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Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 735, 4 October 1870, Page 2

We have to call the attention of the West Coast Times to the fact that the telegrams of English news which it published on Saturday, were copied from the "Extra" issued by us on Friday afternoon, and that without the slightest acknowledgement. There is no possibility for mistaking them, for they were taken " with all their inperfections on their head" — with all the errors made by our printers in the great hurry with which "extras" are usually produced. This is rather a novel method of obtaining "latest telegrams from the Bluff. " All who are interested iv the formation of a new cricket club, or a resuscitation of the old club, are requested to ireet at Kilgours Union Hotel on Wednesday evening, at eight o'clock. At the Resideut Magistrates Court, Cobden, yesterday, Miss Stewart sued Duncan Oswald of Brunnerton for wages as a servant, and obtained judgment for L 35 4s 6d and costs. The earthquake shock which was felt in Wellington and Nelson yesterday afternoon was also felt here, but in a very slight degree. It occurred about 2.30 p ni. We are also informed that a distinct shock was felt yesterday morning about 2 o'clock. The crushing machinery for the Murray Creek Cement Gold Digging Company was landed yesterday from the Aborigine, and will be sent up the river to-day by boat. Yesterday afternoon a foot-race for L2O a-sido took place in the Camp Reserve be--qhop I '.ixd - and Scagpool, which ended in a foul and a~cHspute. It is said that when Shepherd was passing his opponent Stagpool put out his elbow to impede him, which Shepherd resented by pushing him down. The referees decided that the race should be run over again in ten minutes, but Shepherd alone went over the ground, the other man refusing to come to the scratch. Protests have been lodged by both men. At the Resident Magistrates Court, yesterday, Alfred Cleve was charged with exposing spirituous liquors for sale without being duly licensed. From the explanations made, it appeared that after the defendant dissolved with his late partner, he made application for a license in the usual form, which was granted, but he had neglected to take it up until that morning. The Magistrate said, as there did not appear to have been any intention on the part of the defendant to comaa breach of the Act, the case was dismissed. The monthly meeting of the Volunteer Fire Brigade was held last night in the Rrigade Hall. There were twenty-six membera present and all the officers. The Treasurer announced that LlO3 5s had been received as donations from the East and Middle Wards, and the list from the West Ward we expected in a few days. Accounts to the amount of LB6 16s 3d were passed for payment. Mr Sewcll was elected Foreman of the company for working the small engine in cases of fire. A Committee was appointed to revise the rules of the Brigade, and to report to next meeting. A resolution was carried requesting the Borough Council to take over the payment of the night watchman from the Ist January next. Mr Gleeson was re-elected a member of the Brigade, and the meeting adjourned. A proclamation by the County Chairman states that no game specified in the fourth schedule of Protection of Animals Act shall be hunted, shot, taken, or killed within that part, of the Colony known as the County of Westland. The following is contained in the schedule : — Pheasants, partridges, grouse, black game, quails, snipe, plovers, swans, hares, antelope, deer, and imported wild duck of any species. The adjourned meeting of the minera of the Paroa district, for the purpose of electing two delegates to proceed to the Mining Conference at Hokitika, was held at the Road Board OlHce, Paroa, on Saturday, at 8 p.m. Mr William Leach was called to the chair. He br: efly stated the object of the meeting, and called upon the Secretary to read the following letter, received from the Stafford Committee :—" Stafford, October 1, .1870. Sir,— The only action taken by the Arahura District Mining Committee since the 17th ultimo was a committee meeting held last night (15 members present), when two delegates to represent this district at the Mining Conference, to commence at 10 a.m. on Monday next, 3rd instant, at Hansen's Commercial Room, Hokitika. I have only to add, as you are already aware, that each district in the County was invited to be equally represented ; also that there was ample time allowed for taking necessary steps for that purpose, in order not no leave room for faulting the mining laws, when amended through such conference, as there is no doubt the laws suggested thereat will be very soon in force ; and the great object of the conference is to establish an uniform set of mining rules to suit the whole Counfcy, instead of separate rules for each district, as was evidently in-

tended by the framer of the late ones, who said he would alter the:n to suit this district alone. — I have the honor to be, &c. , D. Hann'AX. Hon. Soc. A rah am Mining Committee. Mr J. Hurst, Hon. Sec. Paroa Mining Committee." — The next business was the election of delegates. Some twelve or fourteen were nominated, I nit all declined to stand except Mr Michael Dowling and Mr G-add, who were duly elected, and were to proceed on Monday morning to Hokitika It was moved by Mr Maurice O'Connor, and seconded by Mr Edward Butler, and carried — "that subscription lists be opened to defray the delegates' expenses." After the usual vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting adjourned. A wrestling mvtch between Peadon and Jones came off on Saturday last on the cricket ground, Hokitika, md was won by the former. The West Coast Thiies expresses its sorrow at the narrow-minded policy exhibited by the Hokitika Borough Council io refusing to let '.he Town Hall to Mr Heller, that being the building selected by Mr Smythe, the manager of Heller's Wonders, as the most eligible building for the purpose in Hokitika. We hear, however, that Mr Smythe received a telegram on Saturday, stating that the matter would be reconsidered by the Council at its next meeting. A twenty-five ounce nugget, together with about fourteen ounces of gold, was unearthed the other day by some miners at the Ouemile Creek, just outside the Municipal Boundary of Queenstown, Otago. They, the said miners, have since been enjoying themselves amazingly, and every day a half-hogs-head of beer finds its way from the brewery to the One-mile. This is " sweatiug it out" with a vengeance, and is something new in the shape of imbibing. If tho lucky finders must spend their money in drink, they might at least give the publicans a turn. Thirty-six ounces of gold, turned into barrels of beer at wholesale prices, will kill the poor men before they can drink it all up. The latest instance of "unauthorised expenditure" is rather a novel one. Free passages were granted by the Government to the wives and families of honorable members of the General Assembly on their return from Wellington. This is something more than paternal Government. Some excitement was caused in Waitahuna, Otago, a few days ago by the selling of a parcel of very rich quartz specimens. They were found by Messrs Campbell and Forsyth, whose claim is situated between Dewe's Folly and the Canada reef, while sinking for alluvial gold. The specimens are about five or six ounces in weight, and nearly all gold. A claim of two acres in extent has been granted to Messrs Campbell and Forsyth by Mr Warden Simpson. The Wairarapa Mercury states that the Maoris in that district have put their own interpretation upon the financial schemes of the Government. They have got the report that Dr Featherstone has mortgaged the whole of New Zealand for six millions ; that he first wanted ten, but the Queen thought the security doubtful, and would only advance the former amount for three years. Our dusky brethern say that she will foreclose at the end of the term, and complain loudly that this is a new method of obtaining their hitherto unsold lands. A few calculations regarding the cost of the working of the proposed mail service between San Francisco aud port Chahners, will show how inadequate a subsidy has been voted for it by the Assembly. Looking at the consumption of coal alone we obtain the following results :— The distance between the two terminal ports of the line is 6,500 knots, equal to 722 hours' steaming at 9 knots per hour, the rate fixed. Allowing 14 ton of coal per hour, the total consumption of coal for a trip either way. would be 1083 tons, or, in round numbers, 1100 tons. This, at 30s per ton, which Is a very moderate price, will give LIGSO as the cost of the coal consumed on each trip, «md L 3300 for the whole voyage bofli ways. Consequently, as twelve voyages are to be ma le yearly, the cost of the coal consumed during that period will ba L 39.000, leaving the noble sum of L4OO to meet all other expenses, and give the contractor his profit. The following extract, with reference to Trinity Church, Greymouth, and the Grey District geuerally, is from the address of the Bishop of Nelson, at the opening of the Synod :— The Rev (i. Watkins has won the esteem and hearty support of his congregation, and the vestry have determined on enlarging their church by adding transepts. Mr Watkins holds services also at Cobden and Saltwater Creek, on alternate Snnday afternoons, aud at Brunner Coal-mine iv the week time. These additional duties rendei the Grey an arduous post ; but an appreciating feeling and active officers, and above all the knowledge that good is being done, and that the Word of Life is administered, and the people fed, help to lighteu the duty. Many, however, have a very inadequate idea of the extensive field now opening and requiring our speedy attention in the valley of the Grey. There aye thousands who would gladly attend services if we provided them, who now have none and arc neglected, and great responsibility lies on us in consequence. All I can do is to ask you to consider this most Feriously, and to notice its bearing upon the great topic of oar Synod, viz.,. the supply for the future. I do not ask for money for the Grey, at present at all events, it needs none, but it asks for men ; and it is for yon to consider what steps are to be taken to me^t its wants. Not only in that' direction, but also towards the south there are large settlements— Paroa, Marsden, Rutherglen, and Greenstone — where churches would be built to-morrow if 1 could send them a clergyman. The clergyman at Greymouth should have a curate.