Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 320, 1 February 1868, Page 2

Mr Harrison will address the electors at Rutherglen this evening. We have authority to sta'ce that Mr Whall intends to offer himself as a candidate for the town of Greyniouth in the County Council. Mr Martin Kennedy announces that owing to unexpected business engagements he finds it necessary to withdraw his name from the list of candidates for the electoral district of Greyniouth. In consequence of Mr Kei> nsdy's retirement, a requisition was yesterda}' presented to Mr James Davies, to which that gentleman gave his consent. We observe that Mr Edmund Wickes has received a requisition to offer himself as a candidate for the representation of Greymouth in the County Council, but has declined to stand. A general meeting of the shareholders of the Grey River Steam Tng Company is to be held at Kilgour's Union Hotel, on Monday at three p.m. The talented Nathan family make their first appearance in Greymonlh this evening, at the Union Theatre. The fame of this celebrated troupe will no doubt attract a large audience. We see by the local paper that Mr A. Bryce Bain, of Charleston, is a candidate for the representation of the Cobden district of the Nelson south-west Goldfiels in the Provincial Council. At a numerously attended meeting at Charleston, a resolution in his favor was unanimously curried. The nomination of members of the Grey Road Board takes place on Monday, and yet up to the present time we have not heard any names of probable candidates mentioned. If the inhabitants only understood the importance of having the Road Board composed of fitting men they would bestir themselves a little, and endeavor to secure the election of persons wh.o would command the public confidence. The Electoral Roll for IS6S, containing th names of "persons qualified to vote at the election of members of the County Council of Westland, for the electoral district of the town of Greyuiouth," has been printed, and copies can be obtained at the Warden's office on payment of 2s each. The roll professes to contain the rames of 176 electors ; but on reference to the list we find that it in eludes the names of a great many persons that have either left the district, died, or ceased to hold a qualification, The resuit of the application made by the i River-bank-protection Committee to the ' Hon. J. C. Richmond, asking that the L 250 he had promised on behalf of the Native Trust should bo placed at the disposal of the Committee, has been a reply through the Hon. John Hall, stating that on the inhabitants raising L 125 and placing it in the hands pf Mr Revell, the L 250 would be at once paid. Mr Rochfort, the District Engineer, came up yesterday and had a conference with the Committee ou the subject, and he quite agreed to leave the expenditure of the money under the control of the Committee. It was accordingly resolved to accept the terms pro. posed by Mr Richmond; and the collectors will to-day ask the residents in the Maori township to pay their promised contributions at once. Tenders for the pile-driving, <&c, have been called for ; but none will be accepted on Wednesday next unless the L 125 has been collected. We trust that there will be no lukewarmnes in the matter, but that each person will contribute in proportion to the extent of his property. On a terrace commanding a splendid view of the sea, and close to the half-way house, on the Greyniouth and Saltwater tramway, Mr G. Chesterman has laid out a pleasure garden, which we are sure must become a very favorite place of resort. As yet little has been done in the way of cultivation, but the grounds are so beautifully laid, out, the bush around, and the shrubs within the garden, are so green and pleasant, and the walks are so artistically planned, that there are ample means of enjoyment for all who delight in such thiugs. Swings, &c, are also erected for the amusement of children and those of larger growth, and refreshments can ba obtained on the spot. The tramway caiß puts visitors down close to the gardens. The Nelson Provincial Gazette contains a notice by the Superintendent that "Mr Alexander Montgomery is hereby authorised under the provisions of Section 13 of the 'Goldfields Act, 186G,' to form a towing track on the banks of the river Grey, from Cobden to the Ahaura, for the purpose of tracking boats on the river ; and he is also authorised to charge until December 3 1st, 1868, a toll of ten shillings for each horse towing boats." The conditions under which the above concession has been granted are as follows : — l. That the track shall be at all times maintained in a good state of repair. 2. That any person at any time on payment «' an equitable sum proportioned to the ex-. pjnse of forming the track; to be estimated l>y valuators appointed by the parties in-

toreistod, shall be entitled to th-3 free use of the trade. 3. That the track shall, if required, be given up to the Government at a valuation. 4. That the track shall not interfere with or encroach upon any existing rights and privileges. 4. That this protection shall not be transferred Avithpufc the sanction of the Goldfielils Commissioner. The Waimea escort, in charge q£ Sergeant Wilson, arrived at Hokitika on Thursday afternoon, bringing down 3500 ounces for the Bank of New Zealand and the Union Bank of Australia. A curious complication seems likely to arise with reward to the Governorship of New Zealand. It will be remembered that on the receipt of the information of Sir George Bwen'3 appointment, Sir George Grey made arrangements for leaving the cp.lo.ny, and was on the eve of his departure, when he received a despatch, requesting him to remain until after the Duke of Edinburghs' visit. It was also stated that Sir G. Bov;en's commission as Governor of New Zealand would be delayed. Sir Qeprge Grey accordingly remained, and arrangements have been made by the Government for a tour through the native districts by the Duke of Edinburgh, in which Sir Qeorge Grey Avould of course accompany hhn. Sir Cr. Bowen has left Queensland, and a letter has been received by the Government from him, statiug that although his cotmnission has not arrived, the health of his family induces him to leave for Wellington Avithout delay. On his arrival here, Sir G. Bowen will find himself awkAvardly placed, as, not having received his commission, he Avill have to subside for time into the character of a private gentleman, and a mere spectator of affairs in Avhich he might have played a part. Nor will it be a comfortable position for Sir George Grey or his Ministry, and it can only be hoped that there may be time for staying Sir G. Bowen's departure from Sydney. The Nelson Colonist states :— " That up to the arrival of thji December Panama mail no infoimation had been received by Sir George Grey as to the reported extension of his term of office ; on the contrary, the last despatches were addressed to the Officer Administering the Government, which clearly shows that th c Home Government Avere under the impression that Sir George had left the colody. If, therefore, Sir George Grey remains to see the Duke of Edinburgh, it will be as a private gentleman, in consideration of their former intimacy, and not on account of any ex. pressed wish of the Colonial Otlice. The latest intelligence from the Auckland goldfields is the following, taken from the New Zealand Herald of the 10th inst. : — " Perhaps the most satisfactory intelligence yet received from, the Thames is the opening of an alluvial digging at the Tapu Creek. The successful result of the rush which has lately set in to that place is now put beyond a doubt by the appearance in the market of alluvial gold. Yesterday, Mr Hogg, of the iirui of Hogg and Co., of Shortland Town, shoAved to 11s a fine sample of alluvial gold, altogether weighing 33 oz. , which had been purchased from miners arriving in Shortlaud from Tapu, and which, in the course of the day, was deposited in the Bank of New Zealand. We Avere also shown another sample by tyr Sceats of 12 ozs. brought from the same locality, chielly fine gold. Our informant adds, that at Tapu, where theie are now some hundreds of miners, there is a general appearance of well -doing, and that a considerable amount of gold is now in the hands of individuals. Amongst the gold shown to us yesterday Avere several nuggets varying from half^an-ounce to a piece the size of a Avalnut ; other pieces, again, contained more or less of quartz. We are assured that there is a large extent of country which has every appearance of bein ; auriferous, and from which, in various places, alluvia) gold has been obtained, while for those desirous of quartz-reefing, there is in the neighboring hills a large field for exploration. " It is stated in the Auckland papers that Sir George Grey has discovered rich gold bearing quartz on his island of Kawau. The Weekly Neios says : — Eight or ten very fine specimens were brought up to toAvu in the St. Kilda on Monday, by His Excellency's Private Secretary (the Rev. F. Thatcher). The gold is found in green-looking quartz, Avhich is very thickly impregnated Avith the precious metal. There is no doubt the discover}' is one of great importance. This is the first time gold has been discovered at the Kawau. The is'eAv Zealand Government Gazette of the 23rd inst. contains several proclamations having reference to the county of Westland. It is proclaimed — (1.) That the Ordinance for establishing standard weights and measures, and for the prevention of the use of such as are false and deficient .(session 7, No. 10) shall extend to the County. (2.) That from and after the 22nd daj r of January instant the jurisdiction of tho Resident Magistrate's Courts is extended to £100 in the districts of Hokitika and Greymouth, and to £50 in the district of Okarita. (3.) That Rowland Davis is appointed Inspector of Weights and Measures ia Westland. (4.) That EdAvard Clarke, Esq., is appointed Judge of the District Court of the County of Westland and of the District of Westland North ; that Edward Hardcastle, Esq., is j appointed to be Clerk at Hokitika, and I Harry Kenrick, Esq., at Greymouth, for the District Court of the County of Westland, and Francis Harris, Esq., to be Clerk of the District Court of West'aud North. (5.) That J. H. O'Longhlin, Esq., is appointed to be Crown Prosecutor for the District of the County of Westland. (6.) That Charles C. Schaw, Esq., is appointed to be Resident Magistrate for the District of Greymouth. The latter simply means that Mr Schaw will take charge of that portion of the Greymouth Resident Magistrate's district between the Arahura and, the Tereraakau,. The folloAving civil cases, in addition to those reported in our last issue, were disposed of the Resident Magistrate's Court on the 28th and 29th ult. :— D. Shpedy v. C. Meehan, LlO 12s. ; judgment by default for plaintiff. Thomas Joyce v. Sheldon, L;t 15s. 4d. ; judgment for plaintiff by de-

fault. Moaguiilet A. Anderson, LlB ss. ; judgment for plaintiff for L 9 12s. and costs. Albert Reid y. Paul Modiste, L 25, for an assault ; judgment for L 2 ami costs. Kilgour and Perotti v. Fullerton, L 5, for damages to tramway ; defendant was fined os, and ccsta, 15s. M'Grath v. O'Connor, L 3 3s. ; judgment for plaintiff for LI lls. G. Simn,ons A. Ann;e Osborne, Ll9 ; judgment for plaintiff by defniilt. T. and G. F. Bnllen v. John Harris, Ll4 Is. 2d ; judgment for plaintiffs by defanlt. Same v. Smith, L.5 9s. 6d.; for plaintiffs by default. With regard to the survivors of the wreck of the General Grant, the Otago Daily Times s,i\ys i — ! 'Wp are informed that the Colonial Secretary has for somo days been in communication with the Superintendent of Southland on the subject of the loss of the General Grant, and has provided means for the niainteuance and passages of the persons saved. It is supposed that when the Amherst left there were no other persons on the island. It is, Aye believe, the intention of the Government to propose to the Assembly, next session, a vote for the establishment of a depot at the Auckland Islands."