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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 302, 20 July 1868, Page 2

Unless some steps are taken to light the wharves on the nights when steamers are lying there, whether on arrival or otherwise, serious accident will surely arise to some of those who have occasion to go on board them. A night or two ago, Mr J. B. Clarke, a well known business man, and a stauueb teetotaller to boot, let it be borne in mind, was going on board the John Penn, when the darkness was so intense that he missed the stage, and walked in fact right into the river, Fortunately he clutched some of the lower portion of the wharf woodwork, and assistance being speedily rendered escaped without further injury than a ducking. At the same time he might just as easily have been drowned, or at least fractured a limb in his fall, and we do hope that the harbour authorities in future will cause some provision to be made for light required either by the steamers or by the Government. It will be too late to regret loss of life when it h&s occurred, and to hoist a lamp or two surely would be a cheap method of escape from such a calamity. It is only a wonder that no serious accident has hitherto happened ; we hope by proper precaution such may be prevented. At last we are delighted to say we have seen the sun once more, for yesterday turned out as lovely a day as any one could desire. After the prolonged spell of bad weather that we have been suffering under, the alteration was doubly welcome, and as the moon changes this morning, a now moon commencing at 9.29 a.m., we may reasonably calculate on an interval of fair.

On Saturday last a very heavy fresh poured down the river, caused evidently by the snow on the ranges having melted, rather than by the rain that had falleu. A quantity of timber was carried down, more in fact than we have seen for months, and the northerly set deposited it during yesterday on the north beach. The consequence is that the north spit is now studded with logs, roots, branches, &c, and if the recent regulation has the intended effect there is debris sufficient for the sand to silt over, and make the beach again in places where it has been of late eaten away. As mightbe expected those who have been accustomed to gather their wood supplies from this source are anything but pleased with the late ordinance, and it is hard to see siich splendid firewood at hand and yet tabooed. At the same time it would be still harder for all if a portion of the town was to be washed away like Hokitika, and as to the wisdom of the rule there cannot be a question. Yesterday morning there was a very high tide, and the sea water found its way half way across the whole spit. By maintaining this regulation in its integrity we shall have a good beach made, and then its stringency can be relaxed. Till this is the case n© one can complain of its enforcement.

The Athenaeum committee have called a meeting of the subscribers, which will be held to-morrow evening at the Empire Hotel. They have already got £IOO from the Government towards the erection of a building, and also will have a share of money voted for the purchase of books for general use. The subscriptions promised amount to a considerable sum, and no doubt, when the public find that the institution is really about to be established a far larger amount will be forthcoming. The site will be on the Camp reserve, and is given by the Government, and it is thought that, with a very little addition to the £IOO a suitable building can be erected. A full report, with a number of recommendations included, will be submitted at the meeting, and it is to be hoped that all interested will attend. -I

During the fresh on Saturday a large snag got jammed in the opening where the John Penn's screw revolves, and it was only cleared after considerable trouble. Captain Leech and the harbor boat's crew assisted in the work, and we are glad to say, succeeded, without any damage having been done. We have received a number of letters from various parties condemning the newly made Caledonian track for a variety of reasons. Some say that there are places in it that will be worse than the old track in a fortnight, and that even the traffic over already has nearly destroyed port"o.is. Much more

is said that we do not care to repent. It is the duty of the overseer to see that the work is properly and faithfully performed, and if it is as bad as represented ho will no doubt condemn it. Till it is finished and given up it is not fair to judge it.

Wo remind the members of the Hospital Committee that the weekly meeting wiU be held to-night at the Commissioner's office. We do not know what the business is, but as the committee have now taken full charge they should have something to report as to the existing management, and any changes that they may propose. Z The investigation into the case of alleged indecent assault on Saturday last at the Resident Magistrate's Court 'resulted in the dismissal of the charge. The particulars are of course unfit for publication, and we do not report them, but the evidence given evinced a shocking state of morality on the part of all concerned. A medical man, and another who should be respectable, were mixed up in the affair, and it would only be right to gibbet their names as they deserve, but as we do not report the case at all, we forbear from doing so. We remind the pleasure seeking public that the commemoration ball given by Mr Brown will come off this evening at Brent's store. Everything that could contribute to the comfort and the pleasure of the visitors has been provided, lights, music, supper, all will be first-class, and we have no doubt a large number will avail themselves of this opportunity of enjoyment. The Otago Daily Times of July 9th, states : —" The otter by the Government, of a bonus of £ISOO, for the first 5000 yards of cloth manufactured in Otago, is attracting a good deal of attention, and is likely to lead to the commencement ofa factory or factories. A public meeting is to be held this evening, at Langley's White Horse Potel, Tokomairiro, to consider the subject of establishing a Woollen Mill, and "to take the necessary steps to organise a public company, for the purpose of bringing it into immediate operation.' "