West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13,1883.

West Coast Times, Issue 4489, 13 December 1883, Page 2

West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1883.

A somewhat acrimonious discussion has taken place lately, the parties to which were the Otago Times and the Christchurch Press. The casus belli between these two journals was the railway question, or rather a particular aspect of that question. The Otago Times opened fire unintentionally by making a comparison between the railways of the north and thoso of the south island. The former did not pay, said the Times, while the latter were remunerative, and the profits derived from them, went to keep the nonpayable northern Hoes going. The Pr§ss while it did. not dispute the

statement of the Times respecting the northern railways, objected to making any distinctions. Railways*" said the Chtistchureh paper, were colonial property* and should be dealt with as a whole. ; The good should be taken with the baiiiL If, however, the Times persisted in making such comparisons, the Press insinuated gently, that the Otago railways did not pay, while the Canterbury lines did. Then both papers plunged into figures, which of course did not agree, and each proved the correctness of its own argument satisfac • torily to itself. The Press in ils final remarks, speaks as folio wl: —

" It is evident that nothing is to be gained by prolonging the discussion with the Daily Times on the subject of railway rates. It is hopeless to convinde an adversary who keeps continually shifting his ground, and refuses to deal with the various points which we have raised. Our contemporary has not yet explained how he makes out that it is a " notorious " fact that the Otago railways are the only " paying " lines in the Colony, when as a matter of fact a loss of £50,000 was incurred on them last year. He has not attempted fo demonstrate how it happens that, in the matter of railway charges, the people of Otago are being lC daily and hourly plundered " by "the drones in the North," who "fatten on their labors," when in reality their own railways are at the present time a heavy charge upon the colonial chest, and when there is every prospect of that burden being enormously increased in future years by the construction of the Otago Central." We do not doubt that both the Otago, Canterbury, and northern lines are a drain upon the Treasury. Very lew of them ai'e paying 1 , and those that are remunerative are swamped by the losses on a number of railway "jobs, 5 which tho political necessities of the pie=ont Ministryfurcedthemtoput in hand. But while we on the West Coast are satisfied to know that gradually the colonial railways will pay, that they are now of indirect benefit in promoting settlement and commerce, and increasing population, we protest against the manner in which the Government deals with water-races, which, at present, ara our substitute for railways, [f a Government water-race pays one or two per cent on the cost, there is continued complaint by the Government of the matter. Mr Rolleston seems to expect five or six per cent from it. Noaccount is taken of the indirect benefit to the Colony of keeping hundreds of goldminers profitably at work. The Government should not make fish of railways and flesh of water- races. We do not grumble at having to pay our share of the annual railway deficit. Why should the Colony object to money being expended here on water-races, which are indirectly as beneficial as railways, and which directly pay better, at least for the present.

At the County Council meeting yesterday, Mr Seddon in proposing the adoption of the newly elected Chairman's statement, took the opportunity "to publicly deny the statement made as to the manner in which the Chairman had been elected." He also hoped the Council would "protect its dignity" j "and shield " the Chairman from the " attach made upon him. " Now it is thoroughly well known, notwithstanding Mr Seddon'B public denial, that fire members of the Council did elect the Chairman at a caucus meeting. It is quite clear that Mr Seddon refers to the WeBT Coast Times, when he talks about an attack being made upon Mr Dungan. Now the attack was made upon Mr Seddon firstly, and upon four other gentlemen secondly. Mr Seddon had to bear the brunt of it,» because he assumes so much knowledge of " how to do it," and is so crammed full of " dignity " that he should know better.

The distribution of prizes to the scholars of the Hokitika and South Spit School?? takes place this evening at the Duke of Edlnbugh Theatre. His Worship the Mayor will preside, and will distribute the prizes, which, we understand, are valuable articles. A gift will be giten, also, to each infant in the second and third divisions of the infant classes, as it was not possible to examine these diyisions. There will be two prize 9 for each Standard, and for the Ist division of the infant class — one for the boy and one for the girl who has obtained the highest number of marks in their Standards— and several prizes for the best attendances. Some extra prizes also will be distributed. An entrance fee of one shilling will be charged to the dress circle, and the remainder of the house will be reserved for the young people, who will get tickets at the doors. There will be some capital singing, and Mr Elcoate, with his usual kindness, will conduct this part of the proceedings. We are sorry to learn thut this will be probably Miss Jones's last appearance before a Hokitika audience, us she leaves shortly, much to the regret of the School Committee and her numerous f rienda. Asthe gifts to the infants will be distributed before the Mayor takes the chair, we are requested to ask parents to send them to the Theatre as soon after 6 p.m. as possible, and in any case by 7 p.m. The committee and teachers will be present to attend to them and to see them properly seated . The Mayor will open the business punctually at 7.30 p.m.

A chapter of accidents is reported to bare taken place at Kumaraand Dillman's Town yesterday. The first, a fatal accidenlj occurred to a miner named Felix M'CanD, who was killed while working in the claim known aB M'Glone and party's. Shortly after starting to vrork in the morning, the deceased came out of the tail-raps to inform his mates that all was clear. Just then a large stone got dislodged in the face, failing with great velocity, smashing the poor fellow's skull, breaking one of his arms and completely severing two of his toe 3. The mates saw the stone coming and called to him to stand clear, but their warning was too late . M'Cann was well known and respected in the Kumara district, being a steady persevering young man. He was a native of Armagh, Ireland, and was 31 years of age. Dr Porter and the Rev. Eather Walshe wore quickly in attendance, hut too late to see him

alive. The second accident happened to Michael Lee. While working in Lee and party's claim at Dillman's, sluicing in tho face, a heavy fall of earth took place, which caught and partly covered* him, and it was soon discovered on taking him to the hospital that his leg was broken. A narrow escape from drowning also occurred to Mrs Skiltou, who accidentally fell in the Zig Zag creek. Mr Holden and another man rendered speedy assistance, together with Dr Evison, who applied the necessary remedies, and she was .considered to be out of danger.

• From enquiries instituted by the police, it ■appears that the charge made by Kenneth JFinlayson in a letter published in the West .Coast Times yesterday, is utterly without Finlayson alleged in his letter Hhat two larrikins attempted to rob him. As a matter of fact he was wandering on the , wharf in a drunken state quite unable to take care of himself. Two respectable young men fearing he would fall in the river led him away to Revell street and one of them went for the police. The result was that Finlayson was properly enough locked up. He had a considerable sum of money in his pocket of which he did not lose a penny. Instead of accusing those who took him out of danger's way of attempting to robhim, he [ should be grateful for their action.

The Frst Westland Rifles will parade for daylight drill, at the Diill Shed at half-past six this evening. All members must be present.

It will be noticed in an advertisement in another column, that the committee particularly request teachers of the State School to be at the Theatre this evening at 6 p.m ; scholars to be there shortly after 6, but not later than a quarter to 7.

The amount of property tax collected up to yesterday was £100,000.

The seventeenth annual meeting of the Westland Institute was held at the rooms last evening, Mr W. A. Sppnce (President), in the chair. The minutes of the previous annual meetiug were read and confirmed. The annual report and balance sheet wus read and adopted. It was proposed by Mr M'Donald, seconded by Mr Nicholson, that Mr W. A. Spence be re-elected President for the ensuing year; proposed by Mr Paterson> seconded by Mr Manson, that Mr T. O. VV. Croft be re-elected Vicn-President; proposed by Mr Nicholson, seconded by Mr Maher, that Mr Will be hon. Treasurer.— Carried. The meeting proceeded to nominate members of committee for the ensuing yeaj. Messrs J. Nicholson, D. M'Donald, C. F. A. Broad, G. A. Patersor>, H. L. Robinson, R. C. Reid, A. H. King, J. Pearson, R. Cross, W. Kenny, J. Chesney, ML. W . Jack, were duly elected. Moved by Mr Will seconded by Mr Manson» that; the moneys belonging to the Institute be lodged in the Bank of New Zealand. Moved by the President, seconded by Mr Cross, that a vote of thanks be given to the auditors, and they be re-elected for the ensuing year. Tlie President, Vice-Pre9ident, and Treasurer returned thanks for reelection. A vote of thanks- to the chair terminated the meeting. Messrs Cassidy, Binnie & Co. lost a useful horse on Monday. The Kumara Times says: — "After the special four-horse coach from Cbrißtchurch had proceeded about half a mite from Stafford to Hokitika, the off pole horse fell dead. Another horse wa3 procured from Messrs Cameron & Baasett's stabks at the Waimea. Dr Tivy was last night appointed medical officer to the Loyal Hokitika Lodge of Odd fellows. On Monday crening at Stewart's Hotel, Kumara, Mr W. T. Richards, leader of the Kumara Roman Catholic Braßs Band, was presented with a valuable cornet. The Christchurch coach arrived at the usual hour yesterday afternoon. » Attention is directed to the advertisement callißg for tenders for the year's supply of ration?, &.c, for the Sea View Asylumn, Tenders close on the 22ad instant. The news brought by the Suez mail throws a good deal of light upon the disaster to the Egyptian arms in the Soudan. It seems thit the Arab tribes rose in the rear of the forces of Hicks Pasha as he marched from Khartoum, and that commander decided not to stop to clear his communication with his base of supplies, but determined to push on, carrying what provisions he could with him, with a view of striking a decisive blow at the false prophet at El Obeid. As El Obeid is situated nearly 200 miles from the Nile, Hicks Pasha bad to march overland away from water, and Mr Donovan, the special corres pondent of the Daily New?, iv a telegram dated September 20th describes the march as equivalent to "burniug the boats." The army plunged into the unknown and was cut off from all communication with the outer world. Hicks Pas'ia was apprehensive of surprise, and had accustomed his troops to form hollow square on the march, the field pieces in front of the faces and the terrible Nordenfeldt machine gun at the angles. We now know that there was a surprise, as Hicks Pasha expected, and that the hollow square was formed, but without avail. The troops were without water, and what they must have suffered before they broke on the third day may be judged by one of Mr Donovan's statements : — "The heat is intense ; tho camels are dying daily." The men had to endure this heat and the feverish excitement of the battle also, so that their sufferings must have been terrible.