THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1868.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 441, 10 November 1868, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1868.

When the Nelson Government refused to contribute towards the protection of this port they might have done so gracefully, and if a reason for this refusal were necessary, they might have found one more plausible than the one they gave. They have refused to help us to build works to protect the place from which they abstract so much revenue, because " they did not feel called upon to coutribute towards the completion of public -works in the County of Westland, more especially when the County was receiving so much Customs revenue from goods consumed iv the Nelson Province." We anticipated that they would not feel called upon to give any money to the Couuty of Westland because they have persistently refused to assist in the maintenance of the

boundary port all along, although we never could see any reason why they should not be equally chargeable with Westlaud with a fair share of the expenditure in making the port accessible to vessels, improving the navigation of the channel, aud confining the river to a permanent and serviceable course. They have refused their assistance because this is the County of Westlaud ; but dpes the Nelson Government refuse to receive revenue collected iv the County] Assuredly not, and if they would only look a little closer into the apswer they gave the Borough Council they may find that it cuts both ways. They annually receive from Greymouth one-half of its Customs revenue, although the whole of it is collected iv the Count} 7 , aud may very justly be claimed as belonging solely to the Comity, and yet refuse to contribute towards the maintenance of the port, because we " receive so much Customs revenue from goods cousumed within the Nelson Province." The fallacious nature of such an argument must be seen at once. As well might Westlaud or Nelson claim from Otago to be refunded for all Customs duties paid on goods exported from Dunedin to the West Coast ; or, Westland might call upon the Nelson Government to baud over the large revenue collected at their principal port on the vast quantity of goods imported into Westlaud by their line oi steamers. The idea is simply ridiculous. The revenue belongs, to the Province or County in which it is collected ; and we believe that there is no law which compels the equal diri&ion of the Customs revenue between Nelson and Westland. We do not, however, object to the present arrangement — looking at the boundary Hue, and the mauuer in which a large proportion of the population in the district is now on the one side of the river and then on the other — so long as it is fairly and equitably carried out. Nelson is regularly credited with half of the revenue, raised at the port, and is it not just that she should pay an equal proportion of the cost of the works which are required to make the port safe, and keep it iv its present position 1 ? The Borough Council has asked no more than it was justly entitled to, and if the Nelson Government had understood the matter, or had looked at I it in a spirit of fairness, without prejudice, they would at once have given the contribution asked for. Upon whao principle tho Westland half of the re. venue is made chargeable with the whole of the cost of improving and maintaining the port we cannot see; and the reason which has been advanced by the Nelson Government throws no further light on the subject. This question must not be allowed to rest here. It ought to be followed up by the Council, and the injustice which the Nelson Government has for a long time been doing to the port placed before their attention and kept there until it is understood and remedied. The letter should not only be "received," but should have been replied to in a vigorous manner, and the whole question kept open. If the Nelson authorities will not listen to our just claims, there is but one course left, and that is the one we have so long advocated — the alteration of the boundary line, by the extension of the County of Westland to the Razorback — when the whole of the Customs revenue collected in Westland, after deducting the General Government's shure, would be allowed to remain in its hands, to be appropriated to legimate purposes. Although this latter alternative cannot be carried out for the next year, the matter must not be allowed to remain iv its preseut unsatisfactory position. It must be continually agitated, and now that we have a local governing body we have a right to expect that they will not lose sight of it, but will bring all the pressure they can to bear upon the Nelson Government, in ordei to convince them that at present they are acting very unjustly towards this portion of the Couuty of Westland.

A letter which appears in another column contains a confirmation of the news which we published iv our last of a new rush to Nelson Creek. The 1 ush is reported to be a really good one, and is anticipated to prove the largest which has ever taken place in this district. An inspection of the Greymouth Rifles will take place at the Institute, Gresson street, on Thursday evening. The usual practice of the Choral Union is postponed t« Wednesday evening, the hall being required for a meeting of the Borough Council to-night. There have been plenty of rumors lately concerning a reported new rush at the Greenstone, but we have, before giving publicity to them, waited for reliable information. We have now the best authority for e.catiug that the new workings are on the banks, whereas the old workings were in the bed of the crock. There are now 500 men oil the

ground, and the prospects obtained average about two grains to the dish. The gold is a little rough, and the ground is expected to be capable of paying good wages. There is flvcry facility for working tfye ground, owing to the water being easily brought on to it from the creek. Our informant believes there are sufficient men on" fixe ground to work it, but it is expected that the terraces will prove to be auriferous, when a much larger population will be maintained. There are a number of business places going up, but provisions are very dear, as they have to be brought from Hokitika, boated up the Teremakau River to the junction, thence packed to the diggings about eight miles distant. It is a great picy that, a road, or serviceable trauk has not been made to these diyginys, so that its supplies could be drawn from Greymouth. The place is easily accessible by Mr Rochfort'd line from the back of the Australasian, on the South Beach, or froac. the Omotoraoto Orcek. The Road Board has talked enough about making this road, but as yet they have done very little practically to carry out their scheme. The Wellington Independent, speaking of the liability of Road Boards, says :— lt is not generally known that it is now authoritatively laid down that Road Boards are lagally responsible for any injury or damage which has arisen through their negligence. Yesterday being tlie anniversary of the birthday of H. R, H. the Prince of Wales was very generally observed as a half-holiday in town. The Oourt;-bouse offices were closed all day, and at midday there was a very generi) suspension of business, after which there was scarcely a shop open. The beautiful weather allowed the holiday-makers to enjoy themselves thoroughly ; and in the afte.rnoon the town presented quite a deserted appearance. The vessels in port aud a few hotels and shops showed their loyalty by a display of bunting. It is reported by the Nelson Examiner that there is a probability of the company who formerly were lessees of the Brunncr Coal Mine, again becoming possessors of the proparty. The Company has increased its capital from L 30 ,000 to L 60 ,000, and although nothing has been definitely settled, there appears to be every likelihood that the terms of the Government for leasing the mine will be accepted, the matter being now in course of negotiation. The valuation of town properties laid before the Council at its last meoting has caused considerable talk in town, and not a little gru mbling. The document lies for inspection at the Fire Brigade Hall, and to most of the residents ib will prove a very interesting one. The Christchurch papers report that a man named Edward Rice committed suicide by hanging himself by his shirt to a rafter in a closet attached to his house. It appeared from the evidence taken at the inquest that the poor wretch had been suffering from delirium tremens, and in that state had des- ' troyed himself. The jury returned a verdict accordingly. Since the new County of Westland Act has come to haud, we find that for the future the Road Boards shall consist of six instead of I five membeis, and this additional member shall be elected along with the three members who have to be elected in December. The name of the Grey Road District has been changed to Paroa Road District, but its boundaries are the same as at present. The Chinese are beginning to find their way to the West Coast. We learn from the West Coast Times that on Friday about uinety Chinese were landed at Hokitika from the s.s. Rangitoto. These celestials have been brought here as it were to order, having been sent for by a small number of their countrymen who landed here some months since, and who appear to be doing so well that they have induced more of their compatriots to enjoy the fat of the land. Although disagreeable neighbors, they are a most industrious race, and will succeed in ferreting out a 'good deal of gold which has passed unobserved by the European miner. After having refreshed themselves with "welly good" pork and fish, they proceeded to the diggings, one portion to the Hau Hau aud another to the Waimea district. We must again draw the attention of the Borough Council to the urgent necessity which exist 9 for taking some steps to cause the removal of nuisances from the streets. It would cost very little to fill-in with shingle those abominable pools of green stagnant water which now lie steaming under the hot sun, spreading abroad disease and death. The choicest corner in this town is, we think, the junction of Boundary and Mackay streets, where a pool containing nearly every species of abomination, lies sweltering in the sun right in front of a public school door. No wonder that so many children are just now stricken down, when such hot-beds of disease are allowed to exist in public thoxoughfares. Among the communications which have appeared in this paper (Otago Daily Times) at various times under the head of "A Month in Fiji," there is one portion to which we think it especially desirable the attention of intending settlers should be called. The writer, after referring to the labor question as, next to the native, the great difficulty, present and prospective, reminds those who may wish to try the islands that " they can do nothing without labor," and declares " that any hasty, rapid influx of intending planters before the country is. prepared for them, will not be successful." "With labor," he continues, "anything can be done; bat without it, nothing. Intending settlers should never 16$e Right of this, and will do well to take, in all cases, a preliminary trip and see their way before abandoning the position and prospects they may have at home. " He further says " that it is on imported labor, and on thati only, that the welfare of Fiji and of those who settle in it as planters will in all human probability depend." As the importation of this labor is neoessarily a work of time, and as time must also be required under the most favorable circumstances to select land on which to settle, we think it well to reiterate what has

been said on this subject. Indeed the advice contained in this extract is so plainly sound, that it must commend itself to all who think of proceeding to these Islands — especially as there can be no doubt many might not like either the climate or the mode of life, both of which the same writer des- I cribes as very different from that to which, people here are accustomed. To a single man in such circumstances, the result may not be of much consequence 5 but to families, unless, their means be large, it should be a, matter of serious consideration. It is reported that gold has been discovered near Timaru. The Herald of the 4th inst. says :— We are glad to learn that the payable nature of the country at the head of the Waiho river ia likely to be well tested, and that the question of whether a payable field really does or dots not exist will soon be set at rest. At the present time there are sixteen men at work. We learn that Dow returned to Waimate on Saturday ; but although good prospects were found, nothing of a payable character was discovered. Two men from the locality who passed through Timaru yesterday, report that there are now as many as sixteen men at work actually digging ; but they say that although gold is found, it is not in payable quantities, as wages are barely made. The block of country in which gold exists will now be fairly tested, as many of the men who are at work are well supplied with provisions, and intended remaining in the country until their stock is exhausted. From a private letter shown to us last even-^ ing, written by an old digger at Waimate to a gentleman in Timaru, we learn that a few men returned there with good specimens, ami were to leave again for the field on Monday. The writer expresses a very firm belief that there is gold in payable quantities, and thinks that the prospectors have not struck the right ground. Some of the men who were to return to the locality on Monday intend moving eight or ten miles higher up than they were before. The place is described on all hands as a most likely looking locality for gold, aud bears an exact resemblance to Tuapeka.