THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1233, 11 July 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1872.

The proposers of the resolutions at the recent meeting called to consider the reformation of the systems of government on the West Coast have reason to congratulate themselves, not only upon che favorable reception which was given to their propositions by the people of Greymouth, but aho upon the fact of these propositions being already commented upon by the Hokitika Press as propositions likely to secure approval there and in other communities on the Coast. The spirit in which these propositions were made was that of endeavoring, as far as possible, to represent what the proposers believe to be the general popular feeling throughout the length and breadth of the Gold Fields.' They desired to present to the public nothing that savored of crotchet or chimera— -to suggest nothing startling either in point of novelty or dimensions — but plainly to place before the people what their sense taught them had already the people's sympathy, if not their perfect approval. That sympathy, we may say, was sufficiently expressed, so far as Greymouth was concerned, by the unanimity with which the propositions were passed, and it has been abundantly and appropriately expressed in Hokitika, so far as time and opportunity have permitted, by tho appearance of a temperately written yet warmly approving article in the columns of the West Coast Times. On the introduction of the subject to public attention by the address from Mr Harrison, our contemporary hesitated to commit himself to what he conceived to be a scheme somewhat magnificent in proportions, minute in details, and likely to be cumbersome in its operation, and probably the popular feeling in jris locality went with him. Our contemporary oxhibits less hesitancy in expressing approbation of tho simpler suggestions made. at the meeting at Greymouth, and we trust we may take it for granted that the local feeling is now with him in more marked degree than it was before. The Tivies, while c^ndemniu" County institutions, as they have been found to work in Westland, still holds to the opinion that an extension of the boundary of the present County, so as to x include the northern districts along the same sea-board, would be a simple and easy mode of achieving the object in view. In this particular only do we fail to see any agreement in his arguments, and we have some faith that when he finds it to be the intention of the Greymouth meeting, as it must be the wish of the population generally, to establish any Provincial form of government on the simplest basis possible, he will not decline to give his adhesion to the adoption of the name and attributes of a Province, instead of any extension of the present County. The Times ia with the Greymouth meeting in considering that the three County Councils proposed by Mr Harrison as subordinate institutions might impede rather than promote good government, and also assents to the proposition that to the Provincial Council might be left the constitution of Road Boards, under the powers, we presume he means, of the existing Highways Empowering Act. On another and important pomt — the nomination of a Superintendent by the General Government — our Hokitika contemporary joins with the Grej mouth meeting in recommending that he should be a popularly elected officer, and, however convenient a nominated Superintendent might be in connection with the exercise of the delegated powers, we shall have to confess ourselves much mistaken if the resolution at the Greymouth meeting be not found ito represent the opinions of the vast majority on the West Coast. So far. as this present expression of flukitika opinion • goes, both on that particular 'point and on others to which we have referred, it is to this effect :— 11 Greymouth has pronounced for Provincialism, but it yet remains for other districts to speak. In any case, however, we sincerely trust that a disposition will be evinced to endeavor to arrive at conclusions which shall be generally advantageous, setting aside altogether any local jealousies which may stand in the way of the junction of the West Coast Goldfields under one administration. Apart from the question of Provincialism there is much of what passed at the meeting at Gre\ nioutb. which has our hearty concurrence. We are glad to find, for instance, that the people of Greymouth are jiot more inclined to the establishment of three County Councils than ourselves, thinking with us that we are too much governed already ; that such redundance of government would involve a largo extra cort, perpetuate existing local jealousies, and render the Provincial Council of very little importance. We quite agree) also, that the tormation of Road Boards ru quired for the various districts should be

left to the Provincial Cojuncil, as being composed of gentlemen better acquainted with the wants of the districts; than the General Government or the,- Assembly.. Above all, we are of accord with the resolution passed in favor of the election of the Superintendent "by the people. That point we. have always insisted upon as a necessity, being convinced that no greater curse could be inflicted upon the West Coast Goldfields than to have a nominated Superintendent thrust upon them, while the alternative of leaving the election in the hands of the Councillors is one of which we have had but too much experience. On both occasions during the four years that the County Chairman has been the elective of the Council, the choice has been the result of a compromise, and the proceedings during the election have been in each instance of the most disgraceful character. The only mode of eleotion, therefore, which promises to be satisfactory, is by the people at large, and this we contend for whether the district remain a County or be created into a Province." Of the proceedings of the meeting as a whole, the Times says : — " We have read with very great pleasure the report. It offers several reasons for gratification. Firstly, as indicating the political activity of the inhabitants of Greymouth, and their appreciation of the subject discussed; secondly, because of the candid and considerate spirit by which the proceedings seem to have been animated ; and lastly, because'of the conclusions arrived at, and the resolutions passed."

The annual general meeting of the subscribers to the Grey River Hospital takes place to-night at Gilmer's Hall, at eight o'clock, when a Committee of Management i will be nominated for the ensuing year. It ia said by the Hokitika papers that H. H. lahman, Esq., has been called to the Upper House, and consequently now adds " the honorable" to his name. Yesterday afternoon one of the laborers assisting in unloading the Sarah and Mary, named James Cheatter, fell from the staging into the hold, whereby he sustained some injuries He was at once conveyed to the Hospital. The second crushing of Sheil's Prospecting Claim (the Ajax Company), Inangahua, produced 1200oz amalgam, which was brought to town yesterday, and lodged in the Bank of New Zealand. After retorting, it was expected that the result would be a return' of about 4500z of gold, valued at LI7OO. This was from a fortnight's crushing, and is a most satisfactory yield. At the. Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, the only business was the fining,' of one delinquent in the sum of 10s, for disorderly conduct in Mackay street, on Monday last. The installation of officers of the A. 0. ,F. Court took place on Tuesday night, at the Court-room, Hunt's Club Hotel. There was a large attendance. The following brethren were duly installed into their respective offices by P.C.R. Hoggs — S. O.K. Jones, CM. ; S.W. May, SCR.; Bro. Ashton, Treasurer ; P.C.R. Hall, Recretary. The Chairman of the County Council directs it to be notified for general information that he has appointed E. J. Masters, Esq., J.P., G. King, Esq., J.P., and R. C. Reid, Esq., J.P., to he members of the Grey Board of Health. It is stated that Mr James Smith, of spiritualistic celebrity, is about to start a daily newspaper in Dnnedin. A person recently fell on a defective highway in Walcham, Massachusetts, had an eye knocked out, sued the town, and got 2500 dollars, damages. It is said that 800 out of the 1000 shares, in the proposed Freight Company in Auckland were taken up the first day, though only a partial canvass of the city was made. The Gazette announces that Mr John Henry La Moth Ralfe has ' been elected a member of the County Council, in room of Mr M. Scanlan, resigned. ; An accident has occurred in the Excelsior Claim, Ross, by which a miner named William Green had his left foot severely injured. He was engaged in trucking out the dirt, when the truck capsized, and fell on his foot. , Mr L. Daniell, of Wanganui, has lost about 35 valuable long-wooled sheep. The carcases were found on the run, having been killed and mangled by dogs. Professor Black is now engaged in analysing a sample of water from a source whence it is proposed to supply fort Chalmers. Mining operations at Mount Ida are still nearly suspended for want of water, the thaws Tby day being counteracted by frosts by night. Skating on the dams has been "all the rage," and the Chronicle has "heard the ice spoken of as sufficiently thick and strong to bear a team of horees. " The County Chairman has granted protection to Card Brothers, for a track about 15 chains loner, commencing at the .Cockabulla ! Creek, and extending about five chains east of peg 14 on the Clifton road. The protection expires on the 31at December. Mr James Hamilton has received protection for a track about two and a-half miles long, from Rutherglen to Welshman's Terrace. Card Brothers have also received protection for a track following the New River Valley from the mouth of the Cockabulla Creek to the mouth of Maori Creek, at A M line, a distance of about five and a-half miles. This protection is also to cea*e on the 31st December. ! The Auckland Provincial Treasurer was in one day enriched to the extent of about L3OOO by publicans' license-fees. A Chinese doctor has commenced practice in the Chinese Camp at Tuapeka. He advertises himself as being "licensed as a duly qualified surgeon by the British authorities of Hong Kong." A company has been formed to work an extensive coal seam on the side of the Firth of lhames opposite the gold fields. The capital is L 40.000, of which three-foutths are held by English capitalists Arrangements have been made with the natives to allow of 1 a tramway ten miles in length being constructed from the mines to a convenient shipping placet "lEgles," writing in the Australasian, says: -"The Hustler's Tribute Company, at Sandhurst, has, since November last, paid 21.000 per cent. In other words, it has, in seven months, returned its paid-up capital 211 times.

The last session of the present County Council commenced yesterday at Hokitika at neon. All the members were present except Mr Button. The Chairman was formally congratulated on his call to the Upper House of Assembly., The County Chairman's speech showed liabilities of 1^18,871, against assets of L 10.300 The liability is made, up of a debt to the Bank, and is owing to the action of the General Government, including an old debt of L 7500, due to the General Government for. Loan, against share of sinking fund in Canterbury Loan, in which the balance is expected to be in favor of the County. The County receipts show L 1785 leas than the amount estimated, but L5Bl more than the pre /iou3 half-year. The deficiency is in gold duty, minors' rights, spirit licenses, land sales, and fines ; and the increase is in tolls

and survey ices. The Resident Minister has allowed for appropriation a sum of L3OOO, under the payment to Provinces Act, to the making^of the Arnold Road, and Ll494has been paid. The speech concluded with a reference to the necessity of a change in the system of government, and pointed out the duty of the Council to initiate a practicable scheme. The Council adjourned until Monday next. • In the latter end of April,. a splendid exhibition of walking was witnessed on . a Londbtf'p'edestrian course. W. J. Stock well and John Hurley had been matched to walk six miles, and tho former not only covered the first mile in Gmin 45sec, but completed the third mile in 21min from the time of starting. This time ia unprecedented, and proved altogether too much for Hurley, who retired before the completion of the third mile, and expressed himself so far satisfied as to tell Stockwell he need not go beyond the three miles.

The first case under Part. 6th of the "Immigration and Public Works Act Amendment Act, 1871 "—compensation for taking land for railways— was heard before Judge Ward and two assessors, at Tokomairiro, on Wednesday and Thursday last. Mr W. Taylor appeared for the plaintiff, Mr Faulkner, Waihola. Six -witnesses were examined for the plaintiff, and seven for the Government. From tho evidence, it appeared that the railway will pass through the whole length of plaiutiffs ground, within a chain of his dwelling house, and cutting the lower portion of the farm into very small paddocks. It was also shown that several culverts, or crossings of creeks, would, in consequence of the intersection of the railway, be required to get access to these paddocks, and that additional labor would be required in driving stock* to and from them. The ground required for the railway is seven acres. The amount of compensation claimed for the plaintiff was L 21 0; that offered by the defendant, Ll2O. After the case was concluded, His Honor and the assessors retired for a few minutes for consultation, and upon returning, his Honor said they had arrived unanimously at the amount of compensation to be allowed, viz., Lll7 116. Victoria is deep in a difficuty which will one day reach New Zealand. The right of the nation to sanction, mining for gold under private lands seems admitted in Victoria, and it only remains to define the conditions needful to protect the freeholder. The following from a correspondent of a New Zealand paper, shows the position in Victoria :— "the miners and property owners of Ballarat, in conference assembled, have agreed that a board of arbitrators and a mining inspector should be appointed, the board to assess the amount of compensation which miniug companies should pay to property owners for the right to mine on and under their premises." A gentleman who resided in Otago for many years, writing from London, says : — " 1 have been struck everywhere I have been with how much more the North Island is the New Zealand of people in Englaud than the South. It is time that people on thiVside should get rid of their present ideas of New Zealand, bound up|with native disturbances and native wars. The mining resources of New Zealand are miserably represented in the British Museum, the Geological Museum, in Jermyn street, and the Kensington Museum. Her gold statistics are lost by beiug mixed up with, and called, 'Australian.' In fact, whether one hears the country spoken of in general society, consults scientific works, or visits museums, poor New Zealand gets little of the credit due to' her, whilst she has a full measure of the virtuous disgust of the British tax-payer for having burdened him with tho cost of her native wars." The following curious case has just been heard by the Resideut Magistrate in Auckland : — The defendant, MraMew, had rented from Mr Overton a cottage .in Cook street, for which she paid him one year's tent' in advance. This she proved,*producirig'Overton's receipt, the authenticity of which was not denied. Mrs o verton now came forward and produced a deed by which, previous to Overton's letting the premises to Mrs Mew, Over ton had conveyed the property to his wife. It was admitted that Mrs Mew might know nothing of the arrangement between o verton and his wife, as she swore she did not ; still, in law, Overton not being the ■ owner of the property, it was ruled that hot only must Mrs Mew, the defendant, lose the L4O she bad paid to Overton, but she must pay Mrs Overton the rent due for the terra of her occupancy. His Worship admitted the case to be a hard one. It may be stated that immediately after Overton received Mrs Mew's L4O for a twelve months' rent 1 in advance, he had left for California. The 7'imarti Herald says :— " A company is being formed on the Rangitata to buy the pneumatic apparatus lately employed ! in sinking the cylinders of the Rangitata bridge^ in order to utilise tnem in the Molyneux river, Otago, for the purpose of gold prospecting in that river. The Molyneux has the reputation of being the richest goldbearing river in the colony, but the depth, and the exceedingly strong current prevailing, have baffled hitherto all attempts at systematic prospecting of its bed. The trials though, which from time to time have been made by dredging in favorable positions have proved, be>ond all manner of doubt, that the bottom of the river is exceedingly rich in gold, and it is thought that only be means of cylinders sunk on the pneumatic plan could these golden treasures be thoroughly brought to light. There can be no possible reason why' under this cylinder-sinking process, the river should not be explored in its every part ; and if no unforeseen difficulties occur, there is every reason to anticipate a splendid returnto a company prospecting under such conditions. One of the chief promoters of the new company is, we hear, a gentleman we'l versed in mining matters, and he, moreover, has a thorough Knowledge of the river. whose depths are about to' be ransacked."

At the annual meeting of the Otago Acclimatization Society, the following particulars were given regarding the introduction of deer into the Province :— ln 1867 Mr Ewen sscured seven head of axis deer in Victom for the Society. These the Society placed under the care of MrF. D. Rich, and they have remained on his property since that time. Writing about this herd, that gentleman says, •' They have increased rapidly. At the end of the second year there were 19, but it would be difficult to make a correct eajtimate of their nnmber now, as they are very wild, and make for cover as soon as seen." In the same year four fallow deer were sent to Morveh Hills ; two of these, a buck and a doe, killed themselves by attempting to leap a fence. The other pair were turned out on the ranges, and it his hnen ascertained that they have bred. In 1869 the Society obtained twelve head of fallow <le#r from Tasmania. These were sent io Mr .1 M 'Kellar, at Tapanui, and the herd is now much larger. About 16 months ago, seven head of red deer were sent to Morven Bills, and a short time after, eight head were forwarded to Bushy Park. This stha.ll herd was reared on one of the Earl of Dalhousii's estates in Scotland, and was obtained from that nobleman by Mr Ewen. The does at Bushy Park are reported to be in fawn. MiRich «ives it as his opinion that the red de jr will be _ found to be more suitable to the Otago climate than the axis deer, althou h the latter will do very well on the co ist country. The red deer at Morven Hills have betaken themselves to the ranges.