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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 433, 19 December 1868, Page 2

A lucky discovery, made by a party on Hatter's Terrace, in this neighborhood, is mentioned by our correspondent in his report of workings on the Great North Lead. Shannassy and party, on that lead, about two miles north of Deadman's, drove in a tunnel about fifty feet, and, striking nothing, abandoned it. They then attempted another, and struck a patch about sixty feet square at the surface reaching to an unknown depth, as it is not yet bottomed. It crops out on the face of the cliff, and the gold is got at once without any trouble, paying over £2O per man per week.

The Public School will be closed from this day until Monday, the fourth of January. We believe it is usual to allow the schools conducted under the Nelson Central Board one month's holidays for town schools, and a fortnight for the country schools. The Local Committee have decided upon granting only a fortnight's holiday at present, as the scholars had a few days' holiday recently, and as the Inspector will make his usual visit early in February, when the scholars will be expected to show some proficiency in their various classes. Mr Phillips has asked permission of the Committee to open the school throughout the holidays, with the exception of the days of the sports, for two hours in the morning, but, considering that the time is shortened to a fortnight, the master may probably give full scope to his young charge for the time.

The weather has stopped for a time the erection of the booths on the Sports grounds. A commencement was made the other day by Mr Berry, who is to erect the Grand Stand, and some of the others. The Grand Stand is to be very substantially and convenientlv built for the accommodation of the public, and for the Cummittee, as well as for saddling and weighing purposes. Many of the other booth-holders are sparing no expense in catering for the public, and wo only want a few days of fine weather to re-imburse them for their present outlay. In the hope of a continuation of fine weather during the Christmas week, we may bear with a few such damp and dispiriting days as yesterday. The Officer in Charge of the Customs in Westport has been appointed to receive fees for licenses to be granted under the Distillation Act to brewers and wine and spirit merchants. The anomaly of the Customs Officer at Westport being only an Officer in Charge has been previously noticed. It appears the greater when seeD in the Gazette. In respect of revenue, Westport is the third port in the colony, yet it is the only one where the Customs officer ranks as an Officer in Charge. Picton, Napier, Taranaki, Wanganui, and a number of other places whose aggregate trade does not amount to that ot Westport have each a Collector.

As will be seen by advertisemont, the Bev. Mr Walsh will officiate to-inorrow morning in the Boman Catholic Church. We received yesterday evening an alteration which was too late for insertion in the advertisement of the Eaces. It is to the effect that all entries except those marked " Post Entries/' are to be sent in addressed to the " Stewards of the Eaces" at Messrs P. F. Smyth and Co.'s, on or before Christmas Eve, with the name of the horse and color of the riders, and that no entry will be entertained unless sent under seal, and enclosing the entrance fee. We are also requested to state that the Nelson Jockey Club Eules, and Nelson weights fsr age will be adopted here. A small vessel was seen off the port yesterday. There is some hope that it is the ketch Constant, which has been out from Charleston since Sunday, and about which some anxiety has been felt.

A report reached town yesterday that the steamer Kennedy had got ashore, or in the surf, near the Tereniakau. We understand that the vessel was in a position of danger, but got off, and was, last evening, off Hokitika. The Wallabi was at anchor off the Grey. Mr and Mrs James Stark, the celebrated American tragedian and actress, have arrived in Duuudhi from Melbourne.