The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 409, 21 November 1868, Page 4

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1868.

The Progress Committee met last evening. Mr O'Conor was in the chair. There was a discussion, or a conversation, on the subject of a Municipality for Westport, and a County Council for the Nelson West-Coast goldfields. The discussion deserves full reporting, and shall be fully reported on Monday. It was stated that the Nelson Government had agreed to give £3 per chain in aid of the cost of protecting the river bank! It was not stated that this was a liberal offer. There were, in fact, several statements very much to the contrary. It was agreed that a deputation, consisting of Messrs Alcorn, Humphrey, O'Conor, and Powell, should wait upon Mr Greenfield, the Provincial Secretary, with reference to the track to Giles Terrace, and other matters; and there was an expression of opinion that for the Nelson Government to say that the vote for the Caledonian Terrace track was not to be expended on the Giles Terrace track was a " mere subterfuge," the object being, in reality, identical. The " statistical sub-committee" were requested to obtain statistics of local expenditure by the Nelson Government during the last six months; and the Com-

tnitleo agreed to a very convenient arrangement for the Joeal press they agreed to meet at four o'cloek in the afternoon. The secretary was requested to intimate to Mr Tyler his election as a member of the Committee, and it was agreed to elect, at the next meeting, a " permanent" chairman. Tho Christmas Sports Committee have commenced their work in good time, and the public have so far met their endea- ' vours in a liberal spirit. Half the number of the members of the Committee who had the west side of Gladstone street, with the side streets in the same direction, allotted to them as their field for canvass, commenced their task in obtaining subscriptions yesterday afternoon, and they obtained, in tho course of a few hours promises to the amount of £ll3, £75 of which was paid to them in cash, and the balance will, no doubt, be received during next week. In addition to this amount, there is the other side of Gladstone street, Kennedy street, Wharf street, and the adjoining places yet to be canvassed. From these nearly an equal amount may be expected. Lists have also been made out for the packers, boatmeu, and draymen, and a few subscriptions may be ex- ! peetcd from the outlying places, such as the Caledonian, Addison's, and the South Spit, Reckoning it at the lowest estimate, something like £2OO is be collected, exclusive of the prices which will be obtained for booths, entries, &c.; and thereis every reason to hope that there will not only be the usual Christmas sport, but a good day, if not two days, of horse-racing. Several names have been added to the Committee, and tho members purpose holding a meeting early next week, to determine what sports shall take place, and what ground is most suitable for the purpose. Since the decision in the appealed mining case between Luke and Perry, there has been considerable excitement on Giles Terrace, and a large number of miners have been "pegging out" fresh ground, or, according to the statement of others, "jumping." The probability is that the result will be a considerable crop of litigation. The matter is not a very comprehensible one, and we should be glad to have some practical opinions from miners, before agitating the question of amending the Goldfields Regulations. It is rumored, and, we believe, correctly, that the writ for the election of a member of the Provincial Council to the seat vacant by the resignation of Mr J. V.'l Smith will be issued on an early date. There was an impression that the retiring member had neglected to tender his resignation to the Superintendent, when he intimated the same to his constituents, but it would appear that such has not i been the case. Mr Greenfield, the Provincial Secretary, is still in Wostpprt, and we understand that, before leaving the district, it is his purpose to visit Addison's Flat and the Great North Lead. It is then Mr Greenfield's intention to proceed to Charleston, Brighton, and Cobden. The few inhabitants of Mohikinui experience considerable difficulty in getting regular supplies from Westport, and there is now being built there a large whaleboat which it is intended to place " in the trade " between the two ports, so as to keep up something like regular communication. The cargo of the Wallabi, on her last trip from this port, included 201 hides and four seal-skins, shipped by Mr F. P. Atkinson. By the Northern Light, Mr Atkinson shipped to Melbourne 1000 sheep-skins. The Chairman of the Westland County Council has'received intimation that the Governor intends very soon to visit the West Coast. Eleven thousand live frogs have been shipped at Hobart Town, by the BellaMary, for New Zealand. By the Resident Magistrate's Amend ment Act, recently passed by the Assembly, the clause in the original Act is repealed by which imprisonment for debts under £lO was prevented. Tho matter now stands as it originally did, and imprisonment can follow, in default of payment, on any judgment recorered on the civil side of the Magistrate's Court.

The Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry (Dr Selwyn), the Bishop of Wellington, New Zealand (Dr Abraham), and the Bishop of Tasmania (Dr. Bromby), are now preaching in Melbourne.

A number of the Chinese who landed at Hokitika from the Bangitoto have been ordered out of the Waimea district. The West Coast Times says that when they had proceeded as far as M'Lean's store, between Stafford Town and the old

Waimea, tlioy were met by a number of the diggers in that loeality, who requested thorn to proceed no further. On being told this the Chinamen returned, but, on the recommendation of the authorities, they will again start up. There was no attempt to oiler violence. An earthquake was distinctly felt at ten minutes to eleven o'clock last evening, by several persons whose evidence on such a subject is beyond suspicion. John Madden, solicitor, has appeared ,at the Melbourne Police Court charged with forgery. The case was adjourned. The Baptist congregation in Melbourne have expelled the lady principally mixed up with the Taylor scandal. A splendid show of nuggets, in all weighing 1300 ounces, have been exhibited in Collins street, Melbourne. They were found at Inglewood. One Victorian item of news is that Mr Ambrose Kyte is dangerously ill.