Lyell Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1886.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 268, 10 April 1886, Page 2

Lyell Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1886.

The next meeting of the Duller Conntv Council will be held during the first week in May. The usual sittings of the Resident Magistrate and Warden's Courts will be held on Wednesday, 14th instant. Tenders will be invited in next issue for the supply of mining timber in the Alpine for two years; completion of head race ; and for clearing, draining, and filling up tailing site at battery. The Property Assessment Board of Reviewers sat in Westport on the 2nd instant, when the Lyell valuation roll was considered and three odjections dealt with.

Messrs Savage and Blakely, of Lyell, have been successful in securing the tender for quarrying stone At the six mile, for the Westport Harbor Board. The work could not be in better hands. The directors of the United Alpine met on Thursday, and declared the usual monthly dividend (22nd) of one shilling per 32,000 th share, equal to i'IGOO, payable on an after to-day. The gold was despatched in charge of Mr R. W. Jenkins, for Westport, on Fridaj. The contract for erecting wire rope over the Bailer river at Lyell, has been let to Meadfe M'Donald and Lawson for the sum of J6lB 12s Cd. The specifications provide I#/# substantial and permanent piece of work, and the contractors have had considerable experience in erection of these tr welling chairs. Mr F. N. Jones, saddler, of kelson, made-a very creditable pedestrian performance last Wednesday. He left the coach at Prytherick's, five miles from Lyell on the Nelson side, aud raced the same to Lyell, performing the distance in 32 minutef, breasting the Empire bar 10 minutes ahead of his opponent. Considering the uneven and neglected state of this portion of the road the performance must be classed as A.l. Mr Jones enjoyed the reputation of a fast runner on the West Coast some few years ago. Loud and indignat complaints are continually being poured into our ears with regard to the disgraceful and dangerous state of the main road from Lyell to the Eight-mile Bridge. For years nothing has been done, or attempted to be done, either to maintain or improve this, the only means of communication between Lj'ell and Nelson city. The water-tables are choked, the culverts tilled up, and everything bears evidence of a delapidated structure, for which no person seems to be responsible, and a work that has cost so much money is now in a state of ruin not easily repaired. This is a standing disgrace to the Buller County Council, and perhaps, after a few travellers lose the number of their mess, that august body corporate will wake up to a sense of their duty. As will be seen in another column, Mr Seaborn, Elocutionist, Phrenologist and lecturer, will give his entertainment this evening, at Fennell's Hall. From the opinions of the press we find that Mr Seaborn is able to win the hearty applause of his hearers by his rapid transitions from grave to gay, and, also, by the instruction which he imparts in a geuial and interesting manner. We hope to see a bumper house. The Central Buller Race Meeting takes placo oil Monday, and with fine weather, of which at the present time we have every promise, a most successful gathering may bo anticipated. Conveyances will leave Lyell for the racecourse, taking passengers there and returning them to Lyell free of charge. The programme for the day's racing comprises six events, for each of which a good field is anticipated. If the road between Lyell and Nelson were in a better condition for light wheel traffic we would have a considerable number of visitors trom Nelson. This week Mr Saxton drove through with a two-horse buggy, accompanied by two ladies and a gentleman. They eame along leisurely, and speak in high terms of the scenery and the enjoyment of the trip generally. While in Lyell arrangements were made for an interior visit to the Alpine mine, and the ladies went through the trying ordeal successfully. The Westport Times, of March 30th, states that a match has been arranged between two horses that competed at the Autumn meeting, viz., Mr Burke's Dick the Devil and Mr Twohill's Dart. The event will come off in May. Dr MacCarthy, who was thrown from his horse at Brunnerton and seriously injure 1, is n n > way improved since he was taken to tiie Hospital. Altnongh he is at times in a semi-conscious state, it is doubtful (the Argus says) whether he has ever been sufficiently conscious to know the condition he is in, or even that he is iu tlw Grey lliver Hospital. His is one of those cases in which medical skill is of little avail. 01 course ali is done that medical skill can do for the sufferer, but the case is one in which nature and constitution play the moot important part.

A good deal df speculation (says the Wellington Press) has been indulged in to the approxunate cost to Mr Rusden of the libel action recently decided against him at the instance of Mr Bryce. A little reflection cahnot fail to show that the trial in the long run will cost Mr Rusden a pretty penny for costs of tire case irrespective of the heavy damages rendered against him—£sooo. From a most trustworthy source we learn that prior to Mr Bryce sailing for England he was out of pocket to the extent of £1000; and, the case being taken at the Middlesex Session, before a special jury, Sir John Hersehel, the plaintifi's leading council, would require a retaining fee of at leant £SOO, it not sometlang more, as well as the as sistance of two junior counsel, with proportionately less fees. The trial extended over several days, and consequently the attendance fees of counsel, Witnesses expenses, and so forth would swell the amount to a con.stderab'e degree. By one of the highest legal authorities in New Zealand it is computed that the Court and incidental expenses on Mr Bryce's side alone would total ,£3,500, and the expenses on the other side could not well be less, so that altogether it may reasonably v be assumed that the cost to Mr Rusden, including the amount of the damages specified, cannot be under £12,000 or £13,000. In this aspect the offer of Mr Rusden to compromise the matter by paying £IOOO is manifestly absurd. It may be mentioned further that the cost of the Commission which took evidence here some timea go was bora by each party in equal proportions. K. C. Collins, Grey mouth, publishes the following letter in the West Coast Times: —" Sir, —Very reluctantly indeed do I trouble you to insert a few comments in your paper in reference to a meeting held by the Greymouth Tennis Club. My name lias been mentioned in connection with that honorable body in a most impertinent manner when discussing the ball to be given to the Hokitika visitors, which I consider most unfair, inasmuch as I never wished in any way, directly or indirectly, to have any favor from that Club, having on two occasions this season refused to join them. Tlie objection taken to this Club in particular and the persons who are the moving spirits in it is their attempt to make a class distinction ; though by what process a bank clerk is made a superior being to a trader is hard to say. It is certainly not in intellect or education, neither is it in breeding or means. It is time the attempt to introduce a spirit of snobbery on the West Coast was put a stop to, and if sections of the community wish to stand on a pedestal apart from their fellows, the best thing for the business people is to let them remain there. We want nothing from them, and they cannot well do without us, so it is easy to see who would suffer most from their silly clique distinctions.

A shockiug murder and suicide occurred at Aucklank ou the 2nd instant. A young girl named Emilv Keeting, about 17 years of age, was on her way to a Bible class at the Alexandria street church, when she was met at the corner of King and Stauley streets by a young man named Edward Fuller, a laborer, employed in a brickyard. What conversation passed between them is unknown, for it was almost momentarily ; but he seized her by the arm and discharged two shots from a small six chambered bull dog revolver Into her breast. The actual firing was not seen by anyone. The girl was only able to run across the ro id to Mr Thomas' shop, when she fell fainting on the door step. Medical assistance was obtained but she died within half-an hour. Fuller, after committing the deed, ran at full speed towards Brisbane street, and at the side of Mr Dearner's house deliberately shot himself through the mouth and fell dead. Fuller resided with his brother-in-law, Mr Jenkins, builder, one door from the Keeting family. Fuller, apparently was madly in love with the girl, and about two years ago made proposals to her parents to marry her. Miss Keeting did not reciprocate his passion but rather avoided liim. In letters written by Fuller to Miss Keeting he made threats to shoot her if she did not accede to his suit.