West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 103, 16 January 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1866.

Tub. only portion of his Honor's charge to the Grand Jury which we fail fully to appreciate, is the appeal made by him to their humanity and regard to their own interests, as motives for taking- proper steps to remedy the evils of the present gaol arrangements in Hokitika. It is possible that the Judgo was indirectly addressing the Sherriff, who, as Commissioner, is the representative of tho Government. ; tho only man with authority to remedy such" grievances, and. aveit such scandals as havo forced themselves on his Honor's mind. It, may not be within Mr Gresson's knowledge that the facts now officially testified to by Dr. Hermit, the medical officer of the gaol, havo for a long time past beon matters of public notoriety. The prisoners themselves have addressed temperate petitions for somo mitigation of their sufferings to the Kesiclent Magistrate as visiting justice: They had to pray most humbly for even such a' measure, of relief as would be afforded by leaving the door of their cell an inch or two open, but strongly chained, to let in a breath of the fresli air' during the suffocating nights they wero doomed to spend in actual contact with each other. Men who have experienced tho horrors of the ordeal which oven the untried prisoner and the debtor have to go through, have published tho details of- their experience in the newspapers. A special reporter from this journal inspected tho whole of tho apartments comprised in what is called the gaol, in order to test the truth and accuracy of the rumors prevailing on tlio subject, and recorded tho result of his observations in a report which shocked the public senso. Wo havo made tho same appeal to tho humatiity of tho authorities again and again that his Honor now makes to tho humanity of tho Grand Jury. The authorities had tho power of mulcing a practical rosponso to it. Tho Grand Jury can do nothing but reiterate representations that have utterlyfailed to produce any effect. The knowledge that a site for a new gaol has been selected and is being cleared, and that the plans of the building are prepared, is so far satisfactory. But tho public cannot help asking why all theso. preliminary measures wero not adopted months ago ? It is no justification for past mismanagement that at length l i plans are prepared." If there were any unavoidable cause of delay in tho commencement of the new gaol, thero is tho inquiry still to be answered, Why was not oxtra temporary provision made on tho present site for the secui'6 custody of tho prisoners under conditions not altogether outraging tho claims of humanity ? We are not aware whether the fact has been communicated to His Honor, that tho name of ono man chargod with a serious offenco is absent from tho calendar through his escape from gaol almost immediately after his committal. This escape was not duo to any concession made to tho prisoners of partially opened doors or air holes. It was offectod by an adroit displacement of a portion of

such the fact 3 disclosed at tho preliminary investigation justify our calling him — is now at largo, probably renewing his depredations in some other part of the provinco or of the colony. Tt may be urged that tho Government adopted a wiser course in proceeding with the now building than in repairing or enlarging tho old. But the force of that argument is entirely destroyed by the failure to press on tho now gaol with reasonable speed, and further by the usolcss expenditure of public money and of prison labor on the Camp Reserve itself. There was no scruple folt in putting up a goldoffice, without" tho slightest reasonable) probability of its being 1 ever used for the purpose for which it was designed. Another feature of tho Escort folly was the erection of stables on tho Camp Reserve for tho accommodation of the horses of the troopers. And whilst theso costly 'and profitless works were going on, the indignant protest o f public opinion against tho condition of tho goal was totally unheeded.

It may be anticipated that his Honor's representations will have more effect than any that ' have hitherto been made. lie will speak as one having: authority, and the public will thank him for the assurance of his willingness to becomo tho medium of communication between tho Grand Jury and the Government. • These gentlemen are charged with an important duty, and the public will look to them for its duo and faithful discharge. The present is an opportunity which tho district has long needed, of having one poj't at least of its case represented by a gentleman possessing the high weight and authority of a Judge df the Supremo Court of tho Colony. With purely political hinttors of course his Honor will not charge himpclf, but on the important ' subject of the administration of justice he has promised to bring the representations of the Grand Jury directly under the attention of the Executive. That subject embraces not only proper provision for the custody, classification, and punishment of prisoners, but an extension of the judicial arrangements, either by more frequent sessions of the Supreme Court in Holdtika, tho permanent location hero of a Supremo Court Judge, or tho appointmout of a district Judge, and of an officer qualified to exercise a cevtain jurisdiction in insolvency. In claiming for Westland a much more comprehensive and adequate judicial machinery than at present exists, the Grand Jury may be assured that they will have Mr. Justice Grcsson with them.

Yesterday, on tho opening of tho Supremo Court, tho polico turned out in full dross and lined tho approach to tho court when his Honor camo in. All Iho available force had been mustorod to do honor to tho occasion, and really mado a most creditable display. Great improvements havo been offoetod in tho interior of tho Court. Blinds havo boon put up round tho windows, so ns to provont tho glaro of light that was formerly so objectionable, and other alterations for tho bettor havo beon made. A vory handsomo chair for tho judgo has beon provided, and another of moro humblo pretensions for tho assooinfo, or rather tho registrar, who now OlUoiulos in that capacity. Lost, but not least, as far ns tho fourth cstato is concorned, tho reporters' tablo is now placocl on a ,lino with that of tho legal profession, so hearing is possible, and reporting is not surrounded with- tho dillioultios that it. was when tho tablo was placed back in tho rear; of tho Court. During the day Mr Salo, with his whito wand of. ofllco as shorifl 1 sat by his Honor, and tlio legal profession oamo out in ull tho majesty of wigs and gowns. A vory largo numbor of persons woro present, tho spaco allotted to tho public boing orowdod all day. Tho business, howevor, dragged very slowly along, though ns a number of preliminaries hnd to bo arranged, that could hardly bo avoided. Only threo cases •were disposed of, und of theso ono prisoner pleaded guilty. At this rate tho business will not bo got through in loss than throe wcoks, but probably wo shall progress moro rapidly in future, as all tho machinery of tho Court, if wo may so phraso it, may now bo said to bo fairly set. in motion. The Otngo Provincial Council have adopted a meosure proposing to re-unite Southland with Otago. Mr Yogel moved the following resolutions :•—" That it is highly desirablo tluit tho Provinces of Otago and Southland should agree to roMinito. — That nn address he presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to communicate with the Superintendent of Southland, with a view to tho opinion of tho Provincial Council of that Province being titken on the subject. — That should Southland bo favorable to the proposal, it is desirable that delegates should ho appointed to confer upon tho matter, and draw up a bill to bo introduced into tho Assembly, after first being submitted for tho approval of the Provincial Counoils of tho two Provinces." After some discussion, they wero adopted .

Wo aie given to understand that tho rushito tho south of tho Teremakau is extending, soveral fresh prospects having been obtained. A good many miners are wending their way thitherwards.

On Saturday last Throokmorton's Bonded Storo. ono of the largest in Hokitika, but lately sadly reduced in size, through the encroachment of tho rivor upon the North Spit, was sold privately to Mr 11. Reeves for the sum of LIOO ! the original cost of its erection boing between L7OO and LSOO. This is ono of the evil effects of tho negloot in not extending tho wharf sooner, a valuable pieco of property having been dostroyed, mid a most onergetio and enterprising gentleman put to a heavy loss thereby. Mr Throokmorton left Hokitika for Melbourne on Saturday last, por Gothenburg, but whether disgutod with his Ul fortune never to return, wo won't say, Wo wo aid sincerely trust such is not tho enso, for wo can ill spare men of his calibre, and would respectfully call the attention of tho Government to tho ndvisability of discovering a little inoro activity in tho construction of really necessary public works, or the most probable consequoneos will bo that men of the best standing and greatest utility to a now community like ours will bo driven forth from amongst us to seok in a country blest with a moro consistent legistature. that success which tho obstinate blindness or wilful persistency in ill doing of those who profoss to care for the iutorests of Wostland denies (thorn here. But, perhaps, it is a part of tho policy of tho present Executive to dobaso ns much as poossiblo the inhabitants of West Canterbury in ordor to worojeasly enslave aud render them subservient to the selfish policy hitherto displayed by thoio who reside on the East side of the dividing range. ■ To-morrow (Wednesday) ovonfng, a most important meeting has been convonod by tho retiring Improvement Conuniltoo. Tho reasons givon for tho mooting aro various. In tho first plaoo tho Commitloo give up their positions, and hand an account of thoir proceedings, logothor with a balanco-sheot of incomo and oxpondituro for thoir past term of ofllco. Tho question as to tho advisability of electing nnothor committco will also bo discussed, und it is ono that is of Borious irop6rt to this town. Without quostion tho Improvement Oommiltoo, though fay from being noWbolioiii luivo labored honestly nmlxoalouNly fyv thp aflrfHtf wtnt q? tfoMtikni and, they

leavo bohind thorn monuments of usefulness in tho shajo of stioots formod, footpaths mado, wharf ox tension promoted, besides other useful minor works. Their hands have, however, bean tied in a great degiee, for though an eleciivo, they wero not a legal body, or to tpea'c more con octly, they have no legal authority to enforce t'leir own mandate. Hence, all taxation imposed by them, has been paid or not, a1)a 1 ) the Innestyor otherwise of those who benefited by the ixpondituro, dictated, aud the consequence has b> en, that their efforts have been crippled. Notwiths'anding all drawbacks to their use'iilncss- 1 , it is unquestionable that thoy-havo rondjred giod service to the community, if only as acting ns a oheck on those, who otherwise would havo dono ns they pleased with us, and tlu ugh any amateur, (if we may use tho term,) local authority is not comparable with the benefits to bo derived fr.nn municipal institutions, having all the force of law at their back, still, iv the absonco of the ' fitter, committes of the kind are at least some sort of substitute Wo thereforo hope' that until wo are able to obtain municipal powers, tho public will determine on maintaining an Improvement Committeo, and if so, that those most materially interested in tho town will become candidates for such offico. Tho hellinglon Advertiser hoars it stated upon yory good authority that tho writs for llio gonornl oloction will not bo issued for about six wooks. Tho dolny is conscquont upon tho electoral rolls not boing ■ completed for nil tho districts. It is also statod that tho Assembly will not bo oallod togothor boforo tho end of May. It is with a feeling of great dissatisfaction that we find ourselves again compelled to revert to that oft mooted subject, wharf extension, and the present alarming condition of tho lower end of Gibson's quay, which very soon will bo entiroly removed if somo moro active measures for its preservation than those in force be not adopted. It is well-known to tho public that the extension of the wharf downwards from Wharf street is not n Government work, having been undortaken by themselves with tho view of preserving, if possiblo, one of the fairent and most valuable parts of the town, and from tho vigorous measures adopted at its commencement, and tho hearty co-operation of all those called upon to asssist in forwarding this most necessary undertaking, strong hopes wore entertained that it would have beon soon completod, and much property in imminent jeopardy preserved . Subsequent events, however, havo shewn how ill tounded wero such anticipations, mistakes having been ma-lo from tho commencement, whioh wo are sorry to say, threaten to become fa 1 al ones, and which have considerably damped tho ardour of thoso who first put their hands to the work, rendering them lukewarm just at that crisis when renewed energy is imperatively demanded. From tho commencement, wo havo watched with lively interest the progress made, and although, at the time wo felt inclined to cavil at the mode of procedure strongly objecting to tho separation of labor and material in the contract, wo yet trustod all would ho well, and that save a little extra expense, and a few unavoidable hitches in the work, nothing more serious would result. In this, however, we have been deceived, aud aro obliged most reluctantly to confess that the whole affair is at a standstill, partially through the lack of funds, but principally because much of the work already dono is worthless through the piles not having been driven deep enough in the river bed, and the consequence is, the public rofuso to advance any more cash until a bettor system is adopted, and a reasonablo guarantee given that the purpose for which such supply should bo voted, would he effected. Whon it was first dotcrmincd to extend 'he Wharf past Rovell street, a meeting was called, and a committee of management nppointod, who waited upon Mr Salo with tho view if possiblo of obtaining a subsidy from tho G-ovornmonb upon any amount that might bo subscribed by tho inhabitants, and although at first a subsidy was promised, it was aftovwavds rofusod, whioh rendered tho successful termination of tho undertaking ontiroly dopondont dpon tho assistance afforded by tho townspeople. As wo boforo elated, they wont henrlily to work, and £1250 wus ' nominally subscribed, which amount was then doomed sufllcionti to comploto llio work. Of this sum .6826 has boon collected and oxpondod } labor nlono having swallowed up £480 } tho balance, £316, boing devoted to tho purohaso of matorial. It will thus bo perceived that of tho original sum promised £424. ronmins uncollootod, any nttompt to do so boing mot by a refusal to advancennothor ponny until thero is shown como probability of tho worth of such money boing roturned, which ns tho affair at present stands socms vory like, an imp6ssibility ; for it must bo quito evident to tho most cusunl obsorvor that as £826 hus been alroacly oxpondod and tho wharf no further advancod than it is, tho abovo balance would bo quito insu flleion t to comploto it. Such is tho present state of affairs, and although wo feol inelinod to pass somo sovoro strictures upon tho mismangomont displayod wo shall abstain from so doing, not wishing to create heartburnings and animosity bolwcon pnrtios, which would rathor tond to provont than oncourngo frosh o'iorts to ovorcoino'tho difficulty. Wo aro glad to sco tho inatfor will not bo allowed to lapso, a meeting boing convened for this ovoning, at Lowrio's Mariners' Hotel, Gibson's Quay, 'for tho purpose of taking into consideration tho measures most advisable to bo adopted in tho present stngo of affairs. Wo boliovo it is purposod, if possiblo, to form another Committeo, who will again w«it on Mr Salo and strivo to obtain tho assistance of the G-ovcrnmont, which wo cortainly think should bo accorded. So fay it lias displayod an 'apathy as un accoun tablo ns roprohonsiblo ; for why ono half of tho quay should bo presorvod, nnd tho other no less valuablo portion bo loft to its fato is a mystery to us, especially as tho end of our principal stroot is contained in it. Many costly buildings havo boon orectod botweon tho corner of Rovoll stroot and Gray's timbor yard, which, in a short time will havo to bo removed, to tho groat oxponso, if not absoluto ruin, of thoir proprietors. Tho Government aro also somewhat shortsighted in its indifforonco, for who will buy such proporty at tho ensuing land* sales ? Thus, much rovouuo will bo lost, which taken in tho aggregate would bo almost sufficient tb construct this section of tho wharf, and thus prdsorvo a great portion of our natural broakwator, tlio North Spit. Wo , hope tho mooting this ovoning will bo woll attondod, all party spirit and local jcnlousios bo discarded, and tho subject calmly and dispassionately discussod. All of us aro interested in llio matter, tho preservation of at ' least a part of tho Spit being of vital importance to tho town. Wo, in a formor issuo, alluded to how unprotected tho shipping ' lying at tho wharf would bo woro so much of tho North Spit as is at present throatoucd romovod, und avo again roiterato tho fours wo thon ontortainod that our rivor would bo no longer a safo harbor should tho surf over find a bl might roll into it. Tho .Canterbury Press publishos a telegram from tho Bonloy to tho following ofl'cct : — Throo mon from tho West Coast, with about 1 LI2OO cash, and about 13 lbs woight of gold (tho rosult of a fow days work), passed through horo for Christchurch. Mrs Yolknor, the widow of the late Roy. C. S. Yolkner, left Auckland for England via Sydney by the last mail steamer. The Southland Times of tho 27th ult. thus reports the death of Mr W. G. Atkinson, a gentloinan woll known to most Invercargillites :— " A report has reached us of a melancholy accident at Stewart's Island, by which Mr W. G. Atkinson, formerly assistant to Mr Clark, the chemist, has come to an untimely death. It appear*) from tho scanty information wo can gather that tho unfortunate gentleman, who recently left Invorcargill in tho Flying Scud for a trip to Stewart's Island, went on to tho rocks somewhere on the coast, for the purpose, as is supposed, of either fishing or bathing, and having beon overtnkon and surrounded by tlio tide, and being unable to swim, ho was drowned His body was discovered on the beaoh by sonio of tho inhabitants of tho island, and thon buried." Tho marked alteration in tho ontranco to tho rivov during tho pnsfc woolc or two, pausod by tho pavttol vomoval of tho South Spit, nl* tkugUmett VfWftylftl to pvlgatjon inrftywl}

to bo desired, yet by tho nbsonco of tlio southern bronkwtiloi 1 , onuses tho fiction of tho surf to bo folt a considerable distance up tho rivor, rendering it a inafter 6f no slight clangor to small boalf^ at lii^ii water to cross and recross between tho north mul south shores. In a former issue wo alluded to tho vory narrow escape from swamping of a whalo boat which was caught, in mid channol by tho hoaviost roller wo over saw eomo through tho entrance, she being oiul-on to tho sea alono avorting a capsize, and wo havo again to rocord anothor caso which was not nttendod by tho like good fortune. Yesterday morning llio rivor wus more- than usually troubled, sea after soa tumbling over tho bar and roaohing right across to tho opposite shore, and although it would only havo been an act of common prudenco on llio part of boatmen to havo eoasod plying for an hour or two, thov still continuod their hazardous occupation, tho result being that ono boat was brought to grlof and tho crow very noarly drowned. Tho boat in quos* tionwad coining from Lagoontown to tho north shoro, and when opposite tho ontranco a heavy surf camo in and caught her on tho broadside, turned her completely over, and of course washed the crow and passengers (four in number) out. Luckily, the catastrophe was observed from both shores, and boats immediately put off to their assistance, happily arriving in time lo avert fatal consequences, although one of the rescued men was so exhausted as to be insensible when taken out of the water, but soon recovered on tho administration of restoratives and a gsod rubbing. Tin's occurrence should act as a warning to boatmen to cease plying for an hour before and immediately after high waier, for it is only at that lime tho sea is so troublosome ; bub should they be unavoidably placed by the above cause in peril, it can easily be averted if cpmmon presence of mind be only mado use of, nothing more being requisite Mian at the approach of one of theso "curlers" to slue the boat's head round sharply, and meet it,, in the meantime sitting as low ns possible and porfectly still, and the chances are that the 'boat will ride bravely over it. In too many instances, however, men, when placed in suoli a position, set frightened, lose their self-command, rise up in the boat, as if, by so doing, they could ward off the impend* ing danger, and the result is* that tho boat's centre of gravity, being raised in proportion, and her bows permitted to fall off, a vory slight roller indeed is sufficient to swamp her. Wo sincerely hope more care will be taken for the future, and that no boatmen will presume to risk tho lives of passengers who depend implicitly upon his skill unless he is porfectly competent to manage his craft when placed in a position of danger.

On tho return of tho s.s. Star of tho Evening to "the Bin IF, her passongors, wishing to express their high opinion of the oourago and skill displayed by Capt. Tumor during the droi\dful wciUlier she oxperiencod off the West Cape, presented him with a flattering address and a purse of sovoioigns. By a reference to another column of this p.ipcr tho address will besoou,