BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

West Coast Times, Issue 282, 18 August 1866, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

(from our own correspondent.) Christchurch. Friday, 3.30 p.m. The steamer Geelong arrived from Dunedin, and sailed for the South. The cutter Iris has been wrecked on the Kaiapoi bar. Tararua arrived at Bluff. No English mail or news on board. ' (

The much needed and long promised wharf improvements are being pushed forward with a vigor which does infinite credit to the contractors for the different works in hand, who seoin determined to fulfil all specified conditions without delay. In a few days, we trust to see the transit shed completed aSd ready for the reception of merchandise, although, we are given to understand that it it intended more for special than general goods, passengers' luggage and articles bearing high duty, having the preference. It is certainly necessary to make a distinction on occount of its small size, as it would be impossible, without a ruinous delay to vessels, to pass all goods through it requiring examination. We. believe, however, that it is intended to erect another shed lower down the wharf, and if the idea is carried out, we would suggest that the building should be constructed loss expensively but with agreater amount of stowage room than the first. Far be it from us to cavil at the Government, as the shed already erec,t«d is a very permanent structure, and we may add correspondingly expensive. Many "will probably think the amount of money more judiciously expended would have provided a building far more suitable to the requirements of the place. A lesson might be very profitably taken from our American brethren who, notable for their enterprise in constructing useful works in newly opened districts, are yet contented to merely keep pace with the times and improve as the district advances. ' At the the same time we must needs admit that a very pleasing change has been effected in the appearance of Gibson's Quay within the last week,, and by. the end of a fortnight' we trust to sco the dray road along its length completed. In a former issue, this work was alluded to, but not fully described ; so we may now state that the road will bo twenty five feot wide, and separated from the " wharf-way " by a stout kerbing, against which drays can back to load and unload. The "wharf-way," which is twenty; five feet wide, and gravelled, will be kept by, this arrangement free from mud, a no slight advantage to owners of freight who have hitherto been compelled to accept delivery of goods very much soiled and damaged by rough usage after landing. Whilst upon the subject of wharf-works, we would <iirect attention to the necessity of a coal and timberyard, where vessels laden with such oargos might discharge. It is admitted on all aides, that such a, provision is imperatively n.e.qcjsdi as the coal trade especially is increasing, qnd,, the wharf seldom freedom heaps of thjt yty useful but bulky, commodity. The Hartyyr Master has striven with some success, "to remedy this nuiß&nce-yfor such it is r^pid.ly becoming— by compelling colliers to diecptygf at tile upper end of tb,? wharf. Sometl#J?f more than this is however needed in the "form of an onolosure still higher up, as the whftyfi proper should bo devoted to tho landing ft« 4 shipment of fine mai'olinndiio only. ■■- • )

A rumor was current in town yesterday that a now rush had broken out in the Totara district^ How it originated we are at a loss to imagine, as, after duo enquiry into the matter, we found thore was no foundation for the report. Several miners, en route for the supposed new field, arrived in town from the Kanieri and Hau-hau, but hearing nothing satisfactory concerning it, returned a»ain. Kangaroo hunting in New South Wales appears to Bupply ample sport, notwithstand- " ing the long warfare that haß been waged with the race. The " S. M. Herald" of the 31st ult. says :—" Yesterday, on the arrival of the Hunter steamer, Captain Sullivan, considerable curiosity, not unmixed with surprise, was experienced by the onlookers, at the unusually large display of dead game that met the eye in different parts of the ship. On inquiry we learned that two well-known citizens, who are celebrated as crack shots, had been enjoying a week's kangarooing at Jervis Bay, and were returning to town, laden -with the spoils of the chase — no fewer than thirty-three splendid, kangaroos having fallen to their guns during that time." A rather singular complaint -was made against two men, at the East Collingwood police court, Melbourne, yesterday, by the local inspector of nuisances.. It transpired that, on Thursday list, the officer noticed the men taking the skin off a horse,- which had died from disease, on an unoccupied piece of ground in the north part of the district. - Ho also perceived that they had dug a large hole ; and, upon interrogating them, they stated that they were going to cut up the animal and bury it. On the following Friday night, the officer noticed the same men with a cart nearly full of what appeared to be various joints of very indifferent beef. As the cart was the identical one in which he had seen - them place certain parts of the horse above referred to, he became suspicious that they were endeavoring to impose upon the public by offering horse flesh for beef. The meat was consequently examined ,by several persons, all of whom pronounced it to be horse flesh. As, however, there was no proof of onle, or attempt to sell, the men, who said that the contents of the cart were mereiy intended as food for dogs, could not be punished. Although, thanks to private enterprise, the highways of Hokitika have been rendered pas* sable, its byeways remain in a most disgrace* ful state, and are a positive -nuisance to those unhappy pedestrians who are compelled by business to traverse them. Take, for instance, those right-of-ways which connect Eevell street with the beach, aud which, even in fine weather, are most offensive, and after a day's rain are converted into mere sewers, from which a sickening effluvia is constantly arising. Mud, of course, abounds from six to eighteen inches deep, through which horses 'flounder and plentifully bespatter with filthy matter the unhappy wight who may chance to meet them. We certainly^ are suprised that no attempts have been made to render them at least passable by laying down a few loads of shingle, which could be done at at a very trifling cost. Gobb's overland coacli left town yesterday morning for Ohristchurch. Messrs Eoberts, Burt and, two Mr G-rogans booked through by it. ;_ On Wednesday night, the Fire Brigade turned out for practice, but not in such force as we imagine would be pleasing to the Captain. About fifteen members were present, who discussed much proficiency in tKe routine gone through. We are glad to notice ,the growing efficiency of this most useful body of men. Mr Inspector Broham returned from the New Rush yesterday, where he marked out a site for a police camp, and intends sending a sergeant and two constables to take charge of it. Whilst regretting that the state of the place renders such a course necessary, it is satisfactory to know that the requirements will be so promptly met. The sergeant in charge at the Wahnea reports that during the past fortnight the population of the district has considerably increased, and now numbers between 4000 and 5000. The diggings in the vicinity of the township are next to deserted through the counter attraction of the Stafford Hill rush, which is turning out well. There has also been a heavy drain upon the population of the Ballarat workings through the same cause. During the above period tlae district has, .comparatively speaking, been free from crime. > t After running for several weeks a tri-wee^y coach to Eosstown, Messrs Cobb and Co. bJve determined to make the line daily, and, for the future, a coach will leave Lagoon Town every morning. We are glad to see that this enterprising firm have considered it expedient to adopt this course," as it speaks volumes for the growing importance of the Totara District. .The fortnightly report of thesergeant-in-charge at Eosstown, Totara, states that four large water races have been lately completed in the district, and the greatest activity prevails amongst tha miners there. The town is still extending. Wages for hired men are quoted a£ from L 5 to L 6 weekly. By a reference to another column it will be" seen that the Exelesior G-old-mining Company have called for tenders for the sinking a shaft 100 feet deep on Tucker Flat. No time has been lost by this Company in commencing operations, as it was but a few days ago that the lease they applied for was granted by the Warden. We trust their enterprise will be well rewarded.