THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1874.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1997, 31 December 1874, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1874.

There will be no publication of the Grey River Ahgus to-morrow. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday before J. Greenwood and W. H. Harrison, Esqrs., 3.V., a charge of lunacy against Annie Powell was postponed for a week. Two charges of furious driving were pr-f erred against the drivers of Gilmer's and Wilckens's coaches, and in each case a fine of LI and costs was inflicted. David Morrison, for assau'ting. Agnes Holmes, was fined L 2 and costs, and allowed a week to pay ifc, in default, to be imprisoned for a week. The evidence in this case disclosed a state of things prevailing in tue neighborhood of the pa> ties, that few people could think existed in C-Jreymouth. It is only a short time ago that the plaintiff in this case was seat to gaol for 14 days for strkiing a man on the head with a cleaver. An accident occurred yesterday during the wrestling on the Camp Reserve, by which R. Combe, when thrown by J. Borlaise, broke his collar bone. Dr Acheson was immeniately on the spot, and did everything in his power to assist the sufferer, who, la9t night, -was doing well. The Reefton coach last afternoon. brought down 53460z of gold, of which 40850z were for- the JNotional Bank, and 12610z for the Bank of New^Zealand. The parcel for the Nationa lincluded 19120z from the Lyell. We remind our readers that Smith's Combination Troupe open to-morrow night at the Volunteer Hall. Tne company will arrive by steamer on Friday morning. We can confidently recommend the performance of this company to the patronage of the Greymouth public. As tbia is the last opportunity of reminding our readers as to the presents to be sent in to the Hospital for the New Year's dinner, it is to be hoped an abundance of good things will be sent in to-day. Mr Rugg, the Superintendent, witl be present all day to receive and duly acknowledge them, , In consequence of the melancholy and fatal accident which happened at Ahiura on Tuesday morning, by the drowning of the lad Mackay, the sports were postponed, when only three events oub oi the twelve on the programme were brought off. It was too late to re-commence after the inquest and funeral yesterday, but a fresh start will be made this morning. A recent Nelson Provincial "Gazette" notifies that at the expiration of two months from 7th December the Superinteupent will grant a gold-mining lease of 9a 2r 32p, more or less, of auriferous land, situated at the junction of Sullivan Creek and Swampy Gully, near Ahaura, to John Baxter and others. The gold-mining lease held by <"'harles Vincent and others of four acres of land at I Browne's Terrace, Noble's Creek, and the ! lease held by O. W. Andersen and others of ten acres, at Braudy Jack's Greek, have beea cancelled by the Superintendent of Nelson in cousequence of non-fulfilment of conditions on the part of the lessees. An agricultural lease of fifty acres held by John Dinan, one I of 150 acres held by John Keid, both sitauted near Ahaura, are al 30 cancelled.

The annual pic-nic given to the childreu of Greymi.uth takes place this year on New Year's Day in Mr Woolfe's Paddock, which has been kindly placed at the disposal of the Committee. It bids fair to be as successful as those ef former years, as we know that one lady vyho always interests herself in this event has alone collected over L4O. The Committee request us to call the attention of milkmen and fruiterers that donation of their wares would prove very acceptable to the children, and be fchankf ally received.

An inquest was held at the Court House, Ahaura, on Wednesday, the 30th December, on the remains of David Mackey, who wad drowned while bathing in the Ahaura River the previous day. A. jury having been sworn, of which Mr George Willis was chosen foreman, they proceeded to view the body which was lying in a building on the Camp reserve. The evidence of three lads, Willis, Smith, Godfrey, and others, who were, in the water with Mackey, went to show, that he sunk suddenly, and did not again come up. It was also shown that Richard' Willis, being a good swimmer, cautioned Mackay not to go into the deep ■water/ and that he tried to recover the body after Mackey sunk. Mr William Henry Cossar and John M. Ollivier, hearing of the accident, rushed down the steep bank of the river, from the township, and plunged into together. Mr Ollivier missed the bod y by diving too far out into the, river, but Mr Cossar went, straight down upon the corpse, and bringing it up in his his arms, supported it in the water till' Mr Ollivier came to bis assistance, when they brought it ashore.. Dr Phillips said every effort was made to resuscitate the body, but without effect. Mr M'Laughlin spoke of the antecedents of the boy, who was 18 years of age, and came from Hokitika to Ahaura some 4 yeara ago. The jury returned a ver-. diet that death was the result of accidental drowning, adding a rider in which the Coroner concurred that great praise was due to Messrs Cosaar and Ollivier for their I prompt and pluckly action iv endeavoring to recover the body before life was extinct.

The Bazaar in aid of the Catholic School was continued, at the Volunteer Hall last evening. There was a very crowded attendance, and a considerable amount of money was taken. The Bazaar will be continued to-night, and on Saturday night the goods undisposed of will be sold by auction. The settling for the stakes in the Racecourse Christmas Meeting took place last night at the Albion Hotel, when the different amounts to the winners were paid .over. The only reservation was in the case of the Hack Race on Tuesday, and this was onaccount of a protest having been lodged by Mr Girdwood, the owner of Violet, the second horse . against, North Star receiving the first money. Evidence as to the alleged infraction .of rules was ' given' by the owner, jockey, and an eye-witness •; but the Committee present resolved to withhold judgment until further material testimony could be got;. To arrive at this a full muster of all the Committee for the above sports is to be held this afternoon, at the Albion Hotel, at 4. o'clock, when the matter should be, as it is to be hoped it will : be, finally ad j usted.