West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. TUESDAY, JULY 12, 1870.

West Coast Times, Issue 1494, 12 July 1870, Page 2

West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. TUESDAY, JULY 12, 1870.

The SHbject of fraudulent weights and measures, and the adulteration of food generally, is one of the greatest interest to the community throughout the colony as a whole, but especially to those resident on the goldfields, where the same strict supervision cannot be exorcised as in large centres of population, and where so much of the food consumed must necessarily be imported. We are giad to see that the Assembly agrees in this opiuiou. On the 23rd ult., by the motion of Mr TYavers, a committed was appointed to investigat c and report. The resolution ran as follows: — "For the appointment of a Select Committee, consisting of Messrs Curtis, Taylor, Eolleston, Driver, Macffarlane, the Postmaster-General, and the mover, to consider and report upon the best means of preventing the sales of goods by fraudulent weights and measures, and of preventing the adulteration of food and liquors ; with power to call for persons and papers ; report to be brought up in a month." Iv this and other towns under the present measure, uo matter how energetic an officer may be, no Inspector can thoroughly keep in check such tradesmen as arc intentionally dishonest. At the same time* Mr Davis, who holds the office here, has most perseveringly endeavored to discharge jts duties fully, but tilt? law,

that should have assisted him to a much greater degree, has < on many occasions actually foiled him iv his efforts It is probable that under new legislation far greater powers will be given and the most rigorous justice in thia | respect insisted ou. Such difficulties ! being in the way where the law has provided for supervision, it is not surprising that adulterations of all kinds, over which there is at present no recognised check at all, are found in a great portion of what is generally consumed, whether of a solid or fluid character. In bringing forward the motion, Mr Travers particularly referred to bread as being a commodity that was seldom sold full weight, saying that in Wellington ho had known the so-called 41b. loaf to be sold seven ounces short, and he very properly pointed out the hardship and injustice that many families, whose staple food was bread, thereby sustained. With regard to the adulteration of food, as was properly shown, the colonists are to v great extent victims to English exporters or manufacturers. It is certain that to put an entire stop to the evil is almost impossible, but that it is quite easy to, at least, restrain it in a great degree. It was stated by Mr Travers that '* he knew as a matter of professional experience that the great bulk of the coffee at one time manufactured aud sold in the city of Wellington was compounded of a small quantity of coffee beans, a largo quantity of charred or roasted crusts, collected indiscriminately, and of split peas, wheat, and pepper. The matter was cuce indirectly the subject of investigation before the Resident Magistrate's Court, and it transpired that the reason giver, for the discharge of one of the workmen was that he had neglected to put the pepper iuto a certain batch of the coffee." He added that the manufacturer of this " coifee," bad gone to Auckland, where it was hoped his wares would bo approved of. But coffee is only one of a very long libt of articles of commerce, aud constaut consumption that are so effectually simulated, and we merely quote the above experience in order to show to what lengths adulteration can be carried. It seems that liquors of all kinds, spirits more particularly, are doctored to any extent. For many years past, every one is aware that Colonial alcohulic poisons of all kinds have been freely vended, and their fearful results have been too frequently manifested in every part of this and other colonies. There are now books published, giving instructions for the manufacture of spurious spirits of every iiavor, essential oils converting an alcoholic base into rum, gin, braudy, or whiskey, at discretion, whilst the wines and liqueurs are, if possible, composed of a greater, if not a more deleterious, number of ingredients. We have not space, neither would it be desirable to reproduce any of the various receipts for the production of different liquors, but may say that the grape is altogether ignored in the composition either of wine or brandy, whilst in whiskey, gin, and other like drinks, not a grain of any kind is necessary. The liquid poison that has thereby been swallowed, fully accounts for the lunacy and crime that have afflicted, and now afflict New Zealand. Since it is at present impossible to make men teetotallers by law, it is certainly necessary for the Legislature to prevent people from destroying themselves with chemical combinations containing such desperate danger. The stuff that is sold too frequently in low bars and country places, is villanous, and no measure can be too strict, no punishment too severe for those who sell such com" pounds do nothing more nor less than thereby scatter disease and madness broadcast through the land. The names on the committee sufficiently guarautee that the inquiry will be searching ; and wo hope the remedies proposed will be effective. We shall look with great interest to the report they bring up, and have every confidence that their labors will not be in

In the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, before G. G. FitzGerald, Esq., 11.M., Charles Moore, Thomas O'Brien, aud John M'Donnel, charged with drunkenness, were fined 10s each, aud Martin Delany, who had been disorderly as well as drunk, was fined 2 35. Goorye Kedzley, for permitting a foul chimney iv his house, was fined 10s and 6s 6d costs. Terry O'Donnough was charged, on information, with having used threatening language. This was a quarrel between mates working in the same claim in respect to the division of a parcel of gold, but as the evidence showed that strong language had been used on both sides, the case was dismissed. In the Civil case, Churches v. Ohborne, which had been adjourned for valuator's award, his Worship gave judgment for £21 Is, which included a claim for rent. The Court then adjourned.

We remind our readers that the public meeting convened by the Mayor, for the purpose of protesting against the financial nronowU of thp present Colapwl adminis-

tration will be held to-night, in the Town Hull. If the policy indicated is carried out it will be oiniplc ruin to the goldfields, and destruction to trade, whether in ports or inland towns. The very existence of the County is threatened, and it behoves every mau, whatever hib condition may be, to join in earnest denunciation of tho iniquity that is threatened. We have expressed ourselves so repeatedly # and fully on this subject, that it is uunecessary at present to add more. The matter is in the haudß of the people of Westland to deal with as they please. It is rather strange that Greymouth has, as yet, shown no sign. Possibly the Annexation League have hopes of gaining their cud, and hence their quiescence. If such is the case, they rely on a very rotten reed indeed. We do hope that a crowded and earnest meeting will be the result of this evening.

The County Council will meet to-morrow (Wednesday), for the purpose of considering the Estimates and Expenditure for the following half-year, and for despatching the balance of any business left unfinished during the recent sitting. The " House" will bo a very thin one, only six members remaining to do duty. Messrs Barff and Harrison are away in Wellington, and Mr Reeves has resigned. We suppose it is necessary to go through the form of filling the vacancy thus occasioned ; but at the same time it looks very like a farce. The nomination, as will be seen by advertisement in another column, takes place on the 20th inst., and the poll (if any) on the 27th. Now, as the business before the Council ought not, at the outside, to occupy more than a week or so, if a contest takes place, the probability is that the successful candidate wilj not have an opportunity of taking his seat at all. Even if the election is unopposed the new M.C.C. can only be iv time to grace the termination of the session, and be able to write those letters after his name for a month or two. In connection with the Estimates, we hear that a reduction iv police pay is to be proposed. Wo cannot vouch for the truth of the statement, nor for the amount ; but we believe that it will prove correct. If so, it is to be hoped that the reductions will not be of such a character us to cause great dissatisfaction, lor if so, it. would disorgauiso a force that is iv every respect, whether in discipline, efficiency, or respectability, n credit both to the County and the Colony .

The usual weekly meeting of the Hospital Committee of Management was held last night iv the Committee itooius, South Jievcll-street. There were present —Mr Harvey, Vice-President, in the chair, Messrs Cassius, Proctor, Tait, Preshaw, Kenny, FitzGerald, and Evans. The minutes of last mcetiug were read and confirmed. The Secretary rciul copies of letters sent tjiuce last mcetiug, ami reported that no correspondence had been received. In reference to the appointment of a dispenser in the room of Mr M'Cabc, resigned, the Chairman stated that Dr Maunsell, the Surgcou-Super-iuteudent, had suggested that Mr Murtagh, chief wardsinau and dresser, should be taken on trial as dispenser for a month, it being Dr Mauusell's opinion that Mr Murtagh would be capable of f ulfilliug the office. Should buch uu arrangement be found to act, a considerable saving to the fuuds of the institution would be effected, as with the assistance of a laborer Mr Murtagh would be able to tulfil the office of dispenser and his present one. After a discussion it was proposed by Mr FitzGerald and seconded by Mr Evaus — "That Mr Murtugh forward testimonials as to ability, and to state what experience he has had in dispensing, au-i where. Also, that Dr Maunsell be requested to reporton the matter.'' The resolution was carried. A conversation took place in reference to cases when Dr Maunsell might be called in to consult in his private capacity, and it was unanimously decided that any expression of opinion in cases of that nature was beyond the province of the cornaiittee. Mr Tait's motion, of which he had given notice, came on for dis cussiou, and, among other things, it was stated that several persons residing at the Kunieri had abused the charity by representing that they were in indigent circumstances when such was not the case, and by that means had got .advice and physic. It was said that three persons who had so acted were in such fair circumstances that they had been able to give refreshment trays at a soiive recently held at the above place; and> another had presenied a recommendation card whose husband was a shareholder in one of the best-paying claims in the district. After considerable discussion, Mr Tait moved and was seconded by Mr ii J reshaw, — " That the secretary be instructed to write to the different District Committees complaining of the indiscriminate manner in which tickets for advice and medicine were issued, and that they be directed not to give orders to any who were able to pay." Mr Benjamin, who had entered the room, stated that he had, some months ago, collected a sum in aid of the Waimea Hospital, and he then held a balance of £8 4s, which he was desirous to pay over to the committee. It was resolved — "The amount be received with thanks, an acknowledgement to be made in one of the newspapers." Mr Tait proposed, and was seconded by Mr Proctor— " That Messrs Harvey, FitzGerald, Evaus, Preshaw, and the mover, be a sub-coniuiittee to revise the rules, with a view to their being printed iv the amended form ; said sub-committee to report." The motion was carried. Mr Evans slated that he aud Mr Cassius had thought it advisable to telegraph for two more cows, as those last bought were running dry. The action taken by the above gentlemen was approved. The Secretary said the account for the quaitcr endiug J une, were ready for audit, and it was resolved that Mr Banks be appointed auditor. This closed the business and the meeting adjourned.

Yesterday, whilst the Lioness was coaling from the schooner Glengarry, the cook of the tug had occasion to go abhore, and whilst endeavoring to pass from the schooner to the wharf, missed his hold and fell overboardHe was at once rescued and brought out, experiencing nothing worse than a good ducking.

The following accident is reported iv the Ros.? Guardian of the sth instauc :—ln: — In this issue we have to record an escape from instant death. It appears that John Slattery, working on the terrace bide of Jones' Flat, rose at twelve o'clock on Sunday, or rather Monday morning, for the purpose of feeding his horju, secured, fur {he night iv the stable

attached to the claim, but :i short distance from the hut in which the unfortunate fellow

resides. On his way, in the dark, having no light to guide him, he mi&sed his safe walk and stepped into an old shaft, and was hurled down a distance of 80 feet, fortunately free from any height of water contained in it. The poor fellow was left there faint and bleeding, without a soul coming to his rescue. At about four o'clock in the morning one of the sufferer's mates, and brothers, woke and missed him out of his bed, and upon rising very soon found out what had happened when Hearing the shaft in question, and hearing the piteous groans of the suffering man. Assistance was now very speedily procured by fixing a windlass with rope, and a " haul-up " was at once accomplished. The poor fellow was then secured with all the necessary relief and comfort uutil his removal to the Hospital was decided on. From what we have since learnt of the accident, we find that the sufferer received no dangerous injuries, or such as to endanger life, though his confinement in the Hospital may extend over a few weeks, if from no other cause, the injuries to his knee-cap, and other slight hurts, would require such to be the case.

The Taieri fasting girl has been " interviewed " by the reporter of the Bruce Heruld who describes lier as lying motionless as a corpse with eyes and mouth closed, the only indication of life he could detect being a slight expansion and contraction of the nostrils. Drs Inglis and Brearly have seen her, but say they can do nothing. It is desired that some of the faculty in Dunedin should make a visit for the purpose of examining the case, and doing what is possible to be done for the sufferer.

The Robart Town Mercury publishes a letter from Dr Gunther, a piscatorial authority in England, in which the following passage occurs : — I take this opportunity to direct your attention to two fish, which, indigenous m the Tasmanian seas, may become a source of some value to the colony. There is no doubt that the common Mediterranean anchovy, and a fish very like the sardine, are found on your coasts. And I understand the import of sardimsanu anchovies into Australia is very considerable. At present they arc all imported from Europe.

An exploring expedition is about to start, if it has not already started, from Perth, in Western Australia, under the leadership of Mr Forrest, with a view to ascertain the nature and capabilities of the country lying between the buttled portions of that colony in the M>uth and its eastern boundary at Port Eucla, on the Great Australian Bight. The expedition will proceed, iv the first instaucc, to Espurance Bay, where a coaster will be in waiting with supplies. Thence it will proceed along the coast for about 1 20 niiles to Israelite Bab, the nearest known anchorage westward of Eucla. Having recruited there, the expedition is to commence its explorations eastward a distauce of 300 miles, adopting a route as far from the coast as circumstances and the nature of the country will admit. When the party reaches Eucla, the remaining stores and provisions are to be landed, and the coaster sent hack to Freemantle. Thence t' c country is to be explored to the northward; and when this has been accomplished, the expedition will proceed overland to Port Lincoln, and so to Adelaide.

A writer in the Australasian thus speaks of Bishop Selwyn : — This great change was entirely due to the quality of the men engaged in the missionary enterprise. Bishop Selwyn embodied their best characteristics. A cultivated gentleman, he had the personal qualities to command the respect of the savage while undertaking to teach him. He could swim rivers, traverse the tangled forests, go without food, and stand hardship with the wildest son of the wilderness. He was high-souled and natural, and they believed in him. He could cast his mind into theirs, and talk to them like a man, with no nr.mby pauaby cant or snuffie. In a word, he gave them Christianity in a masculine and attractive shape, and did not make it ridiculous or disgusting ; so good fruit followed.

The Evening Post says that Messrs Bentham and Gell, Wellington, have jointly designed and made a machine capable of crushing one hundredweight of quartz an hour; it can be worked eithei by hand or by steam or waterpower. It hai two stampers of one hundredweight each, which rise and fall alternately by two double cams (a mechanical contrivance used in all stamp crushers). The rise of the stampers is ten inches, and they will full about eighty times per minute. The table are said to be on an improved principle. The castings for the box are the work of Mr Seager. The cost of the whole machine is about £35. It is intended to make two more of a like description, and to procure a threehorse power steam engine.

We take the following, which appealed as a telegram, from the Cross; — Invercargill, July 3, 10.24 a.m. — The schooner Daphne was brought back to this port by two men and a boy, on Friday, from the Auckland Isles, having left Carnley Harbor on the 2nd of June. The acting master, James Cousins' reports that on the 12th of May Captain Wallace and David Ashworth, part owners of the vessel (the last named being a. survivor from the Genera) Grant), with a, crew of four — viz., Frank Loinstcr, James Cossar (diver), Joseph Mojs, and James Bailey, left in a wbaleboat, with the intention of proceeding round the island to the scene of the General Grant wreck, taking with them provisions and diving appliances. Their supposed object was the recovery of gold. After waiting five weeks, the two men and boy left in charge of the Daphne resolved to sail for this port. Cousins, who was rated on the articles as cook, happened to be a certificated master. During the nine days" passage up they had heavy weather, and were repeatedly hove-to. The boy could not steer, and the men had to relieve each other at intervals of two hours. No memorandum was left on the island, so assuming the possibility of the boat being stove in on lauding on an outlying Island, and the crew having reached shore, the Blanche would have no information to stimulate search in that direction.

A correspondent sends the following from Wungarci, as an instance of the aapid advance in civilisation made by the Maoris in that district :— " A few weeks ago one of our young rangatiras paid a visit to Auckland, when he made the acquaintance of a young woman of the same raco. Report Hays the pail' managed to get rid of tue better Mi of

a hundred pounds during his short visit. It appears that he became so enamoured of her as to induce her to accompany him home to this neighborhood. He Beems disposed to surround her with similar comforts and conveniences of a domestic kind to what it may be supposed she had enjoyed in town. He therefore made another trip to Auckland from whence he arrived the other day with furniture sufficient for a bouse of several apartments. A day or two after the arrival of the goods, they came down to the wharf for the purpose of taking their furniture home. While it was being packed the lady quite suddenly bee: me rather obstreperous, and began pummelling her partner, striking him repentedly on the face with her closed fist. To this he submitted with the most exemplary patience, never once attempting to retaliate or even to remonstrate against such extraordinary treatment. Not content with venting her fury in this quarter, she then seized a chair, and dashed it repeatedly on the ground, shivering it into a score of pieces. The friends of the rangatira stood quietly looking on while tin's episode was taking place, and never attempted to interfere between them, one of them simply remarking, ' Too much the waipirau.' It would thus appear that Maoris are, like European*, quite alive to the dauger of meddling with domestic quarrels. Captain Cook, and mobt voyagers who narrate their experience of the habits of uncivilised races, iuvariable represent the women as slaves to the men, but the above would indicate that the tables are now being turned."

We extract the following from the ThamesAdvertiser :— Sensation has followed sensation at the Theatre IJoyal lately with wonderful rapidity, but the climax was attained ou Saturday night. The company had no in. tention of opening the theatre in opposition to the order of the bailiff in possesiou, and, there being no other place of entertainment for the people, this was felt us a serious inconvenience to the miners who had come from the hills fur their usual Saturday night's enjoyment. All the pit, stalls, aud gallery doors were equally rushed after an entrance had once been effected. The bailiffs struggled manfully for some time at the various entrances. Two panels of the main entrance to the pit were first broken open, and several persons attempted to crawl through, but the biliif in charge succeeded in keeping these persons back with the aid of a stout cudgel. Whilst these doors were being strictly guarded, however, an entrance to the pit through foldingdoors opening into the front bar was quietly burst open, aud no sooner bad the bailiffs deserted their posts in the vain hope of keeping back the overwhelming crowd, who anon rushed in at the open door, than every entrance was simultaneously forced open, and the place was filled iv a few minutes. No sooner were the audience comfortably seated than, of course, they wished to have a performance of some description. A few men amongst themselves thereupon volunteered to collect funds ; hats were sent round, and a liberal subscription realised. Prior to this, however, Mr Ilerberte reminded the audieuce that the members of the company had nothing to 'do with the forcible opening of the house, but that as they were inside the company would give them a gratuitous performance. Accordingly, •' The Child Stealer" was produced with a very successful cast, and the enthusiasm throughout was immense. The bailiffs in the meantime had discovered the utter uselessness of struggling against their fate, and calmly sat down in the consciousness of having done their duty. There could not have been less than 1000 persons present, not half of whom paid anything for their night's amusement.

One of the chief storekeepers at the Chinese Camp, Lawrence, died last week in the Hospital there, and being generally respected the funeral was a respectable one. many of the citizens following the procession. A good many went to see the Chinese ceremony at funerals. It was this wise : — From the moment that the body left the Hospital in the usual vehicle, one of the deceased's nearest relatives, who occupied a seat beside the driver, commenced throwing on the road small square pieces of paper, an I continued doing so until arrival at the grave. Host of the Chinamen wore a .strip of white gauze on their hats. When the coffin was placed over the grave the attendants brought on a large tray a roasted pig (might weigh about 80 lb), and some boiled pork and fowl, cakes, cigars, and apples. All the white bands which were worn round their hats were gathered together at the foot, of the grave, and set fire lo ; various curiously painted candles were also lighted. Whilst these were burning, a few of the Chinese standing erect at the foot of the grave, placed both palms together, raised their hands aloft, and made three salaani9. The apples were handed round as also the biscuits. They filled with wine and brandy some little cups, and then spilt the whole on the ground ; this was done three times, and during all thiß time brandy, gin, ay.d old torn were served around ad libitum. There was a sprinkling of the fair sex in attendance. When passing through the gate on the way home, there was a Chinaman standing, and gave to each one a small packet neatly wrapped up in coarse paper. Upon being opened it was found to contain Is. This was given to all and sundry, old and young, male and female. As is usual when a blow out is expected there were a few of those who made the most of the occasion, aud as there were several parties doling out they reaped a. harvest, for in every part they made their appearance.