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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 540, 10 August 1869, Page 2

The s.s. Bangitoto, with the English mail, arrived off Hokitifra and Greyrnouth yesterday, and was tendered, but up to midnight the mails were not landed. If received, the news will be published to-day in a second edition. Two personal accidents happened yesterday—one at Addison's Flat, and the other at Giles Terrace. At Addison's Flat the sufferer was a man named Joseph PatrickHe is the owner of the Union Tramway, between the old and the new townships. As he was driving a truck along it yesterday forenoon, the horse became restless. He endeavored to hold the horse, bub failed, and was thrown from his seat on the truck to the ground. Unfortunately in his fall he came in contact with the stump of a tree which penetrated his left breast, in dangerous proximity to the lungs. He was otherwise externally, but not seriously, injured. He was at once conveyed to the "Westport Hospital by a number of the men of Addison's, and was attended to by Dr Thorpe. Immediately afterwards Dr Thorpe was called to attend a man named Charles Saunders or Sanderson, who had been engaged sawing timber at Giles Terrace. It appears that, while at work felling timber, a tree fell upon him, and he was severely inj ored, the branches of the tree striking him across the chest and face, driving his head against a bank, and producing concussion of the brain.

The local Fire Brigade have received a very favourable offer of a fire-engine from the firm of Messrs R. B. Martin and Co., importers, Dunedin, who 'write as follows: "We have on hand one of Sliand and Mason's London fire-engines, suitable for you, mounted on four wheels, with pumping handles Oft. 9in. on each side, intended for about 12 men. The engine is in firstclass order, and has been tried here by the local Fire Brigade, from the Captain of whom we have a certificate as to its efficiency. At present it is supplied with 10 f?et of suction hose, and 97 feet of delivery liose, which is quite good enough for practising with, and thus the new hose, with which we can also supply you, might be reserved for use in case of fire. The price as it stauds, is .£9O, to which we would add 100 feet of new delivery hose, 2in., costing Is 5d per foot, making the cost complete ,£97 Is Sd, everything guaranteed in firstclass order. Of course we would be prepared to supply you with a larger quantity of liose if required, at the following prices : —2 inch delivery hose of patent canvas Is od per foot, 2 inch suction hose, with spiral wire inside, at 8s per foot. The freight on the engine would not exceed £5, and we are willing to give you a fair trial of it, before asking for payment." We cannot see that the Brigade can do better than accept this offer, and with the subscriptions of £l5O already received, in addition to the £IOO Government grant, they will be able to meet other necessary expenses, such as the cost of erecting an engine-house, purchasing other gear, and providing for the maintenance of these •' properties." We observe that a meeting of the Committee is called for this evening.

The "Warden's Court was occupied on Friday and Saturday with the hearing of a number of cross cases having reference to the All Nations Tramway, Addison's Flat. Tho cases were so mixed that, to give a comprehensible and, at the same time, brief account of them would almost puzzle a saint; and it happens that, at present, we have not a gentleman of that description on our reporting staff. The results, however, in these cases and in the case of Eoddon v. Jamieson, Ballarat Creek, we shall give in next number. Thomas Braithwaite, who has been remanded to Christchurch, on a charge of bigamy, went to Nelson yesterday, in custody of the police, by the steamer Charles Edward.

The evening pleasure-seekers in town have no fewer than three difforent classes of entertainment announced for this and the ensuing week. This evening and to-mor-row Mr Bachelder's Diorama of the American War will be exhibited at the Masonic Hall, Empire Hotel, and, judging by the favorable opinions expressed of it in nearly every town in the Colony, and from the satisfaction afforded to the spectators last evening, we do not doubt that its visitors will be both numerous and delighted during the contemplated short exhibition of the diorama here. The second is the opening of the new Concert Hall by Mr Harris of the National Hotel, who has gone to considerable expense in fitting up a new concert hall adjoining his house, and in the engagement of several favorably reputed artistes, who will give a series of entertainments during the nextfewweeks. OnMonday next our local dramatic amateurs are to give their services for the benefit of the Hospital, and the programme is of itself sufficiently attractive to "draw" a good house.

We are without fresh news from West Wanganui. "When the s.s. Murray landed her Westport passengers, on the way to Nelson, there was not a living soul to be seen on the beach there.

Yesterday evening an accident, fatal to a horse recently purchased by Messrs Alcorn and M'Farland, happened in Wharf street. The horse backed a spring cart over the river bank, and in doing so broke its leg, and was consequently shot.

The man -who was on Friday brought down from the Upper Buller, injured by the fall of a tree, is named Angus M'Kinnon. Ho had only recieved some contusions, and is in a fair way of recovery. James Bark was, on Friday morning, brought before the Eesident Magistrate' 3 Court, Greyrnouth, charged with attempting to commit an unnatural offence. The evidence adduced was considered sufficient, and the prisoner was commited to take his trial at the ensuing Supreme Court sittings.

The Progress Committee—the body, no its head—has aroused itself from lethargy, and made several movements which we report now, and shall notice critically at another time.

Judge Clarke arrived in Westport yesterday, by the Charles Edward, and proceeded to Charleston.

It was nearly the height of spring tides yesterday, and there was a very heavy surf, the residt of some gale at sea. Considerable encroachments were made along the whole line of beach at Westport, but, fortunately, before the night tide, the wind was offshore and the surf went down, so that there was no inconvenience or occasion for alarm.

"We understand that the Government have resolved to proceed with the erection of a powder magazine at Charleston, on a scale somewhat different in magnificence from that on which the Court House was constructed. Utilitarians are asking if some better use of the money could not be made.

At the Eesident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, a man named Thomas Morris, who had been several times remanded for examination as a person of unsound mind, was brought up charged with being a vagrant, and having no visible ineaus of support. He was sentenced to three months' hard labor.