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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 403, 14 November 1868, Page 7

In the Marlborough papers received by the steamer Lyttelton, we find a few items of news. The Blenheim people are petitioning to be formed into a municipality, and the district 6f Ivaikoura is demanding to be made a county. "In that event," says the local paper, " a grand fete will take place. It is thought a roasted ox and barrels of beer will be provided." What is perhaps of more consequence than either the county or the exact form of the feast, is'the fact that a party-of " well known persons " had started out to prospect for gold in the western ranges of the AVairau plains. Mr Pilliett, who was Besident Magistrate in Marlborough after the Wakaramina rush, and who was " latterly editor of a cheap lmninary in Wellington," has received an appointment under the Government at the Kaikouras. Mr Or. James of the Boyalhotel, Blenheim, has been lamed tor life by coming into collision with a wagon when riding, and by breaking his kneecap. Mr Balfour, C.8., is to be sent by the Government to the Wairau to report upon the overflow and encroachments of the river, and Mr A. Dobson is at present taking levels for his guidance.

As latest information from the Okarita district, the West Coast Times states that the population has steadily increased during the past month. A further increase is also probable, as a party of four men, working fourteen miles up Cook'sliiver, had,in four days, washed out fifteen and a half ounces, their only means of sluicing being a piece of calico stretched on two stick?. One of the .party had arrived in Hokitika to procure tools and blasting powder, to remove the large boulders which impede the working of the ground.

At the "Westport telegraph office, and all the other telegraph offices in the colony, New Zealand mean time is now kept, instead of Wellin ;ton time. This time will be kept also by the post office, and by other departments of the public service. It would be a considerable advantage to the inhabitants if either at the telegraph office or at the post office a time-piece were pubiicly exhibited. The hotel clocks of this town, which are the only other authorities, are so irregular and eccentric in their habits as to be altogether valueless to any one except those whose leisure or whose tastes induce them to watch the movements of the dial every hour of the day. We understand that the parties of miners having claims on the Shamrock Lead have amalgamated for the purpose of carrying out a work which is calculated to promote their interests generally. By each party, one mail will be told off, or employed, for the purpose of cutting a storm channel similar to that which was foruiGd at Addison's Flat. By this work, the storm waters of a creek will be diverted, and it is expected that the working of the claims, by the withdrawal of the water, will be considerably facilitated. Mr Potts, during the recent session of the Assembly, tabled a resolution, proposing that a sum of £IOO should be placed on the estimates for the best essay on the following subject • —" The means for securing the permanent settlement of the mining population of New Zealand, and for fixing within the colony the capital which is being constantly drained away from the Grold r fields, as shown in the great excess of exports over imports, at the ports 'of the exclusively gold-mining districts." "What became of the resolution we have not heard. . . .

Eighty-nine Chinese were landed at Hokitika on Priday, from the steamer Rangitoto. One party proceeded tb the Hau-hau, and the others to the Waimea district. From a return, recently published, it appears that the area of. the Auckland goldfields. is about 4280 acres ; the population 6,000 ; and the monthlyyield 7000 ounces—worth about 50s an ounce, or about 5s per week for the population. The police of Hokitika have commenced a raid against the houses of illfame in soirie of the principal streets. The consequence has been that the occupants of several have removed-tb localities where, at least, public decency i will be less Offended.