West Coast Times

West Coast Times, Issue 355, 12 November 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12. 1866. A subject, upon which not only the prosperity, but the very existence of Hokitika depends, has lately been brought prominently before the public, and has caused a considerable amount of discussion in the Municipal Council. The Hokitika river, which seems possessed ( f the same eccentricities that characterise the majority of the streams of Canterbury, has become so diverted from its usual course that there is every probability that Hokitika will in the course of a short time become an inland instead of a seaport town. An old channel of the river exists, leading from a point rather above the old Islay Hotel, across to £he lagoon, which has always been dry till within a very recent date, when the attention of Mr Itochf'ort was called to the fact that owing to the formation of a bank, a "set" had taken place, which threatened to break through the natural barrier that kept the river in its present channel. With admirable promptitude a dam was constructed which was swept away by a flood before it had been properly completed ; but so important was the work deemed, that a second was some time after built, which has since partially shared the fate of its predecessor. The inroads made by the stream, especially during the heavy floods by which we have been lately visited, are almost incredible, Fully a hundred yards of solid earth has been swept liway, on which a market gardeu had been formed, and a house would have shared" the same fate had it not been removed by its owners to a considerable distance from its previous position. The damage that has hitherto taken place, grievous though it may be to the unfortunate sufferers, is as nothing compared to that with which the town is threatened, unless speedy steps be taken to confine the river to its present course, by either cutting through the bank which has been the proximate cause of the evil, or by constructing a substantial work to prevent the diversion of the stream to the old channel. Should any delay take place in the adoption of either one or other of these two alternatives, the present bed of the Hokitika will become a muddy ditch, or a dry trench, and the wharf, which has caused the outlay of so large a proportion of the insufficient revenues of Westland, will be as useless as if it had been constructed on the Canterbury plains. It is satisfactory to observe that our municipal representatives fully " realise" the importance oi' this question and the imminence the danger; for although the wharf has not yet been handed over to their care, yet it is td that body that we shall soon be compelled to look for its improvement and conservation. As a mere source of revenue it is essential that sufficient accommodation be afforded to shippers ;

but as a matter connected with the very existence of the town, affecting every resident, whether digger or otherwise, from Ross to the Teremakau —the proper maintenance of the river in an efficient condition is a subject of far greater importance than any now before the public. It is to be hoped that but few days will elapse ere the necessary works for properly restraining ouv erratic stream will be begun. While on the subject of the river, the wharf naturally claims some notice, as one of the most important parts o the town. A large sum has already been expended upon this work, which is yet far from being perfect, and a few remarks m y not be out of place. Firstly, a space should be fenced in where cattle may be landed with some degree of safety, instead of, as at present, being put ashore in close proximity to a crowd busily engaged in shipping matters. Instances have frequently occurred where half-savage animals, released from the confinement of shipboard, have pursued pedestrians peacefully passing along the quay, who have owed the safety of their lives and limbs to a display of agility more prudent than graceful. A moderate space at the upper end of the quay, surrounded by a well-built fence, would be quite sufficient to restrain the vicious propensities of these dangerous brutes, and would cost but a very moderate- sum. A shed, or yard, where coals, timber, . and similar cargo might be discharged is also much required, and should be undertaken by the Council immediately on their taking possession of the wharf. At present the wharf is littered and disfigured by unsightly heaps of coal and timber, which block up the way and cause a considerable amount of annoytmce, while it often happens that the importer is totally unable for the time to remove them, aud thus lays himself open to prosecution and fine, an instance of which happened but a week or so ago. The expense of dray ing such bulky articles to and fro adds considerably to their cost, which of course must be defrayed eventually by the public. A shed, such as we recommend, would be of considerable convenience to the importer, a source of revenue to the Council, and would remove the present unsightly obstructions to vessels lying at the wharf, and wishing to load or discharge. Another step might be initiated by the Municipal Council which would considerably improve the wharf, both as regards facilities for the despatch of business, and appearance also. The only means of reaching Gibsons Quay from Revell street is via Wharf street, though certainly pedestrians can and do avail themselves of the narrow right-of-way by the Swan Hotel: there is no communication between one of the most important parts of the town and the other —between Revell street south and the Quay —and the consequence is that the value of properly at the lower end of the street has depreciated to a ruinous extent, and what was once the most animated and populous part of Hokitika is now almost deserted —the encroachments of the- river having converted a busy thoroughfare into a mere cul-de-sac. The Albion Hotel cannot be of much value as it at present stands, and the proprietor would doubtless accept a reasonable offer for it. Were it purchased and removed, a roadway sufficient for the passage of drays could be formed, and lower-Revell street would lose its present condition of suspended animation, and present as of yore all the appearance of business. On the opposite side, Beach street might enjoy another means of communication with the main thoroughfare of the town than by a swamp which is as offensive to the nose as to the eyes, and which, w«.re it called by its proper name might give offence to fastidious ears. The Steam Packet Hotel is all but a wreck, and were the same course adopted towards it as we have recommended in the case of the Albion, B"ach-street might once more be made a habitable, if not a business thoroughfare. We are rather surprised that the inhabitants of Itevellstreet from the Camp to the, river have not before carried into effect these very simple means of reviving the fortunes of the street, as a very small sum from each of them would bo sufficient —a sum considerably smaller than that they are now weekly losing through the diversion of the stream of population by the blocking up of the street.

One of those daring robberies, which we are happy to say it hns lately seldom beon our duty to record, was perpetrated last Friday night at the Swan Hotel, Gibson's Quay, under the following circumstances. It appears that after the landlord and inmates had retired to rest, somo ulovor thief, who possessed a thorough knowledge of the building, lifted the trap-door in tlie adjoining right-of-way, and, having effected <m ontrance to the cellar, succoodod in making his way to the front bar through another trap-door, and took up his toinpomry position behind the counter. .Having probably indulged in a brief consideration, and, perhaps, a " nobbier," the thief curried away a desk, containing a cash-box and LlO in cash, and L 27 in cheques, coolly letting himself out by the front door. On the discovery of the robbery, information was at once given to the police, and the desk was found on the beach on the following morning — empty of course^ We are, however, happy to hear that there ie every probability of the offender being brought to justice in a few days. We observe in the list of passengers by the Egmont the name of Mr Toussaint La Griff, the celebrated phrenologist and lecturer on phrenology, so long and favorably known in Zev> r Zealand, Australia, and other parts of the world, and whose long established reputation entitles him to the highest position in the science. He intends giving a few scientific lectures in Hokitika, and as he brings with him casts of the heads of the Maungatapu murderers, Burgess, Kelly, and Levy, aud having made the science his life study, we would recommend every one to go and hear him ; the lecture will be alike interesting and instructive. An advertisement front this gentleman appears in our columns, to whioh we refer for further particulars.