West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 693, 13 December 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1867.

Mr Shaw's letter to the Rev. Mr M'Donough puts very clearly a point which we believe the public generally have pretty well understood, but which, from certain intelligible motives, some persons have systematically pretended not to understand It has been a very convenient card to piny to identify Mr Shaw with all the opinions expressed in this journal, and with all the comments and strictures upon men and things which appear in its columns. Those who have based arguments and insinuations upon this false assumption have known perfectly well how false it was. But it has suited their purpose to make the iitmost nse of it. Arguments upon public matters, and strictures upon [Aiblic men which pertain of right and responsibility to the office of the Editor of a leading newspaper, would be obviously out of rule as well as out of taste if emanating from the pen or inspired by the dictation of any man holdhig a public position like that of Mayor of an important town. What is Air Shaw's position in reference to the West Coast Times apart from his proprietary intei-est in it ? We suppose that he would not allow it to be conducted on principles that lie believed to be dishonest ora'lverse to the general interests of the community. It may be assumed that there is a general identity or sympathy of opinion on public mattei's, between himself and the editor whom it is his pleasure to employ. Such an understanding, in fact, as does not on the one part involve interference or on the other part compromise independence. No doubt many things have been said in this newspaper which the proprietor would not have said had he been the writer, and many opinions advocated which have failed to meet his individual concurrence. If so, he has differed from the views propounded, as any reader might do. This is the basis on which all journals of reputation and standing are conducted. Their proprietors would at once step in to interpose their authority, if they found a policy advocated, which was contrary to their own convictions, or in their opinion detrimental to tho public welfare. But until such a necessity arises, they leave the responsible cond.ict of their journals to those they have placed in charge of them.

We arc glad on many grounds that Mr Shaw has made the statement contained in his letter to the ltev. Mr M'Donough. It relieves us from .no small embarrasment. The Wkst Coasx Times has never been the personal organ of its proprietor. In every political contest in which Mr Shaw has taken part in Hokifika, he would have been in a far better position, if he had been unconnected with any newspaper. Any single word written in support of his pretensions to public office, would have been regarded at once as inspired by himself ; any word of honest independent criticism upon his pretensions would have been declared to be dictated by some sinister motive. The proprietor of the only newspaper that circulates throughout the whole district of Westknd, its columns have been useless to him for any political purpose whatever. We do not say this as claiming any special virtue due to himself or to us." Newspapers that are purely personal organs — whether as vehicles of advocacy or of attack— are about the most contemptible productions of the printing press. We believe few men have been so systematically made the capital and stock-in-trade of a newspaper, as Mr Shaw has been in the case of the " Evening Star." He is the sole pabulum on which it feeds. And the most has been made of the trick of pretending to believe that he is the author of every article and every letter that appears in this journal. Even those whose position and education should teach them better, catch the idea and traffic upon it! ' l

If the Wjest Coast Times wore to be made v personal organ — especially the organ of its own proprietor — it would erase to have any legitimate claim to public support. No man could with any sense of self-ivspect hold any public position if he possessed or exercised the power of controlling the columns, of the Press. We will go further and say that no man holding journalism to be an honorable profession — the calling und avocation of a gentleman — would consent to accept service ou a newspaper

on terms that ignored his own independence of conscience and judgment. We shall for the future feel all the more free to give credit where credit is due, and to criticise where censure is deserved. For it is impossible to ignore the fact that a false assumption has been carefully fostered for the purpose of creating political and trading capital.

"■ Tho Escort from tho Waimea arrived yesterday afternoon, bringing down about 4500o«. of gold, consigned' to the various banks.

The Municipal Council will meet this evening, afc half-past seven o'clock.

We understand that it is in contemplation shortly to hold a regatta on the Arahura Lagoon, and that tho district will be canvassed for subscriptions for that object.

A fatal accident occurred at the Italian Gully, Waimea, on the 11th instaat. A miner named George Giacomo Sutori, was working by himself in a claim, when a quantity of earth and roots of trees suddenly fell upon him. Iwo men named Morithina Stafina and David : Matson were working in the next claim, and the former hearing tho noise of the falling earth, called out to Sutori — " aro you all right ?" but receiving no answer ho wont to where the earth had fallen and they found Sutori lying on his back dead. An inquest will be held this day, at the Waimea, upon the body before Dr Beswick, coroner.

Large quantities of the finest vegetables are daily arriving in Hokitika from the Market Gardens in the Suburbs : — Radishes, lettuces, onions, leeks, cabbages, cauliflowers, and new potatoes, arc hawked about the streets and sold at comparatively moderate prices.

We take the following from tho Melbourne " Argiw" of tho oth instant. Messrs Cohen, Bros., of Hokitika, are a branch of the Melbourne firm :—": — " A very handsome and inaisive dining- table has just been mado by Messrs Cohen Bros., of the Queen'e-arcade, for Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat. It is intended for tho dining-room set apart for the use of His Royal Highness t\ie Duke of Edinburgh duriug his stay on tho metropolitan goldfield. The table is made on the patent telescopic principle, and its length is tweiitytwo feet, although, with the addition of two more slides, it can be extended to thirty feet. This, we believe, is tho largest table ever manufactured in the colony, and its make and finish reflect great credit on the Messrs Cohen."

The Prince of Wales Opera nouao was well filled last evening, when Miss Eloiso Juno made her first appearance before a Hokitika audience, and we are sure that tho lady herself can have no reason to complain of her reception, for it was most enthusiastic. The opening piece was " Camille," founded on tho novel of Alexander Dumas. The play is essentially French in its character, its sentiments and its situations, and although often placed upon the English stage is not a great favorite with an English audience. The part of Camille was allotcd to Miss Juno, and sho rendered it with great fidelity, and in some parts with considerable power aa well as tenderness. The death scene was particularly well done. She was as she always is, (for Miss Juno is no stranger to us,) letter perfect. Armand Duval, the lover of Camille, fell to tho U\t of Mr Wolfe, aud would have been a fair impersonation had- it not been' spoiled, by the occasional bad pronunciation of the actor. Air Hogan as M. Duval ; Mr Joyce as Count de Varville, and Mr F. Allen as Ghwlave, were each deserving of praise for tho careful manner in which they rendered their parts. Miss Kate Ryder made a capital Ninchettc, and Miss Asbton as Olympe, Mrs Crosby" as Madame Prudence were equally effective. Tha piece, which went very smoothly, was well put upon the stage, and the grooping at times was very artis tic. Wo may mention that Miss Juno was four times called before the curtain, which, at the close, fell amidst loud applause. Afar more pleasing piece was Selby's musical interlude, "The Bonnie Fishwife," which concluded the entertainment. Tho purt of Maggie Macfarlane, tho Bonnie Fishwife, is one of Miss Juno's best characters, and last night she seemed to have lost none of her old power of delineation, and her s iddcn transition from the poor but truebeartoJ fish-girl, to tho accomplished young lady Miss Thistledown, was remarkably woll given. The Sir Hiccorg HeartycTiea? of Mr Joyce was very creditable, whilst Mr Woolfe as Mr Wildoates Hearfyclieer, played fairly enough. Mr John Dunn as Gaiters, although he had but little to do, yet he did that little well, and elicited as usual the loud laughter of the house. The piece was splendidly brought out, and at its conclusion Miss Juuo received a very enthusiastic oration. We may menlion that Mr Stuart O'Brien arrived yesterday by the Gothenburg, and will, wo believe, appear on Saturday.

Reports are unanimous in representing the country up the Kanieri river to of be the finest description, especially that block which separates the Hokitika and Kanieri rivers ; extensive flats of rich land, moderately timbered only, tempt the enterprise of the husbandman and horticulturist, and are intersected by well defined gullies and terraces abounding in auriferous indications. Patches of ground miserably disproportionate in size, however, to the extent of land available have already been brought under cultivation, and at the expense of very slight tilling ure producing magnificent crops that grow several feet above the highest flood mark, Much attention has of late been directed to this valuable track of country, and was ifc only rendered accessible by. roads, we feel sure that its permanent settlement would be soou accomplished, both by the miner and cultivator. A great deal of ground there has been tested for gold aud proved to be moJerately payable, but tho difficulty of conveying provisions through the dense scrub acts as an effectual check upon its thorough development. We hear that the Kanieri Tramway Company meditate oxtending their line in that direction, with a view to encourage the formation of another settlement, and also to supply the tolerably numerous community ■which is established on the right-hand branch of the Kanieri, and several scattered parties who aro working along the banks of that river. The Company stato their willingness to carry the tramway b iven or eight miles furLhor on, providing tho Government will subsidise the construetiou of a substantial bridge across the Kaniori river. The request is reasonable, and the proposed undertaking so praiseworthy in every respoct, that wo have no doubt tho now Couuty Council will give tho matter tliou'oarUos.fe consideration and support.

The Ball which took place last evening at th« Post Office Hotel was numerously attended, upwards of sixty persona being present. The spacious ball-room was tastefully ornamented, and to the music of an efficient quadrille band the guests danced right merrily, indeed morning had dawned before they thought of departing. The supper and refreshments were furnished in Mr Hanson's beat style.