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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 455, 21 January 1869, Page 2

The Warden of the district, Dr. Q-iles, and the District Surveyor, Mr Lowe, with the members of the survey party who accompanied them, returned late on Tuesday evening, from a visit of inspection which they had made to the Buller track and the Lyell diggings. They started on Thursday last, riding nearly to the Ohika, and walking beyond that to the Lyell township and some of the surrounding diggings. The surveying party proceeded up at the same time by boat. On the first day, they got a little beyond the Ohika, and camped there. Next day they reached Inangahua, apparently as large a stream at this season as the Buller itself. They stayed one day at the junction of the two rivers, Mr Lowe, however, occupying the day by proceeding to examine minutely some portions of the track in that neighbourhood. On Sunday they went on to the Lyell, and spent the following day (Monday) in that neighbourhood. The plan was to have made only half the distance home on the following day, so that they might make a still more minute examination of the track, but, heavy rain coming on, they pushed on to their destination. The principal diggings seem to be in the neighbourhood of the Lyell township which is rather peculiarly situated and constructed on an elevated spot; and the storekeepers seem to be usually busy providing parties requiring stores or refreshing " the inner man." Further up there are numerous scattered parties, and on the lower part of the Buller, judging by the smoke of the numerous camp fires, and passing canoes, there are parties at work on both sides of the river. A pretty full account of what some of the partiea are doing is given in another column, by our correspondent who is at present accompanying another party up the Buller. So far as t.ie experience of Dr. Giles and Mr Lowe went, they seem to consider that the present track is in a very good state—at least for pedestrians. In some parts it is said to be a first-rate track, in that limited sense. There are, however, several places in which it is interrupted by slips of earth and fallen timber, and .the bridges have, in several instances, fallen into a state of decay. Some distance beyond the Blackwater, the track is comparatively unmade, and diverges into different small tracks, which are somewhat confusing to the first visitor. It is believed, however, that, without any extraordinary expense, the track may be put in sufficient repair. The chief difficulty is at Hawk's Crag,

but that may be overcome by blasting. To make a track fit for horses would, of course, require a larger expenditure, and an expenditure which, it is to be hoped, will be fully provided for by the next Provincial Council. It is a quefttio* then, however, whether packing would be much cheaper than boating, and it is a question whether boating might not be somewhat cheaper than it is. Of course, a report will be made as to the state of the track by Mr Lowe to the Nelson Government, who, in their wisdom, do nothing now by deputy ; and, no doubt, a report of his observations will be made by Dr Giles. Besides our ow n correspondent's letter, we give, from another corresponde.nl, a humble account of a short trip up the river, but he is evidently not a bush-man. The local Amateur Dramatic Club contemplate giving an entertainment on an early date for fthe benefit of the funds of the Club. The last two entertainments given by this Club were for the benefit of the Hospital and the relations of the deceased Major Von Tempsky, and now as the Club may be said to be fairly established it is their desire to be equipped with some suitable wardrobes and other necessaries attending such performances. The members met a few evenings ago at the Empire Hotel, and decided that their first entertainment should be given at the Masonic Hall, so soon as the new stage, now in the course of erection, is completed. We shall be able to give the announcement of the pieces selected to be played, and the various casts, in an early issue. The Treasurer of the Westport Hospital acknowledges the receipt of £7 2s 6d, a donation from Messrs Alcorn and Co. The weather underwent a considerable change on Wednesday, the heat and drought which had prevailed for a fortnight being succeeded by a strong north-easterly breeze and frequent rain. The change did not come before it was much wanted in this district, for the long-continued drought had caused a scarcity of water both for mining and domestic purposes. The warmest days felt during the dry period were Friday and Sunday last. The thermometer then stood at 116 degrees in the sun, and 72 degrees in the shade. The Harbor-Master, Captain Le.ch, found the temperature of the river or estuary water to be 63 degrees at 9 a.m, and 64 degrees at 4 p.m., which is the highest temperature found since observations have been taken, extending over a period of six months. The Steward of the Westport Hospital, Mr Poole, acknowledges having received from Mrs Winstanley a quantity of linen for hospital purposes. Donations of this description are very acceptable at all times, napkins, table-cloths, and similar articles being always useful as bandages or for other purposes. We notice that at Greymouth and Hokitika the quarterly returns of the money received and disbursed by the Post-office Savings' Banks in those towns is published for information iu the papers. We believe that the amount received at the Westport office is very creditable to the prosperity and economy of the inhabitants of this district. If furnished with them, we shall be glad to publish the precise figures. We believe that a considerable addition has been made to the subscriptions obtained by the Rev. Mr Harvey for the erection of an English Church in Westport, and that Mr Lowe will probably be soon solicited to prepare plans for the building, now that he has returned from his visit to the Bidler and the Lyell. We believe that the Nathan Troupe, after visiting Hokitika and Greymouth, where they performed very successfully to large houses, are now on their way to Westport overland, it being their intention to give performances at Brighton and Charleston. They expect to reach Westport about the 30th, and are understood to give their, entertainments in the Masonic Hall. In the Warden's Court, yesterday, a number of cases were appointed to be heard, but in the majority of instances the parties did not appear. A considerable addition is being made to the Masonic Hall by Messrs Tonks and Hughes. A proscenium and stage are being added to the building, of such dimensions as will enable dramatic or other entertainments to be most satisfactorily given, while the whole space of the hall itself will be available as an auditorium. The new Volunteer Hall, erected by Mr James Johnston at Greymouth, is rapidly approaching completion. It is said by the Argus to be really a fine building, capable of drilling nearly 200 men. M. Chevalier, the artist, who lately left for Melbourne, on his way to join the Galatea, at the request of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, has taken a large number of sketches during his stay in the province of Wellington. The districts in which his ready pencil found most employment were the Wairarapa Valley and the sources of the Manawatu river. Some extraordinary tidal phenomena were observed at Taranaki on the Bth inst. The Herald says:—" On Monday last the tide in our roadstead exhibited extraordinary eccentricities. It was high tide at about six m'nutes past one, when, although it is the season of neap-tides, it rose higher than a spring tide. But this was not all ; it ebbed for above three or four hours, occasionally receding and flowing up to the boat sheds. It did not thoroughly fall during the whole afternoon." On Sunday a slight shock of earthquake was felt in the Manukau. The following description of the testimonial to be presented at Greymouth to Mr Kynnersley, late Commissioner, is given by the local paper : —lt consists of a most artistic and highly elaborately illuminated scroll, mounted on rollers, and enclosed in a handsome box, made of colonial woods, beautifully polished. The inscription has been drawn and illuminated by Mr Hindermarsh, and of all the numerous specimens of this gentleman's skill in the art of illumination we consider this, perhaps, the best. The foliated characters are really artistic compo-

sitions, and combine the natural forms of New Zealand vegetation with the medioeval symbols that are characteristic of works of this description. The artist has very skilfully availed himself of the opportunity of introducing some very appropriate photographs, on a very reduced scale, of scenery in and about Greymouth, without in any way destroying the character of his work. The whole is richly colored and gilt, and bound with blue silk and tassels attached to rollers, and forms a gift of which Mr Kynnersley may well be proud. The box in which the scroll is v enclosed was made by Mr C. Holder, of this town, and is a very creditable specimen of cabinetwork. A new and numerous lire Brigade has been formed in Greymouth. There are already sixty members'on the roll. We lately had some remarks on the propriety of some precautionary measures being taken in Westport, *e avert the danger of fires such as very recently occurred in Timaru, Wanganui, and Taranaki, and it would be well if Westport were to imitate the example of Greymouth and Hokitika by the formation of a Brigade. Of course a Brigade is of little value without an engine, but the formation of tli3 one is a necessary preliminary step to obtaining the other.