West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1869.

West Coast Times, Issue 1326, 22 December 1869, Page 2

West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1869.

A project that when first mooted seemed certainly rather a wild one, and incapable oi accomplishment, appears to have taken the fancy of the British capitalist, and may yet be carried out We refer to the Nelson and West Coast Railway, a pet scheme of Mr Curtis, lately re-elected Superintendent of the Nelson Province. After being endorsed by the Provincial Council, a bill was brought in during the last session of the Assembly, and was carried through all its stages. Mr Morrison, the London agent for the province, happened at the time to be out in this colony, and as he was returning immediately undertook to use his influence to set the scheme afloat, and fiud the necessary capital in the London market. Mr. Wrigg*, civil engineer, who had made a rough survey of the line, also accompanied Mr. Morrison home, though at the time of their departure, very few but those of the most bauguine temperament thought that the negociations would end in anything. But thiugs are looking far more hopeful now. The length of the lino proposed is, we believe, about 150 miles, over every description of New Zealand country — ranges, bush, plains, rivers, _cc, &c. The obstacles to be surmounted, should the work be undertaken, will be greater than any that have been overcome in the southern hemisphere ; -but in the face of this there appears to be hope of the attempt, at least, being made. It is very evident that the Nelson Government are not in a position to undertake a work of such magnitude and cost, and their proposal is to pay for its execution by enormous grants of land on either side the line, the total area of which will embrace some millions of acres. The embryo line runs through a very large quantity of proved auriferous country, besides an immense area of ground containing coal and o the minerals, all of which will be swallowed up by this mammoth company, phould it ever be constituted. As a matter of course, Nelson has a right to do what it likes with its own, and whether it pays too dear or not for its whistle, the extraordinary advantages that will accrue through thus opening the Proviuce can scarcely be overrated. The London Times, of September 28, thus notices the scheme : — "A scheme has been brought forward for the construction of a railway between Nelson and Cobdeu, iv the province of Nelson, New Zealand. Various gontlemen of influenco in Loudon are stated to have given their approval to the enterprise. The capital proposed is no less than £2,000,000, as it is considered desirable that 2,000 laborers and artizans, with their families, should be sent out to tho proviuce from England. Nothing definite has yet, however, been determined on with re&pcct to the undertaking 1 ." Letters have been published that have passed between Mr Morrison, acting 'on behalf of the Neleon Government, and gentlemen of influence and position in the railway world ; aud from the tenor of these it seems exceedingly probable the enterprise may becomo a fact. As to whether iv that case the Nelsoniaus have made a good ov bad. bargain js not material, or, at least, immediately nrotorisU te WaetlsndevotUor proving j

but should the railway be constructed, it will be an unmitigated boon to this County, at no cost whatever. Nothing could be easier, or much less expensive in an undertaking of the kind, than to connect Hokitika, Greymonth, Cobdon, Brighton, Charleston, with Westport, by means of a light line. The advantages derivable from continuous connection with such a stretch of country are hardly calculable, and we most heartily hope that the scheme may be successfully floated and as speedily as possible carried out. As an example, should it be so, Hokitika may without difficulty be placed within about twelve or fourteen hours from Nelson ; the run across from there to Wellington is short ; by the Chriftchnrch road mails can he speedily crossed from here, and Hokitika would of necessity be permanently the port of arrival and departure of all subsidised Australian mails. To go at length into the good that the canning out a railway like the one projected would bring about, would be an almost endless, though a pleasing, task ; till we are sure of something coming of it, however, it is too much like counting your chickens before they are hatched. The result of the negotiations now ponding in connection with this matter will be watched with deep interest by every one both on the West Coast and on the Nelson side. We can assure our Nelson neighbors that no community will be better pleased at their terminating successfully than the people of this County, and we sincerely trust that English capital may be induced to undertake the work.

The news received yesterday from the Brighton Lead and its vicinity is of the most encouraging kind. The information we gave in a recent issue, of gold having been found for abont a mile and a-half bej r ond the Brighton Lend is confirmed, and our informant states that the whole of the ground on the terrace between Arthur's Towu and Woodstock has been marked out, and that a large population is already on the ground. That the men mean to give the ground a thorough trial is evidenced by the fact that, applications for protection* for about twenty tunnels has been made at the Warden's office. It now becomes almost a matter of certainty that the old Hau Ilau Lead has been struck at the south side of the river ; and if so, there is room for a very large number of men.

We are glad to learn that the Caledonia Water-Race is progressing as well as it could be wished. The race is now well into the gullies and high terraces, which the water is intended to work. The company arc prospecting as the race proceeds, and have in nearly every instance found gold in payable quantity. Indeed, it would be a wonder if such were not the case, as the whole of the high terraces and gullies in that neighborhood have been proved to be gold-beariug. But, with the exception of the edges of the terraces, no great amount of ground has been turned over, the difficulty of obtaining water being the cause, for as the ground became deep, it was found impossible to work with a profitable result, and the consequence was that miners being unable to obtain a living in consequence of the difficulties they had 10 contend with, gradually deserted the ground. Now, however, we hope to see the district again in a flourishing condition.

We would beg to remind those concerned that a meeting of Justices will be held at the Court House to-day for the purpose of dis_ posing of the licensing applications adjourned from the Bth instant.

A very fine lot of prize stock were disposed of yesterday at the Arahura. The bullocks, more particularly, were very fine — it is said, the primest ever sent to the Coast ; but as we have not had an opportunity of seeing them, we withhold our report until they have been dressed and placed on view in the butchers' shops.

As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere the County Chairman announces that the usual protection will be given to minors from Frida5 r , the 24th inst. to Monday, the 3rd of January.

A meeting of Stewards of the Jockey Club is announced to take place this evening at 8 o'clock at Dyson's British Empire Hotel.

There was a very fair house at the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre last night, when Mr Thatcher came out strong in local rhyme He had a '* shy " at several of our local celebrities, hitting some of them particularly hard. But his best rhyme was his " Dream," which fairly convulsed the house. The " Unfortunate Man" was, as usual, happy in his Irish ditties, and came in for a full share of applause. Mr Daniels was in excellent voice, and sang his songs Avitli taste and s_ririt, having the honor of being repeatedly encored. Mr Salamon on the piauoforte, accompanied by the versatile Thatcher on the flute, played a beautiful overture ; indeed, throughout Mr Salamou lingered the keys in a masterly style. All we can say is— one must go ami hear Thatcher or ouc misses a treat.

Mining matters about Woodstock arc just now in a mobt flourishing state ; and, among other matters, we may state that Willougby and party arc bringing in a race from a creek about three miles above Woodstock, to command the terrace in the neighborhood at that township. Very good progress has beon made with the race, and it is expected it will be completed in about two months.

Our attention to-day was called to a deposit of night soil which had recently becu placed on the beach, near the lagoon. We say it had recently been placed there, for the smell arising from the disgustiug mess asfaaulted our olfactory organs rno.t viciously. We think it is time our new Inspector of Nuisances was up and doing.

We understand that application was made yesterday to the proprietors of some laud on the Maori Reserve, into which the Brighton Lead is tending, for poTOi^ioE to mine on part o{ the ground, but tUoy declined, to fcUt&fcta any _ _riion, w it is thoiv intsmton

to work it themselves by means of a company which is about to be formed for that purpose.

An important case to commission agents was decided in the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, though the amount at issue was insignificant— £l Bs. It appeared from the evidence that Mr Upjohn, tailor, of Revell-street, handed over to Mr Dunbar, the well-known commission agent and collector, certain accounts for collection. Mr Dunbar waited on the gentlemen, presented all the accounts, and got in a good part of the money. Some of those indebted — subsequent to Mr Dunbar presenting their accounts— paid Mr Upjohn himself, and some were uncollected. Tho questions at issue were, first— Was Mr Dunbar entitled to commission on the sums paid to Mr Upjohn after Mr Dunbar had asked for them ; and secondly — Was he, after having taken all reasonable trouble to get in what remained uncollected, entitled to charge on these amounts. The Bench, after hearing Mr Harvey, who appeared for Mr Dunbar, and Mr Wilkinson, Customs and commission agent, was of opinion that the claim of five per cent, on all monies received by Mr Upjohn on the bills handed over to a commission agent was fair and reasonable, whether paid direct or not. The Magistrate also ruled that two and a-half per cent., the claim made for uncollected accounts, wos a fair one. A verdict would have been given for the defendant (Mr Dunbar) had he not in his set off accidentally charged five per cent, instead of two and a-half. This, as the Magistrate said, just turned the scale, and a verdict for the amount of 3s Cd and costs was given for the plaintiff.

The Independent, of the 9th instant, has the folloAving •.—". — " The following extract from the London correspondent of Mr E. C. Recce, deserves the notice of all interested in the manufacture of flax : — •' By parcel (post) I send sample of flax wholly undressed, and lately sold at £31 per ton ; also, of some well-dressed Canterbury flax, which was recently valued at £42 to £44 per ton — but I rather think it was done in London, from the aforesaid straw, by a Frenchman's machine, nearly perfected after many experiments, and by which the raw New Zealand flax can be thoroughly cleaned with comparatively little waste, and made worth ;C42 to £48 per ton. He is sanguine of perfect success ; and although now unable to define «a price for hia machine, lie expects they will range between £100 to £150 each. Should the experiments on larger parcels of New Zealand flax, which are purposed this autumn, prove successful, would you incline to have one of these apparatus ? The New Zealand flax attracts increasing attention iv the London market, and should prove an important export from each province.' Messrs Devett and Hett report as follows on New Zealand flax :: — < The sales during the month have comprised 385 bales. Otago, at £20- to £30 for second quality, dressed ; but strong fibre (one bale), well dressed, £38. Also, fifty bales, Canterbury at £31 ; and twenty-eight bales, Auckland, well dressed, at £38 155. Fair roping Manilla hemp, is now 525."

The Nelson Examiner of the 15th instant says, anent sporting matters :— " By the Cluud Hamilton, this evening, Mr Redwood "will ship two three-year-olds for Canterbury —Economy, a bay gelding, by Diomcdes, out of Certainty, by 11 Barbicre, out of a Sir Hercules mare ; aud Songstress*, a bay filly by Kavensworth, out of Skybird, by Teddington. The gelding is entered for the Canterbury Jockey handicap, and the filly for the Canterbury Derby, aud both are promising animals, but will scarcely be prepared, owing to Mr Redwood's absence in Melbourne, and the races at Canterbury coining off a month earlier than was originally advertised, iv oider that they may take place during the visit of the ' Flying Squadron,' expected at Lyttelton during the first week of the year. Mr Redwood's mares Peeress and Misfortune are already at Christchurcb, under the care of E. Cutts. Mr Redwood has no horse entered for the Canterbury Cup this year, aud for this, the great race of the meeting, Mr Stafford's Magenta will probably be the sole Nelson representative, although Laceufeed is likewise entered for the same race. These two animals will he the only ones Mr Stafford will send to Canterbury this year ; but Nebula and Lady Florence are both engaged in the Auckland meeting, which comes off on the first three days of the year. At the Westport races, which are to be run ort the 27th and 28th instant, Robin Hood and Deception, two horses well-known in Nelson, have been specially purchased for the meeting."

The Grey River Argus of yesterday says :—: — " Despite the continents and wide-spread search for the body of Mr Jefford's missing child the result has been as yet nil. All the men belonging to the p.s. Dispatch have, when the time afforded them, spread out in all and every direction, and from the first day when the child was missed, done all that men could do to ensure a clearing-up of the mystery. On Sunday the beach to the north was patrolled from the Grey two miles beyond Point Elizabeth, while another -party sought southwards beyond the SaltwaterIt is now eleven days since the mysterious and, as yet, unexplained disappearance of the child.

The Grey mouth morniug journal of the 21st says .— " The friends of Mr Crogan. stablekeeper here, who suffered so severely from a guv accident lately, will be glad to here that he is progressing most favorably, and will soon be able to mix again among his friends iv town."

A letter from England received by the mail says that Major-General Sir Trevor Chute has been recalled from the command of her Majesty's forces in Australia, but neither meulioub his successor, nor assigns auy reason for the recall. Counectiug it however, with the conduct of the Colonial office towards us, it is natural to believe that Gcueral Chute has delayed too much sympathy with New Zealand to be left in its vicinity, now that Earl Grauville has definitely made up his mind to abandon us to our fate.

The Examiner says: — " Intelligence was received by the mail of twenty braces of partridges aud twenty-eight hares having been put on board the John Bunyau, for the Nelson Acclimatisation Society. The John Buuyan sailed for this port on the (}th of October."

TUe bjU far t]ie wuuw of OtagQ and Southland has been oavWed in the Provincial Couarfi on tlia hmv province &£to? a la»s

debate, by 1 1 to 6. The bill is an embodiment of the report of the joint commissioners, and it passed without alteration.

The law has been vindicated in reference to the murder of Mr Halligan. We learn by onr exchanges that : — " The convicts Palmer j and Williams suffered the extreme penalty of '• the law at Rockhampion on the 24th of November. They were tried at the last assizes, and found guilty of the murder of Mr Halligan, the gold buyer, whom they waylaid and robbed, as he was returning to toAvn 'jn his buggy, after making purchases of the precious raptal to a considerable amount. On being brought out of their cells Palmer handed the police magistrate a written confession of the diabolical crime and its attendant atrocities, requesting that it might not be published in this town. "Williams, Avho made a lengthened defence before the jury, gave its sequel on the scaffold in a most abusive speech, in which he asserted his innocence, and denied that he had received a fair trial. The caps were then adjusted' the bolt drawn, and the culprits died without a struggle."

The Independent of the 9th says :—": — " Some excitement was occasioned in town on Tuesday evening by the news, which was rapidly circulated, that the detachment of Constabulary in the depot at Mount Cook had received orders to prepare for immediate removal to Napier. The most alarming reasons were assigned for this rather unexpected movement, but a little inquiry proved that there was no occasion for alarm, as the men were simply required to garrison the new telegraph station at the outpost at Haroto, and to assist in convoy duty between Napier and Taupo, it being deemed advisable to strengthen the escorts in consequence of fires, supposed to be those Uriweras marching to join Te Kooti, having been seen near the lino of route. Yesterday the men, about fifty in number, embarked on board the Government steamer Sturt, and although seen at a disadvantage, as they were not all provided with uniform, they looked a fine body of men, well fitted for the work before them. They were all armed with the new Snider-Enflelds recently imported by the Electra, and the Sturt took up a large quantity of ammunition, specially adapted to the new weapon." t

The European Mail states that Mr Shosmith has found leading pedestrians more accessible than the South-country cricketers to the alluring influences of Australian gold> and has made an engagement with Bird, Hewitt, and George Topley. They left London by the Lincolnshire, on September 20, and we have little doubt that all three will do credit to the old country in a land where love of sport is as thoroughly imbued in the minds of the people as it is in England. Hewitt and Bird took a joint benefit before starting, at the Royal Pavilion, Sheffield, and there was a crowded house on the occa-