Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 763, 8 December 1870, Page 2

The elections for the County Council take place throughout the various districts this day. Th^polling in town takes place at tbe Cuurt-ho\ii»» between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. • ; . ' ■ : We have to. remind our readers that the grar-d amateur concert, in aid of the building fund of the Church of England, takes place at the Volunteer Hall to-morrow evening. Judging by the rehearsals we have had the pleasure of listening to, we cau confidently look forward to a rich musical treat. We hope to see a crowded house. By an overlook we omitted from our last that tho race between Messrs Strike and Tait for the amateur championship of 100 yards came off on Saturday, resulting in an easy victory for the former. The betting for some days previously had been on the call for the latter gentleman, but those who had watched Mr Strike's running career were not to be dauuted, and, . placing their faith upon his previous performances, caused a good deal of money to change hands. Mr Strike, when the hat dropped, jumped off with a good lead, and although Mr Tait gamely struggled, it was with no avail, as the former gentleman came in a winner by at least two yards. The spell of fine weather recently enjoyed by the up-country districts was broken at midday on Friday by a heavy downpour of rain. It cleaved again on Friday night, but recommenced on Saturday, and continued without intermission with occasioual hailstorms till midnight on Tuesday. The creeks and river were flooded in all directions, but not to such a height as might have been expected from the quantity of rain which fell. This may partly be accounted for by the absence of any great quantity of snow on the ranges in the interior, at the time the wet weather came on. In town the freshet " covered all the low-lying ground, and many of the streets, but did no damage; An amusing "set-to" between two of our "heavyweight's" -took place (without much damage to either) ou the wharf yesterday, which nearly ended in both rolling ii.to the river ; but as it may end in the Magistrate's Court, we refrain from comment. The Rev. Father Coiomb celebrated divine service, and preached to a large congregation on Sunday the 4th instant, at Mr William Lonergan's, Half-ounce, and at Mr James Matthews at the junction of the Amuri and Napoleon roads on the following morning. The rev. gentlemen left the Ahaura for Nelson Creek, No Town, and the lower In the Dis6i'icf ~uoTrn7 : T>n-xiiui-awt«j-r Warden Sckaw appeared in answer to his summons as a witness in an appeal case. He apologised for neglecting to appear on the last Court day, withdrew the letter he wrote to the Judge, and his fine was remitted. In connection with this matter, on the following day, in mentioning the costs, it transpired that Sir Schaw had demanded L 5 as his costs, and had been paid before he started for town. The Judge expressed his utmost astonithmeut at any gentlemen, whose time was paid for by the Government, demanding more than his travelling expenses as. allowed by the scale, and also at the payment being made. It was hiuted that the demand had been made by Mr Schaw on behalf of his employers, the County Govermneut ! There is every prospect of the Committee being able to raise the L3OO required as the town share of the subsidy for the lnangahua road. Up to last evening, there were close upon L 240 on the list, and a3 the lower half of the borough has not yet been canvassed, it is fully expected that the required sum will be made up to-day. There have been a great many calls upon the liberality of the residents lately, many of which are only for temporary purposes ; but as the construction of this road is sure to confer direct or indirect benefits upon the whole town, by making it the direct source of supply for a large and, what must ultimately be, a populous district, it is to be hoped that the collectors will to-day have their lists made up to the required amount. As yet the up-coantry centres of population make no sign with, regard to the collection of the L2OO allocated as their share of the subsidy. We feel certain the money could be easily raised if a little energy was displayed, and we expect to hear within tho next few days that the Committee is in a position |to offer the subsidy of LSOO to the Nelson Government, and thereby compel the Superintendent to keep his promise to make the road immediately. Previous to the rising of the Warden's Court, at the Ahaura, on Thursday evening. Ist inst, Mr E. A. Drury addressed the Court at some length, with reference to the right of mining advocates to be heard in tho Court. He referred to the Order in Council on the subject* and made a formal applicatioh for permission to practice in the vVardeu's Court. Mr Wilson replied, and said that although his opposition was not directed against M r Drury personally, he objected on the part of the legal profession to giving mining advocates, the same standing as losally qsulificcl professional men, ami pointed out that under the Order in Council referred to, tho Warden had not the authority to permit agents to appear when solicitti^and baristers were present. Mr Whitefoorfr^took this view of the matter, ami, after, paying a compliment to Mr Drury's ability as a mining advocate, he said that whatever might be his private opinion, he was compelled as a Warden to refuse Mr Drniy's application.- ; r /Information reached the Ahaura on the after of the 4hh, of the death at Napoleon, under distressing 'circumstances, of a. woman naoied'M'aryLeatkwoodt'wlio was well-known in, the district. The deceased had not long been ill. She leaves several children behind her, who are utterly destitute. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Grey River Hospital Committee was held at Gilmer's Hotel last evening. Present — Messrs Whitefoord (chair), Maclean, Moss, Kennedy, Arnoht, Greenwood, King, Gilmer, aud Kenrick. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read aud confirmed, the Visiting Committee were authorised to take steps to recover the maintenance of a patient (who was in a position to pay) during his stay in the Hospital. The Subscription Committes reported that they had received from; the Upper Ward LGI ss; Middle Ward, LlO5. The canvass of the Lower Ward ha? not yet beeu finished. The Visiting Com-

mittee reported the number cf patients in the Hospital to be 26 ; admitted durin.c the month, 17; discharged, 16; died, 1. They also reported that the expenses of the Hospital had been L3OB less than the previous six months. The accounts for the month, amounting to LlB6 5s 10rl, were placed on the table and passed. Tho Treafflrer reported that the Wegtland subsidies for August, September, and October, amonnting to L 230 19s Gd, were still unpaid, and Messrs Eevell and Moss were deputed to wait^upon the County Treasurer to urge the impjediate payment of the amount, as it was urgently required by —tlie Ccmmittee. A meeting was held at Paler's Hotel, Halfounce, on Tuesday evening last, to make preliminary arrangementTubout getting up sports in the township during the Christmas holidays. Dr Donovan vas called to the chair, and it was finally resolved that a committee be appointed tc consist of Messrs W. Lonargau, O. Anderson, Faler, Youug, and Donovan, with Mr Skead ashou. sec, to carry out the objects o: the meeting. It was incidentally, mtntionel that the probable sum raised would be about Ll5O, and it was agreed that the programme, &c. , would be advertised in the Grey Volley Times aud the Grey River Argus newspapers. ' All candidates who intend to compete for the Nelson Provincial Scholarships must present themselves at the School-house, Cobden, on Tuesday next These scholarships are of the value of L4O per annum each, aud remain in force for three years. Candidates must be under fifteen years of age, and have attended a Nelson Provincial school for at least one year. The return match between tbe Dunediu Volunteer Artillery Company and the Grey mouth Eangers, postpoaed from Saturday last, was fired on Tuesday. The conditions were five shots at 400,500, and 600 yorcb, any position, with Government rifles and ammunition, as issued. The following is the Bcore made by the local team, which, although good, would have been much better if several of the volunteers had not broken down at the 500 yards range : —

A Licensing Bench sat at the Resideut Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning-. There were present Mr Revell, R.M., Mr Schaw, R.M.,-Mr Greenwood, J.P., and Mr Harrison, J.P. Licenses were granted to Ellen Kennedy, Henry Smith, Fred. Clarke, Henry Hunt aud D. Buggy. The application of Alexander Liyinsgtone was refused, on the report of the Sub-inspector of Police that the applicant did not bear a good character, and formerly kept a very disorderly house in town. Henry Pelling applied to have the license of the United States Hotol renewed and transferred to E. Stratford. The license was granted in the name of.Pelling, aaJ. a further application to be made for the transfer when the usual recommendation signed by ten householders in favor of Stratford is lodged. James Jones applied for a renewal of a license for the Dunedin Hotel, Mawhera Quay. It was stated by Mr Hickson and Mr Revell, that thi3 license had been granted Avithout their knowledge "bnij'Vnitflc < MiAHi«iliM i ira ( ip-^»-Thfl I .Be.ncli. could the County Chairman had no power to give the applicant a license in the manner he had done. In order, however, that tho applicant should not be the sufferer, his application was adjourned to Friday morning, in order to enable him to lodge the usual recommendation of ten householders. As the Court House was now required for the sitting of the District Court, the remaining applications were adjourned to Friday at teu o'clock. The four candidates for the representation of Greymouth in the County Council held another joint meeting at the Union Hotel, on Tuesday evening, and severally addressed the electors. The room was crowded, and Mr J. Wyldewas called to the chair. The addresses of the candidates were simply repetitions of their speeches delivered in the Town Hall on Monday night last, and which were fully reported in our last. There were a great many questions asked upon subjects which come only under the direct notice of candidates for seats iv the General Assembly, and yet they were answered in all seriousness, as if they came within the pvovince of the County Council. It is to be regretted that gentlemen who come forward as candidates for seats in any deliberate body should not first make themselves fully acquainted with the extent of their powers, aud the duties they may be called upon to exercise. In the expression of their opinions the four candidates were very open, and equally divided upon some of them. For instance Messrs Kilgour and Guiuness were in favor of a denominational Sj'stem of education, while Messrs Lahman and Payne were strong supporters of the natioual system. Mr Kilgour has also pledged himself to vote for Mr Hoos as County Chairman should they both bo returned. This would be one of the greatest calamities that could befali Westland, but we do not think there is any probability of either event happening. The meeting, from I the history of which we have digressed, ended in votes of confidence beiug "carried unanimously " iv each of the candidates, amidst much amusement, although it was not easy to tell whether more hands were held up for or against the motions. At a meeting held the other night in Hokitika, Mr Hoos was subjected to a rigid crossexamination as to the non-gazetting of the mining rules. The following conversation is reported as having taken place : - Mr Lynch : Why did he (Mr Hoos) ignore the suggestions of the first Mining Conference, and gazette the new rules, contrary to their wishes? Mr Hoos : The rules and regulations compiled by the first Mining Conference were gazetted. With regard to the last Conference, the rules which wer& laid before them have undergone some supervision by tbe County Solicitor aud myself, and we have had great difficulty in doing so. The rules appear to have been cut with a scissoi's, thrown into a hat, taken out, and .pasted on a piece of paper. Subserviently, ''a 'Mining Committee called upon me and the Solicitor, and the rules approved-qf were to be gazetted before 1 should leave. ,s>s&}. chair ;; but, owing to the want of hands printing purposes, this has not been accomplished as yet. Mr South : I wish to know if Mr Hoos is disposed, before the gazetting of: these rules, to call a meeting of the miners for the purpose .of. considering them. Mr Hoos: With regavel W a question as to surveys, ' " clause 33 has been suspended, and is not in operation. Indeed, Ido not think it lias ever been in particular force. With regard to considering the rules and regulations, T should like to go further than Mr South. I should like to get one uniform code of rules and regulations for the whole West Coast of New Zealand. lam willing to hear all the mining committees, whenever they come forward, but it was my intention to give them a proper answer before leaving the chair. A Voice : Did not Mr Hoos tell Mr Carreras that the last drop of blood would have to be drawn from the diggers to support the failing fortunes of Westland ?

[r Hoos : Mr Oarreras did not state anyling near the truth, nor anything in connecon with it. The whole thing is an eleconeering dodge, written by his own hand, nd is such as I should have expected to ome from any man in the Council. Not nly is he not content with malicious falseood, but he has expressed himself towards he Council as I never in my life would enture to do. [For the information of Mr loos we may add that Mr Carreraa did not vrite the report to which he referred. — Ed.] A correspondent at No Town sends the ollowing items of news : — Mr Whitefoord ias said he would instruct Mr Woolley to mrvey the terrace opposite the township tnd have it set apart for a cemetery. Chere are eight graves now. — The visit of Mr Donne on Friday gave rise to a lot of speculation as to the result of his several promises, the whole of which hinged on the hypothesis "if money is available." Even the paltry sum of L3O or L4O required to slear a track to the new rush at Deadman's Oreek, had the saving clause attached. The iistauce is only a mile and a half, and without some expenditure it is impossible bo get horses there, so the miners have to "hump their tucker" in the old way at present, bat it is necessary that something should be done and a few of the business people have taken it in hand on their own responsibility, pending the receipt of Government aid, and progress is being made with it. The rush will evidently give profitable employment to a large number of miners for some time to come. The prospects generally are not flash, from one to three grains to the dish, but the ground is easily worked, being shallow and requiring no great expenditure before returns are obtained. In fact it is essentially a "poor man's diggings." — The members of the Roman Catholic faith, with their usual energy, have taken the initiatory steps towards building a chapel at No Town. They propose to erect a small building suitable for present requirements, which it is expected will not cost more than LSO, half of which siim has been collected during the last few day 3. What a comment— a place of worship theroy and not a policeman within ten nules? The prospect of an; abunianfc harvest are everywhere apparent throughout the Grey Valley this season. At the Twelve- Mile Landing, the crops on Messrs Molloy, Bidgood, and Darcy's several clearings are in a very forward state, and it will be a great pity, as well as a serious loss, if the annual Christmas floods should be heavier than usual this year. • These remarks will also apply to Messrs Cochrane and Jellies farm near Camptown, where a splendid crop of oats may be seen. Messrs. Campbell's, Muir's, and Krenzel's farms, at Camptown, also present a fine appearance, especially Mr Muir's. Mr Edward Edwards' crop 3of oats and potatoes, at the foot of Nelson Creek, also deserves notice. Mr John Hamilton (the Greek) and Craig's cultivations on the southern bank of the Ahaura Eiver, between the two townships, look fine,, especially the potatoes on Mr Hamilton's land and Messrs Craig's oats. Mr Patrick M 'Inernay 's garden, near the new Ahaura, is, with one exception, the fiuesfc looking and best cared for piece of cultivation up the river. Messrs Mulvey's, Garven's, Doyle's, and Matthews' different improvements) on the Napoleon road, also look well. On Totara Plat, Messrs Erskine'i, Maurice Doolen's, and Alcorn's crops promise to be abundant, particularly Mr Doolen's, whose potatoes were of a superior quality last year. M'Kinlay Brothers', Thwogood's, and Antonio Lardi's oat crops each look promising, and the same may be remarked of Mr P. Gillan'3 crop of oats adjoining Lardi's. Away near the bottom of Duffer Creek, Messrs Michael Savage and John Doolen they are likely" to reap' taßraeTOflnfflHJfrom the fine appearance of their crops, Messrs Robt. M'Neill'g, and David Donald's firms appear to be i n a more forward state than any others in the Valley. Our reporter noticed a patch of potatoes on Donald's farm, which were just being earthed up, by means of a small doublefurrow plough, of Mr Donald's own construction, and although they "were only three weeks in the ground, they were. in an astonishingly "forward condition, and looked remarkably healthy. There is a kitchen, flower, and fruit garden attached to Mr Donald's homestead, which is a credit to the proprietor for the variety of its contents and the attention which appears to have been bestowed upon it. There was also a fine bed of strawberries, the fruit of which was of an extraordinary sizs and delicious flavor. A curiosity is to be .seen here in the shape of a fine bed of Java raddishes, which ha:e been planted as an experiment. The ordinary nature of things seem to be inverted with respect to this delicately flavored esculent. Instead of growing in the ground, as raddishes are gene? r<illy produced, it grows upon bushes, after the manner of gooseberries. It appears to thrive well, but there is scarcely enough sun to bring it to . perfection. The Messrs Methven's farm, situated between Donald's Farm and the Junction, is also looking well. Above the Junction. Messrs Bannoa and Campbell -r-M'lnroe, and the Messrs O'Mally, have, each a considerable tract of land under cultivation, and their crops are in a blooming condition. We are also informed that Mr J. F. Johnston's Farm at Antonio Fht is no exception to the general rule, and on the whole, the agriculturists of the Grey Valley have reason to be thankful for the blessing of a bounteous harvest, of which they have every reasonable prospect before them.

Col..Srgt. Chamberlain Vol. Simmons „, Vol. Johnston. ... As.-Sg. Morice... Vol. J. Smith ... Cor. W S Smith Vol. Ilevell ... Vol.Broadbenb... Vol. Thomas .... Corp. Moss ... 400 500 600 yards, yards, yards. Tl 23434 43244 24343-49 33432 42342 34434 48 34444 33433 43204-43 44443 32344 23323-48 44434 44334 30223-47 24424 20323 24222-38 44332 33340 30220—35 33231 30000 34424-35 32343 20020 44230—32 33334 00033 03222—31 Total ... v ... 412