West Coast Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 394, 29 December 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1866.

From Christchurch we learn that on Wednesday in the Provincial Council Mr Barff' s Medical and Educational Bills wore recommitted, and Mr Hoos' Hospital Bill was read a second time ; Mr Bright's motion for a grant to establish a law library was carried after some opposition ; Mr Barff's motion for a grant of LIOOO in aid of prospecting was negatived, as also his motion for a vote of a like sum for the various religious denominations in Westlaiid : in this last Mr Barff appears to have been unsupported by his colleagues, Messrs Bright, Cassius, Hoos and Whall speaking against the motion, the division on which showed — ayes, 7, noes, 29. On Thursday Mr Bright's Bill to validate the Hokitika municipal elections passed its second reading, the Corporation Bill being postponed. In Committee of Supply theordinary estimates were passed, though there was considerable opposition on several items, led by Messrs Garrick and Buckley, two members of Mr Stewart's late Ministry, but who are not included in that just formed. We understand that Mr Garrick's opposition was most factious, and out of all taste, but the two gave the opposition a "majority on the disputed items. The late compact parties are now thoroughly broken up. The late divisions have been 20 to 17, and 17 to 15 against Ministers. The proposal to have a responsible Treasurer, with salary, lias been defeated. Mr Duncan's salary as Provincial Solicitor has been reduced by LSO, and as Crown Prosecutor by LIOO. The House adjourned till 7 o'clock last evening, when the debate on the Westland estimates was to open. We understand that mischief has been openly threatened, and separation urged by the Eastland members. Among the many entertainments- provided dm'ing the Christmas holidays we omitted to mention the supper and ball given by Mr Hansen, on Wednesday evening last, at the Post Office Hotel. The dancing was earned on in the building of the late Universal Bond, which now forms portion of the above named hotel, which, with this latest addition, may be considered one of the largest establishments of the kind in Hokitika. The magnificent ball room, as decorated for the occasion, presented a sight unequalled in town, and we daresay not to be surpassed in the colony. The attendance was rather meagre in spite of the \ very excellentarrangements made by Mr Hansen for a large number of friends. Those present, I howe ver.seemedtoenjoy themselves thoroughly. It would be invidious making distinctions where all strove to please ; yet it is but justice to refer to the admirable manner in which Mr Potter. Ml.Cm. conducted the dancing, and to j the tasteful *le/>Hnnp of musjc "played by the ' bund. At tfie supper table (lie usual toa«ls wero given and responded to, the proprietor replying m feolinj^ towns to (hot of tho "Host and Hostess." Considerable amusement and disgust was created by a geutleinan present giving a humorous account of a late trip he made overland to Christchurch — then hiking the steamer to Wellington, and thence by the same means to the Hokitika roadstead, where his wanderings came to au unexpected termination. A number of the gentlemen present wore under the impression, that the plaudits that greeted the speech were singularly illtimed and exceedingly wanting in taste. Otherwise, the entire proceedings were throughout conducted, and wound up at an early hour morning, in perfect harmony and good feeling. The body of the unfortunate man Eenny, who was drowned through the upsetting of the Totara punt, was picked up on Wednesday evening, a few yards only from the spofc where the remains of Cashmore was cast ashore. The body is to be removed to town this morning, and an inquest will be hold upon it at 10 o'clock, at the Robert; Burns Hotel. The inclement weather which commenced yesterday, promised to compel a postponement of the concluding part of the regatta, which was advertised to commence at eleven o'clock. Happily, however, the sky had cleared before that hour arrived,' and preparations were mado for the scullers rase, which came off on the preceding afternoon, but, ending in a dispute, the steward? determined that it should be run over againi those boats which fouled so disgracefully being disqualified. The Eebecca and Ripple, two kmart racing pkiffs were the only entries, theft appearance apparently deterring heavier built craft from entering the lists. At two o'clock the two boats took up their stations, the Rfebecca being pulled by Stewart, and the Ripple |)y Hawkins! A good start was effected, but immediately afterwards the Ripple drew ahead, and on rounding the upper buoy, was threo lengths in advance. At every stroke she increased her lead, and came down the river at a spanking rate towards the starting point ; and it was evident that the chances of the Rebecca were small indeed, and so thought Stewart, as he gave in when abreast the Transit-shed ; and the Ripple having pulled round the course, was declared the winner. The next event was the sailing race between water nen's skiffs for which there were six entrie — the Alabama, Prince Alfred, Pickwick, Ai ie, Pride of Erin, and Reliance. The boats gi t away well together, Pride of Erin taking the lead, which she maintained, closely followed by Prince Alfred round the first buoy, the rest of the boats being well together. In this order they ueared the starting poini, and an exciting contest was anticipate!, when a heavy S.W. squall swept up the rver, aud in a jiffy disabled the leading boat, for carrying her mast away, drove the Alabama ashore, and laid the Prince Alfred on her beam ends' half filling her with water. Tip last two gave up the race, but the crew <f the other boat were not to bo discouraged, Is they up with the m»st again and lasheq it to the stump with the yoke ropes, and under half mainsail continued the race, liis mishap materially altered the order of sf ling, as in the meantime the Reliance hag taken first I>lace, Pickwick and Anne beinj still some distance astern. Notwithstanding her crippled condition Pride of Erin shaped Avell for the second prize, as she rounded the lower buoy far ahead of those two, but nearly a quartor-of-a-mile astern of tjie Reliance, which came in a winnerj by seven minutes ; Pride of Erin second, the others nowhere. The distance was run by the Reliance in 43 minutes, and by the Pride of Erin in 50. The latter must have taken the racs but for the damag* to her mast aB she is a boat of very superior tailing qualities. This was the la«t race on tha'programme and tin- regatta concluded with] a gig and dingy race, which created immease fun and excitement. Mr Jliiuson, of the Cleveland Hotel, aoled as _ starter and judge, and performed the duties of both offices in a most «ofisJartnry manner.

There wa3 a vt-ry perceptible dtwase yesLerdny in the number of our country visitors, who on Christmas and Boxing days so thronged the streets as to ronder progression along them » a work of no small difficulty. Enough, howe^cr. remained to form a very numerous crowd, \v]\\ch at midday assembled to witness the continuation of the Middle Revell street sporls; These re-commene&d-vwith a walking match \open to all comers, but for which, however, there wero two entries only, in the nnmes of 'Dent and ShapparuT ~"Tho men got away wolf Uigc^hcr^^nd after a very close contort the former v, lia declared the winner. This event w»is followed by a boys' flat race, and seven little l<4!ows camo to tho scratch ; the match being cleverly won by young Kennedy, son of our old townsman Harry Kennedy, of Club Hotel reminiscences. But the main attraction of the day's proceedings was the wrestling match, whicu came off in a well pitched but rather small ring situated close to the junction of Weld and Revell streets. Fourteen stalwart specimens of humanity entered the lists, and wrestling off for standards commenced at midday, by which time a thousand spectators were assembled round the ring. The pairing of the men was most judiciously and fairly effected by Messrs Hodges and Webb, who wore chosen as " sticklers," both being men of note in the wrestling ring, whilst the thankless office of referee was ably filled by Mr Gundry, a Cornish wrestler of great experience. No time was wasted in the preliminary contest, as in little more than an hour the "standards" were declared, their names being Cumming, Bray, Gordon, Rodgers, Uren, Cox, and Warwick. Rodgera was declared the odd man, and the remaining six being paired, the three last named were thrown, and the final struggle commenced, when Gordon and Bray were thrown by Cunrming and Rodgers, who thereupon wrestled off for the first prize. It was won by the former ; Rodgers taking the second, the third being divided by Bray and Gordon. A sack race finished the day's sports. Another grand wrestling match, according to Cumberland and Westmoreland rules, will take place to-day in the same ring. The entries made last night, at the Empire Hotel, for the different events put forth by the Stewards of the Hokitika Races, proved a most triumphant success, and Monday next will properly initiate the West Coast public to the most popular, exciting, and "payable" of our national pastimes. Owing to tho number of entries, and the late hour at which the necessary proceedings terminated, we are unable to publish a list of the horses engaged ; but the Clerk of the Course informs us that " correct cards " will be issued, about noon to-day, in an original book form, so that everyone may at once obtain authorised information about owners, horses, weights, colors, distances, and so forth. A carefully arranged betting-sheet is part of the card, for speculators to at once pencil down their givings or takings of odds. We are glad to hear that yesterday's rain has done no iniury to the course ; and if the weather only holds up the running will be very tolerable for so newly and quickly cleared an area. Great pains have been taken to secure the utmost comfort and enjoyment for visitors, as the Kanieri tramway will run cars; return tickets at only one shilling will be issued at Geordie's Ferry, and wide stages be erected for passengers to get in and out of the boats. A lofty and ample grand stand is erected at cheap admission rates ; the publicans' booths promise to rival in outside show the goud things provided inside ; the entire running of the horses is in easy view of all spectators ; the best brass band ever in Hokitika is specially engaged to enliven the scene; and last, not least, no horseman will be allowed to career about the course, and thus impede a good look at the actual racers. Moreover, accommodation for horses engaged in the different events, as well as for vistors' hacks, is especiallyjjirranged for by Mr Edwardsj the purchaser pTvhe right. The drawing of sweeps, on each event of the programme will commence at eight this evening, at the Empire Hotel.