West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 677, 25 November 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1867.

If self-preservation be the first law of Nature, the property -holders in Revell street will be only following a natural instinct in taking without an hour's de- . lay the steps necessary to protect themselves, so far as the opportunity is yet left them, against the relentless onslaughts of the sea. Hitherto they have refrained from taking any very earnest measures on the matter. They have discussed the probabilities of the further encroachments of the surf, and of the prospect of the beach making up again almost as soon as it was washed away. They have appointed deputations and presented memorials ; and have stood watching with a curious and critical eye the effect of the* experimental engineering works carried out in the first instance by the Corporation, and subsequently by *he Government. Not until now, indeed, has the danger presented itself in its present unmistakable shape. For some time the works undertaken promised to be a success, and the beach in various parts^dtd rapidly make up. But how little real foundation there was for this feeling of assurance is now seen. The gea has laughed at the feeble efforts yet made to curb its forces. Day by day, tide by tide, its ravages become more destructive. We ■ need not seek for any graphic words to tell the story of its devastations during the past week even". The whole town has witnessed them. The daily visitors to the, beach mark the havoc. Where is it to end, unless the task of checking the progress of the ocean is at once undertaken with a firm and strong hand ? The occasion demands an effort commensurate with the enormous amount of property at stake. So far, great as the destruction has been, it has been confined chiefly toproperty at the rear of the main street, much of which ought never to have ; been placed there. The necessity is now urgent of protecting Revell street itself. We believe that the work may be done ; and that the present destructive set of tho sea may be effectually checked. We are glad to find that it is the opinion of most practical men I

that the present combination of groynes and fascines is about the best means that could be resorted to for this end, unless works of gigantic magnitude and prodigious cost" were undertaken. The matter, however, is left in the hands of the property-holders themselves. The Government have made what appears to us to be a very fair proposal. They say, then, pay at once the purchase-money of your- holdings, and we will expend* the money in protecting your property and converting it into a secure and valuable freehold. We loam from the letter of the Secretary of the Goldfields to the Town Council, that if the pound and thirty shillings a-foot be deposited in his hands, a license to occupy will be handed back in returnto be exchanged as soon as the necessary forms can be gone through for a Crown grant, — and that the money so received wiljrbe immediately applied to the construction of the necessary protective jvorks. It is surely the interest of the : section holders to close with these terms. They are not asked to subscribe to a public work, even for the protection of their own interests. They are simply asked to pay the purchase money on their freeholds, upon the pledge that -that money — which, under ordinary circumstances, the Government would hare a perfect right to divert to any general town purposes— shall be applied to no use whatever but to protect their freeholds and augment their value. At the meeting held on Saturday night, a committee was appointed to wait upon the different property holders this morning, and urge them at once to place the Government in possession of • the purchase money for their allotments. One thing appears tolerably certain -—that unless the money for the work is provided in this way, the work will not bo undertaken at all on any adequate scale. The Town Council have not the means, and the Government have no funds whatever at their disposal for any purpose of the kind. Had, indeed, the case been otherwise, it must, we think, be conceded that the course now proposed would still be the most proper and equitable one. An objection may indeed be raised that those who- refuse to pay their purchase money at this moment, will derive an equal benefit f rom the protective works with their neighbors by whose money they are constructed. So they will; but not without having to pay, in the end, much more than they have the option of contributing now. It may be relied upon that when the town lands come to be sold, conditions will be imposed upon the purchasers that will exact from them their full proportionate share of the expenditure on the contemplated protective works. Government will take care to frame regulations under which the burden of this expenditure shall be equitably distributed. We say equitably — not equally — for some preference will doubtless be given to those who come forward iv this hour of emergency, not only to protect themselves, but to save their neighbors. We hope that the canvass of the Committee to-day will be a success, and that the great bulk of the sectionholders will accept the proposal of the Government.

Wo withhold correspondence arid local nem in order to afford as much spaco as possible toEnglish and continental news. We are glad to notice that tho Government have callod for tenders for the construction of other throe pontoon groins -for the protection of the North Beach. Plans and specifications can be seen at tho District Engineer's office, Scwell street. Tho closing hour for tenders is four o'clock this afternoon. May this' attempt to hold the surf in chock be successful, and as tho beach between tho groius is to be strengthened with fascine work wo are very sanguine that the desired result will be attained. The promptest action is, however, imporatiyo if Revell street is to bo preserved ; not an hour should be lost. Tho encroachments of the sea on the beach at the rear of Rovoll street are becoming most serious. Since Saturday, from MofTatt's right-of-way up to Casey's Ballarat Hotel, several feet of the sandbank have been cut away by tho action of the waves, and the highest spring tide will not be reached until Wednesday. Six dwellings were swept off by the surf on Saturday e\ ening, and several others were undermined by the waves. Of course, many of the inhabitants removed their household goods, arid betook themsolvcs to safor quarters, and not without reason, for as tho heavy seas struck some of the frail tenements, they at once collapsed, woro shivered to pieces almost like matohwooJ, and being carried out by tho efflux of the tide, were by the returning wave thrown in fragments on the sand. During nearly the whole of yesterday workmen were busily engaged in removing houses with tho view of erecting them in localities not liable to bo affected by the encroachments of tho sea. Some other cottages w,ere also destroyed by the influx of the ocean. The kitchens of some of the hotels were so injured as to put a stop to all cooking operations ; in fact, the most serious alarm is felt by many of the inhabitants of Revell street for the safety of their habitations. Last night the tide was very high, and the waves swept up for somo distance into the various rights-of-way. On Saturday another groine to tho north of the one at Moffat's right-of-way, was laid dowiii although tho workmen employed had much difficulty in accomplishing their task, in consequence of tlie boisterous weather ; a numbor of fascines were also embedded in the sand between tho two groines. These protective works are, to a certain extent, doing good, but they requiro to bo extended for some distance further north before their merits can be fully tested. Whether they are so extended - oc once rosts with tho section-holders of Rovell street, as the Goldfields Secretary has intimated that the Government will only proceed immediately With the necessary protective works, on the condition that tho soctionholders will, without delay, pay for tho property they occupy. A short time since, we callod attention to the fact that one of tho coffins had been laid' bare on the bank at tho mouth of tho Teremakau River; which was formerly usod as a cemetery, and wo urged upon tho authorities tho necessity of having tho remaining coffins

removed. No steps have, however, been taken to effect this, which, for tho sake of decency, ought to have been done ; and now we have to report that another coffin has been unearthed by the river washing away tho bank. Suroly something will now bo done to preserve the remains of the dead from being exposed to public gaze. The performances which were to have taken place at the Prmce of Wales Opera House on Saturday evening, for the benefit of Mrs Pablo Fanque, were postponed until this evening, partly on account of the wet and boisterous weather, and partly because of an accident to the gas works connected with the Theatre. On this subject Mr Barton, the* Gas Engineer, explains, that owing to tho gas works being placed on the north side of the Theatre, and a very strong north-east wind blowing all day, his utmost endeavors failed to succeed in getting the furnace sufficiently hcatod to generate sufficient gas to light up the house, which requires 200 jets to be supplied. The proposed performance comes off this evening under, we hope, the favorable auspices of fine weather. We may add that the occasion will bo the last appearance, for a long time to come.-cf Mrs R. H. Cox, who loaves town, by tho Christchurch coach, to-morrow morning, under engagement to perform in that city during the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Eclin" burgh. Mrs Cox will carry tho best wishes of a largo circle of admirers in Hokitika with her as an admirable actress of great ability and versatility of powers. Those who feel interested in tho progress of horticulture in Wostland, would do well to .take a look at a little garden in Tancred street, near the rear of the Prince of Wales Opera House, and which is cultivated by Mr Green. Every inch of ground is occupied, and what was once a barren strip of sand has, by the judicious application of manure, beon converted into a fertile spot, where vegetables of every description are growing in great luxuriance. The following is the return of cattle and sheep driven past Rangir'ri Police Camp, on their road to Hokitika, during the week ended 20(h November, 1867 :— Cattle, 191; sheep, 882. Tho following is the state of Weld street gaol for the week ended 2-lth November, 1867 : — Remaining last week — awaiting trial, 1 male ; under sentence for hard labor, 21 male 3. Admitted — sentenced to hard labor, 4. Discharged, 2 males. Remaining — 24 males sontenced to hard labor. We have been favored by a gentleman just arrived from Christchurch with an inspection of a number of photographs taken from transparencies, painted by Mr J. C. St. Q.uentin of • that city, by order of the General Governments and which are intended for the illumination* at. Wellington and Auckland on the occasion of the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh. They are most artistically di'awn, and from what we know of Mr St. Quentin's true appreciation of the contrast and harmony Jof color, wo believe that, when exhibited, they will have a very beautiful effect. We understand that the same artist has executod large orders in ti ansparencies for Melbourne. , Another rivor accident happened on the •track to Ross on Friday evening, resulting in tho loss by drowning of two valuable cart horse?. It appears that Messrs. Moran and McDonald's dray was on its return to Ross, when, at tho ford in tho Totara, at the junction of Donnelly's -creek, tho driver mounted the leading horse, and oucceeded in touching the opposite bank when tho dray got capsized by the stream, and tho shaft horse rendered helpless ; the draft thus became (00 heavy for the other horse, who had only touched tho bank with his fore feet, and dragged him also into the stream. Tho drivor fortunately was able to swim, and thus effected his escape, but tho horses and dray, aftor a vain struggle by the leading horse, were washed down the stream and drowned. Messrs. Moran and McDonald are the contractors <• for tho new road from Ross to the beach, and had sent down their dray that day with a load of timber, and it was on his return with the empty dray that the driver met with tho accident. This is, we hope, tho last accident we shall have to record in this river, as the long delayed direct road is neaiTcoinplotion, aud truly it i 8i 8 time. Tho Totara was first opened three years since, and has always maintainod a considerable number, in spite of the immenso difficulty of obtaining supplies, not one penny having been expended by Government for improving tho access to tho diggings. Ross, first "known as Jones' Flat, was opened in October, 1865. and although a large population has^ always since been located thero, and a fine township established, as yet no access to the beach has been provided, except the river Totara and Donnelly's Creek beds; in crossing which several fatal accidents havo happoncd. Mr Sale has the blame of not providing better means of communication, as the Provincial Council voted money for tho work on two sessions, and the non-expenditure of which was stated by tho Provincial Secretary as quite unaccountable to the Government, as orders had been given to proceed with the work, and it is generally thought that the work now in hand is more the result of the lute political agitation than any real desire to advance the district. We are sorry to hear that a slight accident has happened to the machinery of the Scandinavian Company, Ross, which will cause a few day's delay. This is much to bo regrettedas the present wet weather necessitates all the pumping power available. During tho past week two steam claims have been iv steady work, and were turn ing out well. The Morning Star took thirty-four ounces for one day's washing, aud tho Scandinavian have got better returns than previously, and havo moreover struck a new lead. The Prince of Wales engine, belonging to the Band of Hope, will commence pnmping during tho week, tho ground having been taken on tribute. . A consignment of pickled mutton birds, from Tasmania, has been receivod by Messrs Levy und Moses, fishmongers, Revell street. These bird 3 aro exceedingly plentiful about tho islands of Buss' Straits, and also frequont Stewart's Island in large numbers, where they are caught by tho Maoris, and aro salted and smoked. Frying is the mosfcomman mode of cooking mutton birds, but when cooked in this inauuer they are rather rank iv flavour. We are told a far bettor method of preparing them for tho table is to boil them gontly for I half an hour, whilst hot, skin them, and remove as much as possiblo of the oily fat. When prepared in this way they form a capital relish when oaton cold, or they can be i grilled, aud seasoned with cayenne.

A meeting of holders of property, in Revoll street, was held on Saturday evening, at Mee's Golden Age Hotel, Revell street, with respect to the beach protection. Mr Cassius occupied the chair. Mr Lazar, the Town Clerk, was prosent by request, and read a letter from the Goldfields Secretary, , dated 22nd inst., to the effect that the Government would undertake the necessary works for the protection of the beach, provided section holders lodged in his (the Goldfields Secretary's) hands the purchase money for their sectiong, which would be forwarded by him to the Waste Lands Boaad, Christchurch. ■ The Town Clerk further "stated that the letter from the Goldfields Secretary also intimated that it would be impossible to commence this work until the amounts previously named were handed over to him, and, therefore, he pressed upon tho Corporation tho necessity of the section holders making these payments as speedily as possible. After some conversation, Mr Higgins moved, and Mr Cosgrave seconded — " That a committee be appointed to wait upon the" section holders to induce them at once to lodge their money with the Goldfields Secretary, such committee to consist of Messrs Cassius, Cosgrave, Manson, Hansen, Humphrey, Mcc, and the mover." The resolution being carried, the meeting terminated. We may mention that Mr Smith, the architect, attended tho meeting with his plans for the beach protection. The "Daily Times" of tho 19th "istant Ba y ß : — << w e understand that a requisition is in courso of signature, asking the Mayor of Dunedin to convene a public meeting, with a view to steps being at once taken to prepare a fitting reception for his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. The accounts of tho discovery of gold at Stewart's Island, recently published in the Southland papers, have led to the foimatiou of a prospecting party, who are about to start from Invercargill. Tho " News" says : — " The cutter Pilot, owned by Mi* Wild, Dee street, is being prepared for a prospecting party to take a cruise round the island. We understand that the members of the company are experienced miners, determined to find gold> or other, minerals, if such exist. A good stock of provisions, and all the appliances necessary for giving the ground a complete overhauling have been provided. The adventurers are sanguine of having their labors crownod with success. The craft will leave on its cruise in a few days." With reforenco to the telegraph, the " Lyttelton Times," of Thursday last, says : — " The General Government line has beeu completely repaired, and communication was re-esta. Wished with Wellington at 4 p.m. yesterday. Tho Sydnoy papers atato tliat — "At the Wagga Wagga Circuit Court, upon the conclusion of the trial of the aboriginal Black Bob, for an attempt at rape, his Honor the Chief Justice said that he desired to state it as his deliberate opinion that if the punishment of death for rape was abolished, in less than three years case 3of rape and criminal assaults upon women would increase five-fold. From English statistics it had been shown that, immediately after tho abolition of tho punishment for death for this crime, the number of cases had increased three-fold, and in this country, where defenceless women were so often to be found in solitary huts, even worse results would assuredly follow tho repeal of tho existing law He had lived a long time, and had great experience with criminals, and he felt convinced that for the prevention of crime severe puniihmonts were necessary. A more timely or necessary caution has seldom proceeded from tho judicial bench.