Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1226, 3 July 1872, Page 2

The fire bells rang an alarm at 3.30 this morning, when it was ascertained that a fire had broken out either in the store or stable belonging to Mr Alex. Constantine, near the junction of Albert and Hospital streets. There were four horses in the stable, two of which were got out, besides L4OO worth cf goods in store. The loss is estimated at L7OO. The premises being detached, the fire did not extend. The cause is unknown. Judge Harvey arrived from Westport yesterday by the steamer Wallace, and at. eleven o'clock held a sitting of the District Court for the hearing of applications in bankruptcy. In the cases of Robert Haynes, F. J. Elmer, and John Cronin, the 12th of August was appointed as the day for each bankrupt's examination. In the adjourned case of Henry Mitchell, hotel keeper and butcher at Camptown, Mr Newtou appeared for Mr Carter" and others, as opposing ere* ditors, and Mr Guinness appeared for the bankrupt. After an examination of the bankrupt and addresses by counsel, his Honor said the bankrupt had made various statements at various times, and none of them seemed to agree. The statement made to the trustee for the estate appeared to be the truth of the matter. He nad very little doubt that, at a time when the bankrupt knew he was to be sued by bJB creditor, Carter, and made over cattle to two of his creditors, W. S. Campbell and J. Condy, he did so with the object of defeating Carter's claim. It was' sworn to by the witness Orchard, and he himself told the trustee, that he knew he was to be summoned. He should like to have seen both of these creditors, and the bankrupt ought to have brought them to the Court. He came there on his defence and to get a discharge from the Court, and it wan the duty of no person but himself to put his case in as favorable a light &» possible. He knew the evidence before the trustee, and he took Tory good care, in his statement of accounts, to alter many of the points to which refer* ence had been made. His Honor con* sidered the bankrupt to be guilty under the 120 th section, sub-section 2, and he con* sidered it a very gross case. He would suspend the bankrupt's certificate for the full time the law allowed— .namely, three years. On the application of Mr Newton, the costs of the opposing creditors were allowed, and the Court was then adjourned sine die. The body of the unfortunate man Ham* son, who was drowned a few days ago at Red Jack's, was brought down by boat to Cobden last evening. The funeral will probably take place to-day. The West Coast Times reports that there ate now about 400 persons at the Woodstock rush. Gold has been struck by five different parties, and prospects are showing well. Mr Frank Guinness, one of the representatives of the Grey Valley in the Nelson Provincial Council, addressed a crowded meeting of the electors at the Conrt House, Ahaura, on Monday evening last, Mr Pinkerton being in the chair. Mr Guinness gave a detailed account of the proceedings in the Provincial Council during the recent session, including a full expose of the O'Conor scandal. At the conclusion of Mr Guinness's address, which occupied several hours in its delivery, the meeting passed a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence An extended report of the proceedings at Mr Guinness's meeting will be given in our next. In another column there appears a report of the evidence taken by the Coroner, Mr Whitefoord, regarding the death of Edwin or Edward Harrison, who was drowned a few days ago. The evidence, the remarks of the Coroner, and the finding of the jury, point to the conduct of one of the witnesses. Richard E. Tacon, as having been most exemplary, both as regards his attempt to save the life of the deceased man, and the trouble he took afterwards in aiding the recovery of the body. It has been suggested to us by Mr Whitefoord that Tacon's conduct is well worthy of some public recognition, and ■we believe the circumstances thoroughly warrant some testimonial being presented to him. Any subscriptions which may be made for that purpose will be willingly received by Mr Whitefoord, who will, no doubt, be able to advise or accept the advice of subscribers as to what shape any such testimonial should take. Last night the newly-arrived comedy and burlesque troupe, consisting of Miss Gassy Matthews, Miss Nye, Mr Woolfe, Signor Donato and others, made their first appearance at the Volunteer Hall. Considering that the Stephenson Company had just finished a highly satisfactory season, and had arranged that the new arrivals should have the use of the stage for a time, there was no surprise that a very well-filled house should have assembled last night to welcome the new company. As to the performance, the first piece, "Hunting a Turtle," wu not well chosen, as it gave none of the performers an opportunity of displaying their individual powers. The 11 big sun-flower *\ song and dance, by Little Amy, were well given and encored. This was followed by the appearance of Si»nor Donato, the famous one-legged dancer, who displayed wonderful agility in bis particular role, and perfectly astounded those who have hitherto labored under the impression that to dance properly requires the assistance of two legs. Signor Donato was encored, and loudly applauded, when he acknowledged the honor conferred. The performance concluded with the burlesque of " Lurline," in which the whole of the members of the

company appeared with much success, and were received with great enthusiasm. The various members of the company are so well known in New Zealand theatrical circles that there can be no doubt they will be well patronised during their stay here, and we anticipate that they will, after a successful season, leave with the assurance that another professional visit to Greymouth would not be out of place. In the meantime the comS,ny appear every evening at the Volunteer all. At the .Resident Magistrate's Court yes terday, the following civil oases were heard : J. Fraaer v. J. Bourke, L 3 14s 6d ; judgment for plaintiff with costs. W. Wright v. Chas. Ludwig, L 5 ; deb^t admitted, and payment ordered at the rate of 10s per week. Hamilton and Go. v. James Green ; judgr ment by default for L3G 12s 7d and costs. The monthly meeting of the Greymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade took place on Mon day evening, Captain Amos in the chair. The minutes of the previous meetings were read'and confirmed. A letter received from the Victoria Insurance Office was read, and consideration of same was postponed till next monthly meeting. Several additions and alterations to the present rules were ordered to be made. Mr James King was elected a member of the Brigade. A letter from a person named M'Farlane, who, with one or two others, was prospecting near Mataora, a few miles distant from Waihi, which is six miles north of Katikati, Btates that the writer and his party had discovered two payable gold-bearing reefs in that locality ; that trial washings had given three grains of gold to the dish ; and that M'Farlane intended to proceed to Auckland to claim a reward for discovery of a goldfield. The neighborhood, and beyond Waihi, has always been pronounced the most promising country for gold', and as it almost trenches on the Aroha and Ohinemuri territory, probabilities are "still more in its favor. A woman in Auckland has been sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with hard labor, on her fiftieth conviction for drunkenness. She bears the suggestive name of M'Ginn. Mr A. S. Collins has resigned his seat in the Nelson Provincial Council, which creates a vacancy in the representation of the city of Nelson. Miss Stephensonj Mr Burford, and the members of the dramatic company who have been performing in Greymouth for some time past, left for Hokitika yesterday by eoacb, intending to proceed to Ross, where they are t) make their first appearance this evening. A large number of tickets for the Masonic ball at Hokitika have already been sold, and it promises to prove a success. What may turn out to.be a discovery of some importance to Coromandel was made last week at the Waikoramika Creek. For years past magnificent specimens have been found in this locality, but no reef could be seen, and prospecting parties have all labored in vaiu. Messrs Quinton and Nichols, however, came across a reef a few days'" ago, which was found to be gold-bearing, and was 4dwt or sdwt out of a dish. The report was at first discredited, but Mr Lloyd, who returned from the locality last week, says that a really splendid prospect can be obtained, but it is not the Tokatea reef, as was at first supposed. A few days will probably test to a great extent the value of the discovery. The open shooting season, which in Nelson lasts for a month, commenced on Monday, and promises to be a fatal one to the pheasants, eighty licenses having been taken out, twenty-five of them being one pound licenses, which allow the holders to shoot over any part of the country, and the remainder being shilling ones, which permit the licensee to shoot only upon his own property. We hear the birds are generally plentiful, and, with the present prospect of fine weather, good sport may be anticipated. The' Southern Gross says that, so far as Auckland is concerned, there can be no doubt about the success of the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand. According to the scale which it is proposed to adopt in dividing the shares, Auckland would be entitled to 6250, but up to last evening 9000 shares had been applied for. The provisional directors will continue to receive applications to the 13th of July ; and if any of the Southern Provinces do not apply for the number allotted to them, the surplus shares will be divided amongst the applicants beyond the 6250. According to telegrams received, the evidence at the inquiry as to the recent fire in the premises of M'Leod, china and glass warehouseman, Dunedin, revealed nothing as to the origin of the fire. Campbell detailed the sale ef the business to M'Leod. The latter paid L 7020 for stock, and LISOU for good-will ; the amount of good-will not beiug payable for two years. On stock purchase, he had paid L5OO cash, the rest by bills, which were all to be paid as they matured. Campbell said, in addition to the loss of the Ll5OO due by M'Leod for goodwill, he lost the stock, leaving- him only some small shipments to arrive. M'Leod's custom was worth LlOOO a month. Verdict : No evidence to show how the fire originated. Tnere is at the present time exhibiting in the shop window of Mr H. Drew, watchmaker, Nelson, a rare curiosity in the shape of an Atua, or Maori god, the name of which is E. Tiki, who, tradition asserts, was the first Maori that landed in New Zealand, and whose wife, E. Pani, brought with her the kumera, or sweet potato, and also the taro. E. Tiki and his wife are said to have bben driven out to sea by a gale of wind from Awaiki, and caßt upon the shores of New Zealand, from which period E. Tiki has found a place amongst the gods of the New Zealanders. The deity is made of polished greenstone, about five or six inches long, is in a kind of sitting posture, with the head awry, and having a face as ugly as the faces of Maori gods generally are. A hole is drilled through the upper part, and the thing seems to have been suspended round the neck of its possessor. The Wanganiii Chronicle of the 15th says : —"The heaviest thunderstorm that has visited this district for some years past was experienced last night about nine o'clock. The storm was preceded by two or three flashes of lightning, followed by as many claps of thunder, which appeared to be close at hand. One of the flashes of lightning struck the roof of Chavanne's Rutland Hotel, tearing up a sheet of iron, and then run down into the billiard room, where one of the Venetian blinds was thrown violently about by its action. The aperture made in the roof let the rain into tne billiard room, and buckets were in requisition to protect the table. An enormous quantity of hail fell during the evening, the ground in many places having the appearance of snow, a Bight which is not often seen in Wanganui." John Ward, who had been arrested in Greymouth oh a charge of perjury, and who was remanded to Hokitika, was brought before the Resident Magistrate at the latter place on Monday. He was charged with perjuring himself in evidence given by him in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Hokitika, on the 22nd May, in a case in which he (prisoner) was plaintiff and James Jackson was defendant. Mr Purkiss defended the prisoner. The circumstances under which the prosecution has been instituted are these : — Prisoner sued Jackson for L 9, for work done for putting up a post-and-rail fence. In giving evidence, he swore that he had beeu engaged to do the work by Jackson, and when

cross-examined by Mr Button, he denied that he was to do the work for Mr.Bruce. He said that the agreement was verbal and that there was nothing in writing about it. He admitted that he knew that Jackson was a sheep-driver and was working in that capacity for Mr Bruce, but he persisted that nothing was said about Mr Biuce when prisoner was engaged to do the work, Jackson saying expressly that, it was for himself. Mr Button then produced a paper which prisoner admitted to be in his handwriting, and which was a specification for the identical work to be done by prisoner for Bruce, Esq. On the document being shown to prisoner he stated that he had written it out merely for Jackson's guidance, and it was not an agreement as it was not signed. He was then nonsuited, and the present proceedings taken. Constable O'M alley having proved thit prisoner had been duly .sworn, and that he had given evidence as stated, a remand was granted until the 10th instant, on the application of Inspector James. Bail was allowed, prisoner in L5O and two sureties in L 25 each. '■ In a note to a letter on the now notorious O'Cpnor case, the Nelson Colonist says :— When the Gorham controversy raged amidst the English Church and among the English journals some score of years ago, an Indian paper, the Delhi Gazette, published on the subject a leading article, which read as follows: — "THE GORHAM CASE. '•D n the Gorham case f" The article was copied with approval by the English papers all over India. People had had enough o£ the controversy, and this gave it a quietus. There has been far more than enough of the O'Conor controversy, and many will be apt to apply to it the adjective quoted. We heartily concur, and unless a new phase presents itself this letter must end the discussion in our columns. Substantial justice has been done, the public right has been preserved, public reprobation has been displayed where it was merited ; and so, mutat'us mutandis— " The Gorham Case!" Referring to the San Francisco mail subsidies, the Nelson Colonist remarks :— " Unaided hy Victoria, and lacking the American subsidy, it seems to us impossible that the line can be maintained. Mr Yogel merits great credit for his arrangement with the late Victorian Ministry, and even his political foes (except the few who are for ever snarling at the upper end of Blind Bay) acknowledged the judgment and good management he displayed in this provisional contract, which not unfairly apportioned the colonial cost of the line between New Zealand and Victoria according to the benefits and paying power of each* New Zealand would have been able to pay this L 27.500, but with the probability of' the Victorian Parliament declining to confirm, the Vogel-Duffy contract, the subsidy would again threaten to fall on the shoulders of this Colony, and this means the continuance of L 50.000 per annum, which, unassisted, is, as we have often said, more than New Zealand can bear at the present juncture." At the meeting of the Canterbury Presbytery, on Thuraday week, after the transaction of other business, calls from Hokitika and Ross were moderated upon. The call from Hokitika to the Rev Mr Cree was declined by the rev gentleman in consideration of the opinions 01 his congregation at Leeston. The call from Ross to the Rev Mr Hogg was accepted. It appeared that the congregation there were prepared to offer a yearly stipend of L3OO with the Manse, which was already furnished by them. Mr. Fraser stated that the congregation was in an exceedingly promising condition, and that he believed Mr Hogg's settlement would greatty promote the interests of the church in that quarter. Application was made from the congregation at Hokitika for ministerial supply, for the months of July and August. Mr Fraser proposed that the Rev w. S. M'Gowan and A. F. Douglas should be appointed to Hokitika for three monehe, urging that in the case of so important a charge as that of Hokitika, the practice of the Established and Free Churches of Scotland should be followed, and supply be provided by the Presbytery as often as was practicable. At the instance of Messrs M'Gowan and Douglas, the motion was withdrawn), the Presbytery expressing its sympathy with the congregation