THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1002, 12 October 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1871.

The remains of the late Thomas Morton, who was drowned some short time since in the lagoon, South Beach, were interred yesterday in the Greymouth Cemetery. A large number of miners followed the corpse to its last resting-place; The County Chairman has granted to Wilson and party' a special claim of eight chains by two-and-a-half chains, situated near the Teremakau. The agricultural lease of Patrick Kerns", on the South Beach, has been determined, on account of the auriferous nature of the ground. At the extra day's sports at Hokitika on Tuesday, there were not very many people on the ground. The only event of importance was Pentecost's match against time, to run five miles in half-an-hour. He performed the feat fifteen seconds under the allotted time. Another attempt is to be made to reduce the amount of the gold duty. Mr Collins ha* given notice in the House of Representatives, of his intention to move for the reduction of the amount to 2s per ounce. There were only two cases for hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday aiorniDg, before W. H. Revell, Esq., R.M. The first was that of Jules Seal v. Margaret King : A complaint that the defendant did unlawfully assault the son of plaintiff. From the evidence it appeared that the wife of plaintiff was a laundress, and the defendant had left some articles of wearing apparel to be washed, which plaintiff refused to deliver up without Borne money that was owing was" paid. The defendant then abused plaintiff and left his house. Shortly afterwards she met his little boy coming home from school, and struck him. Two witnesses, named Thomas Finch and John William Kilner, were called, but proved nothing. Mr E. Wickes stated that about a fortnight since he was at tea when he heard a boy screaming, and hearing a noise in the hall of his house, j he went out and found the son of plaintiff, who told him that the woman (defendant) had struck him. While he was speaking to the boy he heard a noise in his garden, and going out found the defendant, who was the worse for drink; on asking her what she wanted mic said she wanted "Justice," and that plaintiff and his wife and child had assaulted her and cut her head. He told her to go to the camp, and put her out of his premises. The defendant denied striking the boy. The Magistrate fined her 5a and costs, or in default, '14 days' imprisonment.—*

Thomas Minton v. Mrs Goff: A summons that defendant did use abusive language 1 0 plaintiff on the 14th October. The plaintiff stated that on the previous day he was passing the Victoria Hotel when he called m to pay a small debt. While he was talking to Mr Gbff, defendant came into the bar and said, "You and your wife ought to be the last in the world to talk about respectability," and on on asking her what she meant, she replied that she could saj something about him and his wife. This constituted the abusive language. The Magistrate, without hearing Mr Perkins, who appeared for the defence, dismissed the case, with professional aud coats of witnesses, stating that no abusive language had been used. Mr and Mrs Frank Towers and Rosa Towers, who have been playing very successfully in the Northern Provinces, and were in Charleston recently, may be expected shortly in Greymouth. Mr Towers is a comedian of good ability, while his daughter's talents are spoken of as being far above the average of juvenile actresses. James Robert Browne and William George Murray have been appointed Mining Surveyors for the County of Westland. The Gazette announces that Mr David Girdwood, of this town, has taken out an auctioneer's license. The Ross Netos of the 10th says :— "The public meeting called last evening, by Mr Button, at Mr O'Hara's Hotel, for the purpose of getting an expression of opinion in reference to the action taken by the Government for the "dismemberment of the County," was one of the most orderly we have attended for some time, and the speakers were listened to with patience." Prom an abstract of the late census, we learn that the numbers of undermentioned stock in Westland are as follows : —759 horses, 2688 cattle, and 4588 sheep. A portion of the quartz crushing machinery for erection at Reefton, left Westport on Tuesday, the 4th instant. Two boats, apparently carrying about 11 tons, left Westport, each being towed by a horse. We need scarcely again remind jurors and all parties interested in causes to be tried at the District Court on the necessity of being punctual, as Judge Ward take 3 his seat precisely at ten o'clock this morning. After holding a Court at Reefton on the 21st, the Warden proceeded to the Junction, where the Court sat at five p.m. Several mining applications were granted, and an agricultural lease of 50 acres to Peter Mangoes. Joseph Welch and party, representing upwards of fifty miners, applied at the last sitting of the' Warden's Court, at Reefton, for registration of a head race, intended to convey forty head of water from the left hand branch of the Inangahua river to the Reefton workings. The length of the proposed race is seven miles. The application was ordered to stand over until the next sitting of the Court. The Wanganui Chronicle of the 4th instant states that a large number of persons followed the remains of the late Mr Shepard to the General Cemetery. The Artillery challenge shield of Otago value 80 guineas, was recently won by Corporal Ogilvie, who scored 65 points. The Wanganui Chronicle meutions that Mr Dawsou, of No 2 line, lost a fine Devon bull last week. The animal was imported about two years ago, at a cost of L 350, and is a great loss to his owner. The writer of "Talk on ' Change" in the Australasian of the 23rd September, says : — I am told, but I confess that I can scarcely credit the statement, that bo resolved are the Americans to open up a wool trade with Australia, that they have made arrangements to carry a bale from San Francisco to New York— 32oo miles— for 4s 6d. The railway carriage of a wool-bale from Echuca to Melbourne— ls6 miles— is, I think, 10s Gd. Is not this a suggestive contrast? Fully two million dollars will be devoted by American buyers to the purchase of Australian wool in grease this season; The American tariff favors the introduction of greasy rather than washed wool, aud it is considered probable that the former, as a raw material, will soon be admitted duty free. The opening up of this new market will be of incalculable advantage to the pastoral interests 6i Australia. There is not only the direct gain of new customers for a portion of the clip, but the indirect advantage of an enhanced value for the remainder. ' With reference to the recent cases of assault committed on members of the Press in Auckland, the Southern Gross of the 23rd understands that the charge preferred by Mr Utting against Mr Samuel Morrin has been withdrawn, a very humble apology having been accepted ; and that the right to thrash the members of the Press in satisfaction for obnoxious criticism will be tested in the case of Brett v. Walker in the Police Court. A man named James Burns had his leg broken on Friday, 29th ult, by a fall of rock in Took ey's mine. He was working for the Tribute Company, and had neglected to secure the ground properly. Mr Dewar, Tookey Company's manager, had iuspected the place, and warned him of the danger. Ten minutes afterwards, the accident occurred. He was taken to the Hospital. We are informed that on Monday night week a trap, in which there were several Maoris, was capsized over the Upper Gorge bank, near Wellington, and that several of its occupants were more or less injured. The trap, it is Baid, fell on Te Ringa Kuri, and on Monday night he died at Silver Stream. The deceased is stated to have been the oldest Maori in the Wellington Province. A case that has excited some little interest was decided at Charleston, on the 2nd instant, by Dr Giles and C. Whitofoord, Esqr, J.Ps. It was the case of Dwan v. Broad. The information was that Charles Broad, Esq, R.M, on the 22nd day of September, not being duly licensed, did sell certain property, declared by him at such sale to be a coal-mining lease, by way of auction, contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided. Mr Shap- i ter most ably argued the case on behalf of Mr Dwan, while Mr Broad was represented by Mr Pitt. The Charleston Herald says the Bench gave the following decision : — "This is an information laid under 'The Auctioneers Act, 1858,' and the question is whether the sale held by the defendant is within the exemption clause of ' The Auctioneers Act, 1862.' The defendant being a brother magistrate, it is very satisfactory to us that this is a matter in which he is in no way 'personally', involved; that it was a sale authorised by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and undertaken by Mr Broad at his request. The questions we have to consider are firßt, whether the lease under which the sale took place wa? a lease at all Second— lf the lease was; valid, is the sale of a lease included in the words sale of Crown Lands in the said Act, We have come to the conclusion that it is not for, us to consider the validity of the lease in a proceeding for ajrenalty. We have only to look at the oona fides of the defendant, and we think that in this matter the defendant did not act bonajide, and believe this to be a bonafide sale of an interest in Crown Lands. 1 And we think that even if this lease was bad, 1 there was an equitable interest to be sold.' Then the only romaiuing point to consider is whether this sale conies within the term ' sale of Crown Lauds.' Mr Shapter has:

quoted various Acts iv support of his argument that when the Legislature intended to refer to sales of limited instruments as well as of the freehold, that specific words to that effect were used. But following out the principles of a decision on a proceeding for a penalty, under the Gaming Statutes, iv the reign of Queen Anne, we think ib right to give the largest possible meaning in such a case as this to the words 4 sale of Crown Lands,' in fine, we think the greater includes the lesser, and dismiss the information^ Coats were applied for and granted at iLS ss, upon which a few warm words passed from Mr Shapter, for allowing an amount such as had never before been given in that Court in any similar case. The Bench, however, were inexorable." A writer in an up-country paper (Ofcago), thus describes the virtues of the blue gum tree: — "Prom some experiments recently made by the writer he has found that it possesses more than the reputed qualities as a styptic. The Ohinese having continually asked me for gum leaves to apply to wounds, I thought a solution of gum leaves boiled would answer perhaps more quickly and rapidly in effecting a cure. I tried it in the following instances with success :— (1) A dog, got his toes cut off, and his foot divided by a broken glass bottle. He was bleediug profusely, and all the licking of his tongue had no effect. He would not submit to have gum leaves tied round him ; so as rapidly as possible some gum leaves were boiled, and the heat brought down with cold waterT Thoiigh the water was warm, the solution within a minute or two produced a moat beneficial (2) Applied to a pack horse, it healed 'most rapidly a nasty saddle sore ; and I think it would act, therefore, as well with collar galls. (3) Applied to a severe burn to a female on tno wrist, it alleviated the pain, and an ugly scar was prevented." ■ There was a ploughing match at Aramoho recently, in which there were several Maori competitors. Of the result, so far as the native ploughmen were concerned, the Wanganui Herald says .— " The Maoris surprised everyone but themselves. They appeared as thoroughly at home as the oldest ploughman in the district. Their ploughing was not only good, but it excelled that of the average European. Their wives aud relations were squatted on the grass, looking with beaming faces on the new vocation which had been found for their 'young men,' and doubtless thinking of the fun and enjoyment they would have over the prize money. A little Maori boy, not more than twelve years of age, heldTfoe plough as if he had been 'to the manner bred.' His juvenile efforts seemed to -strike the Maoris themselves with admiration, one well-known chief remarking in ecstatic strains, 'Kapai the piccaninny for the next year,' from which we gathered that this match is not to end here, but that the natives are looking forward to future contests. We consider' this is the greatest victory ever yet achieved over the natives, if it be followed up, and we hope the Government will see the achantage from this beginning of giving the same encouragement annually." With reference to a recent telegram, in which an alteration in Civil Service pensions wa3 mentioned, we find the following in the Parliamentary reports: "The debate was resumed on the 4th ultimo, on the question that, in the opinion of this House, the existing acts, so far as they conferred pensions and retiring allowances upon officers in the Civil Service of the Colony, should be repealed, and that provision should be made for the vested interests that have accrued under those acts by an abatement of 24 per cent, from the salaries of all officers who are in a position to become entitled to a pension or retiring allowance runder those acts, provided always that every officer who voluntarily gives up all ? claim fco pension for retiring allowance shall be paid his salary without abatement. Mr Creightou said he could not agree with the latter part of the motion, which he though should be omitted. He thought with such au omission the motion would be acceptable I'to the Government. He would move as an amendment, ' That in the opinion of the House, existing acts, so far as they conferred pensions and retiring allowances upon officers in the Civil Service of the Colony, should be repealed, and that provision should be made for che vested interests which have accrued under those acts, and that the Government be requested to bring in a Bill this session to give effect to the resolution.'" The amendment was carried. The opening of a new lodge under the Scotch constitution, called, in honor to the centenary just passed, the Sir Walter Scott, has been an event of some interest at the Thames. The formal opening was made under the superintendence of Brother A. Beveridge, R.W.D.P.G.M. A grand pro. cession, swelled by the attendance of brethren from other lodges, then took place to the Presbyterian Church, where Divine Service was conducted by the Eev. J. Hill, assisted by the Rev. V. Ljush. The atten» dance was most numerous; aud the procession—numbering some 2CO members of the fraternity- presented a most imposing appearance, ft was headed by the band of the Thames volunteers, and accompanied by crowds of spectators — the fine weather and the unusual spectacle attracting all classes of persons. A grand banquet terminated the proceedings in connection with the inauguration of the first Masonic lodge under the Scotch constitution at the Thames. In the House of Representatives, on the 4th instant, the following Bills were read a first time : — A Bill to amend the Law for regulating the sale of Malt and Spirituous Liquors iv the County of Westland, which was ordered to be read a second time that day fortnight ; a Bill intituled an Act to amend the Law relating to the Qualification of Electors and Members ot the House of Representatives ; a Bill intituled an Act to make provision for Licensing Sharebrokers ; a Bill intituled an Act to amend the Law relating to the Filing of certain Instruments in the Supreme Court Offices in the Province of Otagp, and for Other Purposes ; and a Bill intituled au Act to amend the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867, and the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Act, 1868, which were ordered to be read a second time on Friday ; a Bill for regulating the Sale and Disposal of Alcoholic Liquors in the Colony, and a Bill to repeal the AttorneyGeneral's Act, 1866, which were ordered to be read a second time next day ; Bills entitled an Act respecting the Government of Provinces, an Act to Transfer to the Governor in certain events the powers conferred on Superintendents, an Act to repeal the Payments to Provinces Act, 1870, and to make other provisions in lieu thereof, and an Act intituled the Public Trust Office Act, were ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday ; a Bill to amend the Building and Land Societies Act, 1866, which was ordered to be read a second time on Friday ; a Bill to . amend the Law Practitioners Act, 1866, aud a Bill to confer upon the Harbor Board of Auckland Borrowing Powers, which were ordered to be read a second time on Wednesday next; a Bill to amend the Gold Duties Act, 1870, and for other purposes, which was ordered to be read a second time next sitting day ; a Bill intituled an Act to provide for the Establishment and Mangement of Gold Mining Districts, and a Bill intituled an Act for Enforcing Contribution towards the coßt of Draining Gold Mines by the owners of adjacent mines, which were ordered to be read a second titue on Tuesday, 5 next - {