Lyell Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1886.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 279, 26 June 1886, Page 2

Lyell Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1886.

The usual weekly scraping at the United Alpine battery yesterday from 216 tons of stone, gave the result of 402 ounces of amalgam from the plates. The ordinary half-y6arly meeting of shareholders in the Manuka Flat Gold Mining Company will be held at Mr James Inglis' office this evening, at six o'clock.

We draw the attention of our up-country readers to the fact that the usual sittings of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts will take place at the Court House, Murchison, on Tuesday the 6th July, 1886, at the hour of 11 o'clock a. m.

The weather for the past week has been of the most wretched description, being composed of almost incessant cold rains without a gleam of sunshine. ; Last Monday (21st) was the shortest day in the year, and another month will make the change of' lengthening days observable. On Wednesday the Buller river was in flood, and it was not expected that the coach would get through from south on the following day, however, the rain ceased during the night and George Newman " came through tew time " on Thursday afternoon.

We deem it advisable to draw the attention of owners of horses to " The Police Offences Act, 1884," section 7, sub-section 1. As instances exist in this district of a contravention of this Act, possibly our reference to it on this occasion may prove beneficial to those interested. Section 7: Any person who commits any of the next following offences shall, on conviction thereof, be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two months, that is to say (1) Any person who cruelly beats, illtreats, overdrives, overloads, abuses, or tortures any animal, as hereinafter defined, or, being the owner of or having the charge of such animal, omits to supply any such animal with proper and sufficient food, water, or shelter.

The " Chic " Company, who played a short season in Lyell about three months ago, and on that occasion gave very general satisfaction, intend opening here again next Friday and Saturday, in their original entertainment entitled " Sunbeams. At Greymouth, where they have been staying lately with considerable success, the Grey River Argus says:— Mr Foley is an experienced and versatile comedian, and he left little to be desired in the parts he represented, " Sunbeams " consisted of homouristic dramatis sketches calculated to give pleasure aud enjoyment to a miscellaneous audience; but the spirit of the performance was derived from the spirited way in which Mr and Mrs Foley went through their parts. On the whole it can be safely said that it was a really good entertaining performance. and many who have not seen it would like, if possible, to see it before Mr Foley leaves the West Coast for an Australian Colony. The Gold Duty Reduction and Abolition Bill has been passed through committee without amendment or division, although Rolleston and Sutter opposed the measure, which was strongly supported by Colonel Fraser, Messrs Seddon, Guinness, Fergus, and Sir Julius Vogel.

Snow fell at (Lyell on Thursday night and hgain yesteraaj 7 afternoon. It Fell to a depth of 12 inches above the Eight-mile. A very successful meeting of residents of Lyell district was held at Mr Fennell's Hall on Wednesday last, Mr John Culien presiding, for the purpose of establishing a branch of the Irish National League. About twenty geutlemen gave in their names as members. Mr R. W. M'Coy was appointed secretary, and Mr James Edge Treasurer. It was resolved on the motion of Mr T. O'Callaghan, and seconded by Mr E. Carroll, " that the district be canvassed for subscriptions in aid of ihe funds of the Irish Parliametary party, the lists to close on 31st July." After the canvassers for various centres were appointed, and the usual vote of thanks to the chair, the meeting terminated. In connection with the movement we believe it is contemplated at an early date to orgauise a concert and ball, by which means it is expected that the funds of the League will be considerably augmented. With reference to the bridge over the Buller at Lyell we take the following from Hansard of 25th May :Mr O'Conor asked the Minister for Public Works when teuders will be called for the erectibn of the bridge on the main road from Nelson to Westport and Greymouth at Lyell. The crossing here refeired to was certainly the most dangerons on the road between Nelson, Greymouth and Westport, and it was a great obstruction to traffic, and dangerous to life. Mr E. Richardson replied that this was one of three bridges which were decided to be undertaken last year, and instructions were given for designs to be prepared tor the three bridges together. The survey of the site this bridge was in the office, and the officers of the department proceeded to obtain information, trusting to the original survey; but circumstances had changed owing to the action ot the river, and a new survey had to be made, which caused considerable delay. A resurvey was made. The work was now in hand, and no time would be lost in pushing on the preparation of designs, and calling for tenders. Reports to hand from the Northern Territory proved that the best route to Kimberley is by way of Cambridge Gulf. Three hundred men now at Port Derby, are unable to proceed to Kimberley owing to want ot water.

The Midland Railway Bill having passed the second reading by 52 to 11, may be regarded as safe. The third reading is not likely to be opposed in the face of such a Ministerial majority. The Syndicate has let a contract for the construction of thirty miles of line, and in all probability the first work undertaken will be the extension from Brunnerton to Reefton. There can be no difficulty in respect to surveys, as surveys have been made years ago. The local banks at Wellington wer* kept busy on Saturday last exchanging notes for gold for those about to proceed to Kimberley, and in one bank over 600 sovereigns were paid over the counter in a couple of hours.

The recent rise of 25 per cent, in the price of wool has been hailed wiih satisfaction in all parts of the Colony, in the wool-growing districts especially. The monthly meeting of the Nelson Land Board was held on the 17th inst., when there were present: Chief Commissioner Greenfield, and Messrs 0. Curtis and Hamilton. Occupation licenses were granted as follows: W. Roberts, 80 acres, sections 51 and 52, block 7, Reefton, sixpence per acre. Occupation licenses refused: J. F. Johnston, 80 acres, river bed, Mawheraiti, objected to by Mr W. C. Mirfin; Rutherford Brothers, 3600 and 6400 acres, Amuri, blocks not yet reported on. Resolved that three acres on Section 19, block 7, Mawhera-iti, be set aside for a gravel reserve, as recommended by the Inangahua County Council. The following gold mining leases were approved:— J. M'Gaffin, section 109, block 11, Reefton ; J. Howell, section 57, block 7, Reefton ; W. Heaphy, section 106, block 11, Reef ton; J. P. Thomas, section 53, block 14, Reefton ; J. Julian, section 21, block 11, Reefton; J. K. Grant, seetion 16, block 13, Reefton. Land was assessed for leasing to P. O'Neill, Pohaturoa, at 10s per acre ; G. Mason, Kopara, at 20s; T. H. Garth, G. Mason, P. O'Neill, and W. Trotter, Haupiri district, at 20s i D. Cochrane, Pohatarua, 15s; H. W. Roske Wangapeka, 10s; J. Powell, Inangahua, four leases, at 20s ; E. Taylor, Tadmor, at 10s; H. Trower, Matiri, at 20s; H. Grooby, Ngatimoti, at 10s. Daniel Creed, licensee of the Beech Tree Hotel, TullamariLe, ten miles from Melbourne, has been arrested, charged with the wilful murder of Samuel Downey, an old man who was employed at the Holyhead Hotel, Flinders street. Downey was found at about midnight in a dying state outside the Hotel where he worked, and expired in the Melbourne Hospital on May 30. He was quite unconscious up to the time of his death, so that no statement could be obtained from his lips respecting the cause of his death, which some persons assert resulted from his falling out of a high window. When the police arrested Creed for inflicting serious bodily harm to Downey, it was upon the information that Creed had kicked the old man, but this he denied doing. Creed was arrested at his mother's house, the Great Britain Hotel, shortly after the alleged assault, having been liberated on bail. Ascused was released when it became known that Downey had died, and Creed was remanded, in custody till after the inquest. When admitted into the hospital, Downey, who was 63 years of age, had both eyes contused, cuts on his forehead, and a compound fracture oi the right leg.