Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1122, 2 March 1872, Page 2

The result of tho trial crushing from tho Energetic Companj''s claim, Inangahua, was "brOUgm; TO~ tOWII Inob mailing.-- Ton toxin t\t ordinary stone were put through the Murray Creek Cement Co.'s machine, and when cleaned up gave the very handsome return of 43 ounces 1 dwt., being an average of 4 ounces G dwts. to the ton. This is a highly satisfactory result, and proves beyond any doubt the richness of the reefs which are now being opened out in that district. The. death of one who was, in two senses, an old resident of Hokitika— Mr Archibald Bonar— was announced yesterday. Many residents of Invercargill, of Hokitika, and of other places in the Colonies will remember the good, homely, hearty old gentlemau whose days have thus ended. Mr Bonar was a type ot that class of homely old people who are, as yet, seldom met with in the Colonies, but whose presence among us 13 like a green spot in Nature's waste. Many will remember him, and, with his son, will regret the death of one who was deservedly esteemed by his family and by the general community. Mr Charles Broad, who has been appointed Warden at Reefton, arrived in Greymouth yesterday, having made the journey overland from Charleston after being present at a public banquet at which he was the guest. Mr Broad proceeds to Reef con to-dajr, with the Hon. Mr Reeves, Mr Haughton, and Mr Dobson. It tvas stated on good authority at Reefton, on Thursday, that Mr S. Mackley, one of the members of the Nelson Provincial Council for the Grey Valley, had sent in his resignation of his seat. Much speculation is afloat as to the probable successor of Mr Mackley in case the report of his resignation proves correct. Messrs Robert Alcom, of Totara Flat ; J. W. Jones, of Callaghan Creek ; and Mr F. Guinness, of Ahaura, are generally spoken of as likely to be requested by the constituency to stand. Either of these gentlemen would be an eligible candidate. Mr Jones, at that time a resident at Nelson Creek, was nominated for the vacant scat when Messrs Wilkie and Franklyn contested the election at which the former gentleman was returned. It was discovered, when Mr Jones was nominated at Cobden, that he was not qualified as a candidate, ana he retired from the contest, but that objection docs not now exist. An amateur dramatic entertainment was given last evening, in the Volunteer Hall, in aid of the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the recent flood. The entertainment as a whole, and merely as an entertainment, deserves to be spoken of with the highest praise. By the amateur actors there had been great attention paid to the preparation of ' ' properties," and to the rehearsal of their parts, and the sequence was a success. The merits of the entertainment, general and particular, we must refer, to again. There was a good attendance, and thereby a good contribution to the fund. As the preparations were so elaborate, and the acting so excellent, the performers might justifiably be invited to repeat their appearance on the stage. The amateurs at Ross have been compelled to postpone their entertainment for the benefit of the Greymouth sufferers by the flood, in consequeuce of the illness of one of the lady performers. By the Aborigiue, 1000 ft of very strong linen hose has arrived from Melbourne for the Ross Fire Protection Committee. The Hokitika Star states that the County Solicitor has given it as his legal opinion that the right of collecting tho tolls in the county cannot bo sold by auction. The various lots which were recently put up to public competition were not withdrawn from sale in consequence of this opinion, but such a high reserve was placed upon them that no sale was effected. A singular case of assault in the Caledonian mine was heard lately at the Thames Resident Magistrate's Court. It appears that visitors to the mine ate now searched. Qu

the occasion in question no warning that any search would be made was given, and a visitor named O'Hea was seized by a rough Cornisbnian, one of the miners, and, very naturally resisting, was knocked down, and had his clothes torn, besides receiving bruises. The Court fined the miner 20a, aud costs for his monstrously unmannerly c'6nduct. The Herald says "if this is the kind of reception to be expected in mines, visitors will do well to provide themselves with knuckle dusters." Whoever is responsible for the old Customs wharf had better either demolish it or feucc it in, otherwise some fatal accident may be expected any day. It is one mass of pot-holes, and even the apparently Bound planks are more dangerous than the vacancies, because they are all thoroughly rotten, and at auy step the pressure of a foot may maim a fellow creature for life. Yesterday afternoon, a dray loaded with bonded goods was backing up to the Transit-shed, wheu the horse got its fore feet on the wharf ; the plank gave way, and it went down. A number of men ran to the rescue, rolled back the dray, got planks under the body of the horse and lifted it out of its painful position. It did not appear to be muck hurt except that the blood was streaming from one of its hind legs, but it is only a miracle that it was not Killed. • Until something is done it would be advisable for the Customs authorities to stop using the shed and to land the passengers from the Melbourne steamers at some safer place. In its present dilapidated condition, it is a standing disgrace to all who have- any control over it. Levuka is in such a filthy condition that the "Priucipal Health Officer for Fiji," Dr Rilcy, formerly of Hokifcika, writes to a local paper, stating that an epidemic will inevitably visit the place unless steps aro taken to prevent it. According to the Wanganiti Herald, the first work of the recently elected Mayor, Mr Watt, will be to take steps to introduce into the town an adequate supply of pure water, which it is probablo will be, drawn from the natural reservoir, Lake Virginia. The Palmerston (Otago) correspondent of the Bruce Herald writes:— "Two very large fish have been seen in the river, sup posed to have been salmon trout ; one of them has been seen by more than a dozen persons, and they all declare it to be over two and a-half feet in length, and what makes the matter moro interesting is the fact that some scores of young trout, from three to nine inches long, are to be seen in the same pool along with it." We notice in the Wellington papers a challenge issued by oue William Macnamara, a bootmaker, to any tradesman in New Zealand, and especially in Canterbury, to do a largcx amount of work in one day or one week for any wager anyone likes to mention. Mr Brogden has made au offer to the Corporation of Auckland to construct the works for the supply of water to that city. We are informed by the Southern Cross that Mr Brogden proposes to construct the works, to retain them, or to dispose of them after construction to the Council, according to the option o£ the Council itself. He is willing to accept a guaranteed interest on the outlay required, or that the Council sbould purchase them at a price, or per arrangement, at the end of seven, ten, fourteen, or twentyone years. With so varied and so satisfactory proposals, we are warranted in expect' ing that arrangements will be definitely concluded between the Council and Mr Brogden; at least we do not think it possible that any proposal will emanate from any private company, or any other source,. being at all comparable to thooo at present . the subject of negotiation." Ib'would" -appear from the report of the interview between Mr Brogdeu aud the Corporation, that his offer is likely to be accepted.