THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1873.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1452, 29 March 1873, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1873.

A mono the items of telegraphic intelligence to hand yesterday by the arrival of the Tarai iia, not the least interesting is the report that a New Zealand Coal Company, with a capital of £100,000, was one of the numerous projects in which English capitalists have been invited to invest since the commencement of the still continuing coal famine. There is some reason to suppose that the project may have been initiated by Mr Brogden, who, if lie had not really reached England, would be enabled to communicate sufficient to encourage his firm to take steps towards' the starting of a company, ,: . .-.Whijlo.--: in • the Grey district Mr Brogden, by personal inspection arfd inquiry, informed himself thoroughly as to the extent of its coalseams. He also conveyed with him a largd amount of contributed information on the same subject, and, should the project be iv any way attributable to him, it is not unreasonable to suppose that to this district the attention of the proposed company will be directed.

The plans and specifications for the Brunner Railway arrived in town last evening by tho Albion; from Wellington. Wo may shortly state for the information of all interested in the prosecution of this important undertaking— that is, of course, all our readers — that the work consists of formation only, and extends from Mawhera Quay, opposite Johnston's Melbourne Hotel, to a point on the south side of the river opposite the Brunner mine, a distanae of 7 miles 23 chains, with 20 chains-, of sidings in addition; and that the time .allowed for its completion is twelve months from the acceptance of the tender. The deposit required to accompany each tender is one per cent, on its amount, and the successful tenderer will have to find sureties to the extent of four per cent, in addition, the Government thus holding five per cent, in all by way of security. It will be observed from the above .that there is no provision for any bridge over the river Grey, or for the lay ing of sleepers and rails. The date for receiving tenders is Friday, the 25th of April, at Wellington, either by letter or tjelegraph, under certain conditions which have already appeared in our advertising columns.

| If Young Greymoufch be not very extensively represented at the Circus to-day, it will be a wonder, for each proud possessor of a; shilling or a sixpence may take his or her seat undar the canvas canopy, and see such sights as they are certain to remember until their hairs are grey. There is also to be an evening entertainment. Yesterday the benefit of the, Brothers Jullien was diminished in value by the occurrence of what has ro much benefited all others of the community—a copious rainfall, but there was a fair attendance, and the performance was exceptionally excellent, ! A meeting of the Committee of the Grey River Coal-mining Company, Mr Wickes in the chair, was held last evening, when the draft of the memorandum of association was read and approved of, and various other matters relative to the contemplated operation of the company were considered. A number of copies of the prospectus were ordered to be printed, and circulated on Monday, when residents of Greymouth will have an opportunity of subscribing themselves as applicants for shares in the company. It was also decided to invite Dr Hector to visit Greymouth before his return to Wellington, in order to obtain the advantage of his knowledge of the subject ; and that the members of the district in the County Council and the Mayor should be requested to use their endeavors to facilitate interests of the company with the Colonial Government. Tenders for the construction of two punts at the Grey are called for by the Assistant Engineer. The punts, we understand, are to be employed: as supplementary means of conveying blocks of stone for the construction of the railway and protective works. 1 A welcome and weighty fall of rain occurred during Thursday night, and Dews ■ cornea from the country that it extended to the interior, so that the sluice-box and stampers are at' length likely to be steadily at work -for -gome days. Ilesidents of Ross are petitioning in favor of cancelling the Cassius and Kohinoor leases, now held by Mr Michael Cassius. A' slight shock of earthquake was felt in Nelson about 11.30 p.m. on Sunday last. By the steamship Albion, and by the attention of CaptaiuM'Lean, the friends cf Mr O'Connor, late District Engineer, who had made arrangements to present that gentleman with some lasting mencorial of their friendship, received from Melbourne a very handsome and valuable case of mathematical and other instruments, accompanied by a field glass, which articles they purpose presenting to Mr O'Connor. The purchase was made by Captain M'Leau, and his selection is creditable to his taste, as it is satisfactory to tbe subscribers. The case and its accom-

paniment will be forwarded by the first convenient opportunity to Mr O'Connor, now residing at Cluistchurch. Upon a handsome brass-plate inserted in the rosewood case containing the instrument, the following inscription has been neatly cut : — " Presented to Charles Yelverton O'Connor, Esq., C. E., by a few friends resident in Greyoiouth, New Zealand, od the occasion of hi% leaving fcue district, as a mark of their appreciation of his zealous and able discharge of his duties as District Engineer, and of their esteem for him as a frieud." i The Medical Superintendent of the Gladesville Lunatic Asylum, New South Wales, notes that " isolation, and the limited range of sympathy which individuals, especially new-comers, experience even in the towns of our new colouies seems to be a cause of insanity." The death of Mr F. J. Sargood, of London, and Melbourne, is announced. Mr Sargood was a member of the Board of Advice connected with the Victorian Agency. The deceased was buried at Norwood Cemetery on January 21. Sir James M'Culloch attended the funeral, and several old colonists were present. ''Life among the Maoris of New Zealand" is an interesting work just published. It is written by the Rev. Robert Wood, who was for 26 years a resident on the North Island, and edited by the Rev. Thomas Lowe and the Rev. Wm. Whitby. It is a very sensible, well-informed, and we'l-grounded ac-. count of New Zealand, and will do much to instruct home readers on the subjects of which it treats. Miss Stephenson and Mr Burford, who have been residents of Greymouth and other townships on the West Coast for the past twelve months, and who have succeeded in gratifying thousands by their dramatic entertainments, but have failed in making even the miuutest nucleus of a fortune, take their departure to-day for Dunedin by the steamer Taraiua. In Dunedin, or elsewhere, Miss Stephenson will, no doubt, be well received and appreciated, and she will have in the larger towns the advantages of freedom from . the fatigues of stage management. It is a curious fact in connection with the coal trade, that large orders for coal have been sent from Liverpool to the Consolidated Coal Company of Georgetown, South Carolina, for quantities of coal, to be conveyed to Bombay, Point-de-Gallo, Madeira, Alexandria, Rio de Janeir), Aspinwall, St. Thomas, Martinique, Havana, Monte Video, Valparaiso, and several other foreign ports. Dr Feathersione, who had an attack of illness, is now recovering. It was somewhere stated that he was suffering from gastric fever. This was not so. The cause of the doctor's indisposition arose from the trouble caused by an old wound which he received during his campaigning against the Maoris. His medical advisers say that they will soon sec him up again. Mr James M 'lnnes is gazatted as clerk to the Resident Magistrate's Court, and Reciiver of Gold Revenue at Greenstone, vice Mr flinchcliff, and Mr Emerson Receiver of Revenue at Kanieri, vice Mr Halliday. The Westport Coal and Railway Committee have received a promise from the Superintendent of kelson that he will accompany their intended deputation to Wellington. Stone equal to that from the Little Wonder, at the Lyell, has been taken from the new reef at Mokihinui. Picked stone would yield 20oz to the ton. The Rev. Mr Peebles and Dr Dunn, lecturers on Spiritualism, sailed from Dunedin in the Harriett Armitage for Hong Kong. Judging by the manner in which they were received by the opponents of the new faith, it is easy to suppose that more than one exclaimed on their departure, " They may go tn Hong Kong for me." The Caranditiis, according to the Colonist, gave their first entertainment in Nelson to an audience more appreciative than numerous. At Charleston they had. two of the largest audiences assembled on the Coast. Mr E. J. Lee has been appointed Revising Officer for the electoral districts in Westland, Nelson, and Maryborough. Mr White, M.H.R., communicated with Mr Bathgate on the subject of the Waimea Water-race, and received the following reply : — "Work much more complicated and costly than was contemplated. Expensive siphon may be necessary ; matter under, serious consideration at present ; will advise you if any definite resolution."* The Dunedin and Tokomairiro Railway is expected to be finished in five months, when the journey to Clyde by rail and coach will be made in one day. Coach fare from Winton to Kingston, a distance of 75 miles, is 2s each way. This is rather a hot opposition. Dr Hector was a passenger to Hokitika by the Albion. His purpose is to examine the Kanier' coal field. If it is at all within his commission, it would be well that Dr Hector should, at this particular time, once more visit the Grey district. A communication from the Committee of the Coal-mining Committee might have some effect. Dr Garland, J.P. and Coroner, Hokitika, was a passenger by the Albion to Melbourne, after a residence of four years on the Coast. He was entertained by a number of friends at the Cafe previous to his departure. The Westport Times reports two fresh discoveries of coal — one at the Waimangaroa, a seam 6ft thick, and another near what is known as the new Nine-Mile Track. Harry Pierson, butcher, Charleston, has received serious by being thrown from his horse. The member for the Buller District in the House of Representatives has been address- I ing his constituents at Charleston and I Addisou'a Flat. At a meeting of the Murray Creek Goldmining Company, held yesterday, we understand that it was resolved that the company should be wound up. The mails from the Northern Provinces for the Grey district, brought by the s.s. Albion, were landed at Hokitika, but reached town last evening by overland conveyance. So were the mails received by the Kennedy. Our Nelson files by the Albion's mail contain reports of the public meeting held for the purpose of promoting the project of a railway to the West Coast. By one of the speakers, Mr Shephard, extracts from our columns were read and remarked upon with a view to explanation. These remarks, and those of other speakers, we shall notice in an early number. Anyone of the name of Ambrose may reasonably read the following paragraph with interest : — A well-dressed man wailed upon the presiding Magistrate, at the Westminster Police Court, the other day, to inquire how he should be able to communicate to a person named Ambrose, who had been sent away from this Court, the gratifying intelligence that he had suddenly had a fortune left him. Mr Woolrych having inquired how long ago since Ambrose was committed from this Court and the nature of the offence, applicant replied that it was now fifteen years ago. The offender was then a mere boy, and was brought to this Court, as he believed, for a petty act of dishonesty. He was at first sent to a reformatory, and subsequently shipped off to Australia, and then lost sight of. Ambrose, at the time spoken of, was a poor friendless boy. and there was nobody to take any interest in his fate. Now

that a fortune hal been left him it waa very desirable that he should enjoy the benefit of it. After consulting with the chief c'e~k, Mr Wool-ych told applicant to go to the lodusfcrial Schools' office, in Parliament street. where he might probably obtain some information on the subject. Tbe latest news from the Wa'ho rush, in the Okarifco district, is to the effect that a somewhat complicated mining dispute has arisen with regard to the title to certain heads of water which command the terraces on which gold has been struck. The Watden's decision is said to have caused some dissatisfaction, aud Mr Kellery has arrived in Hokitika with the object of having an interview with tbe Governor's delegate on the subject. Some of the ground is represented to be highly auriferous, and is now standing idle for want of water.