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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 225, 21 April 1868, Page 2

Eeports from the Caledonian during the past few days are most deplorable, as far as the track is concerned. An esteemed correspondent, on whose veracity we can rely, states that in some places " no soundings could be found," and yet the road is permitted, and what is more, an outrageous tax is legally authorised for the privilege of wading through it. There is some glimmer of hope that this may be remedied, as a Government inspector has come to the same conclusion as other people, as to the infrmous imposition that at present is licensed in connection with it. Although the authorities throw every possible obstacle to the successful, or rather profitable working of this ground, by almost cutting off its approaches, it is satisfactory to know that people at work there are generally doing well. The prospectors are just'worked out, yet new ground is being taken up by them, and we are credibly informed, that the whole of the country from the Orawaiti to the terraces is auriferous and payable ground, and that when it can be worked by proper appliances it will yield handsomely. Some ground now being worked there has given an ounce and a half from the plate, independently of the plush, and this with only four men in the claim. This ought to satisfy all that are contented with good wages,'and abate the Queensland fever, even when it was at its highest. Before long we venture to predict that some new and first-class ground will be opened, within five or six miles of the Caledonian at the furthest.

The man Swale, convicted of setting fire to his shop in Christchurch, and burning his partner to death in the building, was hanged at Lyttelton on the 16th inst. He died penitent, and made a full confession of his guilt before his end. This was the first instance wheae the extreme penalty of death has been inflicted in Canterbury, and the Lyttelton _ Times, by way of improving the occasion, devoted two columns to the particulars of the execution.

The following should be encouraging to the gardeners of this district, since the soil in the neighborhood is certainly as good and probably a great deal better than that fof Hokitika. The West Coast Times says : —" As one of many instances daily coming under our notice in evidence of the richness of the soil and peculiar excellence of the climate' in and around Hokitika, for the growth of vegetables, we were a few days ago shown three pumpkins (cucurlitaceod) grown by Mr Allen, of the Tancred street Hotel, weighing respectively, eighteen, fourteen, and sixteen pounds. The period of growth from the planting

of the seed to the time of fruition, is reckoned at a little over four months. At one time the main stems of the plants grew six inches each day, and the fruit oue inch in diameter. They are pronounced by competent gardeners to be the finest specimens grown on the coast."

The Hokitika Eoening Star of Thursday last has the following—"Yesterday afternoon a miner named Cornelius Boylo met with a severe accident whilst working in his claim which was situatednear to Mr M'Koan'sstore, between Stafford Town and the Old Waimea. He was engaged throwing a heavy head of water against a high fencing, when a heavy boulder, about 301bs weight became detached, and struck him on the head. The poor fellow remained in a state of insensibility for many hours. Drs Eyley andM'Dermott were called in by his mates, and from Dr. M'Dermott we learn that he is suffering from concussion of the brain. No fracture having taken place, with care and quiet he is likely to recover." That the cement lead on Waite's Pakihis will prove a vast source of wealth is unquestionable, and it is hard to estimate it at its true worth. Applications for extended ground are being daily made, and nearly all persons so applying are prepared to erect adequate machinery to carry on work with. The prospects tried are most encouraging, and there is no doubt whatever that in a short time, another permanent source of mineral wealth will be opened up. Irrespective of Waite's it is more than probable that the Pakihi north of Westport will be shortly broken by persons who think that the gold-bearing cement lead, or run, extends northwards to a considerable distance. We only hope their enterprise will be rewarded in the most substantial manner, alike to the benefit of the prospectors and the public. Amongst others who left for Nelson last evening by the John Penn was our Westport member, Mr J. V, Smith. The vessel went too early otherwise he would have held a meeting last night, for the purpose of finally explaining his views and inviting suggestions on any points that he had not considered. The coming session will be his maiden political field but we have no fear of his coming out of it otherwise than creditably. Though possibly not a great orator he combines common sense with business ability, and will consequently be heard, and what is more, listened to when more frothy speakers will not obtain an audience at all. We are not sure of any other of the members being en route, surely it is time for them to be awav.

A report has got afloat that in consequence of the course taken by the Commissioner on the occasion of the recent disturbances at Addison's, a large number of the Westport volunteers have sent in their resignations. This is entirely unfounded, and on the contrary, as we have recently stated, drill is actively proceeding ; as soon as a formal acceptance of the offer of service is received, two companies will be formed.

The Otago people and their neighbors in Southland, have realised the folly of splitting up country into petty provinces. The Southland experiment has resulted in nothing but failure. In the speech of the Superintendent of Otago, on the late opening of the Provincial Council, he recommends a reunion of the severed districts, adding that he considered such a change imperative. As will be seen in our police report, one of the stokers of the John Perm has been committed for trial, on a charge of aggravated assault. It seems that after crossing the bar, the mate of the vessel had occasion to complain of the conduct of a seaman, named Michael Barrett, when the latter attacked him and endeavored to force him through a porthole into the sea. The prisoner, Tripley, assisted him in his assault, and but for the interposition of two other men, it appears probable that Mr M-Gillvray's life would have been sacrificed. On the arrival of the Penn the police were at once communicated with, but Barrett managed to make himself scarce, and was not arrested till his his companion had been committed for trial. If the evidence is to be believed, and there is no reason whatever to doubt it, this man was considerably the most culpable of the two. He will be brought up this morning. The West Coast Times, of yesterday, reports—" The mysterious disappearance of John Sutherland, a fireman belonging to the s.s. "Waipara, has given rise to some speculation and a great deal of apprehension as to his safety. Accompanied by a brother fireman he went on shore on Saturday evening, and spent several hours at the Sale Hotel, Beach-street, and then, in rather a jolly state, both men returned to the steamer again. The one went on board directly, but

Sutherland declined, he should make a night of it, and walked away up Wharf-street. He has not been seen or heard of since, but the fact that the glazed cap he wore was yesterday morning found lying on the gangway plank leading from the wharf to the Waipara, led to the belief that he had fallen into the river, whilst trying to get on board his vessel. We have, however, reason to suspect that the cap was placed there as "a blind," and that the man is away in the s.s. Star of the South. The facts of tho case were made known to the police, and they, with their usual promptness and attention, searched the beach closely from the mouth of the river northwards in expectation of the dead body being sent on shore. Nothing, however, came of the search, which was maintained whilst daylight lasted." The fate of the poor fellow referred to was put beyond all question yesterday morning, for his corpse was thrown up and found on the North Spit as the Bruce was leaving. Deceased had on his person a cheque for £l5O and other money, so it is clear that hi 3 death was as surmisod, accidental. Leader oe the Colonist, Friday, April 10.—A singular and very ugly story of the persistent murderous intent of the Sydney Fenians against the life of Prince Alfred was brought by the s.s. Eakaia, which left Sydney on Ist April. It appears that a man, a stranger, dressed in the uniform of one of the bandsmen of the Gralatea, was found on board the sbip on the night of the 31st March, or morning of the Ist April, armed with a loaded revolver and a bowie knife. He was handed over to the civil authorities. It is under stood that the Prince was then on board. The solution of this circumstance istbat the villain had become acquainted with the bandsmaninvisitingonboard the vessel, and on this occasion met him on shore, drugged aud stripped him of his clothes, and assumed both his dress and character, with the view of repeating the attempt on the life of the Prince. We believe that a private letter to the Hon. Major Eickardson narrates this story, which was also told by the captain of the Eakaia. This, no doubt will account for the peremptory orders of the Commodore at Sydney, by whom the Gralatea has been sent home direct. —[This proves probably to be a canard, as no confirmation of the fact has appeared in Sydney papers of later dates that refered to. ] Ed. W. Times. G-old atllawke's Bat.—The hopes of finding a payable gold field in the province ofHawke's Bay, that the inhabitants have indulged in, do not appear likely to be realised. The Herald of 31st ult. says : —" The Sweeney Brothers _ returned on Saturday last from their prospecting tour. They have been absent nearly four months, during which they have carefully prospected the various rivers and watercourses they came across. Almost everywhere they found specks, but we regret to say have failed to discover anything at all likely to be a payable gold field."