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Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1267, 21 August 1872, Page 2

The report of the Colonial Treasurer's Financial Statement, by the courtesy of the Government telegraphed to all the papers in the Colony, was received by us at a late hour last night, and during the small hours this morning. The first slips were delivered at eleven o'clock, but the work of the telegraphist was not concluded until half-past three o'clock this morning. It is due to Mr Hawleyto Bay th&t the message was carefully transcribed and promptly placed in the hands of the compositors, but the lateness of the hour at -which the last pages were put in hands prevents us from publishing the report except in the shape of a supplement. In a memorandum attached to the report, it is explained that the amounts quoted in the statement are, for convenience, generally stated in round numbers. [According to our usual Press telegram, Mr Voe«l prefaced his statement by some remarks which, to say the least, convey the idea that the Government are pretty confident as to the result of any division on Mr Stafford's motion of want of confidence.

We have to acknowledge receipt of the first number of " The Hibernian Magazine," a monthly journal published in Melbourne for the diffusion of the principles of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society.

For the playgoers of Greymouth a special treat is in preparation by the dramatic com* pany now performing at the Volunteer Hall. To-morrow evening the drama, "Under the Gaslight" is to be produced, and for its production careful and costly preparations are being made. By Mr Neville Thornton, the scenic artist, scenery superior to anything, yet presented on the West Coast stage has been painted, and in other particulars arrangements are being made to put the play upon the stage in a style excelling any previous efforts of the management or of the company.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, Edward Lodge was charged with an unmanly assault on his wife, Honora Lodge. After the evidence of Sergeant M'Ennis and Constable M'Cormick had been taken, the defendant was remanded until Saturday for the production of a witness who ..was yesterday unable to attend. Several civil cases were also disposed of.

The Greymouth wharf presented a busy scene yesterday, the fine weather prevailing enabling the several vessels in port to discharge the extensive supplies of produce recently brought to this market. The removal of it. :. or nearly all, obstruction in front of the wharf considerably expedited the work of discharging and earning away, nnd it is to be hoped that this improvement will soon be enhanced by the formation of approaches to the wharf at as many points as practicable. At present the inconvenience and risk which draymen and horses have to undergo are very considerable, and the circumstance apparently considerably

contributes to the evil passions of the draymen, for there are instances of cruelty to animals to ba witnessed both at the wharf and in the streets which will inevitably involve some of the knights of the whip being brought before the police court and very severely punished.

Worm or viper ? That is the question ; and it is thus answered by the Nelson Mail, which ought to know :— " Our Super-intendeht-(Mr Curtis) has been occupying a prominent position in thb Assembly of late. I don't think that Mr Fox has thoroughly understood him up to this time, for he appears to me to have always looked upon him as a worm in his path that, being somo« what offensive to him, only required to be trodden upon to be crushed, instead of which it is beginning to dawn upon our Premier that he has got hold of a little viper, that is endowed with a considerable amount of vitality, and which, however amiable it may be when let alone, is apt to turn upon its persecutors when driven to extremities, and to afford undoubted proof that it i§ very well able to take care of itself."