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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2021, 27 October 1869, Page 2

The Electric Telegraph. The West Coast lines of telegraph are now reported iu working order. Accident.— This afternoon by great exertion on the part of several boatmen, two valuable horses, the property of Mr Brown of Green Island, wore saved from drowning They were yoked in the usual way of shaft and lead horse, aud in turning rather quickly near the end of the jetty, the dray went over the sill, and dragged both horses into the water. For some time it seemed uncertain whether either would be saved, but by great exertion both were ultimately got out alive, and the dray was left iu the mud. We understand that it is a weekly occurrence that a dray goes overboard, and that this arises from the fact that the outer sill is only about two inches above the level of the jetty instead of six or eight which would afford sufficient protection.

Meeting.—Mr J. G. S. Grant addressed a number of persons in the Octagon to-day at noon. He was patiently listened to, and at the conclusion of his speech the following reslution was put by him and c irrird “ Resolved that, in the opinion of this meeting, the fifteen rej resentatives of Otago have basely sold the interests of their constituents at the last Assembly ; and therefore they do not represent the people of Otago, but are simply adventurers, placehunters, office-holders, land-monopoli-ts, agents, touters, parasites, and unprincipled politicians, that aim to enrich themselves at the public expense ; That the Dunedin members are notable cowards, who will neither resign nor dare to meet their constituents ; That this meeting, then, solemnly proscribes such men as unworthy of any future public support or confidence,” The Commissioner of Police, —We observe amongst the names of the passengers who arrived here yesterday by the Tararua that of Mr T. K. Weldon, late Commissioner of Police in Southland, who has been appointed by the Otago Government as successor to Mr and to whose experience and ability a late issge of the Southland Times has the following tribute : —An announcement has recently appeared in the columns of a Dunedin contemporary, to the effect that Mr Weldon is likely to assume the duties of Commissioners of Police in Otago, rendered vacant by the appointment of Mr St. John Brauigan as Commissioner of the Colonial Constabulary. We regret that the limited means at the disposal of the Southland Government will necessitate a change. Mr Weldon arrived in this province at a time when the Wakatip diggings were in full force and when “rowdies” abounded in Invercargill, He re-organised the local force, and by his energy, ability, and knowledge of the duties incidental to his position, he created a thoroughly efficient force which gained the confidence of the people, and effectually repressed crime. As a citizen he has earned the good opinion of his fellowmeu, by an affable and courteous demeanor. As an officer he has been a terror to evildoers, au efficient servant of law and order. Chamber of Commerce,— A deputation from the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce waited upon the lion, the Colonial Treasurer —who is also the Commissioner of Customs-today, io ask that such general p Tinits for the landing of cargo from ships arriving from Great Britain might be granted as arc given in the case of the steamers frequenting the port. After some explanations by the Chairman of the Chamber, Mr 11. B. Martin, aud other gentlemen had been made, Mr Vogel pointed out that no permits were grapted except when sight entries for the cargo were passed, and at his request Mr Seed, the Inspector of Customs, who was present, explained the law and also the provisions of the Lien for freights Act of last session, some of which bear on tbc case in hand. A promise was given that the Customs would give every facility when agents of ships desired to pass general sight entries, as is done in the case of steamers, in order to facilitate discharge from the lighters. It was also suggested by Mr Seed, that the Rattray street jetty and shed should be let to some one who could give bond to the Customs in respect of goods lodged in the shed, so that it might be used as a temporary bonding warehouse. After this subject had been disposed of, Mr Vogel informed the deputation that the course the Government proposed to take in regard to the mail communication with Great Britain, was to offer a double gratuity—2d per letter instead of Id, in ec,3ps where the mails were brougnt down from Melbourne, or taken up to that port with reasonable despatch. It was proposed to give power tv the I'ost Office authorities in Melbourne to scud pu the Vow j!calami mails by those steamers which were likely to roach the various ports lirst, and if steamers were leaving for Dunedin and for Hokitika about same time, the Otago mails would come via Bluff.

Westland. —In speaking of the expense of the Comity Council, the West Coast Times says “There is no doubt that at present the honorarium of 30s per day for country members actually constitutes an income iu itself," for there are two sittings a year, in which, on an average, four months arc consumed, which, at L 0 a week, amounts to about LloO. As there arc about eight members, borides the Chairman, at LfiOO per annum, the total cost of County legislation is something under L2OOO per annum. Out of this, by the way, we may omit the Hokitika members, who only receive committee money.” Gold in Southland. —In our lust issue we stated that eucou raring reports had been received from Longwood, to the effect that a well-defined and “likely” loader had been struck by a prospecling party. On Thursday last, a man named Mark Kaiu walked into the Bank of New Zealand at Bivorton, and presented for sale a nugget weighing 7oz 13dwts. Of course, so extraordinary a circumstance led to remark, and the man, on being questioned, stated that he had found the nugget within a mile and a-half of where the reef had been discovered. As an evidence of the purity of the metal, lie said that the banker gave LI per ounce for it. —Times 22nd inst.

Queenstown. Similar with other portions of the Wakatip, cheering items of news from Skippers are indicative of a revival of minining prospects there. The greater portion of the creek is now occupied by Ohiuamcii, who are wot king it in large parties, under extended regulations, and the majority are making good wages. Evidently the Mongolian element is permeating the entire district, and its constituents are gathering the rich crumbs which in many instances Europeans have been cither too lazy or indifferent to look after. As regards reefing, a cake of gold weighing 114 ozs, 13 dwts, was brought down from the Phoenix Co.’s claim last week. This "was obtained from stone iu the second reef, which, with another lot, makes 170 ozs from 80 feet—all the ground opened in the reef at present. We are informed this reef, whioh may be termed the permanent or reliable one, averages seven feet wide, is well defined going down, but there is no reef upwards—or above the tunnel. Probably another 20 oz would have been extracted ; but, owing to the delay in arrival of new stamper-box grating, some coarser grating at hand had to be used. We understand it is contemplated to continue the present drive, and also take iu a new tunnel at 110 feet lower level. It is also said that the Skippers, Bose, Diamond, and Airial claims are being included in this Company’s ground, the present area held by the Phanix Co. to be taken up under miners’ rights. A crushing lately of ten tons of stone from the Bonnie Dundee claim, Upper Shotover, is said to have averaged seven ounces to the ton. This stone had to be packed, and was the pickings from about 50 tons. The Eldorado, an adjoining claim, also yielded 20 oz 3 dwts of gold from Ilf tons of unpicked stone.— Wakatip Mail. The Otago Political Association will meet at the Council Chambers, this evening, at eight o’clock. A meeting of the Otago Investment Society will be held on Friday evening at half-past seven o’clock. The regular monthly meeting of the Lodge of Otago, 544 E. C.„ will be held at the Masonic Hall this evening at 7.30, when the installation of W.M. and investiture of officers for the ensuing year will be made.