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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 525, 3 July 1869, Page 2

Thursday was a busy day among dogowners in Westport; There was a rush to the Registration Office—we mean, of course, the Polica Camp, and not the Customhouse; and for the small sum of five shillings, which is all that is charged for this year, considerate owners of dogs, irrespective of size—we mean, of course, the dogs, not the owners—were provided with a ticket and a number. A.ll respectable men's dogs are now to be seen with collars of iron, leather, or brass ; and in its general appearance the community is greatly improved. Owing to the detention of the Mary outside the bar, a supply of paper collars expected did not arrive in time for this great occasion, but as the register remains open, and as the collars are suited for all sorts of puppies, it is probable that they will yet meet with an extensive demand in Westport—which observation is '* kinder ironical."

The butchers of Westport. arc characterised by a " free and easy " method of doing business between themselves, only now and then " breaking " into violent competition, when "up goes the donkey," and down goes the price of meat. This week, the three butchers tendered for supplying meat to the gaol. The three tenders, when opened, were all alike, so they *' tossed for it " at the counter of the public offices, and Mr Suisted won by "a woman." It might be well if, for the convenience of contractors, Mr Harris were to keep on the premises the appliances for that short and easy method of settling disputes—" Yankee grab." Mr Rc-id, M.P.C., is understood to bo on his way to Westport, after the fulfilment of his duties in the Provincial Council, and of his devotions elsewhere. It appears that, during his visit to other parts of the colony, Mr Reid has managed to spend his honorarium, and his—honeymoon. Great fears are entertained as to the possibility of a similar fate overtaking the other member for the Buller, Mr M'Dowell. It is high time that their constituency called upon the two gentlemen to give au explanation of their conduct. They went away pledged to Separation and Disunion. With all respect to them, they seem to have a very extraordinary way of illustrating the sincerity of their sentiments. They would deserve no commiseration if they were even impeached as renegades.

The members of the Oddfellows' Lodge in Westport had a meeting of a special character on Thursday evening. A deputation of members from the Charleston Lodge visited the Lodge here, for the purpose of consulting on the subject of making application to the Annual Moveable Committee in England to have Westland North constituted a District. At present the Charleston and Westport Lodges arc in the Nelson District, and, in consequence of the heavy expense in sending delegates to represent them at the District Meetings, it was thought advisable by both Lodges to have a district of their own—which has been agreed to by both Lodges. After the Lodge meeting, the members, including the deputation, met at a convivial party in the dining room of the Empire Hotel, where an excellent cold collation had been put upon the table by Messrs Tonks and Hughes. During the meeting the usual Lodge and local toasts were proposed, numerous speeches made, and humorous songs sung j and at an advanced hour, the party separated, after amply demonstrating that in Oddfellowship there is much good-fellowship. Among the civil cases in the Eesident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, there was a judgment summons by Charles Leech against Charles Lucas. The defendant is a Maori, employed as a boatman to the Lyell. The plaintiff said that, in that employment, the defendant was earning from .£5 to ,£6 10s per trip of the boat, exclusive of " tucker," and the defendant himself admitted that he earned, per trip, ,£8 to .£l2. The

plaintiff's representation was that, although receiving that amount, the defendant failed to pay him his account. "He was dancing and spreeing his money away, instead of paying his debts." The Magistrate gave judgmentfor the debt to be paid in instalments of M'i a week, and that, failing the payment of any instalment, the defendant should bo imprisoned for six weeks. The burial of Frederick Carpenter, the 'miner who was accidentally killed at Addison's Flat on Wednesday, took place yesterday at the Westport Cemetry. The funeral was largely attended by miners from Addison's Flat and by the townspeople. At the Empire Hotel, from which the procession started, and from other houses, flags were shown half-mast high. Sharp, frosty nights, and days sufficiently warm in the sun, but perceptibly cold in the shade, have been the characteristics of the weather since the late thunderstorm, which, in addition to other good effects, has beautified the prospect behind Westport by clothing the hill-tops in, we hope, not quite eternal snow. Messrs Bull and Bond are pushing on with then - work of erecting the new Episcopal church at Westport. The " studs " are up, and the skeleton is already a feature among scenery and architecture to which the completed church is expected to be so great an addition. Mr Broad, E.M., and a number of witnesses who have to attend the Supreme Court at Nelson, in connection with a Charleston perjury case, have been detained in Westport for several days, depending upon the arrival of the Bruce, and now waiting for the Kennedy. Dr Giles has been discharging magisterial duties at both places. A case affected by the Licensing Act, and by other Acts relating to the sale of spirituous liquors, was heard in the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. Jules Simon sued W. Williams for .£23, balance of an account. Mr Tyler appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Pitt for the defendant. There was an enormous bill of particulars, containing numerous small items, presented to the Court. Mr Pitt objected to many of the items on the ground that, under the Goldfields Licensing Act, a retailer of spirits or beer could not sue for liquors consumed on the premises, unless supplied to a bona-fide lodger. He contended that, under the law of England also, such a claim could not be maintained. Mr Tyler admitted the validity of the first objection, and of the second to a partial extent. The Act of George 11. applied, however, only to the sale of spirituous liquors. To save time, he had selected, out of the whole account, the amount duo for liquors, viz.: ,£3-114s, and he had also selected the amount duo forbser. Would the defendant admit the other particulars ? Mr Pitt was not in a position to do so, and Mr Tyler proposed to proceed with the ease, item by item, but the Magistrate considered that the plaintiff must take a non-suit or an adjournment, until he supplied a regular bill of particulars. It would bo perfectly monstrous to have the time of the Court wasted taxing a publican's bill for drinks sent out of his house, or for drinks on the premises, when he came into the Court knowing that, for part of his account, he could not recover. The case was adjourned until Monday, the question of costs of the adjournment to be settled at its conclusion.

The Auckland goldficlds are progressing. Some marvellous specimens have been taken from the Pride of the Karaka, a claim lying in the immediate rear of Shortland Town. The stone, which is wonderfully rich, is found seventy feet from the surface, in a lode two feet thick. All the ground in the immediate vicinity is taken up, to the extent of seven or eight acres. The load runs right into and under the flat, and, owing to recent arrangements by which mining is permitted within the boundaries of the Shortland township, the difficulties which appear to face the Grahainstown people will bo avoided.

From the letter of the London correspondent of the Melbourne Argus, wo learn that there has been a great deal of unpleasant comment about an item in the Misccllaneoiis Estimates of the year, of £'3,500 for " gifts and presents made by Prince Alfred during his tour in the Galatea." It is thought that the Prince having received the credit of these princly benevolences, ought to pay for them out of his own pocket, which is pretty well supplied at the national expense. " I cannot think, however," says the correspondent, "that the recipients of his Eoyal Higlrness's bounty will be any less satisfied with their presents' for the knowledge that they have been paid for by the illustrious body of British taxpayers."

The utter failure of Mr Firth's embassy to the King has, says the Auckland Herald, been the only local political news of interest during the past week. That gentleman, together with Mr C. 0. Davis and another, having paved their way with a present of some eight or ten tons of flour, &c, proceeded up the Waikato, a self-constituted embassy, to sue for peace with the King on part of the colonists. " "We, the commons of New Zeaiand," however, met with very little encouragement at the hands of Tawhiao's courtiers. They were outmanoeuvred, out-bounced, out-argued by abler diplomatists than themselves, and as the crowning result of their visit, the King and chiefs flatly refused to come to the proposed meeting at Ngaruawahia. A correspondent of Mr Adam Porter, residing in Fiji, says:—" Fiji is nourishing. Land increases in value daily. "Within the last twelve months it has doubled." The operatic extravaganEa of the Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, with Miss Julia Matthews as the heroine, is making a most successful tour of England. Miss Matthews is supported by most of the original representatives of the characters, and is everywhere met with unqualified approba-

bation. So great wa3 the success at Plymouth that the engagement had to be extended. The troupe will shortly visit Ireland and Scotland.