THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY. AUGUST 2, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1251, 2 August 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY. AUGUST 2, 1872.

It was at first the intention of the Postal Department to forward , the West Coast portion of the San Francisco mail by way of Christchurch and Hokitika, but advantage was taken of the opportunity presented by the Alhambra visiting the Coast, and the Greymouth mail was delivered yesterday on the arrival of that vessel. We notice that, in the House of Representatives, Mr Stafford asked the Government when tbe Nebraska's mails would be sent South, and why the Taranaki did not take them. The Premier replied that the N.Z.S.S. Company had refused to detain the Taranaki even for twelve hours, unless L2OO were paid.

Miss Stephenson and the other members of the dramatic company who have for the past few months made Greymouth their head-quarters, are to re-appear this evening at the Volunteer Hall, when Miss Stephenson is to take the parts of Mrs Haller in the play of "The Stranger," and of Lubin in the comedy of "The Lad who never saw a Lass." Members of the Fire Brigade mustered yesterday on an alarm being given that the Star premises, Waite street, were on fire, but the fire had fortunately been extinguished before their assistance was necessary. A new stove-pipe had accidentally got disconnected between the ceiling and the roof of the office, and the rafters or ridging took fire. The active application of a few buckets of water extinguished the flames, and, by this activity, what might have proved to be a serious conflagration was prevented. , We have to acknowledge receipt of the first.two numbers of Hansard, and a bulky budget of papers presented to Parliament, including several on the subject of water supply to Gold Fields, from which we shall make early quotations. At the meeting of the Grey River Hospital Committee, briefly mentioned in our last, the Treasurer acknowledged receipt of the following amounts since the date of the last meeting :— Nelson Government subsidy for May, L 93 4s 3d ; Westland subsidy for April, L76. 2s lid,, and May, LI 18 10s 7d ; balance of subscriptions from No Town Local Committee, Lll»17s ; balance of subscriptions from Half Ounce Committee, LI Is ; balance of subscriptions from Nelson Creek Comniitteo, per Mr Whitefoord, LI 11s j payments l>y patients, 14 12s ; sale of vegetables, L 4 12s ; payment by Mr Wm. Kinsella, L 4 4s ; sundry town subscriptions, LlO Bs. A letter from the Red Jack's was received and its consideration deferred until the appointment of a local committee. A letter was read from Mr D. Magoffin, applying for relief for Ghristiun Lee. This

was referred to the Visiting Committee, with power to act. Accounts to the amount of L 253 15s 9d were passed for payment. The Visiting Committee for the month consists of Messrs Revell, Hamilton, and Smith. The Secretary, Mr H. Kenrick, was instructed to communicate with the Governor with a view to the Committee obtainining possession of, and power to deal with, the Hospital Reserve. A correspondent directs our attention to the circumstance of a member of the Borough on the footway a tank of malt, and leaving it there, to the interruption of traffic, for forty ■ eight hours. Our correspondent should inform the police, or the police should inform themselves as to such circumstances. Mr James Payne, of Greyniouth, who, with other gentlemen, has been interesting hfoaself in the matter of introducing salmon and trout; ova to the rivers of the West Coast, recently addressed a letter on the subject to Dr Hector, and from Dr Hector he yesterday received the following reply, written at the Colonial Museum, Wellington, on the 27th ult :— "Tn reply to your letter of the 20th ultimo, I beg to inform you that I understand Government have determined that all the ova by the first shipment is to be sent to the Makarewa Ponds, in Southland, and I suppose *he young fish, when reared, will be afterwards distributed to various parts of the Colony. I have not the control of the arrangements, but will be very glad to do anything in my power to assist in securing a supply of the fish for the Grey River, which I think will be one of the best adapted streams in the Colony for thepurpoße." An amateur musical and dramatic entertainment took place at Half-Ounce on the evening of Friday, 26th July. The performance was given in aid of the funds of the local road board, the special object being to raise money to make a track over the terraces between Mutton Town and Upper HalfOunce. This was the first amateur performance in the district, and considering the inclement state of the weather it was well patronised. Mr O. W. Anderson placed the large hall of the Scandinavian Hotel at the disposal of the Committee, and the members of Neilson's fine band also gave their services both as musicians and vocalists. The performance consisted of glees, choruses, recitations, part singing,' and step-dancing, and the first part concluded with the delivery of a stump speech written for the occasion. The local allusions in it, if rather personal, were good-naturedly received, and several distinguished notables of the place had, for once, the opportunity afforded them of " seeing themselves as others see them," nothing being extenuated nor aught set down in malice. The second portion consisted oi a Christy Minstrel entertainment, and the seven gentleman who took psrt in it acquitted themselves creditably. After this Mr James Cunningham, on behalf of the Road Committee, returned thanks of the Committee to the amateurs and audience. He stated that a sum of nearly £10 would be placed at the disposal of the Committee by the entertainment. This announcement was received with tinging cheers, and the audience insisted upon "Bones," "Tony," and "Mr Johnson," of the minstrels, coming before the curtain. These gentlemen made their appearance in all the bravery of their gorgeous array, and smilingly (all over their faces) thanked the audience for the compliment. The performance gave such general satisfaction that the amateurs have been requested to repeat it, which they have consented to do at an early date. The accommodating resolution of the Committee of the House of Representatives which was appointed to inquire as to the reasons for the resolution passed by the Nelson Provincial Council regarding Mr E. J. O'Conor's conduct, and as to his extraordinary charges against the Council, is to the following effect :— " That the Chairman be requested to notify to all members of the Provincial Council of Nelson that this Committee has been appointed to inquire into certain allegations against Eugene J. O'Conor connected with the Westport land purchase, and that it is willing to hear them, or any of them, personally or by counsel, in reference to such allegations." The Nelson papers, with doubtful discretion, publish, while the case may be said to be sub jitdice, a statutory declaration regarding O'Conor'a land purchase, the said declaration being made by one Alexander Wilkie, and purporting to deny the truth of the declaration made by Mr Langdon. The Examiner, for no particular reason assigned, "attaches far greater importance" to this declaration than it does to that of Mr Langdon, our opinionative contemporary ignoring the possibility, and the fact, that there dence of MrLangdon's veracity in connection with this particular case. The Colonist, while publishing the document, says:^- --" This last statutory declaration shows ah exactness of memory which, contrary to the experience of most, lapse of time appears to have by no means deteriorated, but we should 'attach far greater importance' to it if less delay had attended its seeing the light, and it had appeared before the departure from the place of the person mo3t affected by it. If it is to be a case of hard swearing on both sides, those who would judge must trust to their instincts and the balance of evidence to guide them to fair conclusions, but it is not to he supposed that this intended counterblast will much affect the true question at issue, or the right decision of it by the House of Assembly." The Thames Miners' Accident Relief Fund continues in a most satisfactory condition. It is now permanently established ; the subscriptions come in regularly, and, so far from its being regarded as a rival to the hospital, it is co-operating with it, and contributing most handsomely to its funds. The following is the description given by the Otago Daily Times of the scene referred to by our Dunedjn correspondent as having occurred at a public meeting held by Mr Fish : -"Mr M'Laren appeared on the stage, and attempted to put some questions, but his appearance was the signal for an uproar and confusion, which would defy description. A most disgraceful scence also occurred. Mr Councillor Barnes, who was sitting on the stage, made some remarks that reached Mr M'Laren's ears above the din. The latter turned, to Mr Barnes, and pointed at him derisively with his finger. This proved too much for the Councillor, who rushed at M'Laren, seized him with the evident intention of throwing him off the high stage on to the floor. After a struggle, the combatants were separated, and M'Laren, throwing off his coat, put himself into a fighting attitude, and invited his gigantic antagonist to renew the ■combat. Mr Barnes, however, had apparently recovered himself by this time, and comparative peace was restored."