West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 1807.

West Coast Times, Issue 602, 29 August 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 1807.

The requisition to Mr Bonar, and his reply to it, are both couched in terms remarkably explicit and straightforward. The requisitionists indulge in no idle compliments. Contenting themselves with the simple assurance that they hold Mr Bonar in high estimation as a private citizen, they base their request to him to become a candidate for the representation of Hokitika, on specific grounds altogether apart from any considerations of personal qualification. They begin and they end with, the assertion of a great political principle — viz., that the acceptance of office by Mr Bonar as Goldfields Secretary,' imperatively domands his presence in the Provincial Council, and that no good can arise from the creation of the ne^v office unless the occupant of it holds a seat in the legislature. There is something refreshing to us in this manly outspokenness in an election address- There is no circumlocution about it; no wrapping up of a substantive meaning in a multiplicity of words. Any man of sound common sense and rectitude of purpose, might feel flattered by having a requisition presented to him so frankly framed. This is evidently Mr Bonar's own feeling, fie states that his reason for presenting himself to the electors arises from his entire -agreement with the requisitionists that " anyone holding the position of Secretary for the Goldfields should be a responsible member of the Executive, aud have a seat in the Provincial Council."

That is precisely the view that Avas insisted on by the whole of the Westland members during the last tAvo sessions of the Council. It Avas the substance of the motion proposed by Mr Hoos. And if it had been conceded at an earlier period, before the angry feelings that characterised the close of the session were engendered, it would have been accepted as a satisfactory settlement. Mr Bonar's appointment •appeal's to fulfil all the conditions that were demanded; and it seems to us to be an exceedingly ungracious thing towards the members Avho fought so hard and so long to get a Goldfields Secretary appointed, that their policy should be now repudiated by any section of the electors. We are glad to find the name of Mr Cassius at the head of Mr Bonar's requisitionists. Mr Cassius in this matter at all events has acted a consibtent part. He joined Avith his colleagues in demanding a Minister for Westland who should give the two guarantees of responsibility — a seat in the Executive and a seat in the Provincial Council. He now supports Mr Bonar's election on the very clear and intelligible ground that his presence in the Legislature is an essential condition of his responsbility.

Mr Bonar's return will not embarrass the great central question of Separation. No member of the League need hesitate to support him His appointment to office is an instalment of the justice of which Separation will be the full complement. We regret that Mr Prosser has placed himself in so false a position. His address to the public is as singularly void of all explanation of the grounds on which he comes forward, f\s 4 Mr Bonar's is explicit. Mr

Prosser ought not to depend on personal qualifications. His candidature is a political protest, which he asks the people to endorse, against the appointment of a responsible Goldfields minister. In altogether ignoring the issue raised by his opposition to Mr Bonar, avc must say he has shown the electors but scant courtesy. The vacillatingcourse which Mr Prosser has lately taken on the Separation question, rendered it especially desirable that he should offer the electors some political explanations. We think we are not speaking unfairly, or using too strong language, when we say that he has done more than any other mau in Hokitika to divide the ranks of the Separationists and to strangle the movement. Withdrawing from the League because of his disapproval of its programme, Mr Prosser has done nothing whatever since, to assist in the promotion of any other movement, having as its object the emancipation of Westland. That he will have a large number of supporters is possible ; but there are two classes of electors, whose support cannot be given to him with any show of consistency or principle; first, those who demanded the appointment of a Goldfields Secretary; and secondly, those who have committed themselves to the League programme. If Mr Prosser had adhered steadily to the Separation cause, he might have contested the election under fair colors. But we are bound to say that he has so played fast and loose with the question as to bewilder the electors as to his real policy. He counsels delay, consideration, consultation, before any action is decided on. He tells us there is no hurry whatever. And he interposes to prevent our getting the responsible minister we have been craving for, even as a temporary relief. If we are misjudging Mr Prosser, we can only say we are sorry he is not more communicative in his reply to his requisitionists. '

The appointment of Lord Belmore to the Governorship of New South Wales appears not to be accepted by the colonists with any great feeling of satisfaction ; owing partly to doubts about the nature of his lordship's political antecedents, as affording guarantees of constitutional government ; and partly also to the general regret felt at the loss of the services of Sir John Young. The Sydney " Empire," however, draws conclusions favorable to the probability of a satisfactory administration under Lord Belmore, especially from the fact that his large political experience was gained in another department of government than the Colonial office. The " Empire" contends that it is an established rule that Statesmen who have essayed their theories in one department, have been always most successful in carrying them out in another. Of Lord Belmore it says :—": — " Trained in a political school which, conservative as it was in its character, still favored a liberal construction of the Constitution,the Earl has lived to see the most united tory Government ever formed in England yield to a popular pressure which thirty or forty years ago would have been left to the disposal of a regiment or two of dragoons. These lessons are too significant to be lost upon sensible men ; and it would be a very unfortunate thing if the fact were not so, for then there Avould be no use even in making examples of offenders or blunderers. Lord Belmore could scarcely have had a better training school than that of Under Secretary for the Home department. It was better than if he had occupied a similiar post in the Colonial Office ; for in the latter he might have acquired the mere common-places of the situation — quite enough to fill a despatch — without the practical habits of business and the cautious exercise of judgment. The Home Office, however, practically manages the domestic affairs of the United Kingdom, and the Under Secretary administers them." The. "Empire" reviews the career of the comparative failures of the several Governors of New South Wales who preceded Sir John Young — the latter being the first Viceroy who has had the benefit of large experience in administering the affairs of a free find zealous people, and as a member of the Commons House of Parliament. Lord Belmore first took office in England in the Colonial Department under Lord Carnarvon—a Secretary of State Avhose conduct is condemned as at once, puerile and supercilious to the colonists. The " Empire '•' finds hope in that circumstance, in accordance with the theory it has laid down. It says — " If the Undersecretary for the Home Department, perceiving the blunders of the chief of the Colonial Office, has had the good fortune to turn up the paces o f the late Duke of Newcastle's minutes and despatches, he Avill have had an opportunity of acquiring the safest and soundest instruction for an Australian Governor. And this supposition is by no means improbable; for the late Duke was an acknowledged authority, being known to possess the fullest confidence of all liberal colonists, as well as that of his Sovereign in the highest degree. It may seem ungracious to speculate upon the qualifications of the next Governor Avhile his Excellency Sir John Young still represents her Majesty here ; but the more satisfied Aye are Avith our present ruler, the more anxious we must be to learn whether the next will be equally regardful of constitutional observances. If he has taken lessons from the records left by the Duke of Newcastle, he will ; and if he prove to be at all deficient in the breadth of views of that enlightened statesman, it will be the duty of his responsible advisers to train his local political education up to the desired standard."

In all the colonies, questions are continually arising connected with the relations between the Governors and the local authorities — questions not necessarily involving any angry collision ; but at the same time suggestive of various constitutional difficulties. Governors were first appointed in days long antecedent to the establishment of free institutions, and it is not without

inconvenience that a new state of things has been grafted upon the old. The two ages ; the two conditions :do not fit or harmonise. It is at the same time a fact that the most successful Governors have been men of parliament tary experience, who have brought the traditions of the House of Commons with them to the colonies. Sir William Denison had received all his political education in such school as was offered to him in convict settlements, and he found it impracticable to Avork the new constitution in New South Wales with satisfaction to his Ministers, to the local parliament, or to the people. Sir Charles Hothani came to Victoria to inaugurate the Constitution there, fresh from the quarter-deck of a man-of-Avar. and made as gross a failure as could well have been anticipated, from a man suddenly translated to a sphere of great official responsibility, wholly new to him, and alien to all his antecedents. Of the Governors who have belonged to the new school, Avho haA-e received a political training, and consequently found themselves able easily to accommodate themselves to the conditions' of responsible government — now established in the Avhole of the Colonies — Sir John Young seems to have been most successful and most popular. The Earl of Belmore is a man Avho has enjoyed the opportunity of a still more intimate -association with official life in Parliament at home, and it is to be hoped that his career as Governor of New South Wales Avill vindicate the wisdom of the policy of selecting men of similar antecedents to Viceregal offices, in Colonies in which free constitutions have been established, in preference to either military or naA r al men out of place, or professional hangers-on of Downing street, for whom no other or better provision can be made.

The " Provincial Government Gazette," of the 23rd instant, officially notifies the resignation by Mr Bright, of his seat as one of the members for Ilokitika ; the assent by his Excellency the Governor to the "Provincial Council Extension Ordinance, 1867"; and the announcement that James Craig and F. W. Eieke have taken out auctioneers' licenses.

In tho Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Thosnas Maroncy Avas charged under section 11, clause I, of the Vagrant Act, with being without any visible lawful means of support. Sergeant Sugue deposed — that he arrested the prisoner on the evening of the 27th instant. He was lying in a right-of-way off Revell street, without any covering. The witness had known the prisoner for the last foitr months, and during that time he had never known him to work. He Avandered through the streets during the day, and at night he frequently slept in a right-of-way, or anywhere he could find. Tho prisoner asked his worship to discharge him, and he Avould at once leave for the North Island, or Melbourne. He said that he had lately lost Ll5O, which he had searched for but had not succeeded in finding it. His Worship remarked 'that as to his story "of havhi" lost Ll5O he did not for a moment believe one Avord of it. He had known him for the last eight months to be Avandering about the streets. PrisoYicr had, upon two or three different occasions, called at his Worship's private residence, seeking relief. On each occasion he was the worse for liquor. It appeared that he Avould not work, and as his Worship did not believe that ho had a pound in his possession, he would sentence him to one month's imprisonment, with hard labor. — Griffith -Jones, on remand from the 19th inst., charged with assaulting John Smith, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, was brought up. Tho Inspector of Police stated that the unfortunate man had died in the Hospital during the night of the 27th instant, and that a Coroner's inquest Avas to be held on his body. At the- request of Mr Brohaua, the prisoner was remandoi till the 30th inst. —In the adjourned civil easo of Dyson v. Kenny, his Worship, after hearing the evidence of Mr Humphrey, gave judgment for I lie amount claimed, Ll7 ss, with costs. — There were from twenty to thirty civil cases set down for hearing yesterday. The list was called through, and the undefended cases disposed of. All cases in which any defence was sob up were adjourned till tho following day (the 29th inst.)

There was a capital bouse at the City Theatre last evening, when the " Irisli Emigrant" aud " The Happy Man" formed the bill of faro presented for public approval. This evening, Mr O'Noil takes his farewell benefit, the pieces selected being " The Colleen Bawn" and " Whitebait in Ilokitika." Mr O'Neil is an established favorite in Hokitika, and avc think we shall not be in error Avhen avc state that we believe a very full house will assemble at the City Theatre this evening, in order to take farewell of one who has, since his arrival amongst us, contributed greatly to the amusement of the public. We anticipate that the Theatre will be crowded this evening. To-night, the opening lecture of a series, to bo given in connection Avith the Hokitika Literary Society, will be delivered at the Court House, by the Venerable Archdeacon Harper. The subject is — " Memory, and its use." Lnst evening at a meeting of the Kilwinliing Lodge a lecture on the tracing board on tho second degree was delivered by P.DiG.M. Lazar, of the Otago and South Australian Districts. The surf yesterday morning was unusually high, sweeping up on the north beach with great violence, although the weather was calm. A cottage at the rear of the premises occupied by Messrs Alcorn and Co., and which avis tenanted by two young ladies (sisters) was so much disturbed by the waves that the inmates deemed it advisable to quit and remove to a safer locality. Tho cottage, in order to save it from being washed aAvay, was removed during tho day. The concert in aid of tho funds of St. Marys-school, came off last evening at the Supreme Court-house, and we may say that never before was so largo an auditory in that building, every available space being occupied. Tho programme was lengthy, comprising many select songs, ballads, aud part songs by ladies and gentlemen amateurs, and the gentlemen of tho Q-erman Choral Society, Avho kindly gave their assistance, and in no slight degree contributed" to the pleasure of tho evening; and rounds and ch,ovuses, by the school ohildven,

which were all rendered in capital style. To particularise any piece as rendered by the amateurs would be invidious ; but we cannot help noticing tho pretty duett of " The Convent Bells," by two (sisters) school children ; this, in our opinion, was the gem of the evening, and merited the encore accorded it. On the whole, the coucerfc was a complete success, and will, we doubt nofc, considerably augment the school funds. A meed of praise is due to Mr H. Friend, for the manner in which the juveniles acquited themselves, aa it was by his exertions alone that the happy result of last night was achieved. The piano was presided over by Mrs Martin and Mr Cullimore by turns. The entertainment concluded with "God Save the Queen," the audience standing. Amongst our present visitors to Hokitika is Mr H. P. Murray- Aynsley, M.P.C., for Lyttelton, a gentleman held in high estimation by all sections of tho House. Mr Aynsley arrived yesterday by the Egmoufc from Melbourne, and leaves for Christchurch, we believe, by to-morrow's coach. The " Argus" understands that a .marriage is on tho tapis between the lion, the Chief Secretary of Victoria and Miss Ingles, the only sister of Mr M'Culloch's partner in London. The lady is now on her way to this colony, and extensive alterations and improvements are being made at Mr M'Culloch's residence at St. Kilda, in anticipation of the happy event." The " Pleasant Creek Chronicle" furnishes the following piece of gossip : — " It is said that one of our quartz-reefers, known for his liberality, has, since a first-rate crushing from which he obtained about L 1,600 for about six weeks' work, offered to give LIOOO towards the entertainment of the Duke of Edinburgh, provided he can be induced to visit Pleasant Creek. This offer displays an amount of loyalty not often met with in these degenerate days, and we trust that the claim from which ho monthly receives such magnificent returns may get better and better, so that at length he may induce even the Prince of Wales to visit us."

" His Excellency, tho Governor-in-Chief," reports the "South Australian Eegister,". " has received by the mail a despatch from tho homo Government, containing instructions as to the reception of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh on his arrival here. They relate, Aye believe, to salutes, gnarJs of honor, the ceremonials to be observed on the arrival and departure of the Prince, &c, all of which will be conducted according to the rules of the service. We further understand that his Royal Highness will be guided in the' ceremonials in which he may be invited to take a part by such advice as he may receive from His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief." We understand that on Monday evening next. Mr George Adams will give a grand assaut d'armes at the Prince of Wales Opera House, in aid of tho funds of the Hokitika Fire Brigade. Tho programme will comprise infantry, and cavalry practice, small swords, lance, and broadsword, also single sticks. Professor Wilson, a celebrated swordsman, has kindly offered his services on the occasion. Assaut d'armes are always popular with the public, and as they will be the first that has taken place in Hokitika, we anticipate a large audience. We have Hobart Town advices to the 14th, and Launceston to the 15th inst. Mr C. S. Cansdell and Mr J. W. Graves have been nominated on Tuesday for the vacancy in Hobart Town. The election takes place on Monday. The " Tasmanian Times" has passed into other hands, and it is said will be in opposition to the present Ministry. MiLawrence, the messenger of the Union Baluk, Hobart Town, was murderously assaulted on the 14th instant, at about one o'clock. A young man named Smith, son of a publican, is in custody for the assault. There are but. three of the aboriginal women now left at the station at Oyster Cove, and even that number it is expected will be shortly reduced, as " Wabberty," the woman recently discharged from the hospital, is now hi a very dangerous condition, and not expected to recover. Mrs Julia Mausell, aged about sixty years, died a few days ago on Sea Lion Island. She is the last aboriginal on this group, but she leaves a numerous family of half-caste children now scattered in various places. Hor former husband was named John Thomas, and her last husband, Mansell, is sixty-four years of age. Shortly before her death she suffered from measles and dysentery, and latterly from some disease of the hearb.

Yesterday afternoon a miner named John Casey was brought in from the Waimea suffering' from a fracture of the leg. The leg had been broken about three weeks since, and the fracture was then reduced. On Tuesday it was discovered that the bone had not united, and accordingly Casey's mates, "with praiseworthy energy, determined to bring him into town with the view of taking him to tho hospital. Ho arrived in town shortly before two o'clock, having been borne on a stretcher from Stafford Town ; and, after resting a short time at the Harp of Erin Hotel, he was taken across the river to the hospital. We regret to have to state that the man Smith, who was in the hospital suffering from a fracture in the skull in N consequence of a blow from axe, alleged to have been inflicted by Griffith Jones, died yesterday morning. We believe that an inquest will be held upon the body this morning. ,