West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 572, 25 July 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1867.

A Session of Council that has proved in almost every respect unsatisfactory to this district, has been brought to a close ; and the members for Westland return to their constituents with feelings very dissimilar to those with which in January last they came came back to Hokitika under circumstances of almost triumph. They brought with them then tho prestige of labors appreciated both by their constituents and in tho Council itself, and of work of great importance to their district actually done. They had a proud consciousness of power which the wholo of the incidents of the session had naturally inspired ; and they were justified in looking forward to a new session as promising them a further opportunity of serving the great interests they represented. We re : member the hopefulness with which they spoke of the future on every occasion of their public appearance, As they put the case— they had established a footing in the Council ; their support had been, sought by contending parties ; they had carried many important measures, aud by instructing the House in Westland affairs and obtaining many useful returns, had laid the foundations of other measures of equal importance, and of a more advanced character. They had obtainad the promise of a Commission to adjust the vexed question of the debt, to report upon the Civil 'Service, to enquire into the management of local institutions, and to recommend a scheme for the future government of the district, of which constitutional responsibility should be a component element. Moreover, they were the precursors of that promised visit of the Superintendent, during which everything was to be done to redress grievances, correct anomalies, put a stop to the voico of complaint, and setthe whole machinery in the smoothest possible working order. Immediately following their arrival amongst us, came his Excellency Sir George Grey, who had complied with their request that he would defer his visit until they could be on the spot to grace his reception. They were prominent figures in the welcoming ceremonials ; and his Vice-royalty spoke very handsomely indeed of the district and of the members who had it in charge. Very prcud men were they in those days ; very jubilant of spirit ; very conscious of what they had done, aoid very confident of power to do more.

Well, they are back again amongst us after another session. And how do they return? Very much more like sheep coming home with their tails behind them, than like conquerors with their laurels about their heads. In good sooth, they have done very little — we use the <vord done in the sense of achieved. We arc free to confess that it is not their fault, but rather their misfortune. They took their place as bravely as ever ; as full of spirit and as well assured of victory. But"they found the disposition of the forces completely changed, They were without allies. Their old friends had grown cold in their friendship, or gone over to the other side. Even those they had best served did not lose the opportunity of letting it be seen that their service was no longer of any moment. As usual, our members opened the fight with the discharge of small arms. They asked questions, gave notices of motion, obtained returns. By this time parties had begun to shape themselves, or rather the tactics of the House began to be displayed. Westland found itself in a critical position for the first time, when the policy of the Ministry was disclosed — the main features of it being the amalgamation of accounts, under the pretext of a " forgiveness of the debt," and the seizure for provincial, railway, and harbor works, of two-fifths of the revenue. They were at once placed in a necessary position of antagonism to tho Government ; but, in face of the very clear interpretation of the law, which showedthattheland revenue, out of which two-fifths could be appropriated) was only the " surplus" which remained After all the cost of administration and public works on the goldfields had been defrayed, Ministers abandoned their propOsal to take L 26.000 away from us this year, and more or less, as the case may be, each succeeding year, and allowed their memorable Bill for indemnifying the Provincial Treasurer for a misappropriation of public revenues to lapse. Here, then, was the great point against which' an attitude of strong opposition had been assumed retreated from by the enemy; There was nothing left to oppose, and thp

weakness of tlie political position was foil and had its effects. The desirability of maintaining the two accounts separate, and of adjusting the debt, was affirmed on the motion of Mr Ornisby ; but the Government, declining to act upon the latter part of the resolution, and Mr Ormsby declining on being challenged to take any further steps in the matter, on the ground that he was not obliged to take Executive action — that subject lapsed. Westland was thus left again without a position. At this point began the series of counter movements against the district and its members. The "Limitation of Patronage" Bill, introduced by Mr Trarers, was an undisguised, although disavowed attack upon the members of the late Commission, and upon the Government who had (that gentle man held) by appointing them, rewarded political service in the past, and attempted to bribe it in the future. Mr Sheath's motion for a return of all moneys paid to members of the Council, was conceived in the same spirit, as was his subsequent motion — declaring it to be dangerous for any moneys to be paid to members for expenses, except under warrant of the Speaker. Mr Wynn Williams' resolutions in favpr of a practical casting off of Westland as an encumbrance, were withdrawn, on the ground that it was inexpedient to entertain the question pending the action of the General Assembly. It was pretty well understood, however, that had they been pressed, Mr Williams's resolutions would have been to an almost certainty carried. By this time, the feeling of the majority against Westland had settled down ; and everything on behalf of the district had to encounter a dead weight of opposition. It displayed itself in all ways. The item of interest on the overdraft, which was placed by the Government on the ordinary Estimates, was struck out with a view to its transfer to the Westlaud Estimates. When the latter were brought down, the sum of L7OOO was accordingly placed upon them, and carried in spite of protest, thus foreclosing altogether the disputed question of the debt, and fixing the whole liability of the over-draft upon this district. All considcraUons of equity had now come to be cast aside. The temper of the House was unmistakably that of a general raid upon Westland. Iv a fit of hypocritical economy, the Eastland Estimates for Public Works were cut down. To be " consistent," the Ea»tland members decided on an enormous reduction, also, of the Public Eoads item for the West Coast. Shortly after, they placed on the Supplementary Estimates a sum or sums amounting to L 23,000, to atone for the reduction in tlie ease of tho eastern aide, but could not think of/stultifying themselves by placing on the Supplementary Estimates the much more modest sum of L900O ! We need not in the present article further recount the history of the session. Not only in these larger, but in an infinitude of smaller matters the Westland members found themselves surrounded on all sides by enemies open or covert. Is it wonderful that they have been discoraged, and have relaxed in efforts that it was felt were useless ? That their later tone in the Council has been that of remonstrance and protest rather that appeal and argument ? That they have felt no longer what they certainly did feel last session, that they were part and parcel of a House willing and anxious to do- justico "to '.'the' district, and came to the conclusion that they were an obstructive clement in a hostile camp ? In saying that they come bpek to us somewhat in the character of men defeated and baffled in most of the ends they have aimed at. We have no wish to detract from the real merit of their labors, or the real value of what services they have been enabled to render — nor indeed do we at all exhaust the history of a session, out of which political changes are certain to grow.

Copies of the Melbourne papers containing full details of the English news, of which we gave a brief summary by telegram in a former issue, reached us last night via Christchuvch. We have copiously extracted from them, and to make room for the press of matter have added a two page supplement to this day's edition of the Times.

A mooting of the members of the Wcstknd Separation League was held lnst evening at the Empire Hotel ; Mr R. Reeves in the chair. One hundred and two members were enrolled. Mr Shaw said it was evident, from the number of persons joining the league, that a very great interest was felt on the necessity of a change in the Government of Westland. He proposed that the meeting should at once proceed to the election of the officers of the League, who could make arrangements for holding a public meeting, at which the Westland members should be invited to attend, and state the views entertained in Eastland towards Westland. Mr Klein thought that Mr Cassius should be appointed Chairman of the League. Mr Shaw had no personal objections to Mr Cassiua, but he thought it not desirable that any of the Westland members should bo appointod as an officer of the League. Mr Rees seconded Mr Shaw's motion, but suggested that the Committee, Treasurer, and Secrotarv'ahonld bo appointed now, and that the Committee should appoint the Chairman. Mr Shaw expressed his willingness to modify his motion as suggested by Mr Rees. Mr Klein moved, as an amendment, that tho mooting be adjourned, and that Mr Cnssius bo invited to attend and stato liib views on the subject. Dr. Mourilyan seconded the amendment. After some discussion, the motion and amendment were withdrawn, and Mr Shaw moved — "That the lion. Secretary be empowered to call a meeting of the members of the League for\M6nday evening next, and invito the in,embeVs for Hokitika and the Goldfields to attend, and give an exposition of their views on the question of Separation." Mr Roes seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously* The meeting terminated with a voto of thanks to the Chairman. The coach from Christchuroh arrived last

night at half-past five o'clock. Tho road is stated to be in good condition. Passengers all through — Mossrs Lahore, Bryan, Harper and Mitchell. The Westland English mail via Suez also arrived, and is described by Mr Sheppcrd as one of tho heaviest yet delivered here. •

There were thirty-four cases set down for hearing at the sitting of the Insolvent Court iv Christchurch, on the 24th inst.

Tho surf was breaking very high on the beaches yesterday, and on the north beach the water dashed' into the Empire right-of-way. The embankment of sand bags at the back of Messrs Cobb and Co's stables answered admirably in arresting the influx of the tide, for had it not been for this" work it is probable that the whole of the stables would have been under water. * •• ; The City Theatre was crowded to overflowing last evening, when Mr Ingles took his benefit, and the various performances passed off very successfully. Mr O'Neil, as " Handy Andy, 1 ' was a capital impersonation of a " broth of a boy," and Mr T. J. Peel, the Champion Dancer, was loudly applauded. We congratulate Mr Ingles upon the success which has attended his efforts to provide amusement to the public. Mr and Mrs O'Neil have kindly consented to remain another night prior to departing to fulfil an engagement at Ross, and accordingly tomorrow evening is announced as a Grand Hibernian '.Night, the pieces selected being " The Limerick Boy," and " Handy Andy."

Mrs Mathieu, whose husbaud was murdered by Burgess aud gang, has received a grant of LIOO from the General Government.

On the 18th instant the Nelson Council, on the motion of Mr Donne, voted a sum LIOO as a reward for tho discovery of a practicable track from Brighton to tho Little Grey. This contrasts strangely with the action of the Canterbury Government in like matters.

The Nehon papers state that the health of Mr Justice Richmond is in a very unsatisfactory state. It is feared he will be unable to attend the sittings of the Court of Appeal at Wellington.

A " Provincial Gazette," dated 20th inst., contains a proclamation under the Goldfields Act, withdrawing a bcction of -laud from the goldficlda. Notice is given that anyone killing or selliug game without a license will bo prosecuted. Auctioneers' licenses have been taken out by Mossrs G. D. Lockhart, Mark Sprot, G. W. Bimiey, J. R. Carey, J. Jones, A. W. Gillies, and Donald M'Lcan. It is also notified that his Honor the Superintendent has made certain reserves temporarily.

The late floods iv New South Wales were no less severe in the Braidwood district than' iv other parts of the colony, as wo see by a Sydney telegram, published in the " Melbourne Herald," that " Reports were received in town from tho Araluen diggings very similar in their character to those previously to baud from other flooded townships. The whole valley of the Araluen Creek has been more or less flooded, and the diggings, both upper and lower, are almost entirely submerged. Tho terrific force of the current destroyed all the works of the miners, and earned their washdirt away, spreading it out over the large flat below the township, which is one immense lake, and the low-lying country is covered with water, stretching away to the junction with the Moruya River. The township has suffered considerably, as well as the neighboring settlers; but the diggers have lost everything. Eleven hundred of them are being relieved."

The "Southern Cross" makes the* following interesting remarks on tho changes'- that have been effected in Pai Marii r e^m g ,sjnce the close of the war in the North: — "First, as to the religioiis condition -of" these people. Hau Hau-ism, in its most violent form, has passod -away, at least in the vicinity of the King's place. There are now no exciting dances round poles, or exhibitions of frantic gesticulations. Te Ua is now never mentioned, Te Wliiti and Te Tou, of Taranaki, formerly slaves of the Waikatos, being the fancied prophets of God. Matutuera's authority as Kiug has been increased by religious power, and he is now addressed as an ' atua,' or deity — Tawhiao te Maiiaaki, Tawhiao the Gracious — as having been ' anointed by the Lord a prop to which the gracious sayings to the world may be bound.' Much time is spent by the people in prayer; the forms of the Ohaoha system having, to a great extent, superseded the wild ravings of Hau Hau-ism. To Paea (the Princess Sophia) is the principal woman in the Maori kingdom, but the chief ' medium ' of revelation is ' Margaret, a sister of Matutaera. Tho women have great influence in the modification which tho native faith has of late assumed. -All European customs are being given up ; the names of the months and of the days of the week are being changed ; and the baptismal names of individuals are now rejected for tho old Maori titles. Tho Sabbath is not at all regarded, bis certain days arc set aside for special prayer."