The Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1873.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1444, 18 March 1873, Page 2

The Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1873.

Aeter much weary waiting, the residents of this town have the satisfaction of knowing that tenders are called for the construction of the Greymouth aud Brunner Railway. In consequence ;of Mr Brogdeu's tenders being too hiyh in price, public tenders are now called, and we are not without hope, that some of the residents here will combine to take up the contract, so that the benefits accruing from it may not leave the district, and be dispersed elsewhere. . It is therefore very unsatisfactory to see by our latest telegrams that at a meeting of. the proposed Coal Company, held at Wellington yesi terday, the shareholders there resolved not to accede to the demands of the [ shareholders who, resident ou the spot, | ire usually supposed to be most intimately icquainted with the whole of the circumstances of the case. They have, in fact, resolved that the 1600 shares applied for in Greymouth are informal, and caunot be entertained, because tho local applinnta attached a condition as to their liability in subscribing for shares. The Company in Wellington now propose to confine their operations to the carrying of coal, not' to mining for it, which, we believe is a very different idea from I that entertained by those who originally subscribed in Greymouth, and it is likely seriously to interfere with the local promoters. It is well that what is being promulgated in Wellington on this subject should be fully ventilated and made public here, in order to prevent, if possible, any misunderstanding between the Wellington and Greymouth shareholders. With that object in view we republish the following remarks on this 3ubject from the Wellington Indqmulent, of the 7th inst., which fully explains the ideas entertained on this subject by the public in Wellington :—" It may be at first sight thought that the Greymouth people are somewhat selfish in their proposal, but, on the other hand, their willingness to subscribe about a third of the whole capital of the company upon the condition -they, lay down, is the strongest proof that could be offered of the special advantages of the operations of the company which attach to the Grey coal field. The small community on the spot — small both in number and in wealth as compared with that of Wellington are ready to give the most positive evidence of their faith in the profitable nature of a coal trade with their port by putting their hands in their pockets to an extent far exceeding in proportion that svhich either Wellington or any other ;own in the Colony appears likely to do. Theiaia, however, some doubt as to wha v

the Greymonth people really nienn. If it is intended that the company sh:<ll, as i; condition precedent, undertake the work of coal mining as well as of coal carrying, the difficulty stands in the way that ;:; present there is no clear prospect of tho company being able to obtain a lease of rlie only mine which is in working con dition. It is tolerably evident that the Superintendent of Nelson will stick -to tin Brunner Mine to the last for ihc purpose of making it <in inducement to some ono or other, perhaps the Government — to undertake the construction of that moonshiny project— :i railway from Nelson to Cobdon. The company might certainly obtain a concession of the larue reserve on the Westland side of the River Grey, but although there is no doubt whatever that a very extensive a id valuable coal lield there exists, it must not be forgotten that its development would be a work of considerable time, as the ground would have to be proved with regard to the best plan for attacking th^. st-am, and expensive shafts would have to be sunk. Unless the company can get hold of the Brunner mine their operations in respect to coalm ining would necessarily be retarded for a considerable time, whilst they would have tha rivalry of a mine which can be worked under exceptionally favorable conditions. If the company could obtain a lease of the Brrinner mine we should say that. they should not hesitate to undertake both the working and conveyance of co.il contemporaneously, but if they (md it impossible to procure this concession at once, they should go to work vigorous!;/ in tho direction of supplying suitable steamers for conveying their coal in the ■ colonial markets... It is quite as much to tiie direct interest of the. Greymouth people that a thoroughly efficient system ot" steam colliers should be established, so that the Brunner or any other mine should be worked by the same company. It is well understood that tho Government'will'not for some time authorise the construction of any other coal railway on the West Coast of the Middle Island than the line from Greymouth to the Brunner mine. It is, to all intents and purposes, a tesb line, and we have no doubt that wheu that line is completed an unlimited coal trade can be opened up with Greymouth. The above is sufficient to induce the New Zealand Coal Company to direct its first operations to the Grey coal fields, and although the company would hardly be justilied in binding itself exclusively to this one channel of operations, circumstances will necessarily tend to that result. The company have already taken steps to purchase a steamer or sseamevs suitable for the Grey coal trade, and they have received most favorable offers from colonial shipbuilders, which appear to present advantages over the importation of vessels from England. We are satisfied that if the company proceed vigorously to work, there is an unlimited and most profitable field for its operations in the conveyance and sale of coal only. It would undoubtedly be better if the company could also have control over the Grey mines ; but if they provide the requisite machinery for conveying the coal rapidly and cheaply to tho various colonial markets, the acquisition of the raiues may be temporarily put aside. A great deal has been said and written as to the respective merits of the various coal seams on the West Coast, but it is sufficient for practical bjisjji^s.x»vi**»»i>« i o-- rl > aJ: -'i:n.e-l.G i Te'y" ornrr irera Tsthe only one really proved, and that the Government will not construct any other coal railway on the West Coast except that to Greymouth, until necessity should arise. It is to be hoped that the company will be so far able to satisfy the Greymouth people with regard to their intentions as to secure the very large co-operation which has been offered."

The annual ball ami banquet held un-ler the auspices of the (Tieyuioutli Branch, No. 17, of the Hibernian Australian Catholic Bdnenfc Society, came off last night at the Masonic Hal, Gilmm's Hotel. The company assembled exceeded in numbers that of nny previous similar gathering. Nearly tw.> hniKlreil ladies and gentlumen sat down to supper, at the conclusion of which toasts appropriate to tlie occasion were given and responded to. Mr Edward Rutl<>r, the presideut of the society, was in the chair. Owing to the late hour at wbich the proceedings terminated at the banquet we are compelled t-> vithhold a detailed i\.p.»rt of the speeches delivered. The music was supplied by the Towu Band. The arrangements altogether were well carried out, and the managing commi tee des-rve great credit for the maimer in which they performed their duty. A man named Samuel Hall was auciden' tally drowned in the Grey river on Saturday afternoon. The deceased was driving the horses attached to oue of the coal boats, and while attempting the ford just above Rock Island, the horse he was riding by some mischance got into deep water," and the driver was carried awaj and drowned. An inquest was to be held on the remains on Monday. The deceased was an old resident of the Grey district, and resided for some time at Ahaura and the Twelve-Mile ingAt the meeting of ths Hokitika Borough Council on Friday eveuing, Councillor Cross gave notice of motion for fixing a rate of 2s per 100 cubic feet on all logs of wood exported from the wharf. The Scandinavians now in town are requested to assist the movement being inaugurated &b Ancher's Commercial Hotel' for the purpose of senditia aid to the sufferers by the recent stoi-ins and floods on the north coasts of Denmark.. Considerable sums have been contributed in other colonial towns, and have been remitted, and there is no reason why a very handsome addition to the fuud should not be subscribed here. After a number of friends interest themselves in the matter, a committee will be formed to collect j subscriptions. In consequence of the late fire, Messrs Strike and Blackmore have not hecu able to supply the demands of their customers for beer, especially during this race season. They have iv the emergence wisely called in the aid of the Hokitika brewers, and yestcrlanded on the wharf from the Waipara a large shipment of Hokitika brewed beer. The W'cst Count Times says that, from iui'ormation brought to Hokitika ou Saturday night, it appears that Chamberlain and Levy, though not yet captured, are likely to be very soon in the hands of their pursuers. Last Wednesday evening a man answering the description of Chamberlain called at Alexander's Accommodation llouss, forty miles. up the Christchurch road, kept by a man named Wilson. The wan supposed to be Chamberlain had a sort of cape covering m - 3 shoulders, aud kept his face from view as much as possible, both from Wilson and tour other men who were in tbo place. He had a drink, which he paid for, and purchased two shilling's worth of bread. lie

w/mterl mnra bread, hut "Wilson could vo' spare- it. Reforo leaving thn house lit 1 f.-'i' •ill n,t lie had come from/'rtn-Vs, and that iv: ■md his mate? — four a-lfcngi'ther — weiw workin;! down below, and that if they did not •■rieceed they wore guim; over t' % Tayl r's. Ft is supposed i.lmb he volunteered this i-..(>r-niation so .-is to throw tho p^lic') off thr--cent. Shortly after ho had lift, ho ;k>s-w \ down thn roart'agriin, and then throe of the men went out after him. • HeariiiL' the foo!.Ueps of his foll-nv ■•rs the man stood s' ill and raced tlirm. This checked their advance, ■md ;if!cfl""kii):-: at cace other for a shorb rime the three men turned back to Wilson's ')n the following nijlifc some potatoes wcfi milled up ont of Wilson's garden, and it is surmised that the theft was iho work of either Cf.nmb:-rlain or Levy They are 3ui>nused to be lying hid in the hush on a terrace close by, waiting their opportunity ot getting up the G-nrye, which is. however, coo well watched for them to effect their purnoso. Miirray's Great World f,'irou3 was liberally patronised last evening, bein<> crammed to overflowing, and the p-rfortnances were immensely appreciated and applauds I. The performances will be continued this evening, and every evening during the week. The Stfiphensnn-Burforrl Troupe cave an entertainment last evening in the Volant -er flail, introduciny the grand fairy burlesqu • of " The Invisible Prince," which was much applauded. «-is. it deserved to be from the excellence of jthe acting, the costnmai, and the wiicry. 'Die s-iuie piece will be repeated this evening. The Alexander Troupe, now poi forming in *O'vn y gave a cor.r.nrb :it Mo. Town on Friday niuht, in aid of the local school. On the foliowi \£ day Mr Inspector Hodgson visited the school, and not only expressed himself thoroughly satisfied, bub promised to endeavor to obtain a liberal subsidy from the Government in the shaps of books, &c. The same company gave an entertainment at Hunt's Assembly Rooms, last evening, to a largo andi-Mice, and will appear again this evening with a new programme. The promoters of the last FTokitika Exhibition arc already making preparations to hold another one during the next Christmas holidays. Its extent and attractions will depend very much upon the support the project will receive. As a matter of course it will be expected that the second edition shall brt an improvement uoon the first, and to render it so will he a task to the projectors, in the performance of which they will need much help. The West Coast Times says that it will be oV served from the. report of the Finance Committee, brought up in the County Council on Friday, a somewhat ambitious proposal is made, with the view, nob only of extricating the' County from its present difficulties, but also of obtaining means to develop its resources. It is proposed to borrow no less a sum than 1.100,000, upon the security of the waste lands of the County. All we can say is that we very sincerely hope the permission required will be granted, and that ibe money will be forthcoming. In consequence of the resignation of Mr Halcombe, Immigration Officer for Wellington, who leaves the service in order to become agent for the Colonists Aid Corporation, it is proposed, wo understand, to a* oKsh the office as a separate one, and intrust its duties to the Chief Clerk of tlie .fn migration Department, The latter appointment has been conferred upon Mr rl. J. H. Elintfc, Chief Cierk of the Public Works Department, who will be succeeded, by Mr Benzoni,' of the Inspector of .Stores Office. Jlr Benzoni's appointment lias caused great dissatisfaction among the members of the Civil Service. In recording the arrival at Wellington of the 'Rangatira, with 191) tons of coal from the Branner mine, the Post says: — " }.ir IT ar tm an nrerjf >r tsi t ha£ _so J: an_as_lLa -*•"*-*>- ia.J&^The coal is at least equal to that of Newcastle. He visited the Bra oner and Ngakawau mines. From the fo mer the coal is brought do.vn in boats of 25 tons burden, bnt owing to the want of rain the river is now s'ljloiv that only seven tons can be carried by each boat, and even then they ground on the rocks neatly the whole way. The method adopted is rather ingenious, llorst-s are yolked on tbe boats, which are turned broadside en. By thi< means the force of wator against them is greater, and they are al>o turned over on their sides, mtking their draughts less. In this position they may be heard grinding on the rocks nearly tlie whole distance from th^ mine to the port From inspection of the N'-takawau mine and the port at Westport,, Mr Harbmann is of opinion that Xgnkawau will eventually be the coal port of New Zea land, the river being a fine one .vhieh vessels of 300 or -iK) tons can enter, and the bar being better than that at the Gr.-y." " The intense heat and conunnecl drought have hid a very pr, judicial effect upon crops and pastures in the neighborhood of Nelson. Such a drouth", says the Colonist, has nor, been known for in my years pa*l.. everything Having more or Jess suffered. The potatoes ar« especially light and scanty, and agricultural matters of every (inscription have felt the had effect which tlie absence of rain has produce 1. The fruit has shared the detrimental effect also, and vegetables are so dear and scarce that importations have taken place from the Coast. The curi-ms fact of the older and settled districts being supplied with vegetables from the neighborhood of our gold fields has presented itself this season and City people have consumed their mutton with the usual, accompaniment of a West Coast cabbage- brassica of great size and iveiihfc, and potatoes Very large and good, being frequently procurable from this quarter at a reasonable price, when all local supply has failed. The Bay of Islands must be a singularly primitive place, judging by the following account of it by a recent visitor:—"! can compare the folks in this part of the world to nothing but a sort of human vegetable, who, having grown, like cabbages, always in one spot, live in happy ignorance of an outer world. Once having cast anchor in the Bay of Dianas, civilisation is left far behind, and an existence of purgatory is commenced, which to a man of active mind must end in imbecility or self-destruction. Intellectual conversation is unknown; and if language was given to communicate ideas, the faculty was superfluous here, where so few have any ideas at all, and where an accident to Mrs Grnndy's cow, or the arrival of a stranger in the viliiage. are incidents sufficiently important to occupy the mind. Here we live in a most primitive condition, and as an abhorreneeof work forms a distinguishing characteristic of the people, money is but rarely meb with, and cash payments are almost superseded by^ a system of barter. Thus, if our batehur gets sick, the doctor takes his fee in mutton and chops, and the baker takes his bread bill out in pills. In fact, this is as near as possible ' a lif*: led according to nature;' but, although I endeavor, like Dr Johnson's philosopher, ' to co-operate with the general disposition and tendency of the present system of tilings,' I must admit that I quite fail to see the advantage of it." Thompson, Smibh, and Barkley havejjaocepted tenders for a brick warehouse, and now wish to dispose of one'of their establishments on Mawhera Quay. They are offering every class of goods at prices .hitherto unknown in Grey mouth, and invite particular attention to present pricc3, as it is mo . necessary f oi them to reduce their pre 3e 8 heavy stock to enable them to carry o'it alterations without inconvenience.— [Aavnt