THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 684, 7 June 1870, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1870.

We intended to-day to have continued the' consideration of the Annexation question; but as the public are now entering upon the discussion of the subject, we think it better to delay further remark, as some valuable suggestions are likely to be made, which have hitherto been overlooked. It is a subject which ought at the present time to occupy the serious attention of every member of the community ; so that he may be prepared, when the proper time arrives, to enter heartily upon the agitation, and si^n the proposed memorial to the Government with a clear appreciation of what he is doing. A rehearsal of "Life," by the members of the Amateur Dramatic Club, will be held this evening, in the Fire Brigade Hall, at half -past seven o'clock. In consequence of the flooded state of the rivers and creeks yesterday the Hokitika coach did not get through. We are consequently without our usual overland mail. Owing to tLe hfeavy sea Tunning on the Hokitika bar the Tararua was not tendered yesterday, so that we are without the i Australian papers, or even the telegraphic | summary of the news, which, was anxiously looked for last night. ) There has \>Btm a good deal of talk lately, 1 which we believe to be very much exagge- ! rated, about the fatal effects of diptheria on the coast. When it was raging at Castlemaine, Victoria, a correspondent sent the following to the editor of the M. A. Mail : — Should you, or any of your family, be attacked, do not be alarmed, as it is both easily and speedily cured without going for a doctor. When it was raging in England a few years ago, I accompanied Dr Field on his rounds, both in town and country, to witness the so-called "wonderful cures " he performed, while the patients of other medical men were dropping off on all sides. Of course the remedy to be so efficacious and rapid must be simple. All that he took with him WBS powder of sulphur and a quill, and with these he cured every patient, without a single exception. He put a large teaspoonful of the flour of brimstone into a wineglass of

water, and instead of a spoon he used his finger in stirring it, as the sulphur does not readily amalgamate with water ; and as soon as the sulphur was pretty well mixed he gave it as a gargle, and in ten minutes the patient was out of danger— brimstone killing every species of fungus in man, beast, and plant, in a few minutes. Instead of spitting the gargle out as usual, he recommended the patient to swallow it, In extreme cases, to which he had been called just "in the nick of time" to rescue the sufferer from death, where the fungus was too nearly closing to admit of sufficient breath passing to enable the patient to gargle, he blew the sulpher into the throat through a quill, and when the fungus had shrunk sufficiently to admit of sufficient wind passing to gargle, the whole occupying a few minutes only, and he never lost a patient from diptheria. If you should meet with a patient that cannot gargle take a live coal (stone or wood) from the fire, put it on the shovel, and sprinkle the flour of brimstone upon it — a spoonful or two at a time — and let the sufferer inhale it, holding the head over it, and the fungus will die. If plentifully used, the whole room will be tilled almost to suffocation, and the patient may walk about it, inhaling the fumes with the doors and windows shut. This mode of fumigating a room with sulphur has often cured most violent attacks of cold in the head, chest, &c, at one time. The official notification of MrFranklyn's retirement was received last night by the returning officer, Mr Whitefoord. MrWilkie will therefore to-day have an unopposed election for the seat in the Nelson Provincial Council. The attendance at Mr and Mrs Woodroffe's glass-blowing enterfcaiment last night, in. the Volunteer Bali, waa very good, but not more than its thoroughly genuine and enjoyable nature deserved. It is one of the best exhibitions that has ever been seen in Greymouth, and should be visited by every one who possesses the slightest desire to see the really marvellous feats of glass-blowing, and the ease and rapidity with which the most fragile and beautiful articles are manufactured. We never remember seeing an audience so thoroughly pleased, and they testified it by repeated bursts of applause which followed each effort of Mr Woodruffe. As the models of the hydraulic "Australasia" and "Excelsior" steam-engine have been so much spoken about in the Australian press, it is unnecessary for us to speak further of them. Sufficient, however, for us to say that, no compliment or eulogium passed upon them is one whit more than they really deserve. We hive no doubt each entertainment wili be well patronised as long as Mr and Mrs Woodroffe continue here. During the month of April, out-door relief was afforded by the Otago Benevolent Institution to eight old men, 41 women, and 103 children, making a total of 152 persons. The only business before the Resident Magistrate yesterday was the fining of one man for drunkenness. At the recent sitting of the Auckland District Court, twelve or thirteen goldmining companies were ordered to be wound up. The prisoners Joseph Pitts and Joseph Pickup, who were recently committed for trial by Mr Warden Whitefoord for stealing gold from a miner at the foot of Nelson Creek, were dispatched by the s.s. Murray yesterday for Westport, to be tried before the District Court on the 7th. Captain Page, of Patea, has imported from Melbourne, one of Hunt's gold-washing machines, with which he intends to test the sand at the mouths of the Patea and Whenuakura rivers, in both of which gold has been found. The news which we received yesterday morning from Nelson, by telegraph, of the appointment of Mr A. Reid, of Westport, as the responsible Minister in the Provincial Council for the Nelson South-west Gold Fields, has given great satisfaction in town, and will do so up the riv6r when it becomes known. It is very likely the cry of ' ' Westport influence" will be raised against the appointment, but it would be quite out of place, for a better selection could not have been made among the West Coast members to occupy the responsible position than Mr Reid. He has a mind far above such littlenesses as local prejudices, and we feel confident that with his influence in the Executive equal justice will be done to all districts of the Gold Fields; and he will form, what has long been wanting in the Nelson Government, a connecting link between the mining community and the Executive.

One of the oldest natives in the North Island, a chief named Heria, is expected to die hourly. He is one of the last addicted to cannibalism, and is supposed to have survived a hundred years. Heria is one of the the most powerful and influential chiefs in the island. Before all the land in the neighborhood of the town is sold or leased, some effort ought to be made by our Borough. Councillors to obtain a reserve of say ten acres for a recreation ground. It can still be had at no great distance from the centre of the town, either from the Nathe Commissioner or Waste Land Board, if the matter were properly gone about. We may not want, or be in a position for many years to come to take advantage of, a recreation ground, still now is the time to secure it, before all available land is parted with. We might point to one block which there should be no difficulty in obtaining — the block including the old rule range, where five acres could be asked from the Native Commissioner, and five from the Waste Land Board. There are many other spots which might be selected, if the matter is properly taken in hand. In reply to a question put to Mr Fox, with regard to continuing shipping telegrams, by a deputation in Christchurch, who desired the publication of these telegrams, the hon. gentleman said that he could see no objection to the proposal, and would consult with the head of the department. Personally he had the strongest wish to utilise the telegraph as much as possible for public purposes. The monthly meeting of the Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at their hall last night. There were twenty-three members' present. Captain Whall, on behalf of Mr Hunter, tobacconist, Mawhera Quay, presented Brancaman King with, a watch, in recognition or the presence of mind desplayed by him on a recent occasion, in extinguishing the flames with his coat, when a kerosene lamp was smashed in Mr Hunter's shop. A sura of LI 5 12s was received from the Fire Heliet Committee, and placed to the credit ol the Members' Fund. Mr Hawley resigned the office of Secretary, which was received with regret. Messrs Kerr, M 'Gavin, and Poole were balloted for and elected members. Five candidates were proposed for the office of Secretary, and the election will take place at a future meeting. A nice little scene recently took place in the Nelson Provincial Council, in which Mr O'Conor, one of the members for Westport, was nicely "taken down." The Evening Mail says :— Mr O'Conor, who, from his imposing appearance aud commanding tone of voice, is known among his brethren of the far West as "The Son of Thunder," arose to put certain questions to the Provincial Secretary relating to contracts for works at Wtstport which were not being carried out according to specification. One of the questions was couched in terms not the most

respectful, and some of the members objected to its being put, but the Secretary— and I thought I could see a merry twinkle in his eye— stated that he was perfectly willing to give a reply, and he did so. He read a telegram he had received from the Engineer down there giving the names of the tenderers, among which appeared that of Mr O'Conor, but his was not the lowest ; he then read th constructions he had telegraphed back in reply, to the effect that the lowest should be accepted if satisfactory ; and he then gave us the contents of the final telegram from the Engineer— " Lowest safest of all." Judging from Mr O'Conor's countenance, I am of opinion that the answer he received to his question was not in accordance with his anticipations, and I am further of opinion that the impression left upon his mind was that there were circumstances under which even the search after knowledge might be pushed too far. Mr Edmund Barff, member of the County Council, has been appointed Warden's Clerk at the Kanieri, and has, consequently, to resign his seat in the General Assembly for "Vestland South. Messrs Hoos, South, White, Button, and a host of others are spoken of as likely candidates. It has been asked, will he not resign his seat in the County Council ? Why should he ? Mr Harrison did not resign when he was appointed Inspector of Schools for Westlamd, and both offices were in the gift of the County Chairman. Apropos of this, we append a few remarks from last week's Torijihawk : — "Itis a matter of congratulation . that the days of the present County Council are numbered ! The sooner it becomes a thing of the past the better it will be for the whole people of the County* including tae members themselves. Without intending any offence to the members individually, we say that the Council is at this present day lifctle better than a pitiable abortion. It has reached that stage of degeneration beyond which it surely cannot go, so that its approaching dissolution will be hailed by the countiy as a positive blessing. Had the Council been elected for three years instead of two, we should have felt it our duty, in the present juncture of affairs, to urge upon the people to demand and insist upon an immediate dissolution ; but, as this is its last session, it may well be allowed t:« die a natural, though an ignoble death." A drunken affray recently took place near Blair's public-house, on the road to the Lakes, Otago. The evidence discloses how road-making men live. More than a dozen men, time after time, sleeping on straw in a stable and in their own blankets. One may admit that/this was as- healthy a way as any of sleeping : no ventilation was needed in the rough slab building. But then as to the cooking conveniences ; the hours of recreation. How can men employ usefully their spare time htiddled up in a stable — no fireplace, and with horses for company ? Lights, we presume, would be daugerous amidst straw. No wonder the men went from Blair's stable to Blair's hotel for amusement, and as a natural consequence got drunk. It is really a matter of grievous regret that men should thus be treated. Human beings treated as pigs, and while their money lasts get unlimited supplies of liquor, and become in the end really swinish. They cannot get, unfortunately, meals as freely as nobblers. Letters patent have been issued in favor of Decimus Atkinson, of Fitzroy District, in the Province of Taranaki, gentleman, for an invention of a method of smelting the iron sand of New Zealand into iron or steel by one process ; and Edward Mainwaring Johnson, of Christchuroh, in the Province of Canterbury, gentleman, for an invention of divers improvements in machinery for goldsaving purposes.

A miner uamed William Thompson has been found drowned a mile below Arthur's Point, Otago, with the upper part of the body out of the water, while the lower portion was immersed. The man was found half-stripped, and his neck muffler was tied round his waist as if he had been fighting. No marks of violence were found to exist on the body. The jury returned a verdict of accidentally drowned. A Mr Bruuton has offered the Otago Government to proceed to England, ac his own cost, to form a company for constructing the Clutlia Railway, provided, if successful, he has three per cent, guaranteed him on the amount of capital raised. Mrs Harriet Hughes was drowned in the Wai-iti river, Nelson, on the 19th ult., through the oversetting of the mail coacl^ in which she was a passenger. We learn from the Auckland papers that there has been a fearful gale at the Bay of Islands. Mr Bateman's house has been blown down, and two small yachts lying in the bay broke from their anchors and were dashed to pieces. Fences have been everywhere blown down, and very considerable damage generally done in the district. The perpetrators of a burglary, committed on the premises of Mr Warmoll, at the Thames, have been discovered, and committed for trial. Two parties who had been found prospecting in the Ohinemuri ranges were brought in a few days since by the Maoris ; they were plundered of their provisions and permitted to go about their business. There is no foundation in the statement that they were robbed of a parcel of gold. The issue of the Cromwell Guardian, Otago, has been discontinued. The Government have raised the salary of Mr John Alloo, Chinese interpreter for Otago, to L3OO per annum, from L 250, his head quarters have been changed to Clyde from Naseby. The Chinaman (Muk Kum), who recently disposed of spurious gold at Cardrona, Otago, to the tune of Ll6 Bs, has been fully committed for trial at next sitting of the Supreme Court. We understand that the Rev. R. Scrimgeour, late of St. Andrew's Church, Dunedin, is now occupying the pulpit at Palmerston. A movement is on foot in Auckland to establish a Magdalen Asylum in that city. Lady Bowen, Lady Martin, and a number of other ladies, are actively exerting themselves to raise the necessary funds. Some excitement was caused on Monday last, through a few natives trying to rescue fro in the authorities a Maori who was being taken to gaol for theft. A number of Pariaka natives have been in New Plymouth during the last few days, and ou Monday, one of them took a fancy to a shawl in Mr Hood's shop, so took it without paying for it. Mr ( Hoskin secured the thief, and handed him over to the civil authorities. Oh the friends of the prisoner hearing that their mate was going to gaol, they commenced creating a great disturbance, vowing vengeance, against the whole community ; which caused some excitement amongst the people in the neighborhood. The man was eventually locked up. j In the Nelson Piovincial Council, the other day, Mr Mackley moved, "That the petition of the inhabitants of Napoleon's be referred to a select committee, to consist of the Provincial Secretary, Mr Reid, Mr Tarrant, Mr O'Conor, and the mover." Agreed to. The Southern Cross, in noticing the agricultural statistics of Auckland, remarks as follows :— •• Taking the population at 50,000, and estimating the consumption at seven bushels per head, which is liberal allowance, the province would require 350,000 bushels of wheat during the current year. Of that, only 25,779 bushels have been grown in the

province, leaving 324,221 bushels to be imported. This means a large sum of money, which we cannot help thinking might very well be spent on home produce rather than bo sent abroad. Canterbury has grown a surplus of one million bushels of wheat, and it is practically supplying the Auckland markets at 4s 6d per bushel, being (3d per bushel under the quotations of Auckland wheat, and 2s per bushel under Adelaide wheat. The price, therefore, at which Canterbury farmers can sell their wheat in Auckland, gives them the commani of the market. Now, assuming that Auckland obtains her supplies entirely from Canterbury, and that the cost does not exceed 4s 6d per bushel, we have this fact staring us in the face, that a sum of L 72,949 14s 6d will be sent out of the province to the South to pay for wheat during the present year." A landing stage, we (Westport Times) are informed, will be immediately erected on the river bankforthe accommodation of the boats carrying cargo to the up-river workings, and to avoid the constant injury which has accrued to the river frontage by the conveyance of packages of merchandise from the thoroughfare into the boats. Large masses of earth have been detached by this agency, and it is certainly time that the Government applied a remedy, which in this instance fortunately is easily available. The mining plant and machinery of the Waimangaroa Quartz Mining Company was sold at auction at Westport, on Saturday last, realising LIBO. The encroachment of the sea at Westport exposed to view, yesterday, a coffin in the old cemetery on the North Spit. It contained the remains of a miner, named Hoare, ■who was admitted to the Westport Hospital, from Mokihinui, about two years and four months ago, and died shortly after having become an inmate of the institution. The coffin, has been removed by Mr Carr, the undertaker, and will be deposited in the new cemetery. Those remains had been overlooked by the party who contracted to remove all the bodies that had been interred, and there is every probability that several bodies are still unaccounted for. A careful watch is daily maintained by the police, and it is not probable that any remains will be left to the mercy of the waves. Dr Hector has found some traces of gold in some stone sent from the Dun Mountain, for the purpose of being examined for copper. Good news has arrived in Nelson respecting the Pioneer Company's ground at Collingwood. The copper lode is five feet thick, has been followed by means of a shaft, thirty feet deep, and is richer than was even anticipated. Latest accounts also state that still better results are being found by means of driving. TheCulliford Gold-mining Company, Wangapeka, has struck the main reef through a drive which they have made, and it is found to be very promising indeed. The New Zealand Gazette announces that G. S. W. Home, Esq., has been appointed Crown Prosecutor for Westland North, in the place of W. Pitt, Esq., resigned ; and James Hackworth, Esq. (formerly of Nelson; as Collector of Customs and Landing Surveyor at Wellington, from April Ist. Major Kemp, Major Topia, Mete Kingi, and Colonel M'Donnell, arrived in Wellington on the 3rd inst., from Wanganui, to endeavor to obtain payment for the services of the Wanganui Natives in the late campaign. They claim about Llo, 000. Mr Fox recently telegraphed, offering them LSOO on account, and they refused to accept it. Topia is represented as being greatly dissatisfied. The Otago Daily Times recently stated :— "A woman named Catherine Cameron has been fined by the Queenstown Bench LSO or the alternative of three months' imprisonment, for sly-grog selling at Arthur's Point. The grog sold by her is described as perfectly vile, and his Worship, at the request of a gentleman in Court, had a portion of it reserved for analysis. The defendant said she purchased it from a well-known firm in Queenstown and Dunedin. It is utterly impossible to suppose the firm alluded to would vend such liquor. It was, no doubt, adulterated either with new raw spirits, spirits of wine, or kerosene. And this is the way men get mad drunk, and commit either suicide or murder."