HOKITIKA.

Grey River Argus, Issue 16, 6 January 1866, Page 3

HOKITIKA.

We clip the following from the "West Coast Times," of the 2nd instant :— The hospital is fast approaihing completion, and in a few days accommodation for 70 beds will be ready. Daring a disturbance at Bracken's Hotel, on New Year's Eve, Constable Can*, who had taken an offender in custody, andVho was threatened with a rescue, drew his|revolver and vowed he would make it a warning to those who attempted a rescue, but afterwards returned the weapon to his belt, resorting to his " neddy" instead. The mob, however, were enraged at the sight of firearms, the constable was pulled to the ground, and in some unaccountable manner the pistol exploded in the case, the ball penetrating the unfortunate man's thigh, entering on the inside, coming out close to the knee, and traversing the whole length of the leg inside his boot, without inflicting any further wound, and was afterwards found in the heel of his sock. At first Carr felt no pain, and had no idea he was wounded until his attention was directed to his trousers, which had been set on fire by the wad. He was at once conveyed to the store of Lear and Benjamin (the other constables in the mean time having taken their man to the camp), and the services of Dr Biley being called into requisition, his leg was bandaged up, and we are happy to say the wound pronounced not dangerous. < He was removed to the camp as soon as possible afterwards, and is now progressing favorably. This untoward occurrence did more towards checking any further demonstration that night than the united efiorba of the police could have effected, and very soon after the street was comparatively deserted. The sum of £95 18s 6d has been raised by private subscription, for the relief of the widow and orphans of Matthew Lee, lately in the employ of Messrs Collins and Robinson, of Kanieri, who was drowned by the upBetting of a boat on the Hokitika river a few weeks ago. A Theatre, to be < called the Prince of Wales, is about being erected in Kevell street, and will be opened by a company from Sydney shortly.