The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 389, 29 October 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1868.

We are informed on reliable autuority that Luke and party, who are appealing against a Warden's decision in reference to ground at Giles's Terrace, then given to Perry, Nicholls and party, have resolved to abstain from working the other portion of their claim till the District Court has set the question of ownership at rest. What their reasons are we are not aware, but the fact of valuable ground lying idle, pending litigation, certainly goes to prove the necessity there is, by more frequent courts or other means, ior a speedier settlement of all such cases.

Through some cause or other, the expected telegram from Nelson, in reference to the river works, was not received last evening. The John Penn left Nelson yesterday, and it is probable that Mr Bain may return in her, and thought it useless to telegraph. If such is the case, we fear his journey has been a us3less one.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, the only police case was that of a Bacchanalian, who was fined in the usual penalty of excess. There were no civil cases. A Warden's Court was held immediately afterwards, and several applications called on, but in no instance did the parties interested appear. Dr. Giles intimated that if applicants did not choose to attend on the day, and at the time fixed, he would not entertain their applications other than in Court, and they must stand over till the next Court day. Mr "Whiteford said he knew some of the parties were in town, for they had previously been in the office. The court then adjourned. Even though all grander coal schemes may have to remain in abeyance, we are surprised that some of the easily obtainable coal at the Waimongoroa has not yet been exhumed and brought into town. At the Waimongoroa, where Mount Rochfort dips to the river, there is a seam, some four feet thick, of splendid mineral, and it could be so easily got that it would actually pay to cart it into Westport, and at low water a splendid road is offered for such a purpose along tne beach. The coal is of first-class quality, and the supply inexhaustible. A tramway above high-water mark could be formed at very slight expense, and would not only be useful for coal purposes, but would return a good income from passenger and goods carriage. We might thus creep before we walk, and it is to be hoped that the scheme will attract the attention it deserves. If carried out, it would both benefit the town and the people who enter into the speculation. We perceive by the latest Dunedin papers to hand that the Excelsior, schooner, was laid on for this port, and was announced to have immediate despatch. As our Dunedin exchanges at the time of writing are now nearly a fortnight old, it is probable that the vessel will arrive nearly as soon as the announcement of her probable advent appears.

The gaol enclosure, as far as the framing goes, is completed, and only waits the iron to cover its sides. This is daily expected we believe, and if so, this neeessary work will at least not be included in the general stoppage. Some alterations for the purposes of ventilation, during the hot weather, have been found necessary in the cells of the gaol, and are now being effected. We recommend anglers to try their fortune in the Buller and Orawaite at present, for though the recent bad weather rendered this pursuit impossible, during the last few days fish in abundance have entered the rivers. Some splendid flounders have been taken, as also a fine fish, Kiwi or Kawau, whichever is the proper title of it, some of which weigh several pounds. Whitebait and herring are also in

abundance, and whether for sport or table, the lovers of the gentle art, can find ample and profitable pastime. A leg and arm of a boy or woman were washed ashore on the 23rd hist, on the Ten-Mile Beach, near the TenMile Creek, in the province of Nelson. The police at Cobden say that no death has been reported in that district. It is therefore probable that they are a portion of the body of the boy Fisher, who was drowned at Holcitika on the 10th instant.

The West Coast Times of yesterday reports : —" A terrible accident, which was instantaneously fatal, occurred yesterday afternoon, on Gibson's Quay, An immense log of timber was being drawn by horses along the wharf when a little boy named Heenan, who was near, fell in front of the heavy mass, which, before the horses could be stopped, passed over his body completely crushing him to death. Those near ran to his assistance, but he was past all human aid. The body was taken into the Harbor Master's Office, where it now lies awaiting the inquest. The driver of the horses was at once arrested by the police, and subsequently admitted to bail by the Hon. J. A. Bonar.

The Melbourne Argus of the 19 th says :—At Loctit Bay, on the 7th instant, a small party caught 1251b weight of salmon in about fifteen minutes. Some of the party who been fishing where the creek eaters the sea had only taken a few rock-fish and cray-fish up to sunset, when looking at the creek they saw a ripple caused by a shoal of fish. These appear to have crossed the bar at high water, and remaining too long had attempted to make their exit to the straits but were too late, there being only a few inches of water on the bar. One man going into the creek drove the fish down to the bar, and while attempting to cross, fourteen fish were caught by two men and a boy, weighing from 61b to 111b each. The work is described as being most exciting, the ladies entering into the spirit of the sport by catching the fish as they were crossing on the sand, and preventing them from jumping back. The Superintendent of Taranaki has issued a proclamation calling out the militia for active service. The Provincial Government of Taranaki have ofiered a reward of £IOOO for the discovery of a payable goldfield.

The Eight Rev. Dr Selwyn, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, has finally left New Zealand, judging from the teuor of the telegram in the Christchurch papers, which says —" Tne Bishop will not return here as formerly reported, but will proceed to Sydney via Norfolk Island." It is satisfactory (says our Grey contemporary) to know that the people of Melbourne are beginning towake up to the superior advantages possessed by this port over its southern neighbour, the insurance companies in that city having reduced the rates of insurance on the hulls of vessels trading to Greymouth one per cent below those charged upon vessels sailing for Hokitika. The rates now charged are, for Greymouth four per cent, and for Hokitika five per cent. When Narvaez was on his deathbed, his confessor exhorted him to forgive all his enemies. The Spanish Premier replied that he had none to forgive. " Bethink you," said the confessor, " you must surely have had some in your life." " Oh, I have had many," said the dying man, " but then I always shot them." The minister received the blessing of the Pope, which was sent him by telegram.