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Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 572, 16 September 1869, Page 2

On Tuesday a party of miners, prospecting on the North Beach, between the Ten-mile Creek and the Twelve-mile beach, on the range running down to the Twelve-mile bluff, and about one mile in from the sea, struck a quartz reef, from which they took some highly auriferous specimens. One of the party came to Cobden and lodged an application for a lease, while on the same day, the news having spread, the creek was rushed. It is impossible yet to give any particulars of a definite nature, but from the fact of the reef having been found in the same range as the Moonlight diggings, there is every reason to believe that the discovery is a genuine one, and that it may lead to similar discoveries of a most important nature. The attention of members of the Grey River Cricket Club, and all who take an interest in the game, is called to the geneial meeting of the club, which is to be held at Kilgour's Union Hotel this evening, at eight o'clock. It was rumored in town yesterday that new ground of a payable description has been struck in the Rutherglen district, and that a rush is setting in. The exact locality has not yet been ascertained ; we give the rumor simply for what it is worth. Bacheldor's grand panorama, illustrative of scenes from the Apooalpyse, has arrived in town, and is announced to be exhibited at the Volunteer Hall on Saturday and Monday evenings This work of art has been very highly spoken of in other towns where it has been exhibited. If it is as good as the last diorama shown here by Mr Bachelder, it is sure to be liberally patronised. We are informed that the body of a man, almost entirely naked, was found on Saturday last, thrown up by the surf on the Seven-mile beach, by a party of miners, Parkhill and party. It was supposed to be one of the crew of the wrecked ketch Pearl. The miners made a coffin and interred the body above high-water mark, without any enquiry being held. At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, before W. H. Revell, Esq., R.M., a little boy and girl named Ryan, were charged with vagrancy. Their mother is now in gaol for larceny, and the children had been hanging about the Camp for food. Mr SubInsuejtor James' aslrud the Magistrate to make an order on the Government to the amount of 25s a-week for the maintenance of the children in their mother's house, where they would be looked after by a neighbor. The Magistrate thought the sum asked was too much ; he would make an order for LI a-week. Benjamin Walker was charged, ou the information of the fnspectwr of Nuisances, with removing sand, without permission, from a piece of laud within the control of the Borough Council. It appeared that when cautioned lie shot the sand back into the the place where he had taken it from, but he was fined 10s and costs. A number of civil cases, of no particular interest, were disposed of. Yesterday, Alexander Constantine was charged by the Inspector of Nuisances with allowing the dead body of a horse to lie iv Hospital Creek. He said he had removed it before the summons was served, and was fined 5s and costs. A number of Maoris were charged with allowing their horses to wander at large within- the Borough. Pape Hopa, Pakopaka, -Ihaia Tainui, and Tuara, admitted the charge, and were fined 5s and costs. Tuhuraand Hakiaka denied the charge, and were fined 10s and costs. It was recently announced that Mr Yogel, the Colonial Treasurer, had left Wellington for Auckland, and it was stated at thetiine that he was expected to resign his office. We learn by a contemporary that on landing | at the wharf Mr Yogel was - recognised ' by th.fi loungers who are generally in attendance on the arrival of a steamer, and was greeted with as strong a demonstration of dislike as it was possible for some twenty throats to give utterance to. What was most resented in Mr Vogel's conduct was his attempt to raise the cost of the first necessary of life by imposing a duty on imported gr;iin and flour. No personal indignity was offered to the honorable gentleman, but the popular voice could not have expressed itself against him more forcibly in words. Wanganui papers report that on Wednesday last Sergeant Patrick Boy lan, No. 3 division, Armed Constabulary, deliberately shot himself. He' was under arrest for the second or third time for drunkenness when he committed the rash act. He was a brave s< tidier, and not long ago a credit to the colonial service. It is stated by the Nelson Colonist that Mr Stafford is about to return to Nelson, aud once more to take up his residence there. Another of the ex-Ministers, Mr,J. C. Richmond, has already done so. Alfred Dunn Smith, aged 19 months, was drowned at Wellington <>n Sept. 4. The little fellow let a key drop into a tub of water, and in trying to get it again he toppled over, fell into the water, and was drowned before aid came. .' ' ' ' A correspondent of the Nelson Colonist writing from the Thames says:— "This gold field, now exactly two years old, has certainly made the most wonderful strides as regards the pei'inanent settlement of a large population on a rich and most valuable district. Houses are springing up daily in every direction, and at the present rate of building, Shortlnnd and G rahanistown con-

joined (as they already are no longer apart, except by name) will, in a very short time, form one of the largest towns, if not the largest, in New Zealand. The present population on the field cannot be less that 15,000 souls, and the daily fluctuation of passengers to and from Auckland is at least 300, or about 2000 per week, which are transported by three regular steamers, two or three smaller ones being used more for cargo than passengers. Besides these there are never less than fifteen to twenty sailing vessels at the anchorage, nearly half of those being engaged in the timber and coal trade. " The statutes of Ne>v Zealand are increasing with amazing rapidity, Such is the maxim which the Nelson Examiner attaches to the following statement of facts :— " On closing the Assembly, his Excellency the Governor gave his assent to fifty-two Acts, which, with twenty-four we have seen in print, make seventy-six Acts for the season. But we are by no means certain that this comprises all the Acts that were passed, as ochers, not yet published, may have been assented to. But assuming the whole number passed this session to be the number stated, these added to ninety -four passed in 1867, and eighty -one passed in 18(58, give 2f>l new Acts in three years. These are in addition to the Acts yearly passed by nine Provinces." The Examiner appropriately utters the following " moral :" - " Surely there never before was a country so prolific in new laws." About fifty men have lately .deserted from the 18th Royal Irish Regiment stationed at Au.kland. The erection of a new Masonic Hall has been commenced in Manchester street, Christchurch, for the C.L.F. A. Masons. The St. Augustine Lodge also contemplate building one. Mr Macdonald has been appointed Manager of the Union Bank at Nelson. He was formerly manager at lnvercargill. Dr Maunsell, of the Melbourne Hospital, has been elected Surgeon-Superintendent of the Hokitika Hospital. There were twentyone applications, ten of which were from Victoria, and the others from, various places in New Zealand. The King natives are said to be dying off very fast of a malignant disease, supposed to be typhus fever, and to be caused by their disregard for personal cleanliness. The Alexandra correspondent of the Auckland Herald states that the natives are not yet planting on the Upper Waipa, and express their surprise at seeing the Europeans getting in their crops as usual, and give hints as much aa to say, " You do not know what is coming, or you would not be planting." The Hau Haus of the Upper Thames are said to be interfering with the telegraph between Auckland and Shortland. They have pulled up all the surveyor's pegs. The man Dorrington, charged with selling arms to the natives in Auckland, has been acquitted on both charges — that of selling powder and gun. There is great surprise in Auckland at the verdict. The fudge referred particularly to a juryman who had been conversing with strangers during an adjournment. His remarks referred to the foreman, who had conversed with Dorrington's son. The three natives pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to three years' imprisonment, and fined Lo each. A monster public meeting was held at Napoleon's on Saturday evening, for the purpose of giving an expression of public disapprobation of the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts being held at so great a distance from the centre of the district. The chairman (Mr Jones), after a few introductory remarks with regard to the object of the meeting, read the draft of a memorial embodying the grievances complained of, which was approved of by the meeting. Mr Baillie proposed, seconded by Mr Coe, that a letter be written and addressed to Mr Warden Lowe, accompanying the memorial, requesting him to forward it to the proper quarter. A committee, upon the . motion of Mr Wishart, consisting of Messrs M'Loughlin, Ruff, Jones, Baillie, and Torrens, was appointed to obtain signatures to, and forward, the memorial, The meeting was a crowded and enthusiastic one. The criminal session of the Supreme Court commenced on Monday at Hokitika before his Honor Judge Richmond. Philip M'lntyre was indicted for having, on the 29th August last, feloniously and maliciously assaulted one Robert M'Coy, in Hokitika, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, was found guilty and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. Elizabeth Bastings was charged with having feloniously and unlawfully attempted to drown herself in the surf at Hokitika on the 4th September, was found guilty, and sentenced to be imprisoned until the rising of the Court, and that she be discharged on her husband entering into recognizances in the sum of LSOO for her good behaviour for the next twelve months. Defendant, by permission of the Sheriff, was allowed to sit in the Court until its rising, when the necessary bond was completed, and she was released. James Bush was indicted for having, on the 22ud of June last, stolen a gold watch, chain, appendages, and about L 4 in money, from the dwelling house of Maria Eldridge at Hokitika, but was found not guilty. Fanny Tapscott, was indicted for having, at Greymouth, attempted to take her owu life, by throwing herself iuto the river. The prisoner pleaded guilty. She stated she was nineteen years of age, aud had- nothing to say except that she was very sorry. His Honor said that he saw in the depositions that the prisoner had stated to the Magistrate that she had. been drinking \ for three days. He asked if that was 80, and the prisoner said " Yes." She was remanded for sentence, and on Tuesday was sentenced to 3 months' imprisonment with hard labor. D.M'Kenziewasindictedforhavingatvairious I times embezzled various sums of money belonging to his employer, Wm. Smith, baker, Weld-street, Hokitika. The prisoner pleaded guilty to all the charges, and was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labor. Ann Haincs was indicted for having, at Hokitika, assaulted one James Connaharan with iutent to do grievous bodily harm. The

prisoner pleaded Guilty, and was sent: to gaol for six months' with hard labor. — On Tuesday morning, 'the Crown Prosecutor referred to the case against J. L. Barke, of Greymouth, charged with having committed an unnatural offence. He said that having carefully perused the depositions, he had come to the conclusion that the evidence was not such aa would justify his asking a jury to convict upon. He would there fore prefer to withdraw the indibtraent. %h\ Judge stated that he also had read the depositions, ami had just seen a copy of an exhibit attached. He saw there was no chance of a petty jury convicting upon such. evidence, and concurred with the course proposed to be pursued. Mr Button, who appeared for the prisoner, asked for his immediate discharge. The prisoner was arraigned when the Judge told him the decision arrived at.by. the Crown Prosecutor, a decision with which he (the Judge) concurred. , The evidence was such that no reliance ould be placed upon it. Ellen Hartridge was charged with attempted suicide, and pleaded guilty. The Judge, addressing the prisoner, said that he intended to deal with the case as he had done with another married woman, bind her husband as surety for her future behaviour. He had no doubt the attempt lfad been made under a temporary aberration, and he sympathised most profoundly with her for the sufferings she had to endure. The prisoner's husband entered into his own recognisances in the sum of L2OO for her good behaviour, she being detained until the bond was completed. William Gledhill was indicted for having, within two months before his adjudication as a bankrupt,, wilfully concealed certain quantities of tobacco and spirits, with the intention to defraud his creditors, at Greymouth. The prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Rees. , He was found guilty, and sentenced to one year's imprisonment. Alexander Johnstone was arraigned upon an indictment, charging him with having at Greymouth, on the sth of February last, and on divers other days, embezzled various sums of money, the property of his employers, George Bennet and another. The prisoner pleaded guilty,_ and was ,senteno.edito two years' imprisonment with hard laborii Joseph Moore was indicted for having on the 6th of June last feloniously assaulted Margaret M 'Bride, with' intent to do her grievous bodily harm- The prisoner pleaded not guilty, and after hearing the evidence the jury could not agree, arid were locked up ; for the night. Yesterday morning they were discharged, and a fresh trial will be necessary. George Winter, late County Treasurer, pleaded guilty to a charge of embezzlement, and was sentenced to three years' penal servitude. Everard Whiting Jones, late Cura.tor of Intestate Estates, was charged with' embezzlement, but, pleaded a, contra account against the Government, and was discharged. According to the local paper the' prospects of the northern terraces near Westport improve every day. A fresh lead of gold was recently struck on German Terrace. , This week, on the Caledonian Terrace, Walker and party, have struck a new run of gold, 120 ft. further into the terrace than their former workings. .<,..,. ... . : .'..",. The following notice of the death of an early settler of Nelson Province appears in the Colonist:— " One of the early settlers of this province, Mr Bernard Gapper, died at his farm at Appleby, on Tuesday last, aged sixty-three. Mr Gapper arrived in the ship Clifford in 1842, and was assistaut-surgeonf on. boar.i He had a large family, and like other settlers underwent his share of the privations which followed the breaking up of the New Zealand Company. He was drafted as one of the constabulary to go to the Wairau at the time of the massacie, and stood third in the canoe which crossed the stream towards the Maori position j anih saved the life of Lieutenant Howard b^ shooting a native who. was in the act of firing his piece at the Lieutenant : Thenexti shot that was fired by the natives took effect in Mr Gapper's right hand, which it smashed, and for treatment of this wound'hfe 11 was afterwards a considerable time in Wellington hospital Subsequently he' waa appointed second officer of H.M. Customs (under Mr Logic) at Nelson, but afterwards resigned and settled on his farm in Wairaea East district. Mr Gapper had suffered from heart disease for forty-seven years. . He was, much respected as an honest, straight* 1 ' forward settler.", _ . ; ;•.■•■■■■: Two nice little jobs are stated to have been perpetrated before the risingof the Assembly, which are thus exposed by the Nelson Examiner :— Mr FitzLerbert, by a majority of twenty-nine to three, had the sum of L3OOO voted to him in recognition of his services, as agent for the consolidation of the. loans! While engaged in the work he drew his LIOOO a-year as a Minister ; he had a free passage to and from England, and L 4 4s a-day from his departure to his return. — Np onehas ever accused our Colonial Treasurer of failing to have au eye to the main chanced and the occurrences of the past'session of the Assembly have induced no change of opinion on this subject. Among the Acts of the session was one brought forward by Mr Yogel, to provide for the purchase of Government annuties, and for which the Colonial Treasurer received great credit. The Act is to be worked by a Commissioner, to be appointed for life, and whose! remuneration- is - fixed' b j the Act (a most unusual circumstance) '"at LBOO a-year. Mr Yogel has undertaken to perform the duties of this office gratuitously so long as he remains Colonial Treasurer, but of coutse this means that as soon he ceases to be Colonial Treasurer he will become Com-' missioner of Annuties, with LBOO a-yfear for the rest of his days, whether the "business of the department be much or little, The storygoes, but we cannot vouch for its truth, that Mr Yogel, who had a lucrative engagement in Auckland, on the Southern Cross, nuftfe this little arrangement a stipulation with his colleagues on consenting tq take office. Mr Yogel is very Hkefy the best man in the colony for the appointmentj and no one would grudge it bun, and an adequate salary. l But managed /as thfe matter has been,! with : LBOO a-year settled on the office,, ifc looks i vastly like a job; whichalways gives pffence, and tarticulorly when coming from a professedly economy- loving. Government, which experience generally prove, means one that will be extravagant.