SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1878.

West Coast Times, Issue 2908, 27 July 1878, Page 2

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1878.

There are many vital questions it) Hokitika, in the present dull times. Foremost of all is tlie railway, the means in fact to coun'ect the Coast with tne Other portion's of the Colony. How to do .this was a problem, that a Railway Commitiee, T feathered from the shrewdest, of the Hokitikians years ,ago existent, had some trouble to solve. It has long been known that Westland has been singularly neglected; that some of its representatives have been either apathetic or useless', and that one of the most useful productive parts of New Zealand has been shelved for many years, owing to inadequate representation. It is to be hoped that the new blood recently infused by the return of Mr George, will at least remind Ministers that there, is such a location as Westlaud. Until recently; Mr Macandrew, Minister of Public Works, waß wholly disinclined to listen to the wishes of this part of the Colony, as far as railway connection with other parts of the Colony was concerned. As a matter of simple expediency, on a variety of substantial grounds indeed, the straightest and shortest line would be preferable. At 'tlie same time, for other and most material reasons, the southern route must commend itself. This proposes to connect Otngo with Westland, to run down nearly the length of tliQ Weslland boundary, and travel over the Haast Pass, thereby reach Queenstown, and then go on to Dunedin.. It is very certain that a southern line, of the kind referred to, would be of the greatest service to tlie people of Westland, but at the same time it is matter for mature consideration as to whether such a route would be the best. Admitting, as all must do, that railway communication is desirable, the. next thing, to consider is the direction that, will do most good.

The resources of the south have been mi abundantly proved, in its gold, its marble, and other mineral products, that its claims to railway connection are indisputable. But it may be doubtful wlietlter, even with tneßertajjiu'eveloproentof mineral wealth to the §puthward, as iigaiiist Inore speeuy arid,, direct rail>viiy cq(prriub|Saiioii witli (Danterbury, it would not be better to go in for the earliest connection possible with Gjxntirb'u'ry railways. There is no doubt I hat Mr Macaudrew — more power to Ids, elbow — now desires the West Coast io b'Scdnnecled witli Kis petbtago. The West Coast has the. greatest desire to be connected on the most friendly lerms with the late sister province, and Mr Macandrew will have no difficulty in cementing a close friendship in this respect. But, -us we are only likely to \iei one railway, indeed it is quite possible , we may get none at ail, it shoum be the public endeavor to go in for what is most practicable. That the southern railway Would be most beneficial 16 tlie* West Coast people, is clear, but its cost would be so heavy, that its conkru'etioh is exceedingly problematical. ,The whole question will be debated on Tuesday, next, when the public meeting will be held. In years gone by, the iiitelligence that was brought to bear was great, and, as we have already Stated, the statistics then gathered ban now be made valuable use of. It is how for the public of Westland to say whether they will consent to be cut off from the railway network, or whether they, will, in all fairness, insist on being joined in the scheme at present, existing 1 . With the unbounded credit that New Zealand at the present time possesses, it is equally idle ttn'd lidiculous for any. of the Ministry io plead poverty, when needed public works are asked for. Let us hope that t.he promises of the past, may bo jet realised.

The usual w.eekly supplement is published U:-lay with tliis pajjer. It will be found to contain much interesting matter for town and country readers.

A report upon some of the Reefton mines recently visiteJ by our special reporter, together with some valuable statistics in reference to railway couimicatiod between the West Coast and Otagoj are unavoidably held over until next issue 1 , owing to the receipt of late telegrams.

• In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, the base of Ah Tack, a Chinaman, charged with au unnalural offence, was proceeded with, and the accused was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, in September next. In Churches v. Powell, a veniiut by default was given for £28. A rival butchers' dispute occupied the Court for soiiie lime, Messrs Button and Purkiss being respectively engaged. It seemed by tlie evidence that Mr Campbell had occupation o£ slaughtering premises for some time, but sub-let his right to Mr Hiiich'clifie. The def eiidau't Jones had free entry to the premises iii his usual slaughtering 'occupation, but did not know of any arrangement that had been made between Messrs Campbell aud Hinchcliff'?, aud on finding the place locked up, took out the staple, and availed himself of the convenience of the premises as usual. For taking out the staple, for general trespass, and in order to nut a stop to future annoyance, the summons was taken out. In defence it was shown that tlie defendant had for some eighteen months, or two years, been in the habit of using the premises in dispute, that lie liad received no notice of transference, and that, finding the place locked up, he had removed the staple in the manner stated, but uuder the impression that he -was doing "right. The Magistrate said that a verdict for the plaintiff must be returned, but, there was no, evidence of trespass, and the damages would be therefore limited to the actual loss sworn to. The Verdict would be for 5s damages, the costs being 11s. There were a few civil cases, of no public importance, and that concluded the business.

Tenders will be received, by the Secretary of the Kuinara Hospital, Mr Nicholson, for buildiog a hospital at Kumara, up to the sth proximo. Plans and specifications cau be seen at tlie Council Chambers, Kumara.

We have been favored with further 'particulars relative to the drowuirig of Williamson and party, in Southern waters, but nothing throwing light on the sad catastrophe. So trace of the boat, in yrhic'h the victims were embarked, has been found, and it is supposed to haVe drifted to the northward .

The legal profession may take a warning, as far as costs are concerned', iv reference to professional fees in the R.M. Court;. Yesday,, Mr Purkias, in a trivial case, in which the damages were set down at £5, and 5s was awarded, asked with lawyerlike modesty, for professional costs. Dr Giles is not usually

startled out of magisterial propriety, but Mr Purkiss on this occaaion seemed to be too .much for him. As soon as he could recover his equanimity he said that iv cases where the claims were low T he wojild not allow the costs demanded. Where the amounts were

under £5 he w;ould not. unless under exceptional circumstances, grant any professional costs whatever, and bet wepu £5 apd £10 he would only allow 15s. Messrs Button and Purkias, who were present, made ho remark, but we hardly thfnlc that his Worship's ruli'rig was particularly .paiat'ab'fe to Vnem. Certain persons in Hokitika, beneficially interested in the claim referred to below, yesterday, received the following telegram.

It has reference to what is known at the Lyell as Maloney's ProspectiiVg Claim ;— " Splendid crushing in Prospecting Claim. Eight and a half tons have been crushed, and yielded 175b'zs." ..... ...„,

D^rville Island Copper 'Company's shares are at a high premium, 10s being offered oq 2s 9d paid up. The result of one ton smelted was 30 per cent ef copper.

The New Zealander sayß: — Many of our readers will learn with regret of the somewhat sudden death of Mr John. Dixon, of this city. Ou Friday Week last Mr Dixon, whilst in perfect health, chatting with his family after dinner, was seized with an apoplectic fit, which terminated in his death at an early hour yesterday morning. Mr Dixon, vrho was father-in-law of Mr Henry

Mace, of this city, was a partner in the firm of Messrs Mace and Arkell, brewers, in old Customhouse-street. He came to Wellington about, iwelye months , ago; and liad recently cjisj)bse<i of liis. lniieres^lii ins business witli llie intention io retiie 1 into private life oil a weu-egi'n^, conip'eienc^ During the time lie lias been Here lie made many friends; for He was of a hibst generous and kindly disposition. Than the deceased, few men were better known, and none, more respected, on the West Coast of the Middle Island, wlilre he, was for many years an influential resident. Mudi of the success which has attended quartz mining at Reef ton is due to the energy and perseverance of the late Mr Dixon. It was he (together with his partner and son-in-law, Mr Mace), who first introduced rnaciiiinery to the reefs, and he spent large sums' of nibhey iii developing tliem. His enterprise iii the Inangabua district set a good example to others, and the reefs in that district are now the best paying in the Colony. ( Mr Dixori was an old Freemason of high' staading. He Held the office of District Grand Master iii tlie Weßtlaiid District Gra,ud Lodge; E.C.; audiii that capacity visited Wellington a few years ago with Brother Lazar ? D.G.M., to assist at tlie installation of the late Brother Sir Donald M'Lean. Mr Dixon was in his 5 1st year wiidn he died, arid he leaves a widow and two daughters to mourn their loss.