THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1572.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1343, 18 November 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1572.

Since the passing of the Act by which the Assembly agreed to expend L 50,000 on public works <mi the West Coast Gold Fields, considerable interest has been felt, though not externally exhibited, as to the expenditure of the amount available for the present year, and in this district the hope and the wish have been that a part of the fund should be expended in the completion of the main road from Greymouth to Reefton. By information received front' a reliable correspondent in Wellington, wo are enabled to state that this wish is likely soon to bo gratified. According to our information, it is proposed, in allocating the expenditure of L 25,000 during the ensuing twelve months, to proceed with the construction of the main road from the Arnold to the Ahaura— a work with regard to which the Nekon Government promised much, and, as usual, did nothing. We are told that it is also proposed to carry out contemporaneously the construction of a work which has long and often been recommended in these columns— a track from the Ahaura to the Amuri. Another work which has been proposed— a dray road to Bell Hill — is not recognised by the Nelson Government as a work of urgent necessity, and their advice in that matter will probably, and without any palpable loss to the public, be accepted by the Ministry. The works to be undertaken in the Buller District have not yet been decided upon. Out of the grant for public works in Westland it is proposed to continue the main road from Marsden to Greymoath by tho route which is now generally favored — namely, by way of Sawyers' Creek — but the proposition is subject to the approval of the County Council and to the arrangements which they may make as to compensating the tramway company, such compensation to be considered part of the cost of construction. Compared with any of these works, the construction of the Greymouth and Brunnerton Railway is undoubtedly of superior importance, both for local and colonial considerations, and we belive that the Executive are exceedingly anxious to commence and to carry it out as expeditiously a* possible, but an obstacle exists in the shape of Mr Curtis and those conditions to which a committee of the Nelson Council were too facile in agreeing when the subject was undortheir consideration last session. The Messrs Brogden, we belive, are prepared to tender for the. construction of the work, but, under the Public Works Act of 1871, the Government cannot enter upon a contraob

until the conditions as to the charge of interest upon the mine are settled. In settling this matter, and other contingents, Mr Curtis has pursued his common course of inaction or obstruction, his last attempt being to induce the Government to make a tramway on the Cobden side, and in dealing with him the Government, we fear, have not an, easy, task before them, but if Mr Yogel is as resolute as Mr Curtis described him to bs in one of his speeches during the past session, the enterprise is not likely to "turn awry" or " lose the name of action."

Mr E. B. Fox announces his intention to stand for re-election for the' County Council. Mr Cooper has responded favorably to the requisition presented to him ; but Mr W. S; Smith, to whom a very inftuentially-signed requisition was presented, has not as yet given a reply. The polling day for the ensuing County Council elections is the Bbh December, being the second Thursday in the month The date o£ nomination if not precisely fixed by the Act, but may bo any day not eariier bhan 2nd December and nofc laber than the sth. We have heard it rumored that Messrs' Hoos, Button, and Keogh, are standing for Hokitika ; Messrs Barff and Clarke, for Waimea; Messrs Tribe and Cuming, for Totara; Messrs Ralfe and Barrett, for Okarito ; and Mr John White, for Kanicri. A meeting of the Christmas Sports CommiWe3 was held last Saturday evening, when tho mooted point as to where these sports should be held was at length decided, and the Camp Reserve, should permission be got from the custodian of the paddock, was chosen. This choice was .in a great manner brought about by the belief that the road to the racecourse would not be ready in time, and without that accommodation no crowd could be expected to go there. A canvassing committee was also appointed, and as soon as their report is handed in the programme will be issued. This latter information cannot be given until the result of the canvass is ascertained, and the Committee hope that the support granted will be of such a liberal nature a3 to enable them to offer really attractive prizes for competition. No time should be lost in issuing this programme, as there are only five weeks for its publicity through the district. The Japanese Troupe commence: their series of entertainments at the Volunteer Hall this evening. From the reputation this company has acquired elsewhere, a great treat may be anticpated. We learn that the Nelson authorities have at length thought fit to let the contract for the unfinished portion of the road from Reef ton to the landing of the Buller. The work has now been commenced, nearly all the timber on the line, which has been carried past the Court House and Telegraph Office having been felled. It will probably be finished in about six weeks. An unusual number of mining tenders are at present being invited at Reefton. Driving in the North Britiak tunnel is to be continued 80ft, and tenders for the work close on Saturday — as also tenders for raising stone for the Golden Fleece Company on Monday. The {prospecting tunnel for the United Band of Hope is also to be carried an additional 100 ft, and tenders are invited for the work, closing on the 30th inst. Three casually caaes have been admitted into the Westporfc hospital during the last week — a man who fell from the wharf ; a miner from the terraces with a broken arm ; and a familiar character known as the Count, who received severe injuries from some cowardly ruffian, whom, he says, knocked mm aown ana jumped «v liitu. - — It is intended, to hold in We3tport, daring the coming Christmas weefc, two concerts for church purposes. The members of the vestry of Sb John's Church are anxious to raise a fund apart from ordinary church revenue, for the purchase of a new harmonium, which is much needed j and they will depend on the pecuniary returns from a benefit performance for a portion of the purchase money. Another benefit will also be organised in aid of the funds of the Catholic church. Mr. Hilton, of the Varieties, Hokitika, returned from Melbourne by the Alhambra. He has brought over with him several new singers, who made their first appearance on Saturday evening. The nexb prize firing may possibly take place in Nelson, and wibh . this desirable occurrence in view, some parties have been busily seeking a proper place for fixing the butts. Their inquiries have led to the reCommendation of a piece of ground, in every way fit for the purpose, situated between Greig's bill and the Stoke bridge, on the Poor Man's Valley side, of the road. It is certainly, says the Examiner, Nelson's turn to receive tho rifle representatives, who have been everywhere North and South of us, but at Nelson, where the firing is likely to occur under the favoring circumstances of genial weather and a clear atmosphere ; if is does happen, it will be for the first time. The tender of Mr Maher for the construction of wire foot bridges over the Hohonu aad New River, have been accepted by the County Government. An oatmeal mill, with all the latest improvements, has just been made at Messrs Fraser, Wishart, and Co.'s Railway Foundry, for Mr Gilmore, Lake Wakatip. Mr Percy Wakefield, lately Warden's clerk at Keefton, on Thursday Jast registered the Rainy Creek Quart?- Mining Company, capital L 30.000 jvalue of claim, work done, &c, LIB.OOO. Parcels of alluvial gold, amounting in the aggregate to about 210oz, were brought into Reef ton on Saturday, and purchased by Mr Hayes and other storekeepers. The Ilevalcl is glad to notice that the production of this district from alluvial workings is steadily and largely increasing. The samples were all heavy gold, some being but little water worn.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Town Hafl oa Friday night, tljfl Mayor in the chai'. Present — Councillors Woolcogk, Macgregor, Glenn, Coates, Moore, and Dupre. After the minutes had been confirmed and the correspondence read, it was referred to the Public Works Committee to consider the purposes to which the reserves, lately vested in the Council, should be applied.— The resignation of Councillor G. S. Smith was received. Mr C. Hardy wrote complaining that his garden was seriously injured owing to the smallness of the culvert recently placed at tho crossing of Hospital street. Referred to the Public Works Committee.— An account from Mr Perkins for legal services rendered, was referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act.— The Public Works Committee's report recommended that five mooring piles bo driven for the security o£ the shipping in port, aud that plans and estimates be prepared for the repair of Arney street bridge. With regard to this the Town Surveyor reported that the best plan to repair the bridge would bo by building stone approaches, leaving a bridge span of 100 ft. A discussion toolf place as to where the money was to come from for theße works as the Council was without funds. It was stated that the bridge was now unsafe for traffic, and if not repaired immediately it wonld have to be shut. It was resolved that the piles be driven on the Quay, aud that plans bs laid on the table at next meet, ing for the repair of the bridge.— The Mayor

stated that the powder magazine was full, and that application had been made to him for the ÜBe of the Dangerous Goods Depot for the storage of powder. Mr Coates moved and Mr Woolcock 1 seconded, that permission be granted for two months. Mr Dupre moved an amendment, "That no powder be allowed to bo stored in the Depot, and that the County Chairman be requested immediately to call for tenders for the erection of a proper place for storing powder, The amondmenb was carried. Three young men, Poole, Reyling, and Pelling, while sailing a boat in the river yesterday, had a narrow escape from drowning, The boat filled and sank, and they had the alternative of sinking or swimming^ to I shore. Fortunately they were able to swim, and they reached the shore at tho North Spit, wet but living. Mr Carrutbers, Chief-Engineer, is expected to visit the West Coast during the ensuing week. No person has yet been authoratively named as tho successor of Mr O'Connor as District Eneineer, but thcro is a rumor that a Mr Simpson, from Otago, is like to take his place. The Hokifcika Evening Star is responsible for tho .following:— "Our Westporfc exchanges inform us of a ciroumstance which could hardly have accurrcd except under the rule of the Nelson Government. A woman named Gething, went to the police-camp and complained that an ex-warder of the gaol had ill-used and struck her. The police in their wisdom arrested the woman, and locked her up on a charge of drunkenness. the night, Constable Gorman, who had..,assistecl at tho arrest, got intoxicated, and having obtained admission to the lock-up, took possession of the bed, and went to sleep very comfortably, having left tho door open to allow the woman to seek new quarters. Gorman was afterwards found sound asleep in the cell and has been suspended from duty. Some exceedingly, good specimens were procured from the low level of the Anderson Creek Company's claim, luangahua, on Friday. The stone has been improving for the lasc week or two, but that now being got out is better fan -than any previously obtained. The result of the crushing will be looked for with much interest. It is thought by those competent to form an opinion that it will be more favorable than any yet reported from the district. Forty pounds weight of amalgam has already been taken from the ripples. On" the afternoon of the saaie day, the Golden Hill Co. concluded a crushing of 500 tons at the Westland battery. The result will not be known for a day or two, as tke blankets are to be washed at the Ajax's, tho directors being anxious to put their tailings through, the bardans of the latter machine. Great expectations are not indulged in, even by the shareholders. It will certainly be under an ounce. It is a matter of surprise that people, who are themselves thoroughly ignorant of the business of quart?r|xiining, should frequently invest large sunis of money. -without in the first place consulting a broker. In nearly all the towns, on the West Coast, there are now firms of undoubted respectability, who have made it their especial business to procure reliable information as to the prospects and. value of the different claims. The development of the reefs have been very much retarded through capitalists having been indnoed to purchase worthless shares, by men whose direct interest it was to deceive, and who, in many 'cases, left the district immediately after the sale had been concluded. The risk that must always be run by those who purchase mining property is very great, and the information which the well-informed agent cau impart is so very vainnhlA.-jmliiia -Uio commission hecharces is. so very low, that there no longer exists the slightest excuse for those who by neglecting this precaution may be induced to expend their money foolishly. • In an article on the subject of the development of our coal-fields, the Southern Cross says : — When New Zealand has developed its vast deposits of coal to the extent of producing more than enough to supply the present requirements of our market, we may hope for something being done to develop manufacturing industries amongst us to a greater extent than now obtains. The supply of fuel lies at the rook of all manufacturing enterprise It is vain to expect much industrial development amongst us a people so long as we have toViinj)6rt a large quantity of the coal we consume. This is a fact not generally kept in mind by those who complain occasionally of our backwardness in manufacturing parsnits. Steam power has been found to be so much hand jer than other mechanical motors, that a general preference is given for steam where fuel can be procured at a reasonably rate. ,■ Every fire of a steam-boiler that is lighted increases our consumption of coal, and it is soon found that steam raised with imported coal unmercifully cuts into the profits, What ought to be done to imprpve tins state of things is to give more attention to ascertaining the extent and value of our; coal seams, and set vigorously to work to fender them largely productive.