Untitled

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 268, 10 June 1868, Page 2

A very brutal assault was committed on a married woman named Abrahams, on Monday night last, the results of which are up to the present time unknown. It appears that a man named Hunter, in a state of intoxication, ay as prowling ahout Molesworth-strect, on the beach side, near the injured woman's house. Whilst there he addressed some exceedingly offensive and insulting language to a female there and the result was that she wont to the Camp, or professed to do so, to have him removed. Mrs Abrahams came out at the time and told the man that the police had been seut for, when, without any more provocation, he attacked her, threw her down, knelt on her body, and beat her severely, at the same time drawing a

knife and threatening to finish her. Soino people near interfered and rescued the woman, and Hunter was given in custody. She was taken into her own house, and Dr Worrall attended promptly, when it was found that she was severely injured, though no bones were broken. It is not at all improbable that premature confinement may occur, and for a day or two her medical attendant has ordered her to keep her bed in consequence. The cowardly assailant was brought before the Bench yesterday, and remanded for eight days, or till such time as Mrs Abrahams is fit to appear against him. Messrs O'Conor and Goodwin are delegated by the Provisional Hospital Committee to visit Addison's Flat to-

day, for the purpose of gathering subscriptions towards the AVestport Hospital. A public meeting will he held this evening, at the Dan O'Connell Hotel, Addison's, for the purpose of explaining the reasons of the call and for inviting assistance. It must be remembered that every subscriber of a guinea, under the new management, will be entitled to admission in case of being overtaken by illness, that he will have a direct vote in the management and election of the committee, aud that the Government give £2 for every £1 given by the public. Under these altered circumstances, we have no doubt that Addison's will collect a subscription worthy of the district and in keeping with the well known liberality of the people located there.

As will be seen in another column the Bruce took away from this port yesterday 3136 ozs. of'gold to Hokitika, and 1429 ozs. was also despatched by the Nelson, for Nelson. Under present arrangements, though the latter amount will be properly credited to the Nelson province, the former will be included in some of the future reports of gold shipped from Hokitika, and will thereby leave the impression on the minds of readers that it was the produce of Westland. Many thousands of otmces have already been so credited, to our detriment, and it is too bad that such should be the case. Altogether yesterday 45G6ozs. lOdwts. and 21grs. were sent away through the Customs.

As a proof of the piscatory wealth that waits on enterprise in Westport, we may mention that some fishermen crossed the bar yesterday morning in a small boat, and by the aid of some linos alone, in a very few hours brought back a fine haul of cod, groper, and other fish, including some unwelcome additions to their catch in the shape of a dozen or two sharks, varying from about eighteen inches to over three feet in length. As a matter of course, the cargo was quickly disposed of, and we only wonder that a fishing companyhas not yet been started, so great is the demand for this commodity. On Monday last an entirely distinct reef to that on which Martin and Co. have hitherto been working was struck at Waimangoroa. It is in the same claim, runs paralled with the first worked reef, and the prospect from it is first-rate. Specimens were brought into town the same evening, and may be inspected by the curious. We might add that another share in this company has recently been sold for £420.