West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 707, 30 December 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1867.

We learn that, on the day of the departure of the Claud Hamilton from Sydney, information was received by telegram from Sir George Bowen, to the effect that His Excellency's arrangements would not allow of his leaving Sydney for Wellington until the Ist day of February, instead of the Ist January, as previously intended. His Excellency may not, therefore, be expected in Wellington for some six . weeks from the present date. •

How ■will this affect the practical initiation of the Wcstlaud County Act? We should apprehend not in any way. According to the explanations we hare already offered on the most reliable authority, the documents necessary to bring the Act into force, are only awaiting the signature of the Governor of New Zealand. Until the arrival of Sir George Bowen lo assume the reins of power, Sir George Grey continues to hold that important and responsible post. All necessary acts of administration devolve upon him, and on his return to "Wellington — expected about tho 7th of January — wo may anticipate that thore will bo no delay in obtaining th.p Yicoßega.l signature to

tho necessary proclamations and other forms. It is known that no one is more anxious than Mr Hall — the Minister specially in charge of the Westland Act — to give it practical force at the earliest possible moment. The Government have avowed their strong wish to have the County Council in session before the end of January ; and we may be sure that if one Governor can be "caught," to give the necessary authorisation, the deferred visit of a new one will not be waited for. We hope therefore 10 have the opportunity, notwithstanding the detention of Sir George Bowen, of welcoming Mr Hall amongst us, as the Chairman of the County and the representative of tho Governor, not later than the day we have already announced, viz., the 10th or 11th of January.

As we have already stated, the delay which unexpected circumstances have rendered unavoidable, in bringing the machinery of the new system of Government into working, will not interfere with the fact that New Year's Day will witness the termination of the political connection between East and West Canterbury. From to-morrow there will cease to be a West Canterbury at all. The designation will be erased from the map, and Trill survive only as an historical term. In the near approach of this consummation, Mr Stewart, tlie present Provincial Secretary has arrived in town, to assist in tho transfer of 'the provincial powers to the officers of the General Government. Mr Stewart will witness the formal birth of tho new County ; and wo believe that no one will regret more than himsolf, tho loss to Cantorbury, of so populous, prosperous, and enterprising a district. Accompanying Mr Stewart, is Mr John Ollivier, the Provincial Auditor, whose assistance will be invaluable in tho adjustment of the finances of the two sides. Wo believe Mr Stewart will return to Christchurch on Friday nost. Mr Ollivier's stay wUI probably bo moro protracted.

We publish suoh telegraphic details of news by tho Panama mail as have not been anticipated. The Kaikoura arrived at Wellington within her contract time. From the number and character of the passengers brought now by each monthly steamer, it is evident that the Panama line is rapidly growing into public favor.

Two opportunities for the transmission of letters and newspapers to Europe, via Panama, and to the United States, will be afforded during the present week. The company's branch steamer Phcebe will learo the roadstead in time to connect with the Mataura at Wellington, and the overland mail, which closes on Thursday evening, will be in time for the steamer leaving Lyttelton for the same port. We publish our Summary on Thursday morning, and it may be forwarded by either route.

On Saturday evening a large muster of the sporting faternity assembled in the long-room of Oaborne's Empire Hotel, for the purpose of investing their guineas in the Calcutta and other sweeps on tho principal events of this day's racing. Mr Osborne acted as treasurer, and Mr E. Reeves as secretary, who also wielded the auctioneer's hammer to some effect on tho following events : — Trial Stakes of twenty members at five guineas each — tho first horse to receive LSO, with proceeds of sale added ; second horse, L3O ; third horse, L2O. The following gentlemen wore fortunate in drawing horses : — Mr Tom Harris drew Red Rose; Mr Benjamin Osborne, Kohler; Mr George Harrison, Mocking Bird; Mr DeVore, Stella ; Mr M'Clintock, Regalia. Red Rose sold for thirty-six guineas ; Kohler for twenty-seven guineas 5 Mocking Bird, thirteen guine is ; . Stella, fifteen guineas ; Regalia, fourteen guineas ; making for the winning horse, LlO5 2s 6d. The second and third horses as above stated. The next event was on the Hokitika Town Plate, twenty members at two guineas each ; and Mr Harry Holt drew Kohler, Mr M'Clintock Golden Cloud, Mr R Reeves Mocking Bird. Kohler sold for twenty-niuo guineas; Golden Cloud, for thirtyaevcu guineas ; Mocking Bird, ten guineas. -The winning horso to receive receive LSB, the socond horse Lls, and the third horso Lo. The next was on tho Hurdle Raco ; forty members at one guinea each. Mr Finlay drew Shamrock, Mr M'Clintock Blink Bonny, Mr M. Fiulay Native, Mr Walter Morrison Memmac, Mr John Evans Brown Stout. Shamrock sold six guineas ; Blink Bonny, ton guineas ; Native, twenty-two guinoaß ; Morrimac, twenly-threo guineas ; Brown Stout, fifteen guineas. The winning horso to reccivo LSB, the second aud third horses Lls and L 5 respectively. Tho meeting wound up harmoniously, each expressing himself satisfied with the result. The following is tho latest state of the odds. Trial Stakes — 50 to 30 against Red Rosej 50 to 20 against Mocking Bird (taken) ; 7 to 5 against Kohler (taken freely) ; 7 to 3 agaiusfc Stella ; 10 to 3 against Rosalia (off). We hear that 200 to 80 has been taken against Mocking Bird in one bet. Town Plate— loo to 85 against Golden Cloud ; 100 to 60 against Kohler; 25 to 10 against Mocking Bird (taken freely). Hurdle Race — 7 to 2 against Blink Bonny; tho same odds against Shamrock ; 50 to 40 against Native ; 60 to 40 against Merrimac (taken freely) ; 50 to 30 against Brown Stout. An offer was made in the room, to back " the Stout " for a "centre,'' for a place (not taken).

We see by advertisement that the fortunate drawers of winning horses in tho Calcutta sweep, which took place at the Empire Hotel, on Saturday evening, are requested to attend there this evening, for tho purpose of undergoing tho very pleasing process of receiving the result of their several ventm-es. Such promptitude on the part of the treasurer and secretary refloct great credit on both gentlemen. We notice that this evening several sweeps will be again drawn, varying from one to five guineas.

We notice that the secretary for the races has taken every precaution to ensure the convenience of owners of horses proceeding to the convincing ground this day. The poles and flags fixed by him on Friday morning having been washed away by the flood of Saturday last, he has with well-judged discretion engaged the services of an experienced Maori, to guide all horses over the ford on the othor side of the island. Owners of horses aye advised by advertisement to oross the punt between seven and nine this morning, so as to

cross the ford at low water. About the same hour in the afternoon will answer for returning.

Cobb's coach arrived from Christchurch on Saturday afternoon, at three o'clock, bringing the following passengers all through : — Messrs F.E.Stewart, J. Ollivier, and Morragh ; also four wayside passengers. The road is reported to be in good condition and the rivers low.

We regret to have to record the death, by drowning, of Mr H. B.Wright, who formerly resided in Southland, and was well known to many in Westland. It appears that about nine o'clock on Saturday evening Mr Wright was mooring a boat to the bank of the Waimea Creek, when a heavy fresh suddenly came down and swept hi-n and the boat away. The boat has been picked up, but Mr Wright's body has not been found.

Wo understand that the Inspector of the Bank of Australasia is now in Hokitika. It is rumored that a branch of this establishment is about to be opened here.

The Provincial Secretary and the Provincial Auditor arrived by coach on Saturday, from Christchurch, for the purpose of winding up the provincial affairs of e3fcland, which will cease to be a portion of tlie province of Canterbury on New Year's Day.

Mr M'Kennaway has been elected member of the Provincial Council of Canterbury for the Mount Cook District, in room of Mr Sheath, resigned.

An Eastlaud contemporary says, with reference to tho death of Mr Crosbie Ward :—: — "If the telegram via Suez had not informed us of the sad catastrophe of Mr Ward's death, private lottors since received by the mail itself would have prepared us to expect tho worst. A letter of the date |of 27th October describe Mr Ward as sinking rapidly, and being quite unable to communicate by lofctor with his friends."