The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 250, 20 May 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1868.

■ " <rs The Provincial Auditor's report has been published, and contains the following in reference to West Coast accounts : —" The "West Coast accounts are now in very much better order than when I reported last, They are kept close up, and the monthly statements regularly remitted, when the expenditure is audited and the receipts audited at my annual visit, but are in the meantime certified to as correct by the respective Wardens. The system adopted, so far as can be seen at present, works well and is satisfactory, and there are no advances unaccounted for." Under the head of miscellaneous account we find that the late G-overnor's visit to Nelson cost £639 2s lOd, the interest on overdrawn accounts was £1122 16s, and the "West Coast roads £2917 18s ; this last item was irrespective of £48,789 13s Id debited to same account elsewhere. This Would bring up our total road expenditure to about £50,000 during the financial year ending 31st of March. As the items are in lump sums we cannot make out how this sum has been disposed of; one thing is very certain, it has not been spent in the more immediate districts of Westport, Charleston, or Brighton. The expenses of the Superintendent and party's visit to the West Coast last year which resulted in so little, were £l63 —a tolerably liberal amount for a week's trip or so. An item of no less than £795 10s 8d appears as " sundries," though what sundries are does not appear. Every possible charge is carefully put down and the mystery of " sundries" is complete. Another item is as little intelligible—viz., assistance to tramway on West Coast ; £SO appears to have been paid to some one, or somebody on this account. When the project of a tramway to Charleston was mooted, it is true that Mr Kynnersley promised that he would use his influence to get the line surveyed, but the scheme fell through, and to the knowledge of the public not one penny was ever expended. Who then has got the money, and what assistance was rendered ? In fencing cemeteries on the West Coast, £lOl 7s 5d is charged, and for preliminary expenses of Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Eailway, £1064 ss. Explorations have cost £202 10s sd, and another lump of £553 15s 3d is set down for " lesser public works," the details of which are not given. The departmental expenses of the South-West Groldfields have been £33,233 16s Bd. Altogether, though the auditor's report has undoubtedly thrown much light on the expenditure, it has huddled some charges up in heaps that would have been far more satisfactory if given in detail, and it certainly has informed us for the first time of one or two sums that have been expended on our behalf.

The doings of the Provincial Council, of which a report appears in another column, have been of more than usual local interest of late, and several matters of moment to many of the inhabitants of "Westport and other places have been dealt with. In the first place according to promise, Mr Bentley moved for and obtained a committee, to consider the steps taken by the Grovernment in allowing the Buller Quay reserve to be occupied under business licenses, though the conclusion of his original motion Was cut off by the amendment of Mr Pitt. As it is, however, attention will be fully drawn to the subject, and the report of tho Committee will at least have tho effect of eliciting from the Grovernment what their intentions are regarding its future disposal. This question is of very material interest to "Westport, and is one that should not be allowed to

Bleep. No doubt now, however, something definite will be done respecting it. Another subject has brought about a discussion) namely tho advisability of disposing of town sections in the West Coast towns instead of the Government's idea of selling at Nelson. Mr J. V. Smith's motion that all Crown landß on the coast should be ottered in Westport might have its advantages, and looking at the question in a selfish point of view would be in some degree beneficial to Westport ; but at tho same time Mr Donne's amendment was Undoubtedly preferable on the score of equity, for precisely the same reasoning, only in a lesser degree, applies to the sale of Charleston or Brighton land here as would do to the sale of Westport land in Nelson. The Council, however, woilld have neither motion or amendment, and the Provincial Solicitor made the lamest possible defence for continuing the Skies at Nelson. Because, on a previous occasion at Charleston, the Grovernment had regularly muddled a sale, is no reason why under different and common sense management, the same should occur again. In a future issue we shall have something more to say on this subject as well as the pre- , sent question of selling land as soon as possible, and thereby settling the ; population now upon it.

Our Catholic readers will see that Mass will be celebrated to-morrow at the Catholic Chapel, Westport, being the Feast of the Ascension. Mr Donne gave notice of motion in favor of a resolution being forwarded to the Greneral Assembly, suggesting the propriety of reducing the export duty on gold. It was set down for Tuesday, the 12th, but there is no reference to it in the report of the Council's proceedings. Our Charleston readers and the travelling public, will learn with unmitigated satisfaction, that the toll on the Nile bridge is doomed at length, and the G-overnment, by a resolution of the Provincial Council, are requested to take it into their own hands without loss of time. This should have been done months ago, indeed we consider that private toll ought never to have been permitted, and the bridge itself should have been built by the Government

At the police-court yesterday, D. M'Leod was fined for drunkenness, and also 40s for abusive language. Some small debt cases of no public interest whatever, were also disposed of. It will be a source of satisfaction to the promoters of the Athenasum, to find that the Council so readily granted aid to the establishment of such an institution. As will be seen in another column, the sum of £2OO is voted for the West Coast generally, in aid of public libraries, &c. It is rather a pity that the words public library were introduced at all, and before the Council adjourn it would, perhaps, be better to have something distinct and definite in reference to the meaning of the Council in making the grant. If public library is to be taken in its literal sense, the proposed Athenaeum will not come within it, and there may be some difficulty in obtaining the money. Again, it would have been far better had the Council apportioned the grant, as any possible jealousy, or suspicion of unfairness would have been prevented. However, as it is, we must make the best of it.

Hokitika is now, we learn by the Waipara, a practically sealed port, as no steamer whatever can get in or out, and even the light draught harborboats dare not venture. At the same time fortunately, the Grey bar is in excellent condition, and the large Panama boats will have to land and take on board passengers at that port only, till things take a turn for the better at Hokitika. The Dancing Wave was towed to the roadstead by the Lioness, on Saturday, and there has to remain.

A number of gentlemen of Westport have determined on giving an amateur entertainment for the benefit of Mrs Ryan and family, and a meet-' ing vill be held this evening at the Little G-rey Hotel, to choose a piece and make the other necessary arrangements. Mrs Byan has been for a length of time well and favorably known in the colonies, and has established herself as a favorite actress both in New Zealand and Australia. Circumstances have been adverse with her of late, and the compliment now about te be paid will be not only opportune but well deserved. The company on the occasion, will include some of our most respectable citizens, and the novelty of seeing them don the sock and buskin will, of itself, attract a bumper house.

The Gazette, of the 9th inst., has the following declarations of insolvency : —Jane Brownlie, of Charleston, spinster ; Thomas Grellibrand, of Westport,

commission agent ; li. 11. K. Bennett, of Charleston, doctor of medicine; H. Or. C. Neosj of Charleston, contractor ; James Godfrey, of Charleston, lican. Some of these, we believe, are fresh notices filed in consequence of his Honor Judge Clark's late ruling in connection with the jurisdiction of the District Court here. Several other insolvency notices are also given in the samo Gazette.

The following from the Grey River Argus, of yesterday, will be of interest, but it does not say muc'i for the successful working ot the last bankruptcy legislation ;—" In reporting the answer of his Honor Judge Clark to a question from Mr Perkins iu the Court on Tuesday last, we did not give it sufficiently clear. Mr Perkins applied to know if a declaration of inability to meet engagements could be made in the District Court here, although the debtor did not reside within the jurisdiction of the Court. Mr Perkins pointed out to his Honor that, according to section 45, part 5, of the Bankruptcy Act, such declarations may be filed in any District Court. His Honor ultimately agreed with Mr Perkins, and' stated that although petitions for adjudication must be filed in the District or Supreme Court nearest to the debtor's place of abode, declarations of inability could be filed in any District in New Zealand. We have drawn attention to this matter because this ruling enables a debtor residing in Westland, for example, to file a declaration of inability to meet his engagements in the District Court of Otago, and get protection from arrest." The Grey River Argus has the following : —" Our town readers will be glad to see by the announcement published in another column that the petition in favor of declaring Q-reymouth a municipality may be regarded as definitively granted, the Hon. John Hall, the Minister to whom the petition had been referred for an opinion, having recommended the Governor to accede to its prayer. Some little time must elapse before the initiation of the new Corporation can take place, but it may be accepted as a fact that in two months the citizens will enjoy the rights of self-government. We have no Hokitika papers to hand, and are Sorry again to draw attention to the omission. The only late paper we received per Waipara was the Grey River Argus, of yesterday, but from some cause or other it contains only a very brief notico of the political trials. Our contemporary, in reference to them, says :—" The trial of the political prisoners commenced at Hokitika yesterday (Monday). Four counsel have been retained for the defence, viz., Messrs Ireland, Q.C., South, Bees, and Guinness. The prosecution is conducted by the AttorneyGeneral, and Messrs Harvey and Button."

A " Critic" with avengance, writing from Addison's Flat, takes violent exception to some recent remarks in this journal, and lets off his bile in our Charleston contemporary of yesterday. Though totally differing with the sentiments expressed, we cannot help reproducing a sentence or two, for the edification of our readers. He says : " Such morbose language seldom, if ever, appeared before in a journal partaking more of the Hydra than gSentiments emerging from an editor of a paper. At first glance, can it not be seen the morbicial effects such depraved vulgar, stelemetic and hypochondriasis literature must have on society in general. Is there the slightest morbidezza displayed in the leader ? Hyperaspist of the Charleston Herald is not my desire, &c. &c." Who would not be a " Critic " after that, and what a pity it would be to allow such a literary gem to blush unseen. We are indebted to the Westtand Obsrever, for the following late telegraphic news from Wellington, under date the 17th —" The meeting of the General Assembly is prorogued to the 23rd June. The Manawatu Purchase Enquiry is over. A few dissentients to the sale of the block have refused to go on with their claims, owing to the desertion of their law agent. The enquiry may be renewed with the consent of the G-overnor.—-The natives of Patea have been stealing the settler's cattle and horses. Colonel M'Donnell has gone out with a strong force to recover them. —A terrific fire took place at one o'clock this morning on the beach resulting in the destruction of four shops and one hotel. Three other shops were partially destroyed. The fire broke out in the shop of Mr. E. Kane, draper, spread to the South Sea Hotel of Captain Mundle, and soon seized the shops of Webb, cabinetmaker, and Armstrong, saddler. On the other side, James' Hotel and a furniture warehouse containing a large and valuable stock, caught fire and the shop of Carmont and Haigh, butchers, was burned down. Coker's

the tobacconist, and Brown's grocery store, which stood at the corner cf the street) were partially burned down. Here the flames were checked) and ultimately the fire was extinguished, The loss is estimated at from £IO,OOO to £12,000, of which, perhaps, on<e4ialf is covered by insurance. fortunately there was no wind, else Beach street would have been almost entirely swept away, We are glad to be able to state that Mr Kilgour, acting under instructions from the G-rey River Coal Co. (Christchurch) has taken practical steps for opening up the coal seam on the Westland Bide of the river. A number of men have been put on, under the direction of Mr Usher. O. E.,to make a drive in the most favourably placed portion of the seam, and it is expected that very shortly coal from the mine on this side will be delivered in Greymouth at much below the present rate.