The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume 1, Issue 140, 11 January 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1868.

Importation of Natives from the Chatham Islands to Taranaki.— The Taranaki News of the 2nd instant, says that an iuflux to the population of that province may shortly be expected in the shape of a considerable number of natives from the Chatham Islands, who have already arrived at Welling, ton on their way to Taranaki. They have been driven from the Chathams by the ravages made among them by measles; some 180 havo arrived, and another detachment of about the same number is expected. They were driven from Taranaki during the Waikato invasion some 40 years ago. The Election. "We understand that it is highly probable that Mr Eobert Millen will stand for "Westport, and we only hope that his partner, Mr Henuelly, whose thorough business habits and knowledge of the wants of the district would render him an eligible candidate for the Charleston district, might be induced to stand for the latter.

New Rush to the Back op Mount Faraday Ranges—Rumors were prevalentin Charleston that a new diggings had been discovered on the other side of the Mount Faraday ranges. Should this turn out to be true, and we have no reason to doubt it, as a party wellknown in Charlesleston has been prospecting for some time, it will bear out the information supplied by Mr Mabille and published in our paper of the 30th ult., which was as follows: —"The country was similar in formation to that of Weatherstone and Gabriel's Gullies in the Province of Otago The yellow and blue reefs showing in alternate layers in the same way, thus constituting the false bottoms in which the gold was found in the gullies before alluded to. The formation had not yet been tried. He would not be at all surprised if some of the best goldfields in the colony are discovered between the Forks and the Junction near the foot of the Mount Faraday Range." The Judicial Board.—Drs Hector Grace, Boor, Johnston, Philson, Cusack Turnbull, and Hickson, have been appointed the Medical Board under the Medical Practitioners' Act, 1867, with Dr Hector as their president. Gold prom Addisojt's Flat.—On Thursday about 2000 ounces of gold were sent down from Addison's Flat to Westport.

Seeious Accident to Me Wabden Lightband.—The Nelson Evening Mail of the Bth ittst, says:— We regret to state that Mr Warden Lightband, who has been on a visit to his relatives in this city during the past week, met with rather a severe accident yesterday afternoon whilst riding between Stoke and Richmond. We learn from a gentleman who happened to witness the accident, that the animal was going at a gentle canter, when it suddenly fell under its rider, throwing him to the ground with much violence, disfiguring his face and bruising him considerably. We are happy to learn on inquiry this morning that Mr Lightband, though much shaken by this unexpected contretemps, has received no serious injury, and hopes to resume his usual avocations in a few days' time. Mb Duuon, R.M. fob Chableston. —On reference to our Charleston news it will be seen that the petition to retain the services of Mr Dutton as Besident Magistrate for Charleston, has been numerously signed. Sales.—We beg to draw attention to the auction sales to-day of Mr Thomas Dwan, at the auction mart of Messrs E. and P. Williams, Molesworth-street, of miscellaneous stores; and to that of Mr Thos. Anslow, at his mart, G-ladstone-street, of gene.-al merchandise.

Sale op Ironmongery, Glass and Crockery.—At the clearing-out Sale by Mr Thomas Dwan of the above articles, at Mr Lewis's, Freeman-street, a goodly number of lots were disposed of at fair prices. The sale will be resumed this day, and as some of the choicest of this well selected stock remain to be disposed of, an early attendance will be requisite, as it will be long ere another opportunity like this will offer itself. New Zealand Debentures —The Evening Mail says:—The Crown Agents for the Colonies have invited the holders of New Zealand Government eight per cent Treasury Bills falling due on the 31st December next, to exchange them for six per cent Debentures of the General Government of that colony, having 2\ years to run. The proposed rates of exchange is equal to a price of 103f for their six per cents, and the operation will be effected by the delivery of a Treasury Bill, with the final coupon attached, for a debenture of equal amount, bearing interest from the 15th December, 1867. It is understood that the Treasury Bills held in this country, and fa l ling due at the end of tie present year, amount to about £400,000; but as the proposed transaction will be merely that of substituting one security for another representing the same amount, no additional capital will be called for, and the only result wiil be fiat of lessening the liability of the colony to the extent of the difference between the two rates of interest allowed, or between eight and nine thousand a year. Important to Volunteers.—The following general order by his Excellency the Governor is published by the Defence Minister for general information .—When the whole or any portion of the militia of a district are called out for actual service, the officer belonging to the class or division so called out are not to quit the district without leave from the officer commanding. The commissions of Militia and Volunteer officers who leave the colony without permission of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, will be cancelled.