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Westport Times, Volume 1, Issue 139, 10 January 1868, Page 2

The Appeoachikg Election.—We understand that a requisition is in course of signature to Mr J. Paul, of Messrs J. and E. Paul, in order to induce him to come forward as a cani didate for the representation of Westport. Mr. M'Lean is in town, but is at present undecided whether he will allow himself to be nominated. With regard to Mr Graham, he, no doubt, may make a very good liverystable keeper, but he is hardly the man to represent the interests of such an important constituency as Westport.

The "Stone Eottii Miles Sqtla.be." —An absurd typographical error appeared in our police report of yesterday, in which it was stated that a stone "four miles square" fell into the window-curtains of Mr Tyler's house ; it should have been, as anybody with a grain of common sense might understand " four inches square ;" but some people are so obtuse that it is difficult for them to understand anything beyond the mere alphabet. A writer in a contemporary has gone raving on the subject, or as he calls it given " reins to his fancy,"—he being poetic mad also brings Milton to bear on the stone " four miles square." If " Opifex" had the least knowledge of typography, he would not be so hard upon the poor compositor who made the mistake, and overlooked it afterwards. Perhaps he will write another letter telling everybody from what unknown source he has discovered the phenomenon, as he calls it in his own letter.

The Beach.—We have heard many old residents predict that, notwithstanding the perference which was at first shown for sections in the upper part of the town, the best business sites would ultimately be on the line of the Esplanade towards the Spit, where the shingle is hard and dry, and appears rather to be gaming on the sea than losing. It seems as if this prediction was likely to be fulfilled, as the upper part of the bank is being worn away so fast that, unless some effectual protection can be devised for it, it will soon have worked back to the roadway. Enormous blocks of compacted roots, earth, and shingle, are loosened by each tide and fall into the stream. The piles on which the Custom-house is erected are laid completely bare, and the building will have to be removed to another site. There is only one of the bonding stores remaining (that of tie Messrs Spence Bros.) and this is now at the very edge, or even overhanging the water. The stream has also crept up close to the engineshed of the saw-mill, whish does not look as if it would long maintain its posilion. One of the bonding stores is now being re-erected on a favorable site beyond Mr Haskins' store* which has every appearance of being secure from the encroachments of the river. The late office of the "Woodpecker wharf was yesterday transported on a waggon to the same neighbourhood and formed a novel sight in its progress through the town. CoiI.UTJKICATIOS- TO MoKIHIUttt. A great boon is about to be conferred on ail persons having occasion to travel between this and Mokihinui by the establishment of a semi-weekly steam communication by means of the little Waipara, which will start on her next outward trip on Monday, and go on to the Karamea if required. On her last voyage there she brought down 473 ounces of gold, the produce of the Mokihinui and its viciuity.

Subscription Assemblies.—One of the minor wants that are most severely felt by the denizens of a town in the present condition of Westport is that of some sort of evening relaxation which does not necessarily involve " nobblers," or sharing in the boisterous festivities of the Casino. To supply this want, Mr Stephenson, of Hamilton's Hotel, has embarked in an enterprise to which we cordially wish success. He has taken the large store known as Brent's, at the bottom of Freernan-street, which will be vacant in a few days, and being handsomely fitted up, will be converted into a handsome ball-room, wherein it is proposed to give weekly quadrille parties and monthly balls, to which the admission will be exclusively by subscription.