THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1117, 26 February 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1872.

Mr Henry Mackintosh, who, until a few days ago, was a member oi the staff of the Grey River Argus, met with his death by drowning m the Little Grey River on Saturday last. It is with the deepest regret that we announce tho death, under such circumstances, of one with whom all m this office have been intimately associated for several months past, who was known to some of his Greymouth friends since boyhood, and who, i a youth and manhood, was distinguished by his amiable and generous disposition. His death will be heard of also with deep regret by bereaved relatives m the Colony, and by the many friends whom he made, among both employers and employed, m other newspaper offices m which he has been engaged. Mr Mackintosh left Greymouth on Monday last for the Ahaura. He stayed there for a few dajs, and was on his way to Reefton when he met the accidonc which was the cause of his death. The particulars of the melancholy incident, as furnished by our Ahaura correspondent, are these : — " On Saturday, a packer for Mr James M'lnroe, on his way from the Junction to Reefton, found the dead body of a man on one of the beaches of the Little Grey 'not far from its confluence i with the Blackwater Creek. The body was brought to the Ahaura on Saturday night, when it was identified as that of Mr Mackintosh, compositor, lately employed on the staff of the Argus. Tho deceased left Ahaura on Friday morning for Reefton, and it is supposed that he met his death while attempting to ford the Blackwater Creek at the place where the bridge recently stood. " The immediate cause of the accident appears to be that he followed the dray-track into the river, instead of keeping on the foottrack. An inquest will be held on tho remains at tho Ahaura on Monday (this) morning, and the funeral will take place at the cemetery hero on Tuesday morning." Mr Mackintosh was a young and stalwart man, about thirty-two years of age, and wa? one of a family of whom there are several members m these Colonies. He was the son of the Rev Mr Mackintosh, who -was for a number of years Principal of the UuiverI sity of Halifax, m Nova Scotia, and who was afterwards settled as a minister of the Church of Scotland m an important parish m the neighborhood of tho city of Edinburgh. On tho decease of his father, ho entered the employment of the Messrs Gray, proprietors of tho North British Advertiser, m which office he was taught his profession as a compositor. About live years ago ho arrived m thi3 Colony, and was for some turn a member of tho staff of the Otago Daily Times, and subsequently m tho oflico of the2?7^ce#/aw(?artfjTokomairiro. Leaving that place for Victoria, he for a short time resided with a brother m the Interior of that Colony, but returned to Hokitika, and resumed work as a compositor on the West Coast Times, on leaving which office, list year, he camo to Greymouth. His only

relative m this Colony is a senior brother, who has been for a number of years an officor of the Customs at Dunedirt. His widowed mother and a sister still reside m Edinburgh. Bereaved as they have already been by family losses, the news of this death of a son and brother of estimable character will be heard by them with peculiar porrow, and this sorrow will be shared m an unusual degree by his schoolfellows, by his fellowapprentices, and by those who, m later years, met him as fellow-member of printers' " companionships." His geniality and rare kindliness of disposition made him a favorite with all his friends, and many who have spent " the midnight oil " with him m the workroom of a morning paper, will remember with sad satisfaction how much he contributed to the cheerfulness of their lives, while they will mourn his early and melancholy death. A slight fresh m the river and a high tide had the effect of taking away some more of the river-bank yesterday, at Richmond Quay. Sunday as it was, exertion was made to prevent this encroachment by a gang of men being put on at the quarry, from which a supply of stone was conveyed by drays, and deposited at the most assailable points. A temporary stop to anything like 3erious encroachment'was thus effected. We hear that satisfactory arrangements have been made between the County Government and Mr Garven, the contractor for the Omotumotu and Arnold road, as to the construction of the road according to the deviations which were rendered necessary po as to avoid the railway line. The work, which was partially m abeyance until this arrangement was made, will now, it is hoped, be carried on -w ithout further interruption. Mr Fox, after a stay of a few days at tbe Ahaura, returned to Greymouth, and to-d ( ay proceeds to Hokitika to join the Hon. Mr Fox, accompanied by Mr Fox's secretary, Mr Brown, who returned from Reefton by the Grey Valley route. We understand that the Superintendent of Nelson, Mr Curtis, did not accompany the Premier, as a passenger by the Kennedy, but that he has prolonged his stay at Westport. He ■« ill probably come direct to Greymouth on the next northern trip of the Charles Edward. Hokitika is favored by the presence of no fewer than three representatives of the General Government, who are accommodated, during their visit, m the County Chairman's mansion. The Premier, Mr Fox, arrived there by tbe Kennedy from Westport. Previous to his arrival, Mr ideeves, the Minister of Public Works ; n the Middle Island, came overland from Christchurch ; and Mr Haughton was a still earlier arrival as representative of the Government m connection with water-supply and other public works on the Gold Fields. The circumstances on Saturday were not very favorable to equestrian entertainments, and, m consequence of the softness of the grouud, the afternoon performance intended to be given by the Great World Company had to be indefinitely postponed. In the e\ eniug also the entertainment was interfered with by the heavy squalls which prevailed, and Avhich did some damage to Mr Murray's marquee. Everything, however, is m readiness for a repetition of the entertainment this evening, and these who were disappointed on Saturday will have one raoro opportunity of witnessing the company's equestrian and gymnastic feats. The sudden and smart north-west gale of Thursday last drove the sea into some of the principal streets of Westport, and iaipeded tbe traffic by the deposit of driftwood and debris. From some of tho houses m the northern suburbs of the town the residents had also to remove their furniture and effects. On Friday a deputation waited upon the Superintendent as to the entire removal of the tow a to another and more favorable site. Some mysterious correspondence, regarding as yet equally mysterious circumstances, has .within the past few days been the subject of inquiry on the part of the police. On Thursday we received a letter, dated February 19, and signed "J. Weston, New River, South Beach," m which was described the finding of a number of blood-stained articles, such as clothing and music-paper, with an umbrella and broken waiking-cane, on the tramway bridge near the house formerly occupied by Mr Harrison. The letter was so peculiarly dictated that we preferred to forward it to the Inspector of Police, and we believe that it led to some inquiries being made which proved the letter to be to a certain extent truthful. Since then there has been published another letter, dated February 22, to which the signature was "Alfred Alsen, Upper Saltwater," and which gave a singularly similar description of certain articles found on the bridge on the morning of Sunday week. The police have made endeavors to discover the writers of both letters, but have yet failed m finding any persons answering either the names or the addresses given, and unless the writers come forward the presumption must be that some hoax upon the public is being attempted. It ia true that some of the facts described m these communications — the finding of blood-stains on the bridge, of blood-stained music-paper and small pieces of clothing, and of a demolished umbrella — have been confirmed by the researches made by the police; but there is no evidence to show that they are connected with either accident or crime. The evidence of those who pretend to be the first finders of these things is essential, and if their communications are sincere, it is their duty to make them, not through tbe papers, but directly to the police. If they fail to do so the suspicion must be, notwitbfttanding the discovery of the articles described, that the whole affair is some design to perpetrate upon the public some stupid reprehensible practical joke. The repairs to the streets damaged by the late flood will be proceeded with energetically by the Borough Council whenever the weather is propitious. It is proposed to-day to proceed with the following works : — Taiuui street, from Mawhera Quay to Bell Tower, Tainni street culvert, Alexander street, Mount street, Waite street, Worita street, and general repairs to footpaths. As soon as the owners of the debris now lying m Gresson and Arney streets have it removed the repairs to these streets •will be commenced. The Premier reached Reefton on Tuesday evening, 20th inst. The journey through the bush by the so-called new track over the dividing range between the Little Grey and Innugahna Rivers was performed with some difficulty. The Premier was accompanied by Messrs Whitefoord, Mirfin, and others. It appears that Mr Fox and his party party were chasing a sort of a will-o'-the-wisp when they attempted to follow Mr Johnston's track, as laid down m the guideplan with which they were furnished. After shaping their course for some distance, by means of the trees blazed and Bcribed by Mr Johnston, they suddenly lost those indications, and did not come across them again until the top of the Saddle was reached. It is again asserted that Mr Johnston has not discoveied a new route, but that he has availed himself of O'Maltey and Jenkins' track. A new claimant has turned up for the honor of discovering this new short route to Reefton. This person says he marked and travelled along tho track years before those who have usurped the merit duo him as first discoverer oven came into the district. This explorer rejoices m tho name of ''Tommy i

'Retained for the Defence," the principal haracfcers m which were taken by : Messrs Jutcher, Banks, R. 0. Jones, and Bastings, ,ud by " a lady amateur." The curtain fell o great applause, and after some musical elections by the Band, a musical interlude ollowed. Mr White sang a sea song, which vas received with great applause, and -was mcored. Messis Weinberg and Knox each ;avc a sonij, and m conclusion of the second portion of the entertainment, Messrs Blake, Jones, and Butcher took part m a diverting 3ort of medley, called " A dance and negrp Enolishm'ents." The entertainments consluded witli the farce of the "Area Belle." * The Hokitika Star reports that a man, known by the name of " Scotty," engaged m cutting timber on the Sawmills Tramway, and formerly employed on the Waipara, met with a severe accident while felling a tree. The axe he was using was caught m a supple jack while he was m the act of striking, and descended on his head with great force, laying it open, aad taking away part of the skull. .' The appointments of the Wesleyan Ministers m New Zealand for the year 1872-73, have been published, and the only change m the Nelson Circuit is the removal of the Rev Mr Thomas from Motueka, , to Hokitika, Mr Thomas, says the Colonist, is an energetic and much beloved minister; and his departure is deeply regretted by the people of Motueka. Daniel M'Coy has been committed to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court m Wanganui, on the charge of murdering Francis Daddy. The evidence tends to support all that has been favorably supposed on behalf of the accused ; or, m other words, it emphatically shows the case to be one of justifiable homicide only. The magistrates, m committing the prisoner, said that the Court was of opinion that the milder charge of manslaughter would be preferred. Bail \t as allowed, the accused m £500 and two sureties m £250 each. The great native meeting of the Waikato and Taupo tribes, about the results of which so many fears were entertained some time ago, has at last come off. The meeting was to take into consideration the question whether the making of the road from Cambridge to Lake Taupo district should be permitted to proceed, or whether it should be stopped. The meeting was largely attended by natives from both sides of the Waikato. Many speeches were made, and only a small section of the assembled tribes who reside upon the west of the Waikato river were at all opposed to the work. The natives of all the tribes to the eastward of that river were warmly m favor of the road being made as quickly as possible. The " sorrows of a would-be swell" furnished the Auckland Resident Magistrate's Court with plentiful food for laughter on Saturday last. He hired a horse to go to the Whau, but must have fulfilled the proverb of "going further and faring worse," for he got drunk. He beat the animal unmercifully, rode furiously, and was "taken up." He exhibited a great affluence .of yellow chain, and talked glibly pf an attempt to rob him of "his gold watch and chain." A request was made by the police "to show" his gold watch, which was not complied with. Coercion was resorted to; the gold watch was found to be a -wound-up ball of dirty-looking rag, and the chain was brilliant Brummagem. Reviewing Mr Fitzherbert's speech, de* livered at the luncheon on the day when the foundation stone of the new Provincial Government Buildings of Wellington was laid, the New Zealand Herald says :— " We may fairly infer that Messrs Gisborne and Fitzherbeit indicated the leading principles of the Constitutional amendment which the Government will submit on the one hand, and j which the Superintendent of Wellington is prepared, on behalf of his Province, to accept on the other. In short, the Provincial system is not to be attacked as it was last session. It is simply to be tied up m such a way as to render it harmless ; and no doubt, by means of a few more concessions to the City and Province of Wellington, the block vote of that Province will settle the question."

the Fossicker," and he assured oifr informant that it is so long since he heard himself addressed by his real name that he has forpotten it. Mr Fox's party sent their horses on to Eeefton, when they decided to travel by the.new road on foot. The horses reached lleeiton long before the owners of .them, and the person m charge of the animals announced that the Premier was coining. The Premier received a deputation with an address, on Tuesday evening, at Reefton. He made a tour round the quartz workings on Wednesday, and left for Westport on Thursday morning. Mr Warden Whitefoord, Mr Brown, the Premier's private secretary, Messrs Mirfin, Guinness, and tho other gentlemen who accompanied Mr Fox on his visit to Eeefton, returned to Ahaura on Thursday night. It was reportedjon Monday thaj; rich ground had been opened m the ranges oh the Northern bank of the tfrey, between Moonlight and Slaty Greeks. The rumor has not yet been confirmed, but the locality is one to which old prospectors have long had a hankering, as it bears every indication of being richly auriferous. His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson addressed a meeting of the of Reefton and that district m tihe early part of the week. Mr Curtis would seem to have convinced at least some of his hearers that his Government was all that could be desired, for it was proposed to pass an unqualified vote of confidence m the Superintendent and his Executive. Even Mr Curtis could not swallow this bolus, and the mover of the resolution, Mr Drury, was requested to withdraw it. The resolution was reluctantly withdrawn, and m its stead a vote was carried, simply thanking his Honor for his address. Another narrow escape from drowning occurred m the Ahaura river on Wednesday, February 21. A traveller down country attempted to cross the river on horseback, below M'Kenna's brewery. He mistook the proper fording-place and was carried down the river some distance. The horse m this instance again saved the rider's life, and if some of these riders paid more deference m the matter of crossing rivers to the immeasurably superior intelligence of the dumb brutes which carry them, it would be better for both individuals. The road on the southern bank of the river, from M'Kenna's to the punt at Gough's feiry, which was partially destroyed during the late flood, is now open again for traffic, and travellers are not obliged to attempt crossing those dangerous floods, especially when they are unacquainted with them. A deputation from the Borough Council of Hokitika waited upon the Hon. Mr Reeves, on Friday. Copies of reports upon the harbor protective woi*ks were laid before Mr Reeves, a3 furnished by Mr Blackett, the assistant engineei -in-chief ; Mr C. Y. O'Connor, district engineer ; and Mr Frew, County engineer; showing that the outlay upon the wharf during the last three years had far exceeded the income derived from it. It was also shown that the amount of revenue derived by the Government from the port, of Hokitika during the same period exceeded £210,000, and that the revenue received by the Corporation from all sources was inadequate for the requirements of the wharf, and for the works required by the town. Mr Reeves said that the information furnished to him by the deputation gave him a good idea of the requirements of tho Corporation, and although he had no power of himself to promise immediate relief , he would give a pledge that the matter should not be shelved but should be brought before the Assembly during the next session. . • . A reduction of charges has been made on the Hokitika and Stafford Tramway. A heavy squall m Nelson, on Monday last, blew down some chimneys, and did considerable damage to the hop gardens. The Bishop of Nelson -was expected to hold divine set vice at Reefton yesterday, and to proceed to Westport during the week. The County Council, it will be seen, was on Saturday prorogued ant? l , the second Wednesday m July next. The steamer Kennedy successfully crossed the Karamea bar on her last trip northwards, and took Mr and Mrs Waite to Nelson. It has been determined to insert for the future on the pardons of prisoners sent tc Western Australia a condition that the convicts shall not go to any other Austrab'an colony, and a breach of this condition will entail forfeiture of the pardons. Rich specimens have been obtained from the All Nations mine, at the Thames, and it is said that the general crushing will be s splendid one. Active measures are being taken to ensure the celebration of St. Patrick's Day at the Thames, by holding races and a Hibernian Society's ball. The second of the fine boats belonging tc the Buller Towing-Track Company has been launched, and with some ceremony named the " Rose of the Buller." Her dimensions are : — Length, over all, 56ft ; beam, Bft ; depth, 2ft ; and is capable of taking 8 tons. Arrangements have been made at Westport for an entertainment for the benefit of Ueorge Low, who was seriously injured by an accident during the recent flood. The Oriental Hotel, Auckland, which kas for a long time been under the management of Mr J. Trimble, has changed hands, and has become the property of Mr F. Sullivan. Mr Rogan, barrister, Auckland, met with a very severe and painful accident on Sunday last. The learned gentleman was handling a revolver pistol, when one of the barrels exploded, which completely shattered the right hand. Amputation was successfully performed while the patient was under the influence of chloroform. The works m connection with the Waikato Railway are being pushed forward with increasing vigor. There are now over 200 men employed, and m a short time the number will be largely increased. During a gale at the Thames the wooden building formerly used as a Presbyterian Church at Shortland was lifted right off the blocks, and removed a distance of about 7ft at one end. The building is about 60ft long by about 30ft wide, and the force of the wind must have been very great to have moved such a mass of wood work. The Southern Cross learns by advice from London that a new bank, with a large capital and an influential board of directors, has been successfully floated, and that our Colony is to be the field of operation. It is also rumored that Mr Kennedy, late of the Bank of New Zealand, is to have the management. A reward is offered by Mr Rees, barrister, late of Hokitika, for the discovery, ia the Matawoi district, of a quart? leader that will yield 13d wt to the ton. Throughout the past twelve years specimens of the richest description have been frequently found m that creek, and several times m large quantities, but hitherto ■. no regular leader has been found. The entertainment provided by the Hokitika Vocal and Prainatic Club, at the Duke of Edinburgh Theatro, Hokitika, on Friday night, was most successful, both m a pecuniary and artistic view. The performance was originated to aid the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the late flood iv Greymouth, and, judging by the attendance, a substantial amount should be credited to the fund. After an ' overture by the Weatlaml Riilo Volunteer Band, the curtain rose to tho list a,nd qujy act of tho comedy entitled