Untitled

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1226, 6 November 1874, Page 2

The Inangahua Herald is the authority for a statement that certain facts have recently transpired at the Lyell, teuding to show that a system of robbery has been going on at Carrol and Cairn's machine, aud it is supposed by soino one employed on the battery. Parcels of amalgamated gold have been disposed of which may or may not represent the entire proceeds of the theft, but looking at the comparatively small returns (about two and a-half ounces to the ton) from the last Break o' Day crushing, it is reasonably concluded that a very considerable quantity of gold has been abstracted. Suspicion attaches to a certain person, but the thief will probably escape conviction, owing to want of direct proof. It must be sotno consolation to the JJreak o' Day sha eholdera to learn that the sinallness of the return referred to may be attributed to this cause, rather than to depreciation in the quality of the stone. At the monthly meeting of' the Hospital Committee, held yesterday, a cheque for £l7 was handed in as contribution to the funds from Mr 11 Lexn's railway men. This makes the fourth monthly donation from that source. The other business transacted was of little importance. Previous to the close of the meeting Mr Fielder intimated his resignation of office as member of the Committee, on account of his being about to remove to Charleston. The resignation was accepted with regret, and the next monthly meeting fixed as the date for election of a new member to fill vacancy. A telegram has been received intimating the death at Nelson, on Wednesday evening, of George Moody, who went up a short time since in the hope that change of air might alleviate his sufferings. For a, little time he rallied, and cheering- news was sent to his family, but on Wednesday night a sudden change occurred, and he passed away. Many who knew him will regret his death and sympathise with his widow and family in their affliction. Arrangements for the Hospital Bazaar arc progressing smoothly. The' ladies are busy in their industrious preparations, and the display of needlework bids fair to be something worth remembering. One notable gift of another description deserves present remark. Mrs Cooper, of Wallabi street, an old lady, past eighty years of age, has modelled with her own hands some beautiful wax flowers, which she intends as her gift to the Bazaar. Apart from the really artistic skill displayed, the unwearying patience exercised by the kindly donor even in her decrepitude betokens a labor of love not often equalled. The Kennedy will bring a batch of immigrants from the ship Chile. The demand for female servants for the Coast has been in excess of the supply, whatever may be the demand for other grades of labor. The new attraction at the Theatre Royal has quickly become popular. The prohibition of dancing has impelled the proprietor to devise new arrangements for the amusement of his patrons, for whom a place of assembly aud recreation is necessary, whatever sagacious law makers may think to the contrary. To this end a free and easy, and as spjeial attraction, a professional singer. The aocnit courriere of a regular compauy is Mr Harry Morgan, who sings a la Henry Russell, varying his programme now and then with comic ditties. His songs are good, with the true ring of sterling melody, lie avoids the common music hall trash, and selects songs worthy of being well sung. He sings them well, too. It is reported that the last fresh in the river made serious encroachment at the overflow between the Burlier and Orawaiti rivers. Only a chain or so of solid ground now intervenes, and the danger U that a sudden summer fresh may carry away even that barrier, and send a heavy volume of water down the Orawaiti. Such a contingency has been always dreaded as disastrous, aud attention is again called to the feasibility of cutting a race from that portion of the Duller called the Sluice-box, and thus diverting a portion of the current iuto its original channel. The idea has often been discussed, aud pronounced practicable at very little expense. Section jumpers were practising their lively vocation yesterday. Pleading as authority that judicial dictum has declared possession to be oven more than nine-tenths of the law, when sections on the Colliery Reserve are in question. At the Warden's Court, on Tuesday, applications from theuuder-nated persons for agricultural leaseses were postponed for surveyors' reports and plans:—Charles Sphwaror, James Costollo. Myles M'Phaddeu, John Martin, Daniel Maloaey (:>), Hugh Morau, and W. S. Harris. The Grey River Argus says, that for the vacancy created in VVestlaad by Judge Harvey accepting another judgeship 'in Otago, there are several applicants, amongst whom, we understand, are Mr South, Crown Prosecutor for Westlaud, and Mr William Pitt, of Reefton, but it is most likely that the Government will select Mr Wo (ton, the present Judge of the District Court at Napier, whose duties hitherto have been almost nominal. The proceedings in the District Court, on Monday, in the case Riley v Hughes, should open the eyes of residents in Westport lo the iniquitous system pursued by the Nelson Provincial Government in lcvving black mail on them for occupation of sections on the Coal Quay Reserve. Without the slightest right in law or in equity, without colorable pretext, aud without-any shadow of pretence to grant rights or privileges in return, the Provincial Government has claimed and received, literally under false pretences, license fees from occupants of sections. Having no right to take suth money, and even in acknowledgment givin-' bat a vaguely indefinite receipt as " for the benefit of whom it may concern." Tum run the djCjimeats for winch victims of misplaced confidence tender their one pound notes. Possibly in the whole history of Provincial odaihiistration no more flagrant case than this can be adduced. Weshoort ha, 3 been made a field for plunder, anil the spoil has ij ten (rasped by the Government whlotl shouhl T,i}„e exercised a protective influwiM. As sliwu ju the case under notice, the only of °f sections on the Coal lj iay It.Mdrvi) u ll)4t of occupation. Jj ich man must dofund his landmarks as he best. can. Junipers may exercise their tr.e'cs with irupuaity, aud tha I Provincial authorities cure for naught but fees illegally obtained. Even in their excess

of greed taking so calloil "license" fees twice or thrice, or even as many times as they may bo preferred for the same section ! It is no argument that the allocation of sect ons was made when the reserve was under the operation of the Goldfiold Acts, and that the Provincial Government then had right to levy aud appropriate fees for occupation. The reserve some time past reverted to the sole control of the General Government for its original purpose—a railway reserve—and occupants of tenements thereon only hold possession on sufferance, and altogether free from Provincial control. And yet Provincial authorities still claim und still receive payment of license fees ! Is there no remedy for this? Will not the law which makes penal the obtaining of money under false pretences be operative on governing bodies agon private individuals? We learn by private telegram from Eeefton that the reef was struck on Monday in the United Band of Hope claim, Murray Creek, The reef is four feet thick and carries gold. This company has persevered though great difficulties, and deserves success. The new swag track from the Mokihinui township up river towards the reefs hasbeen completed for a distance of seven and a half miles, and is stated to have been so far well graded and faithfully constructed. On Wednesday evening a meeting of shareholders in the Nicholas and party's coal prospecting license was convened at the Empire. The notice calling the meeting showed the intention to elect a working committee and arrange for commencing operations to bring the coal to market. The proximity to the Buller of the area under liceuse and the comparative ease with which coal in any quantity can be brought in points out this veuture as one of exceeding promise to the promoters. The site of intended operations is north of the Waimangaroa, and about, ten miles from Westport. We have not been informed a3 to the result of the meeting. The usual monthly meeting of the Westport Permanent Land, Building, and Investment Society was held at the Schoolhouse on Tuesday evening last. It is satisfactory to note that the deroaud for the accumulating funds of the young society is quite equal to the money available for investment. Mr T. Dwan, by official order of his Honor Judge Harvey, has been appointed valuer in the bankrupt estate of George Palla. His Honor Judge Harvey has arranged to obtain from Melbourne twenty brace of hares, which he offers in exchange for quartz specimens ; the hares to be turned out for acclimatising, and the specimens to be sent to Melbourne as ocular demonstration of a fact about which Melbourne men are still dubious—the richness of the reef* on the Coast. The steamer Kennedy left Nelson at 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon for this port, but had not shown up at dusk last evening. Stress of weather no doubt compelling her to run for shelter. At the meeting of the Charleston District Cricket Club, on Tuesday week last, the following gentlemen were appointed as members of committee:—P. MTunes, K. Walker, W. J. Moore, 11. G. Smith, G. Mansfield, J. Nestor, and H. Jones. Messrs 11. Jones, H. G. Smith, and MTnnes, were elected—President, Vice-President, and Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. It was the general expression of the meeting that practice should be regularly indulged in, that being considered necessary to make the members efficient. The Herald regrets the Club has lost many good players, who have left the district. The Wanganui Herald, suffering from dearth of " locals," thinks it worthy of note that " A member of the Westport Municipal Council thrives under the name of Job Lushanus Munson."