THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1873.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1506, 2 June 1873, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1873.

Snatches of the history of the deputation which proceeded from Nelson to Canterbury, to promote there the idea promulgated by the Colonial Cabinet regarding the connection of proposed Canterbury and Nelson railways have already been communicated to us by telegraph. By telegraph we learnt their mission to Christchurch was so far futile, but we learnt that, on the return trip of the deputation, they had entered into negotiations with the General Government, and that again the General Government had promulgated a promising and feasible plan of carrying out what the deputation primarily and mainly desired— the means to construct a railway from Nelson to the West Coast. We are now in possession of some further information regarding this second and successful visit to Wellington, and of the formal memoranda which passed between the deputation and the Government. To use a word which appears in one of these memoranda, we may say that the deputation were " cordially " received by the members of the Cabinet, and that, according to the report of the deputation, much attention and consideration were given to their proposals. Coming from a Nelson deputation this report of the character of the interviews with the Government is, indeed, highly flattering to the latter, though, no doubt, no more than was deserved. They not only found the Government ready to promote the policy which they have the merit of initiating, but they also found that the Premier was quite an, fait on the subject, and able to communicate to them more ideas, and ideas of a more practical character than probably they were prepared to communicate to him. Of the result of these interviews, the written memoranda are sufficient indication, and these we propose to print fully on another occasion. I The first memorandum of the series ! narrates to the Government the comparatively unfavorable result of the deputation's visit to Canterbury, and of their interview with the Superintendent. It refers also to Mr Vogel's propositions, involving a higher class of railway than the Inland Communication Committee contemplated, and the consequent material addition to the capital or liabilities of the proposed company. In fact, there is a tacit confession of what the majority of common-sense people from the first believed — that the formation of a company was not the correct idea, and the so-called alternative proposition is made that a loan on behalf of the Province should be raised, to the tune of i 560,000, and on the security of 1,400,000 acres in the Hope Buller, Inangahua, and Grey Valleys, in addition to a lien upon the line itself, and the usual security upon the resources of the Province. Of conrse to make this proposition without consultation with the Executive and the Council was a premature action on the part of the deputation, but success covers a multitude of sins, and in this instance a breach of etiquette may reasonably be forgiven. Mr Vogel's reply to this memorandum is brief but comprehensive, and, so far as concerns the deputation, satisfactory. He at once accepts the work as one which, if constructed by the aid of borrowed money, must be recognised as a section of the work now being carried out under the Public Works Department, with the same security given which is given in other cases, in addition to the special security offered in the shape of land. He makes only two stipulations — that the Provincial Council cordially assent to the proposal, and that the land be found of sufficient value to be considered special security. This reply was to the deputation so satisfactory that they did not deem it necessary io do more than to acknowledge its receipt with expressions of thanks, of acquiescence in the Government's conclusions, and of a desire to further all further information which might be required as to the feasibility of the project.

On the receipt of the deputation's report in Nelson city the expressions of congratulation at the result are said to have been numerous and emphatic, and there are good grounds for congratulation in other parts at the complexion which the project has now assumed. The proposal to have a West Coast railway constructed by a company who should become the possessors of a large area of auriferous country was calculated at once arid inevitably to arouse suspicions, if not to excite, alarm, among a community whose livelihood depends, and is likely long to depend, upon mining industry. It was a proposal made in ignorance on the part of the projectors, of the variety of the questions which they raised, of the magnitude of the interests which they affected, and of the multiplicity of the obstacles they were certain to encounter. The projectors realised this as soon as the Provincial Council met, and as soon as an opportunity was afforded to its West Coast members to express an opinion on the subject. It was when their opinion was given that the conference between them and the Inland Communication Committee took place, and that a set of saving clauses were placed before them to soothe their savage breasts, but while this soothing process was partially effected, it was at once seen that any restrictions upon the occupation or purchase of land on the grounds of it proving auriferous, would be, under the most favorable circumstances, favorable to the undertaking of a railway by a company. No company was likely to be formed on such a basis, because, however great might be their bonus in the shape of land, they would be unable to sell it, for the simple reason that they would find no buyers. With, the Und given to the General Go-

vernment as security, the case is both apparently and really different. So long as the voice of the people can, through the Assembly, affect the conditions upon which the land shall be occupied, there is little danger of improper or unusual use of the public estate being made. There is some guarantee that all interests will be protected, and that the characteristic industries of the country will be permitted to proceed as they are now doing, In fact, if the whole Province were given over to the General Government as security for the construction ! of public works, it would be infinitely better for everyone, so long as some share of local self-government were left. To sush a doctrine, and to such practice as is now proposed, no doubt the Provinces Of Canterbury and Otago will object. Proud in the possession of large and valuable estates, they are not likely to part with them so easily as Nelson proposes, but the circumstances are so different that Nelson may well be treated as a pronounced exception. Naturally, if the land should fail to be settled by contributors to the revenue, the entire Provincial revenue might be very soon absorbed for this one work, to the detriment of all other works which may be as important to the interests of the district, but there should be sufficient expansiveness in the country to prevent that contingency. The one great excuse for the work is that it will form part of the main trunk line from Nelson to the Bluff, while it will also ultimately connect the East with the West Coast. It is really a colonial work, but the character of the country through which it passes justifies some special security being given. If undertaken on the conditions now foreshadowed, it will be an important link in I a complete chain of inland communication, and it will also inevitably prove a link in the chain of connection which will unite our present small Provinces into one great Colony. The Premier, with his usual prescience, no doubt foresees this, and hence his ready acquiescence in the project.

It will be seen by an advertisement else- i where that a requisition has been presented to his Worship the Mayor, asking him to call a public meeting to make arrangements about properly celebrating the initiatory proceedings in connection with the Greymouth and Brunner Railway. An event of such importance as the turning of the first sod of the first railway about to be constructed on the We3t Coast, should not be allowed to pass without a demonstration on the part of the inhabitants of the district. It is understood that the ceremony will be performed by W. H. Harrison, Esq., M.H.R. for the Grey district. It is to be regretted that the County Chairman cannot be present, but as has been previously announced, Messrs Robinson and Bo lar it js expected will be at Wellington in conference with the Premier, on the affairs of the County, when the event takes place. It is usual on the occasion of the inauguration of a new enterprise, even when the promoters are private individuals, to take measures to mark the importance of the event, and with stronger reason the commencement of a work which will be the beginning of an entire alteration in our means of communication, and let us hope an alteration for the better in affairs commercially and socially, should not be allowed to pass unrecorded. The Mayor has intimated that a public meeting to discuss the subject will be held this evening, and we trust a competent working committee will be appointed to perfect the arrangements for the due observance of the ceremony.

Very satisfactory news was telegraphed to town on Saturday, to the effect that the Energetic Company had washed up, after passing US tons of stone through the battery. The result is 3970z of amalgam, which gave 1360z of retorted gold, equal to loz 3dwt to the ton. This will enable the company to pay a handsome dividend in a few days. The usual monthly meeting of the Volunteer Fire Brigade takes place to-night, at eight o'clock sharp. The Select Committee appointed by the Nelson Provincial Council to consider and report upon the Estimates submitted b}' the Government makes the following among other recommendations : — That the Government make arrangements to dispense with the services of one of the Wardens on the West Coast Gold Fields, the Committee believing that the increased facilities for travelling now existing, will enable one Warden to do all the the inland work ; also, that the services of the Clerk of Works on the South- West Gold Fields be dispensed with. The Inspector of Scab, at Massacre Bay, is also recommended for dismissal. The Inspector of Leases, at the Inangahua, is considered a superfluity by the Committee, and one of the clerks to the Warden's and Magistrates' Courts at Reefon can be dispensed with. There are not to be any reductions under the headings—" Gaols," "Police," or "Harbors." The "General Contingencies" were to be reduced fromL2s. oo to LISOO. The recommendations of the Committee, if carried out, would result in a saving of L3OOO in the expenditure of the year. In the Provincial Council of Nelson, on 21st May, Mr F. Guinness moved— "That his Honour the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place the sum of LIOOO on the Estimates for the contruction of a dray road from Hatter's Terrace, Nelson Creek, to the main road to Ahaura." The motion was seconded by Mr Pinkerton, and carried. On the sariie day, Mr Donne moved — " That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place upon the supplementary Estimates the sum of L 750, for the completion of the dyay road from Charleston to Westport, via Addison's Flat and the Shamrock Lead " This sum, together with the L§Oo the Government intend to spend on the work, would complete the road. The motion was seconded by Mr Guinness, but, on a division, was lost. News came from the Lyell last evening that the Maruia Company have struck a body of quartz from 18 to 25 inches thick, showing good gold. The opinion of the mining manager is that ths main reef has been reached. This event will no doubt give increased confidence in the Lyell reefs. Subjoined are further particulars of the accident which occurred to Mr Magill's waggon and horses at the Little Grey River last week. The Herald says the driver started from Reefton early on Tuesday, intending to cross the stream before the flood had had time to rise it considerably, and he arrived there about 10 a.ni. in company with another driver, who had a horse and dray, while he himself was in charge of an empty waggon and five horses He suggested to his companion that as the river appeared rather high he should allow the waggon to

cross first ; and, this being agreed to, lie , proceeded to carry the proposal into effect. ( On reachingmidatream, the near pole-horse < fell, and dragged the check-rein so as to \ cause the leaders to swerve ; the waggon j floated and" capsized, and it was with very \ great difficulty indeed that the driver sue- i ceeded in reaching the south bank, and ( dragging out one of the horses. A second ] horse managed to extricate himself and reach j the bank in safety, but the three shaft ( horses were drowned, and the waggon was also totally destroyed. : From the Lyell, a correspondent of the iN elson Examiner writes regarding the prospects of that district : — f- Our returns show that in the matter of quartz we can beat any other part of the known world ' hollow,' as the saying is. Gipps Land tops Victorian returns with loz Sdwt, while the muchneglected, long-suffering Lyell district yields its 4oz for every ton of stone crushed, and, as far as the Government and the mercantile community of New Zealand are concerned, . is allowed to slumber on in its normal condition, without hardly an effort being made on their parts to develop its vast resources. It is a burning shame and a disgrace to any Government or community that would allow a Government to so grossly mismanage the rich estates committed to their charge. Had such a district as the Lyell been discovered in Victoria or New South Wales, its fame would have been trumpeted (and deservedly so) far and wide, and ere this a second Bendigo and Tambaroora would have arisen amidst its snow-clad mountains, and every gully would have re-echoed the steady thump of the never-tiring stampers. Such would have been the case in either of those countries, and why?— simply because the miner, the merchant, and the Government could each and all appreciate to its fullest extent the value of tbeir possessions, and would each and all lend a willing hand in developing them. The mail coach from Reef ton and the Grey Valley arrived at Greymouth at 3 o'clock on Sunday afcei - noon. The coach was due on Saturday, but the delay was occasioned by detention, at the request of the Postmaster of Reef ton, to allow correspondents to answer letters received up country by the mail which arrived on the previous night. The roads are much injured, and in some places almost impassable from the effects of the recent severe weather. The formation of a public library and reading-room is contemplated at Keefton. Energetic efforts are being made to effect that laudable object, and the control of the movement is placed in very good hands. The official liquidator of the Westland Company, Inangahua, notifies that a first dividend of 3s in the pound on all proved olaims will be payable on and after 15th June. The plant, &c, of the claim is also advertised for sale. We learn from the Inawjalma Herald that the heavy rainfall of Monday ni^ht nnd early on Tuesday at Reefton resulted in one of the heaviest floods yet experienced in the Inangahua, it being only excelled by that of February, 1572, and but for the cessation of rain for a few hours the consequences must have been equally serious. As it was, a large volume of water flowed for hours from the upper portion of the Strand into Broadway, and a rough survey showed that the flood for several hours was running at a level in the river fully two feet above Broadway. But a very slight increase in the flood would have resulted in the greater portion of the township becoming inundated. Considerable damage has been done to the river bank above Smith street, and the river now threatens to make a new channel for itself which would intersect the middle of Broadway. Considerable deposits of shingle and timber on the opposite bank ef the river at each successive flood are adding to the tendency, and it would be very desirable for the protection of property that a protection work should be constructed a few chains in extent, the cost of which would not exceed LSO of L6O. The street improvements in Broadway have also been effected, the gravel where resting on dead timber, leaving a hollow below, having given way, causing gaping apertures in several places. The creek in Broadway was filled to overflowing and the street inundated to within a few inches of the footpaths, the latter being erected five to six feet above the level of the old road. It was not iintil evening ihat the flood showed signs of abatement, but we are happy to state that Dalton's suspension bridge, though subjected to a very severe test by the heavy trees coming in contact with the abutments, striking them with immense force, sustained not the slightest injury. We have to acknowledge receipt of copies of a sketch map of the Middle Island, showing the proposed main trunk line of railway from the Bluff to Nelson, including the projected line from Hokitika to Canterbury. It has been prepared by the Survey Department of Westland, at the request of the Hokitika Railway Committee, and is a very creditable piece of work. For the information of our up-country readers we may state that a sale of land, situated at Totara Flat, near Ahaura, will take place at the Crown Lands Office, Nelson, on Friday, 27th June next. The advertisement announcing this sale appears in the Nelson papers. This is one of the plans adopted by the Nelson Government, to place the people of tho South-West Gold Fields at a disadvantage with the inhabitants of the " more settled districts." Outside official circles the Nelson papers are never seen, except by an accident, by the residents by the Grey Valley, and intending purchasers have not a fair opportunity of becoming aware of the intention to hold these sales, if publicity is not given to them in the papers published and circulated in the distript where the land is situated. The first snow of the season on the lowlying lands of the Inangahua, district made its appearance on Thursday, 29th nit., and was followed by a hard frost on the same night ; stillwater was frozen to a depth of an eighth of an inch. The snow, however, only lasted a few minutes, and dissolved as quickly as it fell ; but the higher ranges have already assumed their winter garb. In discussion on the Estimates, in the Council at Nelson, Mr Acton Adams moved — " That this Council is of opinion that the travelling expenses of the Government officials (except those of the Executive and Public Works Department and the Police) be confined to the actual outlay for horses and coach hire, steamers' fare, and expenses of a like nature." Mr Gibbs seconded the motion. This motion was warmly discussed, but on its being shown that its effect would be harmless, it was permitted to pass. The Herald publishes an announcement from Mr Munro, of Westport, the official agent in the winding-up of the Westland Company, from which it appears that the schedule of contributions was only made payable on the 20fch March, and two-thirds of them were collected by the end of April. The cause of the proceeds of the coal-mine not.being available for distribution is due to the delay of the Provincial authorities in not ' having at once completed the transfer of the lease. A miner named Edward Haines on last Thursday was admitted into tho Reeftou Hospital, suffering from injuries received by the upsetting of a truck near to the Westland Company's coal mine. According to the Herald, Haines was running down stone from the Inglewood paddock to the Westland batteries, and, as the rails were slippeiy, he had taken the precaution to sprinkle aahea

over the dangerous portions where the gradient was steep. A. heavy fall of rain, however, had washed away the ashes, and as the truck descended the velocity increased through the brake not acting, and Haines then sat on it in order to bring all the pressure to bear possible. Its speed, however, continued to increase, and the driver seeing his imminent danger, had decided to throw himself from the truck, but was unable to extrbate his coat, which had become jammed between the body of the truck and the framework. His only course was to hang by the truck— which once actually got off the rails, but regained its position — until approaching the coal mine, where several men were anxiously watching its progress. When within a short distance of the- coal tramway, the truck was pitched into the air, throwing Haines a height of five or six fest, who fell, and when assistance was rendered to him, was found to be unconscious, haviug received injuries about the head and body. The truck performed two or three somersaults before landing in the gully.