West Coast Times. MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 179, 16 April 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1866.

Our Grey contemporary, in replying to our argument in deprecation of a useless agitation after so unattainable an object as the partition of the province of Canterbury in order to annex a slice of it to Nelson, advances no counter argument to show that the project is at a.l feasible. It merely states its " belief that the proposed alteration could be obtained without much difficulty." We are unaware of any reasonable ground for tho assumption that "the Canterbury Government would not be loth to entertain an equitable arrangement for handing over tbe terirtory in question to Nelson." Whatever may havo been the hasty and ill-judged expressions made use of by Air John Hall in challenging Westland to take Separaration if it chose, thero' \u been abundant evidence since afforded that they do not express the general sense of the Christchurch people, and that the retension of the Western goldfield as an integral part of the province, would be insisted on by tho Canterbury representatives in the General Assembly as on indispensible condition of their support ofany Ministryadvising His Excellency. On tho question of the Separation of the two islands, there is an acknowledged difference of opinion amongst them. With reference to tho maintenance of the unity of the province, there is absolute unanimity. Even the member for Westland himself is pledged against a policy of dismemberment ; and will be doubly and trebly pledged by hia official obligations should ho bo elected as Superintendent, of which there still appears to be every probability. The Canterbury members aro too powerful a body in the Houso of Representatives to have their wishes dis* garded in an important question of this kind. Wo must cither pay a very poor compliment to tho Grey, and rank it as a most unimportant part of tho Great Western Goldfield ; or wo must Confess our inability to conceive what consideration could operate to render Christchurch willing to part with it, seeing tho extreme anxiety it has always manifested to retain Hokitika and the districts surrounding it. Tho " equitable arrangement " hinted at as something that might possibly be accepted, is surely a more myth Tho only " equitable arrangement" in the matter of tho loss of a valuable pieces of territory and a considerable Customs and gold revenue, would bo some cession of corresponding value or some payment in compensation. Is this to be the condition on which the Canterbury Government might be induced to entertain a project for the alteration of its boundaries, so as to cut off the gold bearing country to the north of the Teremakau ? One suggestion made, of great practical weight, our contemporary passes over without notice. We do n^t suppose he will dispute tho assertioA that tho days of provincialism in New Zealand aro numbered ; that highly useful — and indeed a political necessity— in its day, it has answered every legitimate purpose it could servo ; and that the future of the development of the colony will bo marked by a closer administrative union between the General Government and the different members of the bo*dy politic. Amougst our public men there aro now few apologists for provincialism, except as an old servant whoso term has expired. And looking forward to tho great change that is impending, it is certain that thero is a general disposition to let the present provincial settlement remain as it is until tho day of chango comes. It is in this senso that every bill, bearing on this subject, lately introduced into tho General Assembly has been entertained, and it was clearly in this senso

that Mr Macandrew's bill was passed during the last session. Wo are satisfied, therefore, that any proposal to dismember Canterbury by tho annexation of a portion of its territory to Nelson would bo met by a vory general opposition, and that any agitation in support of it would only have the effect of diverting attention from more prao* ticable and accessible reforms. That Greymouth, like every other part of Westland, has grievances of its own is no now thing. If it bo the caso, as our contemporary states, that "ono effect of tho present boundary is the virtual double taxation of tho miners and traders, in that thoy have to pay for licenses to both Governments," that is indeed an anomaly to the corroction of which some "equitable arrangement" might bo applied without any practicable difficulty whatevor. In comparing tho expenditure by the two governments of the gold revenue hithorto divided in cor tain proportions between them, our contemporary confesses thiitthoNolson'.Executivo has laid out money on " unnecessary works" auoh as the attompt to form a rival town at Greymouth with its expensive wharf and road. This is simply an illustra* tion of the inherent evils of tho provin* cial system. Wherever navigable rivers constitute tho natural boundary lines of districts, these aro accepted, and tho consequenco is a' rivalry between the authorities whose territories lie on either side, resulting in an unnecessary expenditure. It is an evil that will one clay be cured, but our contemporary has not hit upon the right specific. He uses an argument that has two edges and may be employed to cut with equal keenness either way. The Teremakau would form a most artificial and unnatural dividing line between the two provinces, and if the present arrangements as tc payment for rights and licenses were not altered, would afford a far more flagrant illustration of tho wrong of " double taxa f tion." The beach between Hokitika and the Grey is perpetually being traversed forward and backward by the miner, who, on diggings liko those on the West ( oast, is proverbial for not steadily confining the field of his operations to one, spot. By sea and by laud the distanco between the two towns may be covered by a few hours travel. The tug service of the two ports is performed in common. In the course of a week or two they will be connected by the electric telegraph ; in a little time later, probably, by a tramway. They have and can have no distinct interests. And we can only regard the now proposal as iuspired by a desire to minister to what may bo presumed to bo a certain excessive localism of feeling.

A marriod couple namod Harvcston, in chargo of tho polico, arrived yostorday morning por Bruco, from Okarita yesterday, having boon committodfor trial by tho Magistrate of that district for tho larcony of £30 from tho person of a minor. In tho Eesidont Magistrate's Court during the week ending Saturday tho 14th, 4 maloß, and 1 fomalo, were committed to tako their trial in a highor court, and 3 men wore sentenced to difforent terms of imprisonment. 2 debtors wero incarcerated, and 1 male and 1 foraalo lunatic woro examined and romanded. 4 prisonors charged witli various offonces wore also roinandod for furthor evidence During tho week 2 hard labor mon having comploted their sentences woro discharged, and 4 debtors roleasod. Tho number of confines in the Hokitika gaol at tho above date was 21 males, and 1 female committed for trial, 15 hard labor men, 1 imprisoned only, 6 males. 1 female dobtor, 2 lunatics. Total, 48 males, and 3 females. A vory exclusive and moat interesting "jumping" case occurred within tho oaored precincts of tho Camp roservo, Rovell Stroet. on Saturday morning last. It appears that ono of tho astutest mombers of this sagacious community, but one withal blessed with strong Christchurch proclivities, after duo consideration resolved in his own mind that as tho above roservo had beon broken into by tho Union and Now Zealand Banks tho " tabo" was destroyed, and tho remainder of the ground thus indirectly declared open to tho public Thus assured, and wishing to secure for his own ospeoial use and benefit tho portion yet unocoupiod, he omployed a couple of tho " unemployed" to pitch their tents upon it in his name, and thoso aoting under his instructions an old timo sceno was about to bo reproduced when Sorgeaut Hixson plaood his "veto" upon euoh asaoriligoiiß intrusion, whioh action on lub part brought forward tho prime mover in tho affair. Tho point was argued pro. and con. when it transpired that tho local authorities having entertainod doubts that tho occupation by tho abovo banking companies might lead to suoh a result, had taking the precaution to havo tho roßervo re-gazottod,and had that morning received a telegram from Ohristohurch to tho effeot that their wishes had beon complied with, and intouding purchasers thus excluded. It was, howover, a- " close shave," for had the jumpors put in pegs the preceding day tho Government would havo been forestalled, and in our opinion must have lost the ground. /The Okarlla Times renews its complaints of the insufficient accommodation afforded for Mr Warden Prioe. It says j— " Whilst improvement* W9 being rnndo in other quarters,

and whilst preparations for winter aro going on on all sides thero does not appear to bo any idea of alteration in tho warden's quarters, and moro disgraceful noglect could scarcely bo imagined, oven by a Canterbury Government. To houso their responsible officer liko tho poorest digger, in a7x 10 calico covering, without flro placo, without convenience of any kind, is a standing disgrace, and moro than that, to oxpect any gontloraan to starve in a dwelling of tho kind during tho winter months is simply inhuman. During tho sitting of tho magistrate on Monday, tho door, or rathor fold of calico, was lifted, a koen south-west wind was blowing, and tho cold was sufficient to freezo any one. When, ob we havo previously stated, it is remembered that this 1 x 10 is tho court-house, warden's quarters, magistrate's .office, breakfasting, dining, and sloopiug saloon, tho scandalous oonduct of tho Governraont can oasily bo understood. Mr Sale has capital quarters in Hokitika, avid it is ratUev etmugo that ho has not reported in such a way as to cause Homo material alteration hero. Though it bo only temporary, Okarita is quite of sufficient importanco to warrant tho orection of a courthouso of somo kind, but for this, as othor requirements, wo shall in all probability wait till wo havo an Improvement Committee, through whom, and to head quarters all theeo Bubjects can bo addrossod."/ Mr Tait, of tho well-known firm of Tait Bros., of Dunodiu, has opened a photographic gallery in Rovoll Btreot, opposite tho Prince of Wales Opora Houso. Tho specimens ho exhibits display tho very perfection of photographio art. They are finely lined and delicately finished, and testify both to the excellonco of his apparatus and his own skill as an artist. Mr Tait has already taken cartes of many of our residents and well known visitors, and tho fldoliby of the likeness will bo at once recognised. The Okarita Times of Saturday records tho following fatal accident : — " A short timo ago we stated that tho lagoon at the Three Mild had broken out, aud that a small river ran through the beach into the soa. Since then it closed up, but through tho late rains again opened, and wo regret to say, has been tho scene of a fatal accident. Yesterday, about 4 o'olock in the afternoon, a young man named Whelan, partner in tho firm of Pigeon and Whelan, on tho Five Mile, was coming into Okarita, and started across tho now river, in company with Messrs Bronnan and Byrne's packor. Instead of mounting his horse, ho drovo it before him, intending to wade across, but by some means, when he had loft tlio bank only a few yards, lie missed his footing, and was at once carried out to sea and drowned. Ho mado a desperate struggle for life, and being a good swimmer, was enabled to keep afloat for somo timo, but when ho was drifted into the Burf all hope- was lost. At the time ho was knocked down, it is supposed he was endeavoring to got on tho horae, but the current being so strong swept him away. Tho hdrsogot safely to land, and if tho poor follow had takon advico and ridden across, wo should not havo his sad fate to record. Ho was only about 26 years of ago, and was groatly respected. Up to tho time of going to press the body had not beon discovered." Wo are given to understand that now ground has beon opened up in tho Waiinea district, and that a rush is sotting in there. So far as we can learn, tho site of tho discovory is close to tho Wuimea road, BOino two or three milos distant from the boaoh, and that the prospects obtained run from four grains to aoven grains to tho dish. We trust this report is correct : but do not vouch for it, although convinced that there is somo reason for its circulation.. Wo notico that tendors are called for the orection of tho now hospital at Ross Town, to be delivered at tho Wardon's offico on or boforo Friday noxt. A second mooting of thoso interested in tho formation of the Brook's Amateur Dramatic Club" took placo at tho Princo of Waleß Opera Houso, on Saturday night, when a committee was appointed to draw up rules. ' There was a much better attendance than on the preceding night, and several now mombers enrolled their names. Tho noxt gonoral meeting is convened for to-morrow night, when tho rules drawn up by tho committco will be submitted to it. At present, there aro nineteen names on the roll of the olub. , i The Okarita Times says :—": — " Bruce Bay is pretty well oxtinot, as far as furthor mention of it goes. Thero are still three hundred people waiting the advent of Hunt to lead them to the now. field. About Hunt thore are the most contradictory rumors afloat. Ono is, that Hunt has appeared, and has shown tho now fiold j another is, that ho has committed suicido ; another version will have it that ho has been drowned, but nothing whatever reliable has come to hand. One thing is certain — that ho has completely outwitted those who thought to cireuiuvent him, and the general opinion is, that he has yet ground to open. A fow days, however, will decide tho question."