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West Coast Times, Issue 391, 24 December 1866, Page 2

Wo have resolve.! to give, our staff the full benefit of the Christmas holidays, and tho West Coast Timks will therefore not be published either to-morrow or on Boxing Day.

The M. & A 9.5. Co.'s s.s. Allmmbra left for Melbourne on Saturday evening, with English mails via Suez, : 190 passengers, aud 6800ozs. of gold dust. The gold is the joint produce of the Grey and Hokitika districts, 1200ozs. having bet n shippe. I at the former port by the Union Bank — the balance, 55000z*., by the Bank of New South Wales, at Hokitika. Out of tho above number of passengers, forty drew their tickets ut Greymouth. " A most melancholy occurrence happened at the Totara crpssing-pkee on Saturday, whiuh lvsulted in the drowning of two men aud two horses. Tho accident was .jaused solely by the imperfect manner in which the lower punt was fa ? tened, and we hope that this sad catastrophe will teach tho necessity of appointing »>me competent person to the office of Inspector of punts and ferries, which so far has not been filled in Wostlinri. The Totaru punt was owne.l and worked by four men. two of whom, named Cusltmnu wore brothers, the names of tho others being Re.mey nnd Mole. On Saturday morning a dray and five horses, belonging to Mr Brooks, of Ligoon Town, left that place loaded with goo Is for Ro,is. The dray was driven by a man known by the name of Toiniry, and reached tho Totara some tim 6 during th« formioon. The leading horses were unhitelu-d, and the other three and the dray were placed upon the punt for conveyance, to the south side of the river. The punt> worked upon two hempen ropes, one on each side of it ou a level with Hie rail, and consequently in tho event of either of these ropes breaking, the leverage •supplied by the other in a strong current (ould hardly fail in upsetting the jurat This was proved on the above occasion when the lower rope carried away, and as a -trong iloo I tide was running in at the time the punt immediately capsized, scooting its freight into tho strea-n, when Reany and Patrick Cushman were carried away and drowned, and two of the hosres met with a similar fate. The o;her horae swam a^h >iv, •md the three men clung to the punt until rescued by a boat which pushed to their assistance. The bodies of the men have not yet been recovered, but the carcases of the horses were washed nshore upon the beach about half a mile to the north of the river.

Another first-class hotel will be opened this day in Hokitika, and one we venture to assert th it can har.llybe sin-passed by any other in New Zealand, either in outward appearance or convenience in its interior arrangements. vVo allude to the Empire Hotel, which under another and less assuming form has been long ami favorably known to the public as a house of the strictest respectability, and one, moreover, in which the creature comforts dispensed could be thoroughly depenclod upon as genuine. Once its appearance vied with that of any establishment of the kind iv town, but being at last thrown somewhat in the shade by tho alterations and ext"ii*ions of many of its rivals, Mr Osbnrne, the proprietor, determined to ke-p pace with the times, and accordingly caused the structure to assume its present fo.'m. The new building was commonced some three months ago from plans drawn out by Mr Smith, tho architect ; an 1, considering its size and the multiplicity of its aivhiteutur.il details, the work has been completed in good time. It occupies one of the be.-t sites in town, bdn« .■otU'ited nt the corner of Rev.4l anJ Cunp streets, and commauds a magnificent view of the roadstead from north to south. The house is two store\s, und covers an area of ground seventy- two 'feet x forty-two feet. The gi ound floor is subdivided into billiard and dinin" rooms, bar, bir-pnrlor, and ihe booking office oT Messrs Cobb & Co. It is entered from Revell street through a c.ipac 0113 lobby, which opens into a liirga hall that is flanked on each side by the bar and parlor, nivt leads into v pas-t-age ihatsep:uiites tho billiardand dining rooms, and extends through the entire 1 ngth of the house to the yard behind. The bar is built in the angle -of the building, and the entrance to it therefore fa>-cs both streets. It is tastefully fitted and furnished, and although at first sight seems rather small, a second glance will convince the observer of the fallacy of such an idea, for it is so constructed as to be accessible on all sides suve one. This is etpl lined if we state that it is separated from the billiard room by a passage whic • runs across the building into ihe hall iroin a side door opening into Camp street, and the back of the bar is provided with a large panel that opens into this passage, whilst another but smaller aperture faces the hull Thus, although the bar is only fourteen feet long, it. possesses twenty-four feet of counter, as the two panels are in length six J feet and four feet respectively. Tho billiard room is a magnificent apartment (46ft. i 20ffc.), surrounded by cushioned seats, and •furnished with two splendid tables of the most approved construction. Tho dining room is lotiy and well ventilated — 40ffc. x 18ft.— in size, and can supply sitting room to fifty persons at one of tho handsomest tables we have ever seen. This piece of furniture demands special mention, us it wao made in Hokitika, of Westlund red pino, by Mr Mo-ttbieß at Wold s-tr'Cci.. wlin replayed fucli skill in worki'«r n irp fJ,«| il i''w.l-.-inv. \u',i:>-. •• Li

appearance tho fiiuMfc mahogany, and affords convincing jtfoof. ot the adaptability of our hutiVe wooils for purposes ttiat require hiyh finish. A flight of stair 3 leads from the hail to tho second _ fluor, which contains twentvthi'co rooms. Of these twenty arc furnished as sl"epi»g apartments, the r<mainder being a club-room, in size 28 feel, by 14, and two private oil ting-rooms for the use of familios. That indispensable adjunct the bath-room limb not been forgotten, as one is being built in which hot or cold witter can be laid on at pluusure. An extensive verandah runs across the back of the building upon a level with this floor, and as it overlooks th<* roadstead, ia a delight i'ul place for a lounge in fine weather. The kitchen is in (he rear of and quite detached from tho main building, and is furnished with every kind of aj-pli.inces for cooking. Its most noticeable feature is a large range resting upon a solid brick formation, at the back of which is a high-pressure boiler, abe to force hot water to any part of the house. Cold water is supplied from four large iron tanks, resting on a Bcaffolilin<r several feet high, and from them pipes lead to the bar, diningroom, billiar 1-room and kitchen. Due regard has been paid to outwarJ appearances, as the building is ornamented with carved work, and surmounted by a balustrade parapet. The bdokim; office of our old friend Cobb and Co. is on the extreme right of the hotel, facing Kevell street, and adds Hot a little to its gener.il appearance. We quito expected that a large nuoibei' of miners would hava left Westkml for the purpose of spending their Christmas in cither of the two chief cities of Australia, where it mi'ut be confessed a greater variety of entertainment is to be met with than in a town so lately settled as Hokitika. Such a desertion, however, has not taken plnce, the miners, as a body, being apparently quite content to participate in the good things at command nearer hqme, and we feel confident th.-y will not b? disappointed, as no end of preparation is making to ensure a merry Christmas. Balls und parties of all kinds will abound, commencing with the grand bal masque to behold this evening at the Prince of Wales Opera House, and which promises to be a very grand affair indeed. On Wedhesdiiy the North Kevell street sports commence, and, as 30t forth in the programme which is published in another column, they can, we think, hardly fail in affording the greatest amu-etnunt and sati-fuction. The sports will include all those divisions usually introduced upon such an occasion, among which we may mention wrestling, racing (hurdle nnd flat), tilting at the rintr, pig catching, sack racing, pick-a-bick tilling, and three-legged racing. The later sport, in which the competitors are lashed in couples, seldom fails in producing tremendous fun, as frequent capsizes are are quite the rule. Comic cocking — a game we often indulge I in during our sihool days, and one which of lute years has become quite tho mge in England — will form a very prominent feature in the sports of Wednesday and Thursday. On the evening of Wednesday a grand bull is to be held at the Post Office Hotel, Gibson's Qimy, and several minor events of the same kmd will complete the week. Monday next is the first day of the fiist races — Avorthy of the name — ever held in West land, and ri^ht sure are we that their success will be complete. Among the many improvements' that have lately taken place in Hokitika we may mention the new establUunent of Mr T. R. Procter — a name as well known in Jfcw Zealand aa in Victoria, where ho was always known us at the head of his profession. The first jewel lor and watchmaker on the West Coast, his place of business next Messrs Builen's was synchronous with the birth of HoLitika ; and a 8 the first to erect, in addition to his usual business, a gold-melting departmout, his claims on tho mining element are supi-rior to those of any ojthi r tra ler in the township. We are happy to see th;it he Ins found his former place of business too confined for lus requirements, and has theivforo removed to new premises opposite the Union Bank, which wo may t-afcly meutios as challenging competition with any in town. Though scarcely a? yet entirely completed, no one can deny that the new establishment is not only an ornament to Hokitika, but is equal to many firstclass houses in much older places ; while the ni'ff stock, which we have lately been permitted to ex.imine, comprises everything in the respective arts of watchmaking anJ jewellery that human desire And caprice c-m possibly look tor — the assortment of Christmas and New Year's presents being especially recherche and valuable. We would advise all possessing friends " near and dear" enough to bo worth the tribute of a trinket with which the " compliments of tl\e season" may be associated (and who has not) to look over our worthy fellow-townsman's stock. The opening ball given by the proprietor at the Ok irita H^fcel, iievall stre ;t, on Frjula,y (vening, was in all respects a complete sue- j cess. Tho attendance of both sexes was numerous, and included the members of the Anciei,it Order of Foresters and Mnßonic Brethren in Hokitika, who appeared in full regalia, and added considerably to tne gay appearance- of the scene. The ball room, which is spacious, was tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens, aiul it was apparent that all present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. In the course of th« evening about 100 Indies and gentlemen sat down to a?i excellent supper, and that portion of the programme having been satisfactorily dieposrd of, dancing was resumed, and kept up by the lovers of Terpsichore until a late, or rather early, hour the next morning. We understand that a company is ah'eady in course of formation to work the q^artzr> ef which we mentioned a day or so ago as having been discovered by Mr Wildridge and party up the Hokitika River. We trust lhat it will be only the first of a long series of similar speculations in the same field, that will bring profit und honor to our enterprising citizens. The Hokitika and Greymoufch Tramway it», in Yankee parl nue, " going ahead," the opening of thu line to the Arahura River (five miles) being announced in our present it-suo to take place to-morrow (Christmas Day). The company haie shown themselves so zealous and energetic in the. Un lerhiking, anil the line itself, from a strictly public point of view is bo valuable, that we doubt not the success tiicv will meet with will satisfactorily |iro>e the goodwill and appreciation of the public. Of the number of passengers who left for 1 Melbourne in the Alhambra on Saturday last, quite one half supplied themselves with return tickets — a suie evidence of the estimation in which they hold Westl.md, aud thus their absence will be only temporary. At tho Residi-nt Magistrate's Court on Satur lay last, 2 drunkards were respectively mulcted in the sum of ss ; m default of payment, 24 hours' imprisonment. James Jirown, c larked with Ituveny from a dwelling, was remanded till the 24iu ir.st. The information against Juo. Davte, for horse-stealing, was dismissed. Jno. S. Beach (on remand), charged with having ob aiucd money un.ier false pretences by means of a valueless cheque, was committed to take his trial at the ensuing i sessions of the Supreme Court to ba hoi ien in Hokitika. James Mori.u-ity (onremml), charged with burglary, was further remanded till the 27tlii»st. Wo learn from Okarita that durin? the fortnight just ended, the decrease in tho population of that district has bden 60 constant and exec-sive that not more th in 650 persons of all classes now remain there. In consequence mmy of the business people have been compelled to close their I'Sfcablifahments aud join the exodus. A gentleman upon whose accuracy wo place the fullest reliance has supplied us with the annexed returns of tho number of ro&idcnts in Okarita town, and the estimated population of the various mining contres in the district : — Township of Okarita, 200; Lonjj Beach, 300; Gillespio's Beach, 50 1 Hunt's Beach und Bruce Bay, f>o ; Haost Ri'Vv'r and the jmnjadiato wutfiWhood. SO. 'lit.l. ti'.P.

The digging community will be glad ftt lenrn that they need not be back to their several, claima until the night of January 3. Soriie doubts as to the actual extent of the already liberal ton days' protection, granted by Mr Commissioner Sale, having arisen — viz., as to whether ckiinholders were obliged to bo absolutely back at their ground on the last day of tho ten. The Commissioner was waited upon on Saturday by Mr Clapcott and the Clerk of the Course, on behalf of tho Stewards of tho Races,, to request the prolongation o£ one days' protection and fun to our hard-working " delvers for gold" We are glad to say, on the authority of Mr P. D. Hamilton, that Mr Sale at once and distinctly declared that any titne during January 3 will be safe for tho return to their various " holes and homes."

The sitfs for booth.*, stallH, stabling, &c, on the new Hokitika Riice-course, ai'e to be sold at auction, by Mr J. Jones, at the Commercial yards, on Wednesday (Boxing Day), at 10 sharp in tho forenoon! We aro requested by the Clerk of the Course to call particular attention to the above day and hour, as in consequence of no newspapers being publish d to-morrow or the next day, he can have no further opportunity to remind intending bidders or the excellent chance awaiting them to gather a hat-full of money. Nobblers will, of course, be a shilling, and the thousands of thirsty holidiiy-folk that are cei-tain to be gathered together for th^ most popular arid enjoyable of our national pastime** must ensure a bumper business to the lucky Bonifaces who secure a stand. Wo can truly assert that seldom or iidver has a race-course been laid out that must concentrate the crowd so close alike to booths and winning-post, or that allows so full a view of the struggles for the different events to those congregated in the purposely limited space between the front of the said booths and the fence of the straight run homo. Purchasers will have the privilege of tho tevitii-e week, and we can mention that a fourth days' sport, including tho funny novelties of a hurdle race for Maori horses, and riders ; a distance handicap (to be called tHe " Long-eared Scutter"), open to ail mules and donkeys, as well as more legitimate events, is already being organised. The attendance of the public each cluy will be much facilitated by the Kanieri Tramway Company running cars every ten minutes, and through an underatan ing having been thoughtfully come to with the boatmen at Geordy's Ferry to keep the fee for crossing the river at only sixpence each way, and to erect broad stages for the safety of passengers embarking or disembarking. Information has already reached the promoters of the Race Meeting that some hall-score of horses pretty well known oil the Canterbury turf are already on their way from Christen ueh, being induced to dare the expense and risk of the long overland journey by the attractiveness of the programme the stewards have issued ; and, as the principal events of the races are handicaps, to be run on tho third day, and the weights to be fi\ed after the stewards have seen the different animals perform on the two previous riavs, there is sure to be every fair chance afforded to all descriptions of nags nominated, whether local or visitors, whilst tho excitement will be great as to whether the South or the We3t shall carry otf the honors. The Clerk of the Course will be in attendance on tho ground at three this afternoon, to point out the silesi as measured and numbered, to any publicans who may wish to in&pect the same ; and moreover, htf begs intending bidders for the right of stabling to also meet him, that he may show thepvesout fixtures and advise certain t-asy and inexpensive additions, for such special accommo lation of the vaee-horses as must be eagerly engaged and prove amply remunerative. Finally, we may mention that the ten fortunate purchasers of booths will have no trouble about the extension of their licenses, as the Resident Magistrate has promised to grunt the required permission through the Clerk of the Course.

Our Fox's River contemporary of the 19th inst. reports that the body of a man was found neur Jacob's Ladder, on the previous Sunday. The deceased was about thirty yeara of as;e, 5 feet 6 inches high, medium size, swarthy complexion, black curly hair and whiskers, blue eyes, gold rings 'in the ears, marked on left arm the form of a heart aud southern cross ; should think him a native of Italy, remarkub'.y handsome features, no marks or acar on any portion of the body, except those described ; is of opinion that he died from disease of the heart, no froth or discharge from the mouth, the countenance placid, his forehead, oval face, Roman nose, smr 11 mouth and regular tee'h. Property : — Old pair blue blanket 8, old tent, pick and shovel, wrapped the body in blanket and tent ; L6l 8s found on his person. , At the Welshman's Terrace (says the I" Brighton Times"), which is situated about ftwo miles from this town, the miners we are happy to'- 9tate seem to be busy at work. There are about 500 men at work all on gold, some are only setting in, anl consequently the I yield is not ascertained, but from reliable information from pirties at work >ye understand there are none of the claims turning out less than LlO to Ll2 a week per man and others what we may term in the mining language " risers " of a substantial nature, together with a few " pilera." Quite a township is now formed, consisting of hotels, stores, and general business establishmfltts.

The Christchurch conveyance reached town at the usual hour on Stturday last. Upon the way-bill were the names of Messrs Kynbett, Kentwell, Walsh, Maxwell, aud Sprot (Sprot & Craig). The " Brighton Times" is the title of a new paper, published for the first time on Weducs lay last, at Fox's Eiver, and a copy of which has just reached us. Judging from tho large population that is now assembled there, a local journal must be a necessity, and wo are glad to notice the promptitude with which the field has been taken. It is creditably got up, and appearances warrant us in believing the proprietors will be well repaid for their enter- 1 prise. We would remind our readers that on Wednesd;iy evening next Mr Hansen gives his Grand Ball, at the Post Office Hotel. Great uxertions are being made to ensure eclat to the oeca-ion, as tho best bank in Hokitika has been engaged, and the decoration of the ballroom (which is 60ft x 30ft.) entrusted to an experience.l artiste. Supper will be laid out m an adjoining room, anil promises to comprise every delicacy that the town can pro- i dtice. The convenience of the fair sex has been duly studied, as a suite of rooms is to be specially set apart for their accommodation. We hope to hear that Mr Hanson's entertainment was weil patronise.).

On every side preparations are making to receive jolly " Old Christmas" with befitting respect and ceremony. Butchers' shops are already groaning under the weight of a superabundance of prime meat, whilst the grocers' establishments are set forth with a mo^t tempting display of the material for the manufacture of those good things without which Christmas would be not Christmas at all. As it is, proverbially, a thirsty season, brewers have increased their stocks to be in readiness for the expected demand ; and prodigious exertions are making by the cordial and gingerbeer, &c. rankers, to provide an abundant supply of those beverages so much in favor in Hokitika. We strolled through the establishment of Messrs Mace & Dixon the other day, and wore surprised at the extent of thoir preiuiees and the multiplicity of appliances they havo at command for the production of cordials and syrup of all kinds, and every description of effervescing drink, for which they are justly celebrated. As makers of the highly esteemed Quinine Champagne, Messrs Mace & Dixon aro not to bo surpassed. Mr Dixon, wo believe, having obtained tho recipe from the original makers of that most delightful tonic One part of their establishment is Bet apart for the bottling of English ale and porter, of which they always keep large stocks on hand— usually 2000 dozen of bottled, whilst the tiers of <?asks ranged on enob. sidle tfc* sh;>l uHvt-i \<> lUo ijiuuliiv in bulk.