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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 390, 30 October 1868, Page 2

The Panama Mail arrived last night per Waipara, haviug been sent from Nelson per Otago to Greym uth, and brought from there by the first mentioned boat.

Our readers will see by a report in another column how the river protection petition has fared. We postpone comment, but at the same time, in common, we are sure, with a large majority of the inhabitants, are glad to find that the result has not arisen through any partiality or unfairness to this portion of the province. A baukrupt treasury is our difficulty, let us hope that in some way or other even it maybe surmounted. We learn by the arrival of the John Penn that Wanganui is in a very unsettled state, if not one of actual terror. Tito Kawarn is literally master of the situation, and threatens the town daily. He is said to have 800 traiued warriors, armed to the teeth, under his command, and within easy distance of Wanganui. If this is true, the inhabitants have every reason for alarm, but it is to be hoped that the numbers have been exaggerated.

We regret to state that a rumor of the drowning of H. Fry, formerly keeping an hotel in this town, proves to be so well founded as to leave little doubt of its correctness. It appears that the unfortunate man was engaged as cook on board the John Penn, and was with her at Wanganui on the 14th inst. On that night, between 9 and 10 o'clock, some ladies who were walking on the poop, heard a splash in the water on the other side of the vessel to that on which they were walking They went across, and on looking over, saw something black in water that they thought was a dog, but the night was dark, and they could not tell certainly what the object was. There was no cry or apparent struggle, and they thought no more of it till next morning, when Fry was missing, Mr G-illon, the purser, immediately communicated with the police, and a thorough search of the town was made without finding anv trace of the missing man. On the return of the John Penn, though the most active exertions to seek him out had been made, their exertions were attended with no success, and there can be little doubt that the poor fellow is drowned. The idea of his having absconded is very improbable, as he had no reason to do so, and on the contrary had left money and a gold watch in the custody of Mr G-illon.

Yesterday Mr "Williams and another member of the Addison's Flat Prospectimg Committee, canvassed Westport for subscriptions in aid of their association, and met with considerable support, some forty pounds peing readily collected, and more promised. "We sincerely wist them every success, and hope that their exertions will lead to more good country as yet unexplored being opened up.