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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 206, 28 March 1868, Page 2

The Duke [of Edinburgh.—The Nelson Colonist of the 24th in an article on the slight glimmer of hope that yet remains that the news of the attempted assassination may be untrue, remarks as follows :— " Still, there is yetin the semi-suspense in which weare held, an irrepressible glimmer of hope that a story so dreadful may be untrue or that at the worst the life of the Prince may be preserved. The hope, however, can only be a glimmer in the face of circumstantial evidence like that which has arrived by the new steamer, to shock New Zealand to its centre.

The facts as reported have been laid before the Government at Wellington, and we understand that both the Governor and the Ministers are, like ourselves, of opinion that the sad story is too true.

The G-overner has, however, left Wellington for Auckland, to which place he intended to go to meet the Duke of Edinburgh; the probabilitybeing that intelligence of the event will have reached Auckland before now, or by the time his Excellency arrives, by means of some of the many sailing vessels which trade between Sydney and Auckland, and as this is the eleventh day since the picnic, there has been time enough for a sailing vessel to make the passage. The New Custom House.—The works in connection with this building are progressing rapidly, and will, when complete, make a great addition to the architectural beauties of Westport, The timber used is very heavy, and the whole building will bo of the most substantial kind.

Pun Lie Holiday.—Pursuant to advortiseinent the Committee appointed to arrange the Demonstration, in reference to the Assassination of H.R.H. Prince Alfred, met last evening at the Assembly Rooms, when tho followiug resolutions wore como to viz.:—" That Thursday next be tho day appointed for the Public Holiday. That the people of Westport be' requested to attend Diviue service in the Courthouse at 11 a.m. on that day, and that the Rev. "VV. Harvey be requested to officiate. That a Demonstration meeting bo held at 3 p.m. at the Courthouse to adopt the address, expressive of loyalty to the Queen and Royal Family, and of detestation at the attempted assassination of H.R.H. the Prince Alfred. That the address when completed be given to T.A.S. Kynnersley Esq. to be forwarded to the Governor. That bon-fires be lighted at tho various points where the Subcommittee may think fit." A Subscribtion list was opened, the whole of the committee subscribing, and Mr. M'Dowell was appointed Treasurer and Canvasser through the town for subscriptions to defray the incidental expences. It was also resolved to obtain the services of an efficient band, to play at intervals throughout tho day. Charleston Herald.—We clip the followiug from the before-named paper for the benefit of our readers, prefacing it by stating that the news contained is new to us. " A remarkable change has come over the aspect of our local politics entirely. The hitherto dominant leader of public opinion (the Westport Times and Charleston Argus) whose extraordinary fanaticism was bringing about a revolution, is checked, and the intelligence of the country may be expected to prevail over the ignorance and the passions, whose ascendancy in print has occasioned scandal and apprehension. Tho principal writer of our morning paper is dethroned, and another reigns in his stead- another who graduated in a butcher's shop, distinguished himself as a publican, and now figures in the Insolvent Court, is appointed to the high and important office of leader of public opinion on the South-west G-oldfields. It is said that that gentleman failed to fill up his leading column on the first night after taking office, and that the proprietors were forced to appeal to an unfortunate caged for the time being at Government House, Westport, for a leader, and I have no doubt but the readers of the Wesport Times at Charleston will have realised by this time that the leading article of Saturday flavors much of bars, bolts, and iron chains. But enough of this, the Times bears on its dummy pages evidence of immediate committal to that limbo where editors trouble themselves not about leaders, and proprietors care not whether advertisements are real or otherwise."

Bright-street.—When the funds at the disposal of the Commissioner were exhausted, and the roadmaking in consequence abandoned, the condition of those streets situated in the swamp became most deplorable, and the unfortunate residents holding tenure by reason of business licenses found that in consequence of the want of funds, howevejyMf J y they might be to subscribe th&]JPio&s' of expenses towards road-m&ng that the attempt was futile, and; that their holding became in consequence a water section, where ingress or egress, except in very fine weather, was denied them. The road made up Molesworth-street, as far as the junction of Bright-street, makes the frontages of all houses in the first named street easy of approach, and the drainage renders the road passable at all times. The whole work necessary (in the absence of a complete street formation) to make the latter street passable, is that a drain should be cut through Bright-street joining the main drain at the end of Molesworth-street, when the surface water would be drained; and although the street would remain rough, the women and children resident there would at least be able to walk to town without the necessity of taking off their shoes and stockings before venturing through the mire. In addition to the difficulty of reaching home, should one unfortunately live in these water streets, the miasma prevalent by reason of insufficient drainage, is so hurtful, that we unhesitatingly say, that should the weather become hot, the spread of typhoid disease through its influence would be dreadful in the extreme. We hope the Government wiil make some slight attempt to drain the street of surface water, and prevent an exodus from the district, which t is at present a means of increase to the revenue, from the number of business licenses taken out by the residents in this quagmire; Orates Folly.—The building so long tenantless, and known by the name

•of Grate's Folly, (tho' why buildings erected by the gentleman in question, should any more be designated Follies than a good many other buildings, which by reason of the depreciation in the value of property have turned out quite as great a Folly as Crate's, we are at a loss to understand) have been pulled down, and the proprietor intends erecting a large and handsome structure at tho corner of Gladstone and Palmerston streets, opposite Williams' ■chemist's shop. When the new building is finished, the owner will dou!bh>s reap the reward of his enterprise, and have reason, instead of .Folly, attributed toliim.

Member tob "Wesland Nobtii.— By reference to another column of this issue, it will be seen that the inhabitants of Addison's Mat not liking the two candidates already in the field, have issued an address, signed by 150 rp; rsons, amongst whom our member— Mr J. V. Smith's name appears, inviting Mr Gallagher to come forward to 'contest the election. Mr Gallagher has expressed his willingness to stand the election, and will shortly address the electors on the various general and Hocal topics of the day.

VOLUNTEEB. CoMMITTEEMEETIKSrCr. At a meeting of the Committee of the Westport Rifle Corps, held at the Assembly-rooms last evening, 27th March, 1868, present—Messrs Pitt (chair), Munro, Radcliftc, Parry, Spencer, Whitefoord, Downe, Ilai'rison, ILeslie, and Payne (hon. sec.) A general discussion issued respecting the primary steps to be taken in order to secure a recognition of the offer of service, and the following resolutions "were arrived at: —l. Moved by Mr Downe, and seconded by Mr Badcliffe —" That a proper muster-roll be compiled from the original list and at once forwarded to the Governor, through. Mr Commissioner Kynnersley, praying for acceptance of our services as a •Company of Rifle Yoluteers." Carried. —2. Mr Parry moved, and Mr Downe seconded— " That this Company should be applied for under the designation of the " Westport Eifle Volunteer Company." Carried.—3, Moved by Mr Munro, and seconded by Mr Whitefoord—" That it is expedient, in order to secure the efficiency of the Company, that immediate steps be take for <d.rill to be commenced." —Moved by Mr Munro, and seconded by Mr Harrison—" That Monday evening, at 8 p.m., to be held at the Assemblyrooms, be fixed upon as the first eveniug for drill; same to advertised. By order."—Moved by Mr Whitefoord, :and seconded —" That Messrs Payne ;and Downe be requested to call upon Messrs Williams and M'Grarrigh, and ask of them to render their services as drill instructors." Carried.—Mr E,ad'cliffe moved, and Mr Downe seconded —" That the secretary be empowered to purchase a minute-book and a muster-roll book, stationery, &c." A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.