GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 31, 23 November 1888, Page 13

GREYMOUTH.

(From rur own Correspondent.)

MOBT people here thought wo were done with this wretched weather for tbe present, whi n, Acr a fortnight, it began to take up a little, and we were treated to a few glimpses of sunshine amidst shower*. After this we bad a wetk'B variable weather with occasional fine days followed by a few beautiful sunny days with an invigorating cool breeze, which led us to believe that summer was nigh. But wbocver put their faith in West Coast weaher are generally undeceived, and, true to its chacgeaulenese, we are again experiencing cold, drenry, wintery days, with copious rain, howling gusts of wind, and thunderstorms accompanied by sowers of haii, the hail stones last uight being as big aa school-boys' marbles ; in the old country or here, I have never seen anything approaching iheir size.

Some ten days ago there was a general clearing-out of steamers at our port, after a week's blockade — the result of high floods and a rough bar ; since then both tbe shipping and coal trades have resumed their former briskness ; but probable before another month is over the trade will be a little quieter, when Newcastle coal will have reached New Zealand markets, as the colliers strike in that quarter is now happily ended . There was a probability of a colliers' strike here also, had not the demand of the men been conceded : but fortunately there was no difficulty experienced, as the Company's manager, Mr. Kennedy, very promptly met the men and agreed to have the matter amicably settled. The miners want to be paid by the gross weight of round coal, nut?, and slack which come out of the mines, instead of the system hitherto in vogue— 4s per ton on the average weight of screened coal. Tbe company has conceded their demand and the details of the new system are left to arbitration ; the Miners' Association to elect three representatives and the company a like number. At a meetiug held of the representatives of each, Major Keddellwas appointed as umpire. This is the proper way to settle such difficulties so as no hardships will be suffered oa either side.

The colliers of Brunnerton are eminently a sporting community. Atone time foot races were their mania, and in that athletic sport they could then hold their own with any part of the Colony ; but with the departure of their best man, Tom O'Loughlin, this gradually died away until vow they are satisfied with a few days' mixed athletic sports at the Christmas holiday?. At other times they were equally as entlius'astic over the national sport of self-defence, but now they have turned most of their attention to wre&thug matches ; and it may be mentioned that they have at present amongst them both the ligat and heavy-weight champious of that art in the AustraUsian colonies. The brothers Dunn «re counted as such, and as fax as can be learnei from sporting circlee.they are nrst-clatsexponenta of every class of wre->thug. James Dunne, light-weight champion for this Colony, has had a match with Tiffin, ligtit-wught champion of England, in five styles. The contest lasted fiveh^urs, in. which time each of them had scored a poiut, and as the third style lasted three hours, and as tor that may last as many days, they adjourned the match. Since then they have made this match a draw, and are to wrestle another match in tbe Cumberland style, in which each of them are adepts, the best out of nine falls to decide the contest. Needless to say each of them have plenty of supporters, and in many instances Sume are known to back their last shilling on their man ; indeed it has been known of one collier to mortgage his next fortnights pay to back a foot race ; so outsiders better beware. Although we have only a limited population, wo have some tough spe^im^ns of the human race in the locality.

Tbe Hey. Father Periuis, who is wel. -known in many parts of the West Coast, and who has been a curate iv thts parish lor a good lew years, announced the Sunday before last that he was going to be shifted from the parish very soon. It is understood that it is his own wish to be removed, aud that he had atked the Bishop when visiting this part of the diocese for a remote parish at Jackson's Bay. Many of tbe parishioners will greatly regret Father Periuis's renuval on account of the strict and conssientous manner in which he has always dischaiged his sacred duties, while his urbanity and many other good qualities endeared him to the peop c. He is a general favourite with tbe children, for whose amui-einent he provides numerous toys, both amusing and instructive. la is rumoured that a young clergyman, just ordain d, is goirg to replace him, but I have no good authority tor the statement. It is certain tnat a you .gcr cleigyman will be more suitable, as, from his wivauced a^e, it was too much for Fatuer Pertuis 10 ride out to the 17- u lie, a rough and often dangerous j ouruey ; but wherever he gots the rev. gentleman will have the prayers and good wi hes ot tins congregation.

Great di-ianstacuuu is txprei-sid here at the tardiness of the Midland hallway Company i i mak.ng a fresh atari with their woikn, and vaiious runmuis weie all mt as iv the cause of all this dt;lny, especially aftei G /vernmem cunueuiug all thuir domauds aud ratifying the contiatt some months ago. borne lines we are treated to some astuniahiug reasons by ihe daily Press aw to the caute of the delay the principal of which is thdt the compauy have sonic difficulty in raising the necessary capital. .how, however, we have another promise if a speedy commencement. The Agent-General informs us that as soon as the signed contract is received in London, there will be no difficulty in raisiDg the money, and that the cons 1 luctiou of the line will be at once proceeded with. Ihe contract must be a|long time on the way, and as for the A'-eui'e information, I fancy we heard tbe same some months back, but let

us hope it shall be true this time. It is not V6ry probable that there will be anything done this year, but with the commencement of the New Year, the works should be in full swing.

This town was very free from fires for a considerable time, and people were under the impression that this immunity from the conflagrations which are of daily occurrence in other parts would last ; so much, indeed, have they been indifferent to the ravages of the fire fijnd, th.U in many leading portions of th-> town water to extinguish the flames is not to be had, and the Fire Brigade has scarcely enough hose to reach the nen available stand-pipe. Proposals are often brought bef re the Borough Council for bringing in a good water supply and just as often set aside on tbe score of cost. Again, many are agitating for a steam fire engine, instead of the present hand engine?, but to all these proposals those who ous»ht to protect the property of r«tepav era turn a deaf ear. Last Saturday night, one of tnose penolical fiiea took place, notwithstanding their false hC'juri'y, whereby two s ib--tantial cottagei occupied by Mes«s. Blackmore and Dubsun, the property of Mr. D. McKinty, were destroyed. Ihe cottages were supposed to be worth £1000 and were insured only for £300. This will be a serious Joss to Mr. McKinty, who has suff ?red even a more serious loss very recent y. One of the cottages might have been saved but for the want of water, and taking the many heavy losses which are suffered through fiie?, tbe municipal authorities ought to lose no time in providing more effective means for laving the property of the citizens. TheT^rey mouth Branch of the Irish National League held their ordinary monthly meeting on last Sunday, and from the number present it may be inferred that renewed interest is now bßing taken in the work of the League. Seven new members were elected and subscriptions to the amount of £10 4» were handed in. This is a brighter state of affairs than has been the case for some time, and before the end of the year taere is a prospect that this branch will be stronger than ever it was. But besides doing good work in the ordinary business of the branch, they Lave done better in the initiating of the Paroell Defence Fund— a fund which I hope to see taken up spiritedly throughout the colonies. A good sum was subscribed in the room ; collectors Wire appointed and tbe secretary was instructed to write to the other branches of the League on the Coast to co-operate with the branch to raise a respectable sum, whereby they may help the Irish leader to fight the slanderers of their country, and, once and tor aye, show" the London " Forger," even though it is backed by a Tory Government ; that it cannot carry on its game of slander and forgery any longer with impunity. Tbe fund is to close about the Ist January. I no ay also mention tnat the Westport, and Nelson Creek branches have started the " Parnell Defence Fund." Through the Advocate I notice that the central branch in Melbourne has ieceived a letUr from Mr. Parnell that he would send Sir Thomas Esmond* and Mr. B. Molloy and probably another of the Irish party as delegates to the Australasian colonies very soon, a.id when they arrive I have no fear but they will get as hearty a reception as tha Redmond brothers did five years ago. The political horizjn at Home is cleariug ; the Tory Government is slowly but surely totteriDg towards its fall. A Government that is so weak-kntei aa to abandon a graat many of their principal measures does not eeem as f it were going to have a long le-ite of life. First they have abandoned the licensing clauses of their Local Government, E iglan.l, Act ; next we find them abandon the proposed tax on wheeled traffic ; and now they have abandoned the only Irish measure they bad in vi«w for settling the grievances of Ire am!, the extension clauses if Loid Ashbourne'a Act. Thpy are tenaciously sticking to the reins of power, but all appearanc-s go to show that ihey thai I soon abandon the Trtasmry benches.