The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1884.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1461, 24 October 1884, Page 2

The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1884.

We understand that Mr P. Twohill, at the request of a large number of the residents of Boatman's, has deßnitely decided to offer himself for election for that Riding at the forthcoming County elections. A cablegram received by us last night announces the sudden death at Melbourne of Joseph Philip Klein, proprietor of the Sohitiha rtar. Mr Klein was one of the pioneers of Hokitika, having arrived there in the year 1865. He started business as a watchmaker and jeweller, and far several yeara did an extensive trade. He was a lapidary by trade, and early turned his attention tv the collection of greenstone and other native stones, large quantities of which he purchased from the Maoris and forwarded to Germany, where they were cut and polished, (he venture repaying him handsomely. A few years later he joined Mr James (Sneyder) Browne, in the proprietorship of the Eveainq Star. The firm shortly after issued a weekly journal called the "Golden Age," which, however^ waanot continued for any length of time. Their next venture was the daily Observer, a morning paper of the same size aa the West Covst limes, the editorship being undertaken by Mr G. S. Sale, ex-Commissioner of Westland. The paper was produced in the beststyle and promised to be a dangerous rival of its formidable contemporary the West Coast Times, but strange as it may seem the undertaking was killed at the start by a single infilicituous sentence in the opening leader. We cannot recollect the precise phraseology, but the 2YVnO« office was situated in the centre of Weld street, whereas the office of the Observer stood at the corner of Wharf and Camp-streets, from which fact the editor argued that the Times oould. only see down one street, while the Observer could see down two, or in other words could " see round the corner," The " corner paper " and the "corner man " soon passed into. a proverb and the Observer was fairly laughed out of existence, ita editor, Mr gale, shortly after finding a more congenial sphere in the professorship of classics in the OtagoUniversity. Messrs Browne and Klein then purchased the West Coast 7rae»and Leader from Harnett and Co., (W. Shaw) and carried on the papers for years, when Mr Browne retired from the partnership to continue the publication of the Or y Star, of which ho waß the founder. Mr Klein continued the publication of both papers for some years, eventually ■oiling out to Mr R. C. Reid. The Evening Star, which had in the interval been under lease to Mr W. J. Potts, then reverted to Mr Klein, who has continued it to the present time. Mr Klein, was perhaps one of the best known and moat deservedly popular men on the West Coast. Bis somewhat bluff manner and exterior, the characteristics of his race, veiled one of the kindliest and most generous of dispositions. Full of energy, enterprise and public spirit, he identified himself closely with every movement originated for the public good in Hokitika for nearly twenty years past, and whether for his private or public qualities he was a man worthy of the highest esteem. Interest in the Antonio Riding in regard to the approaching County elections would seem to be chiefly moving amongst the miners, as we observe in a published requisition to one of the candidates that out of seventeen names appended to it eleven are miners right voters, three have no votes at all, the remaining three only being ratepayers. After complaining about the gas lamps in Wellington being put out so early, Mr Pyke caused considerable amusement by coming down to the House in the evening armed with an eigh teen-penny bull's eye lantern, and he exhibited no inclination to " hide his light under a bushel." We notice that the Rev Thomas Flavell has returned after his trip to England, and has resumed the editorship of " The Schoolmaster " in Chrischurct). This publication is the recognised authority in Bchoolastic matters, and is a great improve* ment on any of its predecessors in the same groove. On the eve of the elections County matters are encaging the attention of the people of Hokitika. The following letter headed a "A very Serious Charge " and bearing the signature of "Ratepayer," appears in the West Coast Times, and the complaint it makea is no doubt referable to more places than the County of Westland. The letter runs as follows :— Sir. — Though prepared to admit that the last meeting of the County Council was not the right time to deal with the Chairman's motion re letting county road repairs by contract instead of day labor as at present and for the last six years, still the motive of those who opposed it can easily be understood. These Councillors have been the direct receivers of all the county revenue chat has been expended in their respective ridings for the time abore mentioned, to the prejudice and exclusion of all other dealers and vendors. To characterise it properly, it has been nothing less or more than the much cried down " Truck " system in its entirety ; for let one of the labor men dare to deal with any other than thos^ vending councillors, and bis term .of service on

the roada clobm at once. Again if an extra man were required for a few days, the w^ole district was ransacked fur some one who owed one of these councillors a few pounds and he was set to work. When the Council passed the money which he earned fur payment, the cheque came to the resident inenibur to pay the ! man who earned it. Ho i» sent for ard told to sign the voucher which he does on the understanding that he gets his cheque. But to his utter disgust, the bland member opens hit ledger and says "you owe m© ao much, and this will just clear us." I trust the ratepayers will put a stop to this most shameful system at the next election of County Councillors. I am &c, A Ratepayer. — Goldsborongh. In connection with Mr Wakefield's vehement invective against the West Coast Railway Bill, th« Lyttelton Times brings to light the following extract from Mr Waketield's speech at Selwyn last July :— " He had no doubt that if they got a party in office strong enough to resist political pressure, they would be able to get very large public works constructed without resorting to the London money market. He hoped to see the Canterbury and Westland railway made without the Government raising any loan at all. Fifteen miles along the line had been reserved, and we might divide it into blocks, and give a private company some of it as payment for the construction of the railway. When the company had made the railway, the Colony could also arisist them to a certain extent — say, to the extent of 1 or 2 per cent. . By reasonable arrangements of this sort, by successful financing, and by prompt executive action, we believed he would be able to got a great many of our public works constructed without the Colony having to go upon the London money market." Quiet nerve and balmy sleep in Hop Bitters, for sleepless ladies and inralids. Notice,