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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 448, 7 January 1869, Page 2

The Westport Hospital Committee are appointed to meet at the Courthouse at four o'clock this afternoon. The escort from Charleston arrived yesterday, under charge of Inspector Franklyn. There had not been an escort for a month previously, in con. sequence of the holidays, and, no doubt, an unusually large quantity of gold has been brought; but what may be the quantity is one of those mysteries in which the banks, with the assent of the Government, are permitted to indulge, to no one's satisfaction but their own. —Since we had ventured to hazard this remark we have been told, on tolerably good authority, that the quantity is between 8000 and 9000 ounces. We may remind the Progress Committee that their next meeting is appointed for to-morrow (Friday) afternoon. We imagine that the Sepai'ation question, the discussion of which was initiated by them, has not progressed very far, the holidays having interfered with the attention which a subject of such public interest would otherwise have received ; but by their next meeting, there should be replies received from Charleston, Brighton, and Cobden, and, judging by the feelings which are already known to exist there, it is very probable that the replies will be in accordance with the feelings and opinions of the Committee.

The Eesident Magistrate's and Warden's Court will, we understand, sit in future'at 11 a.m., instead of 10a.m., so that miners interested in cases will have more time to reach town than they may have hitherto had. We are pleased to hear that Mr Emanuel, who met with the severe accident of having his leg broken on the Sports ground, is recovering, and that, much sooner than was at first expected, he will be able to resume his duties as host at the Little Grey Hotel. J

We are informed that the Athenaeum will be opened to the public on Monday the 18th inst. Some delay in the opening has arisen through the magaziues and periodicals not having come to hand, but we understand that the Committee met yesterday and have determined upon opening the institution on the date mentioned. It will be observed that tenders have been called for the painting of the exterior of the building. Commenting on the Christmas sports at Hokitika, the Evening Star says:— "The whole thing has been quite overdone, and we trust that on future occasions, we shall avoid the crowding of horse racing, regattas, athletic sports, cricket, and similar entertainments into six or eight days, following in succession upon each other. In the bulk of these sports no provision was made for women and children to become spectators, and to receive

that share of enjoyment which they were justly entitled to claim for themselves. We had an excellent piece of recreation ground, where sports of every description could be indulged in without interruption, whilst, at the same time, permitting a wide field of view to all who desired to witness them. But a preference was given to the confined streets of the town in order that the bar-owners of certain public houses might reap a harvest from the consumption- of beer and spirits- We do not, of course, blame the bar-owners for making the most out of Christmas and New Tear, as the matter of arranging a programme was left in their hands. They have only done what any other class of traders would do y/h 0 "" s decided rage was to be obtained. Our objection is that our annual sports should be left altogether with certain hotelkeepers to deal with, and that the tewn's people did not elect from among themselves a committee who would have made the sports of a more general, and not so much of a special character." Madame Anna Bishop is shortly expected in Nelson, where she intends to give a musical treat. She will then, it is said, visit Hokitika. Messrs Button and Bartlett, it is said, are to resign their seats in the Hokitika Borough Council. Mr J. B. Clarke is likely to be a candidate.