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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 218, 13 April 1868, Page 2

Volunteers. The lately raised corps of Westport Volunteers, to their credit be it said, are assiduously attending drill, and a, large number have already made rapid progress. By the Nelson an instalment of fifty stand of arms were received and have been distributed amongst the more advanced of the Volunteers. Many of those to whom rifles have been entrusted are thoroughly acquainted with their use, which they learnt iu other places. In fact, a comparatively speaking veteran company could be raised out of those at present enrolled, and more than one has already smelt powder in actual warfare. Very shortly more rifles will be received and the corps be completely equipped for service should unfortunately occasion arise. The most thorough esprit de corps prevails, we are happy to say, amongst all who have joined, and their temporary drill instructors, Messrs Harrison, Downe, and Martin, have been indefatigable in reducing their respective squads to discipline. To these gentlemen, as well as to Mr. W. Pitt, who is in fact brevet captain, a great deal is due for their exertions, which 4 will doubtless be appreciated by the law-abiding public. At the same time we regret to say that a few of those who enrolled themselves when the corps was formed have been by no means as diligent in their self-adopted vocation as they might be, and from some cause or other sadly neglect their drill. Such men, whether their absence is occasioned through pressure of business, or a constitutional infirmity, yclept cowardice, had far better send in their resignations at once so as to let the authorities know exactly how many effective men they can depend on in time of need. Under any circumstances curs are not required, and in case of danger arising those who are tolerably perfect in drill do not want to be thrown into confusion, possibly at a critical moment, through the unwonted presence of a dozen or so muffs, however unquestionable these latter's pluck may be. The Volunteers of Westport are formed for service, and those who cannot or will not undergo the ordeal through which they must pass to render themselves useful, had better be compelled to retire at once. A hundred disciplined men are worth ten times their number of those who only exist on paper as far as volunteering goes. This is a matter that all real volunteers, of whom we are glad to say there is a goodly number, should see to at once. When official notice of acceptance of the services of the corps is received, it will surely be well also to form squads in proportion to the proficiency attained, so as to filter down the awkward squads to as small dimensions as possible. In the meantime those who diligently devote themselves to drill are entitled to the honest thanks of the public, and all loyal subjects will heartily wish them God speed. The Falcon.—The Falcon has been reported seen off the Buller, and is presumed to have gone south. At the time the Waipara left on Saturday night she had not been seen near Hokitika, and she was not passed by the Waipara on her up journey. Arrest oe the two' Ringleaders at Addison's.—On Saturday afternoon the two men—Duffy and O'Brien, who were summonsed a few days since by one Nasmyth for assault with stones, and who did not appear to answer the charge in the Resident Magistrate's Court hero, were arrested at Addison's Flat, and safely lodged in the lock-up. They were hailed out however in sums of £BO each, and two sureties of £lO each. "We understand the trial will come on for hearing on Tuesday (tomorrow) at 10 a.m. Wo hope the party who laid the summons will not fail to appear, as it will rest with him |

now whether justice is upheld or not. The law has boon outraged, and if the prosecutor does not appear on Tuesday he will bo deserving the scorn of all right thinking men.

Defence Fund. —A defence fund for the prisoners, Larkin, Manning, and others, committed for trial at Hokitika, for sedition and riot, has been originated here on Friday afternoon ; the' first canvass took placo at Addison's Flat. In a very short time some £7O was collected, which no doubt was largely supplemented on Saturday. It is supposed that at least £IOOO will be got together on the Coast before the trials come off, and it is intended, we hear, to engage the ablest counsel that can be procured from Melbourne. Several names are mentioned, but the two most in favor are Messrs Irelaucl and Aspinall, the former gentleman having the greater share of admirers. Tramway in Gladstone-street. — A victim writes most wrathfully in reference to the tramway laid down along and across Gladstone-street. The writer certainly appears to have a good deal to complain of. In the first place, he has broken his own shins over the obstacle in nights past, he next nearly lamed a borrowed horse through the same cause, and on the procession day, it seems he was in an agony lest the representative Galatea with its crew, should be wrecked in crossing. "Without fully endorsing the anathemas of our angry correspondent, we cannot help thinking the tramway a great deal more of a nuisance than a benefit to the general public, however convenient it may be for some purposes. As to the occupation of hard labor prisoners, there are streets in the town, as yet untouched, where their services could be turned to useful account. Arms for the Volunteers.—On Thursday evening, the volunteers, to the number of fifty, were served with arms and accoutrements. "We understand that more will shortly arrive, sufficient to equip the whole of the volunteer force ; in which case, practice is all that will be required to render them an efficient body. Business.—ln consequence of GoodFriday being observed in "Westport as a holiday, and Saturday being a kind of half-holiday, business has been virtually suspended. We trust that the reaction will soon take place, and as the yield of gold continues satisfactory, we can but look for better times at Westport.

The New Zealasd " Celt."— This paper is again published in an abridged form, and under the supposed directorship of Mr J. F. Crowley, who was lately brought up before the police farce charged with treasonable language, and acquitted. It is full of strong language, directed, as may principally be imagined, against the proprietor of the West Coast Times. The public are invited to subscribe towards the expenses of Larkins and Co.'s trial, and altogether the paper is quite as bad as ever. The most unique part of it, however, is that relating to the late riot at Addison's, supplied by "our own correspondent." We are unable to give the whole of the report; we extract, however, the cream of it. " Notwithstanding the strenuous exertions of the Committee, only from 120 to 130 persons could be got together, and these for the most part the very refuse of Addison's Flat —tho bakers and butchers boys, cooks, and bottle washers, et hoc genus omne, being predominant. The next day, about 1 p.m., the procession returned in the same order to Addison's, but when entering the town commenced singing party songs, intermingled with cries o ' down with the Irish,' and brandishing orange flags, although no one was near to interfere with them. But their foolhardy triumph was of short duration, for about fifteen good Irishmen and true, working in the nearest claims to tho road, immediately sallied out, and attacked the 'valiant' 120 who fled from the brave little band." After describing the warlike preparations made by the Addisonians to resist the supposed force about to attack them from Westport, the report concludes in the following braggart words : —"At length, near dusk, Mr Kynnersley seeing that the miners to a man were bent on and panted for the fray, and were armed well enough to desolate the whole coast, very wisely sent word into Westport of what the people of that place might expect should they come, and advising them not to do so. The miners returned home, but kept their arms, and had patrols on watch until a late hour for fear of a surprise. lam truly glad the people of Westport did not come, as I am afraid few, if any, would have escaped." Hokitika.—There will be great rejoicing in Hokitika this day. A free banquet, to which all parties have contributed their mite, will be held in the Duke of Ediuburgh Theatre. A great success is expected. The banquet will commence at 1 o'clock.