Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1076, 9 January 1872, Page 2

The Government Life Assurance would appear to be popular 12 Greymouth, judging by the fact that, we understand, Captain Baldwin has, during his week's stay here, received between 30 and 40 proposals for upwords of L 12 ,000. The annual meeting of the Volunteer Fire Brigade was held last evening at their hall, for the election of officers. In each case all the officers were re-elected. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Peter Sccanm was charged with using abusive language to Mr James Johnston, of the Melbourne Hotel. It appeared that on the 3rd instant, the defendant was in the bar of the hotel, aud some words arose about a summons, when defendant turned round and abused him. A witness having proved the use of abusive language, Mr Perkins, who appeared for defendant, applied for an adjournment till to-day, to produce rebutting testimony, which was granted. The application of Swift aud party to erect a reservoir in Sawyer's Creek was decided yesterday in the Warden's Court. The application was opposed by Messrs Kilgour and Perotti, the particulars of which have already appeared. Mr Browne, the district surveyor, produced a plan of the ground, and after heariug Mr Newton, for the applicants, and Mr Perkins, for the objectors, the Warden decided not to grant the application. The attendance at the Church of England Sunday School during the past year has been very good. From the figures furnished to us by the Superintendent we fiud that for the March quarter there were 404 males and 327 females attended ; for the June quarter, 408 males and 358 females ; September quarter, 508 males aad 331 female* ; December quarter, 688 males and 477 females — showing a grand total attendance of 3501 children. The total on the roll book on 31st December, 1871, was 79 boys and 66 girls- total, 145. The first session of > the Supreme Court under the new regulations was opened at Nelson on the 2nd. There were no criminal cases for trial, and the Sheriff therefore presented his Honor the Judge with a pair of white gloves as customary on such occasions. An adjourned meeting of the Westland Waste Lands Board will be held at noon to-day, ikt theLind Office, Hokitika. The tenth session of the County Council will open at Hokitika at noon to-morrow. An inquest was held last Wednesday, at Hokitika, before Dr Garland, coroner, on the body found in the Otira river on the 29th ultimo. The remains were not identified, but they were supposed to be those of a tailor named Murphy, who had been S3en at Walter Ray's on the 14th of October, The supposition was strengthened by the finding upon deceased a tailor's thimble and some sewing silk and cotton. The jnry returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased was found drowned in the Otira river ; name un. known. The annual picnic of the children attending St. Patrick's School took place at the Tivoli Gardens yesterday. The weather was splendid, and the grounds were in fine order for the sports. The children assembled at the school-house early in the day, and were marshalled by the teachers. They carried numerous flags, and the procession was headed by a large banner and the Town Band. After marching through the principal streets, the procession proceeded up Herbert street to the Gardens, where flags were plentifully displayed, and where cartloads of "good things" had been piled up, to be dispensed among the children. During the day a large addition was, made to the company, as the children of all denominations were invited, and the invitation was well responded to both by old and young. During the day prizes won in school were presented, and games carried on with great spirit until 6 p.m., when the procession was re-formed and marched back to tqwn, everyone highly delighted with the day's entertainment. A public meeting was held at Hamilton's store, Marsden, on Saturday last, of the Grey River Hospital Sub-Committee. Mr Peter Dungan, M.C.C, was called to the chair, and introduced the business He said — Our business here this evening is to give an account of our stewardship, and I am h-tppy to be able to inform you that our efforts nave been crowned with success ; the Committee have done all they could in every way for the Hospital. The mineis and public of New River District must stand very high in the estimation of the people of Greymouth. We have forwarded to the Hospital LIOO, and the receipt of it has been acknowledged. We have more funds in hand, which will be sent down as soon as possible. The miners and public have done their duty and acquitted themselves nobly. I'here is another matter I wish to bring before your notice. It has been suggested that the names of the subscribers he read ; if so, Mr Crauiptoa has prepared a list of I them. Mr Claude H. Crampton said- My ' wish for having the list of subscribers read is that many may be leaving the district. Between the ball and subscription we shall have about LI 50, I consider the miners have acted nobly in the Hospital cause, and I doubt if any district has done as well in proportion to their population — the population is 240. You ought to feel proud, of yourselves. The ball was a great success, notwithstanding the efforts of a few parties determined to oppose it. The ladies all deserve our thanks for their kindness in attending as they did. When in Greymouth last I visited the Hospital in company with Mr Newton, and after he had left I myself went round the wards aui spoke to each patient ; they one and all said they were well attended to, and spoke in t^e highest terms of Dr Moriue and Mr Rugg, the Superintendent, though they were also loud in their praises of the other officials. They also spoke in the highest possible terms ' of a gentleman named Arthur Ellis, and I cannot help paying a tribute of respect to

him ; he has, for the last six years, been working hard and gathering money for- the Hospital. The Hospital is now your own ; anyone with a ticket can get in at once, and anyone without can get one from any member of the Committee We are under a great debt of gratitude to those gentlemen who came from Greymouth to explain matters to us, as otherwise we'should not have done so well. Mr Dungan said : lam sure, gentlemen, you are all satisfied with Mr Crampton's statement, and as regards Mr Ellis, I have the pleasure of knowing that gentleman, and can indorse all he says about him. It was proposed to have a (Society similar to Red Jack's Society, but myself and Mr Flannagan, after canvassing the district and consulting the miners, came to the conclusion that the district is far too scattered to admit of it. It was proposed by Mr Quinan and seconded by Mr Thomas Teal, that the warmest thanks of the meeting be given to the Committee. Passed. He thanked Mr W. M'Kechnie, the Secretary^ and also Miss O'Shannassy for giving the use of her hotel for two days and a night, and the musicians ; also to Mr C. Dowsing who prepared the supper and placed it on the table gratis. He suoke in high terms of the manner in which the business people assisted the ball. The reason for holding the ball so soon after the subscription towards the Hospital was for the purpose of setting an example to the other districts. lie stated that the thanks of the whole mining community, were due to Mr Revell for the great efforts he was making for putting down that great curse to the miners, namely, balls for the benefit of public-houses, and consequently they would be able at any time in future to hold an entertainment if6r the benefit of the Hospital. . Mr C. H. Crampton moved a vote of thanks to the'Ch'ainnan, which was seconded by Mr Robert Knox and, carried. At Napier, Paoro Torotoro, a native chief has been committed for trial on a charge of perjury. The tax on joint-stock companies imposed by the passing of the Stamp Duties Act Amendment Act, 1871', is already beginning to bear fruit. It ia announced that in consequence of the passing of this Act the Queen Insurance Company will cease to carry on business in New Zealand on and after the Ist January. The children attending the Presbyterian Church Sabbath School assembled at the Church last evening for the purpose of receiving their prizes. ■ There was a large attendance of children, parents, and friends, the church beiug well filled. After the children had sung the first hymn on the programme and an abundance of refreshments distributed amongst them, Mr Savage, the superintendent, read the report,, giving a very satisfactory account of the progress of the School since its inauguration. The Rev Mr M'lntosh then addressed the children, and complimented the Superintendent on the manner in which he had conducted the school. . Prizes were then distributed to the children by the Rev Mr M'lntosh, Messrs Reid, Hamilton, and Kerr, each gentleman speaking in high terms of Mr Savage, aud making appropriate remarks while presenting the prizes to the children. A number of beautiful hymns were sung during the intervals that took place in distributing the various lots of prizes, and at ten o'clock, when the business was finished, all present adjourned, highly pleased at being present at the first anniversary of this Sabbath School. Queen Victoria has always been noted for affably bowing without a moment's cessation, in her state progress through the city. A London correspondent of the St. Louis Republican says this bowing is • all deceit. " There is a curious contrivance attached to the seat of the royal carriage, by whose means the royal bjcidy is gently swayed as in the .act of bowing, while in, reality the said body lolls comfortably and makes no exertion whatever. " Some Yankee should invent a handshaking machine. An accident occurred on Lake George, near Riverton, Southland, by which two diggers lost their lives, and another one had a narrow escape. They were on their way to Riverton to spend the Christmas holidays, and were crossing the lake in a "dug-out," when a puff of wind caught and upset their crafr. Only one, named Charles Fryatt, succeeded in reaching the shore. The namers of the two drowned were Thomas Finch and John Fryatt, - . The present weekly mail seryice to the New River District is creating great dissatisfaction. At the last meeting of the Hospital District Sub-Committee (the original business having been concluded), Mr Dungan said that as there were a good many present he would mention the mail service. He said : -Up here formerly we had two services a-week, and now we have only one. The mailman comes up on Wednesday, and leaves again in ten minutes, so if we get letters we have no chance of answering them. Mr C. H. Crampton, in rising to move a motion, stated that heretofore Messrs Hamilton had brought up two or three mails aweek, and now it appears we are to have but one weekly. This district is grossly neglected, both by the County Council and tho General Government. They seem to ignore our existence altogether. We have neither roads nor bridges, or any other requirements that so old a diggings might have. The motion was "That this meeting views with alarm aud indignation the changes in the mail service, and considers that a petition ought to be got up to the Postmaster-General, praying that we have two mails in place of one." The motion was seconded by Mr R. Knox, and carried. A miner named John Franchi, a Swiss, met with an accident on Saturday while working in his clajm just above Goldsborough township. He was employed at the time in a tail-race, when a fall of earth occurred, and before he was able to get out cf the way, he received some very, severe contusions about the legs, below the knee. He was taken to tho Hokitika Hospital, whereitrwas ascertained that the injuries were not serious,: the bones of the leg not being fractured. The following is the text of the bill which lias just been brought into the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales : — Every female subject of Her Majesty, whether married or unmarried, of the full age of twenty-one years, being a natural born subject, or the daughter of a mother being a natural born subject, or who, having resided in this Colony for three years, shall have' become a naturalised subject, shall, if quali- , fied as in section 9 of the Electoral' Act, 1868, jis provided in regard to male subjects, £nd entered on the roll of electors, and not disqualified or incapaoidated for some cause in the said section specified, be entitled to I vote at any election for the electoral districts, in respect of which she shall be qualified. Provided that no female be qualified to be elected a member of the Assembly for any electoral district in the said Colony. Tho inauguration of the new Treasury Regulations in Nelson has been attended . with a lamentable want of success, and, unfortunately, with inconvenience, a large body of men. The Evening Mail says : — The petty jurors who were summoned to attend the Court yesterday went as "usiiaV on their being discharged, to tibe late paymaster to receive their remuneration, but on application found that the new arrangements were now in fprce, and that he no longer had the power to pay. the small sums due to them. The question then was to whom were they to apply* and this was one ' to which there appeared tobe some difficulty in obtaining a reply. The form to be gone

through by an officer drawing his salary, or by anyone who has to receive money from the General Government is as follows :— -The certifying officer, thpt is, the Head of tbte Department, sends a voucher to Wellington certifying that certain moneys due to certain persons, to each one of whom there comes in due course of time— which means anything from two days to a fortnight, as the case may be — a cheque for the amount from the head office in Wellington, which, however, has to be countersigned by the certifying officer here before the claimant can get it cashed at the Bank. It is scarcely to be conceived that it was intended that all these fcrms should be gone through by the juror prior to receiving his three or four shillings for a day's attendance at Court, and yet from the absence of any arrangements to meet the3e small payments yesterday, it would seem that the same difficulties with which it has been deemed expedient to hedge round the payment of a regular officer's monthly salary, are to surround such casual trifling claims as those, to which we are referring, the failing to meet which has given rise to such wide-spread dissatisfaction. Clearly, there is either something inherently wrong in the new regulations, or exceedingly faulty in the working of them. Whichever it may be, it is to be hoped that due regard to the interests of the general public will lead to a remedy being speedily applied. Mr M. Keogh held an inquest on Saturday, at the Golden Age Hotel, Fox's Creek, Hokitika district, on the body of William Solie, a miner, who died very suddenly on Friday. Deceased went on that day with his mate to Greek's No. 2 to fetch a sluicebox. On their way to Greek's he sat down once or twice, complaining that the old pain in his chert was coming on again, but he did not complain on the way back,' though he i was helping to carry the sluice-box. When the two* men got to the rise at the back of the Golden Age, deceased'^ mate called for a spell, as he was tired. They laid the sluicebox down on a stump, and at the very moment, Solie threw up his arms and fell down. His mate thought he; was ih a fit, and. called for water, but when it was brought it was found that deceased was quite dead. Dr Dermott stated that, on making the post mortem examination he found the lungs quite healthy, but the heart was very much'deceased, which was the cause of death. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. Deceased was a man of color, and was born in St. John's, New Brunswick. He had been working for a long time at Greek's No. 2, and was much esteemed amongst the miners as a quiet, industrious, and well-conducted man. Mr Robert Campbell, the Colonial representative of his father, of Sydney wharf celebrity, has, during the past two years, become by far the largest holder of runs in New Zealand, having during that period added to his former runs— Belmore (Waitaki), and Sheer.an's old rnn (Mahuherika) — numerous runs in Otago, Canterbury, and Southland, and will," we believe, this season clip in all not under 500,000 sheep. The last rise in value upon wool, say 6d a lb upon an average yield of 41bs, will thus represent for the year L 50.000 of a profit upon last year's returns. Were this country held by him divided among 1000 hill farmers, every business man in the Province would realise benefits, direct or indirect ; whereas, as it is, this large sum goes home to England to enrich the estate of an absentee millionaire of vast wealth, who is making his Colonial experience, gained of old, useful to him in thus speculating so successfully in runholding stock at a time when it was al its very lowest. An inquest was held, on Saturday last, at the Montezuma Hotel, near Hokitika, touching the death of Hugh Patchell, a miner at Fox's Creek, whose bqdy was found .on Thursday last, in a small creek cU)se .to. the Kawaha. From the evidence given at the inquest, there seems little room for doubting that deceased committed suicide. The body was found lying on its back, with the arm round a small tree, and close to the feet was the gun which deceased had borrowed, while between the feet and the gun there was a piece of flax looped as if for the purpose of pulling the trigger of the gun with the foot. Dr Dermott, who performed the post mortem examination, stated that he found a gunshot wound under the left breast. Internally, the left lob,e of the liver had been carried away and the eighth rib fractured. There was a quantity of gritty, stony particles forced into the spinal marrow, and he had found several pieces of stone lodged in different places. The: gun, Dr Dermott added, must have been fired in close proximity to the body, as the outer edges: of the wound were not jagged, but presented a clean sharp appearance. The jury returned a verdict that the death of deceased was caused by a gunshot wound, but that there was no evidence to prove by whom it had been inflicted.