WEST COAST TIMES.

West Coast Times, Issue 75, 25 November 1865, Page 2

WEST COAST TIMES.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1865.

Tho Melbourne ami inlcr-pvovinciftl mails brought by ilio Auckland, Egmont, and Bin-won wore delivered on Thursday. We havo dates from Melbourne to the 14th instant, from Dunedin to tho llMi, Ohristphurch tho 13th, Wellington tho lGth, Picton tho 17th, and Nelson, the 13th.

Tho Mclbourno papers contain some items of European news of later date than tho doparturo of tho August mail, and not included in tho Anglo-Indian telegram of the BMI September. They aro not of any great importance or interest. Wo may summarise them as follows : — Tho French fleet had returned to Cherbourg from Plymouth. The Schleswig-Holstein question has received its latest development in a Convention between Austria nnd Prussia, who have announced to tho German Diet that they havo arrived nt an agreement concerning tho Duchies. The smaller German States havo protested against tho Convention. Batavia announces its intention to support tho pretensions of the Duko of Augustenburgh. In Franco, Count Walowski, late Ambassador lo London, has succeeded to tho presidency of the Corps Legislatif. To Italy belongs two items : Preparations nro being made for tho immediate removal of a largo number of tho troops constituting tho French army of occupation in liomo ; and Mazzini has given another proof of tho impatience of spirit of an energetic man shut out lbr a time from the field of action, by the issuo of a manifesto against tho Government of Victor -Emmanuel. All Europe appears to havo enjoyed a season of abundant crops. In Great Britain tho hnrvost had been woll gathered, and tho yield was good. Tho vintago in tho south of Europe had rosultea in an unusual yiold. Our nows from tho Atlantic States of America is coufinod to tho few items received by way of London. Tho fato of Mr Jofforson Davis, the ox-President of tho Southern Confederacy, appears to bo still undecided, tho cabinet of Mv President Johnson differing on the subject. From California wo nro enabled to report tho details of tho terrible catastropho of tho loss of tho Brother Jonathan, with upwards of two hundred and thirty passengers and crew, of which a recent tologram froTh Sydnoy contained a briof record. Tlio California papers furnish full particulars of the depredations of tho Shci)an» donli, lately a war stcamor in tho service of tho Confedorato Government, in which character sho refitted at Melbourne, but now apparently to nil intents nnd purposes a pirate, attacking tho poacoful commerce of tho Arctic Sens.

The political crisis in Victoria, if it lias not approached any uonvoi 1 its final denouement, lias ai all ovents passed into an entirely new phnso. The Ministry — whose conflict with tho Lcf'iwlativo Council, suslnincd for a period ol soven months, has worn out tho patienco and shocked tho propriety of every jnoderato uinii, whilst it Ims inflamed almost to revolution point (ho political passions of tho mass of the pponlc — havo given undoubted signs of yielding tho ground thoy havo hitherto tenaciously .hold. The Ministerial journals aro very earnestly nsscrling that thoro is no yielding at all — onlj' a. strategic chango opposition such as wo so often heard of during tho American war, covering what to tho outside world looked uncommonly lileo defeats. This curious chapter of political history may be briefly told thus. The Upper JEouso, persisting in its refusal to pnss through any of its stages tho Appropriation Bill, iv consequence of tho Assembly having " tacked 1 ' on to it tho obnoxious TarifF Bill as a menns of coorcion, proposals for a confcronco between tho two Chambers wcro entertained. Tho Assembly, however, appointed its commitlco to confer on tho differences botwoon tho Houses on tho subject of tho bill. Tho Council declared that its commitloo had been appointed to confer on tho moro general question ,of tho powers of tho two Houses, and that tho Appropriation-CK?»-TurifF Bill had been "laid nsido" by tho action of tho Houso, nnd had no oxistenco theroforo as a basis for conference. At this stago ministers yielded boforo tho undaunted front of their antagonists, and nnnouneed their intention of re-introduc-ing tho Tariff' Bill ns a sopnvato measuro, and allowing tho Council lo havo tho opportunity it had throughout claimed ol discussing and disposing of it on its morils. This tho J fora Id calls " eating tho leek-," and tho Armis "beating a retreat." No doubt tho right of tho Council to veto tho tariff is now distinctly conceded; and no doubt either that it will oxerciso tho right, and refuse to logwliso tho protoctivo duties tliat havo been collected by tho Government on tho authority of a. simplo resolution of Iho AsHombly, for twothirds of a year past. Minis-tors and thtsir organs in tho press threaten that if tho Council adopt this courso, thoy will punish tho importers by exacting heavier imposts than even tho now tariff lovios. Tho threat is no doubt held out for tho purpose of cocroinc iho Opposition both in .tho Council nncl out or doors. It is based upon a certain arbitrary or discro-

tionary power, given to tho Governor under an act already in legal operation, known ns tho Unit' of Entry Act. This imposes, irrespective of nnd in addition to all Custom. 1 - duties, a charge upon imported goods in packages or parcels, of twopence per package or parcel "or other unit of entry ;" upon goods in bulk by weight, measure, or numbers, of twopence for " each unit of entry." Tho act continues : " Tho term • unit of entry' shall mean tho number of packages or quantity of goods made chargeable with tho rato of twopence in manner hereafter provided. It shall bo lawful for tho Governor in Council to fix or adjust the number or quantity of goods which shall constitute tho unit of entry." This is interpreted as conferring tho power of charging tho legal twopence upon ovory single article in a package and ovory pound of goods or bottle in a case, provided the Governor declares such to bo a "unit of entry." Notwithstanding that Sir Charles Darling has to nn extent umisunl in the colonies, identified chimself as a party man with his present advisors, disbelief is geucrnlly expressed in political circles outside Parliament, in the probability of his thus twisting an Act of Parliament from its original and obvious intention, as a measuro of resentment against a constitutional Opposition. It is said that if tho Tariff Bill is rejected by the Upper Jlouso, a sum of not less than £160,000, which has been illegally collected ns duties, will havo to bo refunded ,to importing houses. Very hoavy weathor appears to have prevailed over tho whole of tho Australian Colonies, following tho long drought. In Sydney, during a severe thunder storm, two houses wero struck and partially destroyed by lightning. In tho Legislative Assembly of Now South Wales, Mr Cowpor, tho promier, stated that tho Government have bills •pi'epnred for reconstructing the Legislative Council, and regulating tho public education, if tho Houso is ready to consider them this session. A resolution occasioned by tlio receipt of ftdospatoh from tho Duko of Newcastle, commanding prccodenco to be given to Church of England clergymen over other ministers of religion, was passed by a majority of twenty to seven in the Legislative Assembly in tho following terms : — " In tho opinion of this House, tho custom that clergy of tho Church of England take precedence of other clergy O n public .occasions is an invasion of tho principle of religious cqunlitj', and should not bo tolorated." Tho remainder of tho inter-colonial news is unimportant. Political excitement reigns in Christchurch, whore tho members for tho province in tho Assembly have boon addressing largo meetings of their constituents upon the acts and omissions of thejlato scssion,and the publiolpolicy of the colony. Mr Crosbio Ward appears not to havo vindicated his parliamentary conduct to Iho satisfaction of tho electors, and an opposition in tho poison of Mr Hrtrgreavcs is thrcatned Surely Mr Ward is a man of too much ui.uk nnd distinction to be rejected by Lyttelton, on tho ground of any unimportant differences of opinion between him and his constituents. From Dunedin tho inostintcrestir.gitem of news is the arrival nt Port Chalmers of tho Victorian Government steam sloop Victoria, which had put in to coal on her return from her searching expedition to tho Auoklanil isles. Wo givo tho full report of her trip elsowhero. It will be seen that no traces of any shipwrecked seamen wore discovered on either of the islands. Many persons entertained a hope that somo survivors of the crew of tho ill-fated Jack Frost, which lefthe Bluff Harbor somo two years ngo, and lint never been heard of hincb, would havo boon diss covered and rescued. Tho Auckland Isles are situated two hundred miles noulh of New Zealand,' nnd wo bolievo are still included within tho political boundaries of this colony. The Daily Times, in a very interesting nrticlo on the many " novor heard of" ships that havo started under auspices of bright promiso for or from colonial ports, and the possibility of tho relicts of wrecked crews being still surviving, asks :—": — " Ought not the great maritime nations of the world to provide for the peri&dical visiting, by ships of succour, tho supposed uninhabited spots in tho ocean, upon which Enoch Ardens may bo withering their lives away I" The opening of tho Provincial Council of Otngo was postponed to the 15th inst. Littlo nttention is given in the papers to questions of local politics, nnd Iho only notable incident is tho banquet given to Mr Macaudrew by his constituents at Port Chalmers. Tho Times reports at lengih the speech of tho lion, member, of which tho salient point was his oha'-go against tho people of Otago, of " having allowed themselves to be represented by men who either had not been nblo to protect tho interests of the province, or had sacrificed thoso interests to their own individual interests." So Mr Macnndrow was reported. He protests that ho used tho qualifying words " with fow exceptions" aftor " men," but tho reporter states his conviction that ho did not. Tho member for Bruce and Port Chalmers, must be largly endowed with moral courage to bring from his personal sland-point this wholesale ohnrgo of corruption ngninst tho public men of tho province. Mr Mumford and Miss Matthews havo commenced a second season at; tho Princess Theatre, and tho Royal has been opened under tho lessoeship of Mr Donno. Miss Kdith Pnlmereton (Mrs Alexander) nnd Mr W Alexander have mado a successful appearance in an ontertninment called " Iloiuohold Sketches." Lady Don is said to havo accepted a theatrical engagement in Duuedin. Tho Olh November, tho twentyfourth anniversary of tho birth of thePrinco of Wales, wns colobrated hb a general holiday, and there was v grand turn out of volunteers, and a fete at Vauxhnll gardens. Tho intor-provinoial papers record a melancholy series of fatal accidents, ono of t,he most sad of which is tho death by drowning of Capt. Ilugh, of (110 2nd Wniknto Reg., in the harbor at Wellington. The unfoitunato gonlloinun was a passenger by tho Phrobo' from the north, and attempted to land fiom the stcamor in a boat which filled and wont down. There wcro eight other persons in tho boat, who wero however rescued. At tho saino town a Mr Kendall fell dead suddonly at Iho wickets during n cricket match, and a young lad, tho son of Mr Charles Knrnson of Meadow Bank, wns thrown nnd killed, by his pony, whilst attempting to go up a steep ascont to watch tho steamer Lyttolton by which vessel, his father and mothor woro oxpcctcdpa&scngcis.

The t schooner Mount Aloxaudcr has roached tho climax of hor misfoi tunes. She was towed out on Thursday for tho purposo of proceeding to Mclbourno for ovorlmul nnd ropairs, but it was found that blio was rapidly making water, and when abreast of tho coast nbout eight miles south of Hokitika tlio captain dotormincd to bench her. This ho did ; but tho heavy surf rolling on shoro tho whol'o of yesterday has, we boliovo, rendered hor a total wreck. It is with great rogrcl we havo to announco that the steamer Uno is abandoned by her ownera. It was found that tho oxponso attempting the hh7ardou:- Attempt to float har off tho beach at tho Groy would bo moro thanl.cr value. She in to bo sold ns a Wreck on Monday. It is intended to opon tho now Wosloyan Church tomorrow week, nnd in connection with tho sorviccan public tea mooting '.bo held, Wo llavo received a loiter, signed " Contractor," callin;- public attention to tho faot that no

tenders have beon culled for the erection of tho Ilospi al, the contract having boon privately let by Mr Sale to tho gentleman who has built the Government offices in Scwell street, winch job was also privately " arranged" between the Coin missioner and the builder. Wo decline to insert "Contractor's" letter, on account of thp strong animus displayed against Mr Sale— whom the writer roundly accuses of something worse than partiality— aud the general imtempcrato wording of tho •letter. Mr Salo may bo guilty of the offences imputed to him, but it scarcely becomes us or " Contractor" deliberately to accuse him^ of dishonesty; he may have ".a favored Christchurch mob," but we cannot positively assert that petty local feelings have influenced him in accepting or rejecting contracts. Wo havo,_ however, on several previous occasions been informed of what certainly appears to be a btrango modo of procedure in let 1 ing Government contract, and we ngrco tutU our corres pondent in deprecating such a "hole-and-corner" and irregular way of doing business. Such a piece of work as the Hospital is worth trying for, as a good-sum will in nil probability find its way into the pocket of tho contractor in; tendering for such a job he need not fear tho competition that ho meets with in smaller contracts, where tho man may successfully compete with tho master, We are informed also that in tho item of timber nlono, a round sum will bo netted, in consequence of tho decline in the v.iluo of that article owing to tho establishment of sawmills in tho vicinity. In order that full justico should be done both to the Government nnd the public, tho practice of calling for tenders, and publishing the names nnd the amounts of tho several tenderers should be strict iy adhered fo. and wo are surprised to learn that Mr Salo has adopted such a very bad precedent as it appears holms dono. « Mr. Barff was ono of tho passengers by tho Egmont on Thursony, on his way to Christchurch to" take his neat in tho Provincial Council. The steamers Rouchays and Barwon are, for the future, to make- regular fortnightly trips between Nelson and Mclbourno direct, goods nnd passengers for Hokitika and tho Grey being transhipped at Nelson into branch steamers The advertisement making this announcement offers tho inducement to shippers to patronise tho line — that tuoir goods will not bo "smashed from ono boat to another in open ocean outside the bar but, transhipped iv a land-locked harbor." , Tho following official letter from the 'Registrar of the Supreme Court of Appeal will bo of interest to 1 the members of the legal profession who may purpose to plead at the approaching sittings of the Circuit Court of Hokitika : — " I have the honor to inform you, by diroctiou of their Honors the Judges of tho Supreme Court, that the costume proposed for Ihe barristers of this Court, namely, the costume of English barristers (without the purso) may bo worn by tho banisters of this Court, and that on and after Ihe first day of October, I°GG, no barrister will bo henrd at the Court of Appeal, or nt any sitting of tho Supremo Court held at the place of residonco of any Judges thereof, excopt in such costume. Provided that F.nglish or Irish barristers may always appear in tho Court in tho costume nf their degree." The Canterbury Press gives the following return furnished by the police officer in charge at tho Bualey, showing tho number of people and of slock that have passed by tho Boalcy, to and from the West Canterbury Goldfields, for tho week ending November 4. The inimbor of people to the goldlields was 70 ; nnd of cattlo, ] /JO ; of Bheep, 50 ; and of horses 40. Tho numbers returning were, of people. 40 ; and of horses, 25 : . the number of residents tit tho Bealcy was estimated at 150. The following reforoncd to the administration of justice in ' West land' — now first so called by a high authority in his oflicial capacity—was mado by His Honor Mr Justico Johnston in his cliuige to the Grand Jury at Nelfon on the ICtli inst. : — ' ' Ho was not aware that any alteration or change had been made by tho Legislature or Executive in tho administratirn of justice sinco he last addressed them, except the formation of a new judicial district on the western side of the island. This had been rendered necessary by tho presence of a large' mining population which had arrived there) -nill it was intended to form' the district of Wc-rtland to meot the requirements of tho peoplo who had migrated there, the district to bo taken partly from the province ot Canterbury and partly from Nelson. Hokitika would bo the chief town of the new- district, where a Judge would be nppoinled to hold a sitting of tho Supreme Court." Tho Auckland papers announce tho death of Archdeacon Kissling, who was long and deservedly respected in Now Zealand for his private virtues and usefulness. Ho arrivvd in Auckland on the 20lh of May, 1842 Amongst other publio appointments held by him were thoso of Chairman of tho Boards of Vaccination and Education. The Riglit Reverend Bishop Patterson, Missionary Bishop of the Melaucsian Islands, has nrrived in Melbourno, where he is engaged in preaching and lecturing in bohalf of his numerous charge. A very singular occurrence is thus reported by tho Ararat Ad vertisor 1 . — "Wosupposo it is pretty generally known and atmitted that tho tendency which all animals have to follow a leader is developed in no species so much as in sheep ; but wo believo that even in thi3 pastoral country the strength of dcvclopcmont which thi? instinct posesscs in theso animals is not generally known. Ono of the most remarkable illustrations of this characteristic which wo have heard of ocourred with a flock of sheep, about a week ago belonging to a squatter on tho Wimmeia. A largo mob of nbout 4000 was turned out of the theds, after being shorn, to bo shepherded on tho mdo of a creek where the grass grew more abundantly than on the plains farther back Whilo depasturing around or near a very largo nnd deep hole in tho river side, from which nil tho wator had evaporated, one of the llock, urged by somo unaccountable impul«o, jumped into it, another followed, nud another, till tho whole flock rushed to tho spot * and notwithstanding every exertion on tho part of tho shepherd, they pressed en masse into tho largo bason till it waa literally filled with a largo mass of animal life. The pressing of tho flock from behind rendered escape impossible, until the hole was literally filled to its level with tho struggling shcop. When tho mania died out — for during its continuanco tho shepherd had not tho slightest control over tho flock— they wore driven from tho placo, but it was found that no lees than 825 wore smothered, or otherwise killed by tho pressure. This accident seems the more unaccountable, ns wo are informed that there waa neither water nor grass in the holo to tempt tho rush ." A Wellington paper states that Mr. Small, ono of Thatcher's company, and who ia celebrated for his comical impersonation of tho "Unfortunate. Man," has purchased an estate at Fcatherstono, with homestead nnd houses attached, A'horo ho intends to Rcttlo down. Tho Christchurch Mail states, on tho authority of a private letter from Messrs Chapman ond Hall, " that arrangements havo, been entered into with Mr Charles Dickons to proceod, in January noxt, to tho Australian Colonies, to givo a series of readings from his Christmas works in all tho prinoipnl towns of tbo Australian and New Zealand Colonies ; that tho sum of LI 20 is guaiantoed to tho great novelist for each reading, and that the. nrrangomonts wcro to bo finally completed at the ollioo of "All tho Year Round," on tho 21st of Novemboi." Mr Justico Johnston in his ohargo to tho grand jury at Nelson, referred in tho following brief terms to tho calendar of offonces to bo tried : — He was happy td bo a bid t6 cOngratulato them on tho probablo paucity of their labors on that occasion. The calendar appeared to bo v comparatively light one, yet it was not possiblo to arrive at a definite conclusion as to tho extent of crimo in a district without taking into consideration the efficiency of tho polico and the stato of socioty. It was olear, howover, from tho calon,dar, that no crimes of magnUudo oxletcd at tho

present time, and it might safely bo inferred that tho labois of tho jury would soon bo brought to a close. ..... From tho calendar before him he did not think it necessary to offer any particular suggestions to the jury, except observing that twelve prisoners woro mentioned, against whom eleven indictments were preferred. Of theso two woro from Picton, two froni Havelock, one from Blenheim, arid the remainder from Nelson. It might also be observed that the crimes were various in their nature, eleven cases having eight different crimes charged against them, lie was not aware of more than one that presented features of extraordinory aggravation. Thoro were ono or two serious cases, and tho remainder wero loss so. There was one of felonious wounding ; ono of folonious cattle-killing ; one of assault, with intent to commit, if tho graver offence were not proved ; one of forgery ; ono of house- breaking ; threo of common larceny ; one of larceny as a Bailee ; aud two of obtaining money under false pretences. The " Southland News," of tho Bth instant, records the following fatal accident. Mr Churchward was well known to many present residents in Ilokitika :—lt: — It is our very painful duty to report another case of death by drowning, whilo fording a river. Tho sad accident to which wo refer occurred on Saturday, at Daniel's Ford, on the Orcti, to a much respected inhabitant of this town, Mr T. L. Churchward, for somo time past buyer to the establishment of MrJ.H. Smith, butcher, in Dee street, and who had on tho day only on which he mot his death entered into a partnership arrangomont in tho saino business. On Saturday last, Mr Churchward left his home ami proceeded as far as Daniel's Ford, on tho Oreti River, reaching there iv tho evening. A short distance from the ford, on tho Invercargill side of the river, he was noticed by tho driver of Cobb and Company's coach, making for the ford, and was signalled to by him to take tho river in another place, no, however, either did not understand the directions given, or having been accustomed to cross in that particular spot, kept on his course. Tho river at this time- was, however, fordnble, and it is supposed that shortly after entering it tho horse on which Mr Churchward rodo 3tumbled and fell. Certain it is, that after entering tho wator Mr Churchward was no moio seen alive On the Sunday morning, tho horse was discovered by tho driver of the coach saddled and bridled on tbo bank, and this led to a search, when Mr Churchwards body was discovered about ono hundred yards down tho stream, being partially out of the water, A strong current was running at the time of the accident. The sad occurrence has cast quite a gloom over the town, the deceased being so well known and esteemed His remains h ive been removed to town for interment. We will furnish tho particulars of the inquest when rcecived. Mr Churchward lm loft a wife and family of our children to deplore the painful bereavement. Wo regret to have to record a melancholy accident, which resulted yesterday morning in the death by drowning of a man known by tho soubriquet of Jack the carpentor. He was a pasrenger by a river boat belonging to a wateiman named Thomas Cassidy, which was crossing the ferry passage from the other side, when about tho middlo of the stream, thoro being a strong fresh in the river nt the time, the boat in trying to keep clear of the chain of Iho punt, camo into contact with the latter and was capsized. The other men who wero in tho boat succeeded in saving themselves, but although the deceased was seen to cling to the chain, he soon went down, and his body was carried away by the current. In the afternoon of yesterday a boat with two men on board was very near being carried out fo sea by tho strong currrent flowing towards the bar. It was not until they were abreast of tho signal station that they wero enabled through the cheok given by the sea to tho river tido, to RoiV.n a rope that was thrown to them frori) the shoro, by means of which they succeeded in reaching dryland. The no\v theatre which has beon constructed in Sydney is now daily expected to arrive, and we bcliovo thatMrßartlett, theowncr, has completed the arrangements for taking possessiou of its infended si'o. The building wilt bo 150 feet in length, 45feet wide, and 26 feet in height. It will comprise a dress circle, stalls, and pit, with two handsomo bars in tho front, and attached to it will bo a billiard room 45 feet wide. The structure will bo ornamented with a portico witb Gothic pillars, and furnishod with scenery and decoration 3 for the production of a series of really good dramatic entertainments. Such is tho description ot tho building given to us, and we understand that a company may be expeoted immediately from Sydnoy, comprising many talented and favorite performers, and sufficiently strong to present the " legitimate drama," comedy, and burlesque. As both the Stevens Troupe and tho Christy Ministrels are on the point of leaving us, tho new theatre will bo a decided ncquisi'ion to the town, and will no doubt command an extensive patronago from tho lovers of rational and healthful amusement. Tho "Lyttolton Times" has the following on tho subject of tho West Coast Election; — "If the West Coast diggers and settlers may not return a member to the Provincial Council possessing the saino qualifications with themselves, thoy will havo a just ground of complaint. Mr FitzGerald's Act for granting them representation will have utterly failed in its object if they may not chooso a real representative, but must take for their momber somcono who derives a right to sit in the Council from a totally different interest. Wo can hardly believo that tho Provincial Solicitor is rightly represented as giving his opinion that, in this particular case only, the qualification of an elector is no qualification for a member. Under the Constitution Act, any olector of tho province may represent any district in the province; and if the General Assembly, in adding a now qualification, has omitted to affirm that the rulo holds good for miners, nt least it has not negatived tho rulo, and nover could havo intended to do so. It is absurd in tho extreme that tho constituency should be pormitted to elcot anyono they like excopt ono of themselves. Wo aro exceedingly sorry that even a doubt has been thrown upon tho right of nn elector under tho Miners' Representation Act to be olected ns a member ; for wo are inclined to boliovo, with our correspondent, that precedent nnd tho spirit of tho law both justify tlio «oui«o, if tho letter does not. Few accidents could be moro detrimental to the interests of Canterbury than this, inasmuoh as it tends to nlionate tho pcoplo" of the West Coast from thoso on the Hast, instead of binding them togother as was tho intention of the Representation Act. Wo therefore heartily desire that real representatives of Westorn interests should bo returned to the Council, and though tho advice comes late wo shall bo happy to hear that tho dictum of tho Provincial Solicitor .has beon disregarded, and that members have beon returned out of the body of tho oleotors, oven if their riglit to sit should afterwards havo to bb argued." Wo aro requested to announce that the Hokitika Brass Band will piactico on tho Spit this afternoon, weather (and wind) permitting. The mornbors aro really advancing rapidly towards efficiency 5 tho greatest credit is duo to tho instruotor, Mr, Weinburg, for his successful offorts. Among tho numorous new buildings that aro daily springing up in all quartors of tho town, ono of tho most oxtensivo and worthy of at 1 tcntion is that in courso of erection for Messrs Jones, M'Glnshan aud Co., and designed by thorn for an auction mait, for tho salo of horses, cattlo and other live Btook. It occupies a full section of ground, "hnd offers nmplo accommodation for tho requirements, of a largo business. Wo are glad to notico theso improvements, as they contain in thcmsolves tho best assurance of tho future prosperity and advancement of Hokitika. Our readers will doubtless remombei the case of Zealand v. Houghton, tried in tho beginning of Soptomber, whon tho defendants, well-known shipping agents of this town, woro committed

for trial on the charge of feloniously damaging the paddle steamer Lady of the Like, with the intent of rendering her unfit for sea. The defendants were agents for the vessel, aud held authority from the owners to dismiss tho captain Thomas Zealand, should they consider such a courso advisable, and also to take entire charge of the ship. Thecap'ain, however, denied their authority, and refused to give up charge. The agonts, therefore, to detain tho vessel forcibly took away part of her machinery, as she was on the eve of starting for tho Grey, and it was on this charge that they wore committed for trial. Wo understand that tho Messrs Ilaughton have received a communication from the AttorneyGeneral, stating I hat tho case had been abandoned. Tho following curious paragraph about Thatcher is from the Nelson Colonist :— Private letters from Wellington state that the celebrated satirist and lampooning rhymer, Thatcher, has seen the error and vanity of his profession, and has given it up. He had been attending the ministrations of Mr. Deck, and had resolved to give up his profession entirely. The change does not appear to have been sudden ; for wo loam that at Hokitika, where Thatcher and Madamo Vitclli used to assist Mr. Harper, Wesleyan minister, on Sundays, by leading tho psalmody, ho had stated to Mr. Virtue, that ho need not be surprised to see him (Thatcher) some day preaching tho Gospel from the pulpit. Let us hope that the conversion is sincere. Mr Thatihor's comic sketches were' sometimes more than tinged with strong personal lampoons, which ho indulged in for many years with impunity, and from which, nnd his knack of ready rhyming, (which though 'a clever, is not at all a high gift) he has contrived to gather something like a fortune. As the tree is known by ils fruits, we shall, should Mr Thatcher really change his vocation to that of a preaclrer, look for certain evidences of his sincerity, in his' changed Hfo and different walk and conversation,