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West Coast Times, Issue 257, 20 July 1866, Page 2

We learn that Mr Kennedy has disposed of the Club Hotel, Revell-street, to Mr Manson, who intends converting it into a large drapery establishment. Wo understand that the sale of the furniture and fittings of this well known and favorite hostelry will be announced in a day or two. We shall bo sorry to lose Mr Kennedy as a townsman, but are glad to know that, although about to leave Hokitika, he is not leaving .tho district.

From a gentleman, lately arrived from the Totaro, we have obtained the following items of news from that district : — Determined, if passible, to keep pace with their neighbors, the good folk of Rosstown have formed an Improvement Committee. Fifteen gentlemen were elected last week, and tho welfare of the place formally entrusted to their keeping. We trust that this step will prove conducive to forwarding the interests of tho Totara district, for we presume that the Improvement Committee will not confine their labors to the town alone. A petition to tho Government is in the course of signature, praying for the construction of a road direct from Rossto-w ll to tho sea beach. The estimated cost is under L 10 0; and as it would avoid Donelly's Creek altogether, the advantage of sucK. a work to tho district is apparent, for as the track is situated at prosent, communication between Ross and Hokitika is suspended during heavy floods. A movement is on foot for the promotion of a Joint Stock Company, to construct a tramway from the town to tho sea beach, but is regarded somewhat unfavorably by tho business people. Tho late fine weather has enabled the proprietors of the large head-races that are being brought in from the head of Donelly's Creek to make good progress with the work, which it is anticipated will be completed within the month. When finished the races' will command the range of high terraces, on which is situated the old township and the cemetery.

A numerously attended public meeting was held last evening at the Wesleyan Church, Tancred-street, for the purpose of forming a Total Abstinence Society. Mr Scott was voted to the chair, and subsequently the meeting was addressed by .the Revs. J. Gow and Cannell, and Mr Harrison. Each of the speakers dwelt upon the necessity existing for such an association, and also upon the desirability of the co-operation of the ladies in the furtherance of this object. A committee was formed upon whom it now devolves to carry out the objects of the meeting.

On Monday last business was for the first time transacted in the new building of the Union Bank, which has been erected in one corner of the old police reserve, Revcil-street. It is a very creditable, well-finished structure, one storey high, and quite in keeping with the appearance of the town, although it suffers somewhat by a comparison with its towering neighbor, the Bank of New Zealand. Still, in our opinion, it is amply large enough, and the strictest regard has been paid to economising space inside. The exterior of the building, which is unpretentious in appearance, but yet tasteful, is corniced on three sides, and the front windows are surmounted with plain label heads. A substantial porch leads into the interior, which is a large hall, fitted with a counter running its entire breadth, at the centre and left side of which the general banking business is transacted, ■whilst the right is set apart for gold buying. At the bts!k and on the left side of (he hall is the manager's room, and opposite to it on the other side is the strong room, which is fitted with safes, and so constructed of wood and sheet iron that it would puzzle a burglar to make his way inside of it. Adjoining the strong room is a lavatory, and above them is a small sleeping apartment used by two of the bank employees. The manager # lives upon the premises in a commodious four-roomed cottage behind the main building. It is gratifying to note the improvements daily being effected in the appearance of our streets by the substitution of substantial and tastefully- • built structures in lieu of the original timber and calico erections which housed the pioneers of Hokitika ; and it must be admitted that the banking establishments contribute in no slight degree to this change.

The Grand Jury yesterday found true bills in the following cases : — W. Quinlan, W. Ryan, and Henry Hanson, for riotously demolishing a house j Frederick Smith and Bridget Kelly, for larceny in a dwelling ; Thomas Bray, for horse-stealing (two charges) ; and Patrick Downes, for aggravated assault. They found no true bill against Alfred Williams, with the robbery of gold in Christenson's smelting office at Greymouth. On bringing the bills into Court, the foreman, Mr Mark Sprot, mentioned, at the request of the Grand Jury, the circumstance that private solicitations had been made to some of the jurymen to ignore the bills in the two cases of rioting ; and the Crown Prosecutor stated* that he would consider what steps the Crown should take with reference to the facts. The indictment against Mr Bracken waits the arrival of a material witness from Nelson.