The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1563.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 326, 17 August 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1563.

In order to make room for the English News, we omit our usual leader, and much local matter, but will bring up arrears in to-morrow's issue. A most important mining case occupied the attention of the Warden's Court the whole of Saturday, and will not be concluded till this morning. We have not space for auythiug approachiug to a full report, and must reserve particulars till tomorrow. The case substantially, however, was as follows. After Evans and party had struck! gold on G-iles' Terrace, a rush set in,l and ground was taken up for some two' miles in extent. It was found impossible for many, in consequence of the conformation of the terrace, to drive to the supposed lead in their own claims, and an arrangement was made, whereby the different parties were to put in tunnels through other persons' ground in order to reach their own. The defendants in the present case, Perry, .Nicholls and party, struck very good gold, after putting in a tunnel of some 500 feet, and the complainants, Luke and party, allege that it is within the boundaries of their claim, and have therefore brought this action for encroachment. On the other hand, Nicholls and party, aver that the ground is within their own limits, and it is to determine this point that the Wardeni is now called on. As is usual, the evidence is most contradictory, and the Warden has a pretty tough knot to unravel, before he can settle the question, la addition to this case, there are a number of others, either already I

entered, or that will bo brought, so it is possible that ho will hear the whole i before he doeicles on any. The newly inaugurated frontage system, as per (he last regulations, is in fact on its trial, and from all wo can gather, it Ins not appeared to apt very well in this instance. The present really lies in a nutshell however, for it is simply to determine whether Nicholls and party have struck gold in, Luke and party's claim or in their own. A fire of small dimensions took place yesterday afternoon in the cottage of a washerwoman who resides on the beach a little above the hospital fortunately it was taken in time, and only the-calico -which covered the building was destroyed and some slight injury done to the furniture, utensils, &c. The cottage is detached, and had it been consumed there would not havebcen much chance of the flames extending as there was no wind at the time, the day being quite calm. The river presented quite a gay appearance o.i yesterday afternoon, an.l • several parties availed themselves of the genial sunshiue by having a sail up the stream, at one time there were several boats together opposite , Government wharf, the sounds of music and singing were audible in 1 Wharf street, and the lovers of aquatics appeared to thoroughly enjoy i themselves.

We take the following from the West Coast Times of "Wednesday : Amongst tlie many questions which have received attention from scientific men of late years, with the view to utilising and more evenly distributing the necessaries of life between overproductive and less favored countries, the preservation of animal food for exportation, is one of no small importance. Several modes have been tried with more or less success, such as hermetically sealed air-tight canisters, fresh meat in bulk in ice, essence of heef, &c, all yet comparatively experimental. Much was said some time ago of the great advantages England and other distant countries were about to enjoy by the successful carrying out of this new industry, when the vast flocks and herds of Australia should be made available in a fresh and sound condition; and the question often occurred to us—why should not the population of NewZealand have early participation in these advantages, especially on the AVcst Coast, where fresh meat has been for a considerable time at a xerx high price. It appears that the question is now solved, and to Mr. 'W. Anderson we are indebted for the first extensive shipment of Australian mutton, excellent in quality, convenient in mode of preparation, and cheap. Mr. Anderson informs us he has, a' considerable expense and risk, prepared and brought; on to this market his first shipment, consisting of legs of mutton, or mutton hams, and rolled sides with the bones taken out, slightly smoked, spiced, and otherwise prepared in a manner peculiar to himself, after considerable experience on his station at Lake Boga, Victoria. We were invited to inspect and sample the stock, and have no hesitation in pronouncing the meat excellent. This shipment is the cure of several thousand sheep, and some tons have already found purchase. The legs and rolls weigh from G to Sib. each, and for miners must be found most convenient. To thoroughly introduce this new article, Mr. Anderson has opened an establishment in Eevell street, where the public can judge for themselves. Mr. Anderson is preparing for extensive shipments from Victoria, and we wish him success in an undertaking which will confer a great benefit on the community. Befcrring to the Nelson Contingent for active service at Patea, the CWo«/s/says: —A letter from one of the Nelson Contingent, received by Captain Lockett, has the following;:—" I regret to have to tell you that Walter Wrcy has come to great grief, He was given in charge for aiding and abetting in broaching cargo onboard the Woodpecker, with eight of the men from Nelson, who were all the worst of the company. The Nelson men requested Colonel Header to discharge these men, which, I am happy to say has been done. Colonel Header speaks very highly of the remainder, and also of Color-Sergeant Smith. * * Don't forget to let the Nelson people know all the particulars, and especially that the discharged men were not recognised by the Nelson men, as they are a lot of low roughs. Wrey's commission is cancelled." The T/'manc Herald states that a sample of chicory, ground and manufactured in the neighborhood, has been compared with the imported English article, and in every way its equal. It is said that the land near Timaru is very favorable for its production, and that a ready sale in the market at

about £i per ton could readily be obtained. The Olpps Land Times recently mentioned taat horses had been disposed of at the auction yards of Messrs Pearson, English, and Peck, at tho ridiculously low hguvc of 3s. each; but I that amount .appears quite respectable i in comparison to the prices realized by a mob of" weeds " subsequently submitted for competition. No Saturday, July 21, dozens of these diminutive " weeds " were quitted at tho rate of 10d. each, or 7 for ss. Tho consequence is, that every schoolboy from the ago of six. years and upwards hanow become the proprietor of horseflesh, aud the young urchins may be met at almost every street-corner, leading their little nags about, and soliciting some more mature equesrian to mount them, in order to render them sufficiently tame for their purpeoss."