West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 370, 29 November 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1866.

We are compelled to hold over our usual leader to make room for our Special Correspondent's Report on Westland affairs in the Provincial Council, which we desire to give in full, as it contains many matters of importance to this district not touched upon in the report lately extracted from the " Lyttelton Times."

' The opening of tlie Hokitika and Greymouth tramway to tlio Throe Milo Creek took place yesterday, an experimental trip being first made by the directors and a party of friends for the purpose of inspecting the line. About one o'clock they took their seats to the number of thirty-two, in the new and elegant carriage constructed for the company by Mr J". Gibson, and were conveyed at a fair speed to their destination, the time occupied on the upward trip being twenty-eight minutes, and on return being effected in twonty-five. The road bore in many placefa evidences of incompleteness, the late heavy weather having seriously interfered •with the contractors' operation*, especially in tho item of ballasting ; but a largo number of men beiug actively engaged, this fault will soon disappear, to tho eousidorablo acceleration of the rate of travelling. When it is considered that tho heavy load above mentioned was drawn by a single horse, that the roadway consists as yet of nothing but soft sand, andthat in many places the sleepers were almost bare, wo have no doubt it will be conceded that tho speed was remarkably good, and that sufficient proof is shown of the great economy of labor and tiruo ©fleeted by the ÜBe of such tramways. Several trips wero subsequently made, and <he utmost satisfaction was expressed by all who availed themselves of the opportunity. Tho bridge over the Three Mile Creek is oxpectcd to bo finished by Saturday, and tho contactors stato that fourteen fine days more will enablo them to complete the lino to the Arahura. At a meetiug of tho Directors, held last night, it was resolved that the chief Government officials in Hokitika should bo invitod to visit and inspect tho line, for which purpose a spocial train will bo resorvod on Friday afternoon, weather per-/ mitting. / Tho overland road is once more in good order, as may be inferrod from the fact that tho coach from Christchurch arrived in town yesterday afternoon at half-past four o'olock— an hour and a-half before its usual time. Messrs Cassius (M.P.C.), Campboll, and Bonsu&an, were the only passengers. Tho intelligence brought down from Pakihi by the cutter Volunteer is so far satisfactory tho miners there boing described as doing well, and the diggings gradually extending. Provisions, however, are exceedingly scarce, and rule at famine prices, as the difficulty of landing goods at tho cove is nearly insurmountable. LlOperton is the price of freight from the Buller. There was no criminal business transacted at the Resident -^Magistrate's Court yesterday.