llUstdoast fetes, AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. THURSDAY, DKOEMHKR 23, 1869.

West Coast Times, Issue 1327, 23 December 1869, Page 2

West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1869.

Yesterday was the adjourned licensing meeting for the consideration and disposal of applications that had been postponed from the annual licensing day on the 7th instant. At the hour of meeting only two justices were present, viz., G. G. Fitzgerald, Esq., R.M., and Malcolm Frazei', Esq. As the Act is imperative that three justices shall sit, the meeting lapsed, and the determination of the licenses held over rests wLh the County Chairman. There are or there were yesterday morning just tix gentlemen holding commissions of the peace in this (own, and all knew that where (here was such a, dearth of uiagisti ates it was their duty to attend on fucli occasion?, where it at allpos•ible, or unless prevented by some very particular or pressing busiuess. Now these six gentlemen were distributed as follows : — The two above-named were present, and ready to discharge their duty. Mr Abbott, the Registrar, who managed to find time at the last meeting, was too busy on this occasion to attend. Now, though the Registrar's dulics may be onerous, or otherwise, -urely when he knew that if a quorum could not be got together the meeting would lapse, he might have spared an hour or so. If he is so constantly engaged ns this, surely it would be a kindness on the part of the Government to relieve him of magisterial powers that he is too immersed in business to exercise on an emergency. The Hon. J. A. Bomir was Unqualified b} 1 the Act a-< holding a wholesale licenso for the sale of spirits, &c, and therefore could not sit. MiGreenwood is a magisterial bird of passage, amlflits to and fro more regardful of the jaws than the morals of the public amongst whom he happens to dwell. He left for Grey mouth yesterday morning on his professional round, and could not well be expected to attend, knowing-, as he did that a full bench could, or ought to be easily gathered from resident J.P.'s. The last, though not least on the lHt, is Mr Roberts, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, who, we may honestly say, has been conspicuous by his absence from the bench ever since he was qualified or authorised to sit on it. As he has uot attended before, his absence on this occasion, when he might have forwarded business is not remarkable. No doubt his business has hitherto prevented his attendance, and will do so in future. As it happens, the absence of those who should have been present, may not materially affect those interested, as by the Act the County Chair nan has power to act, and will dispose of the opposed applications this morning ; but there arc other considerations in connection with the die duties of Magistrates that force themselves upon us. y We cnunot think that the absentees on this occasion wished to thrust undue responsibility on Mr Hoos, throwing the arbitrament if the adjourned cases on his shoulders, for probably they were not even aware that in case of their absence, he had power-to determine them ; but if not, negligence, or at least carelessness of duty is chargeable to them. If gentlemen accept the honor and position that the commission of the peace confers, it is obviouhly incumbent on them to be. prepared to discbarge the duties pertaining, whether they be agreeable or otherwise, whether they can be easily through or involve heavy responsibility and lnbor. If they find that they cannot devote the time and attention

necessary to fulfil their self-imposed ianctions, they should resign them, for the honor is not a bauble or a trinket, | utasnbstanti.il mark of confidence on t ie part of the representative of Her Majesty in the gentlemen so disi nguished. It is o.s such it should and < ug-ht to be regarded, and anything J..aal can be construed iuto indifference of its po c se?sion is a poor compliment to the power that confers it. However, be this as it may, it is very certain that honor.-] ry justices cannot lie | compelled to do duty when requisite, and it follows that it behoves the Government in future to select only thoi-e who will, when necessary, really ! their attendance. It would also appear that the list can be added to with material advantage in llokitika ; indeed it is absolutely necessary that it '•o'll'l, in ovdoi- fo pr^v^nt mi 'oaiTwgo, if not of ju^liC' ut. lui.-t of a Colonial \ Ael. We 'Mjii.'^d ii- on i IL-r, by the way, in nitikt* lucniioi: of All". Boyle, the present Mayor of Hokitika. Prior to his re-election, this gentleman, with a delicacy that does him honor, declined though gazetted to take the usual oaths, owiug to his not. having been reappointed. This will, of course, be very soon done ; but, even if he had taken the oaths, he would be disqualified on the grounds that he is agent for the sale of fermented liquors. In conclusion, we would draw the attention of the General G-overument to the great need there is fur the selection of at least two more magistrates in llokitika, and think that the facts we have above referred to will fully convince them not only of the necessity of these appointments, but also for exercising such discretion in their choice as will secure two gentlemen prepared to do the duties they undertake when such is necessary.

Most ridiculous rumors as to differences between the County Chairman and Mr Eevell, Resident Magistrate at Greymouth, have been floating round the town during the last two days. In order to set these at rest, we have taken considerable pains to ascertain the real truth of the matter, and are credibly informed that it is as follows : — The Gre}'mouth Bench ordered the closing of certain licensed houses, the proprietors of which had not obtained their licenses in question. These had to be paid for and obtained in llokitika. On the Resident Magistrate closing the Houses, several urgent telegrams were received by Mr Hoos, asking him to go to Greymouth and enquire into the matter. lie did so, and on reaching there, communicated

with Mr Eevell, with o view to getting the matter amicably arranged. Mr llorton> County Treasurer had gone up prior to the County Chairman, in order to adjust the halfyearly licenses granted by the Bench, and have them converted into annual licenses, in accordance Avith the opinion given by the County Solicitor. In spite of fjiis opinion, Mr Revell demurred. The Chairman then pressed the adoption of the course indicated by the law adviser in question, and carried out by the Bench in Hokitika. Mr Revell at first obstinately refused to accept this view, or the opinion of Mr Harvey, Crown and County Solicitor. After vainly endeavoring to change the ruling of the Bench, and induce a course more beneficial to the public* the County Chairman left ihe Comt House Nothing more than an ordinary discussion arose, and on the following day the Resident Magistrate acceded to the representations made, and the licenses were issued. This is the whole origin of the " three black crows," and the canards that have been set afloat are utterly without foundation.

The sites for booths at the forth coming races were sold publicly yr-. tcrday, at the Empire Hotel . Mr Tabart acted as auctioneer. The attendance was large, .and the prices realised were most satisfactory — though in some cases bought in, as not equal to the expectation s of the Jockey Club. As many of our readers are aware, the river during the last year has made considerable iucursions on to the original ground ; to such a degree, indeed* that it has been fouud necessary to alter the configuration of the booths. Last year they were in line , radiating from the grand stand* but this time it has been found necessary to divide them, Nos. 1 , 3, 5 being on the river and 2, 4, 6,0n the other side of the coursr, and inside the Cricket Ground reserve. All are on this side of the Island from the entrance. The first put up was the Steward's Booth, under the grandstand, which, after a spirited competition, was knocked town to Mr. P. Cameron, of the British Hotel, for the sum £34. No. 2, on the opposite side, fell to Mr M'Quilkin, for the sum of £25. No 3 was bought by Mr Mulvihill, for £29. No 4 was purchased by Messrs Owens and Edwards, for £20. No. 5 went cheap for £11, the purchaser being Mrs Power — few, we presume, contending for it with a lady. No. 6 went up to £20, Mr Howard becoming the purchaser for that sum. The total realised on the booths was £139. The copyright of the race card was sold for £13 to Mr Swords. For the right of letting s« ats on the grand stand £70 was bid, but the Club, thDugh their Treasurer, Mr Louisson, bid £90 ; and it therefore remains in their hnjids. An offer of £110 for the gates was refused, the Jockey Club placing a reserve of £130 on them. It will be thus seen that £152 was absolutely realised, and £180 actually bid for the gates and stand, making a total of £332. If the expectations of the Club are realised, £50 more will be got in, and these sources of income will thus give nearly £400 of the money required. It is tolerably certain, therefore, after owners subscriptions and entrance money is to hand> that a very satisfactory balance-sheet will be forthcoming after the ensuing races. We may add that there is every prospect of the races being well filled, a number of owners having signified their intention of sending their horses.

In our obituary notice of to-day, we regret to say that the name of Mrs M'Lean, mother of Mr W. M'Lean, of this town appears* The deceased lady had suffered from asthma for nearly twenty years, but had latterly failed considerably. On the day of her death — Tuesday last— she appeared in her usual health, though, .the close weather was very trying to her. About four o'clock in the afternoon she went to lie down, as was her usual custom at that hour, but shortly after doing so she showed symptoms of serious illness. Dr Rosetti was immediately called in, and did all that could be done, but deceased t npidly sunk, and died at six o'clock in the I evening, after really only two hours illness. She was highly respected, was known as a churitsiWe and really good woman, and will be much missed and regretted by a large !* circle of friends. -The funeral will take 1 place tin's day at two o'clock.

The nomination of a candidate to fill the vacant seat in the County Council for the Ksmieri district will take place at noon today, at the Kanieri.

A requisition, signed by over 400 persons, has been handed to Mr Robinson, requesting him to -tand his candidature to represent the Knnieri district in the County Council.

There was a very narrow escape from fire at the Robbie Burns Hotel last night. It appears that the chimney of a lamp in the chandelier had, by some means, broken about half-way down, and it is supposed that by this matter the flame had increaped and heated the font, which was a metal one, and by this means the oil in the font caught fire. Mr M'lntosh discovered this circumstance before the lamp had time to burst, and at once threw it into the street, where it had to be extinguished by means of wet clothes.

The attendance at the Buke of Edinburgh Theatre last night was not so good as usual # A very good programme was gone through, however, in which the various performers acquitted themselves very well. Several new local songs were sung by Thatcher, including one entitled " The County Museum," which caused much amusement. This evening there will be an entire change of programme. Thatcher's pictorial entertainment, entitled " Life on the Goldfields" will be exhibited, and, judging from the manner in which the press elsewhere have spoken of it, a good night's amusement, combined with instruction, may be anticipated.

A meeting of the Jockey Club was held, last night, at Dyson's British Empire Hotel ; the Hon. J. A. Bonar in the chair. The subscription lists were handed in, which showed that a great deal of money , had been collected, and altogether the Club is in a firstrate financial position to meet the expenses of the forthcoming Spring Race Meeting. Tenders were ordered to be called for by advertisement for rolling the race course.

The news brought up by the Waipara regarding the diggings down south is so far satisfactory that the people located there seem in no hurry to leave. They are, no doubt, not getting much gold, but they appear to obtain sufficient to induce them to stop and prospect for more. At the Paringa, four colored men are bringing in a water-race

a distance of three miles, for the purpose of

working the beach. When this water is brought in, two of them will remain working on the beach, while the others go out prospecting. There are at the Haast River twenty single men and two families, Howard and Nelson's, and the whole of these who are working, and not loafing, say they are doing pretty well. They are, with very few exceptions, working on the terrace, and admit they would be able to make a good thißg of it had they water overhead. The water they use for washiug has to be pumped up out of a well, but could they obtain a race, the gi ound would be much more easily and profitably worked. Williamson and pr.rty, who are farthest south, have started into the interior with two months' provisions. Hitherto they have been working about the beach, in order to obtain the means of getting provisions for the above purpose. From what we have been enabled to ascertain, Williamson feels sanguine that he will yet strike good gold, the only difficulty to his prospecting the country for any length of time is, that he has to return to the beach in order to raise sufficient money to purchase provisions when the subsidised steamer goes down the coail ; but for that drawback, he is of opinion that lie would have been successful long ere this.

The now notorious Daniel Bourchier, who by reporting a find of gold that never had any existence, and by that means occasioned a vast amount of inconvenience, if not distress, to a number of miners, is now, we :i:e happy to say, safely lodged in the County Gaol ; not, however, for the offence above alluded to, though he richly deserved to be punished for it, but for having threatened to cut a man's ear off at the Kanieri while in a state of intoxication. Of course, a man being threatened in this manner would naturally go to the police for protection, as this man did, and the ruffian was locked up. It seem?, however, that next morning, when caning down the tramway, he again threatened the man. Yesterday, at the Resident Magistrate's Court, he was bound over to find sureties to keep the peace, and the man's character being so well known, Are think that scarcely anyone would be insane enough to become his surety ; in which case he is not likely to trouble the public for some time to come.

The energy and liberality of the inhabitants of the Old Wairnea township (Goldsborough), have enabled them to issue a first rate programme of two days' sports, to be held there on Mouday and Tuesday next. Over £'50 are to be given away as prizes for running, jumping, and wrestling, and the names of the stewards are a sufficient guarantee that the arrangements will be complete, and carried out with fairness. We feel assured that the whole affair will be a sue-

The adjourned amraal licensing meeting was to have been held yesterday, but the Justices could not be gathered. There being no quorum, Mr Fitzgerald stated that the licensing meeting lapsed, and therefore that, under the new Act, the County Chairman would have to determine all pending applications for licenses, reserved powers being given to him i'or that purpose. Subsequently Mr Fitzgerald stated from the Bench that he had been requested by the Comity Chairman to give notice that the pending applications would be heard and determined by the County Chairman in his office, at 11 a.m. this day (Thursday).