The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 267, 9 June 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1868.

Everi' day proves more and more positively tlie immense amount of mineral wealth that at present is locked up in the almost impenetrable bush of this Coast, a?id as the miners perseveriugly encroach on what has hitherto been a terra incognita, new discoveries of rich and payable auriferous ground are being constantly made. There is no doubt whatever that if the country was more accessible ten times the present population might find remunerative employment on the West Coast. In nearly every district gold has been found in payable quantities, or rather in quantities that would be payable if it was possible to carry up or obtain provisions. This alone has retarded the development of the mineral treasure of the Coast, and till tracks are cut in every direction our actual resources" will never-be fully ascertained. We are glad to find not only that the attention of the Council has been drawn to the subject, but what is better, even if rather unwillingly, they have acknowledged the necessity there is for setting to work in opening up the country. Mr Donne, after one rebuff, succeeded in carrying a motion to the effect that horse tracks should be cut at intervals, on that part of the Coast line between the Eazorback and the Mokihinui river, in order to open up the back country upon the south-west goldfields. We have not seen a report of the discussion that arose, but the Mail says that the motion was only carried after a wide diversity of opinion had been expressed. It was successful however, eventually, so we need not care as to what opinions were expressed, and if the vote is given effect to in a proper manner it will prove an inestimable boon. The thanks of the community are undoubtedly due to Mr Donne for his exertions in this case, and now, as the sanction of the Council has been obtained, we hope that work will commence without the least delay. If it is thoroughly carried out, we venture to predict that in a very short time its effects will be felt in the discovery of new goldfields, and that as a mere question of profit and loss, the increased yield of gold will repav the outlay tenfold in the shape of exportduty.

Our evening contemporary's Hokitika correspondent states that great fears are entertained for the safety of the cutter Hope, audit is feared she has foundered with all hands on board including Mr Barff, the lately elected member of the House of Representatives, who was a passenger by her. We have made every effort to ascertain the correctness of the news, but have failed to get any information. In a Westland Observer of the Oth there is no reference to the matter, and it is to be hoped that the rumor may prove incorrect.

The decision of Judge Clarke in the case of Croker v. Comiskey and another is one that should act as a warning to parties entering into agreements. The facts were simple. At the end of last year Mr Croker entered into an arrangement with Messrs Cassius and Comiskev to supply them with certain goods at a certain price. The goods were delivered, but a dispute as to their quality arose, and they were sent back and payment refused. The agreement was written on an unstamped paper, and at the very outset of the case Mr Tyler took an objection to it being put in evidence, and his Honor ruled that the objection was fatal and could not be remedied except by paying the fine imposed and getting the document certified to by a Commissioner of Stamps. Mr Pitt fought hard to persuade the Judge that he had power to allow them to be affixed, but was unsuccessful. The consequence was that the plaintiff was obliged to put up with a nonsuit, and this owing entirely to his carelessness in not affixing a shilling stamp when the agreement was drawn up.