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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 169, 14 February 1868, Page 2

The Hivek Ejiba>-ksi:en t t.—Subjoined is a letter from Mr George Somner, on what certainly appears to be about as insane an attempt to preserve the river bank as can well be conceived. The urgency of the matter, and the necessity of taking prompt and immediate action in it, is our reason for departing from our ordinary rule regarding correspondence. "We are certainly in the dark as regards the plan proposed to stop theencroachments of the river, but judging from the works at present in progres?, we do not think they will prove as efficacious, as even the bank, as it at present stands, in preventing the ravages of the river:— To the Editor of the Westjport Times and Charleston Argus.

Sir, —Being a resident of that Westport, and having its future prosperity at heart, I beg you will immediately assist in saving the river embankment from further encroachments, not only by the river, but by the acts of the Government officials. "Within the last two months, the river has done serious damage, carrying its banks, and placing the streets and buildings in danger of being swept away. Prom the Sawmill down to the National Hotel, the embankment has been taken away to a considerable extent. At this point the ground is made of cemented gravel, formed into a hard substance, which has been the means of saving Morey's Hotel from a similar fate to those of Hokitika.

Tou will bo astonished, Sir, when 1 inform yon that men are now employed by Government cutting the cemented gravel away. These are facts, Sir, and by inspecting the place referred, to, you will find my words correct. , Surely such a strange proceeding a=< this should be immediately reported to our Warden, or in his absence, his substitutes in office, and the men immediately stopped from doing further damage.—l am, Sir, yours &c, Geo. Somnee.

Perhaps some other gentleman, who were eye witnesses with myself, may have something to say on the matter. Saint Vanentine S Day.—This day so eagerly looked for and so heartily welcomed by youth in the old country, will, for us, bring no visions of the rel coated postman freighted with letters ; no boarding-school misses and gTls in their first season, on the tip-toe of expectation for the scented love missive, but will be ushered in during a commercial Ci-isis, which the fine weather will now dispel. May the commencement of the quartz-crushing in the Waimangoroa, and the good news prevalent in our neighboring goldfields, be to us valentines telling of brighter times and success yet to come.

Aldermanic Pare.—Mr Creagh, of the Kennedy, reports having seen a large turtle off Rock's Point the last time the Kennedy was on her voyage from Nelson. This hero of the calipash and calipio could have heen caught, had the Kennedy heen hove-to for a short time. What visions of dinners, Lord Mayors' feasts,and festive scenes, long since forgotten, does not this conjure up ? It will he very long perhaps, ere turtle soup becomes an institution of the Buller; hut the existence of this specimen of turtledoin in our waters may be taken as a sign that we are getting ripe for municipal institutions, which are even now looming in the distance. The Waimangaroa Quartz Reefs. —Messrs Martin and Co., owning the prospecting claim on the Waimangaroa River Quartz "Reef, having erected all their machinery, have commenced crushing this day. Should the yield per ton be anything like what is expected, the workings in the adjoining claims, now abandoned for want of funds, will again revive, and quartz reefing become one of the leading features in the wealth of the Buller.

The Nathan Troupe —Last night these talented children gave their flr-t of three performances at the Apollo Music-hall to a full house. So many enconiums have been passed upon them by the press in all the towns they have visited, and their talent is so fully appreciated that it is needless for us to recapitulate their praise, but we cannot but single out " Little Marion," whose performance throughout is really a marvel; the transition with her " from grave to gay, from lively to severe," is so natural, her humour is so irresistibly comic, her pathos so genuine, and her brogue so true, that we cannot find w r ords to express all the pleasure and admiration we feel in witnessing her acting; and we cannot but wish that she may never grow old. Perhaps the best thing we can say is, that no one more than herself seems to enjoy the performances, into which she enters with such geuuine pleasure. Mr Small was as pleasing and as comic as ever, and our only regret at leaving was that the night had passed too quickly.

Bailiff's Sale.—The sale of timber advertised to take place some days since, and postponed pending the judge's decision, took place this day, and realised from 9s to 10s per 100 feet. The timber in question belonged to Mr Frank Fisher, and was seized b-' the Bailiff at the suit of the Union Bank. The money is ordered to be paid into court, pending the result of a further appeal against the judge's decision ordering the sale under the execution.

Resident Magistrate's Court.— Dr, Giles being absent at Mokihinu yesterday no Court was held at West, port. Business will be resumed to day at 10 a.m. The District Courl will sit to-day at noon..