West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1887.

West Coast Times, Issue 6416, 14 February 1887, Page 2

West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1887.

To-night the newly appointed High School Board enter upon their functions with, it is to be hoped, aa intention of doing something. At the last meeting of the County Council, some discussion was evoked by a telegram from the Chairman and the Premier's reply. There is little doubt that had Mr Seddon been appointed on the first Board, the school would have been opened long before this. It did not, apparently, enter into the minds of the members of the old Board that a good school could grow from small beginnings ; they have been sitting- with their bands meekly folded waiting till an efficieat teaching staff with all accessories would spring, like Diana, fully matured, from the forehead of Jove ; the Jove being-, in this instance, either Sir Robert Stout or else the embodiment of several members of the House, who might be supposed to have benevolent designs toward a High School for Westland. There is little doubt thnt Mr Seddon was peifectly right in the remarks he made in the County Council concerning the High School affair, and if other members had spoken their minds instead of being so morbidly fearful of displeasing, they would have uttered similar sentiments. Not one word can be said against Mr Bonar's ability or qualifications to hold a seat on the Board ; the only question those of the public who desire to see the school started anxiously ask is — what action will he take this year ? Last year he professed himself as of opinion that in the present state of finances it would be unwise to commence work. Does he still hold this opinion ? We can only divide the members of the Board into two sides, those who are friendly to the formation of a High School and those who are hostile to it. As yet, only one member has avowed himself as taking the latter courss — Mr Grimmond, of Boss. He takes tbe seat immediately after saying the finances will not allow the wora to be proceeded with, hence allowing the inference to be drawn that he merely holds office to keep someone out who favors the thing. Mr Giles, the late Chairman, with characteristic dignity, retires rather than lake a course he deems imprudent. He wishes well to the school in withdrawing so that someone may be appointed who will display more vigor. Which example will Mr Bonar follow ? Will he chow the covert hostility of Mr Grimmond ; will he retire from what is really a false position; or will he go into the matter with that ability and determination which he bas brought to bear on many another problem and satisfactorily solved ? The necessity for setting at once to work is made more manifest every day. After a great deal of trouble and annoyance, Mr Bevan succeeded in gaining for the Board the valuable reserve now vested in it, and which is worth, at the very least, two thousand pounds. This will, in all probability, Boon be required for railway purposes, and if the Board so culpably neglects its duties, what is to prevent the country from resuming possession ? Hints of this have already been thrown out and another year of masterly inaction may see the Board in the position of the Peruvian bondholder — stript of everything. Of course a howl of indignation would be ruißed and maledictions both loud and deep hurled at (he Government and the House for sueh ?J an act of spoliation, but how much of the blame would be attributed to the negligence of the Board ? The new Board need be at no trouble in devising a plan of action— an entiiely different course to that pursued by their predecessors will nearly always be found successful. Firstof all applications were invited from persons desirous to avail themselves ofthe school and twentythree or twenty-four pupila at £10 10s each directly guaranteed. Then an interminable length of time was consumed seeking for a competent master. This latter difficulty, surely^,' could be overcome. If a suitable man is not at once procured the registrar ofthe University would readily supply the names of thoroughly competent young men who have just concluded their studies, and who would gladly embrace such an opportunity. Then as to funds. The money necessary to procure building and appliances is already in hand; school fees would bring in fully £300 a year, whilst Sir Robert Stout has promised that he will procure a yearly grant of £250. With, such opportunities and such resources the public have a right to demand that the Board wastes no more time in idle delays, but proceeds to exercise the functions for which the members are appointed.

To-day is specially dedicated to St. Valen M tine, who is supposed to be the patron saint of all amorouß youths and tender maidenp. The postal officers may expect to be deluged with a host of sweet scented, tender missives aB well as others— perhaps a more numerous collection— neither Bweet scented nor tender.

Be certain you make no mistake; aßk for and take no other but the genuine Wolfe's Schnapps, Demand Woltb'i.

The Christchurch coach arrived at the usual hour on Saturday afternoon with over one ton of mails and the following passengers..

— For Hokitika: Measrs Bridge, Lindsay Parker, D. Allen, England, Q. C. Read, VV. C. Read and Luckstone; Misses Jones, Smith, and Pollock, and Masters Pollock (2). For Kumara: Mrs Wade and Mr Pearson.

Yesterday afternoon, the tide being favorable and a fresh wind blowing, there were a number of boats on the river, from the small boy's "flatty" upwards. One feature was the display made by the Canoe Club, which had five canoes out. Mr Park's fast sailing cai.oe, as usual, ran rings round all competitors, proving the value of this particular model to rivers like the Hokitika. Two aspiring canoeists afforded some diversion by exhibiting their intense desire to ascertain the depth of the water at sundry places. This is very commendable, no doubt, and will be greatly appreciated by the harbormaster if the data is furnished him ; what excited the onlookers' mirth was the rapidity with which the said canoeists had apparently made up their minds to do thi3 good work, and the eccentric manner they had of performing it.

That gifted delineator of character, Mils Georgie Smithson, has decided upon visiting Hokitika during the Easter holidays. She has secured the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre for the occasion, and will introduce many novelties Those who remember the mirthprovoking influences of her impersonations when she visited this town some two or three years ago, will hail with pleasure her reappearance, which cannot fail in contributing to public enjoyment during the season referred to.

Now that the State School is approaching completion, and considering that it will be tl\e handsomest and most substantial building in Hokitika, we think the Borough Council might, with very great propriety, form that portion of Haast street, between Sale and Park streets, also the footpaths surrounding the building in the streets referred to. Unless thia is done the appearance of the building, iituated as it is at present in a luxuriant growth of rushes, will be materially destroyed, and we feel aatun\d that no rate* payer could possibly object to suoh a necessary work being undertaken without the least possible delay.

Mr M'Phee has taken the contract for repairing the fluming on the Rimu race destroyed by the /ate gale. The miners are greatly inconvenienced through want of wa'er. The race should be running full supply within a fortnight.

It is rumored that Mr P. L. Dignan, Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, will shortly leave on a visit to the Old Country, and that his place will be supplied by Mr J. W. Tarleton, who has been in charge of the Greymouth branch.

The proprietor of the Ross Advocate has decided upon issuing twice a week instead of three times a week aa heretofore. It will be published on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Mr James Pearson, who for 9 years hag held the position of Manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Kuinara, will shortly be leuving that town. It is proposed to make some suitable demonstration of the esteem with which he is regarded in the district generally.

Tenders for the supply of necessaries to the Hokitika Benevolent Society must be sent in to the Chairman, Mr W. Duncan, not later than to*day.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hokitika Hospital Trustees will be held thi s evening at the usual hour, when a President will be elected. Applications for the position of housemaid to the Hospital must be sent in to the Secretary before 5 o'clock this evening.

The following nominations were received on Saturday last for the election of members of the Hokitika Licensing Bench:— Mr Benjamin, by Messrs Michel and Skene; Mr W. Allen, by Dr Rossetti and Me Cross; Ma Bock, jun., by Messrs Bonar and Bevan; Mr J. J. Breeze, by Messrs M'Q-oldrick and O'Connor; Mr Gosson, by Messrs Perry and Skene; Mr W. Kenny, by Messrs Horgan and Dyson; Mr Williams, by Messrs Benjamin and Hudson; Mr Treloar, by Messrs Churches and Dowling. The election will take place on Monday next, February 21st.

Applications for the position of Bandmaster to St. Mary's Band will be received by the secretary, Mr Sellers, up to six o'clock this evening.

The Minister of Justice has received the Great Barrier papers, but refuses to make the murderers' confession or statement public until after the execution, at least

It is understood Parliament opens the laßt week in April. The Eepresentation Bill will be brought down on the first day, and the financial statement made early in the session. It is also understood the Representation Bill will be based on similar lines to that introduced last session.

At Wellington, the members of the Presbys terian Assembly were entertained at a conversazione on Friday night. On Saturday the sitting was occupied by the further consideration of the Book of Procedure.

The Westport Harbor Board expended during 1886, exclusive of interest and sinking fund, £57,789. The west breakwater is extended 870 feet.

Captain Widerskrow, of the schooner Mary Waddey, just arrived at Westport from Napier, reports that on the Bth iusf., at Kouraogi Point, bearing five mil^s aast, he saw a large number of beautiful waterspoute, and had to get out of their focus. In the sky at first they appeared like a dot, gradually increasing in size, clouds revolting round at a tremendous rate from right to left in a circle. The water could be seen continually ascending in brilliant Btripee, forming a most lovely network in a great pillar right to the ocean. At the surface of the sea the water waß boiling and smoking, sending white spray in all directions. The waterspouts disappeared at sunset.

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ARatxlesnake'sßitb.— The quick venom of the rattlesnake has not killed so many people as the more insidious but deadly poisons found in the air of foul rooms. The aeration of the blood by the lungs becomes impossible sometimes, and the failing health growing weakness, and loss of appetite are harbingers of approaching death. For such cases Hop Bitters are the potent and allpowerful remedy to drive all fevers out of the system, purifying the blood, and giving a new and happy lease of life. Get genuine.

We know that Wolfe's Schnapn ib a firat class article, and can recommend it as such to our renders.

Cobb's coach is one of the most levelling institutions in tbe world, and compels some of the strangest associates. So our readers will probably think when they read the fol* lowing paragraph from Saturday's Grey River Argus:—" Bishop Harper, Primate of New Zealand, Archdeacon MacleaD, anotlie r clerical gentleman, and Miss Ada Campbell left for Reefton by Hall's coach yesterday morning. The other passengera were three Chinese."

Tbe Tarauaki Daily News gives the fol* lowing instance of what may ba done by means of economy:— A family of ten, living miles in the heart of the bush in this district, have been practising economy after the manner which Major Atkinson is eometimoa wont to tell the people to live. The entire groceries consumed by this family of ten persons amounted during tbe year to the sum of £15! This almost appears to be incredibleHow tbey managed it may be a mystery to many, for they have not starved themselves* and the best of it is that the head of the house has a credit balance at his banker's Of £200, the proceeds of his industry and economy. A glimpse of how they fared will be interesting. They lived on home-made bread, eggs, milk, butter, meat, occasional^ tea once a day, hop beer (from hops grown on their section) twice a day, and fruit. They had no sugar, but obtained wild honey and used it as a substitute. Tbey were exceedingly economical ia their draper's bill, and the aid of tbe shoemaker was apparently dispensed with altogether, as the children wore sandals made of pinewood soles, with cowhide straps, or uppers. The3e facts have been vouched for, and there is not a shadow of a doubt as to their truth :

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It ia astonishing the favor ia which Wolfe'B Schnapps is — We suppose because it ia a first claat article.