The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 731, 1 November 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1870.

The visit of the Superintendent, after a three years' absence, to a portion of the Province containing nearly one half of the entire population and more than one half of its total adult population, and which contributes two thirds of the Provincial revenue, can only be regarded as a tardy recognition, on the part of Mr Curtis, of his duty as the chief officer of the Province. Let us hope that, on the present occasion, he may be sufficiently impressed with the importance of these extensive seats of mining industry to become alive to the necessity of making adequate provision for their requirements and expansion ; and that, in the pursuit of a more liberal policy towards us in the future, be may endeavor to efface from our memories the contemptuous indifference, with which the material interests of the people have been systematically ignored, and partially atone for a lengthened course of administrative neglect. It may be that the whirligig of time, with its many changes, has also induced the Superintendent to regard the goldfields in a more favorable light than hitherto. The fact that a population lias been settled for five years, and during that period has exhibited a most unexampled measure of prosperity, may have led to a recantation of the repeatedly expressed opinion of our chief magistrate, that the gold fields' inhabitants were but houseless wanderers, without stake or interest in the country beyond the transitory pursuit of a fleeting industry. While willing to acknowledge that ifc is the inevitable fate of all goldfields to decay, having once reached the zenith of their prosperity, it were idle to suppose that such an opinion could be deliberately formed of an immense tract of country, in which the workings have been limited to a narrow strip of country running parallel wi.n u_ aoA .p oard . The recent discoveries of valuable 4u^».t7 _ an( ( alluvial workings in the Lyeli ana Tnangabua districts are a sufficient proof that our mineral resources are yet far' from exhausted. And the working of ground in the neighborhood of Charleston, the result of the recentraceextensions,whichforyears previoualy harl hAPn known to be highly payable, but; in tlio „r >vatei* had to be abandoned, indicates the necessity of the Grovernment organising some well designed scheme of supplying auriferono districts with waten «iHiout which the working of vast areas must be indefinitely postponed. Throughout the goldfields of South-West Nelson the works of ! many districts are greatly hindered, and, in numerous instances, completely stopped, in consequence of an insufficient and uncertain supply of water; and since the Public Works Act of last session provides for the construction of water-races on goldfields, it would be most desirable that his Honor should instruct some competent person to proceed to these districts, and report on the proper steps for bringing iu water, at a sufficient elevation to command the largest areas of auriferous ground. The necessity of at once placing the nearest port in communication with the Inangahua, Lyell, and Tipper Buller workings, is a matter, the importance of which, cannot be too strongly impressed upon the Government of the Province, and the work is one of such moment that its immediate construction should be resolved upon.

A meeting- of the Eace and Sports' Committee was held at Emanuel's Little Grey Hotel yesterday evening. The gentlemen, to whom had been entrusted the duty of canvassing the town for subsci-iptions, reported having called upon a small proportion of the townspeople, and the total sum at present in the hands of the Treasurer was reported to be L9l.

His Honor the Superintendent, accompanied by Mr Shephard, the Provincial Treasurer, and Mr Donne, Goldfields' Representative in the Executive, arrived in Westport by the Kennedy yesterday, on a visit, which is expected to occupy about three weeks. The various centres of population on the Nelson South-West Goldfields will be visited.

It is notified in another column that his Honor the Superintendent will address the public of Westport, at the Masonic Hall tomorrow evening, at eight o'clock.

Sergeant Kiely proceeded to the lnangahua Junction .yesterday, where he will remain until the sittings of the Warden's Court shortly to be held there, and in the meantime will p3rform the duties of a Warden's Clerk.

The balance of the timber required to complete the Government Receiving Shed, now in course of construction by Mr Clark near the Bright-street wharf, arrived per s.s Waipara, and the building will be completed by Thursday.

Several Americans arrived in Westport by the steamer Kennedy, having landed in Auckland by the s.s. City of Melbourne from California. We trust that these will be the first only of many, who will be atattracted to New Zealand by the favorable accounts received of the Colony. The Committee appointed at a recent public meeting, to submit to his Honor the advantages that Westport offers as the most convenient and effective source of supply to Murray's and Anderson's reefs Inangahua, and the desirability of at once estabUshing communication with these districts, will wait upon the Superintendent this morning at eleven o'clock.

A passenger from Greyinouth, Mr Clark, informs ub that a movement is on foot; for defraying the part cost of a road, connecting the Murray and Inangahua with that port. The sum of LBOO is stated to have been subscribed. The completion of the Westport and Orowaiti tramway is still delayed for want of rails. The timber is ready for shipment in Hokitika, and is expected to arrive by the return trip of the s.s." Murray, when a few days will suffice to open the line for goods and passenger traffic. Upwards of three thousand tons of stone, of the four thousand required to complete the contract for the river protective work, have been deposited on the North bank of the Buller river. The remaining portion will have been lodged within a mouth. The accounts from Charleston report favorably upon mining matters. An old miner just returned here, after an absence of some months from the above district, expresses himself gratified and surprised at the signs of renewed mining activity apparent in various localities. The entire terrace at Argyle is taken up, and is being worked with excellent results, varying from £7 to as high as £ls weekly per man. At Mount Pleasant and Brandon Hill, all the available ground has been taken up, as also the slopes adjoining. The ground referred to has been long known to be payable, but owing to its elevation, and the difficulty hitherto in obtaining water, has been allowed to remain unoccupied. This want has been recently supplied by the race extensions of Haines and party. On Thursday evening last, a meeting of the Charleston Library Committee was held at the Institute, when a Sub Committee were appointed, consisting of the Eev J. White, T. G. Macarthy, Esq., J.P., and Dr Henry, J.P., to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent, relative to obtaining a portion of the .£2OO, set aside by vote of the Provincial Council "for the benefit of this and kindred institutions on

the Coast. The 96 volumes of literature recently supplied by Mr Munson, of Westport, were approved of as a most suitable

addition to the library. The Governor has issued a proclamation enforcing the old rate of export duty on gold.

From Auckland we learn that Sir George Grey would have entered Parliament, had his name been on the Electoral Roll. There promises to be some severe contests

in Auckland. Mr Vogel has accepted the requisition, signed by 300 voters, for the Cty of Auckland East. Mr Clarke has since withdrawn from the contest. Mr Vogel's return is considered certain. MiKelly is the only candidate in the field for the East Coast. It is supposed that Mr Gillies will come forward for Franklin. It is reported that Mr John Williamson in-

tends to relinquish his Government appointment, and come forward for the City West. Mr Diguan offers himself for the same ward.

Late news from Auckland by way of Wauganui, states that alluvial gold had been discovered at the Thames.

lne new Executive of Canterbury consists of Mr Kenneway, Provincial Secretary; hon. John Hall, Alfred Cox, Fosswill, and J. Evans Brown, members without pay,

The Chris tchurch contributions to the Lyttelton relief fund already exceed £SOO. The Examiner of Saturday writes :—" A

f°",7°"'?"'' ""V "T* T — -A othovo inter**...— in the district is on foot, to get the Government to improve the road to Wangapeka. In reply to a deputation, which waited upon the Superintendent on the subject, it was stated that Government had already authorised the formation of a new road round Tadmor Hill, and the repairing of the road through the township of Wangapeka, but the formation of a dray road to the reefs was dependent on the gold proving remunerative when tested by niaahinery°on the ground. This will now shortly be done as one parr of stampers are at work, and the Culliford machinery is either on the ground, or will be there in a few days." We understand that Mr Fedor Kellin<» intends coming forward as a candidate for the suburbs of Nolson in the House of Representatives, and that the prospects of his success are very favorable, as a large measure of support has. been proffered to him. The following election items we take from the Colonist -.—" We understand that Mr Shephard, the Provincial Treasurer, will come forward as a candidate for the seat in the City for which Mr Edwards does not intend again to stand for election. Mr Curtis will offer himself for re-election. It is not expected that there will be a contest for the city. Regarding Collin gwood we are not informed. Mr Arthur Collins has stated that he is uncertain as to whether he will offer himself again for Parliament; and we do not hear whether his former opponent, Mr Gibbs, intends taking any action. Mr Donne will be a candidate for the Buller district, and his chances there are reported to be excellent.

The Nelson Mail understands that his Honor the Superintendent, acting upon a decision arrived at by the Executive Council, has written to the General Government asking whether they will be willing to support a loan of £60,000 for the Province of Nelson, to be apportioned as follows—£3o,ooo for a railway from the Brunner coal-mine to the port; £15,000 for gas; and £15,000 for the extension of the waterworks.

A portion of a human skull has been picked up at the Teviot by some miners. A bed of lignite coal has been discovered at Grahamstown.

Chang, the giant, has been engaged at the Prmce of Wales theatre, Auckland. General and Lady Chute arrived in Auckland by the Hero, from Melbourne, and are intending passengers by the outgoing California mail steamer for England. The following particulars of the Chinese giant are taken from an English periodical :—" Chang, the wonderful Chinese Giant, is accompanied by his wife, King Poo, the Tartar Dwarf, Chung Mow, and their two interpreters. When this very interesting party of 'Celestials' paid a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales, Chang was desired to write his 'chop* on the wall of the room. At the height of nearly ten feet from the ground the Chinese scholar quickly placed his name. Chang is 7 feet 9 inches high, and 19 years of age. One of his sisters attained the extraordinary height of 8 feet 4 inches. The Tartar Dwarf is 33 years old, and is o-ily 28 inches high. Woo Kwan Toon, the giant's secretary, is a Christian convert, and a very interesting character. Chan" is most gentlemanly in his manner. He is an able scholar, and he purposes publishing a narrative of his tour in England, which, we doubt not, will excite much interest." The last great nugget, found at Berlin is valued at £3496.

The captains and agents of the three North German vessels, now in the port of Sydney, have decided to lay them up pending further war news.

The South Australian Government defence arrangements provide for a military force of 023 men, 2 Moncrieff gun carriages, and a gun platform. Nothing is said about the Volunteer corps. Our Dunedin files announce the discovery of rich beach workings between the Molynoux and the Nuggets in Otago. A Mr John Ren tin returned to Dunedin from the prospecting claim, with about fourteen or fifteen pounds weight of amalgamated gold. The gold was the produce of three men's work for three weeks only, so that the yield averages about ,£7O per man per week. Mr Rentin states that two other claims are also obtaining payable gold, and that there are altogether about 50 men at work.

The revenue returns of tho Colony of Victoria for tho quarter, nine months, and year, ended the 30th of September last, are not says the Argus of the Bth inst., of a remarkably encouraging character. In fact, they are worse than was expected. That trade has been wretched in the extreme for months past has been no secret, but it wa3 scarcely anticipated that the dulness in commercial circles would have produced such a marked effect on the revenue of the country as is shown in the Treasurer's balance-sheet. The revenue for the quarter which expired on the 30th of last month, was ,£845,941, for the nine months £2,292,072, and for the twelve months .£3,116,274, showing a deficiency on the quarter, as compared with the corresponding period of last year, of JE86,505, on the three quarters of .£94,630, and on the year of .£186,924.

Tho accounts from Auckland depict a terrible state of depression. A complete exodus is taking place from the Thames, and men are walking about the country begging for work or assistance. Fifty family men commenced work on the roads on the 17th ultimo.

An interlocutory decree for £384 has been made in favor of the salvors of the barque Cantero.

An inquest was held at Invercargill on the 19th Oct. on the body of Robert Hunter, a settler at Dacr'e, who was found in a tributary of the Mataura. The finders at first supposed that he had been drowned, but when the body was taken out four wounds were discovered in the neck. The medical evidence stated that death had been caused by suffocation. The jury returned an open verdict.

The New Zealand Commissioners purposed leaving England for the Colony in October. Dr Featherstoh was to proceed via America, and Mr Bell by the Suez routo. The tip by "Ragpicker," in the Melbourne Telegraph on the Cup is—Croydon Tim Whifiler, and Trump Card.

Mi- G. Bishop, of the Okaia Bay school, Canterbury, has published a manual of the elementary geography of New Zealand, containing much valuable information, not hitherto readily procurable, condensed into a very narrow compass. The pamphlet consists of but 24 pages, and must prove a most useful text-book alike to teachers, pupils, and the public generally. The contents are well compiled, admitting of easy reference, and the work should" 3 recommend itself to all, as supplying a want hitherto much felt, and offering an easy means of gaining an accurate and general knowledge of the geography of these islands.