WEST COAST TIMES. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1865.

West Coast Times, Issue 44, 14 September 1865, Page 2

WEST COAST TIMES. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1865.

By referring to the Police report that appeared in the issue of this paper, dated 24th August, it may be seen that a charge was laid by the police against a slaughterman of this town for having erected his slaughter-yard in such a position as to obstruct a public thoroughfare ; and although the case fell through in consequence of the difficulty of defining the line of high water mark, it was evident that this time, at least, the police were studying our well-being, and striving to sweep away a great abuse and most intolerable nuisance. The ordinance relative to the regulation of slaughter-yards is of very little service to the authorities here ; for although it is comprehensive enough in its general details, to regulate those districts which have been, comparatively speaking, long settled, in our case it is almost a dead letter, and until this is proclaimed a slaughtering district, will remain so. Moreover, there was one great oversight made by the framers of it, inasmuch as there was no specified distance appomtiil from towns within

which it would bo an infringement of the law to slaughter cattle; and although every provision is made for overy possible contingency that might arise, touching an attempted ovnsion of the payment of the license fee, the only care aud solicitude discovered for that far more important consideration — the health of the community in whose neighborhood the yard may happen to be placed— is a clause enforcing the removal or destruction of all kinds of offal. Any one who has had the happiness to l'eside within a short distance of one of these abbatoirs, must have perceived that however strictly this clause has been obeyed— so much so that not even a particle of offensive matter shall be seen about the yard — that a most intolerable stench at times emanates from it ; a deadly smell that in delicate organisations produces a sensation of faintness. lie may, perhaps, wonder that such should be the case, considering tho extreme cleanliness of the yard in question ; but if so, let him remember that tho ground on which' it stands is saturated for some distance from the surface with the blood and excrement of the beasts killed there, and which must remain, in spite of outward means applied for purification, a source of foul and abominable smells. More especially in warm weather is this nuisance perceptible, when constant evaporation is going on, and the air impregnated with offensive matter drawn by the sun's rays from the reeking earth. We feel certain that every disinterested person will coincide with our views in the matter, and acknowledge the absolute necessity that all slaughter-yards be removed from the immediate vicinity of centres of population.

In all matters relating to tho material advancement of Hokitika, Christchurch has shewn herself singularly luke-warm, in spite of the new route overland, and her pet toy, the dashing new escort — in providing for her distant relations. We choose to consider these as quite of secondary importance, and would be much more thankful if she would take a little more interest in our present dearth of animal food, and after wo are provided with cattle, see that they are driven a respectable distance from the toivn before they are dismembered. We understand that she is waiting for the sale of the town allotments before she gives us a legal right to kill our own beef, and thus by so doing place all the slaughter-yards under the strict surveillance of the police and an inspector of nuisances. If such bo the case, what culpable neglect and carelessness is she shewing in a matter which is of vital importance to us; surely, if it was absolutely necessary to do so it should have been done long since, our rapidly increasing population being considered ; and if not, the increase of fever cases in our hospital might have shown the necessity of strict sanitary regulations, although she would not have received an inducement at that time to act by pocketing the proceeds of the land sales. For some considerable time the state and position of our slaughter-yards has been the subject of our deep consideration, and we have hitherto refrained from lifting up our voice in the matter, only on account of the recent and hurried settlement of this town, at a time when its permanence was exceedingly doubtful; but now that subject is set at rest through the extraordinary development of our goldfields, we can refrain no longer, but bring the subject before the public, and what is more, shall keep it there until^ is remedied. The site of Hokitika is most, JWorable to the health of its inhabitants, built as it is on the sea beach and open at all times to the health-laden breezes that come direct from the ocean ; and it appears an act of suicidal madness to allow the presence of Buah unsightly objects as three slaughter-yards close to tho back doors of Revell street, with their filthy accompaniments, to act as vitiators to the sea air, and send it to oiir doors laden with impurities — turning that which might be a pleasant promenade for the inhabitants into a beastly offence both to eye and nose. It is true that the offal is removed, but tho evidence of it remains — the sand soaked with filth, and the yards surrounded by pens promisciously filled with hogs and starving sheep. It is the duty of all good citizens to an sist to the utmost of thoir ability in

suppressing such a palpable nuisance, thus anticipating the action of a dilatory Government. The rapid increase in our population during the past two months, the great influx of women and children, and the near approach of the summer, demand that their interference should be prompt and vigorous. Were a deputation to wait on Mr Sale and lay the matter befoae him, wo feel certain it would receive his attention, °r if that courso is objected to, an indictment for nuisance brought against the slaughtermen and supported by the householders of Revell street, would, we are sure, attain the desired end. There is plenty of room on the line of beach between this and the North Creek to afford accommodation to a dozen slaughter-yards, with a good line of road direct into the heart of the town.

In tho Cliristchurch " Weekly Press," of tho 2nd inst., wo find tho following : — " Tho following harsh and very unjust paragraph wo extract from tho Christchurch correspondent's letter to tho 'West Const Times,' which appears in a recent issue of that journal : — ' On dit that tho thcatro is now closed indefinitely, John Hall having left Christchurch for threo months, after having had the theatre for nearly two years. Ho opened it without a penny of his own, inado money, lived well, niado professional reputation, which is moro valuable than anything olso to him, made a smash, lot his creditors, including his company, in for a good amount, and has loft, saying ho will return. Many say, 'poor Hall.' I can't see it. Tho theatre is now for salo. Perhaps ho may roturn if ho finds any ono soft enough to supply money again for him to play with.' Wo think very fow of our readers will ondorso tho opinions of tho writer. Mr Hall was eminently a favorite in Christchurch, and as is often tho case, must boar tho opprobrium that emanates from such as aro free from any fear of retaliation, from tho fact that tho object of their attack is an absanteo." Wo feol anytliing but gratified at tho carelessness which imputed tho above mis-state-ment to this journal, in which wo flatly deny it over had insertion ; and request that tho gentleman who " does " tho pasto and scissors work for tho " Press " will romombor that as wo have two local contemporaries, ho will bo caroful in futnro in fathering upon tho "Times" what appears in tho columns of tho other journals published in Hokitika.

Tho near approach of tho Hokitika Races is causing no slight oxcitcmont amongst all classos of our community; and tho programme of to-morrow's amusements, as advertised by tho Jockey Club, warrants us in supposing that few will bo disappointed. Tho Corinthian Hall has beon especially decorated for tho ball that is to toko placo tho samo evening, and no exponse has been spared by mino host Harding in providing for the convenience and comfort of Ins visitors. An oxcellont band will be in attendance, and as all is under tho patronage of the Jookoy Club and our leading citizens, wo feol sure that decorum will bo strictly observed, and that those who for that night chooso to shako off tho cares of business and givo themselves up to tho plcasuro of tho hour will liavo no occasion afterwards to rogrot' having dono so. l

Wo aro much pleased that tho dearth of rational amusement occasioned by tho doparturo of Thatcher is of such short duration, as tho arrival and dobut of Mrs. and Mr Ellis and company afc tho Corinthian Hall must convince tho most sceptical amongst us they need no longor mopo at homo when a hearty laugh is to bo obtained by visiting tho entertainment provided for thorn. Wo paid a visit to tho Hall on Tuesday evening and spent an amusing hour. Tho broad humour of Mr Ellis kept tho room in a roar, and tho oxcellent dancing of Mrs. Ellis repeatedly called forth tho applause of tho audience. Mr Wallace on tho Trapeze was really clover, and received well moritod applause.

Somo gonllcmon from Iho Totara waited upon Mr Snlo on Tuesday with roforenco to tho track — which is in a fearful condition — to those now and important diggings. Mr Salo expressed tho greatest surprise at this information, as ho " undorstood" tho track had already been properly cleared and made. Ho returned tho samo answer to tho statement that tho township was also uncleared, and in n hopeless stato of bog. Wo shall mako no remarks personal to Mr Salo on this, to say tho least, rather peculiar state of affairs ; but wo do not consider his ploa of ignoranco on this matter ono whit more satisfactory than his repeated refusals to improvo tho roads to othor places in tho district; and trust that a littlo more enorgy and promptitudo in ministering to tho wants of tho community >vill bo shown than hitherto.

Wo rogrot to have occasion ngain to cotnplnin of our postal arrangements ; but in tho faco of tho numbor of complaints ;hafc roach our oars, wo cannot allow tho matter to pass without somb comment. Naturally our local postmaster receives ho full benefit of our oxcilod fellow-oiti-■sons' indignation, and it is only justice to iiim to state the facts of the caso. Tho

overland mail to Christchurch, on being established wn:i regarded as a great boon by the merchants and public of Hokilika, as it would onsuro the despatch of our letters at least once a week ; and M'ero thoro over so many stcamors plying hero, i woidd givo us increased facilities for corresuondenco with tho capital of this province. But wo woro very far from imagining tho possibility, when advocating tho establishment of our overland mail, of our boing restricted to ono post a week, or of boing compelled to correspond with Nelson via Chaistchurch, which now turns out to bo tho caso. An order has been recoiveel hero and published, that " in future, all letters not otherwise spocially directed, will be despatched by tho overland mail." Wo shall havo another order prosontly, including in tho above category letters for tho Groy, Totara, and Kauieri — at all ovonts after the above exhibition of official circumlocution, such an announcement would bo an appropriate rider. Tho authorities hero, with usual official reticence, refuse information as to tho number of letters posted on Monday ; but from various sources wo calculate that thoro must hare been several hundred put into tho letter boxes hero, undor tho impression that, though too lato for the overland mail, by tho Miskin, leaving tho samo afternoon, they would roach Dunedin in timo to catch tho Australian and European mail; Wo can imagine then, tho consternation and indignation of tho deluded senders when they subsequently ascertained that only those boaring tho words " por Win. Miskin" had been despatched by that vessel, and those not thus addressed would enjoy a week's sojourn in tho Hokitika Post Offico, and bo eventually transmitted by tho overland route via Christchurch. This gross ignorance of, and inattention to tho requirements of this district on the part of tho Christchurch officials is perfectly disgraceful, and should not bo submitted to by us. Wo pointed out in a lato issue somo of tho advantages likely to be derived from constituting our Post Oflico independent of that in Christchurch, and wo think that what wo havo above stated is an additional proof of tho necessity for such a step. That it requires tho entire weight of tho official stolidity of tho Chief Postmaster of Canterbury to accopt tho lowest tender for a mail contract, may bo understood ; but surely ho might permit an inferior official located on tho spot to oxorciso somo discretion in despatching tho mails. Somo of thoso days ho will rofuso tho offico hero permission to sell stamps, and mako us send to Christchurch for evory sixponnyworth wo use. Whoro an official mokes such a fool of himself as tho ChiorV Postmaster has in ono matter, it is not unreasonable to supposo ho might act just as absurdly iv anothor.

There is ovory clmnco of at least ono of Iho stranded vessels disfiguring tho ontraiico to tho rivor being soon got off— wo bohovo and hopo without sustaining any damago. Tho Dancing Wave, schooner, has been raised over two feot at tho stern, and evory preparation made for launching her. Tho brigantino, Leonidas, is still in tho samo position as when wo last roportcdon her, with Iho additional disadvantago of boing buried to a considorablo oxtent in tho sand j and it requires no prophot to, forsco that unless stops aro speedily taken to remove hor from hor presont position, tho troublo and expense of re-launching will be considerably increased. / Ono of tho chief obstacles to tho improvement of tho town by tho erection of substantial buildings — tho high prico of timber — will now shortly bo removed, as we understand a saw-nvill is in courso of erection near tho junction of tho first creek with tho Hokitika rivor. Tho projectors of tho enterprise aro Messrs Noes and M'Beth, who hovo purchased tho engines of tho Ruby and ono of tho largo boilers of tho Now Zooland, and who aro making arrangements for thoir convoyanco to tho scone of oporations. Tho remainder of tho necessary "pkut" is shortly oxpected from Molbourno, when oporations will bo commonccdas soon after its arrival as possible jr/ Tho s.s. Egmont from Dunedin via Nolson and intermediate ports, is now ovorduo. The Bruce, which has been chartered to bring off tho Egmont's passengers, ran out on Monday, and wailed for hor ; but as thoro was no appearauco on Tuesday afternoon of the expected vessel, and thoro scorned every chance of a dirty night, it was thought advisable to run in. Through some delay in getting up steum, it was moro than an hour after high water when sho attempted tho ontranco but got in with perfect safety, and is now lying alongsido tho wharf. Wo understand that there is about 16 feet of water now on tho Hokitika lmi* at high tide Tho Bruco got up steam again yesterday afternoon, in readiness to rim out .should tho Egmont arrive, but tliero was no sign of hor last night at a lato hour.