THE NEW GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 654, 29 October 1867, Page 2

THE NEW GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

We learn by telegraph from Wellington that the official despatches received by the Panama mail announce the appointment of Sir George Bowen, the present Governor of Queensland, to succeed Sir George Grey in the Government of New Zealand. The statement contained in the London telegram we published yesterday from a Melbourne paper (the " Herald") is thus confirmed. The date of the arrival of the new Governor in New Zealand is not fixed. It is left to the determination of Sir George Bo wen himself. Nothing is said in the despatches as to the appointment of Sir George Grey to any other Colonial Governorship.

Mr Balfour arrived afc Christchsirch yesterday by the Aireciale, from Wellington, and will, we believe, leave for Hokitika by this morning's coach. A, telegram from Sydney states that the French G-overnmenl have taken possession of Oparu Island, iho Panama Mail Company's new coaling station. There were again no cases, either civil or erimiual, in the Resident Magistrate's Court yetterdaj'. Two operations wore successfully performed, under chloroform, ab the Hospital yesterday by tho Surgeon Superintendent, Dr liyley, assisted by Dr Young. The -first was the excision of the cyo-ball of a patient — who wa3 admitted on tho 22nd inst, suffering from suppuration of the oye, bo severe that it was feared the sight of the other eye would be nffoelcd. The other was a case of tapping for dropsy. Both patients are likely to do well. Tho turf on tho no! th beach, on Sunday night and yesterday, was exceedingly high, cutting away some five or sit feet of the boacli for some distance northward of the Empire right-of-way, and undermining some of the cottages in such a manner as to necessitate the removal of the inmates. We understand that a number of tho inhabitants of Kevell street, wuited on the Groldfields Secretary yesterday morning, respecting tho stale of the beach, and subsequently the Hon. John Hall, with the Provincial Secretary and the Provincial Solicitor, inspected tho locality. We learn, however, that as Mr Balfour is expected to arrive on Wednesday, no further works will be undertaken until after his arrival. We niny mention that tho beach seems to be muking up fast from the south end of Eevell street until considerably pabt tho Empire right-of-way, but beyond the groin lately put down by the Provincial Government the ravages of the surf on the beach have been very great. The " Provincial Gazette" of the 21st inst. contains a proclamation by his Honor the Superintendent establishing a Public Pound in Hokitika, and appointing Mr Peter Clayton poundkeoper. " The Cattle Trespass Ordinance," under which this Pound is established, will come into operation on and after the Ist November next, so that the owners of stray horses found wandering at large in iho public streets after the nbove date will be liable to penalties. The following is the return of HokiHha Gaol for the week ended 26th October, 1867 : — Males — for trial, 1 ; penal servitude, 5 ; hard labor, 36 ; imprisonment, 1 ; default of bail, 4 ; default of line, 4 ; debtors, 11 ; remand, 1 ; total, G3. Females — hard labor, 4 ; debtor, 1 ; totnl, 5. Received during the week, 4 ; discharged, 5. Tho following advertisement appears in a recent number of tho "Sydney Morning Herald" :—": — " Government Officer. — Tho advertiser, who has recently arrived from New Zealand, is desirous of obtaining employment as secretary to a public company, or as clerk in a mercantile house. He has had ten years' experience, during which time he has occupied the following responsible positions : — Clerk in tho War Oilicc, Pall Mall, London j Secretary to the Soat-of-Govcrnment Commission, New Zealand j Immigration Commissioner, New Zealand ; Secretary to tho West Canterbury Goldficlds Commissioner, New Zealand. Can produce satisfactory testimonials as to tho manner in which the duties of tho offices above enumerated wero fulfilled, and will be happy to refer (o gentlemen of high standing in tho city of Sydney, who can farther testify to his character and efficiency. For pecuniary

reasons, salary is not so much an object as immediate employment. Address F. J. E., Post Office, Sydney." The anniversary of the opening of the Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway was celebrated yesterday evening by a banquet at tho Termi-ius North Eevell street. Tho gooJs-shed had been fitted-up as a bauquet-ing-room, and was most tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens. The repast, which comprised all the delicacies of the season, was, together with tho wines, which were of a recherche character, provided by Mr F. Upham, of tho Terminus Hotel, aud was served up in first-class style. The chair was taken by Mr M'Beth, the chairman of the Board of Directors, and the vice-chair was occupied by His Worship the Mayor. Tho usual loyal find patriotic toasts having been proposed and duly honored — " Prosperity to the Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company"— " The Chairman and Board of Directors"—" The Employees" — "The Shareholders" — " The Mayor and Corporation" — were drank with honors, and iuly responded' to. " The health of the Hon. John Hall" was proposed by the chairman, and drank with enthusiasm. The formal business of tho evening being over, harmony succeeded, song and sentiments were the order of the nighb until the guests remembering " ' Tis good to bo merry and wise," departed to their homes and thus terminated tho first anniversary of ; tho opening of the Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway. Miss Eosa Cooper's benefit at the Prince of Wales Opera House, last evening, was a groat success, the dress circle being filled in every part, and reminded us of the time when the theatre was first opened. In fact, we never remember v better attendance — a compliment rendered by the public, and well deserved by the accomplished lady who last night took her farewell of the public of Hokitika. Sheridan Knowles' play of " The Wife " was the first piece. Miss Eosa Cooper was warmly welcomed on her appoaranco a3 Marianna — a part pluyed by her to perfection — and loudly applauded throughout. Mr B. Cox sustained tho character of Julian St. Pierre with great effect, and Lionel Harding as Leoj nardo Gonzargo, was meritorious. On the j fall of the curtain, Mias liosa Cooper, in obej dioncc to the unanimous demand of the audij ence, bowed her acknowledgments, and, hav- | ing been led forward to the footlights by Mr Cox, delivered the following farewell adI dress : — " Ladies and Gentlemen — With the 1 pl A y J us k concluded, my professional engagenifinc in this theatre terminates. To you who have so kindly supported mo during my long stay in Hokitika my parting words of thanks are due ; and I beg permission to express them now on this, tho occasion of my farewell benefit. It may app3jr a matter of very little moment to a general audience whether an actress or an actor leaves a company or remains in it; but for my own part, l can truly say I feel a deep and sincere regret in parting from very many dear and valued friends I sec to-night around me. The first dramatic lines delivered on this stage — when Mr Bartlett commenced his costly speculation — were t-poken by myself, and since that time, with but a few weeks intermission, I have nightly had the honor of appearing before you. lam afraid you will think I am egotistical if I say that I have worked hard, for your amusement, but your kind applause has always cheered me on, and in every character I have sustained I cau conscientiously say I have labored to tho utmost of my ability to please you. And hero let me tender n.y thanks to Mr Bartlett, -who, as a manager, always acted in good faith towards me ; to Mr Cox, for playing to-night j and to Mr Smith and the ladies and gentlemen of the company with whom I have associated so long, for tho valuable assistance they have given me this evening, and to all who have interested themselves to-night on my behalf. And now, ladies and gentlemen, let me say faro well. It is tr disagreeable word at any time to speak, but doubly so when spoken for tie last time ; and if I linger on the word it is because I would say much more, c but fear to say it. 1 To you, then, and all kind friends ill Hokitika I bid farewell." This speech was most feelingly delivered, and received with loul applause. Mr Smith gave "Tho Death of Nelson' 1 most effectively, and wus cucox'od ; and the night's entertainment concluded with the farce of " Brother Bill and j Me." Tim performance was under tho patronage of hi 3 Worship tho Mayor and the Bar of Hokitika, and amongst the company present wero Mr Stewart, the Provincial Secretary, and Mr Bonar, the &oldfields Secretary. We are requested to state that Iho meeting of the Stafford street Improvement Committee has been unavoidably postponed until Thursday nest, when it will be held at the Oddfellows 1 Hotel, at eight o'clock. We are glad to announce that a want that has long been experienced in Hokitika will shortly be supplied. A preliminary meeting was held last evening, at the Po3t Office Hotel, by the levers of music, and a Choral Society ha 3 been fairly launched. A general meeting will be held at tho same place on Friday evening next, when rules will be read and general business transacted. Wo hail with pleasure tho birth of a reunion which will doubtless afford much gratification to both performers and listenors. We observe by aw advertisement elsewhere that a meeting is convened for this evening, at eight o'clock, at the Empire Hotel, for the purposo of commencing preparations for the ensuing annual Hokitika races. We hope the meeting will be well attended, and lead to the provision of a day or two's sport, equal to that which gave such universal satisfaction in January last. The "Talbot Leader" say3:— "An idea of the stringency of the bill recently introduced in South Australia, to amend the Bush Fires Act, will bo gathered from tho following clause, prohibiting smoking under certain circumstances :— c Every person who shall, atany time during the months of November, December, January, February, March, April, or May, smoke in the open air within twenty yards of any stable, or of any rick or field of grass, hay, corn, straw, or stubble, unless within a town ; or shall use any pipe for the purpose of smoking in the open air, without having a metal cover fixed thereon, or who ahull at any time use or havo in his possession any matches save such as will not ignite by friction except on a chomically prepared surfuce shall, on conviction thereof, forfeit and pay a sum of not Ics3 than 10s nor moro than L 5, and in default of payment thereof shall be liable to bo imprisoned with or without hard labor, for any term not exceeding one calendar month.' "

Another bushranger in New South Wales has been shot dead by the police, after the robbery of an hotel near Forbes. His name is not mentioned, but he was the mate of Humphreys, a notorious character, who escaped. On the motion of Mr Wells, a return was laid on the table of the House of Representatives, showing that in the year ending 30th June, 1866, the number of newspapers that passed through the Post Office, was 2,04-9,593 while in 1867 thore were only 1,511,317. The estimated revenue on them during 1867 was L3SOO.