Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 839, 5 April 1871, Page 2

A meeting of the Committee appointed at the recent public meeting in relation to the Governor's reception, will be convened by circulars to-day to be held at the Corporation Offices, to-morrow evening at eight o'clock, to confer with the Borough Council. A full attendance is desirable. We regret to hear that R.. Abbott, Esq., /Registrar of the Supreme Court, continues seriously iIL The unfortunate gentleman had an attick of partial paralysis a few weeks back, the result of a severe cold induced by exposure during a bush excursion. We are given to understand that, speculating on the retirement of Mr Wilkie from the Nelson Provincial Council, a number of. candidates are sounding the electors, The .names we have heard mentioned are Mr E. ?A. Drury, M. J. D. Pinkerton, and Mr Arthur Ellis. Nothing further has been heard of Mr Kynnersley's candidature. We learn from the Hokitika Evening Star that the Stafford prospecting party are still actively engaged in testing, the ground granted to them by the Warden. K. num 1 of bores have been put down, and • ..H.J gold has been found in each, altb": : * • T payable has yet been strf' ' little of cases the bot<^- nothing of forty f~"" . -etc. In a majority &>*■■ • ..,ui was reached at a depth. . -tjo. The most sanguine hopes are . 1 .^ertaiucd by the proprietors that payable gold will shortly be discovered. ; Yesterday afternoon Mr Fullarton, the contractor for the Boundary street formation ■ had occasion to put out of tbe way a stove f and lead ladle being used by the men laying. ' the gas "pipes, and inadvertently he put his ; hand into a ladle of molten lead; causing ► severe injuries. The skin of his fingers was. i literally peeled off. Medical treatment was i at onca applied, and it is to be hoped the , sufferer will soon recover from .his accident. i It is intimated in the County Gazette that ■ there are now twenty-three Crown grants ) ready for delivery to different purchasers at I ~;the' Land Office. r At the Resident Magistrate's Court, yes« ! terday, before Wl H. Revell, Esq., R.M., I the followiug civil cases were disposed of :— » Judgments by default— W. Kilgourv. John \ Thomas, LI Is 6d ; same v. P. Crawford, 3 L 4 10s 6d ; same v. — Falckner, L34s 6d ; . Gleun Brothers v. Adam Adams, L 25 15s 3d, with immediate execution; M'Oarthy and 9 Co. v. Ellen Kennedy, Lls 10s, withimrae- *■ diate execution ; De Costa and Co. v. Ellen 8 Kennedy, L 2 ; Thompson, Smith, and Barks' ley* v. Adam Adams, LSB 7s, with imme- . diate execution ;P. Q. Caples v. Moonlight r Quartz Mining Company, LSO, the amount ;- of two dishonored orders ; R Guilame v/ v Moonlight Quartz Mining Company, L 56 6s o 6d. amount of three dishonored orders for . payment of wages. De Costa and Co. v. ■j.. Peter Ferguson, L 6 3s 7d— defendant was ordered to pay L 3 in one morth, and the balance in the following month. T. Bayliss % v. J. Johnston; judgment confessed forL4 * 3s 9d, and coate. G. Simmons v. M. Ken- " nedy j adjourned to the 6th instant. Ulenn - Brothers v. — Brown— a fraud summons for t L 3 4s lid, which the defendant was ordered c to pay at the rate of 5s per week, Aldridge

v. Brown— a fraud summons for L 3 Is, which the defendant was ordered to pay at the rate of os per week. D. Sheedy v. Maher- no return of 3uinmons ; adjourned for another week. M. Codyre v. S. Rich— This was a claim of Ll6 13s, for extras on the erection of a building in Boundary street. The defendant put in a set-off for L 46 2s 6d. The case was a very long one, two architects and a number of carpenters being examined, and ultimately it was dismissed, each party paying their own costs. W. Kilgour v. Beauchamp—A claim of L 3 for a suit of clothes for the defendant's son. The case was adjourned until to-morrow for the production of the boy. Mr J. T. Thomson's self-acting waterpumping machine is still being publicly exhibited on the Water of Leith, Dunedin, as a means of encouraging its adoption by diggers and others. The sentence of death passed upon M 'Leod, for wife-murder at Christchurch, has been commuted. The Canterbury Kilwinning Royal Arch, chapter 136, S.C., was consecrated on the 28th ultimo. The skeleton of what is supposed to be an extinct eagle has been found m Canterbury by Dr Haast's assistant, Mr Fuller. The Oamarn Times (Otago) reports the discovery of a seam of excellent coal on the property of Mr Fenwick, Otcpopo. It is stated by competent judges that this coal is superior to any yst discovered in the Province. Mr Hutcheson, who is perhaps the best authority on coal mining in the Province, has given it as his opinion that it is superior to Shag Valley coal. We learn from the Wellington Post that a meeting was held on Tuesday, 28th ultimo, to consider what steps should be taken to present a. testimonial to Dr Featherston, prior to his departure. A draft circular, read by Mr Halcombe, was approved of, and ife'was resolved to send copies to gentlemen in various parts of the Province who were likely to assist in collecting subscriptions. Upwards of a hundred guineas was subscribed, in the room.

Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Fiunimore, and Mr Masters, are i;ow candidates for the Superintendency of Wellington.

Several of the journals publish in full the memorandum of agreement between Mr Yogel, on behalf of the Colony, and Messrs Webb and Holliday. It consists of fortytwo clauses.

It is said that the man who hi vented the guillotine was the first victim thereof. A somewhat parallel case occurred on Friday morning at Ross (says the News), when Mr C. Malfroy, the introducer of water-pres-sure engines here, suffered a severe cut from a saw worked thereby. He had just completed the fixing of a circular saw at the Imperial Brewery, and shown its capacity when driven by the turbine wheel by cutting a quantity of firewood into shoit lengths, when by some mischance his left hand came in contact with the°saw, and he suffered a severe laceration of three fingers one of which had the bone cut through ; but it is hoped he will not have to lose either of them.

A civil case was brought before the Magistrate's Court yesterday for the sixth time, and even then it had to be adjourned for a week through the non-service of the summons. The summons in the suit — Sheedy v. Maher -had been sent to Hokitika, with instructions where it was to be served on the defendant. It was twice returned to have the date altered, it was then returned with an intimation that the defendant was at the Greenstone, from thence' it came back with the explanation that the defendant was at the Wainiea, from whence it did not return, and the case was adjourned for another week, after which the Magistrate said it will be struck off the list. We merely mention the facts, and leave the public to judge whether justice is being done when so many bailiffs appear to be perfectly cognizant of the whereabouts of the person " wanted "

At the last race meeting in Dunedin a disgraceful scene was witnessed. Two men, , who had been drinking freely, quarrelled, ; and ultimately commenced to fight, fceverai persons tried to separate them, but failed. ' A crowd soon collected around the comba- \ tants. The police interfered, but many persons became so excited that very serious results were apprehended. Sticks and other ! weapons were used, and for a time the police ] were completely overpowered. Eventually, ' however, the ringleaders of the disturbance '' were captured. It is stated several of the '' police were knocked down and otherwise ] roughly dealt with by the excited portion of J the crowd. ' The following letter has been received by ' the trustees of the Greynioutk and South Beach French Patriotic Fund from the Cen- 1 tral Committee at Melbourne :— " Mcl- ( bourne, March 10th, 1870. -Gentlemen,— l . At a meeting of the Central Committee of ; the French Patriotic Association, held at Melbourne on Tuesday, the 7th instant, it c was moved by Mr S. Denis, Treasurer, and seconded by Count de Dollon, Preside- ' the above Association, 'That '* . thanks and gratitude of - ilt; °* residents in Melbour 1 - oJie best the Patriotic Asso-' the French the Committee .-* e > members of tricb for +' nation, are due to L 389 9" ' - a ' Greymouth and disa tpi -ue very liberal donation of -. o'd received from them as a first iu.tinent of subscriptions received for the f .trench Patriotic Fuud. . We are personally exceedingly gratified thar our labors should h«ve received so much help at your hands. Signed A. de Dollon, president; George Henelle, secretary; J. Denis, treasurer." Two blocks of land are notrfied in 'the County Gazette of yesterday as open for sale. The first block, 59, of rural land, described as follows :— " Situate in the trahura District, Native Reserve, No 30, (Arahura) and Hatter's Gully; bounded on the north by Hatter's Creek ; on the east by D,N. line ; on the south by the south boundary of Native Reserve No 30 (Arahura) ; and on the west by the eastjioundary of block 6 "rural." The second is an extension of block 7, thus described : — " Arahura District, between Hokitika and Arahura Rivers : bounded on the north by Native Reserve No 30 (Arahura); oh the West by Road and Railway Reserve No 8 (in red) ; on the south by a line forty chains distant from the boundary of the town of Hokitika, by line D.E., and by the line south of and forty chains distant froi" a the boundary of . Native Reserve No '»n ( Arahura) ; and on^the east by the One- m :i ' line bearing 28de^ magnetic, by tb' d Q\ro- •: mile line bearing 30deg magnetic, and by a part of line F.N." . >■:■.,':

A gentleman, writing by the 7. aat mail from ban Francisco to the Datta Southern Cross, thus gives his opinion of that city as a field for emigration :-" Y ou may an act of real kindness to sor^e of the laboring class of New Zealand W publishing this letter, a good number of whom come out here by every mail-boat, exhausting at least three months' saving by doing so, and then often returning by the next mail boat, using up another LlB. lam a Nsw Zealauder, or, at least, lived there several years, and I anj certain that I gained nothing by leaving it,. I fitd that several who oarae by the last mail are going back this time, being utterly : unable to find employment. Some are shepherds; others laborers ; .and nsny moire would' do co if they had the means. San Franoisoo has thousands of, idle men now, and in the tfinter time the number will be much in-

creased. There ;ire many reasons for this state or affairs which I need not state. People living here for fifteen years, and more, say that they never knew such dull times, and the Chinese swarm the town; they are are always fully employed. The reason for this is, because they work for much less than a European can possibly do. They live upon a trifle, eating often such garbage as no European stomach could retain. The smell in that portion of the city where they hold their markets will testify to this ; and they herd together like pigs, sleeping in tiers one over another ; consequently the Europeans has no chance with them. This is not the case in the town alone, . but the country swarms with them also. Food is no cheaper than in New Zealand, and house rent is very dear. Artisan 3 who have been here for years are now out of employment, aud some, 1 am told, have not been able to get a hand's turn for twelve months. The lowest hours are ten— this for laborers and mechanics in the city ; shopmen often have to attend in the shops from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and farm larni laborers work from 4 a. m. to 7 p.m. I •wonder what the eight-hour men of the Australasian Colonies would think of this ! The general wages are as follow :— Mechanics, 10s to 12s per diem ; shopmen, from L 4 to Ll2 per month, and found; laborers (in the ! cityj, Gs to 8s per diem ; farm laborers, L 5 ! to LG per month, and found ; shepherds, L 5 per month, and found. But though the wages aro higher than in New Zealand or Australia, yet it must be borne in mind that they generally have to work a day and a-half instead of a day. Clothing and boots are very clear ; the making of a suit alone, without counting cloth and trimmings, is L 5, by a decent tailor — sometimes more."

What may possibly be a memento of the earlier stages of settlement ou this coast was discovered lately. On Saturday last a miner named William Hickie, residing on the South Beach, about two miles from town, reported to the police authorities that he had come across a grave in his claim, and that there was a mural inscription on a stump close to the spot which however he could not decipher. Constable Keating visited the place on Sunday morning, but beyond. the inscription on the tree stump could find no evidence of a grave. On Sergeant Moller going to make enquiries yesterday he ascertained that the man Hickie had no other- ground for his supposition of a grave being in the vicinity than the inscription mentioned, which on examination proved to be as follows :— A rude imitation of a death's head aud crossbones, and, underneath, the words "To the memory of H. Haggerty, who died 1800." The two last figures were indistinct, but they were most like two cyphers. Hickie states that he had heard that somebody was supposed to be buried thereahouts, and that some four or five years ago there were some people who came from Nelson enquiring about a grave supposed to be about two miles from G-reymouth ; they had a sort of sketch of the place with them, and stopped for some time trying to find it out, but were unsuccessful. The place where the inscription was found is situated on Watson's Creek, behind Chesterman's Cremone Gardens. No trace of a body has been found.

The West Coast Times on the subject of the forthcoming race meeting at Hokitika, says : — The question of holding the race meeting on Easter Monday and Tuesday, or during the visit of the Governor, seems to be the subject of some diversity of opiuion. Some give a preference to the days originally announced ; others favor the proposition to holu the races while the Governor is here. Some are guided by their wishes to see the races a success ; others have a desire to see the races a success, while they have also interests of their own to consult. Among the latter are the boothholders, and their impression is that it will be disastreus to the meeting, and probably to themselves, if there is any postponement of the meeting from the dates originally announced. On Monday there was a meeting of the boothholders at the Pioneer Hotel, Gibson's Quay, and they lesolved to suggest to the Race Committee that it would be preferable for the rate meeting to be held on Easter Monday and the following Tuesday. Of course, it is possible, if thai; arrangement be carried out^ that another day's sport might be organised, so as to be held during the Governor's visit to Westland, and the racing meeting would thus be made the more extensive and attractive. It is just possible, also, that the Governor may arrive on the second day of the races, or, at any rate, in time for a third day's jneetiii'" and it might be well for the Raoiug r mittee, either through the County C v o J or by direct communication., to ' JoinGovernor of the desire that " uairman present on one of the days ' inform the The public would so- i , iie should be numerable vexation? ot tne racesof newspapers ar-- freely believe the inand want of **' to which the proprietors the agents J subjected by the stupidity telegrar' . displayed by some of of »/. -.' " n wj -">«a they have to depend for „1110 news. Often enough, telegrams .j conceivable interest to our readers appear in our cobimns ; but we cannot help it— we have to pay for them, and they vnighfc as well appear ?.n type as be thrown into the waste-p.iper basket. In most case?, these absurdities emanate from outlying stationspetty localities where the award of a prizo for a big turnip or a fat pig may be the subject of intense interest to the community concerned,— but the nuisance has culminated in the transmission of frivolities from no less; a place than Wellington, and by no less a person than the editor of the Independent, who is the central agent of the new Press Association under Grreville- and Co. (v readers will be able to comprehend ©>- r - ar noyance at receiving to-day atelesr m «.» n " the seat of Government, to the £Sj% m effect :-« Edith Palmerstcm'a v llw S!^ last night was perfect succes-, ..^S^S interesting information we v \ „ xms one shilling-the amount <ere as ?, ed to V? but was the news w™ . W *f small T U^' subsequently discove Aft JW' We had been pre-paid, f „ "*.**?* . thxs tele S ram new feature in tb' Mus v^°*fS aQ enfawly news by the Pr c conditions of transmitting had no doubt ess a S en °y- Mlss Palmerstbn" Araphic w S ot op the « oft side o£ the telethe P smai g ' nt a f Wellington, and by paying vertise^ ' sum a shilling, obtained an adColor - nen * g ra tis in all the papers of the int/ mar » was i' P°t • We have fallen p j the snare by mentioning the matter in ais paragraph ; but we have done "so with our eyes open to the utter incapacity of the l agent at Wellington for the position which 1 Greyille and Co. have conferred upon him, and forced upon all the papers who, like oiirserlves, pay a large amount annually for such news as may be expected to be of public interest, and not for the trash which we are compelled occasionally to receive.

A meeting of the Paroa Road Board wa held at Paroa on Friday evening, the 31st ult., at which were present Messrs. J. O'Connor, M. O'Connor, Barnhill, Colton, and Leach, (Chairman) ; Mr M. O'Connor acted as honorary secretary pro tern. After the minutes of the previous general and special meetings had been read and adopted, correspondence was received— From Mr Hurst, the late Secretary, requesting that on his retirement from office as Secretary to the Board he might be allowed. — " to address the Board upon matters very much affecting myself in connection with the Board, and this, gentlemen, I hope you will allow me an early opportunity this evening of doing. I request this, gentlemen, as an act of justice, and I believe it is the desire of the Board to be just, and to allow fair play, so valued by all men. Without further comment I beg leave

to hope that you will comply with my request." A second letter contained the formal resignation by Mr Hursfc of his oflice as honorary Secretary to the Board, requesting an immediate audit of his cash account, and that some person might be appointed to take over all the articles under his control at an early date. A letter was received from A. R. Guinness, E3q., to the following effect :— That in reference to the conduct of Mr Hurst in the disposal of certain funds placed in his hands for the payment of an acceptance, ho was of opinion that the Board would be quite justified in expressing its disapproval of Mr Hurst's conduct, there were not sufficient grounds to warrant the commencement of legal proceedings in the matter. The Chairman remarked hi reference to Mr Hurst's written resignation that his verbal one had been accepted at the last spsoi»l meeting, and that the time specified in the Act for the delivery of all books and papero connect 3d with the office had already expired. Mr Dowling wished to know by whose authority Mr Guinness had been consulted? The Chairman in reply informed the Board that this matte** having been left an open question at the special meeting, he considered it his duty under the circumstances to take the advice of the Board's solicitor upon the matter. Mr Hurst then addressed the Board at some length, admitting that he did not pay in the cheque to the credit of the Board but had cashed it, and pleaded as an extenuating circumstance the fact of his salary being so long in arrears— that he considered he had a right to make immediate use of the money, and if such had not been the intention of the Board, why did they give him a cheque to the amount of his acceptance when it was already provided for by that amount lying to their credit at the bank. He further stated that he conjointly with Mr Parkinson retired the acceptance before 12 o'clock on the third day of giace, although it was marked by the bank officials "not provided for." He did not admit the statement made by the Chairman to the eftect that he had informed him that permission had been given by the manager of the bank for the use of the money for a few days, and that he (the manager) would forward the bill to the Chairman in a day or two. He also requested an immediate examination of his cash account since the last audit. _ This request the Board refused to entertain, as they had placed the matter in the hands of the auditors. The Chairman then stated that the District Surveyor, Mr Cooper, Had offered his services to the Board free of all charges, excepting that of 5s per diem when in the field to defray camp expenses On the motion of Mr Colton, seconded by the Chairman, Mr Cooper's offer was accepted, and it was agreed that the Board do guarantee him the sum of 5s per diem when employed by them. It was proposed by Mr J. O'Connor, seconded by Mr Barnhill, and carried— "That the Honorary Secretary be instructed to write to the local papers requesting them to forward their terms for advertisements during the current year." Mr Doivling moved, and Mr J. O'Connor seconded— "That the Honorary Secretary do advertise for a secretary ; amount of salary to be stated 'at per week.'" Mr Colton moved, as an amendment— "That the Chairman do enquire at what amount per week the services of a secretary could be engaged, and report at the next general meeting." Mr Barnhill seconded the amendment, which ws,s put and lost. Mr Barnhill remarked that he believed it would only answer the purpose of a resident to tender for the office, as the funds of the Board would not allow any sum exceeding 5s per week, or ■ 10s a sitting. Movei by Mr Barnhill, and seconded by Mr Colton— "That Mr Green, the toll collector's account for wages amounting to Ll4 be paid, as ' per order' on the Board, to Mr John Hurst."— Carried. Moved by Mr Colton, and seconded by Mr Dowling— "That a vote of -thanks be tendered to the late secretary, Mr Hur3t, for the able and satisfactory manner in which he had conducted the business of the Board during +> last two and a half years." -Mr " O'Connor remarked that it would * ac enough to pa 33 the vote of thank-- John of the Auditor's report, TheO 1 t>& time that he fully concurred in *' <* on receipt the subject by Mr O'Co~ .aairman stated was withdrawn, M*- "he view taken of and seconded b^ unor, and the motion Chairman be jved by Mr J. O'Connor, meeting, f y Mr Barnhill — "That the to reoe'- requested to call a special the ' -s soon as the books are audited, r- ' -/c the report of the Auditors, and for transacting of any necessary business dlating thereto."— Carried. Moved by Mr Dowling, and seconded by the Chairman— "That the following accounts be referred to the Finance. Committee : — Paroa Tram, 2s ; Hosie, 17s 6d; M'Gregor, Ll 2s 6d." — Carried. Moved by Mr John O'Connor, and seconded by Mr Dowling—" That the Honorary Secretary be requested to procure some stationery, &c, for the use of the Board." — Carried. Moved by Mr Dowling, and seconded by Mr Colton— •• That the Chairman do receive all books, papers, &c., belonging to the office from Mr Hurst to-morrow, Ist April, at 10 o'clock." — Carried. The meeting then adjourned.