THE INANGAHUA DISTRICT

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1286, 12 September 1872, Page 2

THE INANGAHUA DISTRICT

[from our own correspondent.] Reefton, Sept. 10. Though by no means, as a whole, the most thoughtful community in the world, the news of the defeat of the Fox Administration was received here with general regret, it being evident through/ the works in progress, or completed in the district, that that Ministry were the first to make themselves acquainted with the wants of the gold fields, and take the steps necessary for their* development. Though but a few months have elapsed since Mr Fox's visit, and the works had to be undertaken in the most rigorous time of a severe winter, many miles of good road now connect Reef ton with the ports of Greymouth and Westport, that might have waited for a qeutury . under Provincial rule before completion. The probable collapsa too of the separation movement, and the consequent maintenance of the objectionable, Nelson domination, have effectually disgusted the. public, whether miners or others, and another dreary term of neglect and spoliation is now looked forward to. On the news reaching here on Friday it was suggested that the two West Coast members — Messrs O'Conor and White — whose vote's turned the scale, should be burnt in effigy, and subscriptions for that purpose were collected speedily. It was also resolved to call a public meeting on Saturday last, and this was done by advertisement. The effigies were prepared and everything made ready, but a pelting Bteady downfall of rain set in in the afternoon that spoilt all and compelled a postponement. On Tuesday evening the same programme was resolved on.) without the public meeting, and the effigies, after being carried through the street lighted by torches and accompanied by a juvenile kerosene tin band, were duly hanged. Before, however, they could, be set alight to, some of the C*Conor adherents came to the rescue, and one of them routed the boys and remained master of the stuffed corpses for some time. Eventually, however, he retired, after showers of crackers and laughter, and the effigies were once more exalted and then burnt. A large number of persons attended the ceremony, which caused considerable amusement. I am informed that only fourteen days before he voted against the Ministry Mr O'Conor wrote to -a person in Reef ton, and intimated his intention of supporting them, if only on account of obtaining separation. With the exception of a select few his conduct is reprobated on all hands. Since I last forwarded you particulars of the Costello case, as far as it has gone, nomew facts have turned up. On Saturday and Monday last a strong search party was organised, and they have been unremitting in their exertions since, though j up to the present time without discovering any traces of the presumedly murdered man. The party numbers over forty men already, and provisions and other necessaries have been forwarded to them in order to enable them to continue the search. On Thursday, lam told, nearly all the miners from the gullies have promised to aid in the matter,. so that the party will be swelled. to s^me hundreds perhaps. It is intended to drag every inch of Boatman's Creek for miles; and not leave a log or branch unturaed. If this prove unavailing further search will prove hopeless, atid the accused will; probably be released very shortly. Some clothes belonging to the prisoner Sibree have been submitted to Dr Buhner for analysis, it being supposed that some spots on them are those of blood. The case comes-on again to-morrow (Wednesday), but will again ;be remanded for the analysis in question to be completed, and for the result of the search to be ascertained. The other police cases have been of little moment. Two men, named Roberta and'M'Shane, were arrested to-day, charged with shooting at a man named Williams, who keeps* an accommodation vhouse on the • new Buller road. When the information first came to hand it was thought that the charge was of a grave nature, but it seems to have been; rather a neighbors' quarrel, and that the alleged shooting was meant rather for intimidating than injuring* Be that how it may, no one is wounded. Planting and cultivation is going on in all directions, round and in the township, the fine weather that has prevailed during the last week or two having encouraged cultivation in a great degree. Foremost amongst the gardeners is a little settlement of Chinese, who have started a garden on the Grey side of the Inangahua, just opposite the township, and have already done wonders with the ground they hold. The want of 3ome authority to clear the streets of the stagnant pools .that are everywhere to bo found is greatly felt. Owing to the very recent clearing many of these contain large quantities of vegetable matter, and in a day or two of fine or warm weather a fine . scum of green speedily collects on the surface. A medical aothority informed me that' in summer these will prove prolific hot-beds of fever and other disease. The township is confined as it were by high ranges and dense bush, and the sanitary results of the wind in dispersing miasma cannot be felt as in. more open places. At present, however, the township is in a remarkably healthy state, and the medical men have, to a great extent, sinecures. A hospital entertainment is to take place at Black's Point to-morrow, which is expected to bring in a large sum to the funds. All the leading storekeepers and others have come nobly forward, and furnished all necessaries, including eatables and drinkables, free of cost, and all attendance in their distribution on equally easy terms. Thus the nett proceeds will flow into the hospital coffers, and it is thought that even in these dull times some L6O or L7O will be gathered. There has been a mutton famine in this district for the past two months, not a trotter having been procurable for love or money. On Monday, however, some sheep, of by no means Falstaffian proportions arrived, and were sjjeedily disposed of. Mutton, however, is still at a premium, the hotels paying 8d per lb., and private customers some 2d or 3d more. • ,' A panic has been created amongst the publicans here owing to the operation of the uew Nelson Licensing Ordinance. Under its provisions, in settled towns like Reefton, certain accommodation is insisted on, and there are not out of the scores of licensed houses much more than a dozen or so that will fulfil the required conditions. The police have been rpurid nspecting each place, with a view to report

on them when their owners come up for a license, and the consternation thereby occasioned has been extreme. Either in the face of the dullest of dull times improvements must be effected, or the doors must be closed. The other course, to maintain a system of illicit sale, is open, but it is very dangerous in main thoroughfares. Many of those affected by the new law have given large sums for sites that are not likely to be obtained unless after the lapse of years. ........ ...-■, The remarks made by you on the -'Reefton gaol were exceedingly appropriate, but you hardly told the whole, truth. At the moment of writing there are nine persons in the Black Hole, and there is every prospect of their numbers being increased considerably very shortly. Only a week ago a woman who was sued for a debt and" quite able to pay it, could not be imprisoned because there was no . place to put her, and' the baffled creditor was glad to taka about one-third of his just claim and settle the matter. If some steps to remedy the evils at present existing are not taken what they will ultimately culminate in is hard to tell, but that the indifference of the Provincial Government is simply brutal there can be no doubt. The facility, with which the marriage tie can be dissolved on gold fields gener rally is notorious, but in this part of the world the generally strong. noose is more easily slipped off than in any other that it has been my fortune to inhabit. The other day, for example, I was strolling down Broadway when I encountered two old acquaintances looking as far from disconsolate as was possible. After the usual salutations, I ventured to make the usual complimentary 'inquiries after their respective better halves, when thay told me that the ladies in question had thought fit to transfer their affections and persons, without even going through ..the brief American divorce process, to other favored swains, and the affair seemed to be regarded by them rather in the light of a good, joke] than otherwise. ■ There was not a bitqf romance in the matter — the parties concerned living close to each other on the most amicable terms, without : the least suspicion of clandestine elopement or. concealment. -These couples too, to my knowledge, were lawfully maraied, and one of them had been joined in, the holy; state of matrimony for twelve or fourteen years. ■■• In mining matters I am something like knife-grinder, and have no story much to tell. , The Band of Hope have got up a good deal of their machinery. Some of it arrived to-day, and indeed they have only one stamper-box to come, and this is expected to-morrow. "Under these circumstances they may look forward to getting to work in a short time. The Invincible's prospects are good ; they are now sinking on the side of the reef to strike the lower tunnel. Anderson's are getting on, and their tramway is nearly finished. Then? machinery is in first-class order, and when ready for crushing is expected to put through about 150 tons per month. . It is probable they will be -at work in a fortnight. The tram way of Adam Smith's will be finished in about ten days, and their water-wheel in about the same time. The Westland Quartzcrushing Company's affairs are in much the same condition, though their cheques do not, appear to be as valuable as of yore. I heard of one coming back to a tradesman to-day, but no doubt they will improve in value yet.. A gentleman well known in. the Greytnbuth and Hokitika districts, Mr Carreras, has become mining manager, though" what that means \ is doubtful, if no mining is to be gone on with. There are som « irreverent heathens who liken him to the lonely individual who takes charge of vessels laid up in ordinary, and others still worse who compare those now in possession to bailiffs in possession. With all the chaff there is yet every chance of the Westland turning out better than its traducers would imply. The Inglewopd is one of the most promising of the untried claims, and its . holders have displayed great pluck in opening it up. They have a .splendid body of stone, but before getting %machinery, have determined to test it thoroughly. In order to do so they have cut a track from their claim to the . Westland Company's machine, and ' they intend packing a3 much quartz as they can over it for seven days, for a trial. This will probably amount to between 20 and 30 tons of stone, no great . quantity, but^ fairly taken out, a very ' good criterion as to the value of the :reef. ; The A jax or Mace's coal tramway is [ finished, and it is a splendid piece of work. By its means coal from the mine is hauled over the hill in a most ingenious manner and landed at the machine site. It will greatly facilitate their crushing operations, and reflects great .credit on its constructors. There is little to say respecting Rainy Creek, Larry's, or Boak man's, excepting that, in spite of alleged want of confidence, all the claims are being gone on with, and that.the shareholders do not seen infected with the nervous impressions at present, prevalent ;elsewhere. .The alluvial diggings are improving. A. party from Devil's Creek sold a small parcel of gold on Saturday, and intimated their intention of bringing in a head-race of a mile and a half in length, which they are confident will pay them well and will afford them "work for years. - ...