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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 491, 15 April 1869, Page 2

It is understood that Prince Alfred will not reach Nelson until Monday next. From the tenor of telegrams received, such, at least, is the present impression in Nelson. It is probable, therefore, that both by the Kennedy and the Charles Edward, visitors to Nelson will be in time for the Prince's .arrival.

By the courtesy of the Postmaster, Mr Winstanley, we are in possession of returns of the Postal, Money Order, and Savings' Bank Departments in the Westport office for the quarter ending the 31st of March last. From these returns we learn that the number of letters received and despatched during the quarter was 19.521. The number of newspapers received and despatched during the same period was 10,135. The number of mails was 473. Like the statistics winch we were enabled recently to give with regard to the year 18GS, these figures are highly suggestive and significant, but they are especially suggestive of one question—ls Westport not entitled to a regular town delivery? Most significant, however, are the figures relating to registered letters, and the Savings' Bank Department. It is a healthy sign of the locality when so many as 20-1 registered letters are despatched in a quarter, exclusive of 192 money orders issued, the latter representing .£967 19s 7d. The number of money orders cashed duriug the same period was 36, representing ,£137 lis 2d. The Savings' Bank deposits were 141 in number, amounting to .£2031 ISs, while the number of withdrawals was 82, amounting to £1529 18s 4d. The weather, which for a considerable time has been unusually fine and fair, has for the past three days been decidedly broken. It has blown from most points of the compass, and it has rained pitilessly. This monotony has been varied by a few fogs and still fewer glimpses of sunshine. Most persons have thus, during the time, had weather suited to their temperaments, and, there being few other local incidents, have had leisure to study or exhibit its influence. Though the rainfall has been heavy, the river has not been in any high state of flood, but on the diggings there must have been enough water to satisfy the most needy or greedy. There have been 548 new applications sent in to the Registration Officer hero, by parties claiming the right to have their names placed on the Electoral 801 l for Westland North. These, added to the ninety-four names which are on the old roll, give a total of 642. Doubtless, from the total there wiU bo a considerable number excised, as having left the district or as being otherwise disqualified, but it may be reckoned that the roll when made up in May will number six hundred. Wo observe that the applications of Thomas Allen and Jolm Martin of Westport have been informally filled in, the signature not having been declared as before a registered elector for the district. The new list may be seen during this month at the Court-house, and it is notified that all objections to the right of any of the persons named in the list to have their names placed on the roll, must be lodged with the Registration Officer before the end'of April, and mustbe in the form provided by the Registration of Electors Act.

The "Warden, Dr Giles, was occupied for a number of hours on Tuesday, hearing a case between Homer and party and Gracey and party, Gorman. Terrace. The complainants claimed damages to the amount of £SO for alleged encroachment. Mr Tyler appeared for the defendants, and a number of witnesses were examined on both sides. Yesterday forenoon, the Warden gave judgment, reviewing the evidence and the eireiunstances connected with the case at considerable length. He considered that the complainants, though not absolutely barred from coming into court, were barred from receiving substantial damages, and ho gave judgment for 40s. Immediately afterwards, a cse in which Gracey and party were the complainants and Homeland party were the defendants, was heard before the Warden and four assessors. Mr Tyler again appeared for the party ho represented in the former case. Mr Homer conducted the case on behalf of his party. The claim was for damages from a landslip which was alleged to have been caused by an overflow of water from the defendants' water-race. The amount claimed was £I IG Is. The hearing of the case occupied the Court until G p.m. After a short consultation, the assessors (Messrs Perry, Ormsby, Spring, and Martin) gave judgment for the defendants, each party to pay their own costs. Before leaving the Court, one of the assessors represented to the Warden that £1 per day paid to them as assessors was a very trifling consideration, sejing they had to pay £1 each to men to take their places, and had also to bear their expenses in town. The Warden agreed that the allowance was veiy small, but he had no option, as such was the amount laid down in the Act.

There was a landslip a few days ago near Sutherland and party's claim, on the Orawaiti face of Giles Terrace. Some heavy boulders and logs were brought down anion"the debris, but no person was injured. A cruel and, it has often enough been proved, a criminal practical joke was perpetrated a few nights ago upon " our friend and pitcher," Mr Charle3 Webb of the Caledonian Terrace. Mr Webb gave a ball, and it was his intention to have also given a supper. For both he made elaborate and expensive preparations—music galore, and meats of various kinds in abundance. The ball, so far as it went, was a success. The supper unfortunately went rather too' far to permit of it receiving public commendation. While Mr Webb was absent, on the hospitable mission of inviting a chairman and some other guests, it went out of the house altogether, and to an nn. known destination, in the hands of some rogues who stole it from the table, leaving "not a rack behind." Like Banquo's ghost, this rather "spoilt the pleasure of the time—displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting." But Mr Webb is a philosopher as well as a publican, and he affirms that Even the supper he famished in vain " Shall awake not the sigh of remembrance again; To bear is to conquer our fate."

The Westport Amateur Dramatic Club have for some time been busy studying for the production of the melodrama " Robert Macaire," and the farce the " Goose with the Golden Eggs." They are row so far advanced with rehearsal as to be able to announce the performance for next Wednesday evening, and, as it is some time since there has been any similar entertainment in town, there should be a large attendance on that evening at the Masonic Hall. We are requested to remind the members of the Club that there is to be a rehearsal this evening, in the Hall, at half-past, seven o'clock "sharp."