THE PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1873.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1485, 8 May 1873, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1873.

A meeting of the directors of the Greymouth Coal Company was held last night, when Mr W. S. Smith was elected permanent chairman. A ballot was then taken between the four banks in town to be the bankers for the Company, which resulted in favor of the Bank of New South Wales, being the Bank which has conducted the Company's affairs since it was set on foot. Mr G. W. Moss was elected secretary. Sundry accounts were passed for payment, and applications for shares were opened, and the number applied for allotted.

The contractors for the Arnold and Ahaura road are making good use of the splendid weather they are having for their operations, and it is expected all the sections will be finished within the time allowed. There is a subject which forms a ground of complaint among some of the working pea with respect to these contracts, which it is to be hoped the contractors will be able to explain or deny. It is said that the truck system, in its worst form has been introduced on the works, but some of the contractors positively assert that they are not the parties who have done so. A correspondent who describes himself as a "Working-man," says that when he and others went on to do a portion of the line they "found that the contractors were butchers, bakers, drapers, and ironmongers, &c, the whole of the businesses being conducted under the same roof, and consequently the men were compelled to procure tools and stores from the contractors. We would not be employed on the works until we bought tools, and on the fifth day we found a number of men discharged without a moment's notice, and when settled up with they were brought in debt. Next morning a new set of hands were employed, who each had a Dew set of tools procured on the same terms." The writer makes other serious charges, but the above will show that the complaint exists, and we trust the contractors will be in a position to explafn'or con« tradict the allegations.

An excellent is offered this evening to the lovers of the drama at the Volunteer Hall. Mr Neville Thornton, with the highly v , accomplished and talented Little Amy, appearing in the old Scotch drama of " Cramond Brig," ably assisted by Mr Alexander. There having been a considerable dearth of amusement for some time past, and the ability of these artists being fully recognised, there will most probably be a good house. Y/e are requested to mention that all holders of front seat tickets will be presented with a medallion photo of La Petite Amy.

The survey of the track from Ahaura to Amuri is going on .rapidly under the direction of Mr Surveyor Hall. Mr Dobson, in his report, after the examination made by him of this route, spoke of the existence of deep and- difficult gulches or ravines which would materially increase the cost of making the track. A correspondent writes to inform us that he ran the course of the deepest of these gulches out in about a mile from the place where the present track crosses it. He says that by making a slight deviation with the road it would pass along a fine level terrace, skirting the head of the ravines mentioned. Mr Hall ia aware of the existence of this terrace, and he will utilise it if it offers any advantage. '

A meeting of the committee of management of the Grey River • ospital was held last night, Mr Greenwood in the chair. The secretary read the correspondence for the month. The Visiting Committee reported that 15 patients had been admitted during the month, 15 discharged during the month, and one died, 26 patients remained in the hospital. The Visiting Committee reported 1 that Miss C. Rourke's complaint had been investigated, and they found that she had not presented her subscriber's ticket to Dr. Morice, who had supplied her with medicine from his dispensary, and therefore they were of opinion that she had no claim against the hospital. On the report of the Visiting Committee, it was decided to raise the salary of Mr Reiling, the day wardsman, L2O a year; Mr Davie night waidsman, Lls ; and — Arlington, cook, Ll2. Mr King reported that he had effected an insurance on the buildings, furniture, and drugs, for LISOO in the Imperial and Victoria Offices at 3 per cent.— Approved. The Treasurer reported the receipt of Westland Government subsidies for October and November, LBl 19s and LSO 10s 4d respectively j also the receipt o

LIOO, the Westland vote for a female ward a donation from Patrick Morissey of LI , being amount of fine in Morissey v. Griffen ; receipt of L 5 from Arthur Ellis, on account I of art-union for a watch; 10s from Matthew J£irwan, LI 10s from Henry Potter, L 4 from Mooney, L 3 2s 6<3 from Fletcher, LI from Margaret M'Cauley, L 7 3s 6d from sale of vegetables, and Ll2 from the Half-Ounce Committee, per A. Nicholl. The Nelson subsidy for March, L 69 14s lOd, and Westland subsidies for December, January, February, and March, were still due. Messrs King and Reid were appointed to wait on Mr Mackay respecting the lease of the Hospital site. Mr Arnott was appointed to the Visiting Committee, vice Mr Revell.

The aspect which the celestial sphere now presents to our gaze on a clear night is of more than ordinary interest, not merely by the splendour and brilliancy of the constellations which are visible as usual at this time of the year, but from the fact of the three superior planets, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn, being all observable at the same time, though far apart from each other. If any of our readers are curious or anxious to know which is which, we will state that on Sunday evening next (the weather of course being favorable) they will see Mars a few degrees to the west of the moon. Under the same circumstances Jupiter will be visible as the brightest star to the westward, about 70deg, and Saturn at a distance still greater to the eastward. But for precise information and monthly phenomena we may refer them to the astronomical notes in the almanac for the year. Our object is to call the attention of our readers more especially to the total eclipse of the moon, which will occur at a very favorable hour for observation on Monday night next (the weather, as we before said, beiug favorable). The first contact with the penumbra will take place at 7.5S p.m.

A Wanganui paper states that houses are still very scarce in Wellington, and considerable inconvenience is experienced by those of the inhabitants who seek a change of residence, either from inclination or on account of the receipt of that unwelcome missive— a notice to quit. . LSO to L6O a year is the average rental for a six-roomed house-

The Thames Debating Class has collapsed for want of an audience. On the last night of meeting only one member made his appearance, and he was found asleep by the secretary over a copy of a local newspaper. We (Auckland Star) understand that the strength and eloquence of Mr Smith's essay on the " Origin of the Universe" intimidated the members, and completely exploded the class.

A sitting of the Westland Waste Lands Board was held at noun on Tuesday at Hokitika. Present : The Chief Commissioner, Messrs Hoos, Smith, Evans, and- Patten. Tho following correspondence with reference to this district was read : — From C. C. Hardy, secretary to the Greymouth Horticultural Society, asking that three sections in the town of Greymouth be withdrawn from sale, to allow the Corporation to include the land in a block, which they were willing to permit the Society to occupy. — Two applications from James Hamilton, for blocks of rural land in the Grey district, of 50 and 250 acres respectively, in payment for public works, were granted. — John Maher applied for 121 acres of land to be reserved from sale, and given in payment for public works. The application was granted. — W. Keech applied fcr a pasturage license for GOO acres of land, situate on the north bank of the Teremakau River. Granted, LlO paid. — J. Larapard applied to purchase section 349, town of Greymouth. Granted, Ll2 paid. — W. S. Smith applied to purchase sections 351, 353, 357, &359, and 361 town of Greymouth. Granted, L 72 paid.

The i West Coast Times, of yesterday, says that a meeting of the Steam Tug Company was held at the Empire Hotel last evening. The acting seoretary stated that 2200 shares had been taken up in Hokitika, leaving only 800 shares not applied for. It was proposed that 500 shares should be reserved for disposal in Melbourne. It was decided by ballot, that Messrs Hall and Churches should proceed to Melbourne to purchase a steam-tug and two sailing vessels, and the meeting adjourned until Thursday next.

Mrs A; J. Richmond has presented to Christchchurch, Nelson, a Brussels carpet for the chancel, new coverings for the cushions andkneelers at the altar, and a crimson velvet lining for the Bishop's chair.

The following is the latest mining news from Tuapeka, Otago : — "Captain Henderson's application for his pre-emptive right of 640 acres on Ovens Hill Station was objected to by the Teviot Progress Committee, and by Eady and Co., Miller's Flat, and adjourned for three weeks to allow the Warden to visit the ground. If the land applied for is granted, five miles of amiferous banks of the Molyneux will be closed to the miner, as it will be impossible to bring water on them. Thsre is a good deal of excitement in the Teviot district about the matte. — Mining matters at Mount Benger are reported to be quiet. The river is lower than it was last winter, and is still falling. Odd Chinamen are making their appearance on the beaches. A company has been formed to prospect for a quartz reef at the Black Hill, near the foot cf Monro's Gully, where several excellent specimens have been unearthed, and promising indications of the presence of a rcaf are visible Operations are to be commenced immediately."

The manufacture of bone dust manure is one of the industries of Wellington. The butchers' shops, the eating houses, and other establishments in the city where collections of barebones are to be found are visited periodically by carts from the bone mills, where the otherwise useless rubbish is pulverised by steam and transformed into the most valuable kind of manure. The sale of the article is not at present very extensive, but it is gradually finding favor amongst the farmers, who object to its employment solely on account of the price.