West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1869.

West Coast Times, Volume 20, Issue 1324, 20 December 1869, Page 2

West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1869.

Though, strictly speaking, the committee of the Oddfellows' and Forresters' Fete arrived at a legally just i conclusion in refusing 1 to hand over the amount at their disposal in aid of the Benevolent Society, we cannot help thinking that the view they took was in the highest degree, narrow-minded and umiharitabl'e. When the iutended fete was first mooted, it was distinctly understood that it was in aid of some charitable object, and it was most enthusiastically received by all classes and conditions of mfen, and women too, the ladies, as usual, taking- in fact the foremost part in the kindly crusade. Stores of every sort were offered, a most enjoyable time wa s passed, people spent profusely, knowing that the cause was a good one, and that very extravagance was, so to speak, a virtue on such an occasion. As might be expected, the returns were royal> and-, after paying expehcee, between £&00 and £400 stood to the credit of the Committee. At that time there was no immediate need of funds on the part of any public institution, and it was resolved by the committee who had been founders of the feast that it should be funded as it were, and eventually devoted to an Orphanage, of which then, as how, Westland stood so greatly iv need. Though in fact a very large proportion of 'the money was obtained fiom pefsohs unconnected with the Societies under whose auspices ikefke took place, the decision of the Committee was heartily acquiesced in, and the public at large felfc that the committee had done good service j aud deserved the greatest Credit for their j philanthropic conduct. This is felt ! still, and in differing seriously from the j decision that the Fete Committee have come to, we do it ou broad grounds. Circumstances, it is said, greatly alter , cases, aud in this case the remark is ; exceedingly appropriate. As we said ! at the outset, very fetriefcly speaking, I the verdict is right, but the resolutions j of charitable or friendly societies are not ! like the laws of the Medes and Persians, j irrevocable, and if occasion arises where a contrary course to what has been previously decided on is both humane and most fraught with good to suffering 1 , fellow creatures, surely a little relaxaj tion from red-tape austerity might be indulged in with advantage and without discredit. After carrying on their laudable efforts for some . time,' the members of the Benevolent Society find themselves not only without funds to assist the sick and suffering who appeal to them, but, at the same time, in debt to the extent of some £50 for aid already rendered. They have stated this publicly, and rendered a most satisfactory account of their benevolent stewardship— so much so, indeed, as tn hare earned the honest gratitude of all who have au atom of charity in their composition. At this juncture, and when they made a noble appeal in a noble cause, some members of the societies by whom the fete money had been collected, offered to use their influence to have the money now lying- uselessly in the bank hauded over to the Benevolent Society, and thereby put at once to active use. The proposition was made to the Committee of the Oddfellows and Foresters, and refused. If there had been any immediate prospect of the money being applied to the uses for which it was lodged, this refusal would have been intelligible ; but handsome as it was for the gathering that raised it, it is ridiculously insignificant for Orphanage purposes. It will not even be enough for the shell of a suitable building, to say nothing about furniture, fitting's, maintenance money ; and if the joint committees wait till it assumes proportions of magnitude enough i to effect their object, they must bo content to defer it for many years to come ; to stand on a quibble is certainly ungenerous to a degree that was not expected. Duriug the time that must elapse before funds can be collected, really ample enough '

to do what is required, whilst the money is, figuratively speaking, corroding in the bank coffers, or enriching, more probably, the bank shareholders, those on whose behalf ifc was collected will derive no benefit whatever, and many will have been plunged into infamy or crime. An opportunity was offered to render it of immediate sera vice, and ill disposing of it, had it been transferred, the Benevolent Society, in relieving the wants of the distressed, would not have forgotten, as they did not forget in time past, to minister to the wants of little ones fdr whosebeneftt the fund was raised. We|do not say that the action of the Oddfellows and Foresters was churlish, but it was at least ungraceful, and we believe, if the voles of all the members of those societies who aided and abetted in the fete could be taken, that a very large majority would be favorable to handing over to the Beuevolent Society. The members are well kuown. Amougst them is comprised every minister of religion in the district; the lay members are men of position and character j there is not the slightest chance of misapplication of funds with which they are entrusted, aud, under all the circumstances, the action of the Fete Committee is most unintelligible. Whilst the grass is growing the steed is starving-, and whilst the Committee wait for funds to complete the whole fabric, those it is designed to shelter are deprived of the temporary cover that would be furnished by the Benevolent Society. We do sincerely trust that the societies in question will reconsider their resolution, and that we may very shortly have to thank them for tho first large instalment of charitable aid. At the same time, whether this be so or not, it clearly behoves the public to come forwar.d and assist as well". On this we shall have more to say very shortly, but in the meantime we hope that negotiations between the committees will again be opened, and that the recent decision may be reconsidered nnd reversed.

We have received the following in reference to the Taipo reefs from a reliable correspondent :— " Little has been done to the proving of these reels as yet, the major portion of the ground being applied for iii leases, consequently the ground is remaining idle pending the result of their applicationThe only parties who have been at work are the prospectors, the Alpha Co.'s claim, known as Smart and party, and Trennery and Co. The prospectors have now brought down to the Lamplough half-a-ton of stone out of one of their leaders to t'e 'crushed, the resdlt 6? v/mcu will be kuown in a few days. They have also commenced to sink a shaft for the main reef. The Alpha Co. have been sinking on some of their leaders, and having found very good samples of htonc in which the gold is discernible, they have brought down specimens and fre believe that a meeting of the company will be called immediately to determine on either sinking a shaft, or driviug at once a maid tunnel. Their claim is situated on the most solid portion of tile hill, and in the two shafts already started they have boon obliged to use powder directly after breaking the surface, Treunory and Co have been driving from the face on the Kelly's Creek side with very good looking stone, but are obliged to knock off work until a track of some kind as made either by Government or private enterprise to get timber on to the ground. A good track,_ made at once, Will be required to effectually work these reefs. Some good samples of the Alpha Company's stone have also been brought into town, and can be seen by any curious ht these matters at Barrett's Hotel, in Revell-street south.

We perceive the Misses Colls have announced a Christmas examination of their school pupils for this day at 2 p.m., previous to their usual dismissal for the. coming vacation. Judging from the excellent tuition given by those ladies to their juvenile scholars hitherto, it cannot but be anticipated they will on this occasion pass through the ordeal with credit. The examination will be a strict one, as we understand the Rev. Archdeacon Harper will officiate as examiner, and, we presume, distribute the usual Christmas prizes according to merit afterwards.

An excellent evening's entertainment was provided for the Stafford folk on Thursday evening, the proceeds of which were for the purpose of liquidating the debt on the Church of England at that place. We are glad to 6ay that through the excellence of the object, and the active exertions of thobc who hud tickets to dispose of, there was a capital house, and all present were unanimous in their opinion of the merits of the entertainment. Part I. consisted of a leGture on electricity and electro-magnetism, ably delivered by Dr. Matthews, in which he explained and illustated, by popular experiments, the elementary principles of this important study aud took every possible pains to render lucid' his varied experiments. He was attentively listened to throughout. Then followed a song by Mr W. M. Reed, " ilany happy returns of the day," which he rendered with great effect. This was rapturously encored and responded to with another of Mr Reed's choicest selections. He accompanied himself on the guitar throughout, and was most deservedly applauded. Next followed Mr Muirhead, with his " Brave Musketeer," splendidly rendered, encored, and responded to. Part 111. was a short lecture by the Doctor on the " Magic of Science," iv which the Doctor was singularly successful in his experiments and happy in his illustrations, But the evening's eutertaiment was incalculably enhauced by the performaucs of the band,, who, on this occasion, kindly mustered in stroug force, and performed exceedingly well. The kindness aud generosity of this excellent band, whenever any charitable or benevolen

object is in view, has been proverbial since I its formation, and on this occasion they exerted themselves to the utmost to please. The cbajr was occupied by C. (j. Scbaw Esq., R.M., who moved a vote of thanks to the Doctor, which was cordially responded to, and he, in his turn, acknowledged the services of Messrs Proctor and De Wolf, and the gentlemen of the band. Mr Birch said that, as thanks were now being returnedj he should record hearty thanks to the audience for their attendance, and that he had no doubt that many persons purchased tickets merely for the sake of furthering the good object in view. We understand that the church committee will net a considerable sum in the proceeds of this entertainment ; and they hope, ere long, to be able; not orily to pay ih'e last shilling due on the church, but to seat it throughout. We were nearly forgetting to mention a comic recitation, very well delivered, by Master Waite, which amused the audience considerably.

As our readers will perceive by a telegram in another column, a sad accident happened on Saturday last at Timaru, whereby Mr Balfour, Colonial Marine Engineer, and Mr Smallwood, lately teller in the Union Bank* Timaru, lost their lives. Timaru haa long been known to be a dangerous place for landing passengers, and surf-boats have to be used for that purpose. Owing to the surflllie of a boat g >ihg out to the Maori getting fouled, a boat from that vessel went to the rescue, but got up to windward instead of to leeward of the steamer, was dashed up agaiust her, and capsized with the above sad result. The accident, in the absence of further particulars, is most tmintelligible, as Captain Malcolm and others of experience were in the boat at the time. It is supposed that the unfortunate gentlemen who were drowned were stunned by being thrust^ against the vessel, , and co.uld, make no effort to save theniselves. Mr iJaifour was a gentleman of great professional ability, and well known here as elsewhere in New Zealand. Mr Smallwood, we believe was also a valued officer of the bank.

We have repeatedly referred to the indif " ferelice and delay that have been shown in getting up Hokitika Christmas sports, and though this day week is Boxing Day, no programme has yet been issued, and it is very probable that this \Vill be the quitest season that Hokitika has ever known. As we have previously warned the tradesmen of the place if no inducement is offered to people to come here they will go to the Grey, or elsewhere. It has been generally expected that publicans only should have the trouble of organising sports at this time, but that is obviously unfair to expect, for butcher, baker, grocer^ draper, merchant — and, td fact, everyone benefits directly by a population being attracted to the the town. At Greymouth we ■understand they have ..arranged matters much better, an influential committee having been formed without a publican's name on the list, and thus all suspicion or allegation of the slightest unfairness as to the site of races, wrestling, or other sports is completely avoided. We do hope that the public will wake up to the barren prospects of fun in the coining Christmas. There is yet plenty of time to get up a pr"o£amme, and competitors can be found to conteet the various prizes. Money can be got, for scarcely one would refuse a subscription iv proportion to his means. It only wants two or three energetic people to start it, and we think such will speedily be found.

We tferc iiromised a copy of the telegrams that passed in covniectiou with the new postal arrangements for a bi-weekly service between here and Canterbury, but owing the County Chairman beiug compelled to go to Greyuioufch, we are not yet able to furnish them. As aoou as possible, as considerable interest is felt on this subject, we will give them publicity.

The weekly return of prisoners in the Hokitika gaol for the week ending December 18, is as follows : — Tor trial : males, 4 ; females, 0. Penal servitude i males, 13 ; femalej 1. Hard labor : males, 13 ; females, 7. Imprisonment, 0. Default of bail : males, 2. Lunatics: males> 16 ; femalesjO. Debtors: male, 1 ; feaiale, 1. Total — 49 males, 8 females.

It would be well for defaulting ratepayers to know that the exigences of the Borough Council compel them to gather in all arrears, and unless they are paid without delay, proceedings will be taken without further notice to recover them.

We are glad to be able to state that Small and party have struck gold on the Brighton Lead, about 150 feet from the prospectorsThe wash is similar to that in the claim 5t the latter, and varies from six inches to one foot in depth. The prospect is from two to four grains to the dish.

We greatly regret to say that the health of Mr Mark Sprot, though, fortunately, greatly improved during the last day or two, is such as to prevent him from contesting the Kanieri Election, and we are credibly informed that he feels compelled to withdraw. We are sincerely sorry that such is the case, for in the gentleman in question the County would have secured an able, bold, and disinterested representative — one of a type greatly lcquircd at the present time.

The newspaper lately started in Hokitika, The Evening Star, breathed its last on Saturday last, and the plant &c, is announced as being for sale by auction this week. It would appear an though newspapers are not profitable properties in this town.

On Saturday evening Thatcher gave his second concert, at the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre. At the time the overture was played there were not many in the theatrej but iv a little while the house was exceedingly well filled. Thatcher, as usual, came out exceedingly well in his local songs, several of which were sang that night for the first time. One " local," having reference to the rather eccentric action of a certain high legal functionary at a meeting, afforded much amusement. Whether it was in good or bad taste we wil[ not say, but we must certainly object to the names of the various clergymen being introduced, and hope that the objection will be Been in its proper light. Mr Small does" not appear to have lost favor in the slightest, although he has often appeared before au Hokitika audience. A comic Irish song, given in character by him, entitled, " Tipperary Paddy is my name," gave great satisfaction, and elicited much applause. "The Unfortunate Man" is as

well depicted as ever, and the facial contortions exhibited during the song were such as to cause much laughter, ttnd whert he ccttleluded he was encored, when he gaVe sdrrie original verses on the Auckland goldfields. We now come to Mr Daniels. He has an excellent baritone voice, and we must also compliment him ori his selection of songs! His first appearance here established bird a favorite, and his reception last night in no way detracted from the first impressions. Amongst the songs which he sang, " Knocking the quartz about," delivered in a masterly manner ; " The Wolf," " The Old Sexton," a very pretty piece of composition, and exceedingly well sung; but, to our mind, the gem" of thf! evening ttas that weilknown ballad," The Irisli Emigrant." ,THi3 was rendered iv an exceedingly pathetic manner ; the singer's voice was well modulated, and his action good, and at its conclusion he was greeted with an ovation, of applause, and compelled to .give an, encqre song. Taken altogether, the performance was highly successful, aud the audience departed at its termiuaton highly satisfied.

The office of Postmaster-General, which the present Government have never yet been able to fill up, is to be conferred, it is said, upon Mr J. Williamaon, the late Superintendent of Auckland.

According to the Shortlaml Times, the well-known De Lacy, of Burgessj Kelly; and Levi notoriety, is again an inmate of a gaol, although it is only a few days since he left Mount Eden. On Saturday, the 11th, he was given in charge by Mr O'Do\vd, charged with stealing some jewellery from the Prince Arthur Hotel, Grahamstown.