THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 960, 24 August 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1871.

It maybe considered a strange coincidence that on the same day that Mr Hoois was moving in the County Council a motion affirming the desirability of ; placing the whole of the West Coast Gold Fields under one administration and one code of Gold Fields' laws, and proposing that for this purpose the Nelson South- West Gold Fields be annexed to the County of Westland, the member in the General Assembly for the Grey Valley was engaged giving notice of a series of resolutions for securing the more economical and efficient administration of these Gold Fields, to the effect that tho County Council of We3tliirid should be abolished ; the SouthWest Gold Fields withdrawn from the Nelson Province, and a system of local self-government; introduced for. the whole of the Gold Fields districts on the West Coast. This is quite sufficient to show that there is at the present moment a large amount of dissatisfactidn existing as to the form of government under which the people on the West Coast (Nelson and Westland) live ;- and that any endeavor which may be made, with a reasonable hope of success, to remodel the present system, will be hailed with approval by the majority of those who have any stake in the country. It is a matter in which all who live on both sides of the bonndaryline(the Grey River) are deeply interested. But the proposition maife by Mr Hoos in the County Council, which was carried, and a copy of it sent to the General Assembly, to annex the South-West Gold Fields of Nelson to. the Cbunty of Westland, must be characterised as one of those visionary schemes winch vaiti men frequently promote, in order to catch the passing wind of popular favor. Its realisation verges on the bounds of possibiHty, but does not come within the region of probability. He advanced the motion with the argument that it would do away with the cry for "Annexation," which had existed so long in the Grey District, and that he desired it to be put on record that it was considered by the Council that the County should rather be extended than diminished. Mr Button, in seconding the motion, was so fully impressed with the necessity of placing the whole administration of the West-Coast Gold Fields under one head, that ho believed even Nelson would admit it waß only a wise step to plsice the Gold Fields within the County of WestLmd. Coming from Mr Button, such a sentiment is quite refreshing, as if he would part with the most lucrative portion of, his business so that it might be more easily managed by being concentrated in • the hands of a brother practitioner ! The South- West Gold Fields are too yjiluable for Nelson to part with without a struggle, and no one knows this better than the gentlemen who moved and supported the motion in the County Council. The resolutions moved by Mr Harrison in the Assembly on this subject, which were briefly mentioned in our telegraphic despatches yesterday, form only the introductory portion of the proposed scheme of local self-government, for these Gold Fields which we have from time to time recently sketched out in these columns, and which has attracted a large amount -of attention in other portions of the Colony. No. doubt, it will be opposed, but we believe that . opposition will only assist in bringing to perfection a system of government very much wanted on the whole of the Gold Fields of the Colony. That it is, «is yet, crude, and in many of its details incomplete, is . evident from the reading, of the resolutions ; but ho doubt they will be referred to a Select Committee; who may elaborate them, and from whose report may spring a system of local selfgovernment far more suitable to the Gold Fielda than that, which vas initiated by thfe County of Westland Act.

Lately we considered it our duty to call in question the action of Mr Guinness when he carried a motion in the County Council, affirming the desirability of constructing a road from Greymouth to the Coal Pits, because we knew the-Couuty.liad not the money to carry oat the work. In connection with this subject* the County Chairman was last night to move — "That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that instead of making a road from the Omotuoiotu Creek to the Coal Gorge, and from Stilhvater Bridge to the Arnold, in accordance with a resolution, of this Council of the 24th July, a horse track should be constructed from the Omotu■mtitu Creek to the Arnold, payment for which to be made one-half in land and onehalf iv cash six months after the completion of the work." Tnere is very little hope that such a contract would bo accepted in the distmt ; but still " half a loaf is better than noibread," and, although we don't thank Mr Lahman for the motion, we trust the wxn-k will be commenced t as speedily as possible. A mining accident occurred at the Mosquito Lead, Eight-Mile, on Tuesday, 'when a man named John M'Colman sustained a compound fracture of the right leg, caused by a tree, which had previous!} been cut, but had caught in the fork of another, giving way and falling on him, while he was engaged sluicing in his claim. He was brought to town yesterday morning, at 10 o'clock, aud is now progressing favorably. It is intended to give an entertainment to , the children attending the Church of England Sunday-school, at the School house, on Monday evening. The entertainment will include magic-lantern exhibitions, music, refreshments, &c, and will, no doubt, prove very attractive to the youngsters attending the school. Mr E. Barff has been appointed a member of the Westland Board of Education. The County of Westland Gazette notifies the) .appointment of Police Constable J. D. Wjtson as;goaler atith'e Greymouth Gaol, in . the room of Sergeant A, J. Hams, resigned. At tho Wardenls Court, Clifton, V^yester- 1 day, bef jre the Wasden, W. H. Eevell, Esq., the following cases were disposed' of : - Jose] .h .Nixon -and Party, v.; J. Currie and Party : ; A n action to recover L 5 .special damages and LI expenses, in consequence of defendants refusing to allow one. head of, water to rap down Patterson's Creek. The

plaintiffs having stated their case, called a witness named Peter Gordon, who deposed that the plaintiffs' claim was a terrace and not a creek claim, and this being in direct contradiction of plaintiffs', evidence, the Warden dismissed the case without calling any evidence for the defence', whereupon Nixon intimated his intention of appealing. — Thomas Palmer v. J . Dignam and Party : A summons to compel defendants, to place a gauge-box at the head of their race. The plaintiff stated that lie would not press tho case if defendants informed the Warden how much water they were entitled to, which defendants objected to, and Mr Kevcll ordered a gauge-box to be put in the race, at the same time he would allow the defendants an opportunity to prove their right to the amount of water objected to, viz , three heads.— Waugh v. Fiun: This was an objection to the registration of a head-race at Donegal Teirace, Nemona. The objection was allowed, and certificate of registration refused. — George Mallinson and Thos. Earner made applications for agricultural leases, and there being no objection, they were granted. The Court then adjourned to Friday, theSth of September, the Warden remarking that he would hold sittings at Clifton on Fridays, so as not to clash with the Courts held at Maori Gully. Mr Warden Eevell visited Clifton yesterday, and disposed of the follow ing cases: — Mary Howley was charged with selling spiritous liquors without a license at German Gully. She admitted the charge, and was fined LlO and costs, or, in default, two months' imprisonment, with hard labor.--M. Gunn was charged with a breach of the Public-house Ordinance, in keeping his house open after the usual hours. The charge was admitted, and the defendant was fined 10s and costs. — The following civil cases were disposed of : —David Faulkner v. Meehau and Heron : Judgment by default for 1*25 12s 2d and costs.- George Lawson y. Win. Pratlis : Claim of L 2 4s. 8s was paid into Court, but judgment was given for the. full amount claimed, with costs. — J. Hamilton and Co. v. Henry Law : Judgment by default for LI O 9s 3d and costs.— T. O'Donnell v. Alex. Patten: Fraud summons for L 2. There was no appearance of defendant, and a warrant was ordered to issue for his apprehension. — James Muir v. Joseph Poynter: Fraud summons for L 4 os 3d. The defendant was ordered to pay LI per week, or, in default, one monthls imprisonment. M. Kennedy v. Jas. Power, German Gully : Claim of L 59 10s. Judgment was reserved under a protection order of the Court. — David Faulkner, Marsden, v. William Quill, German Gully ; judgment by default for L 7 and costs. — David Faulkner v. John Shrosbie and Co. : Claim of Lll 14s lOd ; judgment was given for plaintiff, L 9 14s lOd, and costs. —James Austin v. George Hillyer ; judgment confessed, Lls 9d and costs. — William M 'Donald v. Patrick O'Connor, New River : Claim of Ll2 14s Id. A set-off was lodged for L 9 ; and judgment was given for plaintiff, Li 14a Id and costs. —Denis Crowley, New Biyer, v. Charles Meyor, German Gully : Claim of L 4 ou an IOU ; judgment was confessed, and the defendant ordered to pay the amount within a month from date, or, in default, 14 days' imprisonment. — David Faulkner v. Edward Quhm: Claim of Ll4 5s 4d ; adjourned to next Court day, for the production of plaintiff's books. Mr Lahman stated in the Council, on Tuesday evening, that tenders would be invited for the construction of the rpad from Arahura to Stafford Town, thus snowing that the General Gorernjuent were in earnest iv the matter of constructing roads in Westland. The tenders are invited in this morning's issue. . A meeting of the Waste Lands Board was held at the Land Office, Hokitika, at noou on Tuesday. There were present— Messrs Hoos (iv the chair), Lahman, and the Ttecei\ «f of Lan.l Revenue. AJes3rs Kilgour and Perotti applied, through Mr Johu Roscow, to have four ten-acre blocks of suburban land pit up for sale in Block 67, Greymoutb district The day of sale was not fixed, but will be shortly advertised. Timber licenses for one month were granted, through Mr W. Smi-h, to Duncan M'Kay, John M'Laren Johi Doyle, and William A nsell. Sydney Holden applied for 20 acres of rural land, in the Grey district, in Block 56, on the Arnold road. There was no objection put iv, and the application was granted. The application of William Griffiths for an agricultural lease near the Kanieri was refused, as the ground was too near mining workings, and might any day be required for mining purposes. Some other unimportant business was . disposed of, and the Board adjourned; That the Nelson Provincial Government intend to do : all they can to divert the whole of the traffic of the lnangah.ua district to Westport is plain from the following paragraph in the Westport Times:— "The Survey Department have received instructions, to survey the lineojf road-between the Inangahua Landing and JReefton, and when completed, tenders wilt be called, we believe, without any delay for the construction of the road. A. number of blocks suitable for settlement, situate along the proposed line of route, are also to be surveyed." The Maori prisoners at Wellington seem to fully understand how to work at the " Go- , vernment stroke." The Post states that eighteen of them took three months to make fifty feet of road to the barracks ; aud adds that eacli get a pannkin of hot rum before going, to bed. 1 A correspondent writes to the Oamaru Times "to suggest to the enterprising Scperintendent of Otago (Mr Macandrew), the advisability of offering rewards for the development of Otago's mineral wealth, in the shape of stones of certain hardness and texture, and of the beautiful rainbow tints which London' jewellers prize. For instance, rewards might be offered, on a. certain fixed scale, for the first diamond found iv the Province, of whatever color or size, the first blue or red sapphire, the first corundum (another of the same family), and for the first collection of the undermention stones, viz., the topaz, emerald, beryl, jacinth, precious garnet spinel (or balas), ruby, and varieties 1 of the blood-stone, &c Also, for the finest collection of the agate, jaspei, and opal families; and of the beautiful varieties of quartz. Such rewards would encourage amateurs to search for -the gems whi-jh'ram convinced are to be found in Ofcago, would stimulate enterprise, and bring to light the resources of the Province." j Speaking of the lecture recently delivered in Auckland by Mrs Colclough — "Polly Plum "—the Auckland correspondent of the Hawkers Bay Herald says :— "One gentle-, man of my acquaincance has been perfectly' miserable ever since the evil hour in whioh he took his lady to hear ' Polly Plum.' Be is a good husband And an affectionate father, and the contemplation of his domestic felicity formerly gave me \ very; much pleasure. The poor fellow told me yesterday, with tears in Mb eyes, that he ' couldn't for the life of him tell what had come over E?nma.' He said, 'you know that, wo have always^ lived at home most happily until the other day; in fact, Emma ana 1 never knew what it was. to differ. • Now she sits and mopes or cries half the day at a stretch. . 1 can't bear to see her miserable, but know of no remedy, for when I ask her what is the matter, she, onlj£ sobs, aiid says she wants i her 'rights.' lii vain 1 ask her what shn means, but she either cannot, or will not tell me. Tlie pobr children, that used to be so fond of us both, now look'upon me as a monster killing their dear mother.' I can assure you this was no ideal scene, but one that actually occurred, nor is it the only oue I could mention."