WEST COAST TIMES.

West Coast Times, Issue 86, 21 December 1865, Page 2

WEST COAST TIMES.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 18C5.

We avo glad to , learn that, tho Government h;vve responded in what wo must pronounce a somewhat liberal spirit, to the application for aid made by tho Holritikn, Firo Urigadc. Ilithel'to the town has enjoyed a vory remarkalilo imnhmity from live, considering tho nature of tho materials of which it is built, and tho crowded stale of tho principal streets. It is almost impossible to co'njecturo what tho result might bo if » conflagration broke out in any part of Revcll-strcct, which is , exceedingly narrow as well as crowded with wooden tenements on either side. Iho prevalence of rainy weather has no doubt contributed to aconsidorablc extent to tho fooling of security in which tho town has indulged ; but tho experionco of tho last fortnight ought to produce a very salutary imprcs c ion, that thoro arc seasons when Ilokitika, liko all other timber-built Australasian towns, is liable to bo regularly dessicated, so as to promise a certain saturnalia to the fire imp should ho mako his mischievous appearance. It is a fact, that with tho exception of a very few instances, property in Hokitika is uninsured. To somo extent this circumstance may havo induced an extra precaution on the part of householders ; but what an amount of ruin would bo involved to scores, perhaps to hundreds of individuals, if anything. liko an extensive conflagration wero to break out ! It is unfortunately the caso that the most careful and prudent man has no power of protecting himself from the consequences of carelessness nnd imprudence on the part ofhis neighbors. lie cannot be his own insurer amidst a state of things under which it is almost certain that a fiie occurring in any single tenement in tho town would rapidly spread on cither sido of it. The dangers of fire arc very greatly aggravated by tho conditions of our social life. We have few of tho households in which, in more settled communities, tho most rigid domestic discipline is enforced— -whero every light is seen put out, and tho doors and windows fastened, at an hour beseeming the quiet habits of a "wellregulated family." Ilokitika possesses a vast multitude . of hotels, affording . accommodation of various degrees ofj luxury, or the reverse of 5*5 * it, to a constantly shifting and unsettled but invariably largo population. Woodoif buildings, canvas partitions, nobblors ad libitum, smoking, candles and vestas, present an accumulation of dangerous elements which may well mako insur- 1 anco ofticcs timid, and the least nervous amongst us apprehensive. | One result of the establishment of a Fire Brigade in efficient working order, and in possession of full appliances, will bo to afford a certain measure of protection to tho town ; another will bo to render tho insurance of property nt moderrd.o rotes practicable. Wore tho custom of assuranco general, the offices might bo expected to bo liberal contributors to tho brigade- funds. It would bo to thoir interest to diminish their risks as much as possiblo. At homo and iv most of tho colonies, tho insurance companies maintain engines and a working corps of firemen at thoir own charge, and have found it to thoir profit to do so. The five brigade is a comparatively novel institution in England. It is ono of the off-shoots of. tho great volunteer movement. But it is largely suppovteil by contributions from insuranco companies, and from property holders. At a futuro day tho Hokitika Brigade' may no doubt depend upon liberal support from tho former source ; at present it has to rely upon tho sub- , acriptions of tho inhabitants, and tho supplementary aid of tho Government. A sum slightly in excess of £300 has been subscribed in . furtherance of the objects of tho Brigade, and is now lodged in the hands of tho banker. A further sum of £250 has been promised by Mr Sale, on the authority of tho Provincial Executive, with an annual grant-in-aid of £100, provided the Coimoil is not frightened at tho cooked balance sheet for "Westland. An available sum of about £550 will, therefore, bo available for tho commencement of operations. As a prclimiuary stop, wo understand the Brigade havo sont an order to Ballarnt for a hook and ladder apparatus, the cost of which will swallow up, with that of a hose, a very largo proportion of tho sum at present in hand. In addition, a firo engine for feeding tho hose will bo necessary, as well as tho construction of slabbed reservoirs at various spots in the principal streets, to insure an adequate supply of water nt the seasons when the perils from firo will bo greatest. Theso necessary items of outlay, and the erection of an engine houso and offices, will require a fund of something over a thousand pounds. No doubt tho money yet wanting will be cheerfully subscribed by the inhabitants, as soon as it if known that the Brigade are activly and energetically oxorting themselves to complete thoir organisation and arm thomselves " eap-a-pied" for their work. Tho Government have granted a sito to the Brigade for their new onginohousc, in Hamilton-street, on a slope facing tho north sido of tho Camp Reserve. To this site we aro informed that very strong objections are felt. Practical men urge that the ascent up which tho fire-engino will have to bo drawn, nnd the absence of tho volunteer help which nughr 1 . bo commanded at

any moment in tho main street, would, in the event of a. sudden alarm of lire, cnuso a most disnstrous delay. It cannot indeed bo doubted that a lofs, even of five or of three minutes,, might mako all tho difference in tho world as affecting tho tmnnccs of saving property and life in such n town as Ilokitika. Ono argument used by tho Brigade in support of their application for another site, ilocs, wo confess, strongly recommend itself. They promise to put up a handsome engine-house, provided they are allowed to build on the Hamilton mid Revcll streets corner of the Camp reserve. What a relief it would i bo to get anything in tho shape of a comely edifice, to put away out of human sight tho hideous structures now enclosed within tho Government stockyard fence ! It is rumored, we know not with what truth, that one comer of tho reserve has boon conceded to ono of tho Banks for the erection of its proposed new building. Aud if the Revell street frontage is thusa-going, surely tho Firo Brigade is an institution of sufficient public importance, and possesses sufficiently powerful claims, to bo ontitled, to a section of it. Two designs prepared for tho new engine houso havo been submitted to us, and either would bo an ornament to any site in town. Other uses besides those of an engine houso might bo combined with the original • design. A public library, an Athcntouni, n hall of commerce — either would bo a suitable and very convenient destination for tho upper apartments of a building, on tho basement story of which the engines of the Brigade might find accommodation. It would be pleasant to see such a structuro exhibiting its handsome front in one of tho principal streets of Hokitika ; and we trust, therefore, that this question of sito will bo reconsidered by the Provincial Government.

Tho enquiry into tho .wreck of tho Maid of the Yarra, which was opened an Monday before tho Resident Magistrate, the Colleotor of .Customs, and Captain Whito, terminated yeslorday, but we aro compollcd to hold over tho report until Saturday's issue. Tho immunity from arrest enjoyed by thoso parties who cased Mr Walmsloy of eight hundred ounces of gold soiho timo ago, has apparently induced others to try thoir hands at tho samo gamo, nnd select as the scono of tho oxploit, tho ?amo looality, nnd nearly the same spot whero that gontloman suffered. The enso to which wo .vofor, is, howover, a most mysterious one, and will in our opinion require tho most careful investigation to arrive at any thing liko a satisfactory conclusion , respecting it. As related to us by a gentleman just como down from tho Groy, it appears that a Mr Molloy, a storekeeper, at No Town, left thnt placo for tho Twelve Milo on Monday in company with a paoker, to who ho gavo in chargo lfiO ozs of gold dust, enjoining him on no consideration to keep closo company with him, but nt tho same timo remain in sight,' an in tho event of meeting bushrangers they would be more likely to bail up tho storekeeper, than tho packor. Tho latter, liowcvov» neglected to comply with tho instructions ho had received, and galloped a long wily ahead of Molloy, who when ho reached him found him dismounted, and minus the gold dust. Tho only account tho paoker could give of the affair was, that two men had suddonly rushed out of tho scrub, unhorsed, nnd robbed him, and then as quickly retired. On their arrival at tho Twolvo Milo, infoimation was givon to tho polico ; Mr Molloy boing slrongly inclined to givo tho packor in chargo. ns ho believed thero was a collusion between him and tho parties who had taken tho gold. This is all tho information wo havo at presont received on tho matter, but in a few days, moro light in all probability will bo thrown u^Jon ono of tho most incomprehensible cases of highway robbery it has ever been our fato to chronicle Nothing now remains of tho iinfortunato s.s. Maid of tho Yarra but a portion of tho hows i the midship and after parts having disappeared. Last Saturday all her machinery was safely landed, and it was well for the party who bought tho wreck tjho opportunity of bo doing was takon advantage of, otherwise much would havo bcon lost, ns tho heavy sea of that night stove iv her starboard sido and washed tbo boiler out. Luckily the precaution of securing it with chain slings had bcon adopted, to which taoklo being attached from tho shore, it was, as the tide roso, hauled up on tho bortch above high-water mark. Thero is a rumor afloat that tho engine nnd boilor aro to bo removed to tho Kaniori, there to bo erected and attached to pumps for tho purposo of draining somo of tho wet and rich ground J aud as U'cy havo almruliuico of power it is in contemplation to affix a circular saw ns well, and mako tho cngino out all tho timber required to work tho claims. An inquest was hold' yesterday before Dr, Beswick, tho coronor, upon tho remains of William Henry Williams, late chief engineer of tho Yarra steam-tug, who accidentally shot himuolf on Monday' last. No facts wero elicited further than woro reported in our issuo of Tuesday. Tho deceased was intorrcd -yosterday, and the flags, belonging to tho shipping in tho port, were half masted on tho occasion. The grand passago of arms announced to como off lost night at tho Shakospero, botweon the champion swordsman Professor Parker, and Mr Chas. Do Lorco, was anything but a satisfactory nffair. We shall not attempt any description of tho two combats in which theso gcntlomon engaged whilst wo wero in tho house, tho first with foil!] and the second with niugle-sticks. TliciO was no score of tho points inndo by each, exhibited to tho spectators, or announced to them ; nnd from first to last tho stago was tho sccno of angry disputation. Nearly ovcry point claimed by tho Champion was disputed by Mr DoLorce, and tho last wo saw of the affair was both gentlemen on tho stago making mutually recriminatory speeches to tho audionco, who received each with a tolorably equal ndiuixturd of cheers and hisses. Both competitors at times lost their tompor ; but wo must say Mr DeLorco was by far the greatest, as ho was tho earliest, sinner in this respect. Thoro was a strong partisan feeling manifested by tho audience, who seemed protty unanimous on ono point only, — tho demand to havo their money returned to them, Thero was a sort of burlesque- encounter between two amatetys during ono of tho pauses, which constituted tho only fun of tho ovoning ; but tickot-holdors complained thnt that was not what they had paid thoir money for. A good exhibition of scientific sword play would bo n vory pleasant thing to see ; but for its success two conditions would bo requisite : first, a complete agreement between tho players as to tho laws of tho art ; and, secondly, tho appointment of judges and tin umpire, by mutual consent, tho decision never to bo challenged by oithor combatant. For a competitor to bo porpetunlly differing, not only from his antagonist, but from tho rofeiees, and interrupting tho play by throwing down bank notes to back his opinion, h tho -very extremity f of absurdity. To novor depohd upon tho advertised time of a vessel's sailing is good sound policy, that often wivch \\h from much inconvenience, (jivenmstance;', liowovor, do * soiiietlmea occur that render nugatory all our effort*) to nvoW being

disappointed, a concatenation of which, yesterday caused several of our fellow cltizona to take v step which resulted in thoir detention for twonlyfour hours in tho roudslcad on board tho Yarra That fresh arrival on our shores, tlic quondam Dunedin bollinan, employed himself ycslciday morning in vociferously giving notice to tho general public that tho s.s. Star of tho Evening would in tho courso of tho day arrive off Ilokitika, en route to Dunodin, via tho Bluff, for tho pnrposo of receiving on board any passengers dcslroui of visiting cither of thoso places, nnd that hor agonts, with laudable liberality, bad placed tho litilo Ynrnv at thoir disposal to convey them on board, free of oxponso. At noon, accordingly, thirty-live individuals carrying amongst them carpot bags, macintoshes, and Bwags of all sizes — amongst whom wero two or threo Hokitika celebrities, tho press being well represented by one of thorn, nnd tho shipping interest by the very agent who had propared this treat— nssombled on tho wharf and transferred thomselvos ou board the steamer, which left finmediatoly,crosscd tho bar in safety and was, the last time tho mist permitted us a glimpso of hor, tranquilly riding to her- anchor, wailing tho arrival of tho " screw" from tho Grey. " Tho best laid schemes of inico and men gaugaftagloy," thoseof ourfiionds inlhiainstance not boing attended with ono whit bettor success than has resulted to so many others, for wo wore credibly informed by a gontlcmun thnt tho Star of tho Evening having gone up tho Groy to coal, would not leavo that port until to-day, nnd the result of this alteration in her time of depart uro to those on board tho \'nrra (no pro-, vision having', been made for thoir protracted stay) can be more easily imngincd than described. Tho P., N.Z , &A t R. M. Co.'s steamer figmont, which loft hero* for Nelson and other portion the 15th instant, was to leave Nelson for Ilokitika, Bluff Harbor, and Dunedin, transferring .Melbourno passengers to tho Company's steamer Tararua at Bluff Harbor. Wo understand numorous applications for passages have been applied for at tho ngonts' ofllco.ns sho would most likely nriivo at Dunedin in timo for the Christmas Holiday. Tho Banks nro about to ship gold (to bo transferred to tho Tararua) for Melbourno by this opportunity. Afler .silting mx months, nnd effecting a large : amount of good, tho Improvement Committeo avo about winding up their affairs, preparatory to appearing before tho public for tho purposoof giving an account of their stewardship ; nnd although thoir lnbors have, to a certain extent, bcon overlooked, and many a covert sneer passed upon them, it must bo confessed that tho gentlemen who have ohco, nnd sometimes twice a week sat in Major Bracken's establishment to transact tho butiincss voluntarily undertaken by them for tho benefit of their follow citizens, nnd the advancement of Ilokitikn, havo thoroughly dono their duty, and desorvo well at tho hands of every soul belonging to our community. Compnred with its present condition, Ilokitika six months ago was a wilderness, ils principal thoroughfares boing swamps that in wot weather wero almost impassable. Tho portion of tho Wharf thou in tho course o£ formation by the Government was but a fraction compared with that at' present completed, and in hand, nnd the extension of which is in a great measure due to their untiring exertions ; and now their term of office is drawing to a close, we think it but a graceful not of duty to acknowledge their services, nnd call upon tho public to give honor whoro &uch is duo ; and wo trust they will not bo backward in responding to our call. Wo wero presont on Monday night nt ono of tho last meetings that will be held by tho presont Committee, who assombled for tho purposo of receiving tho balance fheet for tho half-year, and discussing its items. Aftor receiving a deputation from Tancred strcot, and settling some minor matters, tho business of tho evening was gono into, when, after discussing tho items of tho sheet, and comparing tho debtor nnd creditor Bido of tho account, it was found thero was a balanco remaining on the wrong sido to tho amount of between L3O and L4O. This was accounted for satisfactorily enough, a large portion of tho extra nssoesmont 6i Cd per" foot levied somo five weeks ago upon tho inhabitants of Rovell street nnd Gibson's quay, and Is per foot upon tho residonts of Wharf streot, for the purposo of liquidating tho oxtra cost for completing Wharf street, paying incidontal expenses, tho clerk's salary, and sundry unpaid accounts, not having yet been collccably. Somo of the Committeo nro considerably out of pocket, having at thoir own risk settled pressing accounts, tho treasurer alono paying tho balanco of tho money duo upon tho completion of Wharf street- It was decided that immediate steps should bo taken to collect this unpaid rate, tho clerk being authorised to call upon all defaulters beforo Thursday, with a viow, if possiblo, of gathoring in tho twilnnco d.v\c, so that at the. regular weekly meeting on that night, thero might bo a final settlement of all accounts, and the balance sheet bo published in an early ksue of tho local paper. Wo siucoroly trust tho public will respond to this call upon it, and not cast tho lloss upon thoso deputed and clothed with authority by itself to act in its hehnlf for tho bonefit of the whole body. It would bo an act of scandalous injustice and disgraceful meanness if tho committee wore permitted to lose hard cash as well ns precious timo, and wo hope thoso who havo. not yot paid this extra rato will at onco do so, and thus onablo tho prosont committee to hand over a clean sheet to their successors in ofllco without having to draw upon thoir own private xesonrecs, f An inquest was hold on Tuesday, at tho Munstor Hotel, by tho district coronor, Dr. Bcswiok, on tho body of a man named Edwin Friend, who was found on Monday morning dead in ills bod, in a houso of ill-repute in Rovoll street. From tho evidence given by a woman named Ellen M'Carthy, and othor witnesses, it appeared he had been addicted for somo tirao to execssivo drinking, so much so ns to bring on an attack of doliiium tromens, under which he had been suffering for several days provious to his death. Dr, Ryley doposcd ho was called in on Sunday night by tho woman M'Carthy, to visit doceascd, but on arriving nt the houso found no ono thero Jntt ending him, tho woman who had promised to como neglecting to do so. no accordingly objected to prescribe, as it was nocossary tho medicine should bo carefully ndministorcd, on account of its strcugth. Woods (ono of tho witnesses) called in whilst ho was there, but refused to stay aud allond Friend. Tho noxt morning a party called and informed him tho man was dead. The doctor on making n post mortem examination found tho vital organs moro or loss diseased, tho liver especially boing much enlarged. Ho considered that death resulted from an attack of npoploxy. Tho verdict of tho jury was, that deceased died from apoploxy, caused by oxecssivo drinking. 3 His death was also nccolerated through insuuicioncy of food nnd neglect. ' The Dunedin pnporsby tho Star of the Evening contain later Invoronrgill intelligence. M'Councll hns.bcen fully committed by thoUesidont Magistiato'u Court on tho chargo of wilful murder. Mr John Blaoklock has been returned for tho Provincial Council. Ho received 03 votes against Mr Lumsdon's 03. Tho now session of tho Council was to opon'on tho 11th inst. A daring burglary was committed at tho Kapiori township on Monday night, which for bare-faced audacity exceeds anything of tho kind that has yet occurred in Wostlnnd, tho victims in this instance being tho very mon appointed to euforco the law and keep evil doers in subjection. On Tuesday information reached town that on tho preceding evoning tho Ktiuiori Polico Camp had boon stuck-up, aud no usual tho fii at rumor waa n monstrous exaggeration, being to. tho ' effect that tho above town was menaced by an organised baud of freebooters, nnd in contcquenco all the male portion of its inhabitants capable of bearing arms, wero swovn in ah special constables. Moro reliable information, however, arriving, wo wero placed in pob&efction of tho following :••- -That on tlio ovening abovu montioncd soiao ill-diupotted intltvi-

duals, watching their opportunity, twlicn all the police, except Sergeant Clomcntsjiad loft tho camp crept softly into tho desoited tents and abstinoted therefrom sundry boxes, which afler taking to a convenient diatvneo vhey broke open and rifled of thoir contouts. One of the boxes contained £70 in notes, besides several doposit receipts for n considerable amount, which •of courso wero abstracted", and havo uot yot been rccpyored . Sergeant Cloiucnts was at tho linio writing in ft tout situated betweon thoso so unceremoniously visited, but so cleverly was tho thoft committed that ho heard not tho slightest sound that showed any thing unusual was going on, and tho thoft was uot discovered until the constablosroturncd. An immediate search was at onco instituted, a tent boing visited tout was known to ho occupied by suspicious characters, and thoro a portion of a letter was, found, on whioh was inscribed the name of ono of tho constables whoso box (which at tho timo contained a numbor of letters and other dociiinentts) had boon stolen. This was considered sufficiently suspicious to justify tho arrest of all in tho tent, and on searching them n LI noto was found marked A, and endorsed with tho najno of tho Resident Magistrate. This was considered conclusive, ns the noto was disputed property,; had boon marked by Mr Fitzgerald, handed over to the police for safo keeping, and was known to havo bcon in ono of the boxes stolen that night. On Tuesday tho suspeoted parties wero brought in custody to Ilokitika. Areferonceto our police column will di&closo subsequent xjrocecdings.