West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. SATURDAY, JANUARY 21.

West Coast Times, Issue 1657, 21 January 1871, Page 2

West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. SATURDAY, JANUARY 21.

Upon the County Council table, on Thursday evening, there was laid a batch of reports and returns, all of which are interesting as records of the past year's work, or as containing suggestions for the future, Some of these so exclusively relate to the subject of receipts and expenditure that they would not be easily or wisely transferred to newspaper columns, unless they were considerably reduced in the magnificence of their dimensions, or in the minuteness of their details. Others — such as the County Engineer's and County Surveyor's reports — are of so elaborate a character that they would require and deserve a chapter devoted to them exclusively, or to be published iv their entirety. Allied with the reports of the Wardens in the different districts, fhjjy form a very cpnaple^

compendium of all tho available information regarding the progress of mining in Westland during the year 1870, and as such they arc likely to be extensively quoted from in these columns at a faime time. For the present we purpose only elucidatiug from four or five purely departmental reports such particulars as are likely to prove interesting as indicating the mode of managing the different departments, and as illustrating in some degree the social condition of the County.

Beginning with the report of Inspector James upon his peculiar department — the Police — we learn that, during the past six months, there has been a slight increase in the numher of cases brought by the force before the different Magistrates' Courts throughout the County. The majority of cases composing this numher have been light offences, such as drunkenness and similar charges. Offences of a grave character are still on the decrease. With the exception of those which formed the subject of the recent trials before the Supreme Court, the number of serious crimes has been comparatively small. " Altogether," says Inspector James, " the County is as free from crime as any agricultural or pastoral district of equal population,'' and this, he reasonably ventures to think, may be attributed to the efficiency of the police force, and to the deterrent influence of keeping suspected persons under surveillauce. He moralises that, if this efficiency be impaired by any alteration in the system, a considerable increase of crime may be expected, recent events having most forcibly shown that all the elements which lead to the commission of grave offences are still abundant in Westland, A schedule attached to the report informs us that there arc in the County a total of thirty-one members of the force, more or less engaged on proper police duties, and of that number fourteen are stationed in Hokitika as officers, constables, orderlies, and wardens iv the Lower Gaol. Next iv natural order to the police report comes the report of Mr Cleary on the County gaol. Here we have social statistics of some interest. The total number of persons incarcerated duriug the half-year was 77, 18 of these being debtors, and 59 imprisoned for criminal charges of all kinds. Of the entire number, 20 were natives of England, 10 were natives of Scotland, 28 were natives of Ireland, and 19 were born in Foreign States, or in other British Colonies. It is somewhat peculiar that among the English and Scottish born prisoners there were only two women, while thirteen of the Irish born prisoners were women, and there were also seven women among the twelve prisoners born in other Colouies. It is noticeable, however, that in both instances the numbers were made up principally of summary convictions. Most suggestive of all are the figures which illustrate the often questioned aphorism that " a little learning is a dangerous thing." Not one of the 77 prisoners — not even a debtor — had had the advantage of what tho gaol authorities call a " superior education," but 49 could read and write, 14 could read only, and 14 could neither read nor write. Among the debtors, there were two who could read only, and two who knew nothing whatever of one or other of the three r's, leaving a total of 14 passably educated. Forty-eight charges of breaches of discipline, resulting in cautions, solitary confinement, or bread and water, were made during the year, the number of persons so treated being eighteen, includingone individual who had despised or defied discipline nine separate times. But, upon the whole, says Mr Cleary, the prisoners had behaved themselves during the past six months in a creditable manner. The periods and manner of employing the prisoners are stated to have been : — From July 1 to Aug. 18, in completing the Arahura road ; from August 18 to November 10, in erecting buildings and recreation grounds in connection with the Lunatic Asylum $ and from November 10 until the end of the year, on the continuation of Fitzher-bert-street to the Arahura road ; these works being, of course, exclusive of supplying the somewhat magnificent piles of firewood requisite for the use of the different Governmental departments. The concluding paragraphs of the report contain an interesting estimate of the value of the different i works done, and from which we gather that, according to this estimale, the value of the prison labor more than covers the whole cost of the Gaol and Lunatic Asylum, but the figures and the deductions therefrom deserve to be quoted inglobo at another time. Dr. Maunsell's report upon the Lunatic Asylum is unfortunately a report which, like too mauy of tho reports made by medical men upou Colonial Asylums, js not favorable to pur *ensp of flip r^ujremenfs of

thobo peculiar iustitutions. Briefly it may bo reduced to this, in all particulars except thoso which are more especially for the information of the County Council. During the six months past there have boon eighteen patients under treatment, five being men aud thirteen women. Three of the men were removed to the Asylum at the Graol, and three of the women were given, as the report phrases it, tf into the custody of their husbands.' As the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums had recently visited tho institution, if it may be po described, Dr. Maunpell deems it, unnecessary for him Jo comment on " the truly wretched accommodation afforded to the chief attendant and his family, and the innumerable difficulties that have to be contended with for want of proper accommodation and the most ordinary conveniences for the comfort and successful treatment of the unfortunate inmates.'' However, he indicates a few improvements upon the present building which, if effected, would render it a very comfortable asylum for all the female lunatics on the Coast. It is a painful feature of the tabular statement attached to the report that nearly all the females under restraint are young women; aged only, with one or two exceptions, from 03 to 30 years. Ten of them were married, and three were single. The cerebral disease of three of the number is attributed to longcontinued intemperance, of two to alcoholism, aud of one to prostitution. From the Chief Harbor-Master there are two reports — one upon the regular working of the department, and upon the very irregular workings of the Hokitika river, and the other upon the southern ports and goldfields, ns recently visited by Captain Turnbull in the s.s. Waipara. An absence of disasters to shipping', or of destruction \of life except in one instance, the causes of which havo been sufficiently determined, is the most satisfactory feature of the one report. As to the other, the principal facts to which it / relates have already, by the courtesy of the compiler, been made known through these columns, and it is now only necessary to quote his concluding comment, which is, that he would suggest that, if possible, regular communication should be maintained with the South, extending to that portion of Otago which has been to a certain extent settled, and which cannot be so well supplied as from ITokilika and Greymouth, or in connection with a local trade which deserves the fostering [ care of tho Council.

There was yesterday a sitting of the Supreme Court, in Banco. The first case was that of Emile Hall, appellant, v Dimant respondent. This was a notice calling upon theappellant to show cause why awritof capias ad saliajtcieiidiiiii, and all subsequent proceedings should not be set aside, upon the grounds stated in an affidavit duly filed. Mr Harvey moved the Court for the rule, and quoted authorities at considerable length. Mr South opposed the rule, replying to the cases cited, and referring to the powers of the Mining Drainage Board under the Mining Drainage Act. The argument was very lengthy and elaborate, but was not of any particn'ar interest to the general public. His Honor granted the rule, without costs. The other case was between A. "W. Guinness, appellant, and Drury, respondent. Mr Guinness appeared personally ; Mr Button represented the respondent. The appeal was from a decision given at the Magistrate's Court in Greymouth. Drury had bren in Mr Guinness's employment as clerk, and having sued Mr Guinness for amount of salary due to him. Mr Guinness pleaded that the plaintiff's misconduct disentitled him to receive any salary. The Magistrate, however, contented himself with deducting four weeks' salary, besides the current week. It was contended by Mr Guinness, who now appealed against the Magistrate's judgment, that either the whole of the salary due should have been deducted, or only the amount for the current week. On the other hand,°the respondent contended that nothing but the current week should be deducted, but he was content to let the judgment below stand. Judgment was reversed.

But little business was transacted at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. In the case Douglass v. Haines, a claim for 17?, a warrant was ordered to be issued for the apprehension of the defendant.

The telegraphic authorities notify that telegrams can now be forwarded from the office here to the Province of Taranaki — hy wire as far as Patea— and will be posted thence to their usual destination. In addition to the fees chargeable on such telegrams, the postage of twopence on each telegram must be prepaid in each case. The overland mail from Patea to New Plymouth closes at Patea every Wednesday and Saturday, at noon. Telegrams will be received at the office here up to 11.30 a.m., for despatch by the above mail. The Postmaster at New Plymouth has also been instructed to receive and forward telegrams by post to Patea, to be despatched thence to their usual destinations.

An extra practice of the Fire Brigade was held last evening. The engine, which had been disabled on Thursday eveuing, had beeu repaired, and worked very well. No dependence can be placed in it, howevir, and until the Brigade is furnished with a new one, the townspeople cannot calculate upon having adequate means at command to quench a fire should ouc break out.

Mrs Lachlan M'Gowau took her farewell benefit at the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre Iftfij; ereninfif, Tr,o ftftPrnjance ifiiy pjd,

particularly in the dress-circle. The first part consisted of illustrations of character by Mr and Mrs M'Gowan, and which caused much amusement. A miscellaneous interlude followcdjopcniug with aselection, exceedingly well played, by the band of the First Wesilaud Kiflds. A comic sbn'g iv character* " The Volunteer's Return," was rendered iv a most mirth-provoking manner by Mr Rice. The performance concluded with an extravaganza, entitled " The Illustrious Stranger," in which all concerned acquitted themselves well.

An inquest was held to-day by Dr. Garland on the body o£ Cornelius Chilian, who was killed by a piece of wood falling on him at the Greenstone. The body was brought down to the Montcznma Hold, and at the conclusion of the inquest was conveyed jo tlie cemetery, and there interred.

The Ross escort, in ciiarge of ScrgeanlMajor O'Donnell, arrived in town yesterday afternoon. It brought down 2025 ounces of gold far the Bank of New Zealand, and 1000 ounces for the Bank of New South Wales.

A newly established local cricket clvb — The Duke o£ Edinburgh — will play a match with the Hokitika Cricket Club to-day. The wickets will be pitched at one o'clock. The Borough Council met last evening,

All the members were present except Mr Boyle and Mr White. Numbers of letters which had been received were read by the Town Clerk. Mr Todd, Secretary to the Wesleyan Church Committee, complained of the noisome smell arising from the drain in Tancred-street. The subject was referred to the Public Works Committee. Mr Vernazani wrote on the subject of the removal of snags from the river, and his letter was received. Mr Dalrymple wrote, asking for the lease of the ground occupied by the Fire Brigade, and drawing attention to a debt of £100 by the Corporation to the Brigade. The lease, it was intimated* had been prepared. Mr Hawkins, as a member of the Corporation and as a ratepayer, understood that, when the Brigade gave up the land to the Borough Council, all necessary expenses were to be paid by the Corporation. lie formally moved that the costs should be paid. Mr Jack seconded the motion. Mr M'Farlane said that, not only was the lease to be made out, but, according to arrangements, it was to be handed over to the Brigade before the property was removed. The Town Clerk said there was a clear understanding that all expenses were to be paid by the Corporation. The motion was agreed to. A letter from Mr Gisborne, notifying the appointment of the Mayor, Mr Iliggius, as a Justice of the Peace, was read and recorded. There was also read a letter from Adam Blair, complaining of the prisoners being permitted to make a gravel pit under a road which had been formed by him and others. The Clerk stated that the payments since last meeting had beeu £145, and the receipts £129. Mr Hawkin's obtained leave to withdraw .i motion of which he had given noticCj and afterwards there was a conversation originated by Mr Clarke as to absence of fircbnckets somewhere, continued by Mr Tnit .is io tho eniptinrsq of oilier fire-buckets, as to pumps, and as to tanks. Tlip subject generally was referred to the Public Workf£ Committee, and a specific motion by Mr Jack that tho attention of the police should be called to the theft of water from the tanks intended exclusively for fire purposes, was adopted. There wan another motion adopted as to the expenditure of £-20 for the purpose of opening a chnnnel in the river alongside the wharf. It was moved by Mr Tait, seconded by Mr ToiluS and carried. Then the Council adjourned for a fortnight.