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Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 629, 29 January 1870, Page 2

During tha hoavy n lr'-woster which blew yesterday afternoon, one of the large windows of Messrs t.'ullfu'saii I (Jo.'s drapery store, at the corner < f Al^e t street, was blown i»utSeveral narrow cscimin from flying fragments of glasu were made by passers-bye. Shortly afterwards one of the windows of Me- srs De Costa and Co. 's grocery store, Mawhara Quay, was blown in,- a:i I a considerable lumnmt or dam ye done.

The lands on the Native Reserve along the left bank of the Ahaura River, between a point opposite the township to below the junction of the Ahaura with the Grey, are now offered for lease for periods of twentyono years, at a rental of 2s 6d an acre. Applications for these leases, addressed to the Native Commissioner, can be lodged at all the Warden's offices ia the Grey District. There was no meeting of the Borough Council last night for want of a quorum. The Councillors present were — Messrs Kennedy, Nichol, and Purcell. The Council was adjourned until Friday evening next. At last the weather has broken, and muchdesired ami welcome showers have fallen. Tho break-up, however, up to a late period of the day was entirely a local one, as tbe meteorological reports continued still to give from the east side of the range as " Sea calm," "Calm,"&e. In all probability, however, the storm has extended, but we hope not sufficiently virulent as to delay the departure this day of the Charles Edward from Lyttelton f»r West Coast ports. All applications for licenses and renewal of licenses, which will come before the Bench of Justices on the first Tuesday in March, must be sent in to the Resident Magistrate to-day, and not on the Bth February, as previously advertised. This notice is far too shott, and is sure to give rise to unpleasant complications hereafter. In our report of the last meeting of the Grey River Hospital Committee it was said that the tenders for supplies would be opened on Tuesday. It ought to have been Monday. Mr W. Leech has been elected a member of the Paroa Road Board, in room of Mr J. Hamilton, resigned. ' The miners on the Stony Lead are turning their attention to the reworking of the old beach lead on the South Beach on the leasing system. Three parties of men have applied for leases of five acres each of this ground. Parties desiring to object to these leases must lodge their objections with the Warden within twenty-one clear days from the 27th inst. Mr Warden Lowe has given notice that claims to be registered on the electoral roll for Westland North will be received at all the Warden's Offices in the Grey District until, and including, the 31st March. Although no similar -notice has been given on the Wesfcland side, those who wish to have their names placed on the rolls for Westland Boroughs and Westland South, must senl in their applications to the Returning Officers before tbe 31st March. A rifle match between five gentlemen, natives of the Emerald Isle, and five of other countries, both sides however belonging to the Greymouth Rifle Corps, took place yesterday morning at the Company's range. The morning was most unfavorable for good shooting, as not only was it hazy, rendering the target at times almost invisible, but a thick smoke had spread from the adjoining bush which had been set on fire the previous evening. Great interest was manifested in the result, although the victors, from their known prowess, had been hot favorites since the match was made. We append the scores : — Ibeland. -g 400 yds. SOOydp. 600 yds. h Smith ... 44304-15 32422-13 42304-13—41 Revell ... 34334-17 40333-13 42003- 9 39 Johnston. 43433-17 20302- 7 04203- 9—33 J.Smith... 34324-16 02343-12 03020- 5 33 Taylor ... 00402- 6 022.44-12 23340-12—30 Hardy ... 23342-14 00204- 6 30232-10— 30 Total 206 All Nations. . J 400yi>s. 500 yds. 600 yds. .g3 Forsyth... 30344-14 34302-13 33202-10—37 Moss 34034-34 23423-14 02232- 9-37 Butt 42224-14 22020- 6 33203-11—31 Morice ... 22432-13 42000- 6 30223-10-29 Simmons. 22343-14 33003- 9 20400- 6—29 Thomas... 23003- 8 23302-10 02002- 4—22 Total ... ... ... .. 185 The losing competitors in this match are defeated but not disgiaced, and have to attribute their position in a great measure to want of. practice, while the victors on the contrary have persistently and praiseworthily embraced every opportunity presented them. We understand a fresh challenge of 10 aside is in contemplation by the All-Nations party. We, however, strongly deprecate this national rivalry. Have friendly contests, but let them be the contests of enthusiastic Volunteers only. At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday, before W. H. Revell, Esq., R.M., the following civil cases were disposed of :— Cleve aud Lahman v. Neil M'Kinnon — judgment by default for L 32 15s sd. Heron v. Bayliss— claim of Ll2 5s lOd, amount of an IO U. The defendant admitted having signed the documfut, but be thought it was of no value because it was not stamped. Judgment for the plaintiff, and no time allowed for payment in consequence of the lame defence. Ryan Bros. v. Thomasjudgment hy default for LI and costs. Sampson v. Fulloon — judgment confessed . for L 2 10s and costs. Hassel v. Smith- -claim of LI 10s for one week's wages for wrongful dismissal ; judgment for plaintiff, with costs. Dale v. Atkinson— this was a claim against the endorser of a promissory note dishonored by one Tew. Judgment was reserved until Tuesday. Eliza Revell v. Fanny Tapscott— claim of Lll Is. Judgment was given for L 3 15s, and costs. — Yesterday, Eliza Geeghan was charged with a breach of tbe peace within view of a constable on the eveniug of tbe 24th inst. She was fighting with another woman, and caused a large crowd to assemble. The defendant said the other woman struck her in the face with a stone, and she was only defending herself. She was fined LI. Defendant said sue could not pay. as she and her cbildreu were starving. The Magistrate said she would have to go to gaol for three days. The fine was afterwards paid. Jolm Mnrphy was charged with the wilful destruction of property of the value of l()s 6d, belonging to J. Biilßti % ode. It appenrc.l that the defendant went into the complainant's hotel very much tbe worse of drink, interfered with some men, challenged them to wrestle, end knocked a number of tumblers off the countci, and

rolled into the street with a chair, which he smashed. A witness saiil the man was very much excited and drunk, and did not know what he was doing. The Magistrate did not think there was any vrilfulness shown in the destruction of the property, and only ordered him to pay the amount of damage. The same defendant was charged with assaulting Charles Brown. While he was kicking up a row in Bulstrode's bar Brown tried to pacify him, when he picked up a tumbler and threw it at him, striking him on the breast cutting through two shirts. No provocation whatever was given. A witness said he saw the defendant sweep the counter when one of the tumblers struck Brown on tbe breast. The same witness previously stated that he saw prisoner take up a tumbler and throw it at Brown. The defendant was fined 10s. Samuel Hill was charged with allowing one bull to wander at large in the streets, and lined 5s and costs. We notice from the Nelson papers that the Rev. Mr Sherriffs, of the Presbyterian Church, Riwaka, has been translated to the Church at Blenheim. A public meeting was to be held in Nelson last Wednesday evening, with the object of requesting the Superintendent to extend the boundary of the gold fields, so as to include Baton and Motueka rivers, aud to give protection to mining enterprise. It is reported that a miner has discovered a quartz resf at Baton, and that he could not get protection. It is rumored that Mr Greenfield, the Provincial Secretary of Nelson, will shortly visit the West Coast. The organisation of the Miners League or Protection Society in the Buller District is proceeding, and is expeoted soon to extend all through the South-west Gold Fields. There is no reason why, in time, it should not; extend throughout the whole of New Zealand. Our Westporb contemporary gives insertion to the following.. The source from which it comes is quite plain : — " Some paragraphs have lately appeared in the Greymouth papers about an inquiry, instigated by residents of Cobden, being held by Police-In-spector Sballcrass about the conduct oE the police, or of Inspector Franklyn, or of the people, or something more or less indefinite, in connection with the recent election of a Provincial Councillor for the Grey district. We are informed that such an inquiry — we cannot be more definite — is being made ; but, if it concerns Sub-Inspector Franklyn, he has at least had no official information of it. We hear, further, that Inspector Shallcrass had not proceeded far with his inquiry at Cobden until he found that the complaints, whatever they were, were so puerile that he desisted from the investigation — which is a very large name to give it. There are hints here that there is a possibility of Sub-In-spector Franklyn bringing an action in the Supreme Court for damages consequent upon slanders emanating from some of the Cobden complainants."— [There are the usual two sides to this question, as we have beard it discussed whether any man in Cobden could bring an action for.slander or something else against Mr Franklyn. We may add, that Inspector Shallcrass is at present at Napoleon Hill conducting the said enquiry. — Ed.] From Collingwood we hoar that gold ha been struck on the Pioneer Company's ground. Mr W. D. Barnard, of Christchurch, held his annual sale of racehorses at the Repository on Saturday last. The attendance Mas good, including leading representatives of the turf from other provinces, but the bidding was anything but spirited. The following sales were effected : — Flying Jib, bought by Mr Walker, Wanganui, for Ll5O ; Foretop, bought Mr J. Steele for L 130; Lyndon, by Mr D. Melville for L6l ; Don Pedro, bought by Mr J. Steele for LSO ; and Maid of the Mist, bought by Mr Walker, Wanganui, for 80 guineas. A few other lots were put up, but they failed to find buyers. On Friday evening, in the Post Office Hotel, Westport, there assembled a number of the friends of Mr John Southern, the purpose of their assembling being to testify their respect' for him, and to wish liiin a friendly farewell on the occasion of his leaving the district for Victoria. On the following day» on the eve of Mr Southern's departure, he was presented with an address, numerously signed, but which had not been fully signed at the hour at which the friendly party had assembled. It was as follows .-—"Dear Sir — Your departure from Westport to-day affords U3, your fellow citizens, an opportunity of expressing our warm appreciation of your character and our great regret that you are about to leave us*-. As a community we can ill afford to lose from our midst men possessing that zealousness, that earnestness of purpose, and that strict integrity which we have fouirl conspicuous in your career ; whilst personally and privately we shall feel the loss indeed of that geniality and warm hospitality which have equally characterised yon. You will believe us sincere when we express our sympathy for your recent great losses in Westport, and when we wish you great prosperity and happiness in whatever sphere your future may be cast." A "foreigner's picnic" is to be held in the Buller District on the 14th February. The Westport Times says : — " It is not to be a meeting of aliens such as those who refuse to drink the Queen's health, or who insult Republicanism by pretending to patronise that noble human invention. It is not to be altogether an assemblage of those who, though '• living under British institutions, have not been •to the manor born.' It is not to be a Fenian demonstration -thank Heaven. It is to be a meeting of ladies and gentlemen who, though nob bora on British soil, Lave probably been, cradled there, and who, whether cradled there or not, have attained maturity and wißclom sufficient to believe that the British flag is riot a bad one to live under, and who have a notion that there are worse ways of killingthe weary days of Westport life than by holding a picnic." It appears that "the foreigners" have, very approj priately, invited tho Superintendent to be present on the occasion.