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Grey River Argus, Issue 153, 5 January 1867, Page 2

We have to acknowledge the receipt, from the author B. L. Farjeon, Esq., of a copy of his new Christmas story, "Grit"; a Tale of Colonial Life." AYe shall give a review of the work in an early issue. It is notified by advertisement that the Rev.. Sir Canncll will preach in the Religious Institution Uooms, Gresson street, to-morrow morning and evening. ' ; The dramatic company at the Theatre Royal, Sweeney's Hotel would, we think, find it more satisfactory to their audiences, and perhaps to themselves, if instead of essaying the performance of dramas which iep-iire scenic accessories considerably beyond the resources of the theatre, they would confine themselves to light comedy and farce. There are some well-known good actors and actresses in the company, and we throw out this hint with tho desire to encourage them. It would be impossible to give any criticism of the performances which have been given under such disadvantageous circumstances — save as we said before that there was some 'good acting, but the pieces were nnsnited to the capacity of the stage and the resources of the groen room. The inclement weather hail the effect' of limiting the attendance at Pablo Fauque's entertainment last night, which was for the benefit of the hospital. There was, however, a tolerable house, and the various performances, both of Pablo Fanque and his dogs, gave great satisfaction to the audience. We notice by the Wed Coast Times that so inadequate had been the provision of stamps under the new Stamp Act at llokitika that the Postmaster had to telegraph to Wellington on the subject, and received instructions that the ordinary penny postage stamps might be used until a supply of the proper ones was received. Mr. Dick, the postmaster at Hokitika has, according to the West Coast Time-i, received instructions from head-quarters to proceed to Fox's River and Pakihi for the purpose of establishing post-offices at those places. One of the jockeys at the llokitika races, named Simpson, . met with a severe fall on Wednesday. The West Coast Times says that the saddle slipped at starting, causing the lad to be thrown heavily. He was promptly conveyed to a booth, and medical assistance was obtained. He was found to be suffering from concussion of the brain, but yesterday's paper says he is progressing favorably. A meeting of members of the Church of England was held on Thursday evening in the Religious Institution Rooms, to take into consideration the best means for providing for the regular services of the Church in Greymouth. Archdeacon Harper was present and explained to the meeting the position hi which lie was placed with regard, to providing a resident clergyman. He had proposed to the Hokitika coiigrcgation that the proceeds of the offertory should be applied to the payment of a resident clergyman, who should divide his time between Hokitika, Greymouth, and other places, he (the Archdeacon) however, guaranteeing the Hokitika congregation that they should have continuous Sabbath services. He now proposed that the Greymouth congregation should have the services of the clergyman for at least fourteen days a month. He would strongly urge upon them to set about building a suitable church, and when that was done he was prepared to supply them with a resident clergyman, pro-' vided they paid down LlOOj for his passage-; money. He (the Archdeacon) was content to rely on the offertory for the means of supporting tho clergyman. Mr Tyler would much prefer a permanent, clergyman at once, and he believed there would be no-difficulty; in raising'the means for his support, as lie held in his hand a list of names guaranteeing L 370 a year. Ultimately it was: decided to accept the proposal made by. the Archdeacon and a Building, : . Committee, consisting of Messrs King, Kissling, Coates, Pelling, 1 and Wickes,was appointed tocollect subscriptions for a new church 'building,' The ladies Avere also requested to form themselves into a Collecting Committee, , Upwards of LSO was subscribed in the room, and the expectation is felt that building operations may be commenced almost immediately. The Archdeacon was asked to nominate lay readers, pending the arrival of a clergyman, which he promised to do before he left Grey mouth,

": We notice that, on the motion qf Mr Whall the sum put do-VTii as for ajgijantin aid ofjtlie Grey, River s Hospital has been increased by' ,L 5.0.0. The House divided/on the question;' J and, the votes being equal, Mr Whall's motibu was carried by the casting vote of the . chairman, . ............ J..,. ...... '„..., The items under the head " Warden's Courts". have been fixed by the Government as follows :— Five wardens at LSOO, two wardens for six months at LSOQ, six clerks at LBOO. The items passed as above in Committee of supply, ■ Mr Oass, who for many years has filled the position of chief surveyor of the province, has been compelled by ill health to retire from the service. The Provincial Council have voted him. a retiring pensiou ,of L4OO per annum. . The Government have brought -in at. special Public House Bill for Westlaml. It has Uoeri 'read a first time, (md ordered to be printed. Some few days ago we nioiitioned that a number of residents had . subscribed .the money for the purpose of a complete set of .boring tools, for the purpose of prospecting' the district. The money was forwarded to Melbourne, and. a reply was received from the manufacturers, statingthat the apparatus would: be 'sent by the next steamer. The tools have not arrived ; a circumstance that is to be much regretted, as several ofl'ers have already becil 'made for the use of the apparatus, by prospecting parties. It is currently reported that Mr O'Loughlin is likely to receive the appointment of District Judge'for Westland. A requisition to the Governor, recommending his appoint, ment, has been signed by almost the whole' of the legal profession in Westland, and we understand that a reply of a favorable nature has been received. • The West-port Times, of the 29th ultimo, has the following :—'.' Our mining news must of necessity be meagre, for the holidays have uiiscttled the miners, and no work has been done sinoeour last publication by the majority. Some good corrss gold has bcea got from the Mokihinui, some pieces weighing from four to five dwts.. A. nugget weighing 11 ozs. was brought in a day or two ago from Inangahua, between the river and the Saddle, got by two men! r.ainedJ6hu .Smith and Henry Marshall, who worked there for a mouth. The balance of their earnings, small nuggetty gold, paid expenses during the time they were at work. A great many, went yesterday and to-day to the north to try their fortune, and in a short time we may look to hear how they have prospered. For | a week or two, however, 1 yve do not expect j to have any news of importance, as work will not steadily recommence till after the new year. Since the above was in type we have been informed tha^ a party got 3£ ozf. one afternoon recently, at the Mokihinui. j We tell the tale as it .was told, to us." By the Kennedy we are in receipt of later news from the Buller. The Westpurt Times of i the 2nd instant states that the accounts that j have come down- privately from, the. Moldliinui and Karamea have caused, quite a rush to the northward of the Buller. Three or four hundred men are said to have loft Weatport for the north during the last few days, and others were following. The llapkl, schooner, had been laid on for thcKar'amea, and the Star of the Buller was to follow. The Karamea is stated to bo forty miles from Westnort by sea, and lies in a bight south of i Rock's Point ; by land the distance is greater. The news from the Mokihiuui is to the effect that a number of men are at work profitably, but supplies are. exceedingly difficult to obtain. We learn from the same ■paper that Westport is infested with bad characters, and that thefts have been numerous. The track from Fox's to the Pakihi has been completed, and' that between the Pakihi to the Buller. is expected to be finished in a fortnight. The town of Westport is fast improving, building's b'cmg rapidly erected.