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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 359, 24 September 1868, Page 2

"We perceive by the Hokitika papers, that Mr Cassius has been deputed to proceed to Wellington, as a special delegate from Westland, to the General Assembly, to strengthen the hands of the County representatives, during the present critical juncture. The " Grey River Argus" does not however appear to concur in the idea of the necessity of such a course, and strongly objects to the townspeople of Hokitika always assuming that they and they alone, are the people of Westland, and competent to guide the affairs of the county. The Escort from Charleston arrived yesterday morning, bringing between 4 and 5000 ounces of gold, but the exact amount, is one of those bank mysteries which it is not for ordinary mortals to enquire into too curiously. Should there be any continuance of the present dry weather, a material falling off will be shown in the amount of the next fortnight's escort, the only permanent water supply in the Charleston district, unaffected by seasons or weather, being the two races conveying water from the Nile river to the Back Lead.

In consequence of the Auckland rush interfering, to some extent with the ordinary steamer traffic between this port and Nelson, it is intended to despatch the Panama Mail by the Nelson, on Eriday next, on which afternoon at 5 o'clock the mails will close, though it is jnst possible a supplementary mail may be made up should the Wallibi or any other steamer afford an opportunity of its reaching Nelson in time. In the midst of such serenely beautiful weather as that which we are now enjoying—when all nature seems to be vivified, by the glorious sunshine —the idea of death appears singularly strange and unfamiliar, yet this dread power has just paid our little community a visit, and taken away a lady, the young wife of our respected townsman, Mr Pitt, Solicitor. Though the deceased lady had but recently taken up her home among us, her character was such that her early death will be deeply regretted by all, and not one of our readers but will feel symyathy for Mr Pitt in his lamentable bereavement.

Up to the time of the Telegraph Office closing yesterday, there was no word of the Panama mail, but we fully expect to hear of its arrival to-day at Wellington. The usual weekly meeting of the Hospital Committee lapsed last night for want of a sufficient attendance of members, there being only Mr Harris, Mr Munro, Mr O'Conor, and Mr Daly, present, and five being the number required to constitute a quorum It is a pity that such should be the case, for we understand some impor. tant bnsiness awaits the consideration and decision of the Committee.

The only business before the BesidentJMagistrate's Court yesterday, was the summary disposal of three cases ot

drunkenness. In the Warden's Court several water applications were granted. We regret to learn that Mr. Mulligan, of the well known firm of Mulligan and Halligan, died very suddenly on Monday afternoon, at Hokitika

The " Southland Times" records the following as an instance of what may befall the lonely worker amidst our mountain fastness and wooded ravines, We have just been told a remarkable case, worthy of a page in a tale of real romance. About three weeks ago a splitter working in the Five Rivers Bush, Southland, had his thigh dislocated by the fall of a tree which he had just before been cutting down. No assistance being within several miles, the unfortunate fellow was placed in a most critical position. Nevertheless, nothing daunted, after vainly endeavoring to crawl to some place for human relief, he made a crutch, by means of which he struggled slowly on, until a search party hearing his cry, came to hia relief —not, however, until the poor fellow had become lean and haggard with tne endurance of hunger and pain for five days and nights on snowy ranges and amidst thick forest. When found he presented a most pitiable object—his clothes nearly torn off him, his limbs nearly parylised and toes frostbitten, while, under his armpits the flesh was almost worn to his bones from the friction of the rude crutches. _ Only once, the brave fellow admits, did a tear fill his eye —for hope wavered and his heart nearly failed him when, struggling through the bush, one of his crutches tripped him, and, in angry agony, he flung away a great support which cost him many hours of fruitless search ere he found it again. We hear the young man's name is John Nolan, and there is little doubt that his youthfulness has saved him from an untimely end.