NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 295, 11 July 1868, Page 3

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

The poor fellow O'Brien who recently met with so serious an accident at Addison's, succumbed at last, and died on Monday in the hospital, through the effects of the injuries received by his fearful fall. It was for sometime hoped by his medical attendants that he would recover, and the strength of his constitution added to the fact, that he had sustained no fracture of any bone induced a favorable opinion as to his case. Since being received into the hospital he met with every care that could be bestowed on him, but inflammation of the bladder and peritoneum at length set in and carried him off. Yesterday a funeral cortege of fully two hundred miners from Addison's, paid the last tribute ofrespectfto his remains, and accompanied them to the cemetery. The corpse was first taken to the Catholic Church, where the rites of his faith were performed, after which the procession, headed by the Catholic clergyman, in full canonicals proceeded to the grave where the last prayers were said, and the corpse consigned to the earth. The attendance of so many at the funeral showed the high respect deceased was held in by his fellow miners. We sincerely hope that this is the last fatal accident we may have to record from this or any other quarter. Two lives have been quite recently sacrificed in this manner at Addison's, through what we cannot help thinking was in some measure fault of the unfortunate men, who have paid for their carelessness with their lives. We trust that these sad warnings may induce greater caution amongst the mining population. With the utmost care they must of necessity run great risks of life and limb, and the slightest recklessness, may in a moment be productive of death and disaster.

We have repeatedly warned our Westport readers that the track from Charleston to Brown's Terrace and right on to Addison's, was to be a dray road. We can now tell them that a dray road has been commenced, and will be completed in about six weeks. The merchants of this town will be in a short time in a position to despatch goods by dray via Charleston, cheaper than they can supply them from here by pack horse. How they will like the picture we cannot say, but if they do not choose to exert themselves we may assume that they are satisfied with such a state of affairs.

At the late Supreme Court sittings, at Nelson a maltser named Sowman, was fined 40s for not attending as a juror after being duly summoned. His Honor Judge Kichmond, who inflicted this penalty, said that by the law of England, malsters were exempt from serving on juries. If such is the case, how does it come that the trade are not equally favoured in British colonies ?

Some new ground has again been opened to the north of Deadman's creek, and tunnels havebeenappliedfor. There is not the slightest doubt now that a highly payable and continuous lead will be found from the Caledonian north, and some of the prospects go to prove that one of the most extensive, as well as the richest fields on the West Coast will yet be developed in that district. At oue of the terraces already in work, on Friday last three pennyweights of gold were got from a hatful of stuff, and in a dozen or two other claims the prospects, if not quite, are nearly as rich. The Peak Downs Telegram contains, the following apology for making its appearance on the 7th April in half a sheet:—" There are —to our knowledge —but three printers in the district. One of these is prostrate with fever, another is almost blind with sandy blight, and the third is at his post — editor, compositor, pressman,. and wc know not what besides. We have telegraphed for aid, and in the meantime must do the best we can, aud crave the indulgence of our supporters. Conducting a newspaper in the remote bush, in a tropical climate, is not child's play, especially when the ' devil' gets sick and fails to become a saint."

The Mount Alexander Hail regrets to learn that in consequence of the assassination of the Hon. Darcy M'G-ee, two of his sisters, who have been residents of Victoria for upwards of seven years, have been deprived of a considerable resource which they relied upon and received from their late brotner.

To those fully acquainted with the career of the hon. gentleman, there can be no doubt, that his life waa sacrificed to his sense of duty. He was in favor of preserving the connexion between Canada and the United King* dom. This was regarded as a crime by his opponents. Aproposal is about to be made, to raise a sum of money to be given to the disconsolate sisters of MrM'G-ee, in testimony of honor to the deceased, and of sympathy with the principles which caused the sad calamity. A number of gentlemen connected with Victoria, have formed themselves into a committee to collect subscriptions, and so far as their mission has extended have met liberal encouragement. Our Greymouth contemporary records another melancholy case of drowning in the Grey River, the victim this time being a boatman named Aaron Pether* bridge, employed in one of Kilgour and Perotti's coal boats. On Saturday N morning he was employed ridimja horse which was towing the boat up the river, and while crossing the lagoon ford, about three miles, from Cobden, he mis* sed the track, which was covered with water at the time, and was immediately in deep water. Both mau and horse were drowned.

Members of all denominations, Catholic and otherwise, who had the pleasure of knowing Father Royer, when he was visiting this district, will be glad to hear of a well-earned compliment being paid him. AVe extract the following from the Grey River Argus :—" An il» luminated scroll testimonial has been presented to the Rev. Father Royer by the residents in the Arnould District, which bears the following :-f' To the Rev. Father Royer, Roman Catholic Clergyman, Greymouth. Rev. Sir— We, the undersigned, residents of the Arnould District, of all denominations, in presenting you with this address, desire to testify our sincere appreciation of the services you have rendered to us as a Catholic Clergyman, and also of the kindly and charitable disposition you have ever evinced towards the sick and needj', irrespective of creed and country. We trust that with the blessing of Divine Providence, you may be long spared to exercise those Christian and philanthropic efforts which so eminently qualify you for your sacred calling, and that every blessing may attend you through life. Signed on behalf of the resident of the Arnould District." Here follow the signatures. The Rev. gentleman's reply is in the following terms : —" My Dear Friends—l thank you sincerely for your beautiful address. In all my experience, of many countries and peoples, I must say that I never received more cordiality or generous sympathy than from the good people of the Grey River District, and particularly from the inhabitants of the Arnould. Such expression of sentiment is cheering to me in my arduous missionary career; and this your precious memento will be an incentive to greater energy and zeal on my part to discharge nay pas- . toral duties, in a manner pleasing to Almighty God, and satisfaction to the the flock entrusted to my spiritual care. This memento shall also be a strong reason, if any were required, to make me feel brotherly love from those who differ from me in religious doctrine. With prayers to the Most High to bless, guide, and protect you all in peace, harmony, and happiness; to grant you the grace of true faith, firm hope, ardent charity, a happy death, and a glorious future, I remain, dear friends, gratefully and affectionately yours, Emmanuel Royer." Thisgraceful act on the part of the residents in the Arnold District is no more than is deserved by the Rev. Father Royer, whose exertions on their behalf for years past have been most assiduous, visiting them, and attending to their spiritual wants in all weathers, and frequently at the risk of his life. We may mention that the illumination of the scroll has been executed in a thoroughly artistic manner by Mr R. C. Brown, a miner at Waimea Junction, Arnould Distinct. There has been from time to time a considerable difference of opinion as to the relative yield of the Nelson and the Westland goldfields, that is sold in Greymouth. In order to set the question at rest as far as possible, the Chairman of the County Council o Westland, and Mr Kynnersley, as representing the Nelson province, have issued a notice in the Greymouth paper requesting all those disposing of gold in that town, to state at the time of sale whether it was got from the Nelson province or from Westland. Though the results may not be perfect, yet a great deal will be ascertained that will through some light on the subject, and if nearly correct returns can be obtained, we venture to say that the gold yield of'the districts immediately north of the Grey, will prove equal to, if not greater than that got from the immediate south portion of Westland.