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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 236, 4 May 1868, Page 2

By our Nelson files we see that another fire occurred in Nelson, on Thursday night last. It commenced in a semi-detached house in Hardy street, nearly opposite the Institute, belonging to Mr S. Brent. The adjoining house belonging to Mr Lightfoot, quickly caught, and both were consumed. The surrounding buildings, thauks to the newly finished water-works, were preserved from destruction. The loss altogether is estimated at £IOOO, of which £350 is insured on the two buildings. Mr Darby, the occupier of one house, we learn, lost the whole of his furniture including a valuable piano. Mr Rawson, the dentist, had a valuable stock of instruments destroyed ; and Mrs Donkin, who occupied the other house, and kept a boarding-house, has lost the greater part of her furniture. This loss falls very heavily on her, as she is a widow dependent on her boarders for a livelihood. The origin of the fire is thus stated in the Colonist :— " Mr Eawson and Mr John Greenwood were in the front parlor employed in some dentistry operations, and the latter was pouring some spirits of wine from a twogallon tin of that liquid, while a lamp was near by on the floor. The stock tin was overturned. Its contents came in contact with the flame of the lamp, and in a moment a livid blaze of liquid fire spread over the room." At the meeting of the Provincial Council held on last Friday week, it was resolved to adjourn till the sth of May (to-morrow) in order to allow members the enjoyment of the race week. Business will be resumed in earnest then, and what there is to do will soon be got over. The meeting for the appointment of officers, and making all arrangements in connection with the Westport Volunteer Corps will be held to-night —we remind our readers. We sincerely trust that a good muster will attend and sign, and that a judicious selection of officers will be made.

"We beg to draw attention to the sale of the Phoenix Brewery, Charleston, tomorrow at 11 o'clock sharp. In addition to the premises and plant, which is very complete, Mr Dwan will offer other valuable properties for sale. The lovers of music have a treat of no common character before them, in the concerts announced by Mr Sherwin, Madame and the Misses Carandini, to-night, to-morrow, and Wednesday next, at the Apollo Music Hall. As will be seen, the programme is a most attractive and varied one, and will be rendered by artistes of the very highest class in the musical world of the colonics. Madame Carandini and her accomplished daughters, and Mr Sherwon have already won their reputation, and have everywhere attracted numerous and appreciative audiences ; there can be no doubt that the people of Westport will endorse the universal verdict in their favor. Some necessary alterations will be made in the stage which is to be brought forward, and a great deal of additional light will be added. The front space of the floor will be railed off as reserve seats, and every provision possible made for the comfort as well as the entertainment of visitors. We can sincerely recommend the lovers of sweet sounds to pay them a visit, and not to lose the opportunity of enjoyment thus presented. We learn by telegram that the execution of O'Parrell has taken place, but no particulars of any description are to hand. The only hope his friends had was to prove that he was insane when he committed the act, but in this they signally failed, and the last penalty of the law was allowed to take its course.

On Saturday evening according to announcement, the dancing contest between J. Burgess and J. Collins, came off at the Apollo Music Hall, and

attracted a large number of spectators. The dancing of both competitors was exceedingly good, and the umpires must have felt some difficulty in adjudging the prize to either. Eventually it was decided, that in clog dancing Collins was superior, and in pumps Burgess was awarded the palm. The contest is thus undecided, and i't will be danced over again at some future dato which at present is not fixed. A new daily paper, to be called the Westlaml Observer, is to be published on Saturday, the 16th inst., in Hokitika. It will be edited by Mr G-. S. Sale, formerly Commissioner of Westland before its separation from Canterbury took place, and now Secretary to the County Council. Whether he will continue the latter office on assuming his editoral functions does not appear. A very large reduction in the prices of advertising and subscription will be made by the new journal, and the West Coast Times has done the same. In a very temperate and gentlemanly written leader the Times confesses the dangerous nature of the threatened opposition, but claims support on the score of past services, and intimates its intention of fighting the journalistic battle a Voitfrance. A company, we believe, will own the new paper, but that there is room for two daily morning papers we much doubt. At the same time we hope that we may he mistaken in this idea, and wish the projected addition to the ranks of journalism on the Coast every success.

The Nelson races commenced on Tuesday last, and notwithstanding the boisterous weather) were very successful. The following are the results : First day—Great Nelson Trial Stakes, Conquest, 1 ; Robin Hood, distanced. Turf Club Plate, Ivnottingley, 1 Magenta, 2 ; Blackboy, 3. "Waimea Plate, Cossack, 1 j Piebald, 2 ; six othefs ran. Handicap Sweepstakes, Omen, 1 ; Niima, 2 • five others fan. Scurry Stakes, Blackboy, 1; Orlando, 2 ; three others ran Ladies' Purse, MisS King, 1 ; Nebula, 2. Second day—Maiden Plate 3tXX, 1 j Eobin Hood, 2 ; Conquest, 3. Duke of Edinburgh Cup, Magenta, 1 ; Knottingly, 2 ; Backbiter, 3 ; Miss King, 0. Handicap Steeplechase, Sprightly, 1 ; Harkaway, 0; Don Pedro, 0. Licensed Victualler Free Handicap, Blackboy, 1 ; Omen, 2; Nebula, 3 ; two others ran. Consolation Handicap, Presto, 1 ; Nebula, 2 ; Moss Pose, 3 ; Pobin Hood, 0. Forced Handicap, Blackboy, 1 ; Omen, 2 ; Backbiter, 3 ; Presto also ran.