THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 728, 17 September 1870, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1870.

To-day we have an apology to make to our readers, or rather to those to whom our "extras," containing the latest and most important news, are gratuitously supplied. During the production of the San Francisco mail news yesterday, our printer's devil, "for a purpose," as he says, inserted the last three lines (which are not' to be found in to-day's issue) regarding the Queen's marriage. This is the more to be regretted as it has evidently misled our evening contemporary, who has been in the habit of appropriating our telegrams without acknowledgment, and has induced him to expend upon the head of Queen Victoria a vast amount of virtuous indignation, which, if he had legitimately obtained his "latest news," he would have found to be quite unnecessary. It is to be hoped that by his timely interference the Queen will be prevented, as he says, from taking "a step so humiliating to herself and the British nation," and that "the foreign prince she is about to marry, who is much younger than herself, and who has neither the confidence nor the particular good- will of those of the English nation who know Mm," will not commence an action for divmages agaiust our contemporary for " forbidding the banns. " While on this subject we may as well reiniud our up-river contemporary, the Grey Valley Times, that in its last issue it neglected to acknowledge the source from whicli it obtained its latest telegrams— viz., from the columns of the Grey River Argus.

Over L6O has been collected, and paid in, as a subsidy to the Fire Brigade from the East Ward. This is the more creditable, seeing that the residents of that Ward, have, at their own expense, only recently fixed five stand-pipes in the block.

Last night the final deposits were paid, at this office, in the forthcoming pedestrian Djatches between Howe and Twohill. The first three distances will be run to-day— to commence at two o'clock, and, from the amount of interest that has beeu taken in the preliminaries, we imagjne there will be a very large attendance. The last two matches will be run on Monday, la order that the miners may have an opportunity oi. witnessing these events, Wardens Waitefoord aud Revell have granted p»o---tection for all rights, privileges, &c, on these gold fields. The distances are— loo, 150, 200, 250, and 300 -yards.

Mr Warden Whitefoord visited the Mosquito Lead, Napoleon, on Wednesday last, and settled the dispute "with reference to the obstruction in the creek. The dispute about the frontage parallels was also arranged. Mr Woolley, the Government Surveyor, made a new survey. This fresh survey does not interfere with the one made by >ir Surveyor Young some time since. Mr Young's work has not been interfered with, the ground in dispute being to the north of it.

The Christy Minstrels, after a very successful up-country tour, will give an entertainment in the Volunteer Hall this evening. It is to be regretted that a misunderstanding should have occurred between the local Amateur Dramatic Company and the Minstrels in reference to the use of the Volunteer Hall on Monday evening. Both claim it ; but we think it is a mistake for a local amateur company to interfere with professional talent, especially as it is so seldom the presence of such a company as the Christy Miustcels cau lie expected ia Greyniauth. Should some amicable arrangement not be come to, it is the intention of both parties to play on Monday night, and it is quite impossible that houses can be obtained sufficient to pay both parties. Under these circumstances, and considering tfeat the Amateurs can play whenever it suits their own convenience, it would only be graceful for them to give way upon this occasion. On Thursday, James Cattle, of the Golden Age Hotel, was charged with keeping his licensed house open after hours, and also with refusing admission to the police when called upon. With regard to the first charge, the Magistrate said he was not aware it was pending when he heard the cases against the defendant on Tuesday last, and then fined him heavily, else he would have heard them all at ouce. He would, therefore, dismiss the case. With, regard to the second charge, it appeared that, for a very short time, admission had been refused to the police (not intentional, but because of orders which had been given to the housekeeper), and defendant was lined LI and costs. Yesterday, there was no business of any importance before the Court. In connection with the foot-race 3to come off to-day, we may mention that yesterday Messrs Gillon and Devery, butchers, No Town, obtained a judgment at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Cobden, against Howe and "The Banger," on accouut of a party of six, of which they were, formerly partners. UnleSs the judgment is satisfied before noon to-day, both parties will be liable to arrest. At the inquest on the body of the late Mr James Murray, at the Ahaura, on Tuesday last, the Coroner fined two persons who were summoned to act as jurymen, but who did not answer to their names when called, I>2 each. Til's ought to act as a caution to people who think they can ignore their legitimate public duties with impunity. If Mr Whitefoord would inflict a similar penalty, if he has the power to do so, on parties who are in the habit of keeping the Bench and the public waiting their convenience in the other Courts he would be conferring a public benefit. The Westland Gazette, of the 13th inst., notifies that the Couuty Chairman has leased to Peort and Co. and Bramwell and Co., for fifteen years, five acres each of ground on the South Beach, containing quartz veins or lodes. This is the first intimation we have received of there being any quartz reefs on the South Beach.

Since the visit of Inspector Shalcrass to the Gold Fields, the following alterations have been made in the Nelson Police Force. The Grey District has been placed under the sole control of a senior sergeant, whose headquarters will be at the Ahaura. The outlying stations are to be in charge of senior constables, who will take their instructions and be accountable for the proper performance of their duties to the sergeant in charge. That officer will be authorised to temporarily suspend any member of the force for insubordination, or other irregularity, until Inspector Shalcrass at Nelson gives his final decision, on having all the facts of the case laid before him. The senior sergeant will be accountable to the iuspector for the proper discipline and management of the force, and he will be empowered to station an officer at new rushes or other places where the presence of a constable may be necessary. Constables will act as clerks to the Court will receive extra pay, but they will be liable at any time to be called to perform constable's duty. The Inspector reserves the right to wake exception to this rule. The regulations and uni-

form of the Canterbury and Westland Police Force will be adopted. Senior Sergeant Samuel (roodall will be the officer in charge of the Grey District, stationed at Ahaura. Senior Constables Rowley, M'Alyn, and Jeffries are in charge at Cobden, Camptown, and Napoleon respectively. Sergeant Mayberry will take charge of tho Buller District, with head-quarters at Westport ; Sergeant Kiely at Charleston, and Senior Constable M'Ardle at Brighton. The Inangahua will be a sort of neutral ground ; the police requirements of the people there will be attended to either from Westport or the Ahaura, as it may be found convenient.

The news concerning the European war, brought by the San Francisco mail, and which we published in the chape of an "Extra" yesterday morning, created great excitement in town, and furnished the only topio of conversation throughout the day. The proposal has been set on foot by the German residents to join the other towns in the colonies in raising funds for the relief of the wounded, and the widows and orphans of the German soldiers who may be killed in the war, and no doubt it will be carried into effect. We find, on referring to late Adelaide files that a passenger by the Rangatira mail steamer asserts that when he left London thousands of Germans were throwing up their occupations and leaving to join in the anticipated war. This news caused great excitement amongst the Germans in Adelaide. We find, also, that the Government of New South Wales iutended to bring a Militia Bill before Parliament at once. A meeting of German residents of Melbourne was convened for the afternoon of Sept. 3 to take means towards raising a fund on behalf of their countrymen wounded iv the war, and the widows and orphans of the killed, A considerable sum has already been subscribed, and much enthusiasm has been exhibited by the German citizens of Melbourne on the subject. Similar meetiugs of Germans were announced in Adelaide and Sydney, and, no doubt the French residents will soon emulate them in a similar good work.

The coal mine up the Hokitika River is reported to be turniug out quite equal to expectation. The miners have followed a welldefined seam down for 25ft, where it is fully sft 6in thick. It burns exceedingly well, but is rather brittle.

The body of the poor fellow named Young or Long, who was buried in the Ross Extended claim, was recovered on Thuvsday. The accident was caused by three sets of timber having given way in the tunnel where he was engaged at work, and as an immense quantity of loose drift gave way, the men engaged were a long time before they could recover the body.

His Honor Judge Richmond, on Wednesday morning, at the Supyeva© Gouit, before any case was taken, mentioned that he had glanced at the reporb in that morning's paper of the case tried on the previous day, in which Joseph Graham, a bankrupt, was charged with concealing a sum of money. He said he thought it desirable that the point decided should be distinctly stated. The short point decided was, that a charge against a bankrupt of concealing a sum of money is not supported by proof of the concealment of a debt due to the bankrupt.

The Governor of Victoria has appointed a Royal Commission to consider and report on the necessity of a federal union of the Australian colonies— a question to which recent events has given increased urgency and importance. The commission consists of Sir Francis Murphy, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; the Hon. T. H. Fellows, the Hon. C. Gavin Duffy, the Hon. Captain MacMahon, the Hon. John Macgregor, the Hon. J. F. Sullivan, the Hon. Edward Langdon, the Hon. J. J. Casey, the Hon. G. B. Kerferd, the Hon. Graham Berry, M.L. A.'s, and the Hon. J. Graham, M.L.C. Mr Duffy is chairman of the commission.

At the Supreme Court, Hokitika, on Thursday, Joseph Pickup and Joseph Pitts were charged thab they did, on the 15th of May last, steal one bag of gold, and one bag of amalgam from the person of Samuel Holdsworth, at Nelson Creek. Mr Button appeared for the prisoners, and asked that they should be tried separately, which the Crown Prosecutor agreed to, and elected to try Pitts first. On the case being opened by the Crown Prosecutor, it proved to be so weak that his Honor suggested that it should be withdrawn, as a conviction was entirely out of the question on such evidence. Mr Harvey consented to this course, and the prisoners were discharged.

The Nelson Examiner, in commenting on the Ministerial policy, says :— lt is impossible to compute what the debt of New Zealand may amount to ten years hence, but it promises, at a very moderate calculation, not to be much, less than twenty-five mi)lions. Persons who have a reai shake in the country should understand clearly what they are lending themselves to. The only way such a debt can be borne by the country is, by settling the country with a population three or four times our present number, and to this object all our energies must be directed if we are to escape ruin. A debt of twentyfive or thirty millions may be borne without causing great pressure, provided immigrants of the right class can be induced in sufficient numbers to resort hither to settle. But labor must be accompanied by capital — capital that will develop tha resources of the country, and fructify and enrich it. A hundred industries await only capital and enterErise to become eminently successful, but oth capital and labor must be more abundant than at present before we shall see undertakings embarked in.

The following is from the Home News :— "The Merope will sail for Canterbury on July 27. She carries 200 emigrants. Mr Ofcywell, the agent for Canterbury, is indefatigable in his endeavours to obtain emigrants of a good class, and his success is equal to his endeavor. The Government he represents has invested him with discriminating powers as to the money to be paid by those whom he may select, and this power he uses with great wisdom and judgment. He hopes to despatch a ship a month from this time up to November, and every day briugs him fresh applications from persons likely to make desirable colonists. As soon as the harvest is over he will be enabled to send a large number of first-class agricultural laborers, chiefly from the eastern counties. Many of this class have expressed a determination to save from their earnings sufficient to pay the requisite part of their passage money and land them in Christchurch not destitute of means. Canterbury may be fairly congratulated on the way in which she is represented in London."