West Coast Times.

West Coast Times, Issue 356, 13 November 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13. 1866. Thk deaths by drowning that annually take place in New Zealand constitute^ the large proportion of five per cent, on the total mortality, as it has been computed on the best authority ; and. of thio, though we have no means of ascertaining the exact figures, there is no doubt the West Coast contributes by far the largest proportion. Scarcely a day passes "without the report of an additional catastrophe on one or other of the dangerous series of rivers that intersect Westland from north to south, and which render this part the most deadly of the whole colony to travellers. A sudden flood may, in the course of a few hours, convert a mere rivulet into a raging torrent, that cannot be faced either by man or horse without great peril, and the traveller may, through his inability to advance or retreat, be detained on his route for an indefinite length of time, as has lately occurred to I many on the overland journey from the Grey to the Pakihi. It is true that ferries have been established on some of the most dangerous of our rivers by private enterprise, but in many cases they are inefficient, and utterly unsuitable for the purpose. Nor is this to be wondered at when it is remembered that not the slightest protection or encouragement is given by the Government, and an arbitrary order may at any time render valueless any money that might be expended in providing a more efficient service. With the exception of that over the Saltwater Creek, there is not a single bridge on the Coast, or any other means of crossing ihe numerous streams but ordinary ferry boats — which of com si 1 , are rendered useless directly a " fresh " comes down — except on the Hokitika, where a punt has been placed. Delay and danger are therefore necessary concomitants of Westland travelling, and the consequent loss of life is well known to every resident here. Without asserting that the accidents thac have so frequently occurred could in every case have been prevented, there can be no doubt that the number would have been considerably less had steps been taken by the Government to encourage private enterprise in the construction of bridges and punts between this port ai-d the Grey, where such a large traffic exists, by granting certain privileges to those willing to embark in such undertakings. Though objecting, as a rule, to the establishment of monopolies, yet when human life is endangered we consider them to be the lesser evil, and their usual ill effects might be considerably modified by the Government keeping a strict watch over them, establishing a certain scale of tolls, and adopting such other steps as might be deemed necessary or advisable for the public good. A safe mode of transit across our rivers, even though constituted a monopoly, would be infinitely preferable to a dangerous competition, and would be of immense public value, though perhaps the interests of a few private individuals might suffer. We have frequently heard objections made to undertaking any very expensive work, grounded on the fact that no protection was obtainable, and though the public has no objection to pay a small toll in times of flood and danger, they prefer fording or swimming the streams on other occasions and thus saving their coin. Now, though the public have a right to save a petty sum by avoiding a bridge if they choose, still it is scarcely fair to those men who have laid out a large sum to save the public neck on other occasions, and shows a degree of meanness almost incredible

were it not so fully proved. Were the same rule enforced, with respect to such works, that applies to the evasion of tolls on an ordinary turnpike road, the evil would be met, and we should see a substantial bridge erected over every creek of consequence in Westland, with a corresponding reduction in the number of deaths by drowning. We are glad to see that the new Goldfields Act provides for the encouragement of public works on the goldfields by private enterprise, and that the difficulty heretofore experienced in initiating such, works will be in future considerably lessened. We extract for the benefit of our readers the i clause referred to, as follows :—: — XIII. It shall be lawful for the Governor to authorize the construction by private enterprise of any road, bridge, wharf, ferry, or other public work for the use and benefit of the public, and to permit the occupation for a limited period of sites for the same, and to provide for the payment of such tolls for a limited period, by all persons \ibing the same, as he shall deem reasonable ; and the Governor in Council may from time to time make, alter, and revoke regulations for collecting such tolls, and for preventing the evasion thereof, and generally for the control and management of the said roads, bridges, wharves, ferries, or other public works; and such regulations, upon and after being published in the " Gazette " of the Province to which they may apply, shall have the force of law. It will /be remembered that it was in consequence of the existence of this clause, that Mr Barff, M.P.C., withdrew his Bill providing for the establishment of ferries in Westland — a recognition of oue of our must important needs that is deserving of the greatest commendation. We trust therefore that the time is not far distant when a series of bridges and efficient ferries will span every river between Hokitika and the Grey, and thus render the most important road ou this Fide the range independent of the clangors of floods and freshets. i

The B.s. Otago arrived in the roadstead from Melbourne on Sunday evening, having on board eighty-three passengers and thirteen tons of cargo for this port. On early tide yesterday morning the p.s. Persevere went out to lighter her, and about 2 p.m. attempted the entrance to tho river ; but, in consequence of the heavy rains of Sunday and Sunday night, the freshet offered an insuperable obstacle. On three several occasions she attempted to enter the channel, and was so far successful as to reach the inner North Spit, where the full force of the current meeting her, she was unable to proceed further. Whilst she was vainly endeavoring to stem the tide on the last occasion, the p.s. Challenge, with the Tambo in tow, loaded with a cai go of coals from the Grey, attempted to enter, and succeeded in getting to the same position as the Persevere, which, being unable to make headway, drifted down athwart the" bows of the Challenge; when the lulfer steamer, to avoid a collision, backed, and the Tambo, losing way, was tossed ashore on the inner point of the South Spit, close to where the Persevere went ashore on the last occasion. At the same time the latter boat was drifting broadside on to the breakers, and it was only owing to the superior seamanship of Captain Macmeikan that she was at length, after some difficulty, headed out to sea, which she succeeded in reaching in safety. The Yarra, having returned from transhipping passengers to the Egmont, next attempted the entrance, and succeeded in reaching the position previously occupied by the Persevere, abreast the Challenge, when she made a desperate struggle for about ten minutes to enter the river, bin, after losing three floats off her wheels, was swept into the midst of tho breakers. As she rolled heavily about, her position was at this time one of considerable peril, but the current striking her on the bow, canted her head to sea, whioh movement was assisted by the timely hoisting of her jib, and which, together with her steam power, eventually enabled Captain Nicol to escape to the open sea. The Challenge remained aground for the space of half-an-hour, but by the washing away of the sand from under her, she floated, and Captain Wilson, talcing advantage of the opportunity, made for the new channel which runs straight through the South Spit, and succeeded in gaining the roadstead, leaving the Tambo firmly aground on the spit. The Persevere in the meantime had vainly endeavored to reach the Otago, but was seen rapidly drifting to *he southward, followed by the larger steamer, attracted to her assistance by the exhibition of a signal of distress; but a squall coming on, both vessels were lost to the sight of the many spcctatois that lined the beach. When the Challenge was last seen she was also mating in the direction of the Perse" vere. Just at dusk the only vessels to be seen were the Yarra and Jane Elkin, schooner, which were both riding Bafely at anchor, all the other vessels having entirely disappeared. The barque Frederic had, during the early part of the day, slipped her anchor aud put to sea. Last night was one of the most inclement that we remember to have witnessed for some considerable time in Hokitika. The rain, which had poured down at intervals since Saturday night, increased iv force on Monday morning, and poured incessantly the whole day —if possible becoming more aggravated as the.night came on. Squalls of wind shook the houses to their very foundatiou, and rendered travelling after nightfall exceedingly difficult and dangerous, as it was next to impossible to keep a light burning. All the lower pans of the town were deeply Hooded—Weld street of course setting tho example, which it did early in the afternoon ; but by midnight Revell and Wharf streets were the only thoroughfares that could be said to be not kuee deep. Gibson's Qaay was flooded from Wharf street to the Custom House, Sewell street " drew" an unfathomable depth, and every culvert and drain was full to overflowing. Tancred-street was converted into a considerable lake, and was oidy approachable by means of boats, while all those not above enumerated were more or less under waterWe have no doubt that much damage will accrue to owners of property in low-lying parts of tho town, especially to those whose houses are not perched on piles of considerable height. Considerable fears were entertained in town last night as to the fate and condition of the steamers and their hapless freights, that were compelled by the fresh in the river to put to sea during the gale of yesterday. It was deemed impossible that the passengers on board the

Persevere could be re-traushipped on board tlio Otago, and as they were known to be eighty-three in number, it ia difficult to conjecture where they woro berthed during the night. Many of them must have remained on deck, to abide the pitiless storm of rain and wind that continued without intermission throughout the whole night. It was also a subject of alarm to many having frieuds on board these boats to remember that (ho provisions on board those steamers were extremely limited in quantity, as the practice is for the seamen to provide their own victuals. It is likewise known that a very short supply of coal can be on board, as they seldom carry more than sufficient for a few hours' consumption. Should any of them be unable to bear up against the gale, and require to put on steam to prevent their drifting, the want of a sufficient supply of fuel may place them in an awkward if not dangerous position. The rumors about requiring to beach any of them in consequence of this are, we need hardly say, entirely unfounded. We believe a number of the members of the police force received special instructions last night to patrol the beach in case of acci^ dents occurring to any of the tug steamers that might at high-water this morning attempt the entrance to the harbor. It was the intention of the Coroner (Dr. Beswick) to have proceeded yesterday to Ross, to hold an inquest on the human remains found in the bush near there, the particulars of which appeared in last Saturday's issue. The flooded state of theTotara river prevented the journey being undertaken. This fact reminds us that it is more than high time the Government commenced a good road from the beach to the township. The necessity for it appearß forcibly in the present case. At this time the whole of the district is as completely cut oft' from communication with llokitika—the source of all their supplies— as if it were situate on the other side of the Range 3. Tin's anomalous state of matters takes plsiee on the occasion of every heavy shower of rain, and to the repeated entreaties of Lhe Improvement Committee at Ross to the local government here to form a road, the answer has been — that it was not wanted, and it would only prove a useless and expensive outlay. . The correspondent of the " Southland News," writing on the 29th ult. says:— "Bushy Point is still progressing satisfactorily. \About 1350z., of gold was brought in this last week ; the number of miners are about 120 or i 130. A very good sample of scaly gold was shown me that was obtained a few miles I below Bushy Point on the beach, and it is certainly the coarsest gold that has heen obtained on these diggings. As the claims beicome worked out the Point, the miners remove down towards the Mataura, or near the Yellow Bluff, about ten miles from Bushy Point, nnd about twenty fromthe Bluff. The stripping on the beach is very shallow there about one foot, with the usual black sand and 'gravel. A company of Germans I believe, are about to try the terraces, and they - firmly believe they will obtain payable gold. The quantity of gold that is brought in daily to the Bluff from these diggings is no criterion as to the weekly yield ; there are several parties that will not dispose of their gold at the prices offered, but if they do so their return would greatly increase the above amount." The New Zealand " Gazette" of November 6th, states that a despatch from Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State has been transmitted to the colonial authorities, containing an order in Council, passed under the authority of the Passengers Act, 1855, whereby it is enacted that " from and after August 20fch, and so long as this order shall continue in force, every passenger ship carrying more than fifty passengers on any voyage to which the said Act extends, shall, whatever be the duration of the voyage, and subject to the provisions of the 42nd section of the said Acti carry a duly qualified medical practitioner) who shall be rated on the ship's articles." Concluding his circular to Sir George Grey, the Secretary of State writes thus — " I have the honor to transmit to you six copies of this order, and to request that you will cause it to be made public within the limits of your government, and that you will give such further directions as may be requisite for ensuring the observance of its requirements." We have been favored with another inspection of Mr Salomon's magnificent lot of jewellery now on view at tho show-rooms in Temple Chambers, corner of Weld and Revell strsets, and it is impossible for US' to speak too highly of the extreme richness and superior workmanship of this splendid assortment of goods ; everything is of the newest and most elegnnt design, of the purest colonial gold, and set with the most precious of precious stones ;' the most fastidious in taste can have no fault to find here, and Mr Salomon will cheerfully display his wares to all who may pny hiii' a visifc. Description is impossible — we should get bewildered in the attempt — but we would strongly advise all lovers of the beautiful hi gems of works of art to avail themselves of this, perhaps the only opportunity they may have of viewing such a splendid display, especially as Mr Salomon's stay iv Hokitika is limited to this week only. The Wellington "Evening Post," of the 3rd inst. says : — " We understand that an elopement has taken place from this city of a j handsome young lady and a gallant son of Neptune. Tho pair of lovers decamped without beat of drum, and travelled post haste to Wairarapa, where they have been lost sight of. The stern parent of the damsel traced his recreant child to the Lower Hutt, but there he found the uselessness of pursuit, and returned home in no way reconciled to his desertion." The " Nelson Colonist," of the 9th instant contains the following telegram from Wellington :—": — " The Supreme Court has ordered a writ of Habeas Corpus to be issued, directing the Nelson Gaoler to forward Sullivan to Hokitika, to give evidence against Wilson, who is lying in gaol there, charged with the murder of Mr Dobson, at the Grey, iv May last.' The " Grey River Argus," we observe, publishes the same information, which we shall be happy to find correct ; but from enquiries prosecuted by us, we learn that a letter was received on Saturday from the law officers in Wellington, requesting that the necessary affidavit might be made and sent up, prior to an application being made for a writ of Habeas Corpus. Should such be the case, a delay of about three weeks must necessarily tako place before Sullivan can possibly reach Hokitika. We are, however, inclined to believe that the writ has absolutely beon granted ) and that Sullivan may be expected in the course

of this week. If otherwise, rod tapeißm and circumlocution has been at work with a vengeance, as we distinctly understood that; affidavits for a writ were forwarded from Christ, church to Wellington more than six weeks a^o. The Wellington "Advertiser" of the 2nd instant tells the following story :—": — " While tlio cMi,e M i, Queen was taking in cattle yesterday at the wharf, one of them managed to get loose on the deck, and'after careering up and down for some time, made its way into the saloon, to the no small terror of those inside. The beast was, however, turned out again before it had done any damage, and then cooled its ardor by jumping overboard. After swimming about for a short while, it was secured, brought on board, and safely 6towod away in the hold."