The Westport Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1061, 8 April 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1873.

Depression of trade, commercial stagnation, awfully dull times, are, have been, and probably will be for some time to come stock topics of conversation generally throughout the New Zealand Goldfields. A disturbance of the social equilibrium, caused either by Q-overnment maladministration or a defalcation in the relative influence of labor and capital is apparent, in fact stares every man in the face, and ruin looming ominously near seems the destiny of many who have worked hard and earnestly to establish their prosperity upon sure foundations. Dismissing the idea that nil the ■evils under which goWfield communities at present grean and swelter are traceable to the failings of injudicious political rule, it is easy to discern one other cause at least tending to the present crisis. Gold, the staple product of a greater portion of the colony has by its all potent influence attracted to New Zealand shores a large proportion of the present population. The first rush <of diggers has been the means of opening up localities before scarce known and unexplored, and creating therein permanent settlement. For accompanying each primary wave of digging population there has always been, not only the usual motley crew of camp followers and adventurers of shady but also persons representing good and substantial commercial interests and possessing in addition to capital and credit 'those qualities which marking the bold and speculative men of business, induce them'to aid in the developmentof each new mining industry. To 'this spirit of enterprise-is owing the ipermanancy of occupation of all goldfields, for the diggers, to whom in their restless impulse to search for gold'the credit is due of being the pioneers of civilisation, have not as a rule the means by their own unaided resources of bringing to profitable issue any branch of mining industry not immediately giving remunerative returns, and hence has it become necessary in the construction of preliminary works tending to and absolutely necessary for the efficient utilisation of auriferous resources, that men of capital should help the working miner whose practical knowledge and untiring labor affords the best of all .promise that the ultimate results will be profitable to all concerned. Thus a wide spread system of credit becomes of necessity the first experience on goldfields, and the good faith maintained in the permanent productiveness of New Zealand goldmines has led to the appropriation of a large aggregate amount of commercial capital, not in the shape of formal loans, but advanced indirectly in the ordinary transactions of buying and selling, the miner refunding the capital and interest advanced in the price charged for the commodities supplied to him. Incidentally also has the trader invested from his business ' capital, or profits, large sums in mining shares upon which he has accepted the full responsibility in anticipation of larger direct profits. But the system of commercial credit which has so far fostered mining enterprise, has through competition, and possibly too firm reliance on the proverbial good luck of daring speculators, exceeded the bounds of commercial prudence and hence has arisen the present financial depression. The credit system on the goldfields, instead of heins: controlled by prudential restriction has led to the virtual extinguishment of much capital in unprofitable enterprises, and the misdirected application of labor in perpetuating for a time au artifical prosperity and semblance of commercial activity having a most unstable foundation. It has tended also in no slight degree to perpetuate improvident habits and keep up an artificial scale of wages and prices detrimental to the general welfare. Apart from this another cause for existing impecuniosity is the gradual withdrawal of capital invested in mining, and its returnvto the original source from which if; had been temporarily diverted. A withdrawal all the more persistent and decided as it becomes apparent that mining ventures of exceeding good promise, do not realise the anticipations of the least sanguine promoters. The rscoil consequent upon the exercise of injudiciously extended credit, primarily of some advantage but ultitnuting' always in disastrous effects, and the direct withdrawal of capital from mining ventures is now being felt in all its \intensity, aggravated in too many instances by the fact that the selling out of mining shares can only be accomplished by the absolute sacrifice of a -very large proportion of the original cost. It is admitted that a necessity exists for restricting the credit system on the goldfields, yet has that system taken root so deeply that it is only by slow and uncertain degrees the evil will be eradicated. Meanwhile all parties suffer. The first impulse of speculative enterprise, the wave bearing to new gold regions the powers and resources of capital and civilisation,

should be returning to its source laden with treasure, but its natural equilibrium has been disturbed by conflicting and adverse influences.

We understand that Dr Hector is on his way overland from Greymouth to Westport, via Charleston, and may probably reach here this afternoon.

Most melancholy news reached the Messrs Gilmer Brothers yesterday, and their friends and townsmen will sympathise with them in their affliction. The tidings came a few days since, that a sister, at school at Wellington, lay sick, and there was urgent need that some of her friends should visit her. To obey the summons was impossible for no steamer was leaving the Coast bound northward. So her anxious friends were, perforce, compelled to wait and watch, hoping almost against hope for better tidings. Yesterday the dreaded news was flashed along the wire that she had died, breathing her last among strangers. A strong party of townsmen, and with them some visitors at present sojourning in Westport, went up to the Ngakawhau yesterday, for the purpose of inspecting the coal mine, and such adjacent outcrops of coal as could be visited in one short day. They made a pleasant trip, and came back, as all other.visitors before them, astonished and gratified at the extent of coal awaiting profitable working. Preparations are being made for a pic-nic and out door sports for the children attending St. John's Church Sunday School, to come off on Easter Monday next, the 14th instant. Arrangements have been made with Mr Gibson at the Orawaiti, for the use of his paddock, and the youngsters will be well cared for. Refreshments will be provided, sports organised, and everything done that somewhat limited funds will permit, to ensure a thorough day's enjoyment. The members of the Westport Brass Band, with their usual promptitude, have offered their services, gratuitously, and ,if. fine weather favors no doubt a most able treat will be given the young lads and lasses.

A sad accident happened to Mr William Drysdsle, the well-known packer between Westport and the Terraces, on Friday evening last. In crossing towards Westport from the Caledonian terrace, about six o'clock in ,the evening, while coming down Stony' Creek, which, as travellers to the terraces are aware, ia as rouerh and dangerous a track as any horseman cares to face; the mare he was riding stumbled and threw him with such force that he sustained a compound fracture of the right leg. Mr Drysdale was alone at the time, and there was little chance in the dusk of the evening of any travellers approaching. His only resource therefore was to climb on the mare's back again and endeavor, maimed as he was, to reach some habitation. By dint of hard and painful struggle, he got on the saddle again, but could not retain his position, fainting and falling heavily. In his fall his leg caught in one of the iron hooks of the,pack saddle, and was severely lacerated. Eecovering his strength a little he crawled from the creek to the top of Poverty Terrace, nearly a quarter of a mile distant, and there cooeyed for help, but no one heard him. Lying on the ground helpless and untended, with his injured limb bleeding freely, the suffering man tore his shirt from his back and bound tip his wounds, and there lay the livelong night awaiting succour. In the morning a young man named Kiesling was the first passerby ; and he, unable to render any assistance of himself, hastened with all despatch to Westport and obtained the assistance of Messrs George Clark, Simpson, Labatte, and others, who went out with all speed and brought the sufferer to the Hospital, wliere, under the care of the Hospital Surgeon, he is now progressing as favorably as the nature of his injuries will admit.

Applications for other claims north and south of the prospectors claim, the Halcyon, Mohikinui, have been made, and there is little doubt that a large extent of ground will be soon in occupation. Specimens of stone brought in both from the north and south claims show precisely the same good indications of gold as the stone lately tested by Martin and party. A . good discovery was made last week at the junction of Maori Creek and the Mohikinui river. John Hamilton and his mate having fosicked out from a small crevice, and within a foot or so of the surface, a handsome specimen of golden quartz. It is about the size of a large egg, and consists of a conglomerate of whitish quartz and solid gold, the weight being about six ounces, and of which at least one half is gold. The specimen is much waterworn. It was found not far distant from the place where, some time since, a nineteen ounce nugget was unearthed.

The quarterly return of attendance oE pupils at the Westport school for the terra ending March 31 ultimo, shows, Boys, 68 j Girls, 52; Total 120 pupils. The daily average attendance having been 86,6-54 th, or 71 per cent, of the total number of pupils on the roll. The school has been open 54 days during the quarter. We are indebted to Mr Fraser for these particulars. It has not yet appeared evident that any great interest will be shown in the anticipated Municipal election. Assuming that in the ordinary course of events the present month will witness the establishment of Municipal rule in Westport, it really seems strange that Westport men have not yet bestirred themselves to ensure the election of a Council that shall command the confidence of the electors. An old Bullerite, hailing from the Grey, has ventured to give a tip, naming some likely and also unlikely candidates. But because one alone has spoken, and he even perhaps in jest, it does not follow that others, more nearly interested, should hold their peace or grumble incontinently among themselves at any expression of opinion conflicting in the slightest degree with their own pet notions. Let those who care anything at all for the success of the proposed municipality or feel ambitious to take an active share in public duties meet together and discuss the respective merits of those among their townsmen who should, by reason of their social position or business qualifications, be entrusted with the guardianship and control of public interests. Haying made a choice, subsequent action must of course be directed to ensure the election of the mofet popular an d most useful men. The one great essential will be the selection of a municipal team that will pull well together; and the elimination from the Council Chamber of every element of discord that has herefore worked so much evil in pnblic matters in Westport.

All the steam machinery and pumping gear employed by Mr Cassius in his mines at Ross, are offered for sale. The engines, five in number, varying from 12 to 60 horse power.

The Herald says that according to latest accounts Anderson's Company will wash up on the 12th instant, and an ounce and a quarter to the ton is expected. The quantity of gold calculated on is 700 ounces, which with the call now struck will enable

some £ 1200 or £I3OO to be placed to the credit of the machine account, £1450 having been already paid. Shares are hardening, andl none are now offered except at an advance ou late'quotations. A telegraph station was opened yesterday at Drury, in the province of Auckland. Referring to the common assertions abroad that the management of the Hokitika Gaol is in many particulars not what it ought to be, and the necessity existing for the appointment of a Gaol Inspector, not alone in Hokitika but for every town enjoying the dignity of possessing a prison; the Grey Biver Argus says:—lt is one of those anomalies of our Colonial appointments that while the dead material composing the "stores" in Custom-houses, Court-houses, and Post-offices, deserve a special officer to travel from Dan to Beersheba, with a gimlet-eye in his bead, and a broad-arrow in his pocket, the live inmates of our gaols and lunatic asylums are, so far as inspection is concerned, treated as unconsidered trifles—a treatment which may be the means of inflicting wrong upon patients or prisoners, and which may also retaliate, with some amount of injustice, upon those who are in immediate charge. The Fiery Cross Claim, Boatman's, is still yielding very excellent stone, surpassing in quality anything before obtained in the district. The erection of machinery is being pushed on with all possible despatch. Claims in the bed of the Murray Creek still yield employment to a few men, but the obstacle of constantly accumulating, water prevents at present any larger num-j ber of hands setting in. > ■■: !.■ 'i \k

The Hokitik*; Borough Council.'. have under consideration the impost 'of duty upon logs of timber brought ton v ;the*wharf for export, to the extent of two'shillings per hundred cubic feet. The.Begister condemns the impost being, just enough to destroy the newly ereated'trade, as a very thin cord would suffice "to stop the feeble breath of an infant. The Star argues that it is a necesjsary tax to provide a fund for repairing damages caused to the corporation wharf by timber exporters. Quartz prospectors in the Hokitika Valley have reported lately not only the existence of likely looking reefs, but hot sulphur springs which they represent as having been found at nearly boiling heat. In passing sentence upon Mr Ike Levy for his receni escape from custody at Hokitika, the Magistrate, Mr Fitegerald, referring to the prisoner's plea that the case could not be- dealt with summarily, said, It might be some satisfaction to the prisoner and it certainly was a satisfaction to him (Mr FitzGerald) to know that some person having communicated to the Government the course which he had pursued in the case oi Chamberlain, the Minister of Justice had done him (Mr FitzGerald) the honor to telegraph his entire approval of that course. The prisoner was then sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labor, and his Worship, as a visiting Justice, directed that the prisoner be put in irons. The Hokitika Evening Star has passed into other hands, the ostensible proprietors now being Messrs. W. B.Jones, and Edward Jones. The Begister says the change will probably purge that Journal of the many and various characteristics which have spotted its reputation so darkly. At all events, to recognise its past sins is the best omen of future amendment. In emphasizing the news of its change of proprietary, many persons, having a full remembrance of the past, will say of the present director —he doth protest too much—but we really believe that this time there is something in it.

The Nelson Mail says:—"We have been requested to warn the public that a quantity of spurious coin consisting principally of sixpences are now in circulation in Nelson. The stamp _is a perfect imitation of the genuine article, but the spurious coin is easily detected by its greasy feel.