THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 754, 17 November 1870, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1870.

The prevailiug dulness of the pastr^eAy days in tbe newspaper world, pending the arrival of the San Francisco mail, has been enlivened by the advent of his Honor the Superintendent of Nelson, who has been "doing the tOAyn and district," and endeavoring to convince the residents that they have hitherto been treated in a just and upright manner by the Government of which he is the head, and that all the allegations of neglect and misappropriation of revenues are entirely without foundation. In consequence of the large amount of speechifying which has taken place, our columns are to-day almost entirely " devoted" to the Superintendent and those who have •' interviewed " him, but we intend to take the first available opportunity to have our say on a few of the subjects "which were touched upon on these occasions. The West Coast portion of the San Francisco mail would probably leave Nelson by the s.a. Kennedy yesterday, and should she leave Weatport to-night for Hokitika direct, we believe our suggestion will be acted upon, and the p.s. Dispatch will, if practicable, stop her, and bring ashore our portion of the maiL We notice that our Mayor, J. Kilgour, Esq., has accepted a numerously -sigued requisition, presented to him yesterday, requesting him to stand for a seat in the County Council. The new wing of Trinity Church is now nearly completed, and as it is desirable that it should'be opened free from debt, an effort is about to be made by the members of the congregation to get up a Gift Auction, to be held in the Volunteer Hall, on Friday week. The drawing for the Grand Calcutta Sweep on the Melbourne Cup will take place this evening at Tonks and Hughes' Albion Hotel, Mawhera Quay. The business of the Resident Magistrate's Court has been very insignificant during the last two days. Only two drunkards have been fined, and a very few small-debt claims arranged. However, the force have not been idle in laying informations, for sundry offences, and this is expected to be a full day in the court. Yesterday morning two monster eels were caught in a deep pool near the Coal Creek Saw-mill by Mr Wilson, the manager. The one weighed 251 b and the other 201 b. They were brought to town and sold. On Thursday morning, last week, a miner named George Robertson, in the employment of Messrs Hales and Hinde, Blue Spur, Ota&o, was crushed to death by a fall of a large block of cement. It appears that Robertson was at work close by the side of a large block of cement, which, by some unaccountable means, split in two, one half of ifc covering the unfortunate man, who was instantly killed. Deceased was a native of Durham, and was .37 years of age. He leaves a widow and three shildren. We believe the rate of wages of the miners at the Brunner Coal-mine has been reduced, without any corresponding reduction being made in the price of the coal. A belief having spread that this change was brought about by the action of Mr J. Wilkie, M.P.C. for the district, an effigy has been prepared at Brunnerton, which it is intended to set on fire on the occasion of that gentleman's first visit. One of the newest things in theatrical criticism is to find an accomplished actor pointing out the foibles of his audience. For this novelty we are indebted to Mr Charles Mathews, who, having being compelled to wake a speech at the Theatre Royal, Adelaide, recently, improved the occasion by administering a trenchant rebuke to those gentlemen who are accustomed to rush from the theatre to the refreshment room between almost every act, and whose tumultuous return on the resumption of the performance seriously interferes with the general enjoyment. "I have one little complaint to make," said Mr Mathews, " and that is not

with respect to Adelaide alone, bat all th colonies. I refer to the manner in which many gentlemen rush out at the moment an act is concluded. It appears as if the stage is a mere appendage to the bar. I have no objection whatever to this, as in this hot climate refreshments are welcome, if not necessary ; but the custom has inconvenience. As people rush back at the commencement of the next act they prevent the opening portion of the dialogue being heard, and as the first few remarks after the rising of the curtain are generally explanatory of the play many of fie audience, through not heai ing them, are nofc able afterwards to properly understand what it is all about. Besides this, it is a poor compliment to the ladies to desert them for a brandy and soda." It required no little courage and independence for even such a favorite as Mr Mathews to denounce such exhibitions of bad taste, which are alike inconvenient to the more decorous portion of the spectators and discourteous of the stage. Recognising the justice of the censure, the audience, instead of resenting, cheered and laughed. As we briefly mentioned in our last a large and influential meeting of Frenchmen and other nationalities Avas held in the Paroa Koad Board office on Saturday evening, the 12th inst., to sympathise with the French nation and her people in their reverses, and to devise moans to raise subscriptions for the -wounded soldiers and widows and orphans of those soldiers who have fallen in the present Franco-Prussian WBr. The meeting was orderly, but enthusiastic. The principal speakers were Messrs J. Dowling and White, who delivered stirring speeches that was most appropriate to the occasion. Mr John O'Connor was voted to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting. After the usual preliminaries had been gone through, it was proposed by Mr White, and seconded by M. Mongillott, — "That the Frenchmen of the Paroa district express their deep sympathy with their country and countrymen in the present war with. Prussia, and pledge themselves to aid the cause of their country by all the means within their power." Proposed by Mr Thomas Colton, and seconded by Mr John Byrne,— "That the Irish people of the Paroa district do most anxiously co-operate with the French people of this district, and tender their warmest sympathy to the French nation and herchivalrous children in their reverses." Proposed by Mr O'Sullivan, and seconded by Mr Mathew Feehan,— " That a committee be formed, and called ' The French Relief Fund Central Committee,' consisting of M. Mougillott, White, Victor Taisnall, Eugene Graudgean, Cffisar Mitchell, Jules Cille, Michael Dowling, John Byrne, John O'Connor, and G. | Perotti." Proposed by Mr M. Dowling, and seconded by Mr Patrick Rowhan,—" That fifty subscription lists be published, and thirty circular letters, the same to be forwarded to the mostpromiuenc persons in the various mining centres of the West Coast Gold Fields for collections as the Central Committee will dictate." Proposed by Mr Brosnan, and seconded by Mr Taisnal, — "That the subscriptions received by the Westland Relief Fund Central Committee be forwarded for transmission to France, to the French Fund Association Central Committee, Melbourne." Proposed by Mr John Power, and seconded by Mr White,- "That the subscription-list close on the Ist of January, 1871, and that the collectors be requested to forward their contributions before or on that date." Proposed by M. Jules Cille, and seconded by M. Mongillott,- "That Mr John O'Conuor, Saltwater, and Mr Gerald Perotti, Greymouth, be appointed hon. treasurers, and Mr Michl. Dowling and Mr Johu Hyrao, Una. secretaries Committee. All the resolutions were carried unanimously. There was great interest displayed by all in the proceedings of the meeting, and L 24 were collected in the room. The meeting wound up with the "Marseillaise" arid other national song", rendered in capita style. A telegraph station is now open at Waimate, in the Canterbury Province. At the inquest into the causes of the late great fire in Lyttelton, the verdict was that the lire occurred in the storeroom of the Queen's Hotel, but that there was no evidence to show how it occurred. It is very likely that the Suez mail will arrive at Melbourne a day or two earlier at this season of the year, and it is probable that the Kangitoto will bring the mail with her. Her departure from the Bluff was delayed until the afternoon of the 12th inst., and consequently she would not be in time to leave Melbourne at her advertised date. The Suez mail is due in Melbourne on the 27 th inst., and uiiless the Gothenburg takes up that date, it is to be presumed that the Rangitoto will have to do it, as the Tararua has not yet left the East Coast, where she is engaged loading wool and other produce for Melbourne. One of the Miners' Delegates, who recently met %nd suggested amendments to the rules, wrote to Mr Hoos, asking whether it was his intention to legalise the proposed amendments. Mr Hoos replied that he will do so as far as practicable, and if the suggestions are consistent with the Gold Fields Act. Steps are now being taken to ascertain these facts, both from the County Solicitor and Attorney-General. In answer to a verbal enquiry on the same subject the other day, Mr Hoos said it would be a long time yet before the amendments were legalised, so that it is evident that the alterations will not be made during his term of office. A correspondent of the Tuapeka Times gives a very amusing account of Mr Mervyn's appearance before his constituents. There was a difficulty in obtaining n chairman, but that difficulty removed, Mr Mervyn commenced, and for two mortal hours preached the gospel according to " I say I." He consumed bucketfuls of water during the process, and succeeded in driving away one-half of his audience and sending the other half to sleep. After carefully boiling down his address, I arrive at the following result, premising that I have retained all the ideas : — "I— yes, I, myself — faithful, vigilant, energetic — I, gentlemen— I— l— I — I — I — I—l— boon to the district — people's cause — I — l, gentlemen — I— abuse of hireling journalists — I— l— l- 1— L— l-I— l— l — I- I." In fact, the performance was I— dyllic. When the torrent of words ran itself out, and the meeting had yawned, stretched itself, and recovered from the evil effects of the infliction, two brilliant members of our Teetotal Society, proposed and seconded a vote of confidence in Mr Mervyn. A pause followed, people took a long breath at so preposterous a proposal, while Mr Mervyn benignantly smirked approval. At last Mr Beignton rose up, and in a masterly address reviewed the conduct of Mr- Mervyn in the House. He had a good brief, and although he tempered justice with mercy, he literally demolished the unfortunate M.H.R. He wound up by proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried by acclamation, the vote of confidence being contemptuously ignored. Thus ended what I shrewdly surmise will be Mr Mervyn's last appearance in public in this district He retires into private life after doing as much injury to his constituents as was in the power of a creature devoid of brains. 1 believe he keenly felt the contemptuous manner in which he was treated, and I know he had not sufficient dignity to conceal his feelings. He amused himself after the meeting by indulging in a public place in all manner of invective against the ' ' rude barbarians " who refused to appreciate his good qualities.