The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2305, 17 January 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1884.

In reference to the price of water and sludge-channel inquiry, a correspondent at Wellington telegraphed to the Hokitika Star, on Tuesday, as follows :—On'Monday, Messrs Fitz Gerald and Rae, interviewed Mr Rolleston, regarding the completion of the miners' concerns—the price of water from the Government race, and the administration of the race and sludge-chaunel. The deputation statsd that.the general opinion wss that an inquiry should be held by some competent outside authority ; and, after a long conversation, Mr Rolleston said that he was sending down Mr Gordon to investigate matters, and that now he (Mr Rolleston), had heard the deputation, he would request Dr. Giles to act in comjunction with Mr Gordon. The Government could not, however, ignore their own officers, as would be the case if the inquiry was held by outsiders." The following copies of telegrams on the subject have been kindly forwarded to us by P. Dungan, Esq., County Chairman : To the Hon. the Minister of Mines, Wellington. Have been informed of your intention sending Dr. Giles and Mr Gordon to hold inquiry re Kumara sludge-channel management and price of water. Beg respectfully, but unreservedly, to state that Mr Gordon's appointment for such purpose will not be acceptable to the miners of Kumara, he being a party concerned (through his report on the questions in dispute); therefore, to sit in judgment on his own work, he could not be impartial. Further, I am empowered by resolution of the Miners Executive Committee of the Kumara goldfield to make an objection to Mr Gordon's appointment. Dr. Giles' nomination I am confident will meet with miners' hearty approval. P. Dungan, County Chairman. Hokitika, January 15, 1884. To Messrs Fitz Gerald and Rae, Esqs., Empire Hotel, Wellington. Have sent protest to Minister of Mines against Mr Gordon's appointment re inquiry regarding Kumara goldfield. Miners will object to Gordon, being compromised through his report dealing wtth matters in dispute. He cannot be impartial. Dr. Giles' nomination is welcome. P. Dungan, County Chairman. Hokitika, January 15, 1884. To the County Chairman, Hokitika. I have received your telegram of yesterday. As promised in my telegram of December 20th, fullest opportunity will be given to miners of stating their requirements and representing any grievances; and full report of their statements will be made to me for my decision as to the action to be taken. Dr. Giles and Mr Gordon will meet miners at such times and places as may be appointed ; and I trust that the miners will see the advisableness of availing themselves fully of the opportunity afforded of discussing with them all matters in question. W. Rolleston. Wellington, January 16, 1884.

With reference to the movements of Cobb and Co.'s coaches, the following messages from the Bealey, received this morning, have been kindly placed at our disposal by Mr M'Dermott, the postmaster : " Your coach reached Otira Gorge yesterday evening. Road washed away at top' of Otira. Springfield coach not yet returned up to 9.50 a. m." Later. "Coach (Hokitika) arrived here at 10.30. 'Frisco mail would leave Otira Gorge for Kumara about 9 a.m." The Valuation List for the Borough for the year 1884 is now open for inspection at the Town Clerk's Office during office hours. All objections thereto are to be lodged at the Court House, Kumara, on or before the 15th day of February, addressed to the Assessment Court, and a copy of every such objection must be left at the Town Clerk's Oflice not less than seven days before the sitting of the said Court.

With regard to the Taipo bridge, a Wellington correspondent of the Hokitika Star telegraphed that Messrs Fitz Gerald and Rae ascertained at the Public Works Office that the delay in proceeding with the Taipo bridge has arisen partly from the non-arrival of the cylinders from England, and partly from some difficulty with the timber contractors. Gentlemen willing to join the Kumara and Dillman's Town Brass Band are requested to send their names to Mr J. Dove, the Secretary pro tern, on or before the 25th inst. ; and also the name of any instrument they may have in their possession which they propose to play with. At the Magistrate's Court, Greymouth, yesterday, before H. A. Stratford, Esq., four European miners, named Michael Daly, Peter Ward, William Glasheen, and Jeremiah Noonan, were charged on the information of Ah On with having violently assaulted and maliciously wounded him while at work in his claim at Maori Creek on the 6th inst. The evidence of two of complainants' mates, Ah Chow and Lum Chow, besides his own, was taken. The Argus reports that the accused, on the advice of their counsel, made detailed statements regarding the assault, the gist of which was that the assault really was committed by the Chinamen, and that whatever injuries were inflicted on Ah On were done in self defence. It appeared from the statements that the parties' claims are contiguous to each other, and that a feeling of jealousy in regard to the occupation of the ground may have had something to do with the unpleasant feeling that existed. As it was pretty clear from the general tenor of the evidence, and also from the evidence of Constable Nash, that Jeremiah Noonan was not within 100 yards of the assault at the time it was committed, he was discharged. The three prisoners were, however, committed for trial at the next sitting of the District Court, to be holden at Greymouth on the 21st inst.