West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 652, 26 October 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1867.

The nature of Mr Hall's mission to Westland appears to be generally understood. He does not come as " Lieutenant Governor," or as " Nominated Superintendent." But Mr Hall comes armed temporarily with the delegated powers of the' ; Governor ; and comes to act with the authority of the Governor in effecting the important changes in administrative arrangements, incident to the handing over of the departments to the General Government. We do not suppose for a moment that Mr Hall will make Hokitika his permanent place of residence, or the permanent head quarters of the important department over which he presides. Nor is such an arrangement to be desired.

We are much obliged to Mr Hall for the interest he has shown in the affairs of Westland, and for the assistance he has rendered in carrying through the General Assembly a Bill substantively complying with the prayer of the petition of the League. But if the boon conferred upon U3 is to be of a bona fide character, it is not a gentleman holding a position in the Colonial cabinet that involves large and constant demands upon his time, and requires his presence in almost every part of the colony in turn, to whom the supreme administration of our affairs should be entrusted. The Coxmty of Westland will require tho services of a man in a position to devote the whole of his attention to the administration of its affairs ; and to whatever extent 6 it may feel complimented by the nomination to its Superin tendency of a gentleman hold- , ing a high position in the Colonial service, it is much to be questioned whether it would not have to pay dearly for the compliment. No man like Mr John Hall, holding the position of a chief of department in the Colonial Government, could well give his attention to all the details of administration which arc so important to a district like Westland.

Mr Hall ought to be welcomed on his arrival, not the less cordially because his mission amongst us is probably only o temporary one. What shape tho demonstration of welcome should assume is a question that has been raised, and that must be promptly settled. One of our correspondents claims for the Council of the Separation League the right to the honor of heading the demonstration to Mr Hall. Another correspondent suggests that no action should be taken by anj' section of the citizens which might have the appearance of a party or class welcome. We agree entirely with the latter view of the matter. The League have done their work. Let them be satisfied with their success. Let them be proud of it ; and proud enough not to show any anxiety to obtrude their services upon public attention. We believe that the community almost to a man is satisfied with what has been achieved, and we believe that the refusals to make common cause with the League, and the secessions from it, were the result of misunderstandings and wounded sensibilities that ought now to be forgotten. Let the League retire, and let the public of the County of Westland give their welcome to the gentleman who is coining among them charged with the high mission of inaugurating a system of government novel in New Zealand, and one which, if it proves a success, will effect a revolution in the political institutions of the Colony.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Margaret, Connelly, on remand from the 23rd insl., was charged with being of unsound mind. Tho defendant was too ill to appear in court. On tho evidence of Drs Ryley and Beswick, she was committed to the Lunatic Asylum, Hokitika, for medical treatment. His Worship gavo judgment in tho case of Spiers and party v. Lord and Griffiths, for tho plaintiffs for Ll7 Ss, with costs. nie Worship remarked that sufficient time lias elapsed since (he plaintiffs' had completed their work, to enable the defendants to completo tho survey of the work performed by the plaintiffs. Tho plaintiffs had nothing to do with any contract that existed between the defendants and tho Government.

The ball which was given on Tuesday last, in nokitika, in celebration of the Jewish Festival of the New Year, was a very brilliant affair. Tho ball-room was deckod with tasteful cloganco with flowers, evergreens, and colors, and was illuminated by several chandeliers. An efficient quadrille band was in attendance, to tho music of which tho guosls — upwards of eighty in number — footed it merrily until tho grey dawn heralded Ihe approach of day. Refreshments wore supplied in great, profusion, mid during tho evening the President of tho Synagogue proposed tho

health of his Worship the Mayor, who was their guest on the occasion. Mr Shaw acknowledged tho compliment, and remarked that he should always feel pleasure in meeting his fellow-citizens, no matter what their religious belief might be. After supper, dancing was resumed, and when at length the guests departed to their homes, it was with a feeling of regret that so pleasant a party was ended. An accident, which unfortunately was attended with fatal results, occurred on Thursday. As a man named Robert Russell, a groom in tho employment of Mr Ward, of the stables at the rear of the Templemore Hotel, was employed in In 3 duties, he received a kick in the stomach from a horse. He was taken into the hotel, but- we hear that medical assistance was not sent for until an early hour yesterday morning, when Dr Dermott was called in, and shortly after his arrival the poor fellow expired. An inquest will be held today. A sad accident occurred on Jones's Flat (Ross), on tho 21st inst, resulting in the death of a minor named Richard Williams. It appears that he was engaged in " drawing " slab 3 out of an old shaft,;and s^nt the bucket up loaded in the usual mannor, when it became unhooked just as it reached the surface, and fell, striking Williams upon the head and literally dashed his brains out. Death, of course, was instantaneous. Another miner, who was in the shaft with him, received some very severe contusions and bruises. An inquest was held upon the body next day, and a verdict of accidental death returned. We do not hesitate to say that the port 'has been preserved from a very great misfortune by the judicious application of simple fascine work. Some time ago the attention of the Goldflelds Secretary was directed to a very weak place in tho North Spit, caused by the washing over of tho surf, which cut a channel from the sea to the river. In ihe event of a high flood it was feared that tho river would break through there and again reduce the port to its former miserable condition by breaking up the bar into a series of channels. Mr Bonar viewed the question in the light it was presented to him, and, casliug red tape to tho winds, at ouco set men to work to lay down lines of fascines to encourage the re-formation of the Spit. The result was everything that could be desired as the beach made up beautifully, but only just high enough tojjerniit the river breaking through yesterday. So as we havo Baid before saved the port The preservation of the North Spit in its present integrity should be the first care of tho I Government, who wo are very glad to hoar purpose laying parallel lines along its entire length. Tho idea is excellent, and if carried out will not only preserve the spit but encourage its growth. We notice that a new kind of groin, somewhat savouring of tho " pontoon arrangement " is being put down between the Empire and Moffat's rights-of-way. It consists of six pontoons, each twenty feet long, that are to be placed end on to each other, and so will extend one hundred and twenty feet towards the surf. They are to be placed in position and then filled with sand, and will it is expected induce tho beach to make up round them. We cannot say that we regard tho scheme with much favor. Those popular and talented artistes Mr and Mrs L. M'Gowan take their farewell benefit this evening, at the Prince of Wales Opera House, prior to their departure for Melbourne. The entertainment consists of selections from some of Shakespeare's popular plays, and terminates with the French pantomimo "La Statue Blanche." From tho satisfaction their previous efforts have afforded tho public, we I anticipate a crowded house. The consecration of the burial ground of the Hebrew denomination takes place to-mor-row (Sunday), at three o'clock p.m., a portion of the Cemetery having been set aside for the use of the denomination. A man named Frederic Seymour left Okarita on the Ist October to go to Long Beach, and was supposed to be drowned in the Three-mile Creek, from the circumstance of a portion of a violin, which he had with him when he left Okai-ita, having been found on tho beach. On tho 14th inst., Mr John Allen, a packer, picked up on the beach, about ten miles north of tho Three-mile Creek, a water-tight boot, containing a stocking and a human foot broken from the leg at the ancle joint. Tho boot has been identified as Seymour's property by his mates. The " Australian" says .— " There are some startling things said in the Queensland papers about tho South Sea Islanders taken to northern ports to work on tho cotton and sugar estates. Whole cargoes, it would appear, have been kidnapped from tho Fijis aud elsewhere to be landed in Queensland "in like good order and condition." There is quite a brisk demand in Queensland for South Sea Islanders,- not only as plantation laborers but for station work. A Brisbane contempoI i*ary thus discourses : — The demand is greater just now for these islanders than it has been at any previous time. Some of the smaller growers cf cotton and sugar aro disposed to follow tho example set at Townsville and Cleveland Bay, and if they caunot count their " niggers" hy the hundreds, are ambitious of being proprietors of a score or a dozen of the dusky race. Even growers of wool are inclined to experiment in thorn, from the wealthy owners of Langlon Downs, who im- J port them direct, to the humbler denizens of Wide Bay and Burnett, who' are glad to avail of an agency in procuring for them small lots. The charges made regarding kidnapping these islanders are not supported by direct proof of any kind, and most people will doubtless reserve their judgment in default of evidence. "Oli, come to the Wost" is not likely (says the Melboxu-ne "Age ") to be a favorite melody with Signor Abecco in future, judging from this report in the " Warrnambool Sentinel " :—": — " A well-dressed and exceedingly stout man, fashionably attired, and displaying a lnrgo quantity of jewellery (!), answering to tho name of 'Signor Abecco,' then appeared in response to summonses from his printer and bill-poster, charging him with neglecting to pay their little hills. Tho Signor, ifc appeared, had sent down a variety of pictures of 'Ham Fat Men,' 'Skating Wonders,' &c, &c., to Mr Price, of tho Royal Exchange Hotel, to post over tho town. This Mr Price had promptly attended to, on the Signor's behalf, by instructing Hollars, tho noted town crior, to do it. The work had been faithfully performed, and tho bell set in motion, but the Signor demurred to pay the bill, amounting to Ll 14s when rendered, hence the summonses. Mr Savage, on behalf of plaintiff, contended that the charges woro fair and reasonable, but only succeoded in obtaining a verdict from tho Bench for H 53 and

costs. The nex/ case hinged on the former one. Some cards and posters were printed for the Signor at this ofllce, and delivered to him, but in consequence of the refusal of Bellars, the professional bill-sticker, to circulate the latter without payment, the placards were returned on to the printer's hands (to whom, of course, they were Useless) on pretence that they were sent in too late. This plausible evasion the Bench, however, refused to believe, and the illustrious Signor was ordered to pay forthwith the full amount of the demand, Ll ss. This, however, he was either unwilling or unable to do. and having slily ' skedaddled,' a warrant was taken out against him yesterday, which will probably have tho effect of bringing him to his senses sooner or later." With reference to the arrival of the Superintendent of Nelson at G-reymouth, the " Grey Argus " of the 22nd iays :— " The arrival of his Honor tho Superintendent of Nelson in our midst is a fact well worthy of record, for from it, if the opportunity is properly taken advantage of, much good may result to this district. The event took place on a Sunday, and was likewise unexpected, or some formal reception would have been given to Mr Curtis. It is truo that he is not on a visit to Greymouth, although circumstances cause him to laud on the Canterbury side of the G-rey, and take up his 'temporary residence there ; and that, as he is as yet unconnected with this town, or interested in it, there can be no claim or expectation of more than the usual courtesies shown to a visitor. But, looking at it in another light, thero are reasons why this event should bo marked and publicly taken notice of by our citizens. We expect much from Nelson, and from him who has tho honor to be its Superintendent — we expect in tho course of another year to bo annexed to his province j and we expect him to use all the influence which his high position gives him to assist us in bringing about this " consummation most devoutly to be wished." If we wore to allow his Honor to come and go without telling him plainly what we desire, he might very naturally conclude that all the agitation which has taken place in this district for Annexation has passed away with the passing of the Westland County Bill, and that, as we asked nothing, we expected nothing at his hands. This is not so ; we require aU the assistance we can got from those in high places to assist U3 in accomplishing the object for which we have now fought for years ; and we expect the Annexation Committee to-day to tell his Honor in unmistakeable terms what is the earnest and unanimous desire of the people of tho Grey District. We have no doubt that his Honor will toll the Committee plainly — for wo know him to be a man who speaks his mind freely — whether tho Grovernmont of Nelson wish to have this district annexed to their Province, and whether they are ready to assist in bringing that about ; or, whether they think they have enough of goldfields to govern without annexing any more.> We anticipate for the Committee a favorable reply, should they wait upon his Honor — a reply which, in the future and in another place, will materially strengthen the cause of Annexation, and encourage the Committee to proceed steadfastly and earnestly with the good work in which they are now engaged. In an articlo commenting on the extravagance of Mr Commissioner Kynners'cy, "aud J the consequent stoppage of public works on the South-west Goldfields, tho Nelson "Evening Mail" has the following :—": — " It is not .at all unlikely that the stoppage of public works on the West Coast will create discontent thore, and that the opportunity will be seized by a few demagogues and pothouse politicians to foment disunion. With tho example of Westland before them, and with the knowledge that the G-eneral Government could be looked to for encouragement in dismembering tho "province, it will not take much to set an agitation at work that may possibly result in Nelson losing her West Coast territory. But whilst wo are ready to extend the utmost liberality towards the goldfields consistent with wise prudence, wo without hesitation say that the province had fur better lose its goldfields altogether, than get into debt on their account. We would give the inhabitants every encouragement, wo would admit them to a larger share of representation in the Council, and imj)ort an element of responsibility into administration of the goldfields j and we would give them tho use of their own revenues. But beyond these limits the Government caunot go with safety to the province. A shocking accident, at the Deep Creek Victoria, which resulted iv tho death of a Mrs M'Lachlan and her son, is reported by tho " Talbofc Leader." Ifc appears that her two eldest boys, aged nine and eleven years, were climbing a tree on the cast bank of the creek, when the younger of the two fell into the water and was carried away by the rapidly running stream. The elder boy called loudly for his mother, who ran from the house, and seizing a stick, tried to reach her drowning child, but failing in this, she jumped into the current, and in her fruitless endeavor to save her boy, lost her own life. The husband of deceased is managing Mr Arnold's farm, and left home on the previous day to visit Newstead. In consequence of this, at tho timo of the accident only the three youngest children were left in the house, includiug the baby in the cradle. The eldest boy shut himself in with tho children, and only informed Mr Bucknall of the occurrence about three hours afterwards. Mr Edward Bucknall, junior, rode iuto Majorca, aud made the matter known to the police, who, with Mr Arnold and several townspeople, started for the scene of tho catastrophe, with drags, poles, and ropes, to endeavor to recover the bodies. The body of tho poor mother was found at a distance of about five hundred yards from where sho leaped into tho water.