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Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1284, 10 September 1872, Page 2

By the last mail from Wellington we received a number of papers which have been presented to Parliament, including some very valuable and interesting reports on the public works and coal fields of the Colony. Attached to the report on public works, there are no fewer than fonrteen maps relating to Westland and the Nelson South- West Gold Fields, and the papers on coal fields contain accounts of Dr Hector's explorations of theßuller and Grey Valleys. From both reports we shall make quotations on the earliest convenient opportunity. We are informed that some trouble is being given to mailmen and others by a troublesome customer in the Grey Valley, who will deserve to find himself in trouble if he pursue the course he is at present taking. We refer to Mr Montgomery, formerly ferryman. As we are informed, he levies or tries to levy, as the presumed proprietor of a track, "black mail" from mail contractors and other Government employees who are distinctly understood to be exempt from any charges, and he threatens to interrupt the highway unless his demands are complied with. The matter is one in which the Post Office and Connty authorities should at once take action, with a view to the protection of public rights, if these rights are at all infringed upon. The following has been forwarded to us by a correspondent as the "copy of an intercepted despatch" from Cobden to Nelson :— "The officer in command at Cobden has the honor to inform the authorities at Nelson that on Friday night a mob of sympathisers with the South- West Gold Fields rebels, bearing in their midst what might have been two men, but, judging from appearances, I can only describe as two nondescripts, paraded the town of Greymouth accompanied by a martial band, and approached the ferry with the avowed intention of making a descent on Cobden for the purpose of hurling defiance at the Provincial Government. I, on my own responsibility, secured the punt on the Nelson side of the river, and thereby frustrated their intention. Thereupon they proceeded up the river and on the shingle deliberately set fire to and otherwise tortuied the two unfortunates, the band playing the "Rogue's March" in order to prevent any cries for assistance being heard. Being unprepared to make any attempt for their rescue, I was compelled to remain inactive until Saturday, when having successfully negotiated the Joan of half a barrel of powder from the coal mines and confiscated a blacksmith's anvil as contraband of war, I ordered the forces under my command to muster at 9.30 p.m. At the appointed time we opened fire on the town of Greymouth, and expended 17 rounds, when a scout came in with the information that the rebels had, by a flying inarch the night previous, effected a junction with a body of malcontents at the Ahaura, and had perpetrated similar atrocities there on the two unfortunates whomuthey still kept as prisoners, and intended to put on their trial at Reefton, where the headquarters of the rebel movement is supposed to exist. Finding that those in Greymouth were non-combatants, I then, in order "recal those who had taken to the ranges with their wealth, fired several rockets, which speedily had the desired effect, and Cobden, 1 am now happy to say, enjoys its normal quietness. A meeting of the Directors of the Energetic and Inangahua Companies took place at the Albion Hotel last night, when it was resolved that tenders be called for at once for j the conveyance of machinery to the Com? pany's claim, and that the erection be proceeded with without delay. We were in error in stating that there was a dispute between the companies. The Directors were only waiting to proceed with the erection of machinery until there was sufficient stone opened up to pay the whole cost of doing so. The reef has been struck, and the leader to the west is closing into it, when a large body of stone is expected to be met. An offer, it will be seen, is made by A. Drake to run P. Twohill a distance of from one hundred to five hundred yards, or all included distances, Twohill to have the choice of starting. To describe either fully or fairly the various excellences of the entertainment at the Theatre last evening would require more apace than is at qur command, more superlative adjectives than are customary in these columns, aDd a greater disposition to "gush" than is quite the "correct thing" within "elders' hours," before the lapse of which the performance closed. Comparing it vvith any previous performance 'in Greymouth, it was immensely superior, and it was not only not inferior, but more than equal to, any representation of the same burlesque that we have at any time seen in any theatre in the Colony. The burlesque was "Lalla Rookh ; or the Princess, the Peri, and the Troubadour." Of course, those miserable beings who enjoy puns had a surfeit of the particular food suitable to their diseased appetites ; but even those to whom, puns are as repulsive as physic had sources of enjoyment supplied to them in admirably painted scenery, in dazzling and grotesque costumes* and in music, songs, and dances. Th» scenery was by Mr Thornton, and, if several calls to the front, and a final call before the curtain are any indications of appreciation of his skill and hard work, his skill and work were certainly ap; predated: He deserved all the compli- ; ments that were paid to him. The costumes : represented very extensive and recent in- 1 veßtmonts in drapers' stocks, and a great ( deal of pains and taste in their preparation.

From the leading lady to the most minute "super," the performers were dressed in bran new toggery, and if Miss Stephenson's attire in the last scene did not affect the envy of the fair, and the admiration of her many male admirers, people must have been extremely unsusceptible. The other ladies of the company, full-blown or juvenile, were all in fairy dress, and the Princess (Mrs Thornton) was at once beautiful and an armful. Of the actors, Mr Small was greatest in grotesqueneßs and in burlesque. He was the most magnificent stage villain that the imagination could possibly conceive, Mr Herman, whose accurate knowledge of the text makes him especially useful in burlesque, and Messrs Wilson, Poole, Thornton, and others whose names arc less familiar to us, were all most extravagantly, but appropriately, attired. . Into the text there were imported some local allusions which, of course, caused more, laughter than even the greatest atrocities in punning, and one speech by Mr Small, in which "reference was made to the present political situation, produced an extraordinary outburst of laughter and applause— applause particularly, Mr Small's sympathies, on the stage, being decidedly pro-Vogelian, and adverse to the new party. A suggestion in one of Miss Stephenson's side speeches that, as " traitor," he should share the fate of two West poast representatives, was similarly uproariously applauued. The scenery was, from first to last, of such equal merit that no particular scene obtained exceptional praise, saving only the panorama, which was considerably superior to the panoramas presented on stages of greater dimensions and pretensions. In the scene in which it was shown, the " supers" were fairly beside themselves, and succeeded in making the best bit of burlesque of the evening, the plump Princess proving altogether too much for the muscular development of palanquin-bearer No. 1. When the curtain dropped, it" had again to be raised to satisfy the spectators, and a performance which was thoroughly successful throughout was most successfully concluded. In expressions of praise, the members of the company, one and all, had as much of the common reward of acfcoiis as they could well desire, but it will naturally require frequent and largely attended representations of a burlesque prepared at such expense to prevent it from being an unprofitable one to the management. We take the following from the Tuapeka Times:— "An exodus of Chinese from Otago to the West Coast is taking place. Between 200 and 300 Celestials have, within the l*st month, left Tuapeka for Hokitika, and largo numbers are expected to follow shortly. The cause of the exodus is stated to be favorable reports from the West Coast, supervening upon the severity of the winter. " There have been repetitions of the statement that Mr Stafford, when formerly in office, favored the separation of* the SouthWest Gold Fields from Nelson. The statement is based upon, and calculated to encourage a wrong impression. ; Mr Stafford simply consented to present the Westport petition, as any other member would have done had he been requested to do so. , It is in contemplation to establish a Golf Club in Christchurch, and practical measures have already been taken with a view to carrying on play during the coming season. • The > last new thing in Maryborough, Queensland, among fast mining speculators is to wear in the necktie a gold y.u, surmounted by a specimen of copper ore. Mr W. H. Reynolds, in a private letter to a gentleman resident in Dunedin, says : — "If our Otago members had only been staunch in support of the motion I believe that it would be carried this session. Even as it is, I expect good support, and if not finally settled this session, I believe it will be next, that is, provided the public take up the question." Another stackyard fire has occurred in Tokomairiro, the sufferer this time being Mr Murdoch M'Lennan, settler in the. Southbridge district. The stacks, which were uninsured, contained about 2000 bushels, and what has been saved is now only fit for fowl or pigiood. The Wellington correspondent of the Dunedin Star gives the following correct description of Mr Arthur Collins — " Mr Collins has a nasty way of speaking, as he gets out what is on his mind and then apologises— a very convenient way, however, to get himself reported. His attack on the Treasurer was unworthy of any man pretending to be a gentleman." Preparations are already being made in Canterbury for the racing season. On the last trip ot the Phoebe, five horses purchased in Auckland by Mr Redwood were brought down ; four of them are engaged for the Derby, and amongst them is a filly out of Miss Waimea, the dam of the renowned Manuka, which won every thing he started for a year or two ago. The Taraaaki brought down Mr Walter's mare Yatterina. A new blasting preparation, called Rock Render, invented by Mr W. Elder, of Port Chalmers, was tried with great success at Messrs Connor and M 'Kay's works, near the breakwater, Tijnaru, on Saturday afternoon. The advantages ovor the ordinary blasting powder are that it will not light iv the open air, that only half the quantity required by blowing out and scattering, it dislodges the clay without any great report. Eleven pounds of the preparation dislodges about sixty tons of stone. Another trial is to be made, j On Friday last the Totara was in full flood, and no waggons or drays could cross at any of the fords. The coachman had to swim his horses, and leave the coach on the Hokitika side. The saw-mill was also unapproachable, and the whole traffic of the district suspended. The following facts, as being conclush c of the value of life assurance, are told by the Lyttelton Times:— The life of a married woman was irisured in the Government office for L 100; Being young and in robust health, her life was taken at her age. One quarterly premium was paid, and before the next v became due she was attacked by diptheria, and at the end of three days died. This occurred only a short time ago, and it is satisfactory to know that the widower has invested the LIOO as an investment for his infant child. Messrs J. Brogden and Co. have now men at work at theTaieriand Chain Hills, Ota«o on this section of the Clutha railwav-. Already about 120 men have been put on; and as the work is opened up more will be employed. The heaviest portion of the firm's contract for the Mataura railway, namely, the part through the New Zealaud Company's land at Edendale, has been 'sublet to Messrs J. N. Campbell and Co, contractors, who have already commenced operations. The Times understands that the endeavor of Messrs Brogden is to get all their plant made locally, and that plant is now' being turned out for them both at Dunedin and Tokomairiro. We lately recorded a crushing of stone from the Shaft Valley Freehold Quarfezmining Company, Otago, by the Government crushing machine, the resiilfc being a yield of gold at the riite of 16dwt to the to:?: We understand that the company havj purchased the machinery belonging to the Duke of Edinburgh Company, Macraes, and which . comprises ten heads of .stamps. Operations at the reef, which is between three aud four feet bhick, are being actively carried on, and the rushing machinery purchased will be convftyed to the spot as soon as possible. A mr.nber of gentlemen favorable to the f

construction of a submarine boat on Mr ] Nuttall's plan, described by us a few days ago, for working the beds of the auriferous rivers of Otago, was held lately at the Criterion Hotel, Dunedin. Mr Nuttall explained the nature of the invention, and its applicability to the purpose for which it is designed. A resolution was unanimously adopted by the meeting to construct a boat on the principle of the invention, a number of those present expressed their willingness to subscribe towards the enterprise. Lately there was a scarcity of coal at Port Chalmers and Dunedin ; now there is a scarcity of fish. For the last fortnight or three weeks very few catches have come to market, and the price of this article of food has accordingly risen in price. A number of fishermen of 17 to 20 years' experience say that the present scarcity of fish is owing to some fishermen netting small fry which ought to escape until they attain a good size for market. The Hokitika Borough Council are going in for an extension of the wharf there. At last meeting the following motion was carried .-—"That the Public Works Committee bo empowered to obtain plans and specifications for work to be done iv extending the present wharf to the signal-Btation, and that tenders be called for the same in accordance with Clause 33 of the standing orders ; the tenders to be in two forms— one on cash payments, and one on the system of deferred payments as passed by this Council." . The new Gold Fields Mining Bill now before the Assembly is meeting with much opposition on the Otago Gold Fields. A public meeting was held at Havelock, on Monday, the 26th ultimo, to consider the Bill, when the following resolution was carried :— That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Gold Fields Bill now before the Assembly will, if it becomes law, tend to retard the mining operations throughout the Province, especially if the following clauses remain part nf the Bill : Clauses 13 to 17, clauses 81 and 83, clause 87, sub-section 3, clauses 96, 97, 126, 137, 149, 186, and 218 ; and it is further of the opinion that clauses 33 to 40 of the Gold Fields Act, 1866, should be repealed, so as to allow of the Otago Waste Lands Act, 1872, being administered on the Gold Fields ; and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to J. & Brown, Esq, M.H.R, Wellington." It was also carried — " That this meeting seeks- the co-operation of the whole of the Gold Fields against the passing of the Bill, and also condemns the conduct of Messrs Shepherd and Mervyn, *the two Gold Fields members wb.oare reported to have spoken favorably of the Bill and to have supported the second reading." The West Coast Times learns that the rush near Ogilviels Hallway House, on the southern side of the Hokitika river, is progressing very favorably. There are about twenty claims bottomed, and all of them are believed to be on payable wash. According to the prospects obtained, the range of expectations as to result are very wide, the lowest being L 3, and the highest L2O per man per week. These aie only conjectures, as the men have to oor.struct tar-races before they can proceed to wash up. These will probably be completed in about six weeks, when a definite result of the work will be ascertained. It seems to be generally believed that the lead is a continuation of that running from the Hau Hau through Brighton, and as the distance between the latter place and the new rush is from eight to ten miles, there is ground enough to give good work to over a thousand men. Our readers will have noticed the announcement of the death, in the 62nd year of his ago, of Mr George Green, well Known in Dunedin, and by repute at least all over the Colony, through his enormous land claims; Mr Green, says the Daily Times, came from Sydney to New Zealand in 183 S. He remained in the Colony for about a year, and was chiefly at the Bluff during that time. It was on that occasion that he made his large purchases from the Maoris. 'These purchases were as follows :— Centre Island (off the Southland Coast), 2000 acres, for L2O 10s ; 20,000 acres, Stewart's Island, L 3.0 lQs; 20,000 acres, Kowokapito Bay, L2O 10s ; 109 acres, Bluff Harbor, Lls ; 1,000,024 acres, Mistaken Bay, West Coast, L2OO. He had also made purchases of Land at Catlin's River, and bought the Quarantine Island in Otago Harbor. After leaving New Zealand he went to Sydney. He commenced to prosecute his claims to these lands' in 1840, being one of the first to submit his titles to the Government, bub hs could not get a Crown -grant. He came back to New Zealand in 1858 or 1859 to prosecute his claims, which he had all along been urging. He returned to Sydney, and again came to New Zealand in 1860, and has remained here ever since. No Crown grant_ or compensation of any sort was ever given him on account of these purchases till about two years ago, when he received 5000 acres, iv two blocks of 2500 acres each. Ten of Mr Green's family survive him.