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West Coast Times, Issue 388, 20 December 1866, Page 2

Our Christchurch advices reached us yesterday at an unusually early hour as the overland coach arrived in town at ten minutes' before four o'clock in the afternoon. This is the quickest journey yet made on the lino, and a proof of what can be accomplished by first-class teams and skilful "whips" under moderately favorable circumstances. Amongst the passengers was Mr Cassius, M.P.C., who has taken the opportunity afforded by the long adjournment of the Council to visit Westland and attend to his private interests. Mi- Cassius purposes returning to Ch listchurch by Wednesday next, so us to be in time to take part in the proceedings at the reassembling of tho Council. The Provincial Government "Gazette" of tho Ist instant gives notice that all title dee<ls of the various sections sold in Hokitika at the last Crown lands sale are ready for delivery to the respective buyers at the Land Office, Ckristchurch. Relative to this notice wo may state that according to the " Crown' Grants Act" (39th clause), which was passed October 8, 1866 (tho above clause and the two preceding it published in the West Coast Times, on Nov. 9), it is incumbent on the part of grantees to claim the title deeds within, or at the expiration of, three months after due notice has been given that siu-h are ready for delivery, otherwise they are charged a lee of sixpence for every month that the deeds are left in charge of tho officer appointed to deliver them. Accordingly, after the Ist of March next, this fee will be chargable upon all unclaimed Crown grants of land sold in Hokitika in August last. Clause 37 of the same Act declares that a fee of Ll is chargeable upon every such section or Crown grunt that does not exceed 100 acres in extent. Wo very much regret that in our notice of the Church of England tea meeting, which appeared in yesterday's Times, the names of Mrs Cruig^ and Mrs Cooper were omitted from the list o{ ladies who prpvided tho tables, and r

co gracefully pre&idod at them. We need scaivoly say that this error crept in quite unintentionally, and we sincerely trust the ladies referred to will accept our apology. We owo a similar cxpl mation to Mr Ilollowav, who kindly presided at the pianoforte, and by his excellent performance contributed in a very great decree to the pleasure which all wlio atl ende 1 conft ssed they derived from the evening's entertainment. . We understand that political party feeling runs high in Christchurch, the Jollic and Stewnrt cliques being in buttle array against c.ich other. The fight is to be waged to the uttermost, the partisaus of Mr Jollie having determined to prevent, if possible, the re-elec-tion of tho new (Stewart) Ministry. Tho greatest excitement prevails, and it is satisfactory to know that the influence of Westland in the struggle is fully recognised and assiduously courted. So far her members hate a dignified and independent standing, which wo trust will be maintained to the end. We would remind our readers that tho Hokilika amateur dramatic performance takes place this evening at the Prince of Wales Opera House. Tlie proceeds arc to bo devoted to the Hokitika Hospital. The pieces solccted are " All that Glitters is not Gold," and (> Brother Bill and mo." Wo heartily wish the club every success, and trust that their efforts will meet with public support. At the Resident Magistrates' Court yesterday, Wm, H. Chamberlain was committed to take his trial at the ensuing sessions of tho Supreme Court, for wilful and currupt perjury. The charge against John Acheson Carr was then partially heard and adjourned till 10 a.m. this morning. The Groy district apparently can boa«t of far more practicable tracts than we of Hokitika, judging from the local journal, which says — "A horseman can now reach the Inangahua without dismounting, and even a buggy could be driven over the saddle. The Nelson Government certainly deserve praise for their attention to the means of communication, and although comparisons arc proverbially odious, we cannot refrain comparing the excellent road to the Twelve-mile with the wretched quagmire which is called tho track to the Arnold." The overland inailfrom Okarita arrived yesterday, and we aYe informed by Mr Allen's mailman that his journey was marked by a niost melancholy occurrence, which unhappily was attended by loss of life. On reaching tho Little Wah^anui River Mr Allen hailed a boatman on this side to ferry him over, and his summons was promptly *ii'«poud..-l lo by an Italian known hy the n-ime of ''John,'" who at once pusUsJ^oli' for tho southern shore. Tly-tf^ffr, however, was high and »'api*gfw\Atlip.«y'ff.Bi-pwred too heavy for tho unfortunate man to contend against, as tho boat was hurried into the surf and M\vamp<d. John immediately struck out for ihe shore, and made desperate efforts to reach it , but failed to do so, as the back tow was fearful. Ha then made for the boat again and succeeded in gaining it, and for a quarter of in hour was observed clinging to it by the mailmen. He then disappeared, having — there is no doubt — been washed off and drowned. Allen waited upon the beach for three hour's, Hoping to recover the body, but never saw it afterwards. An inquest upon the body, which in our last issue we stated had been found on the South Spit on Tuesday, was yesterday held at the Hospital, by Dr Beswick, the district coroner, and the verdict " found drowned" returned. The usital Avcekly niceliiig of tho Hokitika Literary and Debating Society was held last night. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, when Mr M'Haffie, in a very able speech, opened tho debate on the question — " Has the white man any right to take up his abode in New Zealand contrary to tho will of its original inhabitants." The discussion was kept up with unflagging zeal, and its further consideration adjourned to tho i next night of meeting. r We (•' Grey River Argus") are indebted to Mr Warden Li»htband for a few items of mll formation from the diggings up the river. \ The new lead recently discovered at Sullivan's llGully is expected td prove a permanent digJguigs. Doolau and party have tunnelled into the telVace and struck gold in payable quantities, and others have done the same. A new township has sprung up, and great confidence is felt in the future development of the district. At Duffers' the sluicing and terrace claims are giving employment to a good number of men, and yielding good average returns, but otherwise the , district is dull owing to tho exodus to the Pakihi and Fox's. Modillight Gully is keeping* up its character, and is steadily "improving ; some remarkably heavy gold has been found lately, and the claims generally are paying well. "The Little Grey and lnangahua are ahno3t abandoned, the population having gone to the Coi3t 3 but those who remain are making good returns, and are satisfied that the population will ultimately return. The Ahaura Township is becoming quite an important town, with all the evidences of permanency. Building is going on actively, and several substantial erections have been pnt up. Generally speaking, the diggings up the Grey are dull, but there appears to bo a firm conviction that a reacion will set in, and that the district will beforo long recover its wonted population. By advertisements in our columns of to-day it will be seen that the sites for ten publicans' booths, two pastry and fruit stalls, one restaurant, and the sole right of stabling, will bo sold at auction by Messrs Jones and Co., at their Commercial Sale Yards, on Wednesday next (Boxing Day), at ten in the forenoon. Attention is also called, from owners of horses, lo the necessity of all entries being made by nine p.m. on Friday, 28th iust., at Osborne's Enipiro Hotel. We notice, moreover, that the latest style of " Cards of ihe Races " are to be published in a novoi book form, and those who intend to avail themselves of the limited space specially reserved for this excellent opportunity of advertising must at once make tho necessary arrangements. We regret that an error in our advertising columns of yesterdiy's issue should have occasioned inconvenience to the members of the Kilwinning Lodge of Westland. In the notice of the meeting convened by the worshipful master for this evening, the time of assembly read yesterday evening *• instead ; the members mustered accordingly. The lodge will be held to-night. We arc indebted to our Grey contemporary for tho following items of mining news from that district : — " Some time ago it was mentioned that gold bad been struck on a terrace bordering the Totara Flat. It is quite true that gold was found, but it did not prove to be in payable quantities. The persons who made the discovery have sufficient faith, however, to induce them to drive a tunnel into the terrace in the expectation of finding a lead.— The onee 7 famed North Beach Diggings have almost faded out of remembrance, but they are still handsomely repaying the few parties who remain on tho terrace. There are not more than about 70 or 80 miners between the Grey and Point Elizabeth, but all are doing well. One party on the Darkies' Terrace washed up lately, and havo a parcel of over 300 ounces of gold. This does not look as if the North Beach was "done." — The Ahaura River has recently attracted the attention of prospectors, and we learn that one I party have discovered payable gold about 20 i miles up the river. The prospects, although , not sufficiently tempting to create a rush, are, however, satisfactory ; and, as tho country in that direction is likely-looking, it is believed a good " tucker diggings" exists there." The Hobnrt Town "Mercury" has the following. — "About midday on the 21st a lad about eleycn years of age, son of an industrious laboring man, named Michael Duffey, living at the Goat Hill, Glenorchy, was killed by tho bite of a snake. It appears that the boy had gone to the creek to drink some water, and that, whiht in the act of drinking, a snake bit him on the arm. The bito was of so venomous a nature t]jat the poor boy died about five o'clock the same afternoon," l