Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 518, 13 May 1869, Page 2

A public meeting, under the auspices of the Separation Committee, having been convened at Hamilton's Hotel, Cobden, last evening, a number of Greymouth gentlemen, including Messrs W. H. Harrison, M.H.R., Perkins, Kennedy, Sheedy, Parkinson, and other attended, anxious, no doubt, to hear what objections the inhabitants of Cobden could advance against the proposition to foon the whole district of tbe Grey valley into a separate County. /The meeting was called for 8 o'clock, and at that t'me the Greymouth visitors sat waiting, in the snug parlor of Host Hamilton, for the mustering o? the Cobdenites. At half-past 8 none of tbe denizens of the city of Cobden had put in an appearance, and it became evident that it was desirable for the Greymouth visitors to assume the initiative atid take their places i.\ the room appropriated to the meeting. Accordingly the genial influences of tho fire and excellent toddy of the landlord were exchanged for ths less comfortable conditions of the long room. There, however, the assembled public (consisting exclusively of some dozen Greymouth folks) had to wait . for what appeared to be an indefinite period for the appearance of the Cobden inhabitants. The question arose as to whether there were any inhabitants at al 1 . but this idea was dispelled by the furtive appearance of certain beads, the anxious eyes of whica peered for a moment into the room and then disappeared. Here was a fix : — a public meeting and no public ! At last it was proposed that two of the most athletic persoas ii the room should go out into the highways and hedges and "compel them to come in." ■ But this coup was only partially successful, one solitary (and he looked so) individual falling a victim to the prowess of the emmissaries. He, however,, although competed vi et atinis to "come in," went out as speedily as possible, the possibility occurring just at the t'me the backs of h's captors were turned against him. Another lull, and then -it Wcvs proposed that those present should pi opose to cany their own resolution ; but this vas overruled, and the end was aa adjournment sine die. It having transpired, . however, that the "cocks of the walk "of Cobden — all with white feathers in their tails — had assembled at Wilkie's store, three op four of the Greymouth visitors wended the'.r way thither. On arriving there a desultory argument arose on the question that was intended to have been calmly discussed, and it was elicited that the residents of Cobden had no further objection to. the alteration proposed, exespt that they feared the railway from the coal mine would be ma:le on the Greymouth side of the river. Seriously, it is to be regretted that the inhabitants of Cobden refused to listen to, anchat least endeavor to refute the arguments which would have been advanced in favor of the new County. At any rate they cannot accuse the Gfeymouth Committee 6"f any want of courtesy in the matter. We would remind the pub^c that the oyelaws of the Borough Council with legard to cattle straying in the streets are now iv force, and will be vigorously carried out. A public meeting, called by the Separation Committee, is to be held at Davidson's Hotel. Paroa, 'on Friday evening, aterfnt o'clock, to consider the question of the establishment of a separate County for tbe Grey district;. On Monday last a large water-wheel, newly erected by Campbell and party to drain their claim on the old Lagoon Lead, Saltwater, was christened with the usual ceremony. There was a large gathering of the miners in the neighborhood, aud the wheel was named "The Surprise" by Mrs Wilson. The health of the proprietors, and success to their undertaking, was drank,- aud three cheers given. A number of toasts were ( then given aud responded to, and the coinpaiiy did not break up until an early hour next morning. The company which erected this wheel was formed about sixteen, months since, and were occupied for a long time in bringing iv v"ater out of the New River, they having to flume some distance. After they

had completed that work they shortly afterwards divided intp two parties, Campbell and Co. and Burke and Co. The ground they set in to work is that portion that lie.3 nearest to the sea, and was partially worked about three years since, but not successfully, f >n account of the great abundance of water. Campbell and Co, having found that it was utterly impossible to make any headway on that account, arr nged with ©avidson and Co., an adjoining party, to erect a waterwheel ; they commenced about five weeks since, and is now iv full wdrking order. In addition to erecting the wheel, they, were forced to form a deep tail-race some 300 yards in jlength, which 'entailed a great depJ q p heavy work. In order to obviate in a degree the inconvenience at present arising from there being only a weetly mail between town and the ' up-river diggings, Mr D. M'Kenna, of Mac's Eoyal Hotel, At.aur«i announces his intention of staring; on Monday next, a tri-weekly horse er.press between Greymouth. and the AhauoiY for the conveyauce of letters, parcels, &c. ■ 3j.!i:'s is certa'n to prove of immense benefit both to the larges"population wow . located itp the river and to the merchants m town. The importance of the d'strici'requires that more frequent mail communication should be established, and the majter ought to be represented in the proper quarter. We also learn that Mr M'Kenna contemplates extending the line to Napoleon's in ,tlie course of a week or so. The preaent arrangements, are, that the express leaves Middleton's Wharf Hotel, Grey mouth, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday ; and Mac's Eoyal Hotel, Abaura, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There has besn no business transacted at the Resident Magistrate's Cou i< t during tte kst two day 3. Mr Be veil has been s-bsent at the Supreme Court sittings at Hokitika. The W. G. Timfis learns by telegraph tVat o.i Monday the Superintendent of Otago piesented an address to Mr Vo^el, on leaving the Province o? Otago for Auckland. A large number of persons attended, and a purse was intended to accompany the address: This, however, could not be given, as the returns from out-districts were not in. It is intended, and expected, to coutain 500 sovereigns be.*ore being handed over. It is announced that as the s.s. Tararup, will not call at this port on her present tvi p, the mails for Europe ard the AustraJ'aa Colonies will close at 10 p.m. on Friday, m order to be dispatched by Cobb's coach on Saturday morning, to be transhipped at Hokitika. The library for the use of Members of the General Assembly has received an addition of 100 volumes, including a number of new and standard works. At Wellington, on April 24, the sieward of the s.s. Bangitoto was fined £5 10s for having in his possession ten boxes of cigars. Thomas Robertson was found drowned so Grant's Braes, Otago, on April 28 ; and on the same day a woman named Baker was found dead in a hut at Anderson's Bay, in the same Province. The local journal bays that the population on the river Buller and its tributaries is from 600 to 700, most of whom are getting from " tucker" to, say, £10 per week per man. A .committee has been formed at Addison's Flat for the purpose of collecting fuuds vi aid of the Grattan Memorial Fund, which' has lately been inaugurated in Dublin. It is considered likely that the Hon. Jobn Hall will resume the offices of Postmaster General andJElectric Telegraph Commissioner shortly before tbe Assembly meets. The bridge over tbe Nile, s,l. Charleston., has been purchased by the Nelson Government, and thrown open to the public free of charge. A contract to: Ihe erection pf a new Court-house at Charleston has been let ; indeed, the Government seem at the present time to be pr.yhrj special attention to the wants ol the district. The company recently Tormed for working the quartz reef at Moonlight have obtained a lease from the Nelson Government of 33 acres — rather a large c'rin?— and intend to dis : patch some person I o Melbourne to purchase tbe necessary mach'"ery. It is rumored, soys' the Wellington Evening Post, that a re-distribution of the judicial districts of the Supreme Court is likely to be made shortly, and that the Wellington District will tfien be assigned to his Honor Sir George A. Arney, the Chief J astice. As the Court of Appeal sits in Wellington, it does seem singular that the Chief Justice should reside in another place, and at a distance from the Seat of Government. The proposed change will probably .engage the attention of the Legislature next session, and whatever regret we may feel at losing Mr Justice Johnston, whose urbanity and courtesy have won the esteem aud respect of the bar and the public, yet we cannot fail to recognise the claims which this city possesses to be made the judicial centre of the colony, and, as a consequence, the residence of ths Chief Justice. The New Zealand Herald states that some amusement was caused recpntly in the Native Lands Court by the fact transpiring, after a series of interrogations, that a Thames Maori, named Rapana Maunganoa, had gone to the Native Office and demanded food : though he is well known to be in receipt of nearly a thousand a year. The Chief Justice bore testimony to the meanness of some of the wealthy Maoris, who though ra receip j, in some instances, of as much as £3000 a year, yet would beg for sixpence ! A session of the Supreme Court has been sitting at Hokitika during the present wef k. On Monday there were only two cases tried, one that of William Jones, for embeiszleiiiedt, and the other Daniel O'Driscoll Egan Burke, for perjury, committed at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Kameri. In the first, the evidence for the Crown was extremely weak, and the prisoner was acquitted. The second occupied the Court some time, and resulted iv the prisoner being found guilty, and being sentenced to six months' imprisonment. On Tuesday, Michael Horan was acquitted of a charge of forgery and uttering at the Teremakau, on the ground of deficient identifica-

tion. John Whelan was indicted for assault with intent to do bodily harm, at the Green. atone. • He was' found guilty, but sentence was deferred #11 yesterday morning. Thomas Owen Birtch, from Cobden, was acquitted on a charge of perjury. Mary Ann Hardman pleaded guilty to attempting suicide, but in mitigation said that she had been greatly troubled in mind in reference to hep pecuniary affairs. Eis Honor took a lenient; view oif lire case, and bound her over in her own re-. cognizances to K e §P the peace. 1 esterday, the charge, against Elizabeth Harrison fop perjury committed at Greymouth, was aban-. doned by the Crown Proa^cutor, as thedocu, mentary evidence was incomplete. John Whelan was charged with riot, at.theGreem stone, found guilty, and remanded for sent tence. The Judge stated that the indictment was ''ncorrect. J.. T. Purnell was charged with rape, and Anne Smith with aiding and abei.mg the same, but the case was not finished. The Westport Times of Saturday last states, that an unfortunate accident happened on Thursday to a miner named Francis Stellard, belonging to Graham's party, Giles Terrace, He was at work in the tunnel when a port tion of the roof gave way, falling upon him, and crushing him severely. He was brought to the Westport Hospital, and when re-. ceived, he was insensible and apparently considerably injured, but he has since given, symptoms of sensibility and . of ultimately recovering. William Williamson, who was lately brought to the Hospital, suffering from injuries similarly received at the Caledonian Terrace, is not yet out of danger, but is partially sensible and is progressing favor-, ably. . A correspondent of the Westport Times says that a canoe accident, fortunately attended with no serious result, happened last week on the Buller. A party working on the oppo-. site bank of the Buller to that on which the track runs were, crossing to their claim, when the canoe capsized. The two men were fori tunate enough, however, to cling to a snag and reached shore in safety. On the following morning they, having recovered the canoe some distance down the river, essayed to. take her up the river again, but the tow-rope, parted in a fall, and sha again wentdown, and is probably lost. The subject of providing protective works, and wharfage accommodation at Westport has been before the Nelson Provincial Council, and, in the meantime, shelved. Mr 'M 'Dowel! moved—" That the sum of £5000 be placed on the Supplementary Estimates, for the purpose of forming protective worka and wharf accommodation at, Westport" He said the port was now almost without wharf accommodation, and that the river threatened; to destroy much of the town. He did not agree with the Engineers' reports upon. this, subject, because at Greymouth similar works. to those now contemplated had very success* fully been carried out at a most moderatecharge. He hopedhonorable members would favorably consider the motion, the object of which was to prevent the destruction of really the be3t harbor on the West Coast. Mr Eelling moved, as an amendment — "That, the item be postponed, until the. Estimates shall have been considered." Mr Edwards, supported the amendment. Mr Reid said he. should strongly support the motion, as it was one for providing an absolute necessity forWestport. After Borne fuither debate, Mr. Killing's amendment was adopted. It appears that one of Mr Lavins's sons, who was among the massacred at Mohakp. had eight bayonet wounds and was scalped, thus showing that Te Kooti had restored an ancient Maori custom. Mr J. C. Firth lately sent a present of 90 bags of flour to the Maori King. His sable majesty declined the same. When will our people learn wisdom, and give over cringing to the dark skins, who take kindners as an emblem of our weakness and terror of them? Mr W. P. Murison has been appointed deputy-sheriff of Otago. ■ " .-• Mr Clay, a Napier volunteer, has died from the effects of exposure on the expedition to Petane. The funeral was largely attended. The police of Wanganui discovered a still (for which they were searching) in a building at Turakina. Distilling had been carried on to a great extent, judging from the appearance of the various appliances. About half a gallon of spirits was found on the premises, and a small parcel of malt left over from the last disvilling. The still, worm, boilers, mash-tubs; and other appliance! were seized, and brought into Wanganui. The owners of the still are said to be known, and will be brought to justice. Tn Dunedin on the 4th inst. , the Provincial Treasurer, Mr Yogel, made a ministerial ex* planation in the Council. He. complained of the abuse he had been subjected to, and sad he could not afford to sacrifice more than he r had done. The Ministry resigned, and Mr Duncan has been sent for to form a Government. The Wellington Independent is responsibl for the following : — Although many persons have been very unfortunate at the Thames quartz reefs, yet some others have done well indeed. We wj!l tell our readers a little story to illustrate this assertion. Once upon a time there was a certain clergyman in Wellington—it is nob impossible that he is here still— who, being jaded and fagged, went to have a fortnight's visit to the Thames diggings. WeD, he saw the Thames, talked with the famous Hunt, handled lumps of quartz studded with little nuggets, and having s opened wide Hs eyes and uplifted his hands, straightway determined to invest his, little capital — some £450— in the purchase of a half share in one of the claims which looked "likely." Then he returned home again, leaving a laborer to work for him on wages. For weeks and months did this laborer and all the other shareholders work, to no profit, and the reef was feared likely to become a y "duffer." ' For weeks and months did this clergyman pay out of his little savings the laborer's wages, till the time came that he could pay no more, because he had it not Then he went unto a young merchant and besought him to buy. a half of his share. The young merchant was doubtful, but ultimately purchased a joint interest in the half-share

for £125, its original price haviug been about £300 with the wages paid, included. Then suddenly^ there came glorious news. The Tgefers had fotmd auriferous quartz. 'Then next mail told of eighty tons crushed with a produce of CO ounces ; then next mail a^ain there was another crashing which gave 140 ounces ; while the last eighty tons have given more than 200 ounces of virgin gold. The clery »nau and the young merchant are now joyous and think their fortunes are made* Somebody has already offered £1000 for this half share, but they scoru it, as they are getting splendid dividends, which they expect daily to increase — perhaps, indeed, to give them £500 a year each. We rejoice at the good fortune of our friends ; we trust the young merchant will soon erect a palatial warehouse, and that the clergyman will exchange his napless hat and rusty sables, for a two-guinea "Bennett" and a suit of superfine broadcloth, Messrs Morrison and Slater, the two members of the Volunteer Corps sent to prison the other day for refusing to go to Petane, were confined iv *he lock-up for fifty-four hoars, during which time neither food nor water was tendered them by the authorities ! So, at least* say the local papers, although the story is an unlikely one. Coal is said to have been found within a mile and a-half of Milton, Tokomairiro, which has been pronounced by his Honor the Superintendent to be superior to any yet found in the Colony, except that at Preservation Inlet. The deposit from which the sample submitted to his Honor was taken is described as being an extensive one, and it is said that a company will shortly be formed to work it. — Coal has also lately been found near Oamaru. The deer presented to the Colony som years ago by the late Prince Consort, and which were set at liberty on Mr Carter's mi , Wairarapa, appear to have taken kindly to their new home. The Mercury says : — ' • They have since thriven amazingly, and now, wo "believe, number upwards of 20. The old buck— the very one, that was scut fit>m Balmoral — was seen at Mr Donald's paddocks at Manria, and though he must be attaining a very respectable age, ho showed his agility by leaping the fences with the greatest ease. In the Nelson Provincial Council the other day, on the motion of Mr M'Dowell, the following motion was agreed to — " That a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration Mr Lightband's claim for compensation, for dismissal from his office as Warden of the Grey district, as laid before the Council last session ; such committee to consist of Mr Hennelly, Dr. Irvine, Mr Gibbs, Mr Luckie, Mr Bum, and the mover." The Provincial Secretary said that he thought that Mr Lightband was entitled to some compensation. Mr J. Henochsbnrg, of Dunedin, is about $o set on foot an establishment in Taranaki for the purpose of manufacturing the celebrated iron sand of that Province. He bap succeeded in discovering a simple and effectual process for smelting the sand, and has already obtained a patent for it. Samples of the steel manufactured by Mr Heuochsburg have been shown to us (Otago Daily Timss), and 2 appear to possess the qualities of the veiy finest material of the kind. In particular, we may mention a chisel, with wh'ch the hardest iron has been cat, without any effect upon the edge. Mr Henochsburg has already been offered £37 10s. per ton for the rough metal. He has been joined by another Dunedin gentleman. We recently mentioned the peaceful result of the great native meeting. We now learn from northern papers that Mr Searancke, Resident Magistrate at Hamilton, was present, by special invitation, and has returned. He states that lie was very hospitably received at Hangatiki, where he saw and conversed with Rewi and several other leading chiefs of the Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto tribes, all of whom expressed their desire both in conversation and at the meeting to maintain peace in the Waikato. Indeed BOTie of the leading chiefs expressed their strong determination to pat down by force any attempt of the turbulent party to bring about a war. The telegram also corroborates the one received by ourselves as to the pacific {Character of the speeches delivered by the principal speakers. It further states that the total number of natives present was aboch 1700, and that not a single word was uttered by any of the natives during the proceedings which could give offence to the Europeans. The friendly natives who went up to the meeting from various parts of the Waikato and elsewhere are well pleased with their reception by the King party, and are returning to their homes. The Kaikoura Herald, of a late issue, has the following : — " So many complaints; have reached us touching the, manner in which the public have been treated by the officer in charge of the Post and Telegraphic ' Depart* ment, that we cannot but give due-ventila-tion to them. It appears that since Mr M'Allister, oar Postmaster, left for a short time, the gentleman who has temporarily taken his place, has thought proper to play various practical jokes — as such we cannot otherwise denominate them — upon the residents of this district, who may have occasion to call at the Post-office. This officer, it is ptated, thought proper within the laqt fewdays to connect the electric battery, uaed for telegraphic purposes, with the handle of the -door, anl also with a tin plate which he .placed npon the floor of the public room, contfgnons to the Post-office, and an electric shook was communicated to those whose tyismess called them to the office. It may have been thought by the acting postmaster a fanny jokey bnt we think it was a sorry one, and not at all likely to be appreciated by the Postmaster-General when he hears of it."