The Westport Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1874.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1141, 13 January 1874, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1874.

]"koai official returns laid on the table of the House of Representatives last session, it appears that the average earnings of miners during the year ending 31st December, 1872, were in Otago, 245. per week; in Wcstlaud, 80s. ; in Auckland, 45s ; in Nelson, 255; and in Marlborough, 305.; these figures being based upon the number of miners, and .iggrtgute value of gold exported during the year, and hence being reliable, serve tn dispel any illusive iJeis as to the oidiuary earnings of the miner. Coin-

moating thereon a new contemporary, the Southern Mercury, nays, and truly, " as a general rule, gold milling is the leastprofitable occupation in the country, and it is well that this should be known. There is nothing whatever to be gained by the ostrich-like trick of shutting our eyes to the fact; neither, is there any cause for alarm. The truth is plain that our goldfields are useful as a walking-stick to aid our progress—not as a crutch to depend upon. In other words, they absorb the surplus labor when no more profitable employment is procurable. A minority only of the 10,000 miners set down in the rettmi devote the whole of their time to goldmining, The majority are always willing to accept wages for steady employment. It is noticeable that, year by year, the escorts which follow immediately after shear ng and harvesting show a sensible diminution in the general yield of" gold. The public works now progressing have drafted off a large number of our gold - producers, the effect of which is very apparent even now. Then there are a number of what may be termed " occasional" miners—men who combine wood-cutting, or gardening, or fanning, or cow-keeping with gold-mining pursuits. For ever at their doors, as it were, there is a vast natural depository of wealth, whereon they can draw at will for temporary and additional supplies, and which effers constant employment in their spare time. Here, then, is the true value of our goldfields. They furnish us with a perpetual fund, from which the wants of the community can, within certain limits, be supplied in the absence of other resources. The state is thus relieved from the burden of supporting the unemployed, and the price of labor is preserved from falling below a fairly remunerative point. A laborer can always glean from the earth suffieieut gold to purchase the necessaries of life, with a prospect of doing something better. When there is scarcity of other employment, or an undue depression in the labor market occurs, he can re.-ort to gold mining until the balance between capital and labor has been restored —that is, until wages have risen to their proper level." As concerning Nelson Province, wherein the average wages are at the lowest, while on the goldfields necessaries are higher in price than in any other part of ISTew Zealand, except perhaps remote places in Otago, the possibility is small indeed of the miner alternating his labors at mining by an occasional turn at husbandry, farming, or kindred pursuits. There are few constant employers of such labor, even to a limited extent, resident in the province and the waste land accessible and fit for settlement has been withheld from all such purposes, or the obtaining thereof has been so hedged about with restrictions that practically the miner, or other men of small means, might as well attempt to extract sunbeams from cucumbers as to obtain sufficient land to keep him employed in the intervals wherein gold mining will not yield him a profitable subsistence. Of late the terras under which agricultural leases are granted have been made less stringent and the ultimate advantages of possession more certainly assured, but yet the actual obtaining possession of the soil is not made one whit more easy of accomplishment. The preliminaries of money deposit and formal application are made easy enough, but thereafter comes long continuing delays, waiting for survey and other hindrances which test the patience and exhaust the means of the struggling individual anxious to make a home for himself and his family surroundings. Thus it comes about that Nelson, of all New Zealand provinces, offers the most meagre chances to colonists. Its goldfields yield the smallest average wage, and its rulers keep the agricultural land locked up from settlement. Will the new Provincial Council do ought to remedy these evils ?

Telegrams to hand, too late for publication in this morning's issue, will appear in the Star this evening. For the special advantage of our country readers who do not get the Westport Evening Star, we have commenced republishing in the Westport Times as much matter from the Star as wo can possibly crowd into our columns. The Times will thus present to readers in outlying districts the entire news of the week, in comprehensive form, and will contain more reading matter than any other paper published in the province. To town readers the Times, as a summary of passing events, will be found most readily available and most reliable, for sending as news to distant places. The Buller District Road Board has at last showed some signs of vitality. Lacking the means to carry out the duties calling it info existeuce, the business performed at the customary meetings has been formal and preparatory only. The funds at the command of the Board have been now allocated for such works as they will cover the cost of, and an appeal will be made to the Provincial government for a further advance from the Provincial treasury. Following thereupon the question of local rating will have to be faced and action decided on, for it need not be expected that the Provincial Government will give any very liberal grants in aid until the provisions of the Act have been fully put in force by the Local Boards, and the public, by payment of rates, t.'stir'y a willingness to share in the responsibility of performing duties which the Provincial Government avowedly cannot fulfil to public satisfaction. At the Reefton District Court, held during the present week, Leotardi Campani, for unlawfully wounding, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, and Somerville, for escaping from custody, got six months. The Otago, under the command of Capt. John M'Lean, will bring down the next Suez mail from Melbourne to the Coast. This good ship bus had a thorough overhaul, and is now one of the finest vessels in southern waters.

During the past week a cricketing club has been established in Westport on a very satisfactory basis. Twenty-eight playing members have been enrolled, and the nauie3 of several more; besi les honorary-members, are mention.*d. Tuo o'ffioerd of the club are Dr Tnorpe, President, Mr Browne, VicePreucknt, Mr Northoroft, Secretary, and Mr Snow, Treasurer. Practice days are fixed for Wednesday and Saturday, and the club meets at Gibson's paddock, Orawaiti. , It is reported that instruction! have been received from Mr Blackett, Assistant Engineer-in-Chief, that the survey of the Ngakawhau railway line shall be pushed on with all possible expedition, and all available professional assistance engaged Mr Dobson, Provincial Engineer, has been working early and late for weeks past and is most anxious to get the survey completed. The Hon. E. Bichardson, Minister of Public Works, is expected to arrive at Nelson shortly on an official visit, and it is proposed that he shall be requested to extend his journey to Westport. We believe his Worship the Mayor has already written to Air Richardson on the subject. Work has been commenced at Cape Foulwind, preparatory to the erection of the proposed lighthouse. The timber is being cleared away in lines on the high terrace in order to fix the precise site of the light tower. When the erection is completed the light will be plainly visible at Westport. The view from the site selected is said to be magnificent, including a wide scope of country extendingfrom Charleston toWestport.

The Lynch Family of Bellringers who arrived from Nelson by the Wallace on Friday, decided not to then perform in Westport, but to pass on to Hokitika and Greymouth, and call in here on their return, which will be about the 24th instant. Duo notice of itheir arrival will be given in our advertising columns. We may mention that their entertainments has been highly spoken of by our contemporaries, and there is no doubt the troupe will draw large houses here for at least two or three nights.

The potato crop locally grown this season is exceedingly good, Westport has been supplied for weeks past with prime potatoes of the earlier sorts from Waimangaroa, Deadman's Flat, and other places to the northward, and now the later varieties are coming into market A sample of " Pink eyes," at Messrs Powell and Co's store, and cultivatfd by Mr Gibson, at the Blowhole, should take a prize at any horticultural show.

The Upper Buller Races, held on the 26th and 27th ultimo were successful as racing events, although the attendance wa3 meagre. Pour of the five events set down in the programme duly came off. The Matakitaki purse of 20 sovs, 1| miles, was won by Hunter's Rustic; Schroder's Stella coming in a good second. The District Plate of 10 sovs, welter weights, 1 mile, was won by Ribet's Captain, the second horse in, the rider of Sultan, the first past the post, having lost two pounds weight during the race. The Packer's Purse of 5 sovs was won by Winter's Manuka, and the Hack Race of 5 sovs by Kerr's Butcher Boy. The customary ball at Host Ribet's wound up the days amusement. It is proposed to place the " Central" and " Tambaroora," Quartz Mining Companies at the Lyell, under the provisions of the Limited Liabib'tv Act,

The Lyell Argus complains that an individual named Gibbs, residing somewhere near the junction of the Mangles and the Buller, has deliberately felled trees across the track to prevent his cattle from straying. The inconvenience to travellers is great, and the Argus draws attention to the subject in order that Gibbs, cattle, barricades and all, may be speedily rooted out.

The Lyell Argus of the 3rd. says:—Mr Rout, one of the newly elected members of the Provincial Council, passed through Lyell on Wednesday last on a tour through the Province, undertaken solely with the view of ascertaining, by his own observation, the condition of the numerous roads and tracks of which the Government have so often boasted. It would be well for the West Coast if there were a few more members in the Council so conscientious and energetic as Mr Rout. We thank him for his visit and feel confident that substantial benefits will accrue to the district from the knowledge he has acquired. It is calculated that by the recent strike at Wellington among the crews of steamers for higher wages, which have been acceded, and the advanced price of coals, the cost of passage and freight will be raised 20 per cent.

At the recent Caledonian games at Nelson one of the competitors threw a hammer of 191bs weight 64 feet 10 inches. In the action Donne v. Lucas, for alleged libel, the verdict for damages, one farthing, leaves each side to pay its own costs, The dead body of a young lad named Harper was found floating in the water near the Nelson wharf boat landing on Monday last.

We hear that the memorial recently forwarded to the chief of the Telegraph department, praying that an extra messenger should be added to the Westport staff, has been successful, and that it will be shortly complied with. At the meeting of the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade this evening, the election of officers for the current year will take place. The nominations are as undernoted : Captain: Mr J. Hughes. Lieut.: Messrs Bailie and Pitcher. Foreman of Hose Co.: Messrs Quigley and Hodges. Foreman of Hook and Ladder Co.: Messrs Powell and Bond. Foreman of Fire Company: Mr Lloyd. Treasurer : Mr J. W. Humphrey. Secretary: Messrs Pitcher and Fagg. Engineer : Mr Franks. Engine keeper: Messrs Fagg, Dickens, and Franks. An accident happened at the Terrace on Friday last whereby a miner named Charles Brandon (Shotover Charlie) was injured. He was working in a tail race, breaking down a large boulder in the side, and thereby, before he was aware of it, loosened a large quantity of earth and top soil which came tumbling in upon hiin. He was fortunate enough to jump iiside in time to escape the full force of the shock, but some of the falling stuff struck him across the loins and injured him somewhat severely. He was taken to his hut in the hope that the injnrv would be only temporary, but yesterday it was found necessary to bring him into the Hospital, where he now lies under the care of Dr Thorpe.

New publications come trooping quietly at the opening of the new year. We have now received No. 1 of the Southc; n Mercury, a weekly chronicle of news, politics, and literature, published in Dunedin, and edited by Mr Vincent Pyfee. It.is a paper that will commend itself to the public. Its columns are filled with well compiled news items and original matter. As a feature, it presents the initial chapters of a new tale by the author of Wild Will Bnderby, and it profesaoi as the aim and scope of its venture

" to advocate the cause of tiie People—to address ourselves to the People—to wrestle manfully tok the People," subservient to uo Party, and untrammelled by personal influences. The letter-press work is good, anaf for a first publication, singularly I'reo from typographical errors. M'Mahon's hotel, Brighton, had a very narrow escape from fire.pn the sth instant. A fire, carelessly 'lightetl in an adjoining yard, heated the iron wall of the building, and the lining inside ignited. Prompt assistance was at hand and luckily the fire was not allowed to make.Jiead\vay. The Brighton of the Charleuton Herald new boat and ferryman from Westport will be shortly at work on the river there, ]where people now find trouble in crossing, owing to the boat until lately in use having been carried out to sea.

The long required alterations to the front of the Charleston Postolfice are at last to be effected. Soino shelter will be given to the public while waiting at the window, and transaction of business will be facilitated.

Mr George Aldous, the "original" advertiser, has at last bade adieu to Charleston. His parting words to his friends intimate that he has not fcgotten their poor heads but has sold his infallible speeifie to his successor.