SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

West Coast Times, Issue 1329, 25 December 1869, Page 1 (Supplement)

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

The month Ims been by no means prolific of events in Hokifciksi, though in parts of the West Coast disasters have occurred of a, rather startling" character. At, Westport there have been two fires, the first a very serious one, involving a very heavy loss, and burning: down one of the largest blocks in that town. The first fiie destroyed all but two or three houses, and the last finished those. The loss is a very serious blow to the prosperity of the place, and will be the ruin of many. In Hokitika, we are glad, to say that' we have no such calamity to record, though very recently we had a very narrow escape, through a kerosene lamp falling, and the kerosene becoming ignited. Fortunately prompt and practical assistance was ut hand, and no harm beyond a good fright was done. jffFhe members of the Hospital Committee are most arduous in the attention they pay to their duties, and the affairs of this institution are very well conducted. Dr Maunsell, the new Sur-geon-Superintendent, has suggested many improvements, that have been carried out, and has also written an excellent report, recommending that the present Hospital be converted into a Lunatic Asylum, and that the new Hospital should be built on the Gaol Reserve. \i\e suggestion is a most sensible one ; and a deputation of the committee waited on the County Chairman to urge it. Mr Hoos, of course, could make no definite promise, but said that he would recommend the change at the next meeting of the County Council, in January next. Amongst other things, we may notice this month the splendid show of fruits and vegetables, grown in and within a very short distance of TTokitika this year. Strawberries of an . ounce in weight have been sold, and , may be said to be almost plentiful, Cherries, gooseberries, currants, am other fruits" have also been cultivated most successfully. In vegetables, vk r part of New Zealand could product ; finer samples. [ A duffer rush in the Kanieri dist.ric was got up by a man named Bouchier at the beginning of the month, but a j that, time lie escaped the well merited consequences of his conduefc. Tin ] other day, however, he was not so for 3 tunate, for having threatened to cut i man's ear off, and do other injury information was laid againsl him, an< f he was bound over to keep the peac for a certain time. This, it is pro 1 bable, will be equal to a term of impri sonment, as few would care to be hi •sureties. f Masonry floarishes to a degree i s Hokitika, there being two large an „. influential bodies located here — th s Pacific, E.C.. aud the Westland Kil j winning, S.C. On the 30th ult. th :s: s installation of the officers of the Kil v winning lodge took place, and the cere . t mony was very largely, attended. 0 j The election of rv Borough Council '.s. s lor, inithe room of C. E.Button, Bsq a 'j resulted th'o return of Mr John Tait b I* a large majority. There were thr< g_ candidates, Messrs Tait, Cross^ an it j Scott. The successful candidate ha „c offered himself twice before, and wt 5_5 _ deserted; but. his large majority on th j fc occasion is amply sufficient, to compel Q f sate for earlier failures. ■He has take 10 his seat, and, as far as can be at pV. u r sent judged, promises to be a rod as useful member. • n Cricket has' 1 been in the ascenda t0 during the past month, the reserve < a every Saturday being occupied ,1 ie v earnest disciples of the "noble game A match between the Greymouth ai

Hokitika clubs has been played, and resulted in. rather easy victory of the latter. .A supper was given to the visitors, every hospitality shown, arid .the utinosfcgood feeling and good temper d splayed on both sides. The return match will be played at Greymouth during the ensuing holidays. Though successful in cricket, Hokitika has not been able to add to its laurels on the rifle-ground. A match took place between the Greymouth and Hokitika champiens ; Volunteer W. Smith representing the former, and Sergeant Forsyth the latter place. Volunteer Smith won- by 12 points, the scores being— Smith, 58; Forsyth, 46. / Velocipedisra may be now said to be in Hokitika as elsewhere, for these vehicles are now running all over the streets, at night time particularly. The bicycle is the favorite fashion, and many of the riders have attained considerable skill. The Hokitika Benevolent Society held a public meeting early in the month, when a full statement of their receipts and expenditure was produced showing, that owing to their charitable exertions, they had incurred a debt of between £40 »nd'£so. Tn this difficulty they appealed to the public for assistance, and many promises of aid weru made. Last Easter, the Oddfellows' and Foresters' Lodges of this town got up a fete for charitable purposes, which resulted in between £300 and £400" being obtained nett, after all expenses were paid. The Committee at that time determined that it should be devoted to the establishment of an orphannge, but at the meeting, one 'of them who was present expressed his willingness that it should be given to, the Benevolent Society, as it was insufficient for immediate orphanage us-es, and a resolution, that the Joint Committees be asked to give it to the Society, was passed. This, however, the Oddfellows and ' Foresters subsequently declined to do, on the ground that they had no power to alter their original resolution. The Benevolent Society, nothing daunted, have 'arranged for a regular canvass for subscriptions, und^ have nlso enlisted a committee of ladies in the good cause, so there is little doubt of their speedily being in possession of funds. A prosecution has taken place under the Dangerous Goods Ace, amongst which is. included kerosene, the flashingpoint of which is lower than 110 Full. It was withdrawn, however, as the Borough Council were about providing a store for the reception of the in question. Of four samples tested, two were beyond the reach of tho Act, and two within, the flashing point of one sample being 98 Fah. .Tenders have since then boon accepted by the Corporation for the construction of a store, in which this class of .goods must be 1 placed. Bj r arrangements made last month j Hokitika and Christchuivh were to be , deprived of the bi-weekly mail service ' that ha-* been carried out successfully by Cobb and Co. for the last two years I — the time of transit being two days , each way. The new idea was to' make one service only, and to allow the con- ; tractor three days to bring over and I carry back the mails. As may very , well be uuagUied, when this was known 1 great dissatisfaction was felt, both here fc and in Chvistcßuich. A Postal C>>m- , mittee was organised heie, and the 1 Christchurch (Chamber of 'Commerce took it up onlthe other side of the I lange. The result of their joint action, c was torestorethe old service and time, c with the difference, that 'Dalwood and Co., instead of Ctybb and Co., are the _ contractors. \ >f The Prospecting Association, formed d a month or two ago, have held meetings '•- during the mouth, but nothing special n has been done. | Great dissatisfaction has been .felt nt j the extraordinary withholding of the 'I Education Grant from the Education ( Board, and a deputation' on i\m subject 0 has. waited on- the County Chairman, j ° who promised to pay up out of the j ;, first money. " • ' < r, The Kaiiieri Lake Water Race Comtit pany has, we regret to 1 s-'ay, collapsed, . ! d and is now in course of being wound ie up. '"" The new Westland P.ubliean's Act, a has come into force, and the first y» annual meeting under its provisions was ' d held on the 7th inst. The police rece ported on the condition of the various °~ licensed houses, and many of them '!" received anything but a flattering 118 character for cleanliness. All the applicants but four, however, were in granted their licen&es, and the meeting IC * was adjourned till the 22nd inst., to ; ae allow, those rcinsed an opportunity of ''" explaining away the objections raised, | ie and give them a clnince of renewing ''" their applications. On the adjourned c " day there was not a quorum of Magistrates, sind the meeting therefore lapsed. The cases undisposed of were dealt with subsequently by the County )V Chairman, ■cc ml In 'the amusement Avny we have had fid a company consisting of Thatcher, r a «. Small and others, and they have drawn i»is good houses. They stsiy over the •n- Christina, and will no doubt be largely :en patronised. Some Minstrels will play i : e r at the White House Theatre, and o'st other minor entertainments are being,, got up. Though the' large iiiit sums ' given' 'for ]>rizes.' ! ,in Christoii' maS sports are hardly likely by to be given this year, there will be a c.""fair amount thus disposed of. The md annual race meeting will be held next

week. The Jockey Club are possessed of ample funds, a large number of borses are expected, the course is in good condition, and there is every prospect of a most successful gathering.