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West Coast Times, Issue 337, 22 October 1866, Page 2

The effects of the late flood have quite passed away on the Kanieri, as the flats were drained of the superfluous water at the beginning of last week, and since then good progress has been made. Both the Star and Westland engines are in full work, and together keep the water down with much ease, and in consequence the different claims are once move on the wash'dirt, which is yielding very good returns. 'On Commissioner's Flat fair wages are being obtained by the several companies. We hear that some payable surfacing was struck at the head of this flat, which will be likely to extend, and give employment to a moderate number of men. Unwilling to abandon ground whioh is known to contain rich gold, one of the companies which have so long been striving to reach the main bottom on Tucker Flat, but in consequence of the superabundance of water ceased work a week or two ago, have again set in with* the intention of making a -final effort to sink without the aid of machinery. Should it fail, a company will form to place a strain engine and" pumping gear on the ground.

Amongst the arrivals by the Lord Ashley we notice the names of Messrs Reed and Massy. The former is the talented polyphonist, whose abilities as a musician are recognised throughout' the colonies. Mr Massy is the well known scenic artist, who was so long connected with 'Lyster's Opera Troupe. ' ' Cobb & Co.'s Christchurch coach arrived in town to time on Saturday night. Excepting in one or two places, the road is reported to be in good order from end to end. The following pasbengevs booked through — Messrs Elliott, Castor, Petre, Hawdon, Aylmer, and the VenernJsle Archdeacon Harper. /Yesterday morning Divine Service was held for the first time in that beautiful little building lately erected under the supervision of the Church of England Committee. Tho -Venerable Archdeacon Harper, who arrived from Christchurch on Saturday night, commenced his ministry in Westland by officiating on the occasion, and held forth to a very large and respectable congregation, the great proportion of whiclfliold sittings in the Church. Service was again held iv the evening ; the attui dance being equally as good. Morning and evening services were also held afc the Wcsleyan and ""Presbyterian Churches. Iv consequence of the absence of the Rev. Mr M'Girr, who was present at the consecration of the new Roman Catholic Church at Ross, there were no services at St. Mary's ChapeL yesterday. ' . /

In another column, due notice is given of the plain and fancy dress ball which is to come ofl' this evening at the Shakespeare Hotel. The last ball held there was a decided success, and to judge from the preparations already made, we imagine that this one will give.no less satisfaction. The ability and enterprise of Mr Ellis in catering for the amusement of the public has been displayed on more than one occasion, and we therefore trust that his call will be well responded to this evening.

News which can only be looked on as most ominous, says the Wellirgton " Advertiser " of the 17th, has reached town from the Wairarapa with regard to the Hau Haus in that district. They are endeavoring to collect all tho natives to their and have mustered to the number of 300 at Waitapu, having arms and ammunition, The friendly natives

urged upon them to leave their arms behind them, but Ngairo and Wi Hapi refused. They say that there is not to be any fighting at this side of Wanganui, and that the district is to be kept as a peaceful one for pakeha and Maori women and children. They say also, that that if tho Europeans want to fight them they must go to Taranuki, and' there fight. They have taken up with the new god Kaikomako, because Te Ua's god is no longer any good, and under this new deity they profess that no worshipper of him will be killed, but that the pakehas and friendly Maoris will be driven away, and the country will be restored to them (the fanatics). This news, which' has all tho appearance of authenticity, when coupled with that from Napier, is far from pleasant, and we must still be prepared for even worse, as our informant does not at all feel sure that these turbulent individuals will not break out where they are. Sergeant White, of the police force, who wa9 so long stationed in this town, and for some months held the appointment of Inspector of Slaughter Yards, has been appointed to take charge of the police camp lately formed at Stafford Town. We regret to have to announce another mysterious disappearance, in the person of a well-known restaurateur, who quitted his domicile on Friday last in such a hurry as to entirely forget to settb a few accounts, or even to bid his sorrowful creditors adieu. * This must, however, be merely an oversight, and we shortly expect to hear of his having informed the gentlemen in question of his new address. The v Olago Times" of the 12th instant gives an amusing description of the reception of the Otago members on their return from Wellington. Our space will not admit of our extracting it at full length, but we , may say that the mob cheered Messrs Macandrew and Yogel most vociferously, and hooted' with equal vehemence Major Richardson, Messrs Cargill, Burns, Haughtou,Paterson,Bradshaw, and O'Neill, whose effigies were subsequently paraded through the town, and were ultimately tossed into the sea.