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Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1650, 18 November 1873, Page 2

The' usual monthly practice of the Volunteer Fire Brigade took place last eveniug. The Captain, Officers, and 20 members were present. The Brigade proceeded with their large engine and gear to test the stand-pipes on Mawhera Quay. They were all tested and found to work well, with the exception of the one last driven opposite Forsyth and Masters shop, which they were specially a3ked to test,, but which it was found to be impossible to reach . At all tbe^ stand-pipes) obstructions were found either in the shape of tramways, logs, stones, or want of stages, and it is the opinion of the Captain that so long ns the present state of things lasts on the wharf, the engine cannot, in the event of an alarm of fire, besot into working order in less than ten or fifteen minutes^ instead of bo many seconds. We have frequently called attention to this state of things, but no notice of it has been taken '; and property-holders in the front street may rest assured that in the event of a sudden alarm several buildings will be down before the Brigade can get to work, so that the sooner some action is taken to provide proper landing-stages and keep them; clear of obstructions the better it will be for all concerned. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Messrs Lahman and Reid, J.P.i John Rankin was fined 10s and costs, and William Ramsay, James Lovell, and Woolfe and Killeen 5s and costs, for allowing their horses to wander in the streets. Charles Bernard was charged with having stolen L 9 13s from Mary Ann Rodgers, on the night of the 13th instant, in the Hibernian Hotel! The case occupied nearly the whole, day, a large number of witnesses being examined: The facts appeared simply to be that on the night of the 13th both parties were staying at the hotel, in separate bedrooms. A man named Gallagher slept in the same room as defendant, and Mrs Rodgers had her two children with her. The complaint was that about 4 a.m. the defendant got up, went' into Mrs Rodgers's room, and stole from under her head, where she had it hidden, L 9 13s, and went back to his bed -room. She immediately roused the inmates of the house, called in the police, and charged the defendant with the robbery. The charge was utterly denied, and the money was not found in the defendant's possession. All tha witnesses who were asked the question gave the defendant a quod character. There were no witnesses called for the defence, Mr Perkins simply addressing the Bench on the facts and probabilities of the case, The Bench dismissed the charge. A County " Gazette," published on Saturday, contains a proclamation granting protection to T. W. Hungerford for the Arahura bridge for one year from date ; certain regulations of the Borough Council of Hokitika; respecting the shipment of timber are published, as also schedules of the wharfage and tonnage rates agreed to on the 10th ultimo by the Borough Council of Greymouth ; the appointment of James O'Malley as Health Officer for Hokitika is notified, also of Mr Lazar to the County Treasurership, and Mr Etheridse to the Clerkship of the Waste Lands Board— these two offices having become vacant by resignation ; proclamations of the date when the Province of Westland Act comes into operation, and of the limits and description of a portion of the Brunner Railway are reprinted from the " General Government Gazette." A meeting of the subscribers to the annual Christmas snorts takes place to-night at 8 o'clock, at the Albion Hotel. Mr Glegg, of the National Bank of New Zealand, is making arrangements to establish a branch at Napier. At the Dunedin sports Fox won the L5O , match easily. Harris won the Handicap, and Moran, a young local amateur, beat Delaney in the mile race. The Primate of New Zealand delivered a sermon on Sunday morning at All Saints Church, Hokitika. The service was conducted by the Yen. Archdeacon Harper, assisted by the Rev. J. S. Gilbert. A full . choral service was held. A few days ago, the bailiff at Totara made a seizure of the Dooks belonging to the Road Board in Court. The Magistrate decided that this was an improper proceeding, and ordered the officer to surrender possession. An Okarito correspondent of the "Westland Register*- writes? ''''The poor man whom I alluded to a few weeks ago as being wandering in a deranged state of mind about

the locality of Bruce Bay, it appears, bas met with a sad end, his body having been discovered on the beach a short distance to the south of Jacob's River, on Bruce Bay, washed ashore from the surf. It is supposed that he was drowned in the Miti (Mahitaki), which, is a river of considerable size, and washed northward by the surf The constable of Okarito has proceeded to look after the body, and, probably, an inquest will be held on it. The constable had been down there previously in search of this person, after receiving information concerning him, but his search was fruitless. Accidents of this kind have been frequent in this part of the district latterly, this being the third within the last few months." The Star of the South has arrived at Auckland from Fiji. There is very little news ; the difference between the whites and the Government ia quiescent, pending the arrival of the British Commissioners. Hopes are entertained that the Commission will result in annexation. The Government has not yet I promulgated a new constitution. Native matters are quiet. Some Viti Levu chiefs surrendered to the Government. The Government intend forming an expedition as soon as the rainy season is over to subdue the mountaineers. The sugar and cotton crops are thriving. We learn from ''karito, on the authority of the correspondent of the "Ross Guardian," that mining matters are quiet at the Five Mile Beach. Some of the Rossites have dropped into a hornet's nest. They came down here at the tiin^ of the Haast rush, and Btarted to work for Mr Drury, on wages. He kept them working for a month, and at the end of that time washed up the gold from the several paddocks stripped, when he offered to pay them 25s for their, month's work, and on being remonstrated with, he coolly told them he could get men on easier terms. However, the men brought Mr Drury before the Warden, and got a .settlement so far that they are to stick to the claim until they are paid. Six shillings and threepence per week is rather a warm reception in a place where there is no credit given.