The Westport Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1057, 25 March 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1873.

The collapse of the San Francisco mail service is not likely to eaase much tribulation of spirit in New Zealand. From beginning to end it has been, in plain English, a gigantic nuisance, the most expensive, the most cumbrous, and withal the least useful service that perverted ingenuity or misdirected zeal could possibly devise. The New Zealand public will no doubt feel grateful to the American Legislature for refusing the anticipated subsidy, and thus bringing this ill-managed affair to a sudden and ignominious and wish the Pacific-Mail Company joy over the purchase of -Mr .Webb's fast, and favorite steamers. * Not uawillingjmoreover, in , getting rid of a useless bargain, to pijess lightly in the matter of pains and penalties upon the defaulting contractor. Of greater moment to the public than the fate of the old service is the advent of one more effective and less costly. The telegrams lately received referring to mail arrangements, convey but indefinitely any idea as to the particular service that will be eventually adopted, or that will best serve New Zealand interests, but from the American press may be gleaned some definite idea of the efforts made by one company, whose bona fides are to be relied on. The San Francisco Chronicle of the 4th February last, in an article on the defeat of the Webb Steam Line Subsidy Bill, says:—"The route is now clear for the Burnside-Scott organisation. It is understood that

nothing now stands in the way of Iho new line being put into operation but the receipt of a telegram announcing the ratification of the contract by the Parliament at Sydney. This is expected in about three or four weeks from this date. It is not anticipated that there will be the slightest difficulty in obtaining that ratification, because the Legislature, by an almost unanimous vote, some time ago, authorised the making of a contract. Moreover, under the colonial form of government, Ministers are bound to carry their measures or resign. Bonds have been given in the sum of 50,000 dollars, as a guarantee that the first steamer of the line shall arrive at the Australian end within six months of the receipt of the telegram Just alluded to. The steamers intended for the service will leave England and proceed to Australia via the Cape of Oood Hope, and will take up their place on the route from that end. Within seven months the first steamer may be expected in our bay. A twelveknot service is guaranteed, and the •company hold themselves responsible for the passage of the mails over our continent and across the Atlantic. In the meantime it is feared that the probable withdrawal of the "Webb line will cause an awkward interregnum in communication with the colonies. It b&B been known for some time that Webb's boats are sold to the Pacific Mail Company conditional on the failure of the subsidy bill to pass. On the Ist of May next the company is bound to commence its bi-monthly service to China, and "Webb's boats are necessary to enable that to be done. It is to be hoped that, in the interests of good" faith, a reasonable amount of consideration will be shown for New Zealand pre the withdrawal of the present line is determined." It is not yet certain that the new company will succeed in the perfect organisation of a service within the time mentioned, even supposing that the American subsidy is obtained, and that arrangements with the colonies are satisfactorily concluded; nor is it at all clear what particular means of communication will be adopted as best available to tide over the interval between the stoppage of "Webb's steamers and the commencement of a new service. The New Zealand public, long suffering yet hopeful, accustomed to the manifold irregularities of postal communication, but driven at last to a point where forbearance ceases to be a virtue should, and doubtless will, insist upon being no longer trifled with.

The telegrams forwarded by the Westport Coal committee on Friday last were promptly replied to. and the answer in each case was satisfactory. His Honor the Superintendent of Nelson expressed his willingness to accompany a deputation to Wellington, and asked that the Committee should name the earliest date for the departure of the deputation, and Mr Secretary Knowles, in the absence of the Minister of Public Works from Wellington, acknowledged the receipt of telegram and intimated that an official reply would be sent on the return of the Honorable Mr Richardson. The reeeipt of the memorial sent up some time since from Westport has been also acknowledged, and intimation given that it has been, and still is under consideration. A meeting of the Westport Coal and Railway Committee was held yesternay at the office of the Secretary, Mr J. W. Humphrey, all members being present. The principal business transacted was the appointment of collectors to canvass the town for subscriptions, and also appointing a deputation to proceed at once to Wellington. Messrs. Corr, Powell, Humphrey, and Falla, were appointed collectors, and it was decided that the following gentlemen should form the deputation. His Honor the Superintendent, E. J. O'Conor M.H.R., J. B. Fißher, and J. W. Humphrey. Such deputation to leave Westport with all convenient despatch, after the receipt of an expected telegram from the Minister of Public Works. The newly opened quartz reef at the Mohikinui is yielding some wonderfully rich stone, 8B good even as what some little time since was brought down from the Little Wonder Claim at the Lyell. Picked stone from the Halcyon claim, Mohikinui, would yield at the rate of at least twenty ounces to the ton. It has been taken from a five feet cross drive, cut through the solid stone at right angles with the tunnel, and the prospectors say they have not yet reached the wall of the reef.

The Result went to the Ngak&whau for coals on Saturday, but was obliged to come back only partly laden. The long continuing drought has so reduced the current in the river that Captain Riley avers at low water it might be all carried through an ordinary head-race.

Mr E. J. O'Conor, M.H.R., has intimated that he will address the electors at Addison's this evening, and at Westpor t on Wednesday evening next. Loungers on the wharf, and they were many on Saturday last, witnessed an exciting little scene, amusing to • some, but none the less provoking to others. The Wallace got steam up at eleven a.m. preparatory to leaving for Nelson, and just about that time there were some among the crowd who seemed to take especial interest in watching those who went on board. Among other passengers a female resident in Palmerston street stepped demurely on the paddle-box with a couple of poodle dogs under her arm, and went quietly below. "There's Soldier Bob's wife" whispered one to another "but he's not with ber," and from the whispered consultation held it was evident Soldier Bob was wanted. Presently came the Captain and said " the boat wont leave till one o'clock," whereat the passengers disembarked again, and the loungers dispersed. Not so the two or three mysterious watchers who kept hovering about evidently intent upon some daring deed. At last one o'clock came, the last whistle was given and all were aboard, but the much wanted hero who should have been there was not, and the anxious enquirers as to his whereabouts were despondent. Just as the Wallace cast off, a boat appeared on the other side of the river, heading for the steamer, and simultaneously another boat shot off from the town side of the river, carrying a valiant Son of Vulcan and his friends whose evident purpose was to cut off the strange boat from getting near the steamer. An exciting chase commenced and the pursuing boat overtook the other,

and thereupon some very wordy strife ensued. Soldier Bob was there, and wanted to be off to Nelson. Some of his creditors were there also, and preferred that he should remain awhile in Westport The crowd on the wharf became excited, some *' old sports" on board the steamer, returning from the races, chaffed and cheered and were delighted, and, meanwhile, those in the boats grew desperately furious, and Vulcan and his friends tried to forcibly prevent their man from going farther. But Soldier Bob was too many for them, the Wallace moved but slowly, some said too slowly, and, marking his chance. Soldier Bob got away from his f rieuds, and instantly pulling a good oar got alongside the steamer and was hauled aboard triumphant. The Wallace, so slow ia motion but a moment before, shooting ahead at full steam, and leaving the disappointed pursuers far astern. The circumstances giving rise to this little scene were simply these, Mead, alias Soldier Bob, had takeci a contract for work in Nelson street at too low a figure, he had moreover contrived to get on the books of every confiding trader who would give him credit, and so when the contract was completed, and he had fingered the money, Soldier Bob thought fit to pay his creditors with a "flap of the foresail," and skedaddle to a new field for the exercise of his peculiar talents. This community can well afford to be rid of such a character, but the why or wherefore shrewd men of business should be so willing to give credit, and hard working men their labor, to anyone who asks it, passes understanding. It is rumoured that Mr Alexander, Chief Postmaster, has again applied for removal from Westport, and will probably within a few weeks be transferred to Otago.

At a meeting of the promoters of the Greymonth coal scheme, held at the Union Hotel, Greymouth, on Thursday last, the following resolutions were passed, and have since been telegraphed to Wellington:—l. That this meeting regrets exceedingly that the Wellington shareholders appear to have departed entirely from their original intention as put forth in the rough sent to us, and upon which our co-operation was sought, being confident that, had the original intention been carried out, success must hare attended the enterprise, as not only would coalfields of immense value have been thoroughly developed, but a most extensive export trade would have been established. 2. That it is desirable without delay to take steps to develop the Westland Mine, and that previous to action being taken here, a telegram be sent to Wellington requesting definite information as to the intention of the present Company.

We learn by telegraph that the following are the declared weights of the Nelson Turf Club Handicap—Peeress, lOst; Slander, 9st 101b; Magenta, 8»t lib; Mulvina, 7st 81b; Tauranga, sst 101b.

The Inangahua Herald says:—"Owing to the numerical weakness of the members of the United Methodist Free Church at Beefton, it is contemplated to close the services, in which case the building now used by the resident minister will be opened as a school, under the superintendence of Mrs Brown, late of Westport. Mr M'Lean, whose exertions as a minister have been faithful and zealous, will, we understand, return to Westland.

In reply to an address from the Catholics in Nelson, Bishop Moran said that though he could not express entire approval of the Nelson Educational System, yet he could not fail to admire the liberality displayed in it. If other Provinces adopted a similar aet, his voice would seldom be heard on the subject. The Inangahua correspondent of the Argus says:— •' Eeefton retains its chronic state of dullness, or rather the disease shows unmistakeable signs of becoming worse instead of better. One hears now, on all Bides, nought but rumours of intending departures, and of buildings which have been sold for at least a fourth of their original cost. The place is even yet tremendously over-bnUt, and over-full of business people. No fortunes will be made here until the weeding-out process has been continued for some time longer. It is simply a struggle in which the weakest must go to the wall. The six machines that are now in working order wilJ, of course, keep a certain number of men in constant work, and with regular pay in their pockets, at any rate during the winter months, so that a certain quantity of trade will be done. But at present it is divided between far too many to fairly remunerate any. A telegraph office was opened at Winton, near Invercargill, on the 20th instant. A man named Samuel M'Dowell Elliot Fisher was drowned in the Grey river on Thursday last. The Argus gives the following particulars of the accident: — " A coal barge was coming down the river on Saturday afternoon from the mine. It was steered by George Mortes, and another named Frederick Addy was in the boat and Samuel Fisher and David Morris were driving the horses. Owing to the shallow state of the river they had to get the horses to pull the boat over the falls when coming downloaded. When passing the fall just above rocky Island, Fisher and Morris hooked the horses on to the boat. Riley er Mortes told them it would do, and both men unhooked the horses and rode into shallow water, on the fall towards the Westland side of the river. Morris and Fisher were sitting on the horses alongside each other, when Fisher, somehow or other, fell into the river off the horse he was riding, and swam towards the Nelson side, where he landed, and was almost out of the water, when he fell back again and was never seen afterwards. Samuel Fisher was a very sober, steady man, but had lately been working night and day bringing coals Jdown for different vessels loading at Greymouth. It is supposed that he fell off through his own carelessness, and that when he reached the shore the rocks were too slippery for him to catch hold of. The body has not yet been recovered.