THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 993, 2 October 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1871.

■ We have unfortunoriiely to chronicle another of those fatal accidents by drowning which are only too prevalent on the West Coast. It appears that a miner named Thomas Morton, who has been for some time past working as a shareholder in Dryclift and party's*, claim, Lagoon Lead, Paroa, was proceeding homewards from Paroa, in company with one of his mates named George Tremnine, between eleven and twelve o'clock on Saturday night. They both left Paroa in a small dingy, intending to pull up the lagoon to their cl.iim ; but finding the boat too small for Ui'-m. Tremaine got out and walked aloivi the huiieh as far as the end of Lovell's ; paddock, whore he waited till Morton camo up 'with the boat to take him across the lagoon to the titil-rnce of the claim. When Tremaine got into the boat he noticed that it was making water, but thought it would : last till they got across. Morton then com

menced to pull the boat across the lagoon, but after a few strokes it filled and sank. Morton told Treinaiue not to be frightened, and both the men made for the opposite side of the lagoon, although the beach was nearer. Tremaine had a sugar bag in his hand which held him up for some time, hut he sank twice, md on coming to the surface he heard Morton call out for help, but he was not able to afford him any. The second time he rose he saw Morton's hat floating towards Paroa, but could not see Morton, and he had not seen him since. Sergeant Moller dragged the Lagoon, but could not find the body. The boat was found on a small island ne*r tho New River, about three-quarters of a mile from where the accident happened. Morton was a native of Derrylinn, county of Fermanagh, Ireland, and has been on the Coast for the lust three or four years. The Roman Catholics of tho Grey district intend having an art union on St Patrick's Day, to cover the debt at present existing on the Chutch in Greymouth, nnd there is no doubt but that a sufficient sum will be raised to free it from the encumbrance. A the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday, the only case was that of Lee v. Lee, which was a summons for maintenance. Mr Newton, who appeared for plaintiff, asked for a remand till Monday, as the parties were likely to come to an arrangement. The application was granted. The monthly meeting of the Greymcuth Volunteer Fire Brigade will takfc placo this evening, at eight o'clock sharp, when business of importance will be brought before the members. Sir W F. Stawell, Chief Justice of Victoria, arrived in Hokitika on Thursday night by the Christchurch coach. The Escort, in charge of Sergt.M'Donnell, left Ross on Thursday, with over 3000 ounces of gold, for the Now Zealand and Union Banks. The Rev. Father Hallam, who during the past four years has had charge of he spiritual welfare of the Catholic body in Charleston, arrived in Westport by coach on Saturday last, en route for Auckland. The advanced years of the reverend gentleman render Auckland, with its genial climate, a more suitable field for his future ministration, in addition to which he will renew the pleasant associations guined by a twelve years' residence in that city. The equinoctial gales, says the Wcalport Times, set in with great violence on Tuesday. The sea overflowed Gladstone street owing to the force with which the surf was driven home by a north-westerly gale, and during the g.ile a pile-driving machine belonging to M'Leod and Atkinson, wharfingers/was blown over by tho wind. It fell close to where some quartz - crushing machinery is lying until preparations have been completed for its carriage to Reefton, but, beyond fracturing one of the minor pieces, offected no injury. By the Bchooner Fortune, which arrived at Auckland from Capo Runaway, wo have intelligence that Captain Bristowe, a wellknown old settler of that district, was found dead near a creek at Te Kaha (East Coast of Auckland), on the loth instant, with bruises about the head, caused, it appears, by being thrown off his horae while | crossing tbe creek. The horse is believed to have loat his footing whilst passing the place a little below the usual crossing, when the unfortunate man's foot must have caught the stirrup, and so have dragged him a considerable distance. No assistance being at hand, he died before he was found on the following day. A passion for practical jokes has rf cently exhibited itself in Weßtport, says the limes, as illustrated earlj' on Sunday morning last, in the disfigurement of a lamp-post fronting the Empire Hotel, Gladattne street. The taste for removing door-plates, wrenching knockers and bell-handles, extinguishing street lights, &c, became too stale a joke even with the past generation ; so that it no longer possesses the. relish of novelty to r«nd«r it less unpalatable. The following is tho score of the scratch match between two elevens of the Grey River Cricket Club chosen by Messrs Guinness and Strike .: — GUINNKSS'3 SIDE. Cresswttll, b Woods 21 Dunn, cTwohill, b Cochrane .. 0 j Cavanagh, b Cochrane 2 Kenrick, b Cochrano 1 Guinness, b Woods 17 Heaphy, c Taylor, b Woods . . 5 Rugg, c and b Woods 0 Warner, b Strike 5 Goff, c «i»d b Twohjll .. ... 5 Roberts, not out 0 Malrille, b Strike .;; ... Q Byes ..; .;; fi ; Wides 3 Total .... ... 70 stkike's side, Strike, rim out 0 Schlichting, b Dunn ... ... 0 Hawley, b D.unn 0 Cochrane, c and b Guinnes3 ... 1 Grut, not out 0 Helms, b Guinness 0 Taylor, run out 18 Buckingham b Dunn ... ... 0 Kent, b Dunn i Twohill, b Guinness 0 Woods, b Guinness 3 tfyes ... ... 3 Leg-byes - ... 1 Total- ... „,; 30 Next Saturday a match will be played between twenty-two of the Brigade and eleven of the Club. . . Dr Giles returned to Westport from the Inangahun on Saturday. The news from that locality is highly encouraging. Anderson and party are obtaining veiy promising stone, which Is likely to exceed in richness any previously obtained by them. No. 2 North, on Adam Smith's line of reef, ape also getting first-class stone. The reef on Shiel's line has been proved highly payable for a line of 1200 ft, and it is exposed to a depth of 135 ft. In addition to this, it is authoritatively stated that fresh reefs have been discovered. We learn from the Waikouaiti Herald that Captain Baldwin, "well known as the Deputy Sub-Commissioner, . Government Life Assurance Department, also recently, we believe, appninlsd Travelling Sub-Commis-sioner for tho ColonVi wd while engaged in the duties of his office in Cartter^^ry, has, we regret to heir, suddenly been oDiiggd. to return home seriously ill, having overtaxed both brain nnd body in his zeal for the work in hand. He is now being attended by Dr Harding, and we trust after a short resir dence he will soon be enabled to resume his duties." A fatal accident occurred at Robertson and Longmir^s fljajm, Moonlight Creek, on Friday. 20tk nit. Two nf the party— Alex. Barbour and Peter Dell — W/ero jyorking at the end of a drive GOOft. from tno'.Qufcor face. They had broken into old ground, and Barbour. i# shifting to a large stone, agci'lentally knocked out a "soldier" or single prop, which supported an immense boulder in tv» roof. The large boulder fell and displaced two sets of timber, bringing down a great quantity of w£h, killing Barbour aud partially burying Dell. Tfce accident took place at three o'clock in the afternoon, but tho other four members of

the -party, who were outside preparing timber, did not become aware of it until about six, and is was nine in the evening, although every effort was used, before the body was extricated. Prom the manner in which deceased was found, he must have been killed instantly. Dell was buried to the neck, and his escape was miraculous ; he is much bruised, and has dislocated his hip. He was brought to Greymouth Hospital on Saturday, and is going on as well as enn be expected. Barbour was a native of Large, in Scotland, and about 26 years of age. He was well known in the- Nelson Creek and. Nivpoleon districts. The body was brought to Ahaura, where an inquest was held before, R. C. Reid, Esij., and a verdict Jof u Accidental Death" was returned. Mr Rowland Davis has been re-gazetted Inspector of Weights and Measures for WestA seam of what is said to be " true coal " has been found at Kaitangata, in the Province of Otago. It is six feet thick. A man named White has been killed at Switzer's, Otago, by a fall of earth. The Public Petitions Committee of the nous's of Representatives has recommended that a pension of one shilling per day bo given to William Rogers, of Maketu, in consequence of having had his arm shattered through his gun accidentally exploding while on patrol duty in the Bay of Plenty. After cousidflring the petitions sent from different pftrrs of the colony in favor of a Permissive Bill, the Public. Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives has recommended the introduction of a measure for the better regulation of the sale of apirituous liquors. ' . „-..• A miner named Thomas Dnnstan was accidentally killed by the falling of a large quantity of stuff in the Caledonian mint, at the Thames, on the 20th September. His funeral was attended by over five hundred persons. The coffin was borne at the head of the melancholy procession, and was followed by a number of gentlemen who sang hymns during the progress to the cemetery. Most of the places of business in the township were closed on the sad occasion. The Rev. T. Scott, of Coromandel, is to be presented by the residents of that district with a house and grounds for residence there. Three sites have already been offered, and persons of all denominations have subscribed towards the building fund. From a return laid on the table of the House, we learn that the running expenses, repairs, and alterations, of the Luna during the financial year ended 30th June, 1871, wsre L 7258, and the value of services rendered L 10,432. Thus it appears that the Government have made a siving through the running of the Luna of L 3174 during the twelve monti 8. During this period, 2310 passengers were carried, of whom 1135 were on Government service ; 1126 were natives ; and 49 private persons. We are glad to notice the spread of new in our midst, however humble they might be, as tending to show the progress of the district. Our attention was drawn on Saturday to the new building erected by Mr Alex. Hosie, of this town, for the preparing and drying of oilskins, so necessary and for which there is such an increasing demand in the wet claims on this coast. M r Hosie, finding the demand was more than he uould supply, was compelled to erect new and ample buildings, which are more complete than any on the coast. The Patea. correspondent of the Wanr/anui Herald, speaking of the extension of the telegraph towards Now Plymouth, naively remarks that "it takes a deal of flour and sugar to take a line through a native country." A fashionable Maori wedding recently took place at Wsmgarei, Auckland, at which, according to the liertikF'l correspondent, " the behaviour of the Maori ladies and gentlemen was unexceptionable, and worthy of imitation by many pakehas." Messrs O'Neil and Brown report to the House of Representatives, that the claims at Baker's Hill, Wellington, have gold-bearing stone in large quantities, and they are of opinion that if proper machinery was employed, the claims would prove payable. The County Chairman, accompanied by the County Engineer, left Hokitika on Thursday to inspect the repairs on the Christchurch road, at the Otira. Mr Pell expected to have two cargo boats ready towards the close of last week to commence operations in transporting Mace and Dixon's quartz-crushing machinery from Westport to the Inangahua. We understand (says the Westport Times) that an information has been laid by a Charleston auctioneer against Mr Broad, cbargiug him with acting illegally as an auctioneer, he having no license The action %as arisen out of the sale of a coal-mine, Mr Broad acting und^er ." ingtr notions from the Crown Lands' office. !ftf r 3h?,ptsr is retained by the informant, and Mr 3?itt wi}i proceed to Charleston to conduct the defence. On Friday last, Mr Redwood shipped from Kelson, by the Phoebe, a number, of horses for the Canterbury meeting, which takes place in the early part of November next. Peeress, Lacenfeed, Patch, and two three-year-olds, are the horses m training. Both Peeress and Lacenfeed are in capital order, and may be expected to contest the various races in which they will be entered with a fais amount of success. Patch, the hurdleracer, is also in good condition, and will scarcely be surpassed by an ordinary opponent. The young horses, owing to the unfavorable state of the weather of late, have not yet been put inte fair working order, their capabilities therefore remains to be ascertained. ■ It is the intention of #. large number of old members' of the ABse'm6ty to 'pregent an address to Sir David Monro, expressive of their regrefc at losing his vamable services under recent circumstances, and also to express their deep recognition of the able and impartial manner in which he discharged the duties of Speaker in the last two Parliaowjts.. The Wplljngton Evening Post says :— "Some black £and, sent from the West Coast of the Middle Island, has been tested in Melbourne, by Mr Sydney Gibbons, who, in addition to finding magnetic titanic iron ore similar to that at Taranaki, has disco, rered gold in the sample sent to him, at the rate of lOoz 16dwt 20gr pev ton. He says this can bo extracted without in the least degree injuring the ore for steel-making purposes. We oply hope his report will prove currect." It Mas recently mentioned in our telegpams fhat a Mr Stevens, a sharebroker, had levanfcad, fearing behind him his creditors, and wife and family, and taken with him a new wife. The Thames Adyertiser gives the following details :-•" It "appears that Mr H. V. Stevens had been playing the part of * faithful lover for many months, and in the presence of the members of th« family asserted his affection and honorable in tentioriß towards the girl. So far from the family suspecting that Mr H. V. Stevens ya^ already a married man, Mr Paul informs \is that he £ad received for his daughter, during the shooting s/saggn, presents of pheasants brought by'-lijtr Stevens, senior, from iiis son. The engagement of tiho two w«£ fcuown to others besides the family of Paul, and the 'affectionate letters penned to !»U' daughtjjejr were never. kej>t secret from thjß family, ifot the slightest suspicion ever arose .in the minds <jf Mr audi Mrs Paul of

the condition of Mr Stevens, and the matter was only revealed to the family by the newspaper statements. The statement that ! the bridegroom was intoxicated, or that he j was not interrogated as to the name given in the certificate, is utterly denied by those who witnessed the ceremony, so that no blame can attach to Dr Wallis, who performed the marriage. He n-ade the declaration that he was Sydney Pope Stevens, the person named in the Registrar's certificate, and there was nothing to conrey the faintest impression to the mind of any of the party that matters were not right. Nor was there any concealment of the fact that the pair were to depart by the Nevada, is a letter in the handwriting of the young lady, to her sister at the Thames, written on the day preceding her marriage, confirmed the announcement to her friends." On Thursday afternoon, several children were playing in the bush on the flat below Swipers' Gully, Ross, and amused themselves by eating tutu pith. Three of the poor little creatures, named Tnckey, Morgan, and Johnson, all about four years of age, were very ill ; but we were glad to learn that the two last-named, after vomiting freely, appeared to be mending. At a late hour the same night the poor child Tuckey was still iv a very precarious state, being very much convulsed. Parents should strongly impress on their children the clanger of eating this shrub, as any part of it is poisonous. Referring to Mr Vogel's delivery of the Financial Statement;, the Evening Pout says : — "If ever a Minister of the Crown made a miserable exhibition, the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer did so on Tuesday last. He was perpetually appealing to some one or other, and his peroration was nothing more nor less than a plaintive request that Messrs Staffoad and Hall weuld unite their fortunes with his, and form ' a strong Ministry.' He is evidently ready to throw over his water-on-the-brain Jonah, and open to a coalition that has prospects of permanence. Whether this will or will not be effected, we can give no opinion, but it is not by any means so improbable. as was the case some time ago." At the sitting of the Warden's Court, Westport, on Wednesday, there ivere twenty-two applications granted, eight being for head-races, seven for dams, six for tunnels, and one for an extended claim at Dirty Mary's Flat, Addison's, applied for by Peter Peterson and Co. The claim consists of one acre adjoining Anderson's extended claim and O'Toole's lease. The party are engaged bringing in water, and they intend draining the ground either by the erection of pumping machinery or construction of a tail-race. The Otacfo Daily Times of the 21st tilt., says: — "We learn that St. Andrew's congregation have succeeded in their efforts to fill the vacancy in their church, caused by the resignation of their late pastor, Mr Scrimgeour, by calling the Rev Mr Gow, of Hokitika, who has officiated there for the last five years. Mr Gow went to Hokitika from Lyttelton, in which place he labored for about one year, having arrived there direct from Carmylie, Forfarahire. In the Free Church in the latter place he successfully labored for nearly twenty years, but from the failing health of his wife had to sever his connection wit a devoted and loving congregation. He J3 expected to arrive here during the first week in October.'' An accident has occurred at Wangarei Heads, whereby two men from P-aruaJfry lost their lives by drowning. Three men were in a small boat, fishing near the Snake Bank till the turn of the tide— about eight p.m. In putting up the sail for the purpose of returning home to Parua Bay, the halliard came out of the mast, and one. of the men foolishly climbed up the mast, to put it in again. His weight was too much for the little, .boat, and she instantly went qv^r. One Of the men, named Robinson, managed to get on the bottom of the boat. He saw one of his companions, named Captain, sink and rise no more ;. but the other, his own brother, he could not tell what became of him. He was under the impression that he swam away from the boat directly she went over. The survivor clung to the boat, shouting loudly the whole time, for about three hours, and drifted out towards the entrance of the harbor for .about five miles. His shouts were very luckily heard by Mrs Aubrey, who had not then gone to rest. She immediately put up her sons, helped them to launch the boat, and in a very short time the unhappy man was safely in their boat, nearly exhausted, but quite sensible. Captain Williams leaves a large family qnite unprovided for ; Mr Robinson leaves a widow and one child, now in Auckland.