INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 389, 11 July 1868, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Under the head of "Poker on the West Coast," the Westport Times of the 2nd inst. says : — "There is an American game of cards called "Poker, or "Bluff," of the particular rules of which we exist in contented ignorance. It is, however, we understand a very " gambling" game, as verdant players frequently learn to their cost. The other day, a scene occurred on the West Coast, in which a canny Scot, an Irishman, and a knowing Dowueaster were whiling away an odd hour. At the first pool, the Scotchman was successful and bagged a few pounds. Grinning all over his face, he rubbed his hands, And exclaimed, as ho pocketed the haul with much internal enjuyment, "Eeh, mon, that's a braw game !" The next rub, he was what is called " bluffed," and had to refund the sum he had just netted, when with a lengthening visage, he ejaculated, "Faith, Sirs, .an* its a precawrious game !" Worse luck followed tho third hand, on which bo staked hia all. Ho lost ; and in the broadest Doric, found vent to hia feelings in the following exclamati >n, " Gweedsave's, but its a dawninable game !" The three phases of fortune should be a les9on to youug players at *' poker." A meeting of the yettlera in the Waikouaiti District, Otago, has been held for the purpose of considering the question of local self-government. Tho Waikouaiti Herald gives a report of the proceedings, and states that the following resolutions were passed : — " That, in the opinion of this meeting, tho time has arrived when Provincial Institutions ought to bo abolished, as being unsuited to the presont wants of the Colony." — " That it is the opinion of this meeting that Local Government, by means of the County or Shire system, would be highly beneficial for the Electoral District of Waikouaiti. " — " That this meeting is of opiuiou that, from unduo representation in the Provincial Council, the alienation of the legitimate revenue of the district, and centralising policy of the successive Governments, the present form of Provincial Government, as administered in this district, is unworthy the confidence of the people resident within it ; they therefore hail with satisfaction some form of Local Solf-Government, whereby they might have the management of their own alfairs, and the expenditure of their proportionate share of the public revenue to be devoted to works necessary to the procress of the district. " " That the following gentlemen be appointed a Commttee, with power to add to their number, to prepare a memorial for signature by tho inhabitants of this District, and transmitted to the General Assembly of New Zealand, praying them to take their case Into favourable consideration, by passing a Bill constituting the Electoral District of Waikouaiti into a County. A meeting for a similar purpose has been held in Oamaru, when it was resolved : — " It is the opinion of this meeting that steps should be at once taken to apply, at the next meeting of the General Assembly, to have tho Oamaru District constituted a County." A few weeks ago, a gentleman was visiting the gaol at Duuedin, and whilst going over the various departments of the establishment observed a prisoner busily employed in forming an inscription with white shells upon a grave within the precincts, of which inscription the word "Peace" had been completed. His curiosity was awakened, and iv reply to his inquiries he discovered that the grave was that of Jarvey, who was executed some time ago for the murder of his wife, and that the prisoner thus employed was no other than Sullivan, of Maungatapu notoriety. So touching an instance of sympathy between two such exemplary members of society will surely be admitted to bo most edifying. It is satisfactory to know that this archraiscreant has no reason to congratulate himself on his removal to Dunedin, where the regimen is very strict, and where his fellow-prisoners evince no desire whatever to cultivate his companionship. The island of Motutapu, known as Graham's Island, with its large stock of game, partridges, pheasants, and quails, and herds of deer, is in the market, and is expected to fall into the hands of Sir George Grey. The Nelson Examiner of the 4th inst., says :— " The Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Courtopened on Wednesday last, by His Honor Mr Justice Richmond, terminated yesterday. Two questions have arisen out of them which call for a word or two of remark. The Judge, in his charge to the Grand Jury, made reference to the late Fenian troubles on the West Coast, and thought it necessary to point out the duties of the Magistracy in times of popular tumult. The Governor, he said, is the conservator of the Queen's peace, and immediately under him are the Magistracy, who must act in subordination to the General Executive Government. Superintendents of Provinces, except in their capacity as magistrates, have no functions whatever in such cases. The immediate call for these remarks on the part of the Judge were certain published letters or reports of Mr Commissioner Kynnersley, concerning the late disturbances at Addison's Flat, in which that officer assumed to possess powers which clearly did not belong to his office. It was quite right in Mr Justice Richmond to point out the error which Mr Kennersley committed, but an attempt wa3 made by the Colonist, yesterday, to make it appear that his Honor condemned the whole of the Commissioner's proceedings on that occasion, and, by implication, passed censure on.the Superintendent, who had commended them. Now we are sure nothing was further from the Judge's mind than what has been imputed to him. Mr Kennersley may have misunderstood his position, may have said some foolish things in his report \ to the Superintendent ; but that his conduct was marked by " combined fearlessness and caution/ which saved the colony some very serious troubles, we believe no one will question who will candidly examine what took place ; and such we believe to be the opinion of his Honor tho Judge. When Mr Justice Richmond made the remarks to which we have referred, his Honor must have had also in his mind what has recently occurred in the Westland Council, where a resolution wa3 carried censuring the Chairman, who is the representative of the General Government, for not having summoned a meeting of the Council during the recent Fenian disturbances at Hokitika, in order that they might have advised with him on the course he should pursue. This, for absurdity, caps anything of the kind we ever heard flf."