THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. 3 FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1275, 30 August 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. 3 FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 1872.

According to the 'abbreviated tele-gram which we received yesterday, and at the hour of 7.45 p.m. on the 28th instant, Mr John White, representative of the Hokitika district, was "speaking very strongly" in the House of Representatives "against the Ministry generally, but urging, oner Government tor the Weat Coast." Deducting the so -described "strength" ooh? hl Mr White-presuraably mental — it is somewhat difficult to discover the particular process of logic by which- he arrived at the conclusion to Bpeak against the Ministry which is doing its utmost to secure this same unity of government. Logic, however, may be less in Mr White's "line" than declamation and denunciation, and, with all respect to him as an honorable member and an honorable man, we may venture to hazard the statement that there is much more declamation than logic in the speeches which he has made , as they hare been telegraphed to the Coast, and particularly in tho speech he has mqde during the present debata. According to one version for which neither this paper .nor its agents are responsible, Mr White is reported to have done this :—

"He severely attacked Luckie and Harrison. He said if the latter was morj

independent and less servile in support of the Ministry he would do more benefit, to his constituents. He denoted Luckie as a mere attache* to the Ministry, and attacked the system of Government patronage, cspeciallyvin^jegard to the Press, SHe said that the Press Association was a mere Government institution, under the immediate control of two Ministers of the .Crowx- J^4Ji&*""3aP*A*-W. h P. was m unscrupulous supporter of the Ministry, and he shewed that attempts had been made to' -influence his vote by means of the telegraph.'^ .. . „ -.- .-■ „^- .-■ - - - Much of this, .we have no doubt, is as new to newspaper readers as it is new and refreshing to newspaper writers. Much of it is " muck," yet it emanates f^om an agency of which Mr White was for some time, a sub-agent, and of which, by his comparisons, he may now be considered the approver ; and we do not venture to pre- . sumo that the agency has transmitted more than the plain, unvarnished— trash. Between Mr White and almost the whole of the New Zealand Press, there is evideutly somebody's reputation at stake when he speaks of ■ the Press , Association as . " a mere Government institution" under the immediate control of a Government supporter, but at the risk of that reputation, in whatever direction it lies, we make bold to quote from the Association's telegrams, feeling pretty sure that Mr White is not egregiously misrepresented. According to the Association's telegram as transmitted to Hokitika —

"Mr White quoted from Mr Fox's nomconfidence speech in 1869, as being very applicable. to ■ the . present situation. ; Ho accused the Government of an abuse of patronage, to which that of the Duffy Ministry, in "Victoria, was a mere fleabite ; instancing the Board of Works Bill last session, as being made the means of appealing to the self-interest and cupidity of members. He said that Westland had been plundered by the present Government's financial scheme. He described the Press Association a political engine, constantly buttering the Government. He declared that on the West Coast he had never heard a kind word said of the present Ministry ; but he had lately received several telegrams from his constituents, urging him to support the Ministry. One of these was from Mr Cassius, who had been in Melbourne when Mr Yogel was there. He supposed that the anxiety of Mr Cassius for tbe retention of the Ministry arose out of sympathy for Mr Yogel, as when they were both in Melbourne, Mr Yogel was trying to make a. mail contract and Mr Cassius to undo a ftmale contract. He presumed that therefore sympathy arose between them. He would support any measure to give one Government to the West Coast, but in his conscience he could not support the present Ministry. They had plundered the County, and the authorities there never knew the moment when the Government might be down on their revenue. He characterised Mr Harrison as an unscrupulous adherent of the Ministry."

These quotations we make for the purpose of showing .what Mr White is capable of saying. Another opportunity will occur for showing what can be said in reply to Mr White, and that opportunity will be taken advantage of with expedition as regards time, and, we hope, with energy as regards the pen. Mr White's utterly inexcusable and exceedingly reprehensible reference to. persons who are altogether of whom -tie knows nothing, or very nearly nothing, yet whose characters he chooses to assail, as if all but he were Simons ; and not the Simon Pure.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, yes* terday; there were only heard a few of those cases which are usually designated "civil cases." The majority of the cases appointed for hearing were ''struck out," in consequence of the " non-appearance of parties." The few disputed cases were passionately debated by -Messrs. Perkins and Guinness, and were, partially heard by the Resident Magistrate. They seemed to be extremely interesting to the persons concerned. To the public they were about the value of a China orange.

There was a very fair attendance at the Volunteer Hall last evening. The fir3t comedy was "The Youth who never saw a Woman," in which' Miss Steph orison appeared very successfully as Lubin. In the musical interlude Mr Small sang some of his oft-repeated and well-known songs, and Little Amy contributed to the general amusement. The concluding piece was the comedy of "Nursey Chickweed," which had been played on the previous evening. Although it is a childish piece, tho various parts were very well played. Before the curtain dropped on the last scene, Mr Thornton came forward and entered into a personal explanation. Ho said h« had been attacked in a cowardly manner by the morning. paper regarding the way in which he had played his part the previous evening. He used some exceedingly strong language as to the writer of the theatrical notice; but he; and many more who were present, forgot the fact that the by-play of last night was not similar to that of the evening upon which the remarks were made, and that in appealing to the audience for a verdict, ho was not speaking to the audience he was supposed to have insulted. It is gonieg&tjsfaction to know that the remarks we made have produced the desired result— a sensitiveness .to - observation and criticism on the part of certain members of our local company. There never was any desire on our part to deal otherwise thau in a fair and friendly manner with every member of any company appearing here, and in the present instance no words would have been extracted from us but for the consideration that they were fully justified and necessary. On Saturday laafc, as the men employed upon the Mia Mia and Beef ton road were beint; paid off, they were requested to affix their signatures to a blank sheet of paper, in addition to the usual pay sheets. This strange procedure, Bays the Herald, naturally aroused the suspicion of many of the workmen, and upon the official being asked to explain this unusual course, he failed to give a Satisfactory reply as to its purpose. Ibis is generally supposed to be another subterfuge of ■ th« Nelson Government to obtain signatures to their anti-separatfon petition. We trust, if our suspicion prove correct, tho matter will be fully exposed in the House when that precious memorial id presented.

• About sixty pack-horses, laden with nearly every description of merchandise, arrived in Reefton. on Saturday last from Square Town, over the new Saddle road, Mr Mirfin,'in accordance witk instructions received from the Resident Minister of the Mjdclle Island, having formally thrown the road oneu. On Sunday Mr A. White, of the AUaura, brought two drays over the new track, with about 30cwt on each. We understand, says the Herald, that when this road is finished it will be handed over so the care of the Nelson Provincial Government, and upoa

them will devolve the responsililify of keeping this road in a state of efficient repair. There are about six men detained to attend to the road, and we feat unless ' the number is at once increased it will be quite impassable in the course of a few days, as the metal, owing to, the continued wet weather, has not bad an opportunity to settle. The road is already much cut up.

The Inangahua Herald says.:— A. aubstan" tial railing and head board have been erected over .the grave of the late Frederick Hodges, 'who,' it will be' remembered, perished at Burkes Creek while wandering in the bush during a- late snow storm.*' I*'*1 *'* The : cost of the erection has been, defrayed by his fellow compositors connected with the several newspapers on the Coast as a tribute of respect to the deceased gentleman's miemory.

A meeting, ,of . residents at Reefton interested in the formation of a Jockey Club in the Inangahna. district, was held at Barker's Hotel, en Saturday evening last. It was moved by ;Mr Profit, and seconded by Mr Fansellow— V That this meetiug deems it expedient to inaugurate a Race Club in the Inangahua district, and that endeavors be made to hold a race meeting during the approaching Christmas holidays, and that Messrs Mace, Kelly, Trennery, Shepherd, Oxley, F. Franklyn, R, Reeves, Slattery, Barker, Fox, M'Hardie, Bentley, Profit, and Ivess, be appointed a provisional committee, and that they be requested to report as to suitableness of ground, &c, to a general fublic meeting," The motion was carried, t was resolved that a public meeting be convened for Monday evening, 2nd September.

It is recorded by the Boss News of Wednesday that the' people of Donoghue's and most of the Clcarwater folks left work on Tuesday afterobon, to attend the inquest on the body of an unfortunate man named Rawlihson, who mat with his death on Monday night, by falling: down an abandoned shaft. The deceased was a well-known miner, and was of singularly penurious and sober habits. He is reputed to have died worth a considerable amount of money, although he lived in the most wretched manner. He was, comparatively speaking; a young man, probably about 35 years of age, and was known by the sobriquet of •• Yorkey." He was a native of the north of England.

The death of Julia Harland is announced. She was an actress of good fame in England, where many in these Colonies *nust have seen and admired her, and in Australia she maintained the reputation which she had earned at Home. In her obituary notice she is described as the wife of Mr Hoskins, who has lately been in New Zealand, and who is an actor of deserved celebrity.

A telegram to the Nelson Colonist of the 29th August, upon the position of the Ministry and the Opposition, states that the whips of the latter p^fty are making strenuous efforts, but there is a growing feeling in the House against Mr Stafford's motion which creates a belief thafcj,it -will be defeated by a larger majority than, was at one time anticipated. .< , ; '

Constable Chichestcr, of the Mataki L aki, is said by the Inangahua Herald to have been canvassing the Upper Buller and Lyell districts for signatures to 'the anti-separation petition. He was at the Lyeil on Sunday last, and informed the Warden that he had bjen instructed to proceed to the Lyell for that purpose.

In the Nelson Supreme Court on the 20th instant, Jeremiah Sheehy was charged with not haying truly and fully discovered his assets in his schedule, filed at Charleston. Mr H. Adams appeared for the Crown, and Mr Fell for the prisoner. It appears .from the evidence, which is* very lengthy, that the prisoner, who was a miner at Charleston, Hied a declaration of insolvency on the (3th June last, and within the usual time a statement of his assets and liabilities, by. which ho showed that his assets were only' worth Harvey, said that the value was, if anything, rather over-estimated. Goods had subsequently been seized by the bailiff which realised LB9, and he estimated that the goods that were left were worth L6O. Mr Fell raised a technical objection as to the power of the District Court to adjudicate, which was over-ruled. The jury, after a short absence, found the prisoner guilty guilty, and the Judge sentenced- hiui .to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labor.

The following rich find in the Royal Standard claim at Coromaadel is reported by the Mail of the 20th instant : — A parcel of 361bs of rich specimens were taken out yesterday morning from, the above mine. Several pieces of stone shown to us were exceedingly rich, a band of gold over an inch thick snowing right throuah the atone. Tho manager states that tbe leader is gradually improving, and is now, about nine inches thick and vefy compact; '^As soon as the news reached the township, a number of the curious wended their way to the mine, and were well satisfied with their journey, many of the most sanguine comparing £he stone with the e.-\rly finds of the Tokatea.

The Marlborough Jfap?-e«s is glad to hear that the Picton scare is over, and the men are mostly all at work a various points along the road, from Tua Manira to Victon. Mr Eyes, the Provincial Secretary, having on the receipt of the news of the disturbance gone ; through Pioton, a deputation of the workmen and others waited on him at the Provincial buildings, and before Mr Gwonethj they gave their statement of grievance, to whj:cfr that gentleman replied. Mr Eyes then addressed t}}§ men, pointibg out what an uubusiness-like course they had adopted to .gain their ends • that the wages they were getting were iv the part of the country whence he ; came regarded as high, and finally advised tfoem -to submit themselves to their employer and gradually improve their position as they had opportunity, and gain experience, rather than throw themselves destitute on the country, a cource he was sure they never think of taking England. Tho result flf |thjs well-timed advice was that the greater portion of the ! njen still out of work enrolled their names as willing to resume on, Monday -morning; and at the request of Mr Eyes Mr Gwynneth very properly ordered rations to be given to them.

The rumor of an iruporfcapt discovery of metallic ore on the Camck ranges in Otago, is confirmed. The discoverer is Mr T. Hall, of the Nil Desperanduin Quartz Mining Co, who states that he found the lode in September lass/ but that until recently his attention was so fully engrossed in the development of the golden roef as to afford him no opportunity of turning the new discovery to advantage at an earlier date. The ore has all' the appearance of antimony — a brittle metal —but is yet in some decree capable of fusion —a fact which would appear to indicate the presence of silver or lead. The lode occurs in the same way as an ordinary quartz-reef, with well defined walls of mica-schist,' and hag been traced along the surface for a distauco of nearly a inilfe, running transversely over a spur near the head of Pipeclay Gully. The lode, so far as opened out, is not less than 2ft in thickness; and there is : every appearance of in inexhaustible supply. A lease of 16 acres has" been applied for, and we understand that no tiu;o will be lost in commencing operations with the view of developing this new source of mineral wealth. The Q'rqtyWcll Argus refers to a second discovery :— -We le^'hi tlfyaj; a secodd discovery of the same kind of ova hgs bgen made by Mr Jacob Johnston, at a spot about three miles distant from the lode above referred

to.. In this case also, we' areVinformed,.a mining lease has been applied -for by' "the prospector. We, shall anxiously await the | result of Professor Black's scientific examination of the.specimens sent. him for that purpose.;., -v-" "\ '-■■.>'■ ~-'*ili*d ' ; -The following particulars of an accident which lately happened at Nelson are given by the Examiner:—" Major Paton, a wellknown resideTit'of'HopeT Waiinea "East 7 waT* yesterday, on board the barque William* Prowse, standing on a spar by the bulwarks,' watching the departure of the steamer Gharleßdßdwardr' On 'getting-^oflP^the spai" he took rather a long step, staggered, and before he could recover himself fell over the : hold combings, where he, clung: for ?atjmoment, and one of the hands ran up and' tried to hold him. there until further ■ assistance came,' but, being a heavy man, before he could be rescued he fell to the bottom of the hold, a distance of 14ft or 15ft, upon the railway iron at the bottom of the ship, completely crushing the right arm, and receiving serious internal injuries. Doctors JTarrelle, . Williams, and Cotterell were quickly in attendance, and the . sufferer was conveyed to the Ship Hotel. Major Paton is well known for his zeal in religious matters, for charitable practices, and' as a distributor of religious publications. ■ On his returning from Wellington last night, Dr Irvine visited Major Paton. The last account was that heremained in a most precarious condition." The Mail of a later date says :— " We are very glad to learn that, contrary to all expectations, Major Paton, who recently met with so serious an accident on board the barque William Prowse, has taken a decided turn for the better, and although he still lie 3 in a somewhat precarious condition, that hope 3 are yet entertained .of his. ultimate recovery. : • .-,,,,■ ;, ' ; .: '.

Numbers of miners on the West Coast, without the slightest palpable reason! are taking considerable interest in some supposed gold fields in Northern Australia, on the Srinciple, probably, of "far away fowls aving fair feathers." There is nothing, so far as we have seen, to justify this. The reports are all the other way. The Bendigo Advertiser has been -shown by Mr Thomas W. Whitford, of Long iSully, a letter from his son, Mr James Whitford, late contractor in the Hercules (jold Mining Company, from which it makes a brief extract. The writer lately proceeded to Adelaide in the hope of obtaining some, reliable intelligence with regard to the reported gold .fields in the Northern Territory, with 'die view of proceeding thither with a "party which would have been immediately formed in Sandhurst if he h?d been enabled to give anything lilio a satisfactory report. : After announcing his arrival in Adelaide, he says :— •' As regards the Northern Territory Gold Field, there is no news whatever of it here. -They appear to think it a complete swindle. I was speaking to a party »vho came from Port Darwin about a month ago, and lie says' he heai-d nothing of gold there," ' . •:

The Canterbury Press, of the 2nd instant, contains a letter from a correspondent which furnishes the. rate per head of taxation in Canada and in the Australian Colonies. It says :— " With respect to the prime necessaries of life, Canada may certainly compare very favorably with any British colony, and they are to be had far cheaper here than in Great Britain or the United S.tates. With respect to taxation,. however, the advantages are in favor of Canada beyond all comparison. The taxation per head of the .dominion is only 18s lid sterling/ In Great Britain and Ireland it is L 2 4s 7d, or about two and a half times the amount of our proportion, In the United States it is L 2 19a sil per head, or more than three" times that of Canada. JBut the taxation of the other British colonies places that of Canada in a still more favorable licht, viz :— ' :'* * ' l " :

Thus Canada is taxed only in tbe pr< • proportion, in round figures, of one-thirteenth of New Zealand ; less than one-sixth of South Australia, one-sixth of Queensland, and something over one-fiftbr-of" New South Wales." t .. ( -. . :j ;,,-i I

few Zealand uuwr^iusiirtimi Queensland • lew South Wale 33 I Per Head. - - 513 9 j " -•; - 5 6 9