The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 734, 8 November 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1870.

Whatever else may be urged against Mr Curtis, few but will confess that be acquitted himself skilfully at the meeting on Wednesday evening. If not juecessful in satisfying bis hearers, either in respect to the reliability of :>is figures, or that tho sums expended ■iad been always disbursed in the most judicious manner, be at least succeeded in extricating himself, not altogether ungracefully, from a position of no little difficulty. But while willing to admire the ingenuity ,vitb which bo parried the attacks of tbc various speakers, and the boldness with which he advanced figures—certainly defective and exaggerated, but not easily disproved—it would be impossible to say that his address exbibited tbe quality of ingenousuess. lu no way was the want of candour more apparent than in the array of figures presented. They purported to show tho respective amounts received as revenue from, and expended on, tho goldfields ; and were intended to prove thit these sums very nearly represented a corresponding amount. Hio Honor contended that tho revenuo of the Province should be regarded as a common fund, to bo expended in any direction best calculated to secure tho largest of bis argument, it must be admitted that the goldfields are certainly enbilled to at least such a proportion of 'bo Provincial expenditure as, according to his figures, they havo already enjoyed. And tho correctness of this view must bo admitted, since, by opening up large tracts of auriferous <'i'untry, an impetus U given to thtnjning industry of tho Province; and the result of that expansion is not alono •

to greatly increase the goldfields' population and revenue, but by its means, a corresponding impulse is given to the pursuits of agriculture in providing for the requirements of an increased and prosperous population. If it may be shown, therefore, that in no direction can the revenues of the Province be more beneficially expended than in offering facilities for a large population to work the auriferous lands, the proper policy is clearly not alone to expend the entire revenue derived from the goldfields, but any further sum that could be spared from the genera] funds. We think that the willingness of his Honor to accept one third and two thirds, as approximately correct bases of the relative proportions of revenue contributed by the two sections of the Province, justifies the assumption that such a computation is not unfavorable to North-east Nelson. This opinion is confirmed by the extraordinary fluctuations of revenue during the financial years 1867, ISCB and 1869. In the first-mentioned year we find that the entire revenue of the Province was £75,000 in 1868 it reached, the extraordinary sum of £123,500, whilo in the following year it had fallen to £99,100. These fluctuations evidence that, at one period of our goldfields' existence an increase or decline in the population or other causes have had the effect of raising or decreasing the revenue, by a sum greatly in excess of the entire amount contributed by the north-east portion of the Province. If in 1863 the entire revenue of Nelson did not exceed £20,000 and in 1868 it had reached £123,800, it may be readily coucc-ived how very small a proportion of that increase was duo to the natural progress of the earlier settlements, and, on the other hand, how large a share was contributed by the goldfields. Surely an interest, that is capable of thus expanding the material prosperity of a country, merits the consideration of a government.

Having shown, wo venture to think, that our computation of the fiscal relations of the two sections of the Province is not exaggerated, so far as the goldfields are concerned, we will proceed to investigate the figures of his Honor which he somewhat boldly asserts to he beyond attack. In dealing with them we must confess to our inability, in the absence of al! accounts and data to which the Gtovernment would have access, to do more than point out what to our mind appears remarkable inconsistencies. From the figures furnished by his Honor it will be seen, that the total revenue of the Province, from the commencement of the financial year, ISGS, to September, IS7O, extending over a 1 ' "■ - c - : !■ •* Lv«.ir yoa-ra, amounted to £614,700. During this period the expenditure, according to his computation, amounted to £277,300. Mr Curtis, we think, may be fully exonerated from carelessness in exhibiting the goldfields' expenditure in the most favorable light for the purpose of his argument, namely, that we had contributed two thirds of the provincial receipts, and had had that proportion returned to us in the shape of public works, and other charges exclusively belonging to the goldfields. This sum of £277,300 is, however, but £20,000 in excess cf one half of the entire revenue of tho Province, and about £05,500 less than two-thirds ; so that, according to his own figures, one half only of the revenue contributed by the goldfields might have been more justly stated to have been returned to them. As against this large sum mention was made by his Honor of £30,000 to £35,000. expended for the purpose of placing the fertile lands of the Upper Buller and tho Matakitaki in communication with Nelson, which, he thought if accouuta were taken, tho goldfields might be debited with. In justice to Mr Curtis, however, we believe the reference was but incidental and as a makeweight, and made rather with the view of impressing his hearers with the lenient treatment that they had experienced, than with any serious belief, on tho part of his Honor, that the goldfields could be justly charged with the items. On investigating the items of expenditure included in the sum of £277,300, we find Departmental, 1866-70 ... £109,600 0 0 Public Works, 1805-70 ... 108,100 0 0 Brunner Coal-mine 18(55-70 18,350 0 0 Proportion of General Expenses 1565-70 41,250 0 0

Total— .£277,300 0 0 Whether the largo itom3, represented by departmental charges and public works, have been, in every instance, beneficially expended, would appear doubtful, and that under the former head the Government had been guilty of culpable prodigality is, we venture to think, fully attested by the varying figures, being for 1867, £1.1,000; 1868, £33,200; and for 18G9, £25,600. It will be noticed that in ISGS the goldfields enjoyed a most extraordinary revenue, and the Government, iu its gratitude, would appear to have immediately provided for additional offices tothe-extent of £22,200. Wo must, however, confess to some difficulty iu respect to the item of £18,350 for the Brunner Coal-mine, as also that of £41,250 for the goldfields' proportion of the general expenses. Is it that the Brunner mine is worked at a loss, which has amounted, during the past few years, to the sum stated, or has his Honor intended to include, as goldfields' receipts, the entire proceeds of the mine, regarding the expenso of working it as money disbursed for the general works of the GoldfieldH? The £7500 set down as our annual share of the general expenses is also a very transparent

attempt at " cooking " the accounts of the Province, for the purpose of exhibiting a satisfactory distribution of the revenue.

A meeting of the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade will take place this evening at eight o'clock, at the Empire Hotel, for the purpose of selecting a site for an engineshed, and the transaction of other business. The attendance of members is specially requested. We notice the arrival in Melbourne, on the 17th ult., of the ship British Envoy, from London, with the fire- engine on board, and the latter will probably be despatched to this port by the first sailing vessel.

At the Magistrates' Court yesterday one case was disposed of—Johnston v. Boyd. The defendant had been arrested under a warrant, in consequence of non-appearance in answer to a fraud summons to show case. The prisoner arranged to pay the amount of the plaintiff's judgment, £& 7s, in weekly instalments of 20s. Order made accordingly, or in default 14 days' imprisonment.

It is notified by advertisement, that a public meeting, for the purpose of organising a fund, in aid of the wounded French soldiers, and the widows and families of the slain, will be held at the Masonic Hall, Empire Hotel, to-morrow evening. Dr Giles, District "Warden, Messrs Pitt and Fisher, solicitors, Mr J. Milne, and other gentlemen proceeded to the Inangahua Junction, on Sunday morning. The Warden will hold a Court there to-day, and is expected to return to Westport on Thursday evening. Mr Milne purposes to visit the -workings, at Murray and Anderson's Creeks.

A shocking accident, resulting in the death of a butcher, named James Gardner, occurred at the South Spit on Saturday afternoon. The deceased, in company 'with a number of other butchers, attended a cattle sale, and -was driving his purchases to Addison's across the Lagoon, when he met with his death by drowning. The circumstances attending this tragic occurrence appear in a report of the inquest elsewhere. The body was recovered by the Harbor-master on Sunday, and yesterday, at the close of the inquest, the remains were deposited in the Orowaiti Cemetery being followed to their final resting place by about about a hundred friends and acquaintances. Mr J. Brownlie, of Charleston, represented his fellow tradesmen in that locality. * Deceased was a native of Scotland, and about 32 years' old, of sandy complexion and about 5 ft. 6in. high. The Eev. Sir Lowis has requested us to make it known that, haying received no notification that his services would be required, he was under the beliefthat the doccased, was a member of the Kev. Father Walsh's congregation. Up to the time of leaving the Parsonage, at 3 p.m., Mr Lewis had received no intimation that his presence would bo necessary. Ou the right bank of the Inangahua Mr Long is erecting an accomodation-house, which will be shortly completed. He is also clearing an agricultural area. A party just down from the reefs states that the population in that locality is steadily increasing, and at present numbers about 250. The alluvial diggings are still much the same as last, bub the population is decreasing, numbers having left their claims, t'ov tlio pm-pooc of taking Tip ground along the line of reefs. Kelly and party, at the Murray, continue to obtain splendid stone, the quality, if possible, improving as the reef is driven into. At Anderson's, the prospectors have just completed a long tail-race of 300 to 400 feet, and are now engaged in moving the debris, and stripping the terrace, making room for machinery. A meeting of the shareholders will be called very shortly to take steps for procuring machinery.

A new daily paper has been started in Hokitika, named the " Westland Independent."

A fire broke out on the 21st. ult, at Dunedin, in Jago's fiax stores, containing large quantities of flax. The building and its contents were totally destroyed. A man fell into the fire and was dragged out nearly dead.

By the last Provincial "Gazette" to hand, it was shown that advances were made during this year to the Provincial Sub-Treasurer of .£18,594,12s 9d; that the advances accounted for are £16,551 5s lOd ; the amount in the hands of Provincial Paymasters was £69 6s lid, leaving a balance to be accounted for by tho Provincial Sub-Treasurer of £1974.

Mr and Mrs George Darrell gave their farewell performance at Hokitika on Saturday evening, prior to their departure by the steamer Gothenburg for Melbourne. An inquest held upon tho body of a lunatic patient, named William Boyd, at Hokitika hospital, on Thursday last, resulted in a verdict of " died of the disease of the brain." Tho deceased had injured himself during paroxyssm of madness, but not so seriously as to have been the cause of death.

Messrs Pish, Bathgate, and Birch are candidates, in Dunedin, for the seat in the Provincial Council, vacant by the absence of Mr Dillon Bell.

The large water wheel of the Murray Creek Cement Company was started eight days ago, and was christened by Mr D. Carroll. Crushing is expected to commence in a fortnight. Patrick Twohill has challenged J. Bolton, of Nelson, or any other man in tho Colony, to a series of pedestrian matches, for i>2oo a side. He adds that, if this challenge is not taken up in one month, he will claim the championship of New Zealand. A rule nisi has been applied for in Nelson, on behalf of a Wangapeka land ptirchaser, calling on tho Crown Lands Commissioner of Nelson to show cause why he should not be compelled to prepare and deliver a Crown grant. A rule was granted. Mr W. H. Harrison, in answer to a requisition from a number of the electors, addressed a meeting at the Town Hall, Hokitika, on Friday last. An amendment: " That Mr Harrison's conduct during the late session of tho General Assembly has been unsatisfactory, and that, ho does not possess the confidence of this constituency," j was carried. j

The " Grey Eiver Argus " states that all the heavy pieces of the crushing machinery have been successfully conveyed over the saddle to the Murray Creek reef, and that they would be delivered on the ground on Saturday or Sunday last; that they were taken on sledges made specially for the purpose. The machinery can be erected in three weeks, when crushing operations will be at once commenced. Pending the arrival of the machinery, the workmen have been employed sluicing away the whole of the surface soil down to the bed of rock which overlies the cement, and it has been found to pay well. Alluvial workings have been found in the creek, just outside the boundary of this claim, and a few days ago a six ounce nugget was here discovered, along with a quantity of heavy gold- Ihe popu-

lation of the district is rapidly increasing, with indications of a large rush setting in. Latest accounts state that provisions were very scarce, but a large supply was sent over yesterday, from the Little Grey, by Mr Johnston. „

The recently gazetted sittings of the District Court for the County of Westland and Westland North show the following alterations, viz., that eighteen sittings a year are appointed for Greymouth and Hokitika respectively, in lieu of six as heretofore; and for Westport and Charleston six in lieu of four. The District Courts' Criminal Jurisdiction Extension Act has also been brought into operation, which gives the Court jurisdiction over all misdemeanors, and over any felonies not punishable by more than seven years' penal servitude. The District Courts' Jurisdiction Extension Act, 1866, has also been brought into operation, and the powers conferred by the 25th, 26th, and 27th clauses of the District Courts' Act, 1858, have now been conferred on the Courts of Westland. The above Extension Act gives the Courts jurisdiction in civil cases up to .£2OO, and the clauses above referred to give the Courts power to grant injunctions, to issue warants af arrest against debtors about to leave the Colony, and to grant probate of wills and letters of administration. It would seem, therefore, that all acts formerly done by the present Courts, under the above-mentioned clauses of the Act were illegal. The powers under the Extension Act were conferred on the Court of Westland as originally constituted: but when that Court was abolished, and the new Courts of the County of Westland and of Westland North established, it became necessary to confer thorn afresh; which does not appear to have been done. It does not seem that the powers granted by the three clauses were ever conferred at all; but even if they were, they would share the fate of the powers under the Extension Act. Judge Ward recently stated that he had some doubt whether the Court of the County of Westland might not be held to be the original Court, witli the boundaries of its district and its name changed; but that as to the Court of Westland North there could be no question. The Government, however, deemed it best to issue proclamations for both. It is understood that these Gazettes have been issued on the recommendation of the Judge, who investigated the matter shortly after his arrival; and therefore declined to exercise the powers above referred to until duly authorised. There was an exciting race between two newspaper correspondents at Hokitika on the arrival of the last Suez mail. The " West Coast Times" gives the following amusing description of the race :—" pared with the magniQconeo of the news, the incidents associated with its reception are contemptibly insignificant; but, locally they have their interest. The New Zealand Telegraphic Association has its agent here, and so have Greville and Bird. On this occasion 'Bird' was particularly represented. Greville's agent, who was also agent for the "West Coast Times," had procured two carrier pigeons, and experimented with them in the transmission of the news from the ship to the shore. To two birds slips of paper containing the principle items of news were attached, and they started from the steamer Waipara under apparently most ' auspicious circumstances.' They flew directly for the shore, and, before the Waipara had approached the bar. had returned to their cot. Being slow to eater * trap ' which was set for they were shot at, but the wrong bird was hit, and it was some little time after the Waipara had arrived in port that the news, thus transmitted in duplicate, was received. The experiment, however, was sufficiently satisfactory to show what can be done by carrier pigeons under the uncertainties of an open roadstead like that of Hokitika; and the proprietor of the "West Coast Times," as well as the agent for Grevillo and Bird, to say nothing of the birds themselves, deserved some credit for the all but successful and first endeavor to utilise carrier pigeons in New Zealand. The incident of the landing of the two agents, and of their 'transmission' between the steamer Waipara and the telegraph office, is too good to be' briefly narrated. It may be sufficient to say that, by the two gentlemen 'colliding' in an intricate passage on the wharf, between tea boxes and flour bags, an ' awkward fall' was sustained by both, and that—to put a colorable presentation on the matter—White (who is the representative of the "Grey River Argus") beat Brown by considerable 'chalks.' Without being more specific, it may bo said that White 'starred.' Brown, however, is not 'dead.' He is 'in hand.'"