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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 176, 22 February 1868, Page 2

The Weather. —The whole of yes • terday strong S.W. squalls, accompanied by rain, swept over town, and the whole place bore quite a winterly aspect. In consequence of the weather the steamers bound to the Southward were detained in port. We are getting quite an unenviable notoriety for bad weather, but as last summer was notoriously fine, we yet have hope that sometime or other we shall be able to report that summer has really visited us this year. The Wharf and the River Bank. —The first pile of the new jetfcy was driven yesterday; it has been sunk about five feet from the edge of the bank, and is twenty-seven feet in the ground. As the work in the river will be protected by a wing, it is to be hoped that the present structure may be more durable and serviceable than its predecessor. The works for the protection of the river bank are being proceeded with and will, no doubt, prove of service in the absence of any severe freshets.

The Custom House.—The tender of Messrs Somner and Co. has heen accepted for the erection of the new Custom-house, which will be thirty-one feec by twenty-six, and will have two stories, the upper one being for the living department of the clerks. The work will be proceeded with at once, and its completion will materially benefit both the public and the officers in charge.

Day op Humiliatiok and Peatee for Otago.—The W. C. Times says: —A request has been conveyed to the Superintendent of Otago by a deputation representing the wishes of various religious bodies, that he would be pleased to proclaim a day to be set apart as a day of humiliation and prayer, in consequence of the great disasters that have befallen the province. The Superintendent complied with the request, and the following proclamation has beea issued : " Great and sore calamities have lately

befallen this province, both by sea aud ' land: And whereas a desire has been expressed to me, on behalf of the varU oub religious denominations throughout the province, that a day should be specially set apart for public humiliation and prayer: Notice is hereby given that Thursday, the 20th day of February instant, will be set apart accordingly, on which day it is earnestly hoped that the whole body of the people will unite in humbling themselves under the mighty hand of God, and in supplication that He may be pleased to send such weather as permit the fruits of the earth to be gathered in."