Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 841, 7 April 1871, Page 2

Several typographical error* in our leading article escaped the printer's correction yea-

terday. They were, however, ao evident that we need not refer to them particularly, the context supplying the correct reading.

Two claims on the Thames are called respectively "The Shanghai Rooster" and 11 The Cock-a-doodle Don't."

A chess tournament by telegraph, between the Christchurch and the Dunedin Cheas Clubs, is one of the current events.

Mr Henry Driver, of the firm of Driver, Stewart, and Co., Dunedin, has received the appointment of Consul for the Hawaiian Islands for New Zealand.

A woman named Sarah Salt and her child have been drowned in the Ashley, Canterbury. The body of the woman was recovered. The deceased was the wife of William Salt, farmer, Ashley Downs.

Ifc has been noticed that some oi the Waikato natives are armed with Snider rifles and breech-loading carbines. Where did they get them ?

A meeting of Justices of the Peace was appointed to be held to-day, at the CourtHouse, for the purpose of revising the jurylist. As this happens to be Good Friday, the meeting is adjourned until to-morrow.

Sir William Martin (formerly Chief Justice of New Zealand) and Lady Martin, arrived in Nelson by the Gothenburg on Saturday, en route for Auckland, for which place they will leave by the Phoebe on her arrival.

, A return of the value and quantity of gold exported from the port of Greymouth during the quarter ended the 31st*March, has just been made up in the Custom House, and is as follows : — 22,495 ounces, of the value of L 89.981 13s 6d; upon which duty to the amount of L2Bll lßs 9d was paid.

The only Mining Board at present existing in New Zealand is at the Thames, and it is now about to be re-constituted, the former Board having done worse than nothing. It may serve to show how this institution is regarded by the miners to publish the protest of a miner who had been nominated without his consent He writes to the papers as follows : — "Sir — I have got such a contempt for this petty swindle called the Mining Board, thas I would not become a member ; therefore the parties who have nominated me without my consent, and forged my name, I will take legal proceedings against. —I am, &c. Thomas Baird."

We have this day been shown a pumpkin, grown in the garden of Mr George Cooper, carpenter, Herbert street ; its weight is over 801 b, aud is the finest specimen, of this kind of vegetable we have seen grown on the Coast. It is now on view at Air S. Rich's Argus Hotvl, where it can be seen for a few days. The seeds can be obtained from Mr Cooper, at his residence, Herbert street.

The suspension bridge which is being constructed across the Arahura river by Mr Hungerford, is rapidly approaching completion. The bridge will be 10ft in width between the side rails. The piles are all driven, and the wires stretched across. Tbe middle arch is 100 ft in the span, and there are two others of (iOft each. Mr Hungerford expects to complete the work in five or six weeks, but is at the present time detained in consequence of the non-arrival of some material which he some time since ordered from Dunedin.

The following item of news is furnished by the Lake Walcatip Mail :— Quite a rush has taken place to the head of Moonlight in consequence of two niiuets, Smith Brothers, having struck a splendid run of gold in one of the terraces there. The meu mentioned have worked iv the same.locality before, and about 16 months ago left for the home country, where they spent tbe small "pile" of 4000b3 of gold which they had obtained. It is stated that they have again struck good ground.

The Westport Times, "from information received," says that the following is an approximate return of the population of the Buller district. The Upper Buller and Inangahua population is not included in the subjoined list : — Westport, 870 ; northern terraces, 050 ; Mokihinui and Karamea, 90 ; Waite's, 520— total, 2130. The estimated number of persons at Waite's does not include about fifty persons working on the beaches between Westport and Charleston, and two parties of miners at Brown's Terrace, on the north side of the Nile River.

A correspondent of a Thames paper sends the following :—" There are fine dividends from the Caledonian mine, which leads me to chronicle a rare example of generosity on the part of one of the directors. These gentlemen have been visiting the mine and battery pretty frequently of late, but had never been known to ask any of the men f if he had a mouth on him.' Consequently they were rapidly acquiring a reputation for stinginess. That reputation has ceased. One of them, who holds a larg° number of scrip, gave a mau engaged in the tailingr-pit (rather a damp occupation) -sixpence to get a drink with. After this, who shall say that modern times do not afford instances of unparalleled gererosity?"

The quinquennial census of the United States was lately completed, and shows that the Union contains a populution of 39,000,000, or about one-fourth more than the United Kingdom. It has increased 22 per cent, in the decade, and at the same rate will, in 1900, reach 75,000,000. Of these, about onetenth will be negroes, as they increase, notwithstanding the war, nearly as fa3t as the whites. The largest State, x Tew Ydrk, now numbers 4,370,000, or a million more than the six New England States, which collectively number only 3,482,000, or a fourth of the population of " The West," now above 12,000,000.

There was a full meeting of the Reception Committee last evening. His Worship the Mayor in. the chair. After considerable discussion it was decided to appoint a SubCorn niittee, consisting of Messrs Wickes (Mayor), Harrison, Guinness, Cooper, Whitefoord, Revell, and Andrews, for the purpose of ascertaining what accommodation could be provided for his Excellency and suite, the cost of a public ball and supper, and to communicate with the various Friendly Societies with regard to their intentions. As the proceedings of the meeting were of a conversational character a full reuort is not necessary ; suffice it to say that there is no doubt that suitable arrangements will be made.

Tne equinoxial gales have now been blowing strongly for several days, and during their height yesterday morning, some person lit a large bush fire in Tainni street, iv close proximity to a number of n9wly-erected nouses. As the gusts of wind swept the flames along, threatening to. burn up every, thing in the neighborhood, the residents and a number of volunteers endeavored for hours to keep it back; but in the afternoon the fite assumed most alarming proportions, and a, number of the members of the Fire Brigade, with their small engine and hose-reel, proceeded to the spot, and. afte"r a couple -of hours' work, had everything so thoroughly drenched that no further danger was anticipated. Some steps ought to be taken to prevent the lighting of these large bush fires during the prevalence of high winds, otherwise tye BhalJ. have a serious calamity to record some day. A correspondent of the Thames Affya-fUer fchus amußfngly describes the reasons' for the usual remark that "tbe share market is brisk." I have, by the ppurtesy of the gentlemen in charge of the telegraph department here, been put in possession of gome of the telegrams left rashly on the counter by the sharebrokers and others a few days ago,

and about which a notice appeared in tb papers. I append a few of tbe most interest ing:— "To Bkick, Thames: Must makes, rich find in Doodlembuck. Cannot sell otherwise. 3lick, Auckland."— "To Slick, Auckland : Find made. Newspaper people, correspondents and all, liquored up. Right •Brick, Thames." — "To Slither, Thames: Sold two Caledonians. Havenot got them to hand over. Buy two a&LS ». Smoucheb, Auckland."— •" To SmotjchEß, Auzkland : No fear. Half profits, or t split. Slither, | Thames." — "To Slitheßj Thames : Jonnick. 0. K. Smoucher, Auckland." After this who will dare deny that the share market is brisk. Some of the Christchurch folks were beautifully "had" on All-Pool's Day. The Lyttelton jTimeaaaya :— " The traditional custom of playing off practical jokes on the lsb of April was duly taken advantage oi in the city on Saturday, aud many were the amusing instances of April fooling recorded. But on this occasion the matter was carried mucb further than usual. The presence of his Excellency the Governor, and the well-known urgent desire of many citizens to interview him, were events not to be passed over. The result was the issue of lexers, purporting to be signed by his Excellency's aide-de-camp, and imiting the recipients to attend a levee at the Club. By some the trick was discovered in time, but others, so overpowered by the honor conferred upon them, did not observe that the letters were signed Kidd, A.D.C., instead of PittjA.D.C., and after much careful preparation, proceeded in orthodox costume to the Club at the appointed hour. What their feelingß were when they were told that a hoax had been perpetrated, may be imagined but not described." Yesterday, at the close of the business of the Magistrate's Court, Messrs Newton and Gninness brought under the notice of the Magistrate" the necessity which existed fir fixing a scale of fees to be charged in civil cases. For instance, when money was paid into Court at the last moment, or in which judgments went by default, a solicitor had been engaged and all the preliminaries gone through in the ordinary course, clients frequently complained that they could o .ly recover a very small sum, and had to pay their solicitor the regular fees. The Magistrate said he would not object to' fix a scale, but in cases for small amounts where a solicitor was engaged at the last moment in Court, he would reserve to himself the right to allow any professional costs. After Court, the following scale was drawn up :— For undefended cases, where the amount is paid into Courfc, or judgment is confessed, or judgment goes by default, under LlO. a fee of 10s 6d ; over L2O and urider LSQ, .Lt Is ; over LSO, L 2 2s. In defended cases, under L2O, a fee of Ll Is ; above L2O and under LSO, from L 2 2s to L 3 3s j over LSO, L 3 3s. It is pretty generally understood that Mr Dillon Bell will be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir David Munro not intending, we believe, to become a candidate for the chair. This will cause a vacancy in the Ministry, although' from Mr Bell not having held a perttolio, the necessity of filling up the vacancy is not apparent, except on the ground of obtaining support fir the Government. It has been felt in the South Island, ever since the Fox- Vogel Minis try. took office, that the Government was essentially North Island m its sympathies, and the removal of Mr bell will leave it purely North Island in composition. The powerful .Provinces of 'Hago aud Canterbury will not long submit to the South Island being unrepresented in the Government, aud Mr Bell has been employed to recruit the Ministry, if possible, with an inthieiitial South Island member. Office has, therefore, been offered to Mr John Hall, who wisely declined enteriug a sinking ship, or to ally himself with men to whom he has so long stood opposed. Failing Mr Hall, other gentlemen, no doubt, wilibet.ied ; but it is very questionable whether the blandishments of Mr Bell will meet with any success. It is with|feelings of the deepest regret that we have to announce the death of Robert Abbott, Esq., Registrar of the Supreme Court at Hokitika, which occurred at a late hour on Wednesday evening. Mr Abbott had for several weeks been seriously ill, but it was not until within the last few days that he was considered to be in a critical condition. To those who had the •privilege of Mr Abbott's personal friendship the intelligence of his decease will be received with deep sorrow, aud all who had any acquaintance with him in his public capacity will sincerely regret the removal by death of a valuable and trustworthy public officer. Mr Abbott was a highly accomplished scholar, and prior to his leaving England held an important appointment under the Commissioners of Education. In the performance of his official duties in West land he was distinguished by his close attention to the business of his department, andby his constant urbanity. The West Coast. Times, in relation to his death, says :— We yesterday stated that he was seriously ill. and might have added that he was so seriously ill that his medical attendants despaired of his life. We stated simply that he was out of danger, or advancing towards the recovery which his friends hoped for. Thab hope was naturally entertained by his friends generally, but his illness was so oerious that his medical friends and attendants have for some days despaired of his lie, and their anticipations were verified by his death at a late hour lastf evening. By Mr Abbott's death Westland loses a faithful public servant, and local society loses a generous and. accomplished citizen. The Thames Advertiser gives the following account of the recent stoppage of the mail to Tauranga by the Maori chief Te Hira :— ln person, and with about half-a-dozen oi the lowest characters lie could pick up, all armed wich tomahawks, he waylaid the mail path at the Paeroa. The approaoh of an equestrian soon called these wretches from \ their ambuscade, and the first action was commenced by an old man with wrinkles on his cheek, denoting his having been one of the last generation, commanding the rider to pull up and stand ; the order was obeyed, and the poor man on his horse, more dead than alive, was ordered, with a bright shining tomahawk in the hand outstretched towards him, to return, to which he faltered and stammered out that they were mistaken in their man, and that he was not the mailman who they were looking out for ; upon which Te Hira came forward, and calling him by name, told him that if he had not the detestable mail about his person he might proceed on his journey, which the poor trembling creature did not need to be told twice. At the same time the mailman, a young man of sound intelligence and determination, was ordered to stand ; he was* examined by the chief Wiki Wiohij a native magistrate and close relation _of Te Hira, who. at first in silent contempt : staredthe old man in the face, and enquired from him why he had thrown the tomahawk in the road. All he could get out of the old sinner was "Go back, 'you and your mail, otherwise you, will get yourself and your supporters into trouble." This threat roused up the passions of the two chiefs, who, iv language plain and uudisguised, told him to cease interfering with jjtyein and their duties, to leave tl»e district and gq'south'pr east to iis own people, and there spout and talk ; put that they would not submit to be spoken i? fW£ rapps by. hjra. Tg Hira {jndjug that us jptincipal was getting tl^e, wqpst of it, BOW sprang to. fcis assistance," which requited in a long altercation, but no result was come

•;O on cither side ; Te Hira vowing that he .vould not permit the mail to pns 1 ?, and the ithers declaring that they would not listen oo his interference To Hira then, told ';be mailman he might go on with the mail that day, but that he must not •ittempt it any more, for it' he did so he would get into trouble.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, yes" terday, before W. fl. Revell, Esq., R.M.. William Hall was fined ss, or 24 hours' imprisonment,'for having been drunkAand incapable. On the civil side of the Court, the following cases were disposed pf :— Aldridge v. Falckuer— Claim of I A 2s, for board and lodging; judgment by default, with costs. . Simmons v. Kennedy- Withdrawn, in order that it might be taken into the Supreme Court. D. Gicdwood v. J. G. Heslop. Thia vms a claim of Ll7 8s G<3, fclie amounb of four dishonored bills of exchange, for goods sup« plied to the defendant on plaintiff's account, and also for legal expenses, paid on hi 3 behalf. Mr Guinness, for the defeudant, applied for an adjournment, on the ground that defendant could not procure hia books, which he left with one Atkinson in Cobden Gaol. Mr Newton opposed the adjourn »ent, on the ground that the defendant ought to have oeen present. A. Montgomery was called, and stated that he was a partner with Heslop in a certain agency. He had called twice at the Camp at Cobden to obtain the cK-fen i ant's books, but could not obtain them. The Magistrate held that the defendant ought to have appeared, and ordered the case to be proceeded with. The various items were proved, and judgment was given for the full amount claimed, and costs. D. Gird wood v. Montgomery and Heslop— A claim of L 36 for goods supplied and the hire of a horse Montgomery was in Court, but refused to appear in consequence of short service of the summons. The case was then taken as against Heslop only. Mr New;on appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Guiuness for the defendant. After evidence as to the supply of the goods, and the signing of the agreement as to the hire of the horse, Mr Guinness moved for a nonsuit as to the last item as the agreement was signed only by fleslop. The point was overruled, and juugment given for the full amount claimed and costs. — G. Stewart v. Williams : Judgment by default for L 3, cash leut. — Trustees iv the estate of Jordan v. Gilbert, a fraud summons for L 5 19s 6d and costs. An order was made for payment within one month, or one month's imprisonment. — W. Constantine v. D. Palkner (Eight-mile) : A claim of L 37 for 'work, and labor done. The defence was the production of a receipt in full of all demands signed by the plaintiff's mark. The plaintiff said he could neither read or write, and he did not know what he was signing. Two witnesses swore that the receipt was read over to the plaintiff before he signed it. Case dismissed. — W. Kiigour v. Beauchamp. This was a claim of L 3 for a suit of clothes ordered by the defendant's son. Tbe Magistrate said it was proved that the articles were necessaries, and that as the boj' was in constant employment and able to pay for them he had better be sued. Case dismissed. . :

Rather a novel method of hunting kangaroos is described by the Pastoral Times, of the 4th March : — " At Mr M'Bean's station, Edward River, they first catch a kangaroo, then they, dress him up in a man's coat tirmly secured on him ; they now tie a bell securely ou tfie neck of the tripod, and take him away early in the morning. He is then let go ins'ght of hundreds of kangaroos that arc said to be found browsing about sunrise. He, of course, makes for his friends ; the latter cannot make out wjat is advancing towards them in such unusual attire, and witli musical honors, so they make off .'it full sp-aed, followed by their friend, until they exhaust themselves ; they are now easily taken and despatched l>y the buslnneu and dogs. The plan i» worthy of the cutest Yankee, and its author is Mr John Colvin, one of Mr M 'Beau's supers." ■ "

The Holcitiha Indepeivdent, with regard to the forthcoming races, says : — Stewards of races ate omnipotent in their action, and are also extraordinarily foolish at times. The stewards, self-appointed to a degree, who have so far controlled the destinies of the approaching races in this place, have apparently been bitten with excessive loyalty, for in spite of reason or common sense, in the face of protests from the booth-holders, they have determined on holding the races only when the Governor thinks fit to come. The matter is such a " job" that we do not care to talk about it now ; we will explain matters iv our next.