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Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 740, 15 October 1870, Page 2

Up to ten o'clock last night, the English Mail; via San Francisco had not arrived at Nelson. It is now looked for at any moment. A meeting of the Provisional Committee of the Greymouth Gas Company was held last evening at Kilgour's Hotel, when the various Committees appointed to canvass the town reported that 936 shares had. been taken up, leaving 64 to be allotted. Instructions were given to register the memorandum of Association. A meeting of the shareholders is called for Monday evening next, for the election of directors and other business. Now that the .conference of miners' delegates is over and has resulted in effecting so much good, it is to be hoped that the miners in the Paroa District will not forget the pledge they made that they would be responsible for their representative's expenses. This should be seen to at once. Mitchell, Burton, and Co.'s contract, for the conveyance of the West Coast mails, has been recommended for three years. The tender includes the service bebween Hokitika and Greymouth. Some very satisfactory specimens of stone were brought from the Murray reefs', Inangahua, to Westport on Thursday last. Some of the least promising, in which no gold was visible, and weighing 36ozs, were 'tested and yeilded lOgrs of gold, or nearly at the rate of 35ozs per ton of stone. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Cobden, yesterday, before C. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M., an information was read, which had been laid by A. R. Guinness, Greymouth, charging E. Drury with having embezzled L 2 4s while in his employ. The defendant was present, but the complainant did not appear. Th*> Magistrate said he had no option but to dismiss the case. The defendant asked the case should not be dismissed, but adjourned to some future day, as the proceeding was calculated to injure his character. The Magistrate said it was a singular application for a defendant to make, but perhaps it might be a very proper one under the circumstance. He would grant the adjournment if ib dhonld transpire that the complainant was not aware the case was i co bs heard that day, but otherwise, the I charge would be dismissed, with full costs. A number of miners from Addison's and other portions of the district left Westport on Sunday last for a locality named Wheelbarrow Gully. The exact particulars are kept secret, and we can learn nothing further than that very good gold has been struck at a gully as above-mentioned, within the Buller district. 1 Last night Mr and Mrs Darrell gave another entertainment to a very crowded audience in the Volunteer Hall. The first selection was from Sheridan Knowles celebrated play of the " Hunchback," in the rendering of which Mrs Darrell, as Helen, was enthusiastically applauded. Although Mr DarreU's Modus was not equal to the performance of his highly talented wife, it shewed clearly that he has within him the natural genius of an actor in this style of histrionic art. The scenes from ' ' Hamlet " next followed, but the gem of the evening was Mrs Darrell's appeal in the groat curse scene of " Leah." This is a part thoroughly suited to the powers of this lady, and her performance of it was the personification of a greatly injured woman. The intensity of her curse was terrible in its earnestness, and showed that she had lost none of the great dramatic power which once made the name of Fanny Cathcart so universally known. In "The Young Girl of the Day," Mr Darrell's make-up was unapproachable, aud his appearance was frequently interrupted by loud bursts of laughter and applause. Beyond specially mentioning the reading of Edgar Allan Poe's poem of "The Bells," during which Mrs Darrell fairly eutranced the house in enraptured attention, we need hardly say more except to state that everything was a gem of its kind, and as the public will only have this evening to judge for themselves as to the nature of this, tho highest and besfc dramatic effort put on the stage in Greymouth, we would strongly advise every one who has not yet wit: c ;sed it, to bepreseat at the Volunteer Hall to-night. At the sitting of the District Court, held at Hokitika on Thursday, Mr R. H. J. Reeves made application for his final order of discharge, when the question of hi 3 indebtedness to the County on certaiu bills of exchange was mentioned. We quote from the W.C. Times:— "The bankrupt was sworn, and in reply to questions from tho Bench, said that his only property was in furniture.

His income consisted of salary from Mr Cassiua. Among his liabilities there was an amount of upwards of L3OO due to the Count, y He had besn the tenderer for certain tolls, and an arbitration case arose, in which the award was given against him. He gave his acceptances for the amount. When the bills came he was unable to meet them. He then asked to give acceptances. An ai» rangement was made between the County Chairman and himself. He could not pay the money at the time, and the acceptances were given in the hope that he would be in a position to meet them. In reply to some further questions from the Bench, Mr Harvey admitted that the proceeding was rather unusual, but there were peculiar circumstances, and it was considered desirable that it should be done. Mr Reeves, in fact, had farmed the tolls. There was then a dispute as to whether the County had carried out its contract with regard to toll-gates and fences. The award was given against Mr Reeves, and there were circumstances which rendered it desirable to take his acceptances. It mtvde very little difference whether they had been taken or not. Mr South differed from Mr Harvey, and he stated that the County (Tovernmeut also give acceptances. The one case was as consistent as the other. — Mr Harvey spike of the probability of Mr Reeves still paying this money. His Honor said that was a matter for future consideration. He had nothing to decide but as to the final order of discharge. Discharge granted. " At the Resident Magistrate's Court on, Thursday, John Davidson, miner, South Beach, was charged, on the information of Mary Murphy, domestic servant, with refusing to maintain his illegitimate child. He admitted being the father of the child, that he had always been willing to pay for its maintenance, had _ paid LlO, but was unable to pay more, as his claim had proved a failure ; but he had offered to take the child. The Magistrate ordered the father to pay 8s per week, and the child to remain with its mother. The third anniversary of the Loyal Greymouth Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., was celebrated last evening in the Assembly Rooms of Gihner's Hotel, by a supper and ball. Over sixty gentlemen sat down to supper, but it was a most conspicuous feature that this year the supper-tables were not graced by the presence of any ladies. The supper provided by Mr Gilmer was everything that could be desired, both as to quality and quantity, and was put on the table in a manner that called forth deserved praise. The chair was occupied by KG., Broadbent, who was supported by Pro. C.S. Somerville, G.M., Hawkins, of the Prince Alfred Lodge, Hokitika, P. Purcell, Esq., President of the Hibernian Society, and C.R., Simmons of the Court Concord, A.O.F. The vice-chair was filled by P.V., G. Taylor, supported by P.V., Hardy, and G.M., Simpson. Amonfst the other visitors present, were V.S., Hardwicke and G.S., Barclay, of the Loyal Hand of Friendship LodgeM. U. I. O. O. P. The other past officers of the Loyal Greymouth Lodge who were present were P. G. , Da vies, P.G., M 'Gavin, P.G., Smith, P.G., Thomas, ?P.G., White, and others. After supper, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts I were given from the chair and duly honored. During the proceedings very few words were spoken in connection with any toasts, there being an evident desire to hasten on to the dance. The Chairman proposed. -'The Grand Master and Board of Directors of the M.U.T.0.0.F.," which was duly honored. Bro. Hawley proposed " the Locol Volunteers, coupled with the name of Mr J. P. Taylor., Secretary of the A. O. F."Mr Taylor responded, expressing his determination " to defend the shores of his adopted country against all the armaments of Europe." Pro. C. S. Somerville, proposed the toast "the Loyal Greymouth Lodge," and wished it every success in the future. N. G. Broadbent responded, stating that this was the third anniversary of the Lodge, and during the time it had been in existence it had enrolled 220 members, had now L6OO to its credit, besides paying all its working expenses, and meeting every call which had been made on it for the relief of the distressed. He hoped that every young man would soon become a member of one of these benefit societies. Mr J. P. Taylor proposed, the "Mayor and Borough Council of Greymouth," which was responded to by Councillor S. Barclay. A string of other toasts followed, including " Kiudred Societies," " Trade and Commerce," "The Press," "The Ladies," 4c., &c, all of which were responded to ; and shortly after ten o'clock the company adjourned for their partners, and returned immediately to the large hall up-stairs, which was prepared and nicely decorated for the occasion. There was an excellent orchestra, and dancing w<ts kept up with great spirit till an early hour this morning. Tho last rail of the permanent way, Oreti Railway, was laid at Winton on Wednesday, 28th ult. Southland sends eight members to the Ofcago Council, including the Superintendent. The Hon. John Hall is canvassing the Heathcote district, and has declared his , intention to coniesb the seat against all i comers. A complimentary dinner i 3 to be given to Mr Moorhouse, on his return to Christchurch, in about a fortnight. Preserved meat from the Hawke's Bay pastures is about to be tried in the English market, ten tons of rolled mutton having been put on board the Argyleshire for London. Henry Norgate, while felling at Takaka, Nelson, was caught by one of the large brauches which struck him on the lower part of the back, severely dislocating the right hip- joint. Attempts were made on the spot to reduce the dislocation, but these were unsuccessful ; and the sufferer was brought over to the hospital, where he now lies. Saltwater Creek Hotel, Timaru, was burned down on the Bth inst. The fire originated in a spark from the chimney catching the shingle roof. The house was insured for L 25 0; a good deal of furniture was saved. Mr Slee, the proprietor, estimates his personal loss at Ll5O. The following additional entries for the Christchurch Metropolitan Meeting were received on Saturday :— Canterbury Cup :— Mr Redwood's Peeress, 5 yrs ; Mr Redwood's Bashaw, 3 yrs ; Mr Stafford's Magenta, aged; Mr Stafford's Mariner, 3 yrs. C. J. C. Handicap :— Mr Redwood's Peeress, 5 yrs ; Mr Redwood's XXX, aged; Mr Stafford's Magenta, aged; Mr Stafford's Vulcan, 3 yrs. On Friday last, a Mrs Needhamjwas committed for trial at the Supreme Court Nelson, on a charge of issuing a forged cheque on Mr N. Edwards for LlB 18s. Prisoner presented the cheque to Mr Nathan in payment of a brooch, who suspecting it was not a genuine one, sent for a constable, and" the female was taken into custody. His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson, acompanied by the Provincial Treasurer, will pay a visit to the West Coast in about ten days or a fortnight's time. The Wellington Evening Post says :— Some short time ago, a gentleman in this town having a very valuable breech -loading double-barreled gun, which he wished to dispose of, sent it to a friend in Wanganui, for the purpose of getting up a raffle. The gun was accordingly exhibited in some public place, and a list of subscribers commenced. While this was being filled up, Major Topia hap*

pened to visit Wanganui, and amongst other things saw and coveted the double-barreled gun. He could not, of course, buy it after his late attempt to bring down the penalties of the law on the heads of the brothers Southcome for having sold him some guns, but still he did not despair of securing the wished-for article, cheaply and expeditiously. He acI cordingly communicated his wishes to Mr Commissioner Booth, and that gentleman, having, no doubt, informed the Government, purchased the gun for L3O, paid the amount, by a Treasury voucher, and presented the gun to Topia. With the gun were 500 cartridge cases ready' for filliug, bullet moulds, and other articles, which will, no doubt, prove exceedingly useful hereafter to Topia and his tribe. During the examination of a bankrupt in the District Court, Hokitika, on Thursday, it transpired that his papers had been made out by Mr Peter Zohrab, an accountant, who has received money for so doing, and had otherwise acted as a solicitor of the District Court, not being so enrolled. His Honor directed Mr Harvey to take proceedings in the matter. Mr Harvey said be would do so. His Honor made a similar direction in the case of Mr Treloar. Mr Yogel; in a letter to the PostmasterGeneral of America, suggests the establishment of a money-order system between the two countries ; and in order to obviate any difficulty that might arise from the fluctuating nature of America currency, proposes that the value of the gold dollar shall be fixed at 4s 2d sterling. - . From Napier, we learn that Eraakarini and 17 companions reached Wairoa on Friday last, Wi Tipana amongst them. They report that Mohi died from fever and exhaustion in the struggle to reach Wairoa. Te Kooti's followers are leaving him. They are straggling away towards the coast in parties of two and three, their object being to escape observation. Four Chatham fslanc prisoners— Rewi, his wife, a young lad, and Kuare, who was transported for selling powder to the Hau-haus, came in to Wairoa, after hauging about since August. Rewi states that Kooti has 300 followers, whilst Kuare, whose statements is more circumstantial in detail, says there are but 40. The body of the man named Patrick Coskelly, drowned in the Ashely about a fortnight ago, was found by Mr Barne3, on a spit near the residence of Mr Ivans, on Sunday last. At a recent meeting of the Otago Institute, Mr Purdie read the following notes of the skeleton of a bird, supposed to be a swan, found at the Water of Leith :— " As set up, j stands 36in high ; full length of body from ! neck vertebra to tip of caudal vertebra, 17in ; caudal, 3in ; neck 33in : head and bill, s£in ; wings, humerus, 10in ; ulna, 9|in ; metacarpus, 4f in ; os magnum, or phalanx, 2in ; thumb, l^ip ; femur, 3|in ; tibia, 7iin ; tarsus, 4|in ; centre toe, s£in ; number of vertebr* from sacrum to cranium, 30 ; caudal, 8. This skeleton was found in the bed of an old creek, near the Water of Leith, and to all appearance must have been there at a period prior to the formation of this settlement, as the ground has been in my possession for upwards of nine years, and has never been disturbed. " From the Waimangaroa, Buller, we learn that the Enterprise Quartz Mining Company are sinking a shaft about 150 yards south of the first shaft sunk, and according to the dip of the reef, the manager expects to strike it in the second shaft, after sinking about twelve feet further. A trial of stone taken promiscuously from the reef has already shown a result of 3oz to the ton, and the present delay in crushing is for the purpose of fully testing the extent of the reef. It is expected that something definite will be known in a fortnight. Archdeacon Hadfield was on the 9fch fast, consecrated Bishop of Wellington. The whole of the Bishops of the colony were present. This is the first Episcopal consecration ever performed [in the colony] without the Queen's mandate. Mr Kempthorne, of Auckland, entered a protest against it on thab account. The Wellington Post of the 29th ultimo says : — Bad as the weather was in Wellington during last month, it was worse in Auckland, where rain fell on twenty-eight days out of the thirty-one. Here, we had only twenty-five days, on which rain fell to a greater or less extent, while Dunedin, strange to say, had only twenty-two wet days. A miner at Mount Benger, Ota^o, has invented a gold-saving machine, regarding which a correspondent of the Bnicc Herald says :— " A single water-wheel is made, by an ingenious contrivance, to work a pump, rock a cradle, from which tlie fin* w ish is precipitate I on copper plates, ami bliaice with a pan, all set in con'inual motion by the one wheel. " The rapid increase of the Chinese element on the gold fields in the Lake district, Otago, is viewed with great disfavour by tha European miners. The Chinese are buying up claims on all sides, and the consequence is that as soon as the European miners find theuaselvea outnumbered in and locality they clear out altogether, and leave "John" in undisputed possession. The Examiner, of the Bth insfc., has the following news from the Karamea Gold Field: — "During the last few days, parties of diggers have returned to Motueka with parcels of coarse gold, and it is evident the men are doing well there, but, not wishing to see a rush, they are keeping their success as quiet as possible ; and as soon as anything like a road is made over the range, we are sure a regular rush will set in. "We believe the Government is alive to the necessity of the work, and, that it will be pushed forward as quickly as possible." From the Lyttelton Time* of Saturday last, we hear that a series of sports came off at the Plough Inn grounds, Riccarton, the principal event being a race of 2000 yards,- between Young Austin and a local amateur named Porter. The amount of money staked on the match was L 42, Austin laying the odds of L 25 to L2O, and also giving his opponent 100 yards start. There was a large attendance of spectators, but only a very moderate amount of interest taken in the result of the race ; so much, indeed, was it looked upon as a foregone conclusion in favor of Austin, that we did not hear of a single bet being made, though offers to back Austin were very numerous. The novelty as yet attaching to any kind of pedestrianism amongst us was, therefore, the real attraction, not forgetting, however, that to see Austin run is itself worthy of some little sacrifice of time. The race was not commenced until somewhat after four o'clock, when the men were started by report of pistol. The course was about 200 yards in circumference, and Austin gained fully 30 yards in each of the first two laps, Porter appearing to take matters unaccountably easy. At the finish of the third I&p Austin was not more than 20 yards astern without having made any great effort. During the next two laps Porter made an attempt to maintain his lead, but Austin gradually e'osed. the gap, until just before entering on the sixth lound, he went to the fore. From this point, tho lead was held alternately by the two men— not more thau five yards at any time separating them— until in the last round but one, when Austin went away from his man in good style, and though Porter by a short spurt recovered some portion of the lost ground, Austin won by from 30 to 40 yards j time, 7 mm. 8 secsj