Untitled

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 201, 23 March 1868, Page 2

Ekglish Mail. —At the time the Murray left Greymouth yesterday, no tidings of the arrival of the Rangitoto at the Bluff with the English Mail on board were announced, every hour the telegram may be expected, and no doubt will bring portentous tidings from Europe. Auction Sale.—We beg to draw attention to the sale of Mr Cashmore' premises and stock today by Mr John Munro. Rifle VolunteerCorpr.—Thefirst Corps of Westland Rifles is now a thing accomplished, and a muster drill has taken place at Hokitika. Greymouth is following in her footsteps, and the Argus of the 21st contains an advertisement calling all people fired with martial ardour to meet and form a Second Corps of Westland Rifles. The youth of this town are we believe burning for some such Corps to be established here, and their leisure time could not be more healthfully or profitably employed. We hope to see some steps taken in the matter. Queensland. —The West Coast Times of the 20th inst. has the following paragraph, which is bearing out our warnings; nothstanding the fact that several miners returned to Hokitika by the Tararua, the rush from Hokitika has not yet abated, so difficult is it to make the miners believe that local journals are interested in his well-being : —According to a telegram that came to hand yesterday afternoon from Wellington, the Queensland bubble has burst at last, to the ruin of a large majority of the diggers, who hastened so madly to that land of doubtful rushes. The telegram with certain news of a reaction had reached Wellington and that Captaiu Benson, the Panama Company's manager, had been strongly urged to send every available steamer to Maryborough, as the miners were flocking away in thousands, much faster than means of conveyance could be provided for them. The Fenian Procession in Hokitika. —The following are paragraphs in connection with the late procession at Hokitika; we clip from the Colonist, of the 17th the following:—" A motion was carried in Municipal Council last night, (Saturday, 14th instant), that the ringleaders in the Fenian procession be criminally prosecuted, for making a forcible entry into the Hokitika Cemetry, on Sunday last," And the W.C. Times of the 21st thus reports upon a meeting on the same subject held by the Municipal Council, the Mayor in the chair, on Friday night last:—" With reference to the recent forcible entry into the cemetery, aletter was received and read from Mr Bonar, the Chairman of the City Council, intimating that the Government were prepared to prosecute the principal actors in the violation of the law. It appeared, however, that the Act under which the Grovernment proposed to take proceedings only allowed the in-

fliction of a fine of £5, with an alternative of two months' imprisonment. The Mayor suggested that no proceedings of a merely nominal character should bo taken; that the charge should either be dealt with seriously as a grave oifence, or dropped altogether. It was agreed that the matter should be further postponed for a week in order to allow a determination to be come to, as to whether the Government or the Town Council should prosecute in the case. Councillor Button moved, and Councillor Higgin seconded, that thonewSexton to tkoCemotry shouldbe instructed to remove the Cross recently erected. Councillor M'Beth moved, and Councillor Prosser seconded, that the consideration of this motion should be deferred until the next meeting of the Council. On a division the votes stood as follows : For the amendment, Councillors M'Beth, Prosser, Boyle and Patterson. Against- The Mayor, and Councillors Button, Bartlett, Higgin and Ecclesrield. The amendment was consequently lost. Councillor Prosser then moved, and Councillor Boyle seconded, that the motion be considered in Committee of the whole Council. This was lost by the same division as the previous motion, and the resolution was agreed to, instructing the sexton to remove the cross."