West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 128, 14 February 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1866.

It is well that the public should come to a precise understanding as to the meaning of the expression "A Resident Secretary for the Goldfields." The suggestion contained in tho letter of our correspondent "Sluice Box," may or may not bo an improvement upon the scheme of (iovernment proposed by the Canterbury " Press ;"-but it is undoubtedly a departure from it. Whi\t our Christchurch contemporary contemplated, was tho allocation inWcstland of one of the members of the Executive Government; not the appointment of an officer with a fixed or quamdiu se hene gessere tenure. Such an officer could only hold powers larger than those of the present Commissioner, without direct responsibility to the representatives of the people for tho use ho made of them. Conceding to Mr Vincent Pyke all the virtues that have been attributed to him by our correspondent — and recognising cordially the fact that the presence of such a man here as an administrative officer, would be an incalculable improvement upon the present state of things, and an inestimable boon to the district — we must still not overlook the circumstance that Mr. Pyke could only be invited to take up his abode here on tho strength of a permanent official engagement. His present position is one of ease and of considerable emolument, and he is a man too sagacious and experienced in affairs to surrender an office altogether "comfortable and gratifying in all its surroundings to his amour proyre, to cast his fortunes in with the Hokitika rush. But setting aside all personal considerations, and looking at the matter simply from apolitical point of view, the status which Mr. Pyke holds very conveniently to tho public service in Otago, would be most anomalous hero. There, lie is not the political head of the department the devils of which h, 0 administers, He is

a most useful and valuable servant of the Government, but he is not a responsible member of the Government. The policy of 1 the goldfields administration is not Ms. He is the medium through which the instructions of tho Ministry are conveyed ; tho instrument by which they are enforced.

Then the question arises, Is this, the sort of gold-fields officer the district wants to havo resident within it ? In ( )tago there is no anomaly in tho position Mr. Pyke holds, because the authority lie obeys is ns much present on the gold fields as he is himself. Mr. Pyke's own office and head-quarters are in Dunedin, as are those of the Superintendent, the Treasurer, and the Provincial Secretary. In fact, in Otago the gold-fields are not " outlying districts," situated on the other side of an intervening rang 6, but an intimate part and parcel of the province proper, requiring no lieutenancy of government — no separate and special machinery of administration. No analogy can be jdrawn between tho gold-fields of Otago and those of West Canterbury. An administrative officer here, having, as Mr Pyko has in Dunedin, to " refer" every matter to a superior authority, would be at • best but; a sorry improvement upon Mr. Sale. It is true wo might get a man of greater energy and decision of character -of greater self dependence, -^-of greater fertility of resource, and of wider and * more far-seeing views. But justin proportion as ho was so, he would find himself trammelled by the reins of a distant power. If tho people of tho West Coast wore prepared, and if Ohristchurch people, on thoir part, had no objection, to give to a permanont resident officer hero plenary and absolute power — realising for the district I what tho "Argus" used to call tho happy accident of a wiso 'despot—there would be, perhaps, no one in Now Zealand to whom such a power could be better confided than the present Secretary for Goldfields in Otago. But such an idea is purely Utopian. Whatever permanent officer may bo appointed must bo subject to a political chief. Such a position wo fear it ■would bo vain to ask Mr. Pyke to accept on the West Coast.

The suggestion of tho " Press" is that the district should have a Minister assigned to it, to be the head of its local administration, and to bo responsible for the working of his department, as all other holders of portfolios are. It would be necessary that he should bo a member of the Provincial Council ; and that, to enable him to bo so, he should enjoy the confidence of a constituency. It still, however, remains a question for considerotion, to what extent^ it would be necessary for tho Secretary for tho Gold-fields to involve himself in the general politics of the Executive to which hewas attached, or, to speak more correctly, of which he was a member. His presence on this side of the range, except during tho sitting of the Provincial Council, would practically sever him from his colleagues in the Ministry during tho greater part of tho year. lie would not bo in a position to attend the ordinary meetings of tho Cabinet, and could scarcely, therefore, be considered a party to tho general policy for which they would bo responsible to tho Council. There would bo nothing in tho political fitness of things to prevent his being attached to successive Governments, holding his office independent of parly changes, so long 'as his administration of his own department was in accordance with the views of tho House This and other matters, however, will have to be fully debated, and the more promptly they are brought under review the more encouraging -will be tlio prospect of a realisation On the goldfields of the advantages of a local government. We look to_the " Press" to elaborate the scheme it has propounded, aud to assist the local journals ! in working out its details, so as to frame a practicable system of administration. Tho proposal has been received with general favor in this district. Our Grey contemporary, speaking in tho name of the inhabitants of that division of Westland, has fully endorsed it. Here it is accepted in its main features with satisfaction, as the most feasible solution yet offered of a great difficulty. What is wanted is a strong Government, capable of acting without perpetual reference to some authority on the other side. The larger the powers confided to the resident official the better for. the public interests, provided those powers are exercised under 51 tho law of political responsibility. The whole district is sick of such a rulo as that hitherto held by Mr Commissioner Sale, the whole tendency of which has been obstructive. The very apathy of which complaints are so rife is chiefly duo to the discouraging consciousness >that the whole conduct of affairs has been in the sole hands of a gentleman, who has been alternately a little despot in his own person, and tho powerless servant of a distant and alien Government. Under a more constitutional system a now life woul animate tho people. The sense of the power of selfrulo would beget an enterprise, and develope a determination of purpose hitherto unknown. " If, " says the "Press," "we desire to maintain the unity of tho Province, we may be certain that that it can only bo done by recognising in full the importance of the community whose allianco we wish to preserve." Let that community feel that its importance is recognised, and that without severing the alliance with Christchurch it can command the substantial benefits of a local responsible administration, and all fear of the disturbance, for the present, of tho unity of tho povinoo may bo dismissed,

Tho following appointmonts for Westland avo gazetted : — Mi* R. P. Bain to bo Acting District Survoyor and Mining Surveyor 5 Mr Georgo Dobeon to bo Assistant District Ifinginoor.

Mr Juetico Greseon armed by coach at Chvistcliurch from Hokitika. Ho was accomSMiicd by Mi* John Hall, and by Mr and Mrs ookson. Tho Lytlclton Times Bays : — Mrs Cookfion is tho first lady who has orosscd Arthur's Pass down to lho|Teremakau. It may bo of sorvico to holdors of minors' rights to know that undor tho (Mdfiolds Amendment Act, sevon days' graco aro allowed them to ronow their rights. %

A melancholy and awfully suddon death, occasioned by tho cavoloss handling of firo arms, ocouvrod at Jones' Creek, Totara, on Monday last. It appoars that two miners, [ named Andrew Dillon and Fmiiois Williams, woro soatod in thoir tont, tho former oinploycd in cleaning the outsido of a rovolvor, all (ho chambers of which, save 0110, being loaded. Ho was blowing somo dust off tho nipplo, with the muzzlo of the pistol pointod to his broast, when it suddenly oxplodod, and tho ball penetrated tho unfortunato man's loft breast, lulling him upon tho spot. So fatal was the Bhofc that ho Hover onco moved aftor his fall. t^The banking business of Hokitika will soon c transacted in buildings of a very different appearanco to those in which, since sottling here, we havo been accus'omed to bow down beforo tne shrine of Plutus, as the two leading companies have resolved to keep pace with tho ad-, vance of Westland, and erect offices whose sizo and appearance will he in accordanco with their wealth and position, and prove alike convenient to their numerous clients and ornamental to tho cown. The N. S. W. is the first in Iho race, having nearly completed a most handsome struoture, situated at tho corner of ltevell and Camp strcots ; in size ib is 30 feet long by 28 feet wide, and of course has a frontage to' both streets, with an entrance from each. ' The building consists of one large room, from floor to ceiling 14 fcob in height, and this will bo subdivided into manager's, accountant's, and clerks' room, and gold buyer's and toller's compart* monts ; tho ceiling is pannolled, and blocked down with carved mouldings to represent plaster, whilst tho wulla are beautifully pannelled of grained maple with largo cornices to the ceiling. The entire height of tho building is 23 feet, and the fno.ido te each street is most imposing. Ib is expected to be ready for tho transaction of business in a week, as tho carpenters will finish their work in^ tho course of two or three days. Taking ib all in all ib is a most ctcditublo erection both to the nrohitect, Mr. 0. G. Smith, and the builder, Mr. J. Trenery.

The Dunedin News Letter gives tho following tangible < form to the rumors that havo been in circulation for somo timo past with reference to the gentleman at tho head of tho Police Department in Otago: — " Never perhaps did a scandal cause greater commotion anywhere than did a startling anecdote, involving the character of a publio officer and a married lady of highly roBpectablo connections, which was extensively circulated in this oity on Saturday morning last. Without going into particulars, it will bo sufficient to say that the gentleman referred to was stated to havo been paying an evening Visit to a cortain fair lady during her husband's absence, and that the husband having for some time entertained suspicions as to his at one time better, bubthon much worse, half's fidelity, a watch was set, and ccrtaiu proofs, assumed to be undoubted, obtained. Tho mattor, however, did not rest here. The enraged husband was said to have attacked the gallant gay Lothario, and soundly castigated him ovor the shoulder, with a poker. Tho story, which, if " false," is at least, as the Italian prophot has it, " well invented," has since given rise to a rumor that Lovelace — who, as we said before, . holds an official position — has applied for two months' leave of absence. Wo suppose wo need hardly say that, despite the pruriency and false delicacy of a portion of (he press which affo'its to ignore this great scandal, the matter is sure to come to tho ears of tho proper authorities. Tho story, which ban already been blazoned all over the city, is either true or false. If false every exertion ought to bo made to find out tho author of so infamous a fabrication. If true— charging as it does one of tho gravest offences against the moral codo upon an important publio officer — one result only ought to follow unless publio jusfcico is to suffer a most shameful miscarriage at, the hands of its niO3t responsible administrators. Anyhow, tho objeot cannot possibly be hidden away in a quiet corner, and tho best that can now bo hoped for is a full investigation."

The Oatnaru Times reporlß tho capturo thero of a hugo'nnd raro specimou of the seal tribo. Ifc came on to fcho beach noar tho landing placo, where it wns quickly pounced upon by the boatmen. Tho monster, whioh measured nearly seventeen feet in length, with a girth of übout ten foot, is ono of thoso animals known to nautical men ns " Sea Devils." This specimen, a male, was evidently an aged ono, liis onormous tooth being ground down Tory muoh j ho was likewiso supposed to havo boon " sickly," 'through recont combats with other donizons of tho deep. A colour of probability is given to this hypothesis by tho skin displaying tho marks of many a cut and scar. Tho animal is supposed to be ono of tho strango oroalures described by Captain Musgravo as inhabiting tho shores of tho Auolcland Isles, and whioh ho terms sea lions.

Arrangements fov holdiug annually a "Grand Provincial Steeplechase" in Cantorbury are now being made. Tho Press of 2nd instant says :—": — " A few loading bportsmon have detorminod to initiate a grand annual stcopleohase, in imitation of tho great " Liverpool National." A most oxcellont lino of country has been chosen, scarcoly a mile from tho city; and full permission has been granted, through tho sportsmanlike courtesy of Mr. Joseph Brittim and Mr. John Stace, for tho use of thoir paddocks. As now laid out, by oxporioncod judges of steeplochasing, tho fields soleoted will afford as perfect a view of every leap as if ifc wore in a circus, for tho public will bo placed oh a. tolerably elevated sandhill, and tho colirso describes a circle around them. Tho proposed date is about tho Ist of May, and it is intended to givo not less than 250 soys, fov tho Qraud Provincial, which will bo three tinios round j there aro to bo two minor voces nftorwards, ovor the same ground, at loss distancos, to fill up tho afternoon. A meeting takes placo this evening, at Barnard's ropoßitory, of all parties interested in forwarding n, sporting affair that must rodound so muoh to tho credit and profit of Chrlstchuroh."

Captain Jackson, of the Tosmanian Maid, who returned from Ooromaudol last evening, reports the discovery of a now leader at a place called Tiki, noar tho late Waihoi Saw Mill Oompnny's placb. Tho leader itruok is reported to bo very vioh, and a number of Coromandol diggers had loft with tho intontion of making a further searoh, nnd dovelop« ing tho discovery.— Southern Cross, Fobruary 7th.

Tho parcol of'^old which we reported yesterday ns having been found noar Meroury Bay, has boon examined by c'ompotont porBons, who stato that it is undoubtedly of good character as to valuo, and is also alluvial. Tho particles aro fine, but watovworn, and if tho locality produces auy quantity similar to tho sample, it will prove to bo a vory . rioh goldflold. Howovor, this roinains to bo dotorminod, Judging from tho parcel in hand, it is moßb cortaiuly worth tho consideration of tho Government or publio to make further inquiry. — Southern Cross, February 7. The motion of Mr Prosser, carried in tho Provincial Counoil, for tho transfer of the Escort sorvloe to the West Coast, has we nro glad to nnd, been aotod upon hy the Government, 3tyo " Kioort," oonilsjlng of Jnspeotw Jajnes,

Sergeant Wilson ond four troopers arrived in town on Monday lust, from Christchurofc. According to tbo present temporary arrangements, the Escort is to travel weekly between Hokitika and Ross Town and tho Waimea. Inspector James is to bo (stationed at tbo Grey. The thanks of tho public are duo to Mr Prosser for liia instrumentality in seeming to the district the benefits of a service for which it lias had to pay dearly, and which was originally designed to carry Westlund gold aoross tho intorvoning range. /

Undor tho head Piscatorial Enthusiasm, he Timaru Herald says :-*-" Wo aro informod lhat Mr J. Pilbrow and Mr H. Kayner a gliorfc timo ago went in- company with a number of Maoris to fish for partiki, op. tho boaoh near Iho Maori pah at Arowhcnua. They wore out for two nights and a day, and during that timo succeeded in seoxiring about a ton and a half of fish. Mr Pilbrow went into tho water up to his chin, with a lino and strong hook baited with a pioco of" flounder, when ho secured a shark five feet long, containing twonty-fivo young ones 5 and on going in again, ho caught a grouper weighing fifty pounds. Tho soa along tho beach appears to swarm not only with grouper, but sharks also; anglors must thoroforo bo very cautious." Tho Southern Cross states that Madamo Anna Bishop shortly expects to leavo California for tho Australian colonies, and purposes visiting Now Zoaland. This highly giftod lady will bo accompanied on her tour by Mr Charles Laecollos, a talented piauiit and vocalist.

An extraordinary murder has been committod at Napiov. Tho murderer, Richard Farroll, is a discharged soldier, who, for eomo years past has followed tho ofcupation of a coopov 5 and tho^victim, Mr Thomas Foan, was a tinsmith, a partner of Mr 11. Williams. From tho reports of tho inquoßtin thoHawko's Bay papors, wo gather tho following facts :—: — "Tho deceased, who v was a member of tho Napiov Riflo Volunteers, hnd.boon in tho habit of occasionally entrusting Farroll with a loan of his viflo 5 and it waß whilo in tho act of returning tho pieco that tho deadly deed was perpetrated — Farrell walked towards him with it in his hand, saying 'Hero's your riflo,' presented nfc him, and shot him through tho side. No motivo can bo assigned for tho act, and it docs not soom that tho murdorev was intoxicated at tho time, although from what foil from him, it appears that ho was laboring undor delirium tremens, coueequont upon a moro than usually protractod poriod of drinking. The victim was buried with tho usual forms, being followed to tho gravo by a number of tho Riflo Volunteer corps (by whom ho was greatly respected), and mimorous other friends. Ono of the witnesses dosoribing Farroll aftor occurrence, says : — His _ arms woro folded, and ho had no weapon in his hands. Ho was not intoxicated : ho lookod rathor pale, hut otherwise completely unconcerned. I cevtninly should consider him amenable to tho law for any orhno he might commit whilo in that condition. ' I said to him, *O, Farroll, has it como to this \ What havo you dono ?' Ho passed mo, thou turned his head, and said, ' I did it— l shot him. 1 j Favrell has since been committed for trial."

Tho Dunedin Evening Star of tho Ist inst. has tho following local : — " A Muuioipal officer, who has for a long time borne, in tho estimation of tho publio (not in ours), the reputation of a saint, has como to grief, and our polico reports will shortly convoy a lesson to all who aro inclined to countenance canting hiypoorisy." Wo take tho following from tho Southern Cross: — "Tho Rev. James Aylward, the respected deacon of* tho diocoßo of Auckland, oxpircd at tho Roman Catholic Prosbytory on Friday last, after many months' afflicting 11111093, and liis remains woro consigned to their list resting plaoo in tho Roman Catholic Cemetery on Sunday, the funeral boing attended by a largo number of tho olergy and laitj. Tho burial sorvico was very impressively read by the Right Roy. Bishop Pompallier nnd tho Rev. W. M'Dtnald. Tho deceased, who wai twonty-nine yonrs of age, arrivod in Auckland from Europe about eighteen months ago, previously passing, with great credit to himself, tho usual collegiate Bludics in All Hallows Collogo, and having been presented witli a gold modal by the principal, ' the Very Roy. Di*. Woodlook. During his residence in Auckland ho had gained univorsal rospect nnd ostcom from all who had the pleasure of making his acquaintance." Sergeant-Major Grennan, of the Otago Police Force in Duuedin, and who was well known, and respected by all who knew him, is dead. For gallant services in the Crimean war he was awarded (he Crimean medal proper, with, several clasps ; the ribbon and star of Legion of Honor, and tho medal and cross of the Ordor of the Modjidio. The Waicatip Mail says • — " It 'is rumored that Chineso havo chmtered one of the Panama and New Zealand Company's steamers to convoy 8000 of theso peoplo from Viotoria to the shores of Otago ; those who inspected the nakedness of tho land having reported favorably upon the prospedts for John doing a ' welly good' stroke."

Mr N. Chevalier, the celebrated artist, has arrived in (Jueeustown, Otngo, and proceeded up the Lako, for tho purpose of adding to tho list of his many admirable views of the most ntriking scenery and piominont features in the Australasian colonies.

A Dunedin letter writer says : — "John Chinaman has come, has nob been molested, has smoked his cigar in Princess street, gone to the Theatre, looked at our new buildings' (inoluding tho Bank of Otago, and probably its antiChinese manager, Mr. Bath gate), and is now, with a dozen of his countrymen, diggirg with success in Peg-leg gully, on the Upper Manuherikia. Somo 3000 are coming very shortly, and I don 't think they will be sent down a flooded Molyneux after all. Thoy will at present do us a very great deal of good if they come over in tho numbers represented j and whether or not, this is as free soil as that f rdm which we are all so proud to hail, lam informed that a store in town has been taken by one or two of the Chinese for the supply of their countrymen." The gold escorts for this month (says the Dunedin correspondent of the Bruce Herald) have been indeed wretched, and must have damped the great expectations of company shareholders in the mining speculation business. The floods in nearly all the mining districts have bees more or less disastrous, and many diggers are now in town, having left their claims in consequence. Whether they are here for holiday, or for the Hokitika and Grey diggings, remains to be seen 5 but from what I have gleaned from move than half a dozen tliis afternoon tho latter places^will have the preference The' correspondent of tho Bruce Heruld states t— •" lam told that our Jate Sheriff, who, was reported to havo sailed for the N<irth several weeks ago, was this afternoon escorted to quarters in Stoddart's Hotel, to whioh he had formerly consigned not a few, his conductor boing ono of the deteotive staff, who had discovered his roan on board the Susannah Booth, about to sail for Sydney. I am also informed that it -was necessary that the Coroner should Bign tho wanant for his apprehension, the Sheriff being the head Criminal Prosecutor of tho Province, subjeot to the Coroner in cases such as the present." * '

We aro delighted to sco tl»o police are bo aotively bostirring thomsolves in tho matter of publio nuisancea, and that thoy Boomed dotormined to thoroughly puvgo tho town from tho many filthy abominations that during tho past cix months havo obstructed tho thoroughfaroi and rendered many parts of tho town thoroughly untenable. Quito a number of notices have boon sorvod upon offending parties, calling upon thorn undo? pain of boing mutated in the, sum of LlO, to oloanso their pro* aiisw mi ccaw $o annoy and liokw thoiy

neighbors. A cartov, who all day on Monday was busily employed romoving a heap of manuvo, which ho deposited on tho beach nbovo high-wabor mark, close to tho ond of tho right-of-way loading oub of Revell street by tho Empire Hotel, was disagreeably remindod of tho extension of the Police Ordinance, hy boing summarily commanded to remove ib again j nnd instead of leaving it to taint the air on a parb of tho beach much frequented . by promonadors, to throw ib into tho river below the town. This is as it should bo j and we Bincerely trusb tho polico will continue this good work, in doing which thoy should rocoivo tho hoarty co-operation of -every wellwisher for tho health and comfort of tho communiby of Hokitika. _ / \ After being closed for a considerable time, tho Corinthian Hall has been reopened for an • entertainment of song, dancing, and burlesque. Tho company is fully equal to. the 'task of affording a good ovoning's entortainmont. Tho prinoipal attractions aro Miss Wintorbourno and Mr Williams, tho delineator of negro character, who is an inimitable " bones." The work of removing the Maid of the Yarra'fl maohineiy to the Kanieri has commenced. Yesterday, the large boiler, which weighs 6omo nine or ten bons, was transferred, withoub acoident from the ' North Spit to_ a large lighter, and rcay be expeoted in a day or two to reach its destination on the Kanieri Flat. The rest of tho gear will follow in duo course, and it is to ba hoped thab in a few weeks tho whole will be in position, and the work of draining bhe ground fairly commenced. Wo would warn the publio that a quantity of spuriouß coin is at present in circulation in Hokitikn, and would advise them to especially examine half sovereigns, before roceiving them as a legal tender. We regret bo learn that Mr John Cargill, of Dunedin, has sustained a severe domestic bereavement, in the loss of his wife, whose' death is recorded, in bhe Dunedin journals. Very many residents in Westland will join with us in tendering to Mr Cargill an expression of sincere sympathy. Reports from the Tororaakau rush aro very favorable, for, although ib is nob an oxtonsrve diggings, tho fow located there are all getting more or loss gold. Tho workings arosibuabed ahout four hundred yards from tho sea beach, upon a terrace, and consisbs of ' shallow sinking, varying in depth from two foob to twelve. Vory few, if any, "piles" nro likely to be mado there, but steady fair wages aro • the ordor of tho day, eomo parties making thoir Ll2 per man weokly, whilst othors only succeed in cloaring thoir espouses. At prosent, about 300 miners aro located thoro ; but as tho payable ground promises to extend, thoro is a probabiliby of an accession to the present population. The Dunedin Evening Star says :— " We learn thab tho porby of Chinese whioh ai rived by 1 the Tararua lasb night, are already en route for the locality selected by tho party which left, Dunedin about three weeks' since, viz., tho Blackstone Hill. A letter, written by Mr Ho A Mci, to a merchant in tdwn, a perusal of whioh we have been' favored with, states, that A Mci and another parby of his countrymen will leave Melbourne by the Albion. The first parly have already, we are creditably informed, caused^ a survey to bo made of bhe new ground they in*' tend bo apply for." A. correspondence has taken place between the Superintendent of Otago and the Colonial Government relative to the proposed dissolution of the Provincial Council. On the 10th ult. his Honor the Superintendent wrote to the Colonial Secretary, " Ido myself the honor to forward the enclosed copy of a resolution passe.d by the Provincial Council at its last session, requesting me to apply to~his Excellenoy the Governor for a dissolution of that body. I informed the Provincial Council by Message, thab I would con . sent to forward tho resolution, bub could not agree to recommend ib, for the following reasons, viz :—l.: — 1. That those who vobed for the resolution are nob quite a third of tho members of the Council.— 2. That a similar resolution proposed at an earlier period of the session, in a full House, was negatived. — 3. That ib appeared unfair to the many members of the Counoil who had left, that such a resolution should bescarried out. — 4. That I could nqt accepb of a resolution so important in ibs charaqber, carrried at the close of a session, in a very bhin House, as sufficient to warrant my recommending its adoption hy his Excellonoy the Governor." Mr Stafford's reply' is dated- tho 18th ult. After acknowledging the receipt of bhe letter, he simply adds, "In reply, I have to state that| for the reasons stated in your Honor's letter, his Excellenoy caunot be advised to grant the dissolution requested by the Council.!' ' Tho following refers to our worthy Warden abOkarita, aud tho morits of tho case will be sufficiently well understood hy Southland folks..' Wo need^ only premise that Mr. Mackenzie is ■ tho contractor fov a portion of the Bluff • railway liuo, s fov tho cosb of which ho obtained , a judgment againsb bho Southland Provincial Government 5 that ' Dr. Mon^ios was the Superintendent for tho timo being, upon whom execution was hvied ; and that Mr. Prico was tho Sheriff charged with the custody • and exeoution of tho writ. Wo oxbract from tho Otago Daily Times of tho 7th instant: " On the 29th July last Matthew Price, then ShoruTof Southland, was ruled to make a return to the writ oifi.fa. herein ; and ho returned that ho had lovied to tho amount of L4OO odd, and' that thero was othov property belonging to the defendant, then Supovintendenb of Southland, in bho bailiwiok. On tho 29 th Ootobov this return was set aside ; and Mr. Barton then obtained a rule nisi fov attachmont fov contempt, tho Sheriff having failed to mako a returij within the commanded number of days. Mr. Barton now moved to make tho rule absolute. Mv Macassey objected that thoro was no affidavit of search, aud therefore no evidence that a return had not now boon made. Mr Barton said that thero was- an affidavit that no,'roturn had bcou mado within tho number of deys ordorcd by the Court. Mv Justico Richmond having intimated that tho Court thought tho objection to bo without) weight. Mv Macassoy askod that the Sheriff should *bo allowed a locus penitcntlce, by the retention of the writ in the ofllco for 14 day?. Rulo absolute granted, with costs j the locut penitentlte to be allowed.