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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 386, 26 October 1868, Page 2

On Saturday last, Mr A. B. Bain, deputed by the Progress Committee to personally present the petition recently prepared by that body, left for Nelson per Charles Edward, and will, no doubt, have an interview with his Honor to-day or to-morrow. At any rate, whether successful in his errand or not, we shall at least have the satisfaction of knowing the result without delay, one of the most special injunctions on the part of the Committee being to obtain a direct and plain answer to the petition, and a clear understanding as to what this place has to expect in connection with the objects of the visit. We may expect to hear per telegram as soon as some result has been arrived at by the Proj vineial Executive.

As will be seen by-advertisement, Lhe Kennedy leaves this evening, at five o'clock, for Nelson. We are glad to say that the fears ontertaiued for the German, or Pole, who was missing have proved to be unfounded, and that he has again made his appearance. It seems that the police made enquiries, and found him in a state of destitution and very ill in his tent, and the Inspector afforded him the necessary relief, with the option of going to the Hospital, if necessary. Whether he has accepted the latter offer we are not aware, but it is well that he received such timely succour m the time of his need.

The West Coast Times, of the 22nd writes:—"The Hokitika river was literally swarming with whitebait yesterday ; men and boys catching them by buckets full from the wharf. Large quantities of these delicious fish—which when properly cooked, form a dish fit for the table of an epicure—weve offered for sale from house to house at very reasonable prices. By telegrams forwarded to the West Coast Times, we learn that the Assembly was prorogued on the 20fch inst., and the Westland difficulties have been smoothed over by the bills having reference to them being assented to. At Hawke's Bay fresh native troubles has arisen, but the Maories this time appear to have betaken themselves to the praiseworthy practice of cutting each other's throats instead of those of the Pakehas. A party of Government scouts have been massacred by the Hau-Haus, and their fellow-countrymen are making great preparations to reciprocate the compliment. The so-called settled districts are becoming untenable, and the Star of the South has been chartered to bring the women and children from the coast settlements. Prom Auckland we learn that great distress and privation exist amongst the miners, and that so far from the Thames district being further opened by the native proprietary, sjrious disturbances have occurred on the subject, a portion of the Maories being in favor of opening the land for mining purposes, and another section being bitterly opposed to it. Blood has already been shed, it is reported, and a man has been killed.

Before long, as we have predicted before, one of the best goldfields on the Coast will be probably opened on the banks of the Buller. For a long time past gold has been obtained from here to the Lyell, but recently prospecting

ha« been far more vigorously carried an, and in most eases with success. A party tbat has been at work a few weeks struck gold a day or two ago, on a terrace about a mile up the Nelson track, just opposite to the Caledonian, but on the south bank of the river. It is coarse, scaley gold, and the prospectors are sanguine it will provo a continuation of the Caledonian lead", and will well reward their exertions. Others have tested the same terrace some time, ago, fov there is a monkey-drive in ite euidently made mouths since, but the earlier explorers were not so fortunate as their successors. We hope that this pnrtwill be thoroughly tested, and feel that anj labor gone to in doing so, will b« Avell repaid in the end. Whitebait is abundant in the Bailor at present, and yesterday some largfl hauls were made. Messrs Findt and Thiel, of the Nelson Track hotel, on the Addison's road, yesterday caught over a hundred pounds weight of this dainty little fish, and in addition were successful in lauding an eel of 151bs weight. There is any amount offish in the river, and we are surprised that more attention is not paid to its capture and sale. We regret to have to record another accident in our harbour, though it is possible that no other loss than that of detention will result. The schooner Ceres, bound for Melbourne, started on Saturday last in tow of the Charles Edward, when tbe latter vessel was going to Nelson. At the very beginning of her intended trip, the spring parted, but this was not of any consequence, and she proceeded on her way. Before reaching the channel, however, a fresh southerly breeze blowing at the time, the tow line parted, and despite the most energetic efforts both on board, and on tbe part of Captain Palmer, she drifted ontothe north spit where she now lies. The Charles Edward was backed right to the bows of the schooner, but the tide ebbing at the time she was too firmly £ xed to be moved, and after repeated efforts the steamer proceeded on her way. Yesterday the llarbour Master got an anchor out'and an attempt wasmadeto warp the vessel afloat, but was unsuccessful. The Kennedy also endeavored to pull her otf, but with no better result. There is no doubt, however, that she will get off at the next spring tides, and lying in the river, at the verge of the North Spit, there is little danger to be apprehended on her account. At the same time the accident is to be regretted, and it should be a caution to masters or vessels to be careful in seeing that their lines are more reliable, for to this cause nearly half of the disaster at the West Coast ports are attributed. No blame whatever can be imputed to Captain Palmer, a faulty tow line causing the whole mischief. A man of experience, recently arrived in Westport, intends, we hear, to attempt fishing enterprise on a small scale, by purchasing and fitting one of the Taranaki surf-boats, and using it in lieu of a larger vessel. With it he considers he can cross the bar in safety in almost any weather, and can bring his freight in alive and in goorl condition. At the present prices of fresh meat an occasional fish diet would be a welcome change, and a ready market is open, for as much as can be caught. We need hardly say that we wish the speculation every success. Amongst a number of fine cattle by the Wallabi in her last trip, was a splendid bullock, that was sold to Messrs Dick and Seaton for £37, and is estimated to weigh nearly 1400 lbs. The animal was so weighty, that the usual power was insufficient, and extra out, the next process was to induce it had to be applied to hoist it over the side. After getting it to cross the river ; after a good deal of trouble it made a start, but on nearly reaching the North Spit it headed down river, and in spite of the exertions of two boats sailed awav strait into the break, crossed the bar in firstrate style, and headed away to sea as though disgusted with West Coast hospitality, and determined to make away back again to Wanganui. Night came on shortly after, and the last that was seen of the animal was his swimming away in the direction of the Steeples. Yesterday morning- the owners were on the alert, and could find no trace of the missing friend, but late in the day it was discovered about six miles up the beach quite wet and dripping, and apparently not long out of the water, but not a bit the worse for its feat. How long it was cruisiug about is of course unknown, but in all probibility it was sone hours in the water, and was drifted northward by the current that s eta along the Coast. It was driven back to the Slaughter yards, and will certainly end his troubles to-day at that bourne. It is probably the finest ever seen in Westport, and that so heavy an animal should have escaped alive through such peril is astonishing.

Mr W. Shaw, late of the " West Coast Times," has issued a prospectus for the publication of a new daily paper at the Thames, to be entitled the " Skortlaud Times." It is to be full sized double demy, and a new machine for printing it, is said to be on its way from Melbourne. It will-no doubt be a great addition to the district, for hitherto journalism has cortainly halted in that quarter, the only representative of the fourth estate by no means coming up to the standard that should obtain in so large and populous a place. In such a locality, the wellknown business energy and ability of Mr Shaw will be a most welcome addition, and we have no his aeW paper will bo strongly supported by the residents. The following doings of that amiable character, Mr Tito Kowaru, are related in the Evening Post:—lnformation of a creditable nature has reached the Government, that the can- 1 nibal, Tito Kowaru, exceeding in villany anything yet heard in New Zealand since the first clays of its colonisation, had forwarded to the inland tribes of this island, some potted meat, made of the flesh of our poor fellow-country-men who fell in the late disaster at the Front. The purport of this horrible practice, it is scarcely necessary to remark, is to inflame the ferocity of the natives of the interior, from which this scoundrel expects assistance. Some small kegs of this horrible food have found their way, it was stated, to the Waikato district, and have been seen amongst the tribe located near Lake Taupo. Well might the lucubrations of Exeter Hall and its friends be once for all disregarded by all colonists, who should really leave asid; all feelings but those of retributive justice, in dealing with ruffians capable of committing such abominable crimes. Some hubbub and excitement has been caused in G-reymouth by the Westland Waste Lands Board having sold some auriferous land on the South Beach, including the recently discovered Stoney Lead. A monster meeting of miuers and others was held in Greymouth, and the result of the agiiation is thus referred to by the local paper: —'" The telegrams forwarded to Wellington regarding the sale of the Stoney Lead, and which were read to the public meeting on Monday, have elicited prompt replies and the Government deserve credit for tbe active measures which they adopted to remedy the mistake of the Waste Linds Board. The telegram received by the Town Clerk from Mr Stafford was as follows : —' Enquiry will be made without delay on the subject to which your telegram refers.' Mr Harrison also telegraphed as follows :—' The Grovernment will do everything to redress the matter complained of. A special meeting of the Waste Lands Board is summoned by the Governor for tomorrow to consider the subject. The whole is evidently a mistake." One of the deputation to the Waste Lands Board, from the miners on the Stoney Lead, returned to Paroa yesterday, and through him we learn that the special meeting of the Board was held at Hokitika on Tuesday, for the purpose ef re-considering the sale of the sections on the South Beach, in this district. The members of the deputation addressed the Board, and laid the facts of the case before it, showing the injustice which had been done to the miners by selling their claims as agricultural land. Afterwards the Board took the matter into consideration, and decided to cancel the sale of the sections on which the Stoney Lead is situated, on the ground that the land was auriferous. The miners can now proceed with their work without fear of having their claims taken from them, aud the question of compensation will have to be fought out between Mr Button and tho Govern, meut"

The people of A.ddison's Flat have been up and stirring in organising a prospecting association. A short time ago, a committee for the purpose was chosen, and subscriptions gathered, and on Friday last a ball was held at which £74< was realised. The whole of the wines and spirits consumed were presented gratuitously, and the greatest spirit has characterised the whole proceedings. Altogether the association has nearly £IOO, in hand and to-day twelve experienced miners will be chosen, and will be fully equipped, and despatched at once. They will be formed into three parties of four each, and will thoroughly test all the country adjacent to Addison's Flat. As aoo n as the amount at present collected is spent, other funds are promised, if necessary ; but the promoters are sanguine that before that point is reached some new and payable ground will be opened, arid every one must join in the hope that they will not be disappointed.

A Canterbury paper says : —" A com plaint lias been made in the Legislative Council against the excessive charges of lawyers for conveyances, made according to a law passed in 1842. When the purchase money does riot exceed £IOO, the legal charge must not exceed one pound ; but beyond that, trn shil ings for every hundred pounds of such purchase money ; so that in a case where the price amounted to £120,000, the conveyance alone was charged a £OOO, 10s., besides other charges for maps, &c. Dr. Pollen promised that the attention of Government would be given to the -subject. It is reported that the wrecked steamer Taranaki, now lying in fifteen fathoms water in Queen Charlott's Sound with a full and valuable cargo, will ere long be sold for the benefit of whom it may concern, as there are legal obstacles in the way of any action being taken by the directors.

A curious circumstance is mentioned in a private letter in connection with the recent hot weather in the United Kingdom. A vessel, on her return from the West Indies to Woolwich, brought such a number of mosquitoes in her rigging, that not only Woolwich and London, but various parts of the country as far north as Edinburgh, have since been visited by these unpleasant insc cts. A huge tree. #3O feet in height, was recently felled in the Dandenong ranges. This monarch of the forest measured sixty-nine feet in circumference at the base, and at the height of 210 feet was five feet in diameter.

The action for slander brought by the Rev. Mr Kaye, of Melbourne, against Mr Moffatt, was grounded on a statement by the latter, to the effect that Mr and Mrs Kaye got drunk during a visit to his house. The action ■was compromised by the payment of £I2OO and costs, with the addition of a full apology.