Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1080, 13 January 1872, Page 2

We learn from the Secretary to the Jockey Club tli at ilio nominatJnn nf Mr M'tiftshen's chestnut mare Laoenfeed, 6 years, for the Greymouth Handicap, was received yesterday. This now makes ten entries, and we believe it is the largest number that was ever received for any handicap in New Zealand. A second deposit of L2O a-side in the match between Pat. Twohill and Vanghan is to be made at the Brian Boru Hotel on Monday night next. Both men are in active training, the former being under the care of Charles Buckley, while Vaughan has tbe serviefs of Jemmy the Ranger. The final deposit of L2O a-side is to be made on the following Monday, making, when completed, 1.50 each. A small parcel of gold, weighing about lOoz, from tbe Upper Buller district, was recently presented for sale at one of the banks in Nelson, when certain appearances led to a suspicion that it was not all genuine, and it was consequently handed to Mr Tatton to be tested, the result being that a little over half an ounce of spurious metal was discovered. The packer who brought tho. gold to town having obtained it in small quantities, is unable to say from whom he obtained the adulterated portion. We understand that Dr Hector has arrived at Murray Creek, and was yesterday engaged in examining the reefs and the district. The Wentjiort Times says he is highly impressed with the resources of the Lyell and Inangahua districts. . Mr Short, agent for the Mutual Provident Society, informs us that he is compelled to leave here, in order to fulfil other engagements, but will return in a few days, when he will mako a more lengthened stay, and will then be happy to give every information, either by lecturing or otherwise, on the special advantages of the Mutual principle. In tho meantime, he refers inquirers to Mr G. W. Moss, who has been appointed agent for Greymouth, who will be happy to furnish every information. Mr Short informs us that during the three days he has been in town he has secured thirty applications, amounting to over L 15.000. Mr 11. 11. Hall, formerly connected with the Sun Privucfocb ]tyail Service, has filed his stilus hili! in Sydney. A local gspgr g| vP 5 the following as his estimated liabilities and assets :— Liabilities, L 17.419 6s 3d; aspets, L 49 7s 6d ; deficiency, L 17.369 JBs 9d. His Honor Judge Chapman recommends tho use of the lash iv cases of indecent assault, exposuie, and offences of the like nature. He said that the punishment was a ; degrading one, but that in the case of persons flf suph degraded minds, a degrading punishment v& s indispensable. Mr Beswick, iv moymg that the Provincial Council of Canterbury "go into Committee of Supply stated that the Council had a balance in band, and at the close of tl)e financial year he estimated they would have a balance to their credit of L 22,611 12s 7d. A local iudustry that bids fair to supply a long standing want has come into operation near town, and it gartajnly deserves to be well patronised. Wg allude tp the brickmaking business of Messrs Murray and Walton, situated in the vicinity of Mr M'Carthy and Co.'s brewery. Although several previous attempts have been made tq supply a good brick here, the waut of proper clay has always been bo serious a drawback as to compel the abandonment of the enterprise. This want, however, is now no longer feared, as the material which is found |n Messrs Murray and Walton's yard is not inferior to any in the Colonies When we visited it yesterday and saw the brinks, we agreed with the proprietors, that the article manufactured by them was certainly superior to the Nelson bricks, and fully equalled j|H ordinary Colonial ones. The oluy U take.i from a spur and overlies a gravel bod ;

it has a. good show of ironstone in it, but not sufficient to cause it to run. The first and only kiln yet burnt has turned out really good bricks, averaging about 741 b each, and all possessing the true metallic ring necessar}'. At present about 25,000 could be turned out weekly, but if the demand required it, 125,000 could be turned out in the same; space of time. Messrs Walton and Co. Have spent a great amount of labor in clearing the ground and levelling it for drying purposes, and also for mixing and puddling the clay; and now, when things are in full, working gear, persons in Greymouth need not send to Melbourne or Nelson when they want bricks, as they can be had both better and cheaper from manufacturers in their district, and when we state that Mr John Titter, so long and favorably know *i in Nelson, is the moulder, a guarantee of excellence in make is at once given. , The Government Gazette contains a statement of the working account of the Canterbury Railways for the year ending tlie 30th September. The total income for that period, including a balance of L 95 6s 6d, which was outstanding on October Ist, 1870, was L 58.922 193 Id, and tbe expenditure, L 41.136 9s sd, leaving a profit of L 17.856 9s 8d on the year's operations. The Southland News concludes an article reviewing the past year with the following hopeful remarks :— " That a period of greater prosperity is confidently anticipated by all we may safely assert. Despite the depressing influence of a singularly untoward season, the agricultural community have not lost hope, the pastoral interest is flourishing, labor finds no lack of employment, new enterprises are planned; in short,, the body politic is in a healthy state, and, being so, there is no valid reason why the coming year should be welcomed less joyously than its predecessors of less promise." The Nelson Government Gazette announces that the Gold Mining Leases applied for by the undermentioned persons, for the blocks of land hereinafter oescribed, in the Grey district, will not be granted, and the ground is therefore now open for occupation, viz. :— Henry Revell, sixteen acres and two roods, Mooulight Creek ; Samuel Needham, sixteen acres and two roods, . Moonlight Creek ; James Wylde (Sunrise Company), sixteen acres and two roods, Moonlight Creek; James Wylde (Mawhera Company), sixteen acres and two roons, Moonlight Creek ; John M. Ollivier, sixteen acres and two roods, Moonlight Creek ; John M. Ollivier, fifteen acres, two 'roods, and twenty-seven perches, Moonlight Creek ; G. W. Moss, sixteen acres and two roods, Moonlight Creek ; Henry Revell, sixteen acres and two rood?, North Beach. Th© Rose New* says :— A little stir has been made during the past tew days, by its having become known that a party — who have been prospecting for some time a little above Gow's race, between the forks— had been lately getting very good returns. A small rush set in, and this ground in the neighborhood has been tested to a small depth in all directions. The result is that a narrow, shallow lea^ is proved, which is held by six claims, and pays well. The depth varies from nine to fifteen feet, when the terrace bottom is reached, and a thin layer of wash with coarse gold found. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Peter Secuni was charged on remand with using abusive language to Mr Johnston, of the Melbourne Hotel A witness named Stevens was called by the defendant, who stated that Mr Johnston abused Secuni and accused defendant of robbing hinj. This evidence was refuted by a witness named Sidney. His Worship fined the defendant L 2 and costs, and cautioned him that if brought up again he should be bound over to keep the peace. — Ann-Hogan was summoned by Sarah Ferguson. vThe parties are neighbors, and ua die Stli instuuo iiio plaintiff was going to the picnic when defendant came to the fence, and holding up her baby said, "if it was not dressed in scarlet it was clean," and made other remarks regarding plaintiff's husband. Rose Douglass was called as a witness on behalf of the defendant, but she proved nothing. His Worship fined the defendant 10s and costs. The "Temperance Year Book," published in Melbourne, contains photographs of the leading temperance advocates of the whole of the Australasiau Colonies. Among these is an excellent portrait of the Hon. William Fox, of whom the "Year Book" says :- "The Hon. William Fcx is an honored and useful member of the Independent Order of Rechabites. the consistent advocate of a Permissive Bill, and the unwearied supporter of every njoral and philanthrophic movement tending to the wplfare of the colonists over whose interests he so ably presides. Haying no selfish ends in view, and aiming only at the public good, for which he has sacrificed both time and money, he has given the best proofs of his attachment to the country of his adoption, which have gained for him the fullest confidence of his fellow-colonists." The first shipment of gold from Auckland to London via San Francisco was made by the Bank of New Zealand, per the Nevada. The quantity was 2927bz 17dwt, and the Southern Cross says :— "We understand the agents of the California line have undertaken, on very moderate terms, to deliver the gold at the Bank of England, London ; and now that satisfactory arrangements for forwarding goods have been completed, we hope the line will be regularly taken advantage of by all the banks for similar shipments. With such shipments as wool, which is subject to a fluctuating and unsettled market, despatch in delivery i?[ a very in}portaut consideration, and in forwarding that staple to America the advantage possessed by the mail steamers over sailing vessels very considerably overbalances the small additional cost of freight." A meeting of the Paroa JEtoad Board was held at Paroa on the sth instant, when the three newly-elected members took their seats. M r O'Connor was elected to the chair. After the usual compliments had been paid, a letter was pead from a, Mr Brqwn, offering to rent the Co.ckabulty Road and ke.ep it in repair for twelve months, for Lloo.' Mr. E. Butler asked how much the road had paid over working expenses during the past year, and also asked for a statemeut showing the amount at a glance. After a discussion, it was found that the iniorniatjkm was not to hand, and the question was reserved for future discussion. A letter was read from the County Chairmanj enclosing extracts from the Payment to Provinces' Act (which ar© published elsewhere) regarding the rating . of mining property. The Board went into ; Committee, wjjien J^Jr Q'CQnnqr jiaid ip was impossible for the Board to avo/d levying a tax on all rateable property. " Failing to do such, it would be worse than useless for the Board to attempt to go on, as the interest on the money now due by the Board amounted to about LGOper annum. . He was opposed tv taxing ininjing property as long as lie jbhQOght' perg was ;a ; ppasib^ty to avoid it. \a order jbo giye|the now numbers an opportunity to weirconsider tije ma^er ho. would move that g,t the half yearly' meeting ( JOth Jaimary, \BJ2) the'Bqard amend the racg roll, in order that the, collection of the rate may regeive the sanction .of the County Chairman. MrT, Ool^on said :~-J know it is impossible to get : qvfj? taxjng, and tlje Board will have to doit, but I would like to, have the matter out with the County Ghair r man for the way in Which he has treated this Board, so I propose, as . an amendment, 11 That the Secretary be instructed to write to the Couuty Chairman, stating that it in

not our intention to tax mining property, as the tax we levied in 1871, and which cost the Board over Lso, was not allowed to be col-! lected.". Mr J. Dpwlibg said^y.e m didsnot| come into the Board to tax mining property; •' as we;knp.w ihat we are too much taxed already^ iand 'therefore he would oppose taxing himself. Mr E. Butler said he would second Mr O'Connor's resolution, in order- to give more time to the Board to consider so serious a question as that of taxing mining properties, and also that the Board might hot take any such. inconsistent step, as that .pro- . posed by Mr Col ton, If .the Board, after mature consideration, arrived at the conclusion that it will be necessary to tax, then such a resolution would be absurd, and if, 'in justice to the district, in order to get their allowance of the General Government vote, they should levy a nominal tax on rateable property in the district, he . thought there were very few reasonable men who would object to such an expedient. They should consider the good of the district, not their private interests. As there was some doubt as to the legality of the election of the new members, ho thought it would be better to call a public me sting, have the matter fully explained, and abide by the decision. Mr Collins seconded the amendment. The motion was carried by 3to 2 Oh Wednesday, the 10th, the half-yearly meeting was held, but as only Messrs Butler, O'Connor, and Do wling were present, no business was proceeded with, and it was resolved to further postpone the considerrtion of the question until the next ordinary meeting of the Board. ■ , -. ;: An inquest way held at Tokomairiro (Otago), on the body of Mr Joseph Hewson, late gingerbeer manufacturer, on the 2nd inst. From the evidence it appeared that in returning from Manuka Flat on the 30th ult, and when driving rapidly, the wheel of the spring cart struck the guard stone of the bridge below Gardiner's Hotel, and overturned, deceased being thrown upon the road, where he was found about an hour afterwards .by a waggoner. He was conveyed home the next day, and died the same evening, having been quite unconscious during the whole time. The post mortem examination showed that death resulted from concussion of the brain, and the rupture of a blood vessel of the brain, caused by the shock of the fall. A verdict of accidental death was retnrned by the jury. ; "Mr W. Taylor, F.S.S., read to the British Association," writes the Spectator, a "paper containing some very suggestive facts. The total number of laborers in England and Wales of all classes living on weekly wages and working with their hanis is, including their families, 8,144,000, less than half the population. Of these, 1, 178, 000 are skilled artizans, or say 200,000 grown men ; 4,000,000 are half -skilled artizans, or say 800,000 grown men; and 2,957,000 agricultural and unskilled laborers, or say 600,000 grown men. The average earnings of a skilled man range from L6O to L 73 a year ; of a half-skilled man from L 46 to L 52, and of an unskilled man or agricultural laborer from L2O to L4l. These averages would shew prosperity in the working class, the lower agricultural laborers excepted, and their total earnings are L 276 ,000,000 a year ; but they throw away L 58,000,000 a year oh alcohol, so paying to the publicans a fifth of all their receipts ; that is, a4s income tax, and a total sum nearly double the whole of the taxes they pay the State, Teetotalisra has not the moral merits its advocates proclaim, or Mussulmans would be better men, but it certainly would make us the richest people on earth." ; The Thames correspondent of the SoutJiern Cross writes;— " The Walker and Christie rifle match is exciting the. liveliest interest here. As < is only a natural result of long personal intercourse with Mr Walker, com. bined with unbounded' faith in his prowess as a marksman, the folks here favor the local nmil, iUlll are pioparoA to-Uoli lum lo onjamount of cash that may be named by the opposite side. As yet the sum does not exceed LIOOO, but unless Walker's backers in this Province choose to give odds to start with, the stakes will either have to be increased, or the several amounts deposited for Waiker will have to be lessened. At the Thames alone LIOOO have been already guaranteed, providing the match is shot in Auckland. This time the contest between these two men will not be one of individuals, but of Provinces. It will be Auckland against Otago, and I shall be very much mistaken if thousands of pounds do not change hands on the issue." Mr Trollope has had materials for a charming sketch of Colonial statesmen and legislatures placed at his disposal during :hiß Queensland trip. When the Parliament opened there the other day, Mr Milne moved that the P-remier, Mr Palnjer, be dismissed for being drunk and disorderly at Rpokhampton. This provoked what is termed " a characteristically bluff reply" from the Colonial Secretary, who frankly admitted that his " conduct was not exactly what he should like it to have been," and "taking the bull by ,the Lbrns," he proceeded to make the following statement : — " He had taken more brandy and water than had agreed with him; but not one drop more than he had often taken before, and hoped to take again, even when he had to speak in that House ; but the excitement arising from the howling of 800 human beings— as he must call them — who met him with the most determined opposition, had been too much for him, although he was determined never to allow such treatment to drive him to desperation again, He did tell them he did not care a curse for them. He jumped down and dared the people to, touok him i his Irish; blood was up,, and he. was ready for a fight. (Laughter.) He confessed that he was overexcited, but this was more, the result of the howls of the people assembled than of anything he had taken, and it was evident that the people of Rockhamptoh did not think much the worse of him, as was shown the next day by the reception he met with at a largely attended meeting in that town." Mr Milne's motion came to a bad end. . The following are the remarks made by hia Hpnor Mr Justice Chapman tq the Grand Jury, at tywedin, o^n the ?nd inst , on oie trial of Mr John jjhving, charged with shoot ing a "'hinaman who was de^eciied in robbing Ewing's claim' :— "The first case to which I shall call your attention is that of -John Ewing. . It appears, that near to where the prisoner" was working/ oil a 'mining claim, a Chinaman named" Ho Cliow, whoYwas what is commonly known in miner's language, fossicking, or 'in ( town language, loafing about under circumstances of considerable suspicion, and 1 leading the owners' of the olaim to beljeve that lie was stealing washdji'J;. He was. fcejj to. go, /tyith a p ( an, knd take waghdirt out of a "tub, aji4 h.as siij.ee been convicted by a Magistrate for 'stealing it. That, however," did! not justify another person taking the law into his own hands. The Chinaman was pursued, caught, and tied. He, however j managed to get rid of the impediments to his motion ; he released himself from the cord's ,qr scraps, or whatever they were, and ran away, whereupon Ewing toqk up hjg'gun and shot him, inflicting very severe wqiuids that niigtyfc have been, dam gerous ? but as it 'so' happened,' th§ Cl}|naman recovered torn them. Ewing is charged therefore with pounding , with jntent to do grievous bodily harm ; and,'?f the facts are , as stated in the depositions, and as I now state them, you will have little difficulty in finding a true bilj,' the fapt of there being an evil intention on the part of the Chinaman. . being no defence whatever. A man. may v defend liis property, but only to an flxteut

which is necessaryrtp that defence. Even defence of the person is not to be carried to an unjustifiable extent. If a, man jraises his , caie^to strike me, I-.sUpuld be justified f in beating him, and iv beating him to a greater extent than he beat me, but I should not be justified in shooting him." The prospects of the marriageable young ladies of Taranaki do not appear ti be'Vefy bright, according to a letter addressed to one of ! the Taranaki journals'. The writer says that there are 300 unmarried young women iv the Province of Taranaki,- and^proceeds topoint out a remedy for; this anomalous state | of things. He says:— "Now, sir, I wish! tq tell you plainly what I would like to do| if 1 had the power in this province, for after j all it only requires a little forethought and; planning;; and I tell you, Mr Editor, it is &] pity to see so many, fine young women un-; provided for, when the: evil can be easily; remedied. I would give every settler's son j who would marry a settler's (laughter Jiity : acres of land, and to every settler's .daughter; whet would marry a settler's son twenty-five : acres of -land; making seventy -five in all,', and ensure to him employment, if required, I at least three "days a week at fair wages for; at least four years, making roads to their sections of land ; the remainder of their time; I would insist on their clearing and cultivating their land or forfeit the s?>ne, until they had at least forty .acres cleared of the; seventy-five, before they would be entitled l to the Crown grants. If some such plan 1 was; adopted, we should not; require anjrißa- ! migrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, or,. any other country,' at. the Government expense." ;.' ■.;■:. ; ■ ■. ■■-. >■'.;.:■•;• ;