Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1168, 26 April 1872, Page 2

Another of the series of public entertain-: mpnts by the Greymouth Literary Society will be giveu to-night, in tho Volunteer Hall, at 8 o'clock. It will principally consist of readings, recitatiojs, and music.

The County Chairman arrived in town on Wednesday night, and returned to Hokitika yesterday. During his visit he distributed to the members, of the police force stationed here LlO each, as a recognition of the gallant

services rendered by them in saving life and property during the recent flood, f. At] the Resident Magistrate's', Court yesterday, Hugh Hamil was charged with stealing an axe, the property of Thomas East. He was dismissed with a caution:— ln the civil case Hamilton and Co. v. Sullivan, a claimfor L 3 lls, judgment, was given by default. — Coulburn. y. Thatcher; no appearance[.;■ case' dismisaed. *- j. / " : '

A public meeting, convened by tho Mayor •of Hokitika, was held v at the v Td\frfl'" Hall' Sff Wednesday evening, .''to into consideration the means to be adopted for providing the Hokitika Fire Brigade with;^," suitable engine," when it w&s resolved^-i "That tho Mayor convene, by circular, a meeting of the leading . citizens of the town for the purpose of definitely devising the means for, the protection, of property from fire." .'. ' .. ,~ .

From the Went- Gqast Times of yesterday we learnthat some stone from Caple's Reef, Boatman's, was tested at the Bank of New Zealand there, and : from- 1 Jibs of stone 2dwt" 12gr of gold were obtained, equal to 1870z [ per ton. : . - / . ■: ■• ■

In addition to the telegrams we pnblished yesterday, we have received the following from Mr T. L. Shephacd, formerly of Greymouth, for the purpose of publication :— MrT. L. Shepherd, M.H.R, addressed the electors of the Dunstan at Cromwell, on the 2flth inst. The Mayor occupied the chair.. His speech took two hours in delivery, and' was well received. ly .The following motion was carried unanimously :— " This meeting has every confidence )n, and approves of the conduct of MrT. L.- 4 Shepherd, M.H.R. for the Dunstan, during last session, and thanks him for his address." . :'' ■

In recsnt, Australian telegrams it ...was mentioned that a new. steamship company had been ■sta'rted'in Melbourne for the j)urpose of purchasing the line of, steamers now possessed by Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwopd? and Co. aiid engaged in the New Zealand and' Australian trade! The following on the subject from .the Melbourne Arc/us will be interesting' to our readers :— lt is proposed to form a company, to ; be called, the, "South Pacific Steam Navigation Company," ' in order to purchase the fleet of Australian ateamei s, nine iv number, at present owned by Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood ahd Co; and employed trading. between Melbourne and the various Australian and New Zealand ports. The' price at which M'Meckan, Blackwood ati&'Co, who are about . to retire". 'from* business," offer 'their property, which includes I goodwill, premises, and stores, is L 165,000, [ and the amount of capital 1 required to float the company is L 200.000. This sum it is proposed to raise by 20,000 LlO shares, on which L 6 will at once be called, and in addition to issue debentures for L 50.000, bearing 6 per cent interest. . Messrs M'Meckan and 'Blackwood are willing to take L 50.000 of the /purchase money in shares of the company, or 30,000 in shares and 20,000 in debentures. It is estimated that the net earnings of the nine steamers will amount to at least L 38.000 per annum, which will give a return, after paying interest, insurance, and other ; charges, of 15 per cent'uer annum on the capital. Looking forward to the rapid extension of steam navigation in this quarter of the world, the projectors are confident that a sucsessful career is open to a company , such as tKey propose to form.

A footrace of 150 yards has|been arranged to come off on ; Saturday week, on the Racecourse, for L2O a side, between Mr Arthur Lowin and Mr Alfred Drake.

It would appear that the guano found at A karoa a short time ago is likely to prove of some commercial value as an article of export. A sample has^ been submitted to Mr Staoaell. for analysis, and the aubatan.ee of bis report ia that the guano is not so good as Peruvian, buc that it compares favorably with a good deal of that which is now imported into England. • -

The Qneenstown papers mentions, as an on dit, '" that some steps are about to be taken to present a testimonial to.. Mr C. E. Haughton, in recognition of Ms long and faithful services in behalf of, the interests of that district. -

The private residence of Mr Gco. Duncan, Rattray street, Dunedin, has been purchased by the Roman Catholic community as a residence ior the. Roman Catholin Bishop and clergy of Dunedin. We undei stand that the amountof the purchase is L 3200.

We learn that the : shipments during March of preserved meats from the three establishments of the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company, reached the very high figure of 1,087,0001 b. The daily production of those establishments during the last four months, ; and at the present time, exceeds 40,0001 b, and this rate is expected to be maintained for two months to come. These figures afford gratifying evidence of the flourishing condition of ■ the meat-preserving industry, and the energy with which the company named is carrying on its operations' ' '■ •■ ' . ' :