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Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 632, 15 March 1870, Page 2

The local committee appointed to promote the establishment of a Miners' League mot at the domicile of Mr Barrowman, the Honorary Secretary, at Rochfort Terrace, on Saturday evening. All the members of the committee who are at present in the district, notwithstanding - the remoteness of their residences, and the wetness of the evening, met at the hour appointed. The members

were Messrs Barrowman, Braithwaite, Dunn, Graham, Malone, and Ronaldson. It was mentioned by the Secretary that no further communications had been received from other districts on tho subject of the proposed League, but he referred tothePross reports of meetings at Charleston and in the Grey district as exhibiting the interest which was taken in the subject. No special expression had been made at Addison's EiS-Ji kntJ\;was presuined that the feeling as desirable that that district should, asliitended, be represented on the committee, or by a committee locally appointed. It was generally agreed by the meeting that it was now highly desirable to submit some definite propositions to a public meeting, and St. Patrick's Day was selected as au appropriate occasion for an assemblage of miners in Westport. Such a therefore, been called—to be held at the Masonic Hall—and we understand that after a statement of the committee's proceedings it is proposed that a series of resolutions should be submitted, having reference to such subjects as tho establishment of Mining Boards, tho increased representation of mining districts, the appointment of Wardens, and the transfer of the supervision of these goldfields from the Superintendent to a specially appointed Commissioner.

It must be some satisfaction to the isolated inhabitants of Westport, and to the minors who have to trudge through the sand between Westport and the Orawaiti, that there is at length some prospect of a tramway being constructed between these two places. We understand that protection is about to be granted to Mr Couvtonay for a tramway to be constructed along the surveyed line of road to the Orawaiti, and no doubt, this protection will not be granted without some guarantee of the work being undertaken within a reasonable time. The project is one which has frequently been spoken of, and, had a tramway existed a year ago, it would have paid handsomely. It may not now prove so remunerative, but it can scarcely fail,- in course of time, to create traffic for itself, and it may prove to ba the nucleus of a tramway system con nected both with the diggings and the ooai-mines to the northward. In that aspect, it deserves special encouragement from the Government, and it is to be hoped that its originator, who is experienced in the management of such works, will reap ample reward for his enterprise. St. Patrick's Day—Thursday next—will probably be generally observed as a holiday in Westport and Charleston. A grand foot-ball match, wrestling, vaulting, and other sports are announced as the programme of amusements hi Westport, and in Charleston there is to be some horseracing—five events in all. Numerous visitors to both towns may be expected, but a minority, who have the time and the cash, will probably attend the Greymouth races." As usual, Gibson's Minors' Rest Hotel, "and the demesnes that there adjacent lie " are to be the scene of separate sports, " truly rural." It is reported that some bettor stone has been discovered at Irishman's Creek, Lyell, than that brought into town some weeks ago. This reef will, doubtless, take some time to developo. Though there have from week to week been various rumors current-in reference to the quality and quantity of stone already discovered, it would bo prematuro to say whether the reef is yet proved to be payable. Report says as high as £2OO has been offered for a half share in the prospector.?' claim, but as to this wo have heard nothing reliable. There has, however, been another application registered in the Warden's office this week, for an ordinary quartz claim in the same locality.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court, on Saturday, an old offender, Mrs Fry, was charged with being drunk and using obscene and indecent language. She was sentenced to throe months' hard labor, hi default of paying a fine of ,£lO, and, as sho had only recently undergone a similar sentence, tho Magistrate warned her that, on any future occasion, she would bo imprisoned for a much longer poriod. The exports from Westport for the quarter of last year included 722 hides,

2364 sheep-skins, GO cvvts of tallow, and 350 lbs of wool. The valuo of gold exported was 03,076.