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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 430, 16 December 1868, Page 2

No Hokitika papers have been received for some days, but we learn frorn private sources that the following was the result of the elections there for the County Council. Mr Bonar and Mr Sale were returned for the town of Hokitika, the former having a majority of forty over the latter, and Mr Prosser lost the election, being twenty votes under Mr Sale. Mr Bees was returned for the Kauieri, Mr Clarke for the Arahura, and Mr lloos for the Totai'a. It was generally supposed, when our informant left Greymouth, that Mr Barff would be the successful candidate for the representation of Okarita, though he was opposed by Mr Heron. Mr Shaw was at the foot of the poll, having only had thirty-four votes recorded for him. Mr Shaw was absent during the election, though he has now reached Hokitika from Auckland.

The Treasurer of the AVestport Hospital begs to acknowledge the receipt of £3 Is 6d from the "Westport Ball Committee, and £2 2s from Mr Zola of the Lyell. Notwithstanding the continuous raiu which we had for two days, and the mild or "muggy" atmosphere by which it was accompanied, no extraordinary fresh has been caused in the Buller.

We are requested to remind members of the Church of England that a short service is held at the Court House by the Rev. Mr Harvey on each Thursday evening. We hear that Perry, of Perry and party, claimholders on Giles Terrace, is at present prospecting on some of the very likely-looking terraces to the northward of the Waimongoroa. The Gourlay Family concluded their short, but fortunately not last, season of entertainments at the Westport Masonic Hall on Monday evening. The hall was crowded, and the audience was both highly entertained by the musical portion of the programme, and amused by the comical illustrations of character given by Mr, Mrs, and Master Gourlay in the petite farce " The Eight? of Woman." In the assertion of the rights of her sex, by womanly blandishments, Mrs Gourlay appeared to more advantage than in any previous character, and Mr Gourlay as humorously illustrated the " wrongs of man." The Gourlay Eamilyhave proceeded to Charleston to fulfil an engagement there, but, for the character of the amusements in Westport during the holiday season, and for the sake of those who may then visit the town, it is a gratifying circumstance that they intend to return by Christmas, and to repeat, in the same hall, what may be recognised as a legitimate entertainment. With regard to the hall itself, which has been first used by the Gourlays as a place for public performances, it may be said to be admirably suited for the purpose. We notice by the Herald that, at Charleston, the Sports Committee have accepted £SO from Mr Cullen, as the price for their booths. Improvements on the race-course, to the"value of £l6, were agreed to. Last evening was the evening of the third Tuesday of the month. Upon that evening it was appointed that the Hospital Committee should meet. But there was not a quorum. The members present at the hour, and for half an hour afterwards, were Messrs Munro, Tyler, Munson, and Smyth. Had a full meeting assembled, there was bo particular business for the Committee to transact. i

It is a significant fact that the John Penn has brought, on her present trip from Auckland, sixty-five passengers returning from the Thamea Goldfields toWestsort, Greymouth, and Hokitika.

The s.s. Alhambra arrived at Hokitika yesterday. "We believe that she has brought with her from Melbourne ninety-eight recruits for the Armed Constabulary or Volunteers in the North Island. There are also waiting for her at Hokitikaltwenty-four recruits who have volunteered there, and at Q-reymouth four. With her passenger list thus increased, she will probably proceed to Wellington, to land this considerable accession to the forces now so urgently required at the Front. The Warden's Court was occupied for a considerable time yesterday with the hearing of a case in which Rolandson and party were the complainants, and Blackmore and party the defendants. Both parties hold claims at the Caledonian Terrace, and the dispute was with regard to the marking off of some ground. Judgment was given for the defendants, with costs. There were no points of public interest involved.

Garrett has been found guilty of burglary at Dunedin, and sentenced to twenty years' penal servitude. The schooner Lad is laid on at Melbourne to take passengers to the Natal G-oldfiekls.

A ]ate telegram states that there has been great agitation in Melbourne in consequence of the break-up of the Chinese encampments throughout the Colony. The Argus condemns the movement.

It was recently reported that the Maoris of the Chathains were about to return to Taranaki by the barque Collingwood. The report was disbelieved, but it appears to be the fact. By that barque 151 Maoris from these islands were landed at Taranaki last week. They are, however, quiet and peaceful, and going to settle down. There was a large meeting of native friendly chiefs held at Taranaki. It was conducted in an orderly peaceful manner, and great courtesy and kindness were shown to Mr Parris, the Superintendent, and other Europeans. The meeting was favorable to peace, and friendly. A letter from the chief Patara, in the Herald newspaper, urges peace with the Europeans, and strongly recommends the Natives to live quietly, in the various settlements of Okati, Tataraimaka, and Kuro, and leave the settlement of any dispute to the laws. The news is deemed very good.