The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 735, 10 November 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1870.

Mtjcii as the colonial policy of Great Britaiu baa been condemned, and more especially in respect to the attitude taken by Earl Granville, as Secretary of State for the Colonies, towards New Zealand, the position of aiFairs in Europe at the present time, and the reasonable apprehension that the mother country at any moment may be called upon to take part in a gigantic struggle, justify the introduction of a self-reliant policy throughout the colonial possessions. Necessarily, as a colony grows in wealth, population, and importance—emerging from the obscurity, that attaches to the early settlement of a country but little known or frequented, to a position of first-class importance—she must make of her territory from hostile attack. If the principle is to be upheld, that upon the mother country must entirely devolve the protection of the widest colonial empire that has ever existed, and if that principle were acted upon, there can be no doubt that the extent of her possessions in that case would be a source of weakness to Britain rather than of strength—absorbing her population in times of peace, who would be taken from industrial pursuits, and, in the event of war, rendering her power ineffective, from the fact of her forces being scattered over every quarter of the habitable globe. Should such a catastrophe take place bb a declaration of hostilities between the United Kingdom aud any great power, her hands would bo fully occupied in protecting her commerce all over the world, and in organising forces for the defence of the shores of the two islands. The question of disintegrating the Empire has been referred to, as a means of the colonies avoiding the consequences of a war between England and other powers ; but, although such a course would bo the means of avoiding certain dangers, even if it were accomplished, the necessi y would not the less arise to make some future provision, for the purpose of placing these colonies in a moderately effective state of defence. If the colonies abandoned their allegianco to the Crown, or were even annexed to a foreign State, the same circumstances, that would apply to their connection with the Empire, would also apply with equal or greater force, were they independent or joined to some other power. That England would regret to part with her Colonial possessions cannot admit of the slightest doubt, but it would appear equally certain that she is both unwilling and unable, with due regard to her safety and material interests, to attempt the maintenance of a war establishment, that shall suffice to effectively protect her possessions throughout the world. The importance of initiating a policy of self-reliance, though perhaps underestimated at the time and peculiarly distasteful to New Zealand being engaged in quelling a turbulent and warlike native population, will, we think, be admitted to have been paramount. It is impossible that tlio presence of large forces of British troops in the various portions of the Empire, and the fact of their being almost continually engaged in war—at one moment in New Zealand, then in China, in India and Persia, and in Central and South Africa, should have escaped the notice of Continental Powers; and while they must have admired the prowess of a nation that, without vital injury to her revenue and resourct s.coukl thus engage in aseries of coetly una lengthened wars, they must also have been fully awaro that the necessity for the presence of these troops, distributed throughout the Empire, would tend to curtail the power of ;

England, and to limit the influence of her policy in Continental Europe. It cannot be supposed that it is intended to throw upon the Colonies the whole responsibility of naval self-defence, in the case of foreign wars, in which they may become involved by their connection with the mother couutry. Large naval forces would bedespatched for the purpose of protecting the commerce between England and her possessions ; and, as a matter of course, the munitions of war would be supplied by England, leaving it to the colonies themselves to provide such land and sea defences as would suffice to secure them from an attack, such as any Foivign Power would be capable of directing against them. But it was a matter of essential moment to prove to Europe that her colonial possessions didnot necessarily exclude Englandfrom filling a suitable and dignified position in preserving the treaties, necessary to the independence of the various nationalities of Western Europe—and the safest method, to ensure the treaties being respected, was to place the Empire in a position to enforce the obligations of the contracting Powers, should circumstances require it.

The European mail, via San Francisco, is due in Auckland to-day. Tho subsidiary mail steamer should arrive at Nelson on Saturday with cable news to October 10, five days later than waa received by the last Suez mail.

Mr Warden Giles is expected to arrive in Westport from the Inangahua to-day, and will hold a sitting of the K.M. and Warden's Courts to-morrow.

Yesterday was observed as a holiday by the banks in Weafcport in commemoration of the birth of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. The Prince has completed his twenty-ninth year. The offices of the General and Provincial Governments were open as usual for the transaction of business.

In the Magistrate's Court, on Tuesday, two civil cases were called, in neither of which 'there was an appearance of the plaintiff or defendant. There were no police cases. The meeting held at the Masonic Hall, yesterday evening, convened by advertisement, for the purpose of initiating stejjS to raise a fund in aid of the nonbelligerent sufferers in France, was fairly attended. Mr. O'Conor was called to the chair. The following resolutions were passed:—That it is desirable to collect funds to assist the sufferers from the war in France. That a comiv.ittee be appointed, to consist of Messrs. Corr, Simon, Munro, Dupuis, and Eteveneux, for the puqiose of carrying out the foregoing resolution.

In the particulars, contained in our last issue, of the funeral of the late James Gardner, we omitted to add that the burial service was read by Mr John Blacklock, Churchwarden of St. John's, Westport. , From the reading of the paragraph referred to, friends of the deceased at a distance would infer, wafv iJ ig f 'VJeed road. A correspondent directs attention to the omission, which we hasten to rectify. His Honor the Superintendent, accompanied by Messrs Donne and Shephard, arrived from Charleston, by coach yesterday evening. He will be communicated with to-day in respect to the Fire Brigade subsidy, as also further protective works on the Buller river.

His Honor Mr Justice Ward will probably arrive to-day from Charleston for the purpose of holding a sittings of the District Court here on Tuesday nest. At present there is only bankruptcy business pending, and it is, therefore, doubtful whether the attendance of jurors will be required. A meeting of the Committee of the Volunteer Fire Brigade was held on Tuesday evening at the Masonic Hall. There were present Messrs Hughes (captain), O'Conor, Bailie, Humphrey, Suisted, Lloyd, Organ, Hunger, Neil, Notman, Fagg, and M'Lauchlan. The previous minutes having been read and confirmed, the treasiu-er reported a balance of .£lO 12s in hand, in addition to the sum of £SO voted by the Council for general purposes of the brigade. It was stated by Captain Hughes that the freight and charges upon the fire engine from London to Melbourne, and from that port to New Zealand, together with defraying the cost of 300 feet of hose ordered, would take up half their funds. The chief buisness, however, for which they had baen called, was to select a site, and arrange for a building in which to place the engine upon arrival. After some discussion, it was proposed by Mr O'Conor, seconded, and carried " That a sub-committee, to consist of Captain Hughes, Messrs Lloyd, Bailie, Notman, and the mover, be instructed to make enquiry for a suitable site, to ascertain the probable cost of erecting a suitable building, and to report as early a3 possible to the committee." The subscription lists were then referred to, and a large number of subscribers were found not toliave uaid. Mr O'Conor moved, and Mr Bailie seconded, " That Captain Hughes, Messrs Humphrey and E. Suisted be appointed to collect the unpaid subscriptions, and to canvass for additional sums. The motion was carried, and the meeting terminated. . The protective work on the right bank of the river, near the upper wharf, received a moderately severe test during the flood on Tuesday last, when a large body of water was being discharged. The groin, as at present constructed, serves as a protection to a portion of the bank; deflecting the current for about a hundred yards. It then appears to lose its effect, and the current once more impinges the; wharf and thoroughfare, at the footjof Kennedy street At this point it bid 3 fair to make serious encroachment, unless some additional protection is afforded. It is believed that a few inexpensive crates, similar in construction to the one at the foot of Gladstone street, would answer the purposo of further deflecting.the current, if placed near Kennedy street, and the cost of erecting them would be so trifling that it is hoped that the Government will recognise the necessity of adopting such an easy means of providing protection. One objection applies to the proposed plan of stone crates, namely, that they axis liable to be undermined and gradually disappear into the bed of the stream. At the same time the process is a slow one, and their erection not being attended with any serious expense, there would appear no reason that the crates should not be renewed as required, usin«the old ones as a foundation. At the end of Gladstone street, the protective works were very severely tested, being subjected to the full force of the current. The stone crato at this point was undermined, and some planking displaced by the action of the current. Some additional works near Kennedy street would have the effect of

greatly lessening the strain on the Gladstone street protective works. The wharves sustained no injury, evidencing most satisfactorily the efficient and substantial manner in which they had been built. On Monday night and early on the following morning was experienced one of the heaviest rainfalls over witnessed in thi3 district. The mining casualties in thi3 locality have not been numerous, but our accounts from the southern districts report considerable damage to races and darns from the floods. About eight o'clock on Tuesday morning a large land slip took plaoe at Gile3 Creek, at the back of the township. From two to three hundred tons of earth were dislodged from the south side of the terrace, and fell a distance of about one hundred feet, coming in contact with Way's hotel. The side of the house was stove in and a portion carried away; a small hut alongside was also hurled from its piles a distance of several yards. There were two men in the hut at the time of the occurrence, one of whom, hearing the fall, rushed out, and called to his companion who, however, did not succeed in gaining an exit. When the dirt came in contact with the hut, the man inside was thrown with great force against the side of the building, but, beyond the sudden shock, sustained no serious injury. None of the occupants of "Way's hotel were hurt. About seventy feet of a flumed race, belonging to Patrick and party wore also carried away. Throughout the diggings, the miners were apprehensive of acnlent3 arising from landslips, and the whole of the day, masses of earth were constantly being detached from the loose ground on the terraces. At the Caledonian, several trees were undermined, and other damage sustained by the flood. Others again have profited considerably by the rainfall, immense quantities of tailings having been passed through the boxe3. A double-alloy American bowling saloon, eighty-four feet in length, has been added by Mr Emanuel to the Little Grey Hotel. The saloon was tin-own open to the public on Saturday evening, and was very extensively patronised. Those, experienced in the game speak in terms of praise of the truthfulness of the flooring, and the appointments generally.

It is notified in another column that Mr T. E. Price having repurchased the photographic studio from Mr Hartman will continue the business in Westport. A branch will also be opened shortly in Charleston. The following was the resolution passed at the Superintendent's meeting at Brighton : —" That this meeting, whilft thanking his Honor for his visit and address, beg to tender his Honor and the visiting members of his Executive, a hearty welcome to the district." His Honor the Supeiintendent and Messrs Sliephard and Donne, members of the Executive, returned to Charleston from Brighton on Tuesday and were entertained the same evening at the Melbourne Hotel, by the people of Charleston. About thirty-five were present including the guests, Mr H. Jones occupied the chair, and Dr. Henry the vicechair. After the usual loyal toasts, the toast of the evening was given and responded to most co:"dially. His Honor replied in a brief speech. The subjoined toasts followed:—" Mr Wardon Broad," " Our Charleston and Brighton Representative," "The District Engineer," "The Mining and Commercial Interests," " The Fire Brigade," "The Press." and " Thp The following is the latest list of horses engaged to run in the Melbourne Cup, comprising 34 in all:—Tim Whifiler, Glencoe, Manuka, Warrior, Praetor, Barbelle, The Earl, Milesian, The Monk, Strop, Barbarian, Sir William, Croydon, The Pearl, Trump Card, Sir John, Lapdog, Plying Dutchman, Partisan, Duke of Montrose, Farmer's Daughter, Mischief, Valtntine, Freetrader, Phosphorus, Palmerston, Cotherstone, Paddy's Land, Huntsman, Nimblefoot, Keepsake, Sheet Anchor, Saladin, Patience. The following account of the press in Honolulu appears in Mr C. R. Thatcher's letter to the " Southern Cross" :—One of the curiosities of the Sandwich Islands is the " Hawaiian Gazette," a paper subsidised by the Government to the tune of £2OOO a year. This paper is a weekly one, and slavishly subservient to his Majesty and Ministers. The only papers here are the •' Pacific Commercial Gazette" (a r. ally first-class journal), a smaU sheet, yet written with ability. Your Mr Shaw, of the " Thames Times," is engaged on it. These two journals have to pay a duty on the paper they use, while the Government paper pays none, and what makes it the more unjust is, that the " Hawaiian Gazette" advertises to do job printing, &c." We since learn that Mr Shaw has published a paper at Honolulu, under the title of the " Hawaiian Times."