West Coast Times. MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1877.

West Coast Times, Issue 2557, 11 June 1877, Page 2

West Coast Times. MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1877.

We presume that Mr Barff will shortly redeem his promise to address bis constituents. As so long a period has elapsed sinoo the last session closed, it will hardly be necessary for Mr Barff to recapitulate the political events which thea occurred, and the part he took in them. Had he thought fie to h,ave addressed bis constituents at au earlier dale, no doubt, it would have been interesting to them to havo learned, .the motives which actuated him in the course he pursued. Soon, no doubt, Mr Barff will explain his views on the present political situation, and indicate the position he intends to take up. Parliament has been summoned to meet on the 19 tli July next, so that there is Qot much time to lose. We are not aware that the other member for the Hokitika district, Mr Button, intends to. favor his constituents with a political discourse before he leaves for Wellington. We trust he may. On one subject we are curious to bear the views of these two gentlemen. It is a matter of fact that hitherto they have been in accord ou the question of honorarium or payment of members. They hold the opinion that our legislators should not; only be paid for the actual outlay caused by their journeys to and from Wellington, but also a bonus for the time occupied in serving the people. So much at least must be deducled from the vote they gave when the question was discussed. Prom this opinion we entirely dissent. Indeed, we think, it would be far better for the country if members of Parliament were paid nothing at all. And it would be satisfactory to a large number of electors to learn that our members had either changed or considerably modified their views on this importaufc subject. A lesson has been taught by the result of payment of members in Victoria, which must have its effect, sooner or latter, in this Colony. It may be that Messrs Barff and Button have taken ifc to heart.

There will be a meeting of the County Cqancil at two p.m. to-morrow. The Pelican's cargo will be sold on the wharf alongside the vessel to-day by Mr Todd, commencing at 11 o'clock. Tenders are invited by tbe District Engineer for the construction of section No. 4, Bowen and Okarito Road, north end, to be sent in to the Public Works Office, Hokitika, on or before Monday, 25tb' inst. Plans and specifications may be seen at the office Hokitika, or at the Court-house, Ross. Parties intending to take a lease of sections held by them in tbe township of Kumara> must give one month's notice to the Board to that effect, with terms of lease required. Where sub-tenants occupy portions of sections, their names must be given in at the same time. 3?ull particulars can be obtained from the secretary, Mr E. T. Robinson. The Lydia Howard Troupe will make their first appearance at tbe Duke of Edinburgh Theatre on Thursday night. The company has been performing at Greymouth and Kumara last week, and have been spoken of in high terms by those who have paid them a visit. By a correspondent's letter from Gillespies Beach, we learn that mining affairs in that locality progress in the same steady way that they have been doing for months past. A I wheel and pump have been erected by a party on the southern boundary of Wheelan's claim, and it is reported that they obtained exceedingly good prospects out of their paddock previous to erecting their pumping gear. ■ They were unable to bottom, however, on account of the water, but expect shortly to do so. In a few days, there will be three water wheels pumping water on the deep lead. The Mayor of Greymouth intends attending the Conference at Wellington to di3cuss the question of Hospital subsidies and grants to charitable institutions. Out of £626 333 lid, six months subsidy for Greymouth, £541 11s dd was deducted by the General Government for tbe district hospital, leaving only £85 2s 7d for the borough. At the District Court, at Greymouth, oh Eriday last, James Watson pleaded guilty to violently assaulting his mate George Williams, on the Ist inst., by biting his nose off. He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, in the Hokitika Gaol, with hard labor. His Honor Judge Weston iv passing sentence said "he had carefully read the depositions, and they clearly proved as nasty and abominable a case as he could imagine. Four men living together obtained a quantity of liquor, and having drunk it,, proceeded to conduct themselves rather like wild beasts than like human beings. In the quarrel which followed, he (the prisoner) took the initiative, and not content with using his fists, tore down the pole of the tent, and proceeded to belabor Williams, his unfortunate victim, over the l head with it. He then, Williams being i prone on the ground, fell upon him, and like a wild beast, bit his nose. Tbe circumstances | of the case were such as, taken by themselves, '. almost -prohibited the idea of mitigation of sentence ; and but for the evidence as to previous good character — more particularly that of Sergeant Moller, whom he knew to be a careful and most trustworthy officer — he would have inflicted the full penalty. Tbe sentence was not 60 much to avenge the injury inflicted upon Williams as to vindicate the law, and to protect the public from men like Iprisoner, who, when drunk, acted not like human bcinga, but reduced themselves below the ievel of wild beasts."

The correspondence from the General Government to the County Council relating to taking over the water^races iv the County, wa.s pent on from Wellington per the s.s. farajua, which vessel was not tendered, owing to. unavoidable circumstances, on her arrival at this port. The mailß for Hokitika, therefore, were taken on to Melbourne. In the meantime tbe County Chairman, finding wb,at had occurred, telegraphed to Welling* ton for duplicate copies of the correspondence, and a reply to this message was received ou Saturday, stating tLa copies of the letters were at once posted. They may arrive, therefore, in time to be dealt with by tbe Council at its meeting to-morrow. On Eriday evening a large number of gentlemen assembled at the Cafe de Paris Hotel, for the purpose of bidding farewell tq one of the earliest and most respected residents of Hokitika, Ben.- Osborne. The large dining-room of the hotel was crowded, the Hon. James A. Bonar occupying the chair, and Mr John Luzar the vice-chair. The Chairman, afcer proposing the usual loyal toasts, and the health qf the army* navy, and volunteers, invited the company tq arink tlie health of their departing friend? Mr Ben. Osborne. In au excellent speech, the Chairman alluded to the tnauy good qualities of Mr Osborne, especially his unvarying kindness and geniality of temperament. He also recalled to tho memqry of many of those present the pleasant hours which had been spent by them in the Empire Hotel, in the early days of Hokitika., when Ben. Osborne was the presiding genius. He then presented Mr Osborne, as a slight mark of the esteem and respect in which he was held by his qld friendls, with a purse con-! t&jning 90 sovereigns, and concluded by asking the company to quaff a full bumper to the health and prosperity of Ben. Osborne, Mrs Osborne, and family. The toast, it is almost needless to say, was drunk with enthusiasm, and accompanied with musical honors. Mr Osborne briefly and happily replied. The subsequent, toasts- were the health of the Chairman, proposed by tbo Vice-Chairman, -and of the Vice-Chainntvn by Mr Tabart. The whole proceedings were characterized by the prevalence of a strong and genuine feeling of friendship to Ben* Osborne, whose departure from among us for Nelson we :irc sure everyone will regret, for it i 3 not too much io say that ho has the wcil wishes of every resident in the district. A correspondent writing U3 from Jackson's Bay, laments the want of loyalty at Ihe Settlement on. the occasion of thu Governor's visit to that quarter. The writer suys? " surely the country is not so poor as to have prevented us offering some refreshment to His Excollenny when ashore. It served our " upper ten " jolly right when the dinnerbell was rung on the Hinemoa t';p,t none of them were invited to break the fast of the day with His Excellency, or v\ re afforded the opportunity of driuking aU health as his own table. There was surety sufficient small shot left in the locker which has discharged twenty thousand, to say " Normanby, old boy your very good health." The Literary Institute at iiumara isf credit to the place. A comfortable room has been laid out and furpighed as a veading room and a library in to be fitted up in a room te the rear. The librarian, for Ms services, is i to be allowed to keep a stationery shop in | front. The situation is central, the table well supplied with newspapers and periodicals from all parts, and the committee are to be commended in their useful work, which we doubt not will be appreciated by an in" creasing list of members. An amateur dramatic performance takes place in aid of the rands of this new Society, on Monday eveqjpg next, at the Theatre Royal, Kumara, where the comic drama of v All thnt glitters is not Gold," nnd the farce of "The Artful Dodger," are to be enacted. From our knowledge of the ama'.eurs who are to take part and the zeal of the committee in furthering the object in hand, we feel certain that a good entertainent will be presented and the funds of fhe Institute will be considerably enhanced. There are already about fifty hotels opened at Kumara, and several others are in course of completion. The Licensing Officer is troubled abont t'jf 1 question of licensing any more houses. He holds the opinion strongly, with many others, that there are too many licensed houseß in the township already, yet he. feels. that it would be an injustice to refuse one or two new applications, where the accommodation is Bhown to be good and the character of the applicant unquestionable, though the house may have taken several months longer tban others to complete. Notwithstanding the number of houses already licensed, sly-grog selling is far fiom abated, and though the police are on the watch for culprits in this line, they manage to know their customers and serve or refuse to serve as their judgment directs. Mr Dale .has given notice of motion as follows, to be considered by the County Council to-morrow: — "That the Chairman be requested to communicate with the Minister of Publis Works respectfully requesting the Government to place votes qn the Estimates for the purpose of erecting bridges over the Teremakau rive^, on tbe main road to Greymouth, and one over tho Hokilika river, on the Hokitika and Ross road; the Council being of opinion that the expense of both of these works should be defrayed by the General Government, and an urgent necessity existing for each of them." Tbe drapers, clothiers, and boot and shoe importers resident at Kumara have notified that it is their intention to close their establishments from this day forth at eight o'clock, Saturdays excepted. Tbe five banking institutions in Kumara are so accommodating to their constituents or so desirous to purchase gold, that they keep their establishments open until ten o'clock each night, with the exception of Saturday night, when they are frequently open an hour or tyro later. The miners in this respect have no cause o£ complaint of a want of ' : banking accommodation." Two applications for quartz mining areas up Donnelly's Creek were lodged at the Ross Police Camp on Thursday last. Mr James Byrne applied for a quartz mining lease of 400 by 100 yards on the Left-hand Branch of Donnelly's Creek, and adjoining Donnelly' Creek Quartz Mining Company's lease. The name chosen is the Hopeful Golcl Miuitg Company^ with a capital of £20,000, and operations are to be commenced as soon as tho

lease is granted. Another application has | been lodged by Mr Cauiillo Malfroy, qn hehalf of th.c Tqlara Quart? Mining GGmpa.ny, with a capjtal of £12,00Q, for q. similar area adjoining the same lease, and if (says the Ross Guardian), whioh is more th.iv probable, both applications are for the same ground, litiga-: tion is lively to ensue. The Rosa and Ilokitika road is said to be iv a disgraceful state. In oQnsequence of thp price of bread in Ross having been recently raiseel to Is 3d, the < Guardian says that there is every probability \ of another baker commencing business who will supply the 41b loaf at Is. Happy Ross ! The annual meeting of the Licensing Court fixed for Thursday last, at Ross, did not take place, says the Qoardian, on account of the Commissioners not having put iv an appear^ ance, aud the clerk of tho Court adjourned the sitting until Monday next, when it is to be hoped the gentlemen who constitute the Licensing Bonch will make it convenient to attend. This is the second postponement which has occurred, aud which has caused disappointment, trouble, and expense to those persons who lodged applications for licenses, O.u Thursday llessra Handlcy and Gaylor f paine down from Woo'Jstock, expressly tq I support their applications, and on on arrival here had the questionable satisfaction oS learning that fchr meeting had been adjourned. Such dilly dallying wit)i public business bas occasioned general dissatisfaction, ! Tlig Nelson Mail has been shown a sample received by the San Ifranciqoo mail, qf wool which recently sold in London at the enormous price of 5s lsd per lb. It is scoured merino, and very nearly as fine as silk. There was but one bale of it, and the competition was keen, several of the buyers having determined to secure it at any reasonable price. The gentleman who forwards the sample says that although such a price could not be expected for any large .quantity, ho believes that 50& bales might have been disposed of, evep at the then unsatisfactory state of the market, at 3s per lb. The wool, we believe, was from the Ercildouu station, Victoria. The Wairoa Free Press, in its address to its subscribers, Bays :— " The Wairoa Free Press will have an extended circulation in New Zealand, the Australian Colonies, aud the Mother Country ; and will be found iv every club, literary institute, and Chamber of Commerce in this-colony." According to a 'Velling-ton contemporary i it. has been decided by the Resident Magis•irjj.r- at Murton that a miin who lets out a h_qr&a o'u Sunday cannot recover fiiimages if the horse. sustains any injury. The ground o£ this decision i 3 stated QJ r the Wauganui paper to have been that defendant was not bound by a contract on Sunday. It is stated that Mrßlsir, district engineer, lisp been instructed by ;he Government to rr vk ■■ a rocou <- .;.■■* .i?ce surrt-y cf M o raihvaj to bhe interior cf Ottigo, and report upon the relative merits of the various routes. One of tho consequences of tho county i s_vp';ti Ins lecv the re-ad jn^tment of-thf? po „' .'. districta cf Nel on .iad Westlaud, whereby the sub-districts hnvc been brought more under the direct control of the inspector i: The Christchurcb Press saya the new boundary is from Razqrlnck to Mount Haast, and the alteration gives th.9 Ahaura and Notown sub-districts into the care of Inspector Hickson, of Greymouth. Attention is being drawn in the Wellington papers to the excessive cost of the Government toy steamers. The Wellington Argus thinks the Stella docs good service among the lighthouses, but asks what earthly use is the Hi.nemoa, and designates it a useless and expensive luxury. Lookipg at the expense of her from a railway point of view the Argus is sure the Ilinemoa bas cost since her arrival more than would have sufficed to complete several miles of railway, while her original cost would construct a good many moro. and adds further, that the Colony is not in a position to countenance the useless extravagence of maintaining a merely ornamental Ministerial pleasure-yacht. ♦' Them's our sentiments too." Some excitement, saya the Melbourne Argus, was occasioned uader the Verandah at Sandhurst, the other evening, by a. fracas that took place between two persons over an election matter. The ageut for a gentleman who was a candidate for the representation of Mandurang at the recent election, was making a statement to the effect th«at there were " 2000 liars in Mandurang," basing his assertion on the circumstance that his principal bad been promised more votes than be bad polled. Whilst he was speaking, however, a person Rtepped \:v from behind, and said, " That's a lie, and you're a liar," upon which the agent referred to struck him a blow in the face, and requested him to " put up his hands." On his refusing to do so, he gave him another blow, and then threw him into the gutter. The same agent (observes the Bendigo Advertiser) haa been wearing a black band round his hut ever since the election, to mark the death of Truth in Mandurang. He greatly deplores the necessity which compels him tq do this, and steadfastly declares that there are 2000 men in the electorate who have not voted as they promised. To pour liquid fire down one's throat in the shape of fiery, adulterated, unmedicated spirits, is to commit slow suicide. When your flagging energies require to be reinforced use that safest, purest, and most invigorating of stimulants, indorsed by the most distinguished chemists, physicians and clergymen, Udolpho Wolfe's Schikdam Aromatic Schnapps. It is the only spirituous invigoranfc and corrective which does not overexcite the brain. — Advt. A correspondent in Vanity Fair writes: — " I will begin my letter this week by singing the praises of a medicine which has the valuable property of curing what all the world is suffering from at this season more or less—namely, a cold iv the head. Surely that complaint is one of the lesser evils that ileah'.i ; heir to, and I think the man who has di. c^vared a sure remedy for this plague ought t.)be ranked anioni? the benefactors of the human race. The other morning I woke with that most uncomfortable of feelings, a general oppression, which is the certain precursor of a catarrh. At first black despair seized me, but luckily I remembered that ill taken in time the nystio contents of a little green glass bottle might save me from the ?roFpect of many day's discomfort both to myself and others. I sped to the nearest ' cheiaist'3, and found the longed for remedy,

and before night was cured; it is- called 'Glykaline,' a colorless, tasteless fluid, three drops of which taken at intervals qf an hour will infallibly do away with the most obstinate of all colds. All this sound? rather like an advertisement, so I beg j'ou to understand that I b^YP no personal or pecuniary interest in the sale of Glykaline, and only sing its praises from a wish to spread its healing properties arouud, and, by iccommeuding it, confer a boon on the suffering human race."