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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 540, 7 August 1869, Page 2

Some vtry fine imreels of gold have this week been brought from the Lyell and the Buller. One parcel of twenty ounces is composed chiefly of two-ounce and oneounce pieces obtained in the Lyell. And the parcels from the Buller, though principally of light gold, include one specimen exceeding five ounces in weight. This fine nugget was got by Mr Cowley in what was formerly Scott's claim, in which the 92 ounce nugget was obtained. The nugget is at present in possession of Mr Paterson, storekeeper, Kennedy street, who has also a very pretty specimen of richly auriferous epiartz which was found in the Lyell a few miles below the quartz reef which was recently discovered, and which, we believe, is likely soon to be taken up by some mining parties.

lii the Warden's Court, yesterday, anapplieation for a tunnel was made by a party who are purposing to work a new terrace called Spring Terrace, to the northward of Christmas Terrace, and forming another section of the Great North Lead of this district. They are the first party on the Terrace, and expect to have to drive a distance of 800 feet. They received protection, and a base line from which to work will be laid out by the Survey Department.

It will be seen that the members of the Loyal Westport Lodge of Oddfellows purpose celebrating the anniversary of their lodge by a ball and supper to be held in the Masonic Hall on Thursday, September 2nd. The Oddfellows have hitherto always made the arrangements for their "celebrations " with tact and liberality, and this meeting will, no doubt, be as much a success as its predecessors. The English mail for this month was due at Melbourne on Thursday the sth. The mail for England will be despatched on the 15th. In September two English mails will arrive—one on the Ist, and the other on the 30th.

It is a hopeful sign of Westport that the retail places of business are being increased or improved. What was long used as the Volunteer Drill Shed, or as the Gymnasium, or as the Little Grey Hotel ball-room, according to the fancy of Mr Emanuel, has nowbeen converted into good-looking shops, one of which is occupied by Mr Hay, seedsman aud fruiterer, and the other by Mr Struthers, painter. We understand that the Rev Mr White, who is on a temporary visit to Westport, will preach to-morrow in Mr Eraser's schoolroom, Molesworth street, at 11 a.m. and G. 30 p.m. At the Roman Catholic Church the Rev Mr Walsh holds service at 9 a.m. The sittings of the Charleston District Court will be held at the Court-house, Charleston, on Tuesday next, the 10th inst. At Westport the same Court sits on Tuesday, the 17th inst. Mr Bishop, Gladstone street, has, we notice, received a number of the " Church Psalter and Hymn Book" used by the English congregation here—Mercer's Oxford edition. When the Church is completed, these will be more in requisition. The following exaggerated account of the late accident to the Charleston coach appears in the West Coast Times:—"On Saturday last, the coach running between Charleston and Westport was capsized down a precipice. The horses (four) were all killed, and a number of passengers were seriously injured. Mr Eastwood, the agent, in advance of Mr Batchelder's entertainments, was a passenger, but he wonderfully escaped injury." Of course, people here know that no horses were killed, and that nobody was hurt, seriously or otherwise. The miner named Neil Dogherty, who met with the accident at the Shamrock Lead a few days ago, is progressing favorably in the Hospital. At present there are seven patients in the Hospital, but none of the cases are of a very serious nature. A man, whose name we have not ascertained, has been brought down from the Lyell, and taken to the Hospital, suffering, we believe, from injuries received by the fall of a tree.

It may not be professional, but it is certainly very convenient, to bave a medical man advertise bis fees in the following style, as one does in the columns of a contemporary. Some people might be disposed to say with regard to the physic that it is dirt cheap : —"Medical advice at the surgery 3s 6d ; ditto, for children under five years of age 2s 6d; visits and advice at patient's houses 4s 6d; ditto, for children under five years of age 3s 6d; visits either at surgery or in town (between eleven o'clock at night, and seven in the morning) 103 6d; country visits, during day, per mile 2s 6d ; ditto, at night, per

niile 3s 6d j midwifery attendance in town £1 Is; ditto, if in country, mileage in addition ; accidents and operations extra. Bottles to be found by patients or charged for. All medicine included in these charges. As this scale is based upon the lowest remunerative returns, all fees must be paid in advance.

The Hauhaus are said to have burned all the greenstone in their possession, in consequence of some superstition connected with theh faith. This shows the unpractical turn of the Maori mind. How much better it would have been for them to have sold it!

We notice by the Wanganui papers that a Mr Finnimore has just finished planting thirty acres of flax on his farm. Some of tho plants have been in the ground for ten days, and in that time have sent up young shoots from four to six inches in length. It is generally supposed that the flax will not be grown sufficient for cutting before two years, but Mr Finnimore thinks that it may be cut without injury, and to pay, in little over a twelve month.

The question of establishing a Mint in this colony was mooted in the Legislative Assembly last week. Mr Fox said the matter had been brought before the Imperial Government in November last, by the then agent for the Government (Mr. Fitzherbert), but no answer was given until last mail, when a dispatch was received, covering a report on the subject of the Sydney Mint, which was not very encouraging. He believed the establishment of a mint would be a very good thing, chiefly from a commercial point of view ; and if they could make a profit out of it they might establish it. The Sydney Mint was now selfsupporting, the issue being 800,000 sovereigns annually ; but he doubted whether the New Zealand issue would be so much as that at the present time. The Government would direct its attention to the subject, and if they saw that it could be carried out profitably they would take action in the matter. A now form of birth notice appears in the Wanganui Times. It is as follows :—" On th e 3rd July, the wife of Archibald Nelson, of twins, son and daughter. Both duing well under the care of Mrs Abernethy." AVh o Mrs Abernethy is deponent sayetb. not. Probably the local Sairey Gamp.