Untitled

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 508, 25 May 1869, Page 2

Good sport may he expected at the regatta, to commence at half-past ten this forenoon. Last evening, there were altogether eighteen entries for the first four races, and some other matches are likely to be improvised. Additional entries will be received till 9.30 a.m. this day.

The encroachments of the sea have been so serious during the past few days near the school nnd schoolmaster's house, that it has been found necessary to remove the latter building to a safe site. The School Committee accepted Mr Somner's tender to do so, and the building will be at once removed.

The export of gold from Auckland seems to be steadily increasing. During the month of April 23,622 ounces of gold were exported from the Thames goldfields. On May 5, 4000 ounces reached Auckland from the goldfields., and two days later another 2500 came from the same place. From May 1, IS6S, to April 30, 1869, ,£16,022 was paid as duty on 128,182 ounces. Within the last few days three new rushes have taken place in the Grey district. One to Maori Creek, Eight-mile, says the Argus, is turning out very well, and large numbers of men are constantly arriving from the Greenstone and other places. Another new rush has taken place at Rowdy Gully, between Sullivan's and Half-ounce Creeks, (Upper Grey). There were on "Wednesday 300 men on the ground, and it is expected to turn out quite equal to Napoleon's. The prospects are sgrs. to the dish and 2ft. of washdirt. Six claims were then on gold. A swamp intervenes, which may obstruct the lead, which crops out on the face of the ten-ace; and should sinking have to be resorted to it will be something like 120 ft. Another rush is reported as having taken place to a gully known as Barnacles, but the ground is not sufficient to find employment for more than 30 men.

We leam from the' W. C. Times that some consternation is felt at the unaccountable absence of Mr Webb, an old resident of the Greenstone Creek, who has been missing for about ten days. It is believed by the friends of Mr Webb that he left the township with a considerable amount of gold in his possession. Patrick Morrissy was, on Wednesday last, again placed in the dock in the Supreme Court, Hokitika, on an indictment for having assaulted Francis Johnston, at the Greenstone. The right of challenge was liberally used both by the Crown and prisoner's counsel, and a jury composed of English and Scotch were sworn. The evidence was similar to that given on the first trial, with the addition that the evidence of the Eev. Father Larkin and that of a witness named Roach was taken for the defence. The jm-y, who retired at five o'clock to consider their verdict, returned to court at thirty-five minutes past nine o'clock with a verdict of Not Guilty. Mr Justice Richmond, who was accompanied by Mrs Richmond, was a passenger by the steamer Kennedy, from Hokitika to Nelson.

A man named Ed-ward Kirkcaldy, a native of the West Indies, has been found dead near his claim at the Waimea, under a quantity of fallen earth and roots.