The Westport Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1043, 4 February 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1873.

The purposed visit of His Honor the Superintendent, <who, according to recent advices, -may be expected in Westport within the next fortnight will suggest 'the desirability of the (residents hei'e censoring together, previous to his arrival, as to the utility or otherwise of addressing liira, oli matters of local public intccßßfc. To refer to the results attendant oa the efforts of public deputations or private individuals who ■waited on His Honor on the occasion of his last visit to the Coast, will only revive recollections of broken promises and diplomatic evasions ; clever but disingenuous, and hardly capable of extenuation eitheron the plea of necessity or expedience. But however little present faith may be held in the chief .Magistrate of the Province, it must not be forgotten that his position commands respect and that in common courtesy it is the duty of residents to lay before him a statement of their winhos and requirements It would in fact be drifting into a false position with the Provincial Council, and none the less with the General Government if pretext should be afforded for the plea hereafter that Westport people were too careless or too churlish to take counsel with their Superintendent, ostensibly visiting the Coast for the express purpose of .fcfcuing and hearing all that publicly

concerned (hem, Assuming that the public of Westport w}ll, if the op. port unity is afforded, spe»k with no uncertain souud upon matters that now and for a weary time past have kept them in a state of fretful ferment; there is one _ particular topic upon which it would be well to adopt a deliberate and decided course of action. It is the proposed tenure of sections on th,e newly formed; township The residents to whom such sections have been allotted hold them as yet merely on sufferance; but a system of leasing has been suggested by the Nelson Executive which requires attention. So far as public opinion has been expressed, it is decidedly adverse to the terms suggested. It is argued, and most reasonably, that the Nelson Government in seeking to bind down the occupiers of such sections to pay a yearly rental for a long period of years, are only elaborating the obstructive policy that has exercised such a mischievous influence in preventing b<ma fide settlement. The occupation of land for agricultural purposes is so hedged round with cumbrous and expensive forma of procedure and utterly useless restrictions, that a strong deterrent influence arises, and the same evil in an aggravated form is now sought to be established with regard to the paltry strips of land allotted to those who individually and collectively have suffered more in mind, body, and estate, in carrying on the work of settlement, than they have, or ever will, obtain credit for. The residents in Westport who have borne the brunt of long continuing disaster, have earnsd the strongest right to liberal treatment, and the least that can be accorded them is the right to purchase upon equitable terms the freeholds of the sections allotted them for occupation. To attempt to wring a rack rent from them for either a long or a short period of years would be a monstrous act of injustice, taking into account the chain of disastrous circumstances that has necessitated their occupying such land at all. The solution of two questions that have remained over long in abeyance, namely, the adjustment of the claims of freeholders and of sectionholders in Westport, might be easily arrived at if the Nelson Executivejwould obtain the free title to such sections as they have obtained under allotment, leaving until the next sitting of the Council the setting apart of other sections required to meet, all claims of a similar nature. At the same time those who now class as sectionholders should be permitted to purchase their sections as freeholds upon an equitable and graduated series of payments. Any such arrangement as this would tend materially to the permanent and speedy occupation of the new township site, and allay much brooding discontent arising from the uncertain and oftentime childishly obstructive tactics of the Nelson Government. To this end it therefore seems advisable that the inhabitants of Westport shoull meet and discuss the subject, decide deliberately the terms upon which they will hold their land, either on the now or present township, and present their ultimatum to his Honor on arrival. There is no reason why sectionholders should be compelled to submit to extortionate terms ; nothing to prevent an appeal to the General Government if the Nelson Executive seek to deal unjustly. There are other matters of minor importance that might be discussed, but none of so great moment as the one now indicated.

One of the most unsatisfactory items of local news to be recorded is the action of the postal and telegraph authorities in immediately shifting the business of the offices from Cobden Street into the bush offices in Wakefield street, against the expressed wishes of the leading business men of Westport. Had there been any actual need for immediate action few would have demurred, howsoever inconvenienced thereby, but the indecent haste shewn in hurrying on the removal, and the disregard of all public expression of opinion thereon, indicates too plainly how well founded has been the suspicion *hat the convenience of officials and private individuals has been considered worthy ef more attention than public convenience. This truckling to petty interests and subservience to back door influence, on the part of both General and Provincial authorities, is a curse under which unfortunate Westport has too long suffered. A paragraph in our last issue referring to the yield of gold to be obtained from pyrites left after ordinary crnshings, stated the amount thus obtained in Anderson's claim to be at the rate of loz 7dwt' to the ton. We have now been favored with some reliable data giving the exact result of the experiment. One pound weight of pyrites, taken from the tailings, and somewhat roughly treated, has yielded 3 grains of gold. The reduction was performed by Messrs GuiHinc, Davies, and another, and justifies the estimate thateach ton of pyrites will yield about twelve ounces of fine gold. Mr Guiiline, of the Wealth of Nations, estimates the yield from pyrites in that claim at 9oz to the ton, or 3 per cent. As somewhat similar results are likely to obtain in all other quartz claims, it becomes an important question for mining companies to consider whether so large a proportion of gold ought not to be secured as the addition would make a sensible difference in dividends. At Simmonds Reef, Mount Blackwood, Victoria, the pyrites have yielded lOoz to the ton, considered remarkably high, and at Sebastopol Reef, St Arnaud. an analysis of the pyrites showed 6oz to the ton. There seems no reason why similar good results might not be attained on all our New Zealand reefs by the use of proper appliances. An adjourned meeting of the members of the Athenoum was held on Friday, the 31st instant, and a sufficient quorum was present to transact the necessary business. The Secretary read the annual report, which showed that in spite of the disasters incident to the post year, and the loss of many members by removal from the district, the institution still held a satisfactory status. The finances showed a balance of £53 in

band, exclusive of arrears of subscriptions to be yet received ; as against liabilities amounting to about £3O. The revenue of the current year was estimated at about £39 from subscriptions, and £6O, the nana) Government subsidy. The Secretary also reported that a parcel of books valued at £SO, and which had been already paid for, was overdue from England. On the motion of the Chairman, Mr R. Whyte, the report and balance Bheet, as read, were adopted, and the following committee elected for thjL ensuing, year:' I t>r I Giles, chairman, Dr Thorpe and Messrs Powell, Towndrow* Whyte, Graves, Humphrey, H. G. Hughes, and E. J. O'Conor. A vote of thanks to the retiring committee, and the chairman of the meeting, concluded the business. Intending subscribers will find the present a favorable oppor iunity for enrolling their names. The supply of periodicals and papers from England and the colonies now coming to hand with regularity, and the library will be very shortly augmented. A narrow escape from drowning occurred in Wharf street on Friday last. The infant son of Mrs Cox, Eoyal Oak Hotel, falling from the river bank into the water. A young lad who was standing close by at the time and witnessed the accident, gave the alarm and the drowning youngster was providentially rescued. The residents in the block bounded by Molesworth, Wallabi, Palmerston, and Kennedy streets some little time since memorialised the Nelson Government to allot to them sections on the New Township site, so that in the. event of the fast encroaching sea and river driving them from from their present habitations they might have some place to build anew on. An answer has been received thereto from the Provincial Secretary, who intimates that the Government is willing to give sections to those to whom sections have not been allotted, bnt upon the express understanding that the Government ia not thereby pledged to any extra expenditure on street or approaches. Mr Sharp who happened to be in Westport on' the arrival of the letter, was consulted by some of the residents interested in the matter, and he will recommend the proposal that the sections shall be marked off along a street line running parallel with Palmerston street, and about midway between that street and the river bank. Mr John Rafferty, who has constituted himself a champion on behalf of the expectant freeholders of Westport, so long waiting for the allotment of sections, has received another letter from th 6 Superintendent's office, wherein he is informed that the number of sections placed by the Provincial Council at the disposal of the Superintendent for allotment to freeholders is fifty only, while the applicants for them are upwards of eighty. Under the circumstances as it would be unfair to award the sections available amongst a portion of the applicants, leaving others unsatisfied, the matter must of necessity stand over until the Council has given increased powers of allocation. The closing of the Po3t and Telegraph offices yesterday was productive of much inconvenience to the outside public who were not previously made aware of the .day being a government holiday. A sample ef excellent brieks has been left at our office, by Messrs Kempiug and Mosely, which fully equal if not excel the bricks sent here from either Nelson or Christchurcb. They are firm, compact, well shaped, and well burnt, and in every respect fit for building purposes. They are made from an excellent seam of clay opened up on the south bank of the river, and will be sold at a price that should command an instant and increasing drnmnd. Intending builders will find their profit in patronising this new local industry. The mail man conveying malls too and •from the Lyell to the Landing is now under orders to wait at the former place five hours to give time for answering correspondence. Unfortunately all letters from the Lyell will still-be detained-three days at Christy's before they are forwarded on to Westport. Thore was no intelligence received here up to last night of the arrival of the Nebraska at Auckland with the two month's mails now so long overdue. We beg to acknowledge the receipt from the Government Printer, of a copy of Vol. 2, appendix to journals of House of Representatives. One of the most prominent Nelson exhibits at the recent Interprovincial Exhibition at Christchurch, was a case of Webley Brothers colonial made tweeds manufactured at their mills in Nelson. The cloths were highly •commended, and duplicate pieces have been forwarded to Vienna. In Nelson the cloths are in high repute, and the demand throughout New Zealand is increasing almost in equal proportion to the demand for the Mosgiel. In fact, in finish many of the Nelson make excel those of Otago manufacture. Mr Sontgen of this place, willing to encourage local industry, has experimentally purchased a parcel of these Nelson cloths for making up into garments, and will, provided the demand is at all commensurate with the increased price he pays for the colonial manufactures, use them extensively in his business. The specimens he has now ■opened are really first class and well finished cloths, and when made up, will look well, and, as the saying is, wear like leather. The subjects for discussion by the Intercolonial Conference at Sydney, commencing its sittings.on the 13th instant, are three, namely:—l, A scheme of ocean mail services which would meet the demands of all the Australian Colonies and New Zealand. 2, The policy of intercolonial he 3 trade, and the objections thereto advanced by the Secretary of State, in despatches of 13th July, 1871, and 19th April, 1872. 3, Telegraphic communication, more especially in relation to submarine cables. Cognate subjects, however, will probably be discussed ; indeed, the New South Wales Government has announced its intention to bring the "diseases in stock" question before the notice of the Conference, and to use all its influence to obtain the co-operation of the colonies in the total prohibition of improtations while disorders are so' prevalent abroad. Up to Friday last the enquiries as to the alleged attempted "sticking up" case of Mr Harley on the No Town and Greymouth road had resulted in the police behJg unable to obtain the slightest information regarding the matter. This and the previous case is shrouded in mystery. The Grey Valley races are fixed for the 20th and 21st instant, and the prizes offered amount to £2BO. Most of the horses entered for the Greymouth races will attend the Ahaura meeting, as they can now be taken up the Valley along the dray road without risk. The • Grey Valley Times' says :—" The attempt to form a Masonic Lodge in the Ahaura is to be again revived, this time with every hope of being successful. Several resident members of the craft have taken the matter in hand, and correspondence is to be at once opened through the Greymouth Lodge, with the Grand Lodge, for the purpose of obtaining the necessary dispensation.

A Provincial 'Garotte/ dated 31st January, withdraws from sale two blocks of land in the Buller Valley for special settlement—namely, thtr Hampden block, of 14,000 acre 9; and-the Matiri block, pf 25,000 acres. His Honor the Superintendent will immediately apply to the General Government to give effect to the scheme of settling this district, in accordance with the resolution of the Provincial Council lost session. 48 Saturday last , wa**&j%*btrty.ifirßt anniversary of tho settlement of Nelson, the first emigrants having landed on the Ist February, 18^2. A man named William Gracie, alias the Barnacle, was arrested at Half Ounce on Tuesday morain<? last, on a charge of committing a capital offence upon a girl ot seven years of age, a daughter of Mrs Smith, of Half Ounce. The charge was partly investigated at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Ahaura, on Friday. The venerable Archdeacon Harper, being about to leave Hokitika and take charge of the Parish of St. Michael and All Angels, Chistchurch, the parishoners of Hokitika have forwarded a petition to his Lordship the Bishop praying that he will reconsider his decision in the. matter and permit the Archdeacon to remain at Hokitika. Mr Murray, with his circus company is at Nelson, working down coast in order to be ready with his show at the Greymouth races.