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West Coast Times, Issue 244, 4 July 1866, Page 2

Few tragedies have ever' occurred on the West Coast that have excited so deep a feeling of horror as the murder of Mr George Dobson, a. young gentleman esteemed in every relation of life, and who had already won an j enviable reputation as a pioneer and explorer. Plardy and adventurous, skilful and well trained, he might justly have looked forward to a career of hard won honor in a field in which so many illustrious men have won^distinction. And it is a melancholy tale to tell, that his life, when itwasmost full of promise, has been suddenly cut short by the foul deed of a band of miscreants. That murdered Mr Dobson has been, there is no longer any room for doubt. One of the guilty gang has made confession of the crime — a confession that includes a list of murders, of which Mr Dobson' s was only one. There is something sickening in the telegram we publish this morning, telling of the discovery of the mangled remains of the four adventurous men who were intercepted in the Mangatapu. Thank God that in this instance villany has shown one of its basest features — that of the betrayal of accomplices. And thank God that a speedy retribution is likely to overtake the murderers, to the terror of all evildoers. The particulars of the melancholy history which our brief telegram covers, will be waited for with impatient interest.

The unfortunate^ man, Andrew Mattson, whose leg was broken at the Hokitika Saw Mills, on the 19th ult., still lies in a very precarious state at a private house on Gibson's Quay. He is, we are sorry to state, in a destitute condition, being entirely dependent upon his mates, who are themselves working for a livelihood at the saw mills. His case becoming known a sub* goription is on foot to relieve him, and the sum of nine "pounds has already been colleotcd to supply his immediate wants. The aid of the charitably-disposed is solicited in his behalf, as the case is roally a most deserving one. Subscriptions will be received at this office, or any of the following places : — Mr Osborne's Empire Hotel ; Mr Kennedy, Club Hotel ; tho Hokitika ,Saw Mills j Mr Hanßen's Poßt Office Hotel 5 and by Mr Prosser chemist.

Mr Warden RevelTs report upon the Grey district, dated June 16th, informs us thafc mining operations are steadily progressing, but there was nothing of importance to communicate.

Stone, the housebreaker who escaped from the Cobden lock-up some time since, and' for whose apprehension L3OO was offered by the Nelson Government, was arrested in Nelson, and sent on to Hokitika in charge of Constable Irwin, by the steamer South Australian.. Both

of them landed on Monday, and Stone will of courße be forwarded to Cobden at the eariieet opportunity,

During the week ending Saturday, June 30th, four prisoners were sentenced to different terms of hard labor by the Resident Magistrate, and two sentenced to imprisonment only. Four debtors were also placed in confinement. Six sentenced men and three debtors were released from custody. The number and classification of prisoners in the old and new gaols at the above date is as follows: — Old gaol — one male and two females under committal; one male on remand; nineteen males and one female in the hard labor gang ; two males undergoing imprisonment only ; eleven debtors. Total, thirtyeevon. New gaol — thirty-six maleß under committal. Total in both gaols, seventy males and three females.

Shakespere's great tragedy of " Macbeth'' is to be played to-night at the Prince of Wales Opera House ; the character of Macbeth being taken by Mr Lionel Harding, and that of Macduff by Mr Bartlett. Lady Macbeth will be impersonated by Miss Rosa Cooper. Tb fi pretty comedy of " Perfection" will conclude the entertainment.

The Reception Committee appointed to receive his Honor the Superintendent met last Sight at the Commercial Hotel, to make the necessary arrangements for the forthcoming banquet. It wai decided to hold it in the Masonic Hall, on Friday evening next, at 8 o'clock. The members of the committee will, on the occasion, act as stewards. The number of tickets, as will be seen by the advertisement issued by the, committee, are limited, so that in this case early application will really be necessary to secure admission. It is hoped that all wishing to do honor to Mr Moorhouse will not allow this opportunity to pass of meeting him in a social reunion. Mr Sale has Been invited as the host of Mr Moorhouse. No other complimentary invitations will be issued by the committee.

The intelligence from tho Totara district is on the whole satisfactory, although, in consequence of the late heavy rains which flooded the country, no communication Bave by Btray travellers was held with Eoastown for some days. This resulted in a s'caroity of provisions, and had the bad weather continued, absolute distress might have been experienced. The road from Eoastown to Donoghue's Creek was entirely destroyed, and. Jones' Creek now runs along its entire length. The tramway in the course of construction beitween Donoghue's and the sea beach is completed for about a quarter of a mile, but beyond that" the line of track is impassable, as in many places there are six feet of water and mud. The miners 'generally are doing pretty well, as there is now an abundance of water for washing purposes. A very large amount of stacked dirt has been sluiced, and the consequence is that for the time being ready money 'is plentiful, and business brisk. The hotels L especially have been driving a thriving trade. A meeting of the Scandinavian Company was held on Monday evening, when a very satisfactory statement was made by the secretary. The colls already paid up amounted to over £300, which had been lodged to the credit of the Company. A rush, which promises to be a very good one, has broken out at the head of Jones' Creek. Several payable prospects were obtained, . and many miners had assembled at the scene of operations.

Writing from the Kanieri, on the 16th ult., Mr Warden Schaw reports : — '• I again visited the Hau Hau on Saturday, and found the greatest activity along the lead ; the stores at the Small Paddock hare most of them been removed to the line of gold which can now be traced for seven or eight miles in a north-easterly direction. The sinking is very deep, and entails a large expense on those unfortunate miners who do not strike the lead. I saw several parties who had bottomed two or tliree shafts, all ' duffers' 5 they are now sinking within a quarter of a mile of Tucker Plat. The Kanieri Steam Drainage Company" have bottomed their paddock this week 5 prospect, one pennyweight ts the tin dish of washdirt. There has been a small rush to the head of Commissioners' Plat during the week, and I feel confident that the gold will be traced into the largo flat near the Kanieri River. I have offered three acres to any party who will ,place an engine on the ground to prospect it.' If gold were found there 1000 miners would find employment. Tha district is quiet and orderly ; the miners appear satisfied and contented."