests with the Committee to judiciously stimulate the feeling that will be this day created,, and on their prudence, activity, and energy much will depend. Too great promptitude cannot be displayed; . for though, no doubt, our population will be rapidly increased with the news, still it is not to be expected that nearly all who come will be successful. To those who are disappointed, we should be prepared to offer other encouragement; and if the Committee exert themselves, they will be effectually able to do so. We earnestly commend the subject to their immediate consideration. The public have solid grounds for congratulation at what has already happened in the way of- new discoveries; let us hope that, this is only the first instalment of what is to como.

We published an extract from the Grey River Argus, which stated that three Wardens, Messrs Keogh Price, and Aylnier, had received notice that their services would be dispensed with at the end of the year. Mr Aylnier has requested us to state, that, aB far as he is concerned, such is not the case. Whether the other gentlemen have received such notice we cannot say. w^ The election of members for Totara Road Board took place ou Tuesday, and resulted in the return of Messrs John Deakin, John Davie, and William Searle. The Returning Officer made the official declaration on Thursday, at noon. v* The Borough Council sat in their new Hall for the first time last night, and the change in the acdommodation from the old shanty that has so long done duty was really startling. The arrangement is somewhat similar to that of the County Council, each member having a table to himself. The furniture is exceedingly well made, and its finish and ■workmanship reflects great credit on the local manufacturer, Mr Meyer. Tlie Hall itself is a magnificent room, but there is nothing perfeot in this world, and the imperfection in this is that it is, without exception, one of the most draughty spaces that we have ever sat in. In vain Mr Frew, Couu" cillor Jack, and others tugged and strained at the ventilator cords ; the piercing draughts met the Councillors at every turn, and we are much mistaken if some of them do not celebrate their first sitting with colds. In every other respect the Hall is admirably adapted for the purposes for which it is designed, and this we should think can very easily be remedied. W[ I No. 1 Company of the Westland Volunteer Rifles met last night for the usual weekly drill, under the command of Lieut. Devore. The roll was called at eight o'clock, and arms were then inspected. After this was concluded, blank ammunition was served out, and the company wore marched up the beach beyond the Montezuma, and were practised in skirmishing and other evolutions of light infantry drill for two hours. On this being finished, Lieut. Devore marched them to the Montezuma, and supplied his then thirsty command with sundry refreshments of a fluid character, a courtesy which appeared to be particularly appreciated after the fatiguing j drill those presont had undergone. Tho company then marched back to the Drill Shed. Lietenant Devore informed the membeis that next Thursday would probably be his last attendanc j on parade, as he expected to be leaving the district very shortly. On that occasion he hoped to have the pleasure of seeing all the Company appear on parade. Everyone present echoed the wish, as Lietenant Devore, from the interest and attention he has Bbown, has boen largely conducive to the present efficiency of the Company, and has honestly earned the hearty good will of every member of the corps. He also informed them that Volunteer M'Levie had invited them to his Hotel, and an adjournment in accordance with the invitation took plac

We understand that Drill-Instructor Carey ] will visit Ross on Tuesday next, and will ] remain there a month for instruction < purposes, and to assist in the celebration of the Prince of Wales' birthday on the 9th of November next. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, John Liddle, alias Hobart Town Jack, and Thomas Riley, were each fined 10s for drunkenness with the usual alternative in default of payment. John, Ramage was summoned for having allowed the chimney of his house to take fire through neglect. Constable M'Guire said that at about a quarter to four on Saturday last there was an alarm of fire. He proceeded to the spot, the defendant's premises, and found the fire had extended from the chimney. In answer to the defendant, the witness said that after the fire, he had been shown that a brick was loose in the brickwork of the firepl cc, but he had not noticed it when he first examined it. The defendant said there had never been a fire in the vent, but the accident had been caused by a brick in the fireplace being loose, the flame having thus reached the woodwork. His son had heard a noise, but on looking up the chimney he saw no flame, and thought the noise was caused by a sausage machine in an adjoining shop. Mr Guthrie corroborated^ the defendant's statement, but added that the chimney was much too close to the canvas and boarding. The defendant was fine I£l and costs. John Maunders was summoned for allowing two horses to stray, but as it was proved that they had been left secured, and had got out through a gate beiiig opened in the defendant's absence, no penalty was inflicted. *^As will be seen by an estimate of income received by the Borough Council during the last year, the funds at their command have amounted to nearly £15,000. jMj&st evening the resignation of C. E Buttou. Esq., as Mayor of the town, was received and accepted by the Borougli Council, as that gentleman is about to leave Hokitika. The most sincere regret was expressed by every member at this being rendered necessary, and the warmest acknowleduients of the value of the numerous services he had rendered to the town were made. It k was proposed to elect a successor at once, but eventually this business was adjourned till Monday, at 12 o'clock, when a special meeting will be held for the purpose, After the Conned proceedings were over, a private meeting was held, for the purpose, we believe, of iuviting the retiring Mayor to a dinner on Monday next, as he leaves by the Omeo on Tuesday. We shall have more to say in reference to this gentleman befere is departure. We may observe, by the way, that the new Mayor, whoever he may be, will ouly hold office till the 15th or November next — just two months. Telegraphic communication is still interrupted, but it is expected to be resumed today. The injury done by the late gale is extensive. We trust that Mr Hawkins, through whose enterprise a commodious and well-built punt has been placed on the Hokitika river, will meet with good patronage. In the Warden's Court, Ross, on the 12th inst., the following cases were heard: — H. A. Gordon, Manager R033 United Drainage Company, v. W. Haunan. — £10. Judgment by consent for amount claimed, with costs. Same v. Robert Stephens.— £2 10s. Adjourned till 13th ult. Same v. J. Tell.— £l7. Judgment for amount claimed, with costs. Saino v. T. Andrews. — £1 10s. Judgment hy default for amount claimed, and costs. On the 13th, the adjournod case against R. , Shepherd was heard, and judgment given for the amount claimed. Ou the Hth, the case H. Roberts v. W. Smith was heard. The defendant refused to sign an application, assenting or dissentiug to the protection therein, on the ground that plaintiff objected to defendant getting protection for their claim till the Ross and Mikonui Races ciuie in. Protection was granted, and Smith to pay Roberts 15s expenses. Thn> manufacture of flax is occupying a considerable share of public attention in the province of Nelson at present. The Examiner, in noticing the arrival from Dunedin of a machine for dressing the fibre, says that " the Superintendent has undertaken to provide a ton or two of green flax, and the aid of a steani-pugine, to give the machine a trial, and it will tie got to work as quickly as possible. As the demand for flax machines ali over the Colony is now so great as to cause delays in executing orders, the Superintendent has thought it desirable to order a machine both from Auckland and Canterbury ! of the most approved construction, arid j these, on being set up here with j the one above spoken of, will enable persons who may desire to embark in flax dressing to judge which machine is the most preferable, A report from Mr Blackett on the various methods now used for dressing our native fibre, the kind of plant found most valuable the best manner of packing it for shipment when dressed, the return of crop it will yield when cultivated — this information obtained from a personal inspection of the principal flax works now in operation in the different provinces, and the persons engaged in the industry, will furnish a more valuable report for practical purposes than will be obtained from the Commission provided by the Assembly." Tamaho Te Anga (a nativo magistrate of Wangapa, first cousin to Wi Tanapaphia), one of the head chiefs in the north, died on Sunday morning, the 14th day of September. Before dying he requested to speak to and see as many natives as he could. He was consequently carried out of his house, and spoke to them in the .following terms :—"Bo: — "Bo good to tho white people ; bo good to one another. Have no more fighting ; do not kill one auothor'fi pigs and cattle, and take nothing but what belongs to yourselves. He spoke very few words afterwards. The Grey River Argus says, " An accident occurred at the Stillwater Creek on Tuesday to a miner named Georgo Foster. He was engaged in his claim with the hydraul.c, undermining a tree, when it suddenly gave way and toppled over on him before ho could get clear, crushing him severely. A number of miuera collected and carried the unfortunate man to a boat on the creek, whence he was conveyed to the coalpits. There a boat was offered by Mr Joseph | Taylor to bring him to town, aud he was brought down by Mr Taylor and Mr Hanf t aud others to th« Grey River Hospital at 7

p.m. The men who so freely assisted in bringing the wounded nan to town deserve every praise." The number of births registered in' the Colony (including the Chatham Islands) during the year 1868, was 9391, and of deaths 2662, the excess of births over deaths thus being 6720, or at the rate of 253.53 per cent. For Otago the figures are: Births, 2397; deaths, 604; excess of births over deaths, 1793, or at the rate of 296.85 per cent. The rate of deaths per 1000 of the population, calculated to the nearest unit, was as follows: — Nelson, 8 ; Southland, 9; Chatham Islands, 11; Auckland and Otago, 12; Wellington, Hatfke's Bay, Canterbury, and Westland, 13; Taranaki, 14; Marlborough, 17; and all New Zealand, 12.