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Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1589, 8 September 1873, Page 2

The Rev. Mr M 'Nicoll will .deliver a lecture in the Wesleyan Church -to-night, at eight o'clock. The subject selected is "The two Napoleons." The collection will go towards the reduction of the Circuit debt.

In order not to interfere with the lecture to be delivered to-night by the Rev. Mr M 'Nicoll, Mr Wooloock has postponed his meeting with his constituents until tomorrow night, at Gilmer's Hall, at eight o'clock.

The accidental omission of a few lines from our report of the Borough Council oh Saturday rendered it rather obscure as to what result was arrived at regardiug the construction of Tarapahui street. Consideration of the question of having it constructed in connection with the contract for Mackay and adjoining streets was referred to the Public Works Committee, to report at the next meeting.

Mr Hungerford met with an accident on Friday, on horseback, going from Greymouth to Hokitika. He was riding on very level ground along the road, near Hokitika, when his horse stumbled and broke its leg, having probably stepped upon a stone. The horse had to be shot, and Mr Hungerford, who fortunately escaped without injury, travelled on his shanks the remainder of the way.

It is probable that the following will be the subdivision of the Grey Valley Road Board District : — South-western : No Town, including the watershed of Red Jack's Creek and the northern fall of the mold river, two members ; Central : Ahaura, including Nelson, Blackball, Callaghan, Half-Ounce, Duffer, Orwell, and Noble's Oreeeks, with Napoleon Hill and Totara Flat, three members; North-western: Antonio's Flat, including the Little Grey diggings, with the country northwards to the boundarj of the Inangahua district, east and south to the Amuri district, and south and west to the Waipuna river (Nobles), one member. The writ for the election of members will be issued immediately.

A meeting of the Hokitika, Exhibition Committee was held on Friday. The Treasurer reported that the museum room was finished, aud that the account for the work, L 63 12s 6d, had been paid. It was decided, that arrangements be made in the museum room for the reception of exhibits for the forthcoming Exhibition.

A meeting of persons interested in the establishment of a bank ia Reefton, says the Herald, took place at Dawson's Hotel, on Wednesday last. Mr W. M 'Lean was voted to the chair. The first resolution proposed affirmed the desirability of a bank being opened in Reefton, and was carried. Mr Alexander then moved that a circular be sent to the various mining companies throughout the district asking their co-operation, and requesting them to give a guarantee to the effect that the companies will sell their gold for twelve months at the current rate to the bank first opened in Reefton. The motion was seconded by Mr Graves and carried. A private telegram was put in from.Mr Roberts of the Bank of New Zealand, representing that the question of opening a branch here was under consideration by the various banks on the Coast, but .that any action by one must be with the consent of all, so as to avoid several branches beim; opened and loss incurred. It was then moved that the various banks in the Colony be communicated with. Mr Mirfin would move an amendment to the effect that the National Bank only be communicated with, as he thought it altogether unnecessary to refer a question to the Coast banks with which they, were so perfectly familiar, ft was natural enough that so long as they could keep up the present system of purchasing all gold, in Greymouth they would do so, as it saved expense. He moved that this meeting is desirous that negotiations be opened with the National Bank of New Zealand wjtlji ]bhe view of that' corporation open^

ing a branch in Reefton. The amendment was seconded by Mr Alexander, and carried. Messrs Aiken, Jacobßen, Cavail, Anderson, Cato, M'Lean, Reeves, Alexander M'Lean, and Mirfin, were appointed a committee to give effect to the resolutions. Lieutenant Hoskins, the champion shot, has been making some splendid shooting at the Thames. At the 400, 500, and 600 ranges, without sighting shots —21 shots gave 71 points. He again commencsd, but only fired five shots at each range, with a total of 50 points. The Colony's appreciation of the County system as attempted in Westland, is thus indxcated by the Wellington correspondent of a contemporary : — The Province of Westland Bill seems to be generally regarded with great favor, and is almost certain to pass with flying colors. A correspondent of one of the northern papers writing from Wellington says : — "Mr Yogel is the Figaro of the Ministerial bench — the Premier here, the Premie.- there, the Premier everywhere — in the character of Postmaster-General, in that of Telegraph Commissioner, in that of Treasurer, a financial statement maker, author of a new tariff, propounder of a system of life assurance, extension in the public security to the assured, answering questions on a multiplicity of subjects, meeting exigent deputations on land schemes, coal schemes, and new railway demands; — bah ! it cannot be continued; the Colony is taking too much out of an able and willing servant, who requires both diplomatic aid in the Cabinet, and, on the Ministerial benches, ready debating power— a power of judicious attack as well as of mere defence and mild explanation. He works too hard, and the House expects too much from him, and he gives it too much for his own health and comfort."

The "Loafer in the Street" (Canterbury Press) seems to appreciate the selection made of telegraphic intelligence as little as those who have to pay for it. He says: — "It may interest his private friends to know that the Melbourne Town Clerk has married a young lady with a fortune of LIO.OuO, but it don't interest the public. Similarly with men. breaking their arms in flax machines; infanticide being on the increase ; the color of rosettes worn by Orangemen at a picnic ; the Governor and Lady being at a concert. One does not get the amount of thrillment out of such items as— one could wish. If the telegraphic agents are supposed to make up a daily pile of bricks in some shape or form why of course its all right, bufc if they • wired in ' more for quality and ' wired ' a little less^ in quantity it would perhaps take better with an appreciative public. N.B. — The inverted commas above are supposed to point to a funniment."

In the Legislative Council, on Friday, according to a telegram to the West Coast Times, Mr JBonar asked if the Government would introduce a clause into the Bill extending to holders of Miners' rights the franchise in the election of the Superintendent. The Colonial Secretary replied that the Government would propose no change in the electoral franchise this session. Next session they would introduce a measure abolishing the miner's right franchise, and substituting manhood suffrage. A mishap occurred on Friday in the diving operations now being carried on at Ross for the recovery of the pipes. Mr Watson, the diver, had been down the shaft about half an hour when one of the air pipes bursfr. The order was immediately given to pull up the diyer, arid the pulling was done without a second of delay. It was fortunate that there was so much promptitude exhibited, for when the diver was got up and his head gear was rerhoved it was found that he was almost suffocated; blood was running out of his mouth ; his face and neck were black with the rush of blood to his head ; and, in fact, hejvvas very near losing his life. As soon as Mr Watson had recovered sufficiently to speak he gave directions for the continuance of Jthe work, intending to go down again on the following day. This, however, he will not be able to do, as after his first recovery he! became very weak, 1 and his' life againseemed to be in danger. Dr Maunsell was

sent for, but before his arrival at Ross Mr Watson had rallied. This, says the West Coast Times, is the thirteenth time that Mr Watson has experienced an accident of the kind, but the present one was more serious because of the depth under water, over sixty feet.: