TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1875.

West Coast Times, Issue 2987, 4 May 1875, Page 2

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1875.

If is evidently necessary to explain that, in permitting the use of these columns for the purpose of discussing the published utterances of people who addressed Bishop Redwood on the occasion of bis recent visit to the West Coast, the intention was not to encourage disputation as to anyone's faith or belief relating to what is called religion. We have received several letters which go so far from the subject that they must go into "the waste-basket." The subject is the presumed assumption, by the Pope of Borne, of temporal power — not particularly in Italy, but throughout the world at large. That question is the question of the day, and it is a question in which every subject of the British Drown — to say nothingof Mahomedans, Mormons, or« the members of other communities — may fairly take an interest, and which they may debate till the truth is eliminated. The discussion of the question at this end of the earth may not trouble the Pope or the Powers that are opposed to him.; it may even seem contemptible to some as compared with sucji subjects as wharves, and street lamps, and drains ; but it interests people living and posterity; and even in Hokitika there can be no harm, while there may be good, in having discussed, discreetly and in good spirit, a question affecting civil allegiance and liberty. We recommend correspondents to deal with the subject in the spirit in which it deserves to be dealt with, and to do as it is commonly phrased — "nothing extenuate, or set down aught in malice." By adopting that course, correspondents may contribute much to tke public intelligence on a large public question ; otherwise they get into a region of thought which is not usually represented in the columns of a newspaper.

The Visiting Justices, Messrs FitzGerald, Bonar, and Tabart, paid a visit to the Hokitika gaol last week, when it was decided that the hard-labor prisoners should have a small weekly allowance of tobacco. In the new gaol regulations there is provision made for the supply of tobacco to prisoners under such restrictions as may be stated by the Visiting Justices, and the Justices considered that there were several good reasons for making the allowance in this instance. One reason was that prisoners have frequently been charged with breaches of prison discipline by having tobacco illegally in their possession* and the legalising of their possession of " the weed " affords opportunity for the imposition of punishment for petty offenoes. Though it is peculiar, it is the fact that many prisoners care very little for the punishment of solitary confinement, even if it is allied with a diet of bread and water, but they feel keenly the stoppage of the supply of such an impure luxury as tobacco. There is always a difficulty in discovering means of punishing prisoners for minor breaches of the prison regulations, and the resolution of the Justices has been based upon the belief that the deprivation of a man's " baccy " will to some extent meet this difficulty. It is sincerely to be hoped that their belief is right, and that the judicious distribution of a few ourices of tobacco will have the effect of contributing to the good order which it is desirable, and often difficult, to preserve among those who are deprived of their liberty and the exercise of those privileges which free men possess by having leave io indulge in an occasional pipe.

There was a promise from Dr. Pollen, the fchiei 1 of the Colonial Executive, that he would visit Westland during the rfeoess, if possible. He is now in Chrisfcchurch, accompanying the Governor,, and the Superintendent took advantage of the opportunity to invite Dr. Pollen to come to the Coast, add to inquire as to the intentions of the Governor. In his reply Dr. Pollen thanks the Superintendent for his " kind invitation." but fears that he is not likely to have the pleasure of visiting Westland ai present. The Governor, he states, leaves for Dunedin to-day, proceeding overland, and he (Dr. Pollen) accompanies him. He promises to give the earliest intimation of the date of the visit of the Governor, who at present purposes returning to Chris tchurch in November, when he will probably also visit Westland.

• The total receipts by the Corporation for the half year ending the 30th April last amount to £2250 6s 6d, the amount for the corresponding half year ending in April 1874, being £2130. The wharf revenue was £30 less than it was during the corresponding half year in 1874.

A public meeting was held at the Road Board office, Ross, on Friday evening, for the purpose of devising means for the development of the rich Koh-i-noor claim at Redman's. Mr Monteith, who was voted to tho chair, laid before the meeting a prospectus for forming a Limited Liability Company to work the claim, the capital proposed being £4000, in 800 shares of £5 each, ten shillings to be paid on allotment, and the calls not to exceed ten shillings per share monthly. It was proposed that 300 should represent the purchase money of the 'claim and plant. Provisional directors were nominated for Hokitika and Ross, and banker, solicitor, secretary, and treasurer appointed. The yield of gold from this claim during the past three months, with the most primitive appliances, has exceeded in value £1000, or upwards of £10 per man weekly. There seems little doubt of the ultimate success of any company undertaking to work this undeniably rich claim. The Hospital Committee met at eight o'clock last evening; present, Messrs Pline (chairman), Paterson, Hudson, Tait, Eowler, Walker, and Reid. Letters were read and received Irom the Secretaries of the Greenstone and of the Blue Spur Committees, forwarding the names of the new members. The report of the Surgeon-Superintendent was read and adopted. Mr Fowler Bti ted that being unable to get a quorum of the House Committee together, be had, with Mr Walker, visited the Hospital, and found everything satisfactory. Iv reply to enquiries the Treasurer said the only money received from the Treasury was the December subsidy. Nothing had yet been received for the months of January, February, or March, and he did not think there was much prospect of getting any more until next month. He hoped, however, that the salaries to the, en,d of March would be paid next day. Mr Walker thought it highly necessary for the credit of the institution that contractors

and tradesmen should also be paid at once.

He therefore moved, " That the President and Treasurer be authorised to arrange with

the Bank for an overdraft of £600 or £700." Mr Paterson seconded the proposition, which was carried. After some further discussion respecting the best means to adopt to raise funds for the Hospital, the Committee adjourned.

The third competition for the Volunteer silver cup took place yesterday at the rifle butts. The conditions were 5 shots each at 200, 400, 500, and 600 yards. The following are the scores, from which it will be seen that Corporal M'Levie was the winner: — MLevie, 3 points, 60; Michel, 3 points, 58; Ross, scratch, 56; Paul, 15 points, 55; Stonebridge, scratch, 52; Hughes, 15 points, 49; Learmonth, 3 points, 48; Peake, 16 points, 47; Linstrom, 10 points, 46. Volunteers Kcclcsfield and Michel an -I Corporal M'Levie have each scored a wiu. The cup must be won three times to become the property of the holder.

An inquest was held at the Sea View Asylum yesterday by the coroner, on the body of a patient named John Miller, who died on Sunday evening. The decease.l, who was suffering from suicidal insanity, was admitted to the Hospital on the Bth Qctobpr, 1872. He was taken suddenly ill on Sunday evening, being seised with a fit of coughing, shortly after which he died. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony, to the effect that John Miller, a lunatic, died suddenly on the second day ot May, 1875, in the Hokitika Lunatic Asylum, from heart disease.

The preliminaries for a mile race between young Delaney and Hearn are now being arranged. The event will probably come off on Saturday next, on the race-course.

Many persons wiU regret to hear of the death, by his own hand, of Mr Lansique, French consul at Dunedin. Mr Jynnsique was a genial gentlemen, possessing many estimable qualities, and he had many friends who will mourn his untimely end.

The amateur concert for the benefit of Mrs Ralfe will take place at the Town Hall this evening. The programme, which appears in another column, is a most attractive one, and Bhould draw a crowded house.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mesßrs Todd and Reid, J .P.'s., Emma Limming was charged with the larceny of a purse containing two pounds and some letters, the property of Henry Farmer a miner. The complainant stated that at a 1 late hour on Saturday night he was accosted by the prisoner, and entered her house, where he had some drinks. He then had his puree. Shortly after, he missed his purse and asked defendant for it, who first stated thajb she would give it to him, but subsequently dented having it. The evidence of Bart Dowell was taken, but only went to show that the prisoner had moqey on Sunday morning between the hours of eight and nine o'clock when she ualled at his hotel, likewise did Detective Browse prove that he found some silver in the house of the prisoner amounting to about a pound. The Bench did not think the uncorroborated evidence of the prosecutor, which was far from explicit as to the alleged circumstances of the larceny, he himself having been partly drunk on the occasion, was sufficient in itsejlf to warrant a conviction, and the case was accordingly dismissed.

The outwards San Francisco majil will leave by the Wallace on Saturday evening next. The outward mail via Suez, for specially addressed letters only per Otago, will close to-morrow at 5 p.m.

There will be a sittinga of the Waste Lands Board at noon to-day.

i There saems to have been severe, wintry weather all over the Colony within the past few days. It has been felt in Hokitika, and its generaj prevalence has been indicated by a heavy snow.-fall on the hills which the inhabitants have a daijy opportunity of inspecting when they have nothing better to do — which is rather a daily occurrence. The latent information from the centre of the meteorological department at Wellington is that « there Beems to be bad weather to the westward." In Wellington they haye had southerly winds since Saturday; blowing hard at times, and it ia stated that the barornetef had not risen, though the wind waß from S.S.W. Jt has been the same here.

The new pound at the junction of Saje, Hampden, and Haast streets is finished, and the work was certified to yesterday by the Borough authorities. '

The Grey River Argus is informed that an enterprising firm in Greymouth have communicated with the Melbourne agents of the Diamond Boring jOompany with the view of purchasing one of the hew borers. At the conclusion of Hie business in the District Court at Greymouth on Saturday, Mr Perkins, on behalf ol the members of the Greymouth bar, thanked his Honor for the steps he had taken to procure a law library, and properly furnished barristers' room, in connection with the Court House. His Honor has written to the Minister of JUsiiee representing, tho urgent need that exists in Greymouth for these necessary adjuncts to a Court of Justice.

The subject to which we referred prominently yesterday — the temporary removal of Mr Revell to Nelßon Province — is thus remarked upon by the Grey River Argus: — " How is it that whilst the General Government have persistently refused to pay any portion of the salary of the Resident Magistrate at Greymouth, although all the fees from his Court are Colonial revenue, the Minister of Justice has thought fit to order Mr Revell to take temporarily the duties of the Resident Magistrate of the Nelson portion of the Grey Valley ? We are not aware that any official provision has been made to supply Mr Revell's place here while he is doing duty for Mr Broad at Rcefton and other places; probably this has not been thought of, and the business is leit to the local Justices. We have no fault to find with the arrangement, and we mention ie as showing the necessity of placing all stipen diary magistrates directly under the General Government. In this case, Westland ia paying for the public service of Nelson."

A sitting of the District Court was held at Greymouth by Ids Honor Judge Weston on Saturday. There were only a few bankruptcy cases. In the adjourned cases of T. Joyce and A. R. Guinness to rank on the estate of Taylor and Raphael, his Honor said he had not had time took up authorities, but would give judgment on the 12th June. Mr Perkins applied for the final discharge of Mary Theodosia Holmes. This was opposed by Mr Coates, a creditor for £21, on the ground that the bankrupt had obtained goods from him in order to start business at the Coalpits, on the representation that she owed no money, and would pay in a month. The next he heard of her was seeing her notice iv the Gazette. The evidence of the bankrupt and Mr Coates on this point was very contradictory. It appeared that the bankrupt had been previously in business at No Town, aud was hopelessly insolvent wben she commenced bnsiness at the Coalpits. The Judge said as a matter of principle he did uot think this person was entitled to her discharge. No one in debt should obtain goods to commence business afresh, without disclosiug their true position. In this case Coates's goods were sold off to pay a previous debt. He was sorry to have to suspend the discharge of a woman, but still he mubt do his duty, and the certificate would be suspended for six months. He did not believe there was any fraud intended, it " was only a weakness of her sex."

The following sketch of the peripatetic Provincial Secretary of Nelson is drawn, and drawn with much skill, by a writer in the Greymouth Star :—": — " He's what I call a goer," said Brown : " his staying powers are not first-class, but he is a flyer and no mistake." " Who ? " I interrogated. "E. J. O'Conor," was the ready response : " I saw him five minutes ago." "Nonsense!" I interjected. " Well," rejoined my friend, " I saw a pair of long legs surmounted by a rusty velvet coat, a neck muffled in a worsted comforter, a long nose, and on top of all a widera-wake, hat, the combination, mounted on a horse, travelling like thunder; and if that aint a photograph of the Provincial Secretary of Nelson I'm a Dutchman." Of course as Brown's nationality is indisputable the oath was sufficient, and subsequent reports proved Brown was correct. The great Eugene is doing the Grey Vailey; for what, heaven only knows. Unless it is that his travelling expenses are paid by a grateful people there is no earthly reason for his perigrinations. The last heard of the wanderer " the shades of night were falling fast," when a German resident near the Auiuri Saddle heard the sound of a gallopiug horse, aud looking from the door saw a tall figure approaching through the twilight gloom. The pious settler, imbued with the legendary lore of his native land, muttered " Gott in Himmel, der wilde jager !" and immediately closed the door. Nothing has since been heard of the great O'C, who was then striking a course due east. But no fears arc entertained for his safety, as his ability to take care of himself is well known.