West Coast Times. MONDAY, SEPT. 23, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 623, 23 September 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. MONDAY, SEPT. 23, 1867.

Wj3 arc compelled to hold over leading matter; in consequence of the pressure of news.

We are permitted to publish tho following extracts from a letter dated Wellington, the 17th instant, from the Hon. John Hall, to a late member of the Provincial Council. — '•Your bulky petition wi\3 presented to tho House yesterday and attracted a good deal of attention. I uiu sorry tho relief you ask for is in the shape of a new Province. New Zealand has enough of them, and will not make a'iy more, and although I must admit the Local Government Bill was hardly adapted to the special requirements of Wesfcland, I think something of the kind provided in the Bill would have suited the circumstances of the case, and if askcl for in tho petition would have been granted this session. As it is now, the opponents of any change are furnished with almost iiTcsistuble weapons by tho fact that iho only thing which tho Westland people ask for cannot bo granted. * * * Tho llokitika Municipal Corporation Dill is loft to its oporution, but Uuq doubt invalid,, It will

however be validated until the end of the next session of the Assembly by a Bill now before tho House. I hope, howover, tho new Corporation Bill will suit you. * * * With regard to tho section holders of whom you write, I will communicate your remarks to tho gentleman who is now preparing a Bill about the Westland lauds. Here again, however, I fear tho differences between East and West Canterbury will prevent anything boing done."

AVo are indobted to the courtesy of tho Hon. John Hall— who, notwithstanding the recent announcement of his retirement from the Government., appears to still hold the office of Postmaster-General— for copies of the following Parliamentary Papers : — A Bill to amend the Goldfields Act, 18GG ; the New Zealand Municipal Corporation Bill ; a Bill to prevent the introduction into New Zealand of convicted felons ; a Bill to constitute in New Zealand a Court of Divorce and Matrimonial Causes ; a Bill to consolidate and amend the laws relating to Resident Magistrates ; a Bill to provide for the care and custody of neglected and criminal children ; an Act for establishing Courts of Sessions of tho Peace ; and further despatches from the Secretary of Stato for tho Colonies, to tho Governor of New Zealand.

The Bill now passing through the Genoral Assembly to Amond tho Goldfields Act, 1866, provides for Wnrdons of GoldfielJs to cause Rolls of Assessors to bo niade, of not les3 than fifty in number, to bo summoned to sit at the hearing of complaints or causes in Wardens' Courts, and declares that Regulations made uuder tho Goldfields Act, 1862, authorising holders of Miners' Rights to construct water-races and divert water from Crown lands, Sec, shall be deemed valid, and to "have had the force of law from the making thereof until the expiration or cancellation thereof."

Mr James Bartlett, Mr Browne, and Mr Button, have announced themselves candidates for municipal honors at tho approaching civic election. The meeting of tho Town Council for "balloting out" tho four members to retire is to be held to-morrow.

A numerously-attended meeting of tlio members of the Caxton Dramatic Club wa3 held ou Saturday evening, at the Post OiHce Hotel. The draft rules were revised and adopted, and a committee of four was appointed to carry out the objects of tho club. Mr G.ilviu was elected treasurer, and Mr Buchanan secretary. A piece wa3 chosen for rehearsal, tho public performance of which will, we believe, be shortly announced. We wish tho members of the Caxton Club every success in their dramatic efforts.

Deposits to the amount of LIS2 11s 6d were received at the Hokitika Savings Bank during the paofc week.

The coast-line appears to be awai'ming with codfish, largo quantities of which have been caught and hawked about tho town for sale. These fish, which are delicate eating, are usually caught in deep waters, but afc present they ore found just outside tlio surf. Tho steamer Huntress, which arrived ou "Friday night, from the Buller, anchored just outsido the break, and her crow commenced fishing and caught thirty dozen of remarkably fine fish. A large quantity were also caught by the same vessel off the Grey. Tho brig.wiline Hector, which had been lying in the roadstead, was towed in on Saturday with several of these fish on board. The creVv of tho 6teamer Bruce, which arrived here on Saturday evening, caught whilst the vessel was lying in Iho roadstead some twenty or thirty dozen. The brig Nil Desperandum, which is anchored in nine fathoms, has a large quantity of fish on board. The river too has large shoals of herring and whitebait, and the codfish havo either come in to spawn, or have been attracted by the plentiful supply of food coming down the river.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court, on Saturday, Michael Dunn wa3 charged with "larceny :is a bailee." Detective Brown deposed to having arrested the prisoner ou Friday last, from information received (by telegraph) from (he police at Givymou'h. Tho accused, at the request of tho Inspector of Police, was remanded till Monday (this day), when ho would be in a position to produce tho warrant issued by tho Greymouth Bench for the apprehension of tho prisoner.

Bleosra Cobb and Co'u coach arrived from C hristchurch ou Saturday afternoon between three aud four o'clock with the following passengers all through Messrs Moo, Frost, Barron, M'G-lashau, aud Gale. The road is in capital condition and tho rivers low. The mail from England, brought by tho coach, was unusually heavy, yet it was all sorted and delivered by nine o'clock on Saturday evouing. rfuch despatch is highly crcditablo to the postmaster, Mr Sfccvensou, and his staff.

Tho premises occupied by Mr Samuel's, ironmonger, Eevell street, near tho Princo of Wales Opera House, had a narrow O3oapo from being burnt down on Saturday oveningIt appears thufc -about six o'clock a largo kerosene chandelier, which was lighted, suddenly foil from tlio coiling to tho floor of the shop, and tho lamps being broken by tho fall tho kerosene bocamo ignited, and a sheet of liquid ilamo soon spread over tho shop-floor. Ti e alarm was instantly given, aud the neighbors as speedily came to assist. Wet blankets wore thrown over the flames, which wero thus quickly subduod. Moanwhile the fire-bell was pealing forth its ominous tones, thousands soon thronged tho street, the Engine-house was opened, and the engiuoß were got out, and tho Brigade mustered in force, but thoir services were not needed, as l! % c fire was extinguished before they could arrive on tlio spot. It was iudecd most fortunate thai such prompt measures jvere taken to extinguish ths fire, for had a fow more minutes elapsed nothing could havo saved Mr Samuel's premises, and perhaps a largo block of buildings from utter destruction.

A raflle on the Art Union principle is to come off this evening at Dyson's hotel. Tho amount of subscription is one hundrod guineas in shares of ono pound each. The articles to be disposed of consist of /jewellery ox value moro than equal to tho total subscription money, including diamonds of a very fine quality. Thoro are ten separate prizes offered. Wo have had an opportunity of inspecting them, and con vouch for their intrinsic worth.

Tho Melbourne " Argus" of tlxo 12th inst. contains tho following piece of telegraphic news from Sydney : — " Auckland papers of the 2nd inst roport that Sir Or. Q-rey retires to Kawau, which is mado a special province, with Sir Q-, Grey us superintendent. Ho intones to giro the Maud to tho colony,"