WEST COAST TIMES. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1865.

West Coast Times, Issue 84, 16 December 1865, Page 2

WEST COAST TIMES. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1865.

Judging from the general tone of tho debatos in the Provincial Council wo should say that no idea prevails of the oxistonco of any considerable amount of dissatisfaction amongst tho population of the West Coast. Any man who has the boldness to suggest that the district has wants that ought to bo supplied with no lingrudgih"' hand, is 1 lookdd iljioii «ts a grievance-monger, and it is doomed a quite sufficient reply to him to refer to the very cleverly manipulated balance sheet in which Westland is shown to have cost tho province during a single quarter, upwards of c£30,000 in excess ,of tho revenue derived from it. Tho statement is swallowed by the House ; • tlie sense of conscience is satisfied ; and tlie impression we may be sure left on the mind of the great majority of honorable members, that so far the district has been a very expensive and troublesome appendage to the province, and one very ungrateful for tho favors conferred upon it. No doubt Ultimate benefits aro expected to accrue to tho Eastland merchants am] settlers, if a sufficiently deep conviction can be pro duccd abroad, of l< tho dangerous character" of tho harbors of this coast, to cause Australian merchants to cease to intermeddle with its trade ; and if the great road across the island is completed. Besides, Canterbury has always been a proud and sensitive Province. It was founded under aristocratic auspices, and it would probably - bear a heavy expenditure, rather than submit to the mortification and loss of prestige that would result from its dismemberment.

That so largo an amount of money which will bo extracted from our future revenue, if it has not been taken from our past, has been allowed to bo expended on the road across the range without a far more indignant and sustained protest than it has elicited — whilst the development of the goldficlds has been- obstructed, and innumerable lives have been sacrificed by the shameful neglect of the most necessary public works within tlio district itself — may well bo accepted by the Government as the proof of a remarkable tamonoss of spirit on tho part of the people. It is indeed true that there has been «a singular absence of violent agitation, for which, Heaven knows, there havo existed abundant materials. There has beon no Eastern market with its stump as a political institution in Hokitika. Wo havo not even had a Grant to excite the passions of tho people and stir them to hatred of the ruling powers. Our demagogues havo been of tho mildest description. Even the gonloman selected by tho miners for their champion in the Hall of the Provincial Council, was a man of so meek a character that a few insignificant and common place courtesies effectually subdued all the,re was of the lion in him. If we seek for tho causes of this passive endurance of wrong, ono of them is doubtless to bo found in the steady and uniform prosperity enjoyed by tho mining community. Gold is so generally diffused over so largo an area of country that, whilst of courso there have been tho usual diversities and fluctuations of fortuu ), the instances oi actual failure have been few, in a ratio to the population unpercedentod we believe in the case of any other goldfield in the world. It has, been found invariably that a condition of prosperity is tho most unfavorable to the success of popular agitation, whatever valid grounds may exist for it. No powerful lleform organisation in England can be now organised, even by the most stirring eloquence of the ablest of the old popular leaders. The concession of frco trade, cheapening articles of consumption, and tho general .increase of employment caused by tho development of the manufacturing and commercial resources of the empire, have made tho people passive and content, Much of the quietude with which wrong has here been endured is no doubt attributtable, also, to the strong inherent spirit of order which is onp of the marko dcharacteristics of the population of tho West Coast generally, and of Ilokitika in particular. It is a fact, testified to by all, that amongst no other digging oommunity has there been the swne absence of the element-of disorder. Tho police statistics themselves are sufficient evidence of the truth of this assertion ; but tho fact is 2>atent to the public eye. Tho mortifying rumors of a riotous collision between the diggers on the Okirita and some new comers who attempted to effect a location on tho ground, which reached us a fortnight back, turned out to be a mere canard, based upon nothing more than a squabblo between two knots of disputants, whoso Irish blood becamo heated by argument. What could exceed tho moderation displayed by tho hundreds of deluded, and very naturally exasperated diggers, who were lately led away on a wild chase, across a most dangerous country, by 9. lying prospector, who confessed that ho had Deen bribed by interested parties to mako^tho

false statements that he had given currency to ? Indescribable hardships were. endured, in tho shape of exposure, toil, and hunger. Limbs were broken, and lives it is feared lost. The deceived miners, at tho moment when their anger was at the highest, had the heartless fellow who had led them astray in their power. But they rejected the proposal to lynch him ; even to crop 1 his c'a,rs ; and determined to hand him over peacefully to tho agents of the law.

It is not from such a people that tumultuous demonstrations aro to be looked for. But wo warii the Chfistcllurch Government, of the serious blunder they will commit if they presume- too much upon thi3 spirit of passive endurance and Submission. They may rest assured that beneath the surface there is a deep Soothing sense of injustice, which only waits the moment ,'that is certain to come, to burst forth with terrible fury, if the long-persisted-in course of practical injustice be much further continued. There is one cause for the past niodoration that has been displayed, which possibly observers' at a distance have failed to appreciate. Wo allude to tho temperate tond systematically maintained by the West Coast press. It has never attempted to stimulate and make a trado out of public discontent. Nothing would have becix moro easy ; nothing . might havo contributed more to its own interests, if had coiiseiitcd to divest itself of tho sense of public responsibility and bo ruled by the loose and convenient law.s belonging to the mere demagogo. There have not been wanting a hundred topics for exciting appeals to popular passion. Wo may justly claim fol ( tlio newspaper press of Westland ,'credit for what may bo characterised as the almost extremo conservatism 6f its tonc--a tone maintained in the faco of great tempatiou and provocation — in the hope that a province whoso interests and whose revenue had been sd largely benefited by the discovery of the goldfields and the influx of popula tion that followed, would, as soon as tho merits of the case wero really understood, voluntarily do full justico to tho district — if from no higher motive — for the sake of its own reputation amonst the provinces of Now Zealand.

We assure tho Government that the day of forbearance is fast passing away. Men are now settling dbwri in tho conviction that no justice is to be expected from Christchurch. The incidents of the last few week have done more than anything that previously occurred, to confirm it. Tfio congratulations offered by the Superintendent in his opening speech to the Council, upon tho legislation under which the outlying districts had been " deprived of the power" of securing separation by petition to the Governor" ; the insultingly gracious intimation which followed, that His Honor would nevertheless not refuse to listen to any " reasonable" claims they might submit to him ; the determination announced to discourage tho use of tho dangerous harbors of this coast, and employ the revenues of Westland in tho construction of an exponsivo road from Christchurch, to force tho luor alivo trade of the district into that channel — gave an ominous beginning to tho session. The impertinent "cxperimenf'of an escort service at our charge, has also had its effect in awakening public indignation. The notorious statement of. accounts in which a fabulous sum is set down for tho administration of tho goldfields and police, and the cost of the overland telegraph and the Christchurch road charged to Westland— and in which a debt of £31,000 appears against the district — has followed Avith fatal rapidity upon tho heels of the speech and of the escort. Nor is the movement initiated by the Provincial Solicitor to deprive Westland of its representatives in Council by procuring their election to be declared void, unnoticed, or regarded as destitute of a sinister significance. What has tended, however, most to disturb" public confidence in the fair dealing of the Eastland Government, is the concurrent issue . of tho balance sheet making out the West Coast to bo thirty thousand pounds in debt to the treasury, and intimation of an approaching sale of public lands. Has a pretext been purposely created for the confiscation of the gross proceeds of this land sale ? Tho impression that it is so gains ground, and it is feared that a general haul is to be made of tho Westland land fund for the prosecution of the the great road, and mayhap for the perpetuation of the Escprt. The time has at length come when resistance should assume tho shape of something beyond mild complaint. If some outbreak of popular resentment is to be guarded against, it is necessary that a public organisation shonld be formed to prepare a "Bill of Rights" for tho Provincial Council ; and, failing its proper recognition thoro, fo present it on the very first day of the new session of tho General Assembly. In that body will bo found plenty of competent men to ospouso our cause. With tho exception of tho provinces with which Eastern Canterbury may have succeeded in effecting a league, the whole of tho strength of tho House of Representatives would support our prayer for Separation. To that, it is plain enough, things must come at last, and tho sooner tho necessary stops aro taken to initiate a public movement which shall aim at nothing short of this object, and which shall be unmistakably in oarnost tho bettor for our interests.

Divino Sorvico, according to tho ritual of the Church of England, was held for tho first time in tho Supreme Court houso, on Suuday morning lust. Similar soivico will bo held to-morrow ovening, ao tho Courl.houso, Kanieri. For tho maUitonaneo of rogular worship a sum of LIOO has, wo learn, been Bubsoiibod and sent homo to

defray the passage out of a clergyman, and a further sum of L7O is in hand This is tha nucleus of a subscription for a gonaml Church fund, whioh is now in process of collection, and we have no doubt tho appeal to the liberality of tho members of tho Church will bo responded to in tho spirit of Chris' ian willinghood.

Professor Parker and Miss Annie Beaumont aro at present qn a professional visit to Ilokitika. Both have attained a considerable reputation in tho colonies. Professor Parker is acknowledged to be ono of the most accomplished swordsmen of tho day, and well entitled 40 his designation of champion maitrc d'armes. ' A grand champion sword, and bayonet match betweon Mr Parker and Mr Do Lorco, who is also a mart of famo As a swordsman, is to tako place at the Shakspcro Hotel on Wednesday next. A mooting of tlio Improvement Committeo was held on Thursday ovening, at Bracken's Hotel, present — Messrs Palmer (in tho chair), Reeves, Anderson; Bracked, Olarko, Cassius, and Ecclesfiold, The minutes of tho previous meeting having bedn read and confirmed, tho following business was transacted :— Mr Palmer stated — as the result of tho deputation to Mr Salo respecting Weld street ; that Mr Sale promised to havo tho levels of Weld street taken, nnd plans prepared and placed in the land oflico for tho use of the Committeo, It was moved by Mr Ecclesfield, socorided by Mr Cassius, — " That a rumour having arisen that the right-of-way from Revell 'street to Wharf street, oituatod between Messrs Reeves and Chesnoy's section is in danger of being closed, this Committeo would strongly opposo such right-of-way being closed,and call upon the Government to cxerciso tho power in keeping tho said right-away open as a publio thorough faro. It was moved as an amendment, by Mr Reeves, seconded by Mr Bracken, — •' That in tho opinion of this meeting it is desirable the right-of-way should be closed" ; whioh resulted in a division) when tho voters being equal, tho matter was left to tho decision of, tho Government. , It was moved by Mr Bracken, seconded by Mr Anderson and carried, — " That tho clerk bo instructed to write to Mr Cominissoncr Salo requesting him to prevent gravel from being taken off the beach behind Rovell street, as carters aro at prcsont making largo pits, thereby endangering the properties of tho inhabitants of Revell street." It was moved by Mr Reeves, seconded by Mr Anderson and carried, — ''Thab tho names of those persona who havo refused to pay tho rato for incidental expenses bo published in thn publio press." It was moved by Mr Clarko, seconded by Mr Bracken and carried, — "That an advertisement bo inserted iv tho West Goast 21mes, requesting all parties wlio havo claim") against tho Committee to send in their accounts boforo tho 20th inst.

Tho Ncxo Zealand Oovcrnntent Gazelle of the 25th ult., notifies tho following appointments of Postmasters for Westland : — Moses Crewdson, Totara, from the 25th August, 18C5 ; Robert M'Glone, Greenstone, from tho 13th July, 1805 ; Alexander Stevonsbn, Greymouth, from the Ist Novembor, 1865 ; G. 11. Moss, Ross, Totara, from the Ist November, 1805.

A sample of sand taken from tho southern beach, about 14 miles from Ilokitika, was on Monday subjeoted to analysis, arid if tho result reported is even approximately correct, it is clear that the mineral wealth of the beach remains yet to be adequately tested. The sample in question was sand taken indiscriminately by Mr Hackott, mining surveyor, and the result of tho analysis showed, as he informs us, 45 per cent iron, 25 por cent tin, 15 por cent gold, and 15 per cent of refuse. Such facts as theso speak for thorn lselves, and need no comment.

So at last tho " Govern men t" bavo really decided that the beach is a place where nuisances shall not be committed, after displaying during tlie past nine mouths an apathy, to 113 perfectly incomprehensible. Due notice has, howover, beon given, and boards with legible characters inscribed thereon have been posted, threatening tho terrors of the law to those individuals who so lost to a sense of docnecy, as shall daro to tfoposit on the beach,- either above or below_ high water mark qny offensivo matter, ice, Sco. Wo are thankful a step in the right direction has bcon taken, but should like to hear an official definition of tho words "beach," and "above high water mark," the terms of the notice, if comprehensive, being exceedingly vaguo. Does it inolude all Rovoll street, which, if a literal definition of tho word is allowed, may certainly bo considered as built upon it. Moreover, what is meant by the expression offensive matter." Is it only applicable to that which is inanimato, or have our rulers come to tho conclusion that matter may bo offensive oven if it be standing on four legs, and to which tho word " deposit" may also be applied, when such "matter" is packod in pens so closely that it cannot find room to stand in them ? If a distinction is to be drawn and dead matter only alluded to, why,simply speaking wo are worse off lhan bofore, as we aro deprived of our only sewer, the consequences of 'which will bo that, night-carts will shortly be added to our othor institutions) We however trust that the authorities sco the vital necessity of cleansing the Rovell-strcet back slums of 'everything offensive, both living and dead— of the former especially, which equals, if it does not exceed, that which properly belongs to tho latter denomination. / " Tho Lytlclton Times thus describes a grand historical incidont :— "Yesterday at ninoa.m. the escort? started from Christchuroh. Tho force consisted of four constables, an inspector, and a sergeant. They were first mustered at tho stables temporarily occupied by them ; they then marched to the public- station near tho Mechanics' Institute, and thence to the rivor side opposite tho Government buildings. Hero Messrs. Mundy and L'Mert were in attendance with thoir photographic apparatus, and took a viow of them. The escort van is a light American ono, painted crimson, picked out with yellow, having wheels of tho same color. It was drawn by a team of four grey horses. Tho escort seomed a smart body, and sevoral persons wore assembled \o witness their departure." It is to be hoped Messrs. Mundy and La'Mert will also bo prcsont on tho occasion of their return to Christchurch to take a companion picture. A Jury List .comprising fivo hundred and oighty-oight names, has been prepared, and tho duo formalities attendant on its composition havo been complied with. Tho list shows no less than 588 names, all of whom, as wo understand, hold business licenses ; a faot in itself indicative of tho progress Ilokitika has made, and of the revonuo it has contributed to tho Canterbury coffers. Wo should imagine that very few will object to their names being on the roll ; for, out of the formidable phalanx of nearly six hundred, only about three dozen will bo summoned at each sitting. A purso that was lost/ a notico of whioh appoarcd in our advertising columns in our last issue, was recovored in rather a singular manner. Whilst on duty in Rovell street, a policeman obsorved a young clog belonging to Mr Pahn, tho tobacconist, trotting off at full speed, holding a purso in his mouth, and ovidently making for home. The constable forthwith arrested the dog, who surrendered his spoil without difficulty, nnd a notico posted on tho camp fenco quickly brought tho owner to claim it. The inou,oy in tho purse was not much, but some documents of considerable value lo tho fair loser— a raarriago certificate inclusive — wero thus restored through tho ngonoy of a kloptonmuiao puppy.