The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 403, 14 November 1868, Page 4

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1868.

The Charles Edward, which arrived last evening, brought the Westport portion of the English Suez mail. "We have previously referred to the negligence of the Nelson telegraph officer, is despatching shipping telegrams. The present trip of the Charles Edward is a case in point. No intimation was made of her departure from Nelson. We understand that, in the House of Representatives, Mr Gallagher drew •attention to the circumstance of Westport having only an offieer-in-charge, •instead of a Collector of Customs. The result of Mr Gallagher's representations on the subject we have not yet learnt. At the Eesident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, James Harper, who had been -charged, on the previous day, with placing dangerous obstructions on the road between Westport and Orawaite, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, was brought up on remand. The Magistrate, who had adjourned the case for the purpose of considering the peculiar nature of the charge, and the evidence hearing upon it, said he did not think there was evidence to go to a jury, although there was strong presumptive evidence, and he reminded the prisoner that he had a very narrow escape. The prisoner was discharged. There was a civil case heard— Freeth v. Seaton —in which the plaintiff claimed the price of ten sheep, and the value of a pair of stirrup-leathers and irons. The case had arisen in consequence of a dispute as to the terms upon which the sheep had been sold. After hearing the parties, the Magistrate said that all he had to consider was the contract, and the evidence for the defence rather corroborated the plaintiff's case. There was no reason why the plaintiff should not recover. As to the stirrups, rthere seemed to have been an agreementJudgment for £ls 2s 3d. I'

There is to be au amateur dramatic performance at Charleston on Monday evening. The entertainment is to consist of the comic drama " All that Glitters is Not Gold," and the farce " The Young Widow, or a Masquerade Treat." Its object is to benefit the funds of the local prospecting association. The work of stripping the Westport court building of its present roof, and of substituting for it a roof of corrugated, iron, is to be commenced to-day. The present roof is made of galvanised tiles, but it is very leaky and imperfect. The gaol is also to receive a new roof of the same superior material. The amateurs, who have so generously announced a performance for Monday evening next, for the benefit of the widow and children of the late Major Von Tempsky, will, if we may judge by having heard them rehearse, acquit themselves creditably on that evening. The per" formers are composed solely of local amateurs, and while the public will be assisting a good charity by attending, they will also be afforded an evening's amusement such as too rarely occurs in Westport. The brewery formerly occupied by Messrs M'Cartliy and Lendrum, behind the JN T elson Hotel in Gladstone street, has this week changed hands, having been purchased by Mr Strachan, brewer, who intends commencing business on the premises immediately. Mr Strachan in other places has borne the reputation of being a first-class brewer, and should he maintain that reputation, by producing an article equal to that which is imported or locally manufactured, we doubt not he will meet with a fair share of support in hjs—n-s.w speculation. Mr Strachan expects to have his first brew ready for market in the course of a week or two.

By a private telegram which has heen received in Westporfc, we learn that a steamer had started from Napier, last evening, for the relief of those who might have escaped the massacre at Poverty Bay. The friends of Mr Harris, District Treasurer at Westport, were old settlers in the Poverty Bay district, but intelligence has heen received of their safety, and of their arrival at Napier. Some large parcels of gold have lately been washed up in the Charleston district. The Herald says:—" Hunter and party washed up a few days ago, the result of which was 2500zs of amalgam for the past fortnight. The Southern Cross will scrape up on Saturday, the yield of which is estimated at" lOOOozs. The Cosmopolitan Company will also bring in their gold during the week, and the result, it is expected, will not unfavorably compare with that of any other claim in the district ; judging from the appearance of the plates we have every reason to believe that the handsome return of 500ozs of amalgam will be the amount for the fortnight's work." The Governor and Mr Stafford left Wellington for Wanganui, by coach, on Thursday. Considerable alarm prevailed in consequence of the quarrel between the iFxJendlies and Colonel Whitmore, whom they will not serve under. The casualties on our side, at Okutuku, were altogether thirty-seven. Writing of mining matters in the Charleston district, our correspondent says : —The very fine weather we have lately had is already beginning to produce its usual effect in this district. At the diggings known as the " Pour Mile," only one machine is at work, but from the present appearance of the weather, we may expect that the cessation from the usual busy state of this place will be of short duration.

Major Von Terapsky is generally regarded as a soldier only, and probably it is known to few that bis acquirements both in science and literature were very considerable. He was an excellent musician, playing admirably on several instruments, besides being a vocalist of more than average merit. As a writer of verse, be bad some reputation in social circles, and it is said that on one occasion at the Kew Antbenseum, in order to assist a friend who bad failed to prepare a paper, be gave an extcihpore lecture lasting two hours. The memory of such a man New Zealand ought certainly to cherish.

The shareholders of the Bank of JN"ew Zealand, at their last meeting, agreed to a payment of a dividend at the rate of ten percent, per annum, £25,000 ; and a bonus of 5s a share, equal to five per cent, per annum, £12,000; leaving a balance to profit and loss account, of £8554 16s 4d.

By the exertions of Captain Smith and Captain Nichol, £25 were raised in Hokitika, for the benefit of Michael Waters, who was the sole survivor of the wreck of the schooner Fancy at D'Urville Island.

We learn, from the Hokitika Evening Star, that a large water-race, known as the Leviathan, capable of carrying 40 heads of water, is being brought in from the Kawhaka Creek, on the Cbristchurch Koad, for the purpose of supplying Fox's, Greek's, No. 2, Red Jack's, and the' various terraces and gullies as far down as the Waimea, with water. The proprietory of this race are a company of well-known residents in Hokitika.

The property of the Molyneux Gold Dredging Company at Mount Benger has been sold to satisfy a judgment debt, and realised only £4O. The property was worth £IOOO. By the last Panama Mail has arrived the patent from the Grand Master of England, the Earl of Zetland,constituting and appointing William Donald, Esq., Resident Magistrate, of Lyttelton, District Grand Master of Canterbury. The ceremony of installation will take place on or about the 16th December, the anniversary of the settlement. Mr and Mrs Gourlay, and their little 6on Johnny, have concluded their series of essentially Scotch entertainments at Hokitika. They will probably visit the other towns on the West Coast. Intelligence has reached Hokitika of a uew rush between the old Hau-hau Lead and the Prince Alfred Lead. A new bottom has been discovered somewhat shallower thxn the former, and which is yielding remarkably well. Several of the Chinese recently arrived are already located in the neighborhood.