West Coast Times.

West Coast Times, Issue 354, 10 November 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times.

SATUDUAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1866. Hokitika presented yesterday a sort of mon-grel-Sunday appearance, in consequence of tho partial suspension of business in honor of the birthday of the Prince of Walts—the day having, in Cockneys' eyes, an additional claim to respect in consequence of its being identified with the pageant-of the Lord Mayor. The publicans, who in goldfields' towns are the chief caterers for the amusements peculiarly belonging to such holidays, seem to have been remarkably inactive, as we have not heard even of a solitary picnic, far less tho usual sports ; and the public seemed yesterday to be divided into'two classes —one grumbling at the necessity for working on bucli a fine day; and the other yawning for the morrow, in order that they might h«ve something to do. Wo learn by telegram from Christchurch that the Financial Statement was submitted to the House on Wednesday evening, but was not of particular interest to our representatives, as the Westland estimates will riot be forthcoming for some days. The members for this district have had a conference with his Honor the Superintendent, with a satisfactory result. The Honse has adjourned till Tuea-i clay next. The Bill for validating the latej Municipal election has been read a first time,! and the Fire Brigade Bill a second time. Yesterday was kept as a general holiday in Christchurch, and a great cattle sliqw was held. Nelson papers arc to hand to the 6th inst., j per the p.s. Nelson, but are singularly bare of j news. An article on the Harmonic Society, a paragraph on the fire brigade, and a letter j from the irrepressible '" phrenologist," Mr A. j S. Hamilton, on the casta of the Maiingatapu/ murderers' heads, constitute the only local < items of the " Examiner" of the 6th. j We beg to acknowledge the receipt of the! Sla'isties of the Colony for the year 1865, from! the Registrar-Greneral, which we shall notice/) at an early date. j The Houo-able John Hall has been ap- ] pointed Electric Telegraph Commissioner for j the colony of New Zealand. j There was no meeting of the Municipal Council last evening, we presume in consequence of yesterday being a holiday. The perfect skeleton of a man was found in : the bush a short distance from Ross on j Thursday last, by Messrs Coleson and Sliep-1 pard, who were out seeking for stray cattle. On their return to Ross they made known the circumstance to the police, who yesterday proceeded to the spot and removed tho remains to town, wlicrc they now lie awaiting an inquest. Two silver watcheß, a gold ring, some nuggets, and quartz specimens were found close to the sad relies, which it is supposed are 'those of .Andrew Donald, who many months ago, kept a store for Mr Jollie at the old Totara diggings. On the 26th March la-t, he suddenly disappeared, and at the time was supposed to have absconded with 30ozs. of gold and some cash, which tho books showed were missing. The matter was placed in the hands of the police, who sought long and unsuccessfully for the supposed defaulter, who it was imagined had succeeded in effecting his escape by sea. But amongst the articles missed by Mr Jollie was a silver lever watch, which fact, if coupled with the finding of the two above mentioned, leads to the inference that the remains are those, of Donald, who iLUit have lost his way in the bush aud perished miserably. Fragments of clothes were found on the skeleton, consi&tihij of a brown plush hat, wit;h holes cut in each hide of tho brim, part of a shirt and trousers, and a pair of l.i-e-up boots, very little worn. The opening service at the New Church of England, Kanieri, will take place to-morrow ut 4 p.m., the Yen. Archdeacon Harper officiating. New ground has been opened up the left hand branch of the Waimea Creek towards Callaghau's. On Thursday a heavy rush set in to it. We understand that the oiuking ia 75 feet deep to the main bottom, ou which rests three feet; of auriferous drift that will prospect from 4 grains toB grains to the dish. The ground is wet, but stands well, slabbing, so far, not being required. The " New Zealand Gazette," of the 31s ult., mentions the following appointments of postmasters in Westland : —Archibald Bain Teremakau; Win, Curwan, Six Mile Landing ; Fredk. Muller, Ho Ho Creek; Q-eorge Bedford, Coal Track. The registration of the following companies is notified in the "New Zealand Gazette," of the3lbt ult. : —The Greymouth and Saltwater Creek Tramway Company ; The Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company; and the Grey River Steam Tug Company. Sullivan is still von inventus. The p.s. Nelson, which, it was supposed, would bring him to Hokitika, has not had that honor, and it is doubtful whether the Westlard people ever will have the gratification of beholding this notorious individual. In the meantime the remanding farce will, we suppose, be continued.